Aran Islands, Ireland

The rugged and barren landscapes of the Aran Islands, dotted with thatched roof stone cottages, Early Christian churches and ancient stone forts offer one of the best glimpses of the traditional Irish way of life. The everyday language of the Islanders is Gaelic, and their songs and stories illustrate and preserve much of Ireland’s folklore and culture.

Three islands: Inishmore, Inishmaan and Inisheer, make up the legendary Aran Islands off the west coast of Galway. The rugged landscape made it tough for the islanders. However, they adapted themselves to the raw climatic conditions, developing a survival system of total self-sufficiency. Their methods included mixing layers of sand and seaweed on top of rocks to create fertile soil, a technique used to grow potatoes and other vegetables. The same seaweed method also provided grazing grass within stone-wall enclosures for cattle and sheep, which in turn provided wool and yarn to make hand-knitted goods for which they are famous for. The islanders also constructed unique boats made of laths and tarred canvas for fishing.

Many Irish saints had some connection with Aran: St. Brendan was blessed for his voyage there; Jarlath of Tuam, Finnian of Clonard, and St. Columba called it the "Sun of the West." Writers and artists alike have also been inspired by the landscape. Playwright JM Synge commemorates the island’s sturdy fisherfolk is “Riders to the Sea” and “The Aran Islands”. The life of this traditional Irish community has also been portrayed in the film “Man of Aran”.

Whether exploring the depths of the traditional Irish life, intrigued by early Christian structures, studying ancient stone fortresses or just looking for a bit of inspiration by the beautiful landscape; the Aran Islands are the perfect way to compliment your Irish vacation.

St Peter's Basilica

St Peter’s Basilica is a Late Renaissance church located within the Vatican City. It is regarded as one of the holiest Christian sites and has been described as the greatest of all churches in Christendom. St. Peter's is famous as a place of pilgrimage.



In Catholic tradition, the basilica is the burial site of its namesake Saint Peter, who was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus and, according to tradition, first Bishop of Rome and therefore first in the line of the papal succession. Tradition and some historical evidence hold that Saint Peter's tomb is directly below the altar of the basilica. For this reason, many Popes have been interred at St Peter's since the Early Christian period. There has been a church on this site since the 4th century. Construction of the present basilica, over the old Constantinian basilica, began on April 18, 1506 and was completed on November 18, 1626.



St. Peter's is also an extraordinary museum and it is impossible to estimate the priceless worth of the infinite works of art that can be found here. As a work of architecture, it is regarded as the greatest building of its age. Many prestigious architects and artists of the time were involved with the construction of St. Peter's, but it was first Donato Bramante and then Michelangelo who created the revolutionary plant of the new construction. Bramante built the immense central body in the form of a Greek cross held up by four gigantic pillars. Michelangelo was the designer of the 'cuppolone', and he was also responsible for the simple, yet majestic exterior with its gigantic columns crowned by a very evident horizontal fascia. In the end, it was Carlo Maderno who lengthened the central nave of the church and erected the monumental façade. An imposing construction that was as big as a football field and as high as a thirteen-story building, crowned with the colossal statues of Jesus, Giovanni Battista and the apostles.

Be left breathless with the brilliance of St. Peter’s Basilica, visit www.CelticTours.com to learn more

Wine Tasting in Chianti

Tuscany is known for its legendary cities, picturesque towns, and its world-renowned wines; all part of its stunning landscapes. Experience the heart of Tuscany with wine tasting tours in Chianti.

Chianti is a region in central Tuscany where the famed Chianti and Chianti Classico wines are produced. Chianti wine is a red wine, historically associated with a squat bottle, enclosed in a straw basket, called a fiasco. Chianti Classico wines are characterized in their youth by their predominantly floral and cinnamon spicy bouquet. As the wine ages, aromas of tobacco and leather can emerge. Chiantis tend to have medium-high acidity and medium tannins. The acidity in the wines make them very flexible with food and wine pairings.

The black rooster emblem that appears on the neck labels of many Chianti Classico is the symbol of the Consorzio Chianti Classico, a foundation of producers in the Chianti Classico region. The foundation was founded with the aim of promoting the wines of the region, improving quality and preventing wine fraud.

Wine tasting in Chianti is a little different than in the US. As most wineries are small, you should call ahead to make an appointment to do a tour. We recommend doing three or less tours in a day because wine tasting in Italy generally takes a couple of hours. You can also find wines to taste, buy and drink at an Enoteca. An enoteca is an establishment where you can sample wines from a wide variety of local wine estates. One of the largest in the Chianti Classico area is Le Cantine di Greve in Chianti, where you can sample over 140 wines, cheese, salame, grappa and olive oil. There is also a wine museum.

A wine tasting tour is Chianti is the perfect way to compliment your Tuscan stay. For more information on Celtic Tour’s Italy tours, please visit our website.

Tuscan Cuisine

Each region in Italy has its own unique cuisine, and Tuscany is a good starting point for exploring the best in Italian food. Tuscan cuisine is appreciated world-round for its fine natural and favorful ingredients. A look at the Tuscan countryside reveals some of the key ingredients in local cooking: olive groves with their silvery sheen, fairytale forests of chestnut trees, hillsides blanketed in grape vines, angelic sheep lolling among ruins, fragrant rosemary and sage bushes lining gardens. Tuscan cooking is simple and seasonal, without the heavy sauces found in other regions.

Traditionally, meals in Italy usually contain 3 or 4 courses. Meals are seen as a time to spend with family and friends, thus daily meals can be longer than in other cultures. Lunch, or Pranzo, is considered the most important meal of the day. During lunch hours (typically 12 noon to 2:00) schoolchildren are allowed to go home and most shops close for a pausa, which is characteristic of that easygoing Italian way of life that visitors find so alluring and desirable.

What better way to learn more about traditional Tuscan cuisine, then to take a cooking class at an historical Tuscan Villa, located in the heart of Chianti. Together with the Villa Casagrande’s Chef Paola Eoncini, you will prepare typical Tuscan dishes and other specialties as well as decadent sweets and Tuscan cakes. Learn more by visiting Celtic Tours website.

The Blarney Stone

Steeped in history and magical charm, Blarney offers the visitor a host of wonderful things to do and places to discover. Blarney, one of Ireland’s most picturesque villages, is set in beautiful wooded countryside, just 5 miles from Cork City. It is an ideal base to visit the many sights of County Cork and County Kerry. High on most people’s list of things to in Ireland is a visit to the famed Blarney Castle and kissing the Blarney Stone.

Blarney Castle presents a fairytale picture, its tall towers are set within extensive gardens containing such romantically named landmarks as: the Druids Altar, the Witches Kitchen and the Wishing Stairs. All of which add to the whole magic of Blarney Castle. The castle is now a partial ruin with some accessible rooms and battlements. The castle’s history originally dates from before AD 1200, when a wooden structure was built on the site. The prevailing castle was built in 1446 for Cormac MacCarthy - then King of Munster. The MacCarthys held sway over Blarney and Munster throughout the many tumultuous centuries of Anglo-Irish conflict until the defeat of the old Irish nobles at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690, after which the Lord of Blarney was exiled.

At the very top turret of the castle lies the Stone of Eloquence, better known as the Blarney Stone. Over 200,000 people visit Blarney Castle each year with the purpose of kissing the Blarney Stone to be bestowed with the “gift of gab”, the talent for eloquence that the Irish famously possess. The kiss, however, is not achieved casually. To touch the stone with one's lips, the participant must ascend to the castle's peak, then lean backwards on the parapet's edge, over a sheer drop, as the wind whistles around your ears. This is traditionally achieved with the help of an assistant. But it’s all perfectly safe and you’ll go away with something new to talk about, and a touch o’ Blarney.

Though kissing the stone is a relatively new ritual, the association with smooth talking and Blarney goes back many centuries. When Queen Elizabeth I of England sought to impose her rule on Ireland's Gaelic Chiefs, The Lord of Blarney, Cormac MacCarthy, proving most elusive, would reply to her demands with flamboyant flattery rather than submission. The Queen was said to reply, "this is all Blarney, he never means what he says and never does what he promises." And so the word Blarney came into the English language, eloquent words that flatter or deceive. There are many legends as to the origin of the stone, but some say that it was the Lia Fáil—a magical stone upon which Irish kings were crowned. Others say that it was created by a witch during the Middle Ages.

After kissing the Blarney Stone, visitors may want to try their hand at golf or shop in the Blarney Woollen Mills. Learn more about Celtic Tours premier escorted motorcoach tours.

The Giant's Causeway

The Giant's Causeway, the source of legends of gigantic proportions, is a 50 to 60 million year old landmark of Ireland's natural and mystical beauty. Located in County Antrim, the causeway was named the fourth greatest natural wonder of the United Kingdom and is the most popular tourist attraction in Northern Ireland.

Geological evidence suggests that the Giant's Causeway was formed by the aftermath of an ancient volcano. Sixty five million years ago, County Antrim experienced intense volcanic activity, when molten basalt broke apart chalk beds to form what is now known as the Antrim plateau. When the molten lava hit the seawater, it cooled quickly and formed the famous basalt columns. The size of the columns is primarily determined by the speed at which the lava cools. The tops of the hexagonal columns form stepping stones reaching as high as 36 ft.

It is easy to see how these almost perfectly symmetrical formations would be viewed as otherwordly by our earlier irish ancestors and hot the Giant's Causeway would give rise to colorful legend. Legend claims that the mythical giant and Irish warrior Finn McCool built the Causeway from the North coast of Antrim as a pathway to the Scottish island of Staffa to confront his enemy Benandonner. The existence of similar basalt columns at Fingal's Cave on the island reinforced belief in the legend. The legend tells that Finn fell asleep before he got to Scotland. When he did not arrive, the much larger Benandonner crossed the bridge looking for him. To protect Finn, his wife Oonagh laid a blanket over him so he could pretend that he was actually their baby son. When Benandonner saw the size of the 'infant', he assumed the father, Finn, must be gigantic! Therefore, Benandonner fled home in terror, ripping up the Causeway so that Finn could not follow him.

As the most popular tourist attraction in Northern Ireland, the National Trust are expecting to open a new 'world class' visitor center in Summer 2012. The Giant's Causeway is always open and admission is free. Visitor's can expect to spend approximately 2 hours at the Giant's Causeway to gain the full experience. On your visit to the Causeway see if you can spot some of the rock features that resemble objects such as the Giant's Eyes, Giant's Boot, Camel's Hump, Organ and Chimney Stacks. With a short half mile walk over the basalt columns at the edge of the sea, from the entrance to the site, this unique landscape needs to be seen to be believed!

Learn more about Celtic Tours' premier escorted motorcoach tours of Northern Ireland

Gift the Gift of Travel this Mother's Day!

Not sure what to get Mom this year for Mother's Day?

Why not Give the Gift of Travel!

Celtic Tours offers a wide range of touring options to choose from or simply purchase a gift certificate in the denomination of your choice. And not to worry, our gift certificates have no expiration date, so you mom can use it anytime in the future!

Mother's Day is May 9th, 2010