2019 Scottish & Irish Dream- 14 Days/13 Nights

2019 SCOTTISH & IRISH DREAM 14 DAYS / 13 NIGHTS / 22 MEALS

Day 1: GLASGOW CITY TOUR
Tour begins 2:30 PM at your Glasgow hotel. Your guide will lead you on an introductory tour of central Glasgow. See the main attractions including parks and squares and view extensive art collections at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Join your group for a welcome drink.

Day 2: LOCH LOMOND & INVERARAY CASTLE
Embark on a short cruise of Loch Lomond with views of Highland peaks. Stroll through Inveraray before touring Inveraray Castle, which you may recognize from the Downton Abbey series. Drive through Glencoe, considered one of Scotland’s most beautiful places, and on to the loch shore in Ballachulish.
(B, D)

Day 3: ISLES OF SKYE & EILEAN DONAN CASTLE
Take the “Road to the Isles” through some of Scotland’s loveliest scenery. Enjoy a panoramic tour of the Isle of Skye and visit the picturesque Eilean Donan Castle. Keep your camera ready as you travel along the shores of Loch Ness on your way to your hotel in Nairn, a lovely manor house set in spacious grounds near the North Sea.
(B, D)

Day 4: CULLODEN & SHEEPDOGS
Visit the Culloden Battlefi eld Visitor Centre to learn about the historic battle. Walk around the serene moorland to see monuments commemorating the troops. Immerse yourself in farm life at a local farm as you watch dogs herd sheep. Travel to your gracious manor- style hotel near Pitlochry.
(B, D)

Day 5: BLAIR CASTLE & WHISKY TASTING
Visit Blair Castle, dating back to 1269, which has been transformed through the ages from a medieval fortress to a Victorian castle in the baronial style. Tour Blair Athol Distillery to learn about whisky making and sample a “wee dram.” Spend the afternoon at leisure exploring the hotel gardens, museum, and facilities, or stroll around Pitlochry.
(B, D)

Day 6: GLAMIS CASTLE & ST ANDREWS
Tour Glamis Castle, the legendary setting of Macbeth, then drive across the modern Tay Bridge to St Andrews, the “Home of Golf.” See the famous Royal and Ancient Clubhouse and the Old Course on a panoramic drive. Browse through the medieval town with its ruined cathedral and castle. In Edinburgh, enjoy a traditional Scottish evening with dinner, haggis, bagpipes, and kilts.
(B, D)

Day 7: EDINBURGH CASTLE & CITY TOUR
Discover the wide streets and elegant mansions of the Georgian 200-year-old “New Town” and the narrow lanes and medieval townhouses along the Royal Mile, the oldest part of the city on a tour of Edinburgh. Visit the imposing Edinburgh Castle and admire splendid views. Spend the afternoon and evening at leisure. The July 28 – August 18 departures watch the spectacular Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on the Castle Esplanade.
(B)

Day 8: BELFAST & DUBLIN
Say farewell to your Scottish guide and embark on a ferry ride to Belfast, enjoying lunch on board. Immerse yourself in the history of the Titanic through displays at Titanic Belfast. In Dublin, check out local pubs or restaurants for an independent dinner.
(B, L)

Day 9: DUBLIN & MERRY PLOUGHBOY PUB
The morning is yours to explore Dublin independently. The Hop-On, Hop-Off bus tour is a great option – use your included vouchers to see the sites and visit one attraction. At 2:00 PM meet your new Irish guide/driver and tour group in the hotel lobby and set off to see Trinity College, public buildings, tranquil parks, and rows of Georgian houses. Take a guided tour through Dublin Castle, the historic heart of Dublin. This evening enjoy a traditional Irish dinner and show at Merry Ploughboy Pub.
(B, D)

Day 10: BLARNEY CASTLE & KILLARNEY
Head to the stately Rock of Cashel for memorable photos. Gain the gift of gab when you kiss the famous “Stone of Eloquence” at Blarney Castle. Treat yourself to quality Irish goods at the Blarney Woollen Mills before heading to Killarney, picturesquely set beside lakes and mountains. After dinner, you may like to head to a “singing pub.”
(B, D)

Day 11: RING OF KERRY & SKELLIG EXPERIENCE
The Ring of Kerry drive – a winding route with awesome mountain and coastline views – will provide you many photo opportunities. Enjoy lunch before crossing to Valentia Island and the Skellig Experience, which describes nearby islands. Watch a demonstration of highly skilled dogs herding fl ocks of sheep. Spend a free evening in Killarney.
(B, L)

Day 12: CLIFFS OF MOHER & BUNRATTY CASTLE
Take a ferry across the River Shannon Estuary and view the Cliffs of Moher, a spectacular wall of sandstone that reaches high above the Atlantic. Check in to Bunratty Castle Hotel, relax and enjoy free time before heading out for a memorable medieval-style feast complete with songs and harp music evocative of the Middle Ages.
(B, D)

Day 13: DUBLIN EXTENSIONS VIA GALWAYTake a panoramic tour around Galway and drive to the Connemara Marble Factory to see locally quarried marble. Enjoy free time in Galway city for lunch. Travel to Dublin where the night is free to enjoy your last night in Ireland. (B)

Day 14: TOUR ENDS IN DUBLIN
Your tour ends after breakfast.
(B)

B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner

Authentic Local Experiences:

• Reserved seats for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on July 28 to August 18 departures.
• Sample a "wee dram" as you learn about whisky making at Blair Athol Distillery.

Trip Highlights:

• Blarney Castle

  Blarney Castle

  Built nearly 600 years ago by one of Ireland’s greatest chieftains, Cormac MacCarthy, this stronghold has been attracting attention ever since. Millions have flocked to Blarney to kiss the legendary Stone of Eloquence, found at the top of the tower, making it one of Ireland’s greatest treasures.
• Cliffs of Moher

  Cliffs of Moher

  One of Ireland’s top visitor attractions, the cliffs are 700 feet high and extend for 5 miles over the Atlantic Ocean on the western seaboard of County Clare. O’Brien’s Tower stands proudly on a headland and one can see the Aran Islands, Galway Bay and Connemara. The cliffs are home to major colonies of cliff nesting seabirds.
• Edinburgh Castle

  Edinburgh Castle

  The rock on which today’s castle stands has been a stronghold for over 3000 years and Edinburgh Castle has dominated its surroundings for centuries. See the 12th century St. Margaret’s Chapel, the monumental great hall of James IV, opened in 1511, the Scottish Crown Jewels and the Stone of Destiny.
• Inveraray Castle

  Inveraray Castle

  Inveraray Castle is the ancestral home of the Duke of Argyll, Chief of the Clan Campbell and the iconic, must-see visitor attraction on the West Coast of Scotland.
• Isle of Skye

  Isle of Skye

  The Isle of Skye is the largest and most northerly island in Scotland’s Inner Hebrides. The island is dominated by the Cuillin Hills and is often referred to as the “Misty Isle”. It is associated with Bonnie Prince Charlie who fled there after the Battle of Culloden.
• Skellig Experience

  Skellig Experience

  You can experience many aspects of those offshore Skellig islands while remaining on the dry land, in a custom built, stone clad, grass roofed, prize winning building located right on the waterfront beside the Valentia Island bridge at Valentia, County Kerry!
• St Andrews

  St Andrews

  Golf has been played on the Links at St Andrews since around 1400 AD and the Old Course is renowned throughout the world as the Home of Golf. By the 19th century it was part of the way of life for many local people and golf. Golf still plays a major part in the culture and economy of St Andrews today.
• Titanic Belfast

  Titanic Belfast

  Opened in April 2012 to commemorate the centenary of the sinking of this iconic ship, this new visitor experience tells the story of the Titanic from conception and construction right through the maiden voyage and tragic ending.

Dining Experiences:

• 13 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch and 8 Dinners including a Scottish evening in Edinburgh, a medieval castle banquet, and Merry Ploughboy Pub dinner and show.

Hotels:

• GB-GLA-RAD or GB-GLA-HIL | Glasgow (1 night)
• GB-ARY-ISL | Ballachulish (1 night)
• GB-NAI-NEW | Nairn (1 night)
• GB-PES-ATH | Pitlochry (2 night)
• GB-EDI-HOL | Edinburgh (2 nights)
• IE-DUB-BHB | Dublin (2 nights)
• IE-KER-KTH | Killarney (2 nights)
• IE-CLA-BCA | Bunratty (1 night)
• IE-DUB-APL | Dublin (1 night)