2010 SCOTTISH & IRISH DREAM TOUR
Superior First Class Hotels - 22 Meals
13 days land only from Glasgow to Shannon

Itinerary

13 Day Itinerary

Day 1 - Sun: Glasgow City Tour
Land in Glasgow Airport! Complimentary group transfers depart Glasgow Airport at 8:00 am, 10:00 am or 12:00 noon. Passengers arriving later will transfer to the hotel at their own expense. At 3:00 pm take a coach tour to see the main attractions of Glasgow including red sandstone Victorian buildings, delightful parks and Glasgow Cathedral. View extensive collections in Kelvinqrove Art Gallery and Museum. Chat with your tour director and fellow travelers over a welcome drink before dinner. (D)

Day 2 - Mon: Loch Lomond Cruise & Loch Ness
Drive along the banks of Loch Lomond and embark on a short cruise to appreciate views of Highland peaks. Then journey across mysterious Rannoch Moor and through Glen Coe, a spectacular glen where the Clan Campbell massacred some of the Clan Macdonald in 1692. Travel beside Loch Ness and pause for photos at the huge ruins of Urquhart Castle before continuing to your hotel in Inverness. After dinner enjoy a ceilidh, traditional entertainment with singers, a piper and Highland dancers. (B, D)

Day 3 - Tue: Sheepdog Trials & Culloden Battlefield
Visit Leault Farm to watch sheepdogs herding, bottle-feed orphan lambs and see sheep-shearing. Drive to Culloden Moor to tour the Visitor Centre. Walk around the battlefield where, on 16th April 1746, British Government forces defeated the army of Prince Charles Edward Stuart and ended hopes of restoring the Jacobite Stuarts to the British throne. Return to Inverness mid-afternoon to relax before dinner. (B, D)

Day 4 - Wed: Glenfiddich Whisky & Shortbread
Drive into Speyside, the region where many of Scotland's famous distilleries are located. Stop in Craigellachie to visit the Speyside Cooperage which produces fine casks from American oak using traditional methods and tools. A few miles further on, tour the Glenfiddich Distillery and enjoy a "wee dram." In Huntly visit Dean's to watch staff make Scottish shortbread and learn about its history. Continue to Blairs to your elegant 19th century mansion. (B, D)

Day 5 - Thu: Crathes Castle & Royal Deeside
Visit Crathes Castle, a fairytale castle completed in 1594 with a wealth of fine furnishings. Drive along the charming River Dee Valley, called "Royal Deeside," and stop in Braemar, where the Royal Family attends Highland games every summer. Pass Balmoral Castle and visit the lovely Crathie Church. Near Banchory stop at the Falls of Feugh, a charming tea shop to sample afternoon tea with delicious freshly-baked scones and enjoy a talk on Highland life. (B, D)

Day 6 - Fri: St. Andrews & Coast of Fife
Travel south and cross the Tay Bridge to St. Andrews, the "Home of Golf." See the famous Royal and Ancient Clubhouse and the Old Course and enjoy free time to visit the British Golf Museum. Travel through "East Neuk" fishing villages and stop in quaint Anstruther, a rabbit-warren of alleyways and wynds. Continue south to Edinburgh and check in to your hotel in the New Town. Head to the cozy Beehive Inn for an informal pub dinner followed by a fun ghost walking tour. (B, D)

Day 7 - Sat: Edinburgh Castle & City Tour
See Edinburgh this morning. Compare and contrast wide streets and elegant mansions of the Georgian 200-year-old "New Town" with narrow lanes and medieval townhouses along the Royal Mile, the oldest part of the city. Tour the imposing Edinburgh Castle's historic buildings and enjoy splendid views. In the afternoon take an open-top hop-on hop-off independent bus tour to see more of this great city.

Day 8 - Sun: Larne Ferry & Drive to Dublin
Depart Edinburgh early this morning and drive through part of the Southern Uplands and along the coastline. At Cairnryan take a ferry ride across the narrow channel between Scotland and Ireland to Larne, just outside Belfast. Drive south to Dublin and check in to your hotel, located in the Georgian section of the city, where the evening is at leisure for independent dining. (B)

Day 9- Mon: Viking Dublin & Taylor's Three Rock Pub
Tour central Dublin with a local guide. Pass Trinity College, where the Book of Kells is housed; Dail Eireann, seat of government; and rows of elegant Georgian houses. Take a guided tour through Dublin Castle's elegant State Apartments. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure or take an independent open-top bus tour and visit Guinness or Jameson. In the evening drive to Taylor's Three Rock Pub for a great dinner of Irish specialties and a lively show. (B, D)

Day 10- Tue: Blarney Castle & Killarney
Depart Dublin and stop for photos at the stately Rock of Cashel. Continue your drive south to visit Blarney Castle and kiss the famous "Stone of Eloquence." Also visit the Blarney Woollen Mills where you can find quality Irish-made goods. Drive into the mountainous scenery of County Kerry to Killarney, picturesquely set beside lakes and mountains. Check in to your downtown hotel and relax before dinner. Afterwards you may like to head to a "singing pub." (B, D)

Day 11 - Wed: Ring of Kerry & Skellig Experience
Today embark on the Ring of Kerry drive - a winding route with breathtaking views of mountains and coastline. Stop near the Gap of Dunloe to see the "Essence of Kerry," an audio-visual presentation. Meet a local farmer for a taste of farm life with a sheepdog demonstration of herding flocks. Cross to Valencia Island by bridge to visit the Skellig Experience which describes austere monastic life on the nearby islands. Pause at Moll's Gap for stunning views and take a guided walk around Muckross Gardens. (B, D)

Day 12- Thu: Cliffs of Moher & Bunratty Castle
Take a ferry ride across the River Shannon Estuary and view the Cliffs of Moher, a spectacular wall of limestone that reaches 700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. Check in to Bunratty Castle Hotel, located very close to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park and enjoy free time. Head to Bunratty Castle for a memorable medieval-style feast. During the meal the lords and ladies will serenade you with song and harp music, evocative of the Middle Ages. (B, D)

Day 13 - Fri: Depart Shannon Airport
Take a group transfer to nearby Shannon Airport where your tour concludes at 10:30 am. Check in for your flight in good time and you may like to shop at the duty-free stores. (B)

13 Day Itinerary

Day 1 - Sun: Glasgow City Tour
Land in Glasgow Airport! Complimentary group transfers depart Glasgow Airport at 8:00 am, 10:00 am or 12:00 noon. Passengers arriving later will transfer to the hotel at their own expense. At 3:00 pm take a coach tour to see the main attractions of Glasgow including red sandstone Victorian buildings, delightful parks and Glasgow Cathedral. View extensive collections in Kelvinqrove Art Gallery and Museum. Chat with your tour director and fellow travelers over a welcome drink before dinner. (D)

Day 2 - Mon: Loch Lomond Cruise & Loch Ness
Drive along the banks of Loch Lomond and embark on a short cruise to appreciate views of Highland peaks. Then journey across mysterious Rannoch Moor and through Glen Coe, a spectacular glen where the Clan Campbell massacred some of the Clan Macdonald in 1692. Travel beside Loch Ness and pause for photos at the huge ruins of Urquhart Castle before continuing to your hotel in Inverness. After dinner enjoy a ceilidh, traditional entertainment with singers, a piper and Highland dancers. (B, D)

Day 3 - Tue: Sheepdog Trials & Culloden Battlefield
Visit Leault Farm to watch sheepdogs herding, bottle-feed orphan lambs and see sheep-shearing. Drive to Culloden Moor to tour the Visitor Centre. Walk around the battlefield where, on 16th April 1746, British Government forces defeated the army of Prince Charles Edward Stuart and ended hopes of restoring the Jacobite Stuarts to the British throne. Return to Inverness mid-afternoon to relax before dinner. (B, D)

Day 4 - Wed: Glenfiddich Whisky & Shortbread
Drive into Speyside, the region where many of Scotland's famous distilleries are located. Stop in Craigellachie to visit the Speyside Cooperage which produces fine casks from American oak using traditional methods and tools. A few miles further on, tour the Glenfiddich Distillery and enjoy a "wee dram." In Huntly visit Dean's to watch staff make Scottish shortbread and learn about its history. Continue to Blairs to your elegant 19th century mansion. (B, D)

Day 5 - Thu: Crathes Castle & Royal Deeside
Visit Crathes Castle, a fairytale castle completed in 1594 with a wealth of fine furnishings. Drive along the charming River Dee Valley, called "Royal Deeside," and stop in Braemar, where the Royal Family attends Highland games every summer. Pass Balmoral Castle and visit the lovely Crathie Church. Near Banchory stop at the Falls of Feugh, a charming tea shop to sample afternoon tea with delicious freshly-baked scones and enjoy a talk on Highland life. (B, D)

Day 6 - Fri: St. Andrews & Coast of Fife
Travel south and cross the Tay Bridge to St. Andrews, the "Home of Golf." See the famous Royal and Ancient Clubhouse and the Old Course and enjoy free time to visit the British Golf Museum. Travel through "East Neuk" fishing villages and stop in quaint Anstruther, a rabbit-warren of alleyways and wynds. Continue south to Edinburgh and check in to your hotel in the New Town. Head to the cozy Beehive Inn for an informal pub dinner followed by a fun ghost walking tour. (B, D)

Day 7 - Sat: Edinburgh Castle & City Tour
See Edinburgh this morning. Compare and contrast wide streets and elegant mansions of the Georgian 200-year-old "New Town" with narrow lanes and medieval townhouses along the Royal Mile, the oldest part of the city. Tour the imposing Edinburgh Castle's historic buildings and enjoy splendid views. In the afternoon take an open-top hop-on hop-off independent bus tour to see more of this great city.

Day 8 - Sun: Larne Ferry & Drive to Dublin
Depart Edinburgh early this morning and drive through part of the Southern Uplands and along the coastline. At Cairnryan take a ferry ride across the narrow channel between Scotland and Ireland to Larne, just outside Belfast. Drive south to Dublin and check in to your hotel, located in the Georgian section of the city, where the evening is at leisure for independent dining. (B)

Day 9- Mon: Viking Dublin & Taylor's Three Rock Pub
Tour central Dublin with a local guide. Pass Trinity College, where the Book of Kells is housed; Dail Eireann, seat of government; and rows of elegant Georgian houses. Take a guided tour through Dublin Castle's elegant State Apartments. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure or take an independent open-top bus tour and visit Guinness or Jameson. In the evening drive to Taylor's Three Rock Pub for a great dinner of Irish specialties and a lively show. (B, D)

Day 10- Tue: Blarney Castle & Killarney
Depart Dublin and stop for photos at the stately Rock of Cashel. Continue your drive south to visit Blarney Castle and kiss the famous "Stone of Eloquence." Also visit the Blarney Woollen Mills where you can find quality Irish-made goods. Drive into the mountainous scenery of County Kerry to Killarney, picturesquely set beside lakes and mountains. Check in to your downtown hotel and relax before dinner. Afterwards you may like to head to a "singing pub." (B, D)

Day 11 - Wed: Ring of Kerry & Skellig Experience
Today embark on the Ring of Kerry drive - a winding route with breathtaking views of mountains and coastline. Stop near the Gap of Dunloe to see the "Essence of Kerry," an audio-visual presentation. Meet a local farmer for a taste of farm life with a sheepdog demonstration of herding flocks. Cross to Valencia Island by bridge to visit the Skellig Experience which describes austere monastic life on the nearby islands. Pause at Moll's Gap for stunning views and take a guided walk around Muckross Gardens. (B, D)

Day 12- Thu: Cliffs of Moher & Bunratty Castle
Take a ferry ride across the River Shannon Estuary and view the Cliffs of Moher, a spectacular wall of limestone that reaches 700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. Check in to Bunratty Castle Hotel, located very close to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park and enjoy free time. Head to Bunratty Castle for a memorable medieval-style feast. During the meal the lords and ladies will serenade you with song and harp music, evocative of the Middle Ages. (B, D)

Day 13 - Fri: Depart Shannon Airport
Take a group transfer to nearby Shannon Airport where your tour concludes at 10:30 am. Check in for your flight in good time and you may like to shop at the duty-free stores. (B)

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