Taste of Scotland and Ireland

Day 1: Glasgow Highlights

Welcome to Scotland! Upon your arrival to Glasgow Airport a group transfer to your hotel will be arranged. The transfers depart at 8:00 am, 10:00 am or 12:00 noon. Should you arrive later than noon, you must transfer to the hotel at your own expense.
At 2:30 pm you will set out on a coach tour of Glasgow. The city prospered in Victorian times due to shipbuilding on the River Clyde. You will then Drive around George Square with its ornate City Chambers and nearby Glasgow Cathedral. Visit extensive collections in Kelvinqrove Art Gallery and Museum which was originally opened in 1901 and recently refurbished.
Enjoy a relaxing welcome drink before dinner. (D)

Day 2: Loch Lomond & Loch Ness Cruise

Today you will depart Glasgow and travel alongside the famous Loch Lomond. Travel across the haunting Rannoch Moor and through the deep valley of Glencoe, notorious for the Campbell massacre of the Clan Macdonald in 1692. Continue through Fort William and stop at the Spean Bridge Woollen Mills.
Later you will enjoy a short cruise on Loch Ness. Take in the impressive scenery but watch out for ‘Nessie’ the Loch Ness monster! Onwards to Nairn. The hotel you will be staying at here in Nairn used to be a favourite summer residence of the legendry Charlie Chaplin.
Enjoy your dinner before experiencing some traditional Scottish Highland entertainment including bagpipe music, song and dance. (B, D)

Day 3: Culloden Battlefield & Edinburgh Ghost Tour

Day 3 will being with a visit the Culloden Visitor Centre where you can learn all about the Battle of Culloden where Bonnie Prince Charlie was defeated by the British army in 1746, changing the traditional way of Highland clan life forever.
Next you will drive south through the Grampian Mountains to visit Blair Athol Distillery to see how whisky is distilled and sample some. The tour will drive south until Edinburgh is reached. Check in to your hotel which is set in lovely grounds and golf course a few miles from the city centre.
Later in the evening dine in the Heights Restaurant which is a rooftop eatery that boasts spectuclar views of Edinburgh Castle. A nice view while you enjoy your meal! Following that, head to the streets for a humorous but factual walking tour where your guide will point out Edinburgh’s many colourful characters to you! (B, D)

Day 4: Edinburgh Castle & City Tour

On the morning of day 4 a guide will bring you on Edinburgh city tour where all the main sights of this captivating city will be pointed out to you. Take in the sights and sounds of the Princes Street and through the wide streets of the 200-year-old Georgian New Town. See the compact medieval section along the Royal Mile where some houses reach 11 stories tall.
Next you will visit Edinburgh Castle, which dominates the city centre and contains the Scottish Crown Jewels and the Stone of Scone.
The rest of the day is free to do as you please – choose from relaxing, further sightseeing, shopping or dining – it is all up to you! On the July 31, August 05, 07, 12, 14, 19 and 21 departures enjoy the Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle. (B)

Day 5: Larne Ferry & Drive to Dublin

On day 5 you will depart Edinburgh early this morning and drive south through part of the Scottish Borders and along the coast. When you reach Cairnryan you will need to take a ferry ride across the narrow channel between Scotland and Ireland to Larne, just outside Belfast. Enjoy an informative city tour of Belfast before the tour continues south to Dublin. Check in to your hotel. Remember you will need to choose your own restaurant to eat in tonight. There are plenty to choose from and your tour guide will happily recommend you some great places. (B)

Day 6: Dublin & Traditional Irish Show

Today you will get to know Dublin. In the morning a local tour guide will show you around central Dublin. The tour will pass through Trinity College where the Book of Kells is housed. Then you will get to see the Irish government buildings of Dail Eireann before enjoying the rows of Georgian houses with brightly coloured doors.  A walk through the campus of Trinity College is recommended as this will allow you to view the Book of Kells.
The afternoon is at your leisure. You may choose to use your vouchers for an independent open-top bus tour and a visit to Guinness or Jameson. In the evening time feel free to enjoy a traditional Irish show featuring a great dinner of traditional Irish specialties. This will be followed by a lively show of Irish songs and step-dancing. (B, D)

Day 7: Blarney Castle & Killarney

Depart Dublin on the seventh day and travel through the centre of Ireland, stopping to view the famous Rock of Cashel. Continue your drive south to visit Blarney Castle and kiss the well known Blarney Stone. Visit Blarney Woollen Mills where you can find quality Irish-made goods. Drive onwards into the mountainous countryside of County Kerry to Killarney which is situated beside lakes and mountains. Check in to your downtown hotel and relax before dinner. Afterwards you can discover the charm of the Killarney nightlife and visit some of the town’s famous “singing pubs.” (B, D)

Day 8: Ring of Kerry & Skellig Experience

Today you will set off on the glorious Ring of Kerry – the drive consists of a winding route with breathtaking sights of mountains and coastal views. The tour will meet a local farmer where you will get a small taste of farm life. Watch as the sheepdog herds flocks right before your eyes! Cross over to Valencia Island by bridge where you can visit the Skellig Experience which describes the lives of early Christian monks on the islands. Drive through Waterville and stop in Sneem to admire brightly-painted houses. Stop at Moll’s Gap for stunning views before returning to Killarney in time to relax before dinner. (B, D)

Day 9: Cliffs of Moher & Bunratty Castle

On day 9 you will travel to Tarbert for a ferry ride across the River Shannon Estuary. Continue onwards to the Cliffs of Moher which is a spectacular wall of limestone that reaches 700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. Drive to Bunratty and check into Bunratty Castle Hotel which is close to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. We recommend visiting the Folk Park and having a drink in the 200-year-old pub or why not shop for gifts at the Bunratty Mills. In the evening you will be treated to a memorable medieval-style feast at Bunratty Castle.  (B, D)

Day 10: Shannon Airport or Galway Extension

Today, we will be saying goodbye to those of you on our 10-day tour.  A group transfer to nearby Shannon Airport will be arranged.
Those of you on the 11 day tour will continue to Rathbaun for tea and scones. Enjoy a tour around Galway and have a look around the city before travelling to Dublin. Check into a city centre hotel where you are free for independent activities and dining. (B)

Day 11: Depart from Dublin Airport

Today you can use your complimentary taxi transfer to ensure prompt arrival to Dublin Airport. (B)

2013 Taste of Scotland & Ireland - 10 days/09 Nights

What's Included

Transfers on arrival and departure
Ferry from Scotland to Ireland
Dublin open-top bus tour with complimentary visit and a drink at Guinness Storehouse or Old Jameson Distillery
Sightseeing by luxury coach throughout
Services of a professional tour director
Superior fi rst class hotels with private bath/shower for 9 or 10 nights
Full Scottish & Irish breakfast daily (B) except Day 1
7 dinners (D) including:
Heights Restaurant with views of Edinburgh Castle
Dinner and traditional Irish entertainment at an Irish pub
Medieval banquet and entertainment in Bunratty Castle
3 table d’ hôte dinners
Welcome get-together drink
Sightseeing tours of Glasgow, Edinburgh & Dublin
Scottish Highland Evening in Nairn
Loch Ness cruise
Whisky tasting and tour of Blair Athol Distillery
Walking tour of Edinburgh
Reserved seats for Edinburgh Military Tattoo on July 31, August 05, 07, 12, 14, 19 and 21 departures
Sheepdog trials on Ring of Kerry
Ferry ride across the River Shannon
Tea and Scones at Rathbaun farm (11-day tour only)
Visits and admissions to Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Spean Bridge Woollen Mills, Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre, Edinburgh Castle, Book of Kells in Trinity College, Blarney Castle, Blarney Woollen Mills, Skellig Experience, Cliffs of Moher
Deluxe fl ight bag, ticket wallet, luggage tags & strap
All local taxes, hotel service charges & porterage for one suitcase per person

Your Hotels:
Stay at the following (or similar):

• Thistle Hotel, Glasgow (1 night)
• The Newton Hotel, Nairn (1 night)
• Marriott Dalmahoy Hotel, Edinburgh (2 nights)
• Radisson Blue St. Helens, Dublin (2 nights)
• Killarney Avenue Hotel, Killarney(2 nights)
• Bunratty Castle Hotel, Bunratty (1 night)
• Maldron hotel, Cardiff lane, Dublin (1 night – 11-day tour only)

Images

Map