15 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.
On August 01 to 22 departures enjoy the Military Tattoo at
Edinburgh
Castle. (B)
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: National Stud
& Dublin
Travel through the outskirts of Limerick and
through the midland region of Ireland to Kildare. Here visit the Irish National
Stud and Japanese Gardens. You can learn about horse breeding and see some of
the valuable animals before touring the lovely Japanese Gardens, considered the
best in Europe. Drive to your hotel in the center of Dublin and you are free
this evening for independent activities and dining.
(B)
Day 14 - Sat: Depart from Dublin
Airport
Your hotel offers a shuttle service to Dublin Airport
every two hours starting at 7:20 am. So choose a suitable transfer time to
arrive at the airport to check in for your flight.
(B)