DISCOVER THE TRAVEL PROGRAM

Day 1 (Day 24 of August): City of origin – Dublin. THE ADVENTURE BEGINS

Your flight to Dublin marks the beginning of an exciting adventure; a weekend in Dublin. When you arrive at the airport in the Irish capital, collect for your car from the rental agency. Remember that in Ireland they drive on the left (be careful of roundabouts) and the car controls are also on the opposite side. Head to the hotel, but do not unpack. You have a night to soak up the wonderful atmosphere of Dublin city, where we encourage you to leisurely wander the mythical Ha’Penny Bridge to the picturesque streets of the Temple Bar area that will intrigue you with its lively nightlife. Find a cozy historic pub where you can enjoy wi traditional music and refreshing pints. Here’s to a good night!

Day 2 (25 August): Dublin. DISCOVER CHARMS OF DUBLIN FROM THE LIFFEY RIVER AND ENJOY THE GREAT FAMILY FESTIVAL

Today you have all morning free in the lively capital of Ireland. We recommend you to visit some of its most significant monuments such as the beautiful St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin Castle, Trinity College; Ireland’s oldest university and where you will marvel at its magnificent library; Town Hall, National Gallery of Ireland, Phoenix Park or the Dublinia exhibition. And if you’re a beer lover, you can not miss the genuine Guinness Storehouse, where you can try one of the most famous beers in the world.
In addition, if you wish, you can discover the charms of Dublin from the River Liffey. Join one of the exciting riverside excursions that run daily on the River Liffey! From a boat equipped with all the comforts and thanks to an expert guide, you will be able to find out important historical stages of the city, from the arrival of the vikings a millennium ago, to the important development that the city experienced in the nineteenth century and the significant work of the rehabilitation of the docks. During your boat trip, you will be able to discover spellbinding legends and photograph outstanding tourist attractions. During the river tour you will cross famous sites such as the Ha ‘Penny bridge or the Grand Canal. And if you prefer to explore Dublin on land you can get on some of the colorful tour buses that run through the city and stop in the places of your choice.
In the afternoon, the Grand Festival of Families will take place, one of the most beautiful and significant events of the World Meeting of Families. It is a celebration of family life around the world with music and dance shows, as well as the testimony of faith of five families chosen from different parts of the world. You’ll love it.

Day 3 (26 August): Dublin. ECUCARISTIC CELEBRATION WITH FAMILIES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD WELCOME TO THE IRELAND GARDEN

Today the World Meeting of Families concludes with a Solemn Eucharistic Celebration which will bring together people and families from all over the world in communion and thanksgiving.

Later, we recommend you to discover County Wicklow, known as the garden of Ireland. In Wicklow you will love getting lost in landscapes full of flora and fauna, and they are always worth seeing. Set amongst the lush hills of Wicklow, south of Dublin, you will enjoy walking among beautiful glens, beautiful waterfalls and transparent lakes. In addition to its spectacular scenery, hidden villages and stretches of pristine beaches, Wicklow is a historic place with elegant mansions and gardens. Do not miss Glendalough, a monastic site founded in the 6th century which, despite the constant Viking sieges, continued its activity for another ten centuries. Finally, return to Dublin.

Day 4 (August 27): City of origin – Spain. Safe Home

After an unforgettable weekend, the memory of Dublin is sure to remain engraved forever in your heart. It’s time to say goodbye to Celtic customs, stunning cliffs and Irish hospitality. Head back to the airport, to return the rental car and take off for home.

EXPERIENCES

GET TOGETHER WITH YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS FOR A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE
The World Meeting of Families 2018
The event will be held in Dublin from 21 to 26 August next year

Head to Ireland and take part in the World Meeting of Families to be held in Dublin from 21 to 26 August 2018. A unique opportunity to experience, together with your loved ones, an unforgettable journey that will transform your lives forever. Can you think of a better way to spend your summer vacation?

WELCOME TO THE EMERALD ISLE!

Take a spiritual journey in which you will also get to know Dublin, a cosmopolitan and welcoming city and discover an important historical and cultural legacy, a lively and fun atmosphere, delicious cuisine and the beautiful landscapes that have given so much to this European country.
Come together with your family and Friends to have a unique experience in which you can live your faith together with Pope Francis, feel the strength of spiritual communion and share experiences with families and young people from all corners of the world. Do not miss it!

VISITING ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS UNIVERSITIES IN THE WORLD
Discover the lively student atmosphere of Trinity College Dublin
Personalities such as Jonathan Swift, Samuel Beckett and Oscar Wilde

Did you know that Trinity College Dublin is the oldest university in Ireland and one of the most prestigious in the world? Founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I, international personalities such as Oscar Wilde, Jonathan Swift and Samuel Beckett passed through their classrooms.
Its rich library condenses the cultural wealth of the city, whose crown jewel is the “Book of Kells”. Trinity also owns the largest collection of manuscripts and printed books in Ireland. Since 1801, it has received a copy of all the works published in Ireland and Great Britain, thanks to which it currently has almost three million books distributed in eight buildings.

TRADITIONAL AND MODERN FEATURES IN AN ATTRACTIVE UNIVERSITY ENVIRONMENT

During your visit we recommend that you get lost in all its corners, relax in its small parks, admire its elegant buildings of the XVIII and XIX centuries that contrast with contemporary sculptures such as Henry Moore and soak up the university atmosphere.

As soon as you enter the main door you will find the bell tower, about 30 meters long, designed by Edward Lanyon and erected in 1853 at the place believed to be the center of the old monastery. On the north side of the square stands the chapel, designed by William Chambers and finished in 1799. You can only see its interior by previously arranging a guided tour.

The Dining Hall, the Library Square, the Douglas Hyde Gallery, the Science Gallery and the Samuel Beckett Theater are just some of the attractions on this campus which offers the visitor a traditional and modern experience

RELAX IN THE CITY’S BEAUTIFUL GREEN SPACE
Walk the Phoenix Park or go by bike
Get to know  the largest urban park in Europe

With more than 700 hectares of extension, the Phoenix Park is the largest urban park in Europe. Created in 1662 as a deer reserve, in 1745 it was remodeled and opened to the public. Located just a few miles from Dublin city centre, the Phoenix Park is an important green space for the city, as well as a pleasant place to bike.

We recommend you visit the following points:

1. Phoenix Monument. It is a small column crowned by a sculpture of the mythical bird, a Phoenix, that gives name to the park
2. Dublin Zoo. Visiting the zoo, one of the oldest in the world, is always a good option to enjoy nature in the middle of the city. Frequented by locals and tourists from all over the world, it was inaugurated in 1830 with a single resident: a wild boar.
3. Papal Cross. Discover this cross located in the place where in 1979 the Pope celebrated a mass before a million followers.
4. Wellington Monument. Take a picture of yourself in front of this obelisk which is 63 meters in height, erected in honor to the Duke of Wellington. It took more than 40 years to build.
5. Áras an Uachtaráin. The official residence of the President of Ireland.
6. People’s Garden is the only gardened and cultivated part of the park. You will find it next to the Park Gate entrance

GET TO KNOW ALL THE DETAILS OF HIS HISTORY AND PRODUCTION
Visit the iconic Guinness Storehouse
From the Gravity Bar you can savour Dublin while tasting one of the best beers in the world

If you are a beer lover, you can not leave Dublin without visiting the Guinness Storehouse, one of the most authentic places in the city. During your visit, you will have the opportunity to find out informaiton about the history and production of the most favoured drink in these lands. Its reddish color, its characteristic smell and its intense flavor have made of the pint one of the preferred pleasures of Dubliners. The visit to the Guinness Storehouse begins on the ground floor of the main building, which you will recognise for its curious form of enormous pint of beer. Here you can see the copy of the brewery lease signed by Arthur Guinness in 1759 for 9,000 years and an interesting exhibition where you will know all the secrets surrounding the four ingredients that make up the beer: water, hops, barley and yeast.

On the first floor, the process of brewing is explained. A large room contains the old machinery used in the factory: a mill, a toaster, a alembic and giant wooden barrels. For its part, the second floor offers the visitor an interesting tour through the history of this emblematic beer that you will know thanks to the advertising campaigns developed by Guinness throughout history. On the third floor visitors are offered the possibility to test their knowledge about alcohol through different interactive games. On the fourth floor an exhibition tells the history of the building, from 1904 until its conversion in 2000 into a visitor center.

At end of this excursion on the fifth floor, visitors are offered the chance to pull their own pint, giving them a diploma that credits their skills. The tour finishes on the roof of the building, known as Gravity Bar, a pleasant place from which you can admire the views of the city while tasting a pint on the house. A unique experience.

ENJOY ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL AND AMAZING SCENES IN IRELAND
Discover all the secrets of Dublin aboard a boat
River excursions along the River Liffey, a new and fun way to see the sights

Embark on a leisurely cruise and discover all the secrets of the River Liffey and the charming city of Dublin. While you enjoy some of the country’s most beautiful scenery, you will learn from an expert guide the history of this city, since the arrival of the Vikings, 1000 years ago, the apogee and development of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the rehabilitation of the Dublin quays and the many attractions that have turned this city into one of the main European capitals. During the crossing, you will cross the symbolic Ha’penny Bridge, the majestic Custom House, the Royal Canal and the Grand Canal, as well as discovering that much of modern Dublin sits on land reclaimed from the sea, which includes Trinity College and The Spire on O’Connell Street.