Best of Ireland and Scotland

This well paced tour has two-night stays in Dublin, Killarney, the Highlands and Edinburgh. The driving days are of a reasonable length; frequent stops provide ample and splendid photo opportunities.

Day 1- Arrive Dublin (2 nights)

Welcome to Ireland! On arrival at Dublin Airport, your airport transfer service leaves for the tour hotel at 08:00, 11:00 & 13:30. Perhaps stroll around the shops of Grafton Street? Tonight, join your Tour Director & fellow guests for a Welcome Drink.

Hotel: Burlington

Day 2- Dublin sightseeing

A sightseeing tour of Dublin includes the elegant squares of Ireland's 'fair city' & a visit to the impressive Dublin Castle (when open). See also famous O'Connell Street & the historic Customs House, one of architect James Gandon's masterpieces. As evening falls, there is time for shopping & the chance to see an Irish Cabaret show.(B)

Day 3- Dublin Kildare Kilkenny Waterford

Begin the DAY with a fascinating insight into the highs & lows of the Celtic Tiger economy with our local expert, before driving to Kildare to visit one of the country's main racehorse breeding centres & Europe's finest Japanese Gardens . Continue to the medieval town of Kilkenny to see the 13C castle. Then head for Waterford to see Reginald's Tower, the ruined city walls & to visit the famous Waterford Crystal Showroom.

Hotel: Dooleys (B,D)

Day 4- Waterford Cork Blarney Killarney (2 nights)

Travel via the fishing village of Dungarvan to Cork for an orientation tour. Acquire the 'gift of the gab' by kissing the Blarney Stone at Blarney Castle & shop for woollens at the Blarney Mills. Continue to Killarney where you join a local 'Jarvie' aboard one of the jaunting cars. Tonight, dine as you please from our selection of local restaurants.

Hotel: Killarney Towers/Killarney Avenue (B,DA)

Day 5- Ring of Kerry Excursion

A highlight Ring of Kerry tour opens up superb seascapes, towering cliffs & spectacular mountains. Unhurried Irish life surrounds you as you travel through charming villages to view the three Lakes of Killarney before spending an afternoon at leisure. (B,D)

Day 6- Killarney Limerick

Journey through picturesque Adare to Limerick, on the shores of the Shannon, Ireland's longest river & the setting of Angela's Ashes. Sightseeing takes in the ruins of 13C King John's castle & St Mary's Cathedral.

Hotel: George Boutique Hotel (B)

Day 7- Limerick Galway Rosses Point (2 nights)

Visit Galway to see the Cathedral of St Nicholas, the Spanish Arch & Eyre Square, dedicated to the late US President John F. Kennedy. Now drive out to the Connemara, a scenic wonderland of rivers, lakes & silent hills. Stay tonight in a picturesque holiDAY village on the shores of Sligo Bay.

Hotel: Yeats Country Hotel (B,D)

Day 8- Rosses Point - Belleek - Ballygally

Visit the Belleek Pottery Centre before reaching the walled city of Derry. Sightseeing with a local guide takes you past the Georgian houses of Shipquay Street. Continue around the coast to visit the amazing 'Giant's Causeway'. Now enjoy a spectacular drive along the Antrim coast road to your hotel.

Hotel: Ballygally Castle (B,D)

Day 9- Ballygally Glasgow (2 nights)

Take the ferry to Scotland; & continue along the Ayrshire coast, taking in views of the Firth of Clyde & the Island of Arran. Pass the Open golf links of Turnberry before arriving in Alloway, where you will visit Robert Burns' birthplace & see Burns' Monument & the famous 'Brig O' Doon'. Spend the night in vibrant Glasgow.

Hotel: Crowne Plaza (B)

Day 10- Glasgow Highlands

It's only a short drive from Glasgow to the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond where you will enjoy a guided cruise on this beautiful loch. Now into the dramatic scenery of Glencoe, still echoing with the cries of massacred clansmen, before reaching Fort William. Pause at the Commandos' Memorial for a view of Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis, then continue along Loch Laggan to Newtonmore.

Hotel: Highlander (B,D)

Day 11- Highland excursion

Stop at the prehistoric Clava Stone Circle before crossing Culloden Moor, where Bonnie Prince Charlie's Jacobite army was finally defeated. Then it's on to Inverness & the mysterious shores of Loch Ness. Return to your hotel for a rousing evening, Highland style! Enjoy a Higlight Dinner complete with haggis and bagpipes. (B,HD)

Day 12- Highlands Edinburgh

A scenic drive takes you through the Grampian Mountains past the Duke of Atholl's Blair Castle. Travel via the Pass of Killiecrankie to Pitlochry, famous for its Salmon Leap. Drive down & cross the Tay to visit St. &rews, the home of golf. Now continue across the majestic Forth Road Bridge to Edinburgh.

Hotel: Apex European (B)

Day 13- Edinburgh Sightseeing

Join your guide for a tour of Edinburgh Castle, which houses the Scottish Crown Jewels. Pass St Giles' Cathedral, as you drive down the Royal Mile to Holyroodhouse Palace. Now drive down Princes Street, past the Scott Memorial to see Edinburgh's famous Georgian architecture. Later, there is still time to shop. Selected departures enjoy the spectacular Edinburgh Military Tattoo at the castle. (B)

Day 14- Edinburgh

Departure transfers arrive at Edinburgh Airport at 06:15 & 09:00. (B)

Tour Itinerary

Prices

Dates and Rates

Begins Edinburgh every Sat throughout summer 2011.

• Prices are per person land only based on 2 people sharing a twin room.
• Please ask for flight quotes from your preferred airport of departure.
• Please ask for pricing in other currencies.

What's Included

• 13 nights hotel accommodation staying in twin-bedded rooms with private facilities.
• All hotel service charges and tips, baggage handling fees and local taxes included.

• Escorted by a professional Tour Director

• Headsets for all guided visits & walking tours
• Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with extended leg room & on-board restroom
• Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes & porterage
• Insight Traveller document wallet, map book journal & information pack
• Airport arrival & departure transfers at scheduled times on Day 1 & Day 14
• Should your flights not coincide with these arrival & departure transfers, please make your own way to/from the airport
• 18 meals in total (see day-by-day itinerary: 13 full breakfasts.
  5 three-course dinners)

Images

Map