15 Day The Scots
Irish Tour & More Tour Itinerary
Day 1 : Edinburgh & Scottish
Cabaret
Your trip starts in Edinburgh
Airport with a group transfer to your hotel, departing at 8:00 am, 10:00 am or
12:00 noon. Passengers arriving later will transfer to the hotel at their own
expense. Spend a free afternoon to rest after the journey. Enjoy a welcome drink
at your hotel and head into Edinburgh for a Scottish Cabaret with local foods,
including haggis, and a lively show afterwards. (D)
Day 2 : Edinburgh Castle & City Tour
Explore Edinburgh to see the elegant mansions of
the Georgian 200-year-old “New Town” and the medieval townhouses along the Royal
Mile. Learn about many prominent Scottish inventors, doctors and writers. Finish
your tour at Edinburgh Castle to see historic buildings and enjoy splendid views
of Edinburgh. The balance of the day is free for independent exploring, shopping
and dining. On August 5 to 19 departures enjoy the Military Tattoo at Edinburgh
Castle. (B)
Day 3 : Sheepdog Trials & Culloden
Drive into the Highlands to visit Leault Farm
where dogs herd sheep and ducks through various obstacles. Tour Culloden Moor
Visitor Centre to walk around the battlefield where, on 16th April 1746, British
Government forces defeated the army of Bonnie Prince Charlie and ended hopes of
restoring the Jacobite Stuarts to the British throne. After dinner enjoy a
ceilidh, traditional Scottish music, in your hotel. (B, D)
Day 4 : Isle of Skye & Clan Donald Centre
Drive through wild Highland scenery, pausing for
photos at the picturesque Eilean Donan Castle and cross to the Isle of Skye by
bridge. Drive through part of the island and visit the Clan Donald Centre at
Armadale Castle to discover the history of the powerful Lords of the Isles.
Return to the mainland by ferry and take the “Road to the Isles” through some of
Scotland's loveliest scenery, stopping for photos at the Glenfinnan Monument.
(B, D)
Day 5 : Rabbie Burns & Belfast
This morning enjoy final views of peaks and glens
of the magnificent Highland scenery as you drive south along the shores of Loch
Lomond. Stop in Alloway for a brief visit at the Burns National Heritage Park to
see famous landmarks from Burns' poetry. Travel along the coastline to Cairnryan
for a short ferry ride to Larne. Drive to your hotel in Belfast in time for
dinner. (B, D)
Day 6 : Titanic Belfast & Mount Stewart
This morning a Belfast guide will show you
Victorian buildings, the imposing City Hall in Donegall Square and the shipyards
where RMS Titanic was built in 1912. Visit the newly-opened Titanic Belfast to
learn about this famous liner through state-of-the-art displays. In the
afternoon tour Mount Stewart House and Gardens to see antiques and world-famous
paintings. Hear stories about the many prominent political visitors. The
extensive gardens were planted in the 1920's by Edith, Lady Londonderry, and
have been nominated a World Heritage Site. (B, D)
Day 7 : Giant's Causeway & Derry's Walls
Drive along the scenic route of the “Nine Glens
of Antrim,” for views of mountains, valleys and coastline. Stop at the Giant's
Causeway, enormous hexagonal columns formed by volcanic activity 60 million
years ago which have spawned legends about the mythical giant, Finn McCool. In
Derry join a local guide for a short walking tour around the defensive walls of
the compact city before driving to Letterkenny. (B, D)
Day 8 : Glenveagh Castle & Donegal
Travel to Glenveagh National Park where Captain
Adair evicted 225 tenants to build Glenveagh Castle in 1870. Learn about the
history of the mansion, owners and guests as you tour the rooms and walk around
the extensive gardens. Then experience the natural beauty of the Grand Atlantic
Drive, which winds through Downings and Rosapenna. Return to Letterkenny in time
for dinner. (B, D)
Day 9 : Belleek China & Kilronan Castle Stay
Drive through the Blue Stack Mountains for a look
around Donegal town. Visit the Belleek Pottery Factory to see how the
craftspeople shape and decorate clay, creating the world-famous fine china.
Pause at Drumcliffe Churchyard to view the grave of W. B. Yeats, the Nobel
prize-winning poet. A short drive will take you to Kilronan Castle Hotel for
leisure time to relax and enjoy the lovely setting. (B, D)
Day 10 : Strokestown House & Cliffs of Moher
Visit Strokestown Park House to see the 18th
century mansion with its original furnishings; the four-acre walled garden and
the Famine Museum, which explains the 1840's Irish Famine. Pass Galway on the
way to the Cliffs of Moher, a dramatic wall of rock that plunges to the Atlantic
Ocean. Head to 15th century Bunratty Castle for a fun medieval-style banquet
with entertainment by the lords and ladies of the castle. (B, D)
Day 11 : Dingle Peninsula & Killarney
Today discover the glorious Dingle Peninsula,
made famous by two movies, “Ryan's Daughter” and “Far & Away.” Drive to Slea
Head at the westernmost tip and tour the Blasket Experience to learn about the
Blasket Islands. Travel up to the Conor Pass for sweeping views and then head to
Killarney, famous for its glorious setting near Ireland's highest mountains. (B,
D)
Day 12 : Killarney & Jaunting Car Ride
Take a traditional horse-drawn jaunting car ride
to Ross Castle for views of Lough Leane, Killarney's largest lake. Drive to the
delightful town of Kenmare where brightly-painted buildings are enhanced with
flowers. Enjoy spectacular mountain scenery at Moll's Gap and travel part of the
Ring of Kerry, pausing at Ladies' View. Return to Killarney to relax or go
shopping before dinner. (B, D)
Day 13 : Blarney Castle & Abbey
Tavern
Drive through County Cork to climb
Blarney Castle to kiss the famous stone. Also shop at the Blarney Woollen Mills
for quality Irish-made products. Pause for photos at the stately Rock of Cashel
as you drive north to Dublin. A short drive will bring you to the popular Abbey
Tavern for a farewell dinner and entertaining traditional Irish songs and
step-dancing. (B, D)
Day 14 : Dublin City Tour & Guinness
The
entire day is at leisure so you may schedule sightseeing as you wish. Use your
open-top bus tour voucher to explore Dublin - you may get on and off at any of
the 23 stops along the route, which include Dublin's most popular attractions.
Take a tour around either the Guinness Storehouse or the Old Jameson Distillery
to see stout or whiskey production techniques and enjoy a drink of the finished
product. (B)
Day 15 : Tour Ends Dublin Airport
Take a taxi transfer to Dublin Airport in good
time for your flight home. (B)
B: Breakfast; D: Dinner