11 Day Taste of Scotland & Ireland
Tour Itinerary
Day 1 : Glasgow Highlights
Start your trip
at Glasgow Airport with a group transfer to your hotel, departing at 8:00 am,
10:00 am or 12:00 noon. If you arrive later than noon, you must transfer to the
hotel at your own expense. At 2:30 pm set out on a coach tour to discover the
main attractions of Glasgow, a city that flourished in Victorian times due to
shipbuilding on the River Clyde. Drive around George Square with its ornate City
Chambers and nearby Glasgow Cathedral. Visit extensive collections in
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, originally opened in 1901. Join your tour
director and travel companions for a welcome drink before dinner. (D)
Day 2 : Loch Lomond & Loch Ness Cruise
Travel
alongside the famous Loch Lomond, renowned for its unsurpassed beauty. Travel
through the deep valley of Glen Coe, notorious for the Campbell massacre of the
Clan Macdonald in 1692. Continue through Fort William and stop at the Spean
Bridge Woollen Mill, which offers a good selection of quality Scottish goods. At
Fort Augustus embark on a short cruise on Loch Ness to keep an eye out for
“Nessie.” Continue to Nairn where a Scottish Highland evening will feature
haggis and bagpipe music. (B, D)
Day 3 : Culloden Battlefield & Ghost
Tour
Visit the Culloden Visitor Centre to learn about the
Battle of Culloden where Bonnie Prince Charlie was defeated by the British army
in 1746. Drive to Blair Athol Distillery in Pitlochry to see how whisky is
distilled and sample some. Continue south to Edinburgh and check in to your
hotel, a few miles from the city and set in lovely grounds with a golf course.
In the evening dine at a lively restaurant in Edinburgh. Then head off on a fun
walking tour to discover the haunts of Edinburgh's eccentric characters in the
narrow streets of the old city. (B, D)
Day 4 : Edinburgh Castle & City Tour
This morning an Edinburgh city guide will point out the
principal sights of this interesting capital city. Drive along the bustling
Princes Street and through the gracious, 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. Visit Edinburgh Castle, which dominates the
city and contains the Scottish Crown Jewels and the Stone of Scone. The balance
of the day is free for further sightseeing, shopping and dining. On July 31 to
August 21 departures, seats are reserved for the Military Tattoo at Edinburgh
Castle. (B)
Day 5 : Titanic Belfast & Dublin
Depart Edinburgh early this morning and drive south through
Ayrshire and along the coast. At Cairnryan take a ferry ride to Larne. Drive to
Belfast for a panoramic city tour followed by a visit to the newly-opened
Titanic Belfast to learn about this famous liner through state-of-the-art
displays. Drive south to Dublin and check in to your deluxe hotel, located in
spacious grounds. The evening is at leisure for independent dining. (B
Day 6 : Dublin & Taylor's Three Rock
Tour central Dublin with a local guide to see public buildings,
lovely parks and rows of Georgian houses with brightly-painted doorways. Walk
through the campus of Trinity College to view the Book of Kells, an illuminated
manuscript of the gospels dating from the 8th century. 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 of Irish songs and step-dancing. (B, D)
Day 7 : Blarney Castle & Killarney
Travel through the midlands of Ireland, stopping for photos at
the stately Rock of Cashel. Continue 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 countryside of County
Kerry to Killarney, picturesquely set beside lakes and mountains. Check in to
your hotel and relax before dinner. Afterwards you may like to explore some of
Killarney's famous “singing pubs.” (B, D)
Day 8 : Ring of Kerry & Skellig Experience
Today embark on the Ring of Kerry drive - a winding route with
breathtaking sights of mountains and coastal views. 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 the
austere lives of early Christian monks on the nearby islands. Drive through
Waterville and stop in Sneem to admire brightly-painted houses. Pause 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
Take a ferry ride across the River Shannon to reach the Cliffs
of Moher, a spectacular wall of limestone that reaches 700 feet above the
Atlantic Ocean. Check in to Bunratty Castle Hotel, close to Bunratty Castle and
Folk Park. If you wish, you may visit the Folk Park, have a drink in the
200-year-old Durty Nelly's Pub or shop at the Bunratty Mills. In the evening
head to Bunratty Castle for a memorable medieval-style feast where the lords and
ladies will serenade you with song and harp music, evocative of the Middle Ages.
(B, D)
Day 10 : Galway Extension
Drive to Rathbaun
Farm to see traditional farming methods and cute farmyard animals roaming
freely. Sample some home-baked scones with tea or coffee and take a panoramic
tour around Galway. Drive to Dublin and check into a different hotel and you are
free for independent activities and dining. (B)
Day 11 : Tour Ends Dublin Airport
Use your
taxi transfer to reach Dublin Airport in time to check in for your flight home.
(B)
B: Breakfast; D: Dinner