14 Day Scottish & Irish Dream

B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner

Tour Includes:

Day 1: Glasgow City Tour

Your Scottish trip starts at 2:30 pm when you meet your tour director at your Glasgow hotel and set out on an introductory tour of central Glasgow. See the main attractions including parks and squares and view extensive art collections at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Chat with your tour director and fellow travelers over a welcome drink before dinner in your hotel.
(D)

Day 2: Loch Lomond & Inveraray Castle

Tour central Edinburgh to see the highlights. Drive along the bustling Princes Street and through the 200-year-old Georgian New Town. Walk along part of the Royal Mile and visit Edinburgh Castle, which contains the Scottish Crown Jewels and the Stone of Scone. The balance of the day is free. Dine at a Scottish Evening and enjoy a lively show with bagpipes, kilts and Highland dancing. On August 06 to 22 departures attend the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle, and your Scottish Evening will be the day before.
(B, D)

Day 3: Isle of Skye & Clan Donald Centre

Travel on the scenic “Road to the Isles”, stopping for photos at the Glenfinnan Monument. Take a ferry to the Isle of Skye and visit the Clan Donald Centre at Armadale Castle. Drive through the island and return to the mainland by the bridge, stopping for photos at the famous Eilean Donan Castle. Then drive along the beautiful shores of Loch Ness, famous for its monster. End the day at your hotel in Nairn, a manor house property set in spacious grounds near the North Sea.
(B, D)

Day 4: Culloden Battlefield & Sheepdogs

A short distance from Nairn is the Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre. Learn about the battle which took place on 16th April 1746 when British Government forces defeated the army of Prince Charles Edward Stuart. The Visitor Centre shows the background of this event. Walk around the moorland to see monuments commemorating troops. Continue through majestic Highland scenery to Leault Farm where dogs herd sheep. Drive past the Grampian Mountains to your gracious manor-style hotel near Pitlochry.
(B, D)

Day 5: Blair Castle & Whisky Tasting

Your first stop today is Blair Castle, home of the Dukes and Earls of Atholl. Dating back to 1269, the castle has been transformed through the ages, from a strong medieval fortress to a Victorian castle in the baronial style. You will learn about Mary, Queen of Scots, Bonnie Prince Charlie, Queen Victoria and the Atholl Highlanders. Visit Blair Athol Distillery to learn about whiskey making and sample a “wee dram”. Spend the afternoon at leisure on exploring the hotel gardens, museum and facilities or browsing around the town of Pitlochry.
(B, D)

Day 6: Glamis Castle & St Andrews Golf

Visit Glamis Castle, legendary setting of Macbeth and childhood home of the late Queen Mother. Drive across the modern Tay Bridge to St Andrew’s, the “Home of Golf.” See the famous Royal and Ancient Clubhouse and the Old Course on a panoramic drive. If you prefer, browse through the medieval town with its ruined cathedral and castle. Drive south into Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital and enjoy a Scottish Evening with dinner, haggis, bagpipes, and kilts.
(B, D)

Day 7: Edinburgh Castle & City Tour

This morning explore Edinburgh on a sightseeing tour. Compare and contrast the wide streets and elegant mansions of the Georgian 200-year-old “New Town” with the narrow lanes and medieval townhouses along the Royal Mile, the oldest part of the city. Visit the imposing Edinburgh Castle and admire splendid views. Spend the afternoon and evening at leisure. On July 30 to August 20 departures enjoy the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle.
(B)

Day 8: Titanic Belfast & Vibrant Dublin

Depart Edinburgh early this morning and drive south through Ayrshire and along the coast. At Cairnryan take a ferry ride to Belfast and enjoy lunch on board. Close to the Belfast ferry terminal in the heart of the docks, visit Titanic Belfast to learn about this famous liner through state-of-the-art displays. Drive south to Dublin and check in to your centrally-located hotel. You are free to dine independently.
(B, L)

Day 9: Dublin Touring & Merry Ploughboy Pub

Enjoy the morning at leisure or use your included open-top bus tour voucher. At 2:00 pm meet a local guide and tour central Dublin to see Trinity College, public buildings, tranquil parks and rows of Georgian houses. Take a guided tour through historic Dublin Castle, seat of government for centuries. Dine at the Merry Ploughboy Pub and enjoy a great show.
(B, D)

Day 10: Blarney Castle & Killarney

Depart Dublin and stop for photos at the stately Rock of Cashel. Visit Blarney Castle to kiss the famous “Stone of Eloquence” and shop at the Blarney Woollen Mills. Drive to Killarney picturesquely set beside lakes and mountains. Check into your hotel and relax before dinner. Afterward, you may like to head to a “singing pub.”
(B, D)

Day 11: Ring of Kerry & Skellig Experience

Today embark on the Ring of Kerry drive – a winding route with awesome mountain and coastline views. Watch a local farmer and his dogs herding flocks of sheep. Cross to Valentia Island by bridge to visit the Skellig Experience which describes nearby islands. Enjoy an informal lunch and pause at Moll’s Gap for stunning views before returning to Killarney.
(B, L)

Day 12: Cliffs of Moher & Medieval Castle Banquet

Take a ferry ride across the River Shannon Estuary and view the Cliffs of Moher, a spectacular wall of sandstone that reaches 700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. Check in to Bunratty Castle Hotel and enjoy free time. Head to Bunratty or Knappogue Castle for a memorable medieval-style feast with a program of song and harp music, evocative of the Middle Ages.
(B, D)

Day 13: Dublin Extension via Galway

Take a panoramic tour around Galway and drive to the Connemara Marble Factory to see locally-quarried marble and enjoy tea and scones. Travel to Dublin where you are free for independent activities and dining.
(B)

Day 14: Tour Ends in Dublin

Your tour ends after breakfast.
(B)