2020 Lochs, Luck & Lore – 8 Days / 7 Nights / 14 Meals
Day 1: Trim Castle & Trim Living History
The tour begins at 2:00 PM at your hotel. Set out for the towering Trim Castle located on the River Boyne, the largest Norman castle in Ireland. Built over a 30-year period in the 1100s, this magnificent castle will especially delight fans of the movie “Braveheart.” Immerse yourself in the Trim Living History tour and step back in time to experience the castle and the grounds as they were in medieval times. Try on a helmet and chain mail, feel the weight of a mighty sword in your hand to see how knights defended the castle’s keep. Return to your hotel for a welcome drink with your group before dinner. (D)
Day 2: Croke Park Stadium & St. Michan's Church Crypt
Begin the day with your choice of a Croke Park GAA Skyline tour, a thrilling walkway located 17 stories above the heart of Dublin with stunning panoramic views of the city’s landmarks, or a tour of the 80,000 seat stadium. Then visit the GAA Museum to discover the gripping history of the Gaelic games from ancient times to the present, including an Interactive Games Zone where you can test your own Gaelic game skills. Tour the city of Dublin and enjoy all of its most famous sights. Proceed on to historic St. Michan’s Church for a visit to the crypt and get up close to several of their famous mummies, including the 800-year-old ‘Crusader.’ Visit the village of Annagassen, Co. Louth to hear its role in Ireland's Viking history, followed by dinner and traditional entertainment at the Glyde Inn.
(B, D)
Day 3: Causey Farm & Titanic Belfast
Enjoy a visit to Causey Farm and see how it feels to “Be Irish for a Half Day,” an interactive cultural experience where you might get to play a bodhrán, bake some brown bread, try some céilí dancing or hurling, or see a sheepdog demonstration. Savor a farm lunch, then travel on to Belfast for a tour of its Victorian quarter. Continue to Titanic Belfast to experience the history of the shipyards along with the story of the famous and ill-fated ocean liner, the Titanic.
(B,L, D)
Day 4: The Giant's Causeway & Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge
Travel to the Giant’s Causeway, a natural wonder of 40,000 interlocking basalt columns created by ancient lava flows – or perhaps, it was as legends say, built by an angry giant, Finn McCool, who used it as a path to fight a Scottish rival. Take in the breathtaking views of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Travel through some amazing countryside in County Antrim and arrive at the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. Perched 100 feet above the rocks and spanning 66 feet in length, it crosses from the mainland to the island of Carrick-a-Rede. Every step will give you a bird’s-eye view of the surrounding natural beauty and stunning views of Rathlin Island and Scotland.
(B)
Day 5: Cairnryan & Culzean Castle
Embark on a ferry journey from Larne to the small village of Cairnryan, an important site of maritime history especially for its contributions during World War II. Visit Culzean Castle and Country Park, an 18th century castle surrounded by lush gardens. There you will enjoy lunch and a private tour. Later, you’ll have a free evening in Glasgow to enjoy dinner on your own.
(B,L)
Day 6: Glasgow
Visit Loch Lomond, enjoying some free time in picturesque village of Luss. Take a cruise on the Loch, and enjoy a guided nature walk, learning about the many bird species that make the lake and its surrounding oak woodlands their home. In the afternoon, return to Glasgow to visit The New Chocolate Company to learn how chocolate bars are made with a tour and a tasting. Then, take a panoramic tour of the city before having dinner with your group.
(B,D)
Day 7: Edinburgh and Edinburgh Castle
Journey on to Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital city, for a guided tour of the city. See the elegant 200-year-old Georgian “New Town” and stroll down the Royal Mile, the Old Town’s main thoroughfare where there are still medieval houses to see. Tour the imposing Edinburgh Castle and marvel at the Scottish Crown Jewels and the Stone of Destiny, where monarchs were crowned in days gone by. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner in a local restaurant.
(B,D)
Day 8: Departure from Edinburgh
Your tour ends after breakfast at your hotel.
(B)
B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner
All components of this tour (hotels, visits and attractions) for 2020 itineraries are subject to change until finalized in September 2019.
Authentic Local Experiences:
- “Be Irish for a Half Day” at Causey Farm where you might bake brown bread, learn the skills of hurling, or play a bodhrán drum.
- Go back in time with a Trim Living History tour at Trim Castle where you’ll experience first-hand what knights of old felt when they got ready for battle.
- Visit the 16th-century Culzean Castle – and learn about the ghostly myths and legends of the family that once inhabited it.
Dining Experiences:
- 7 breakfasts (B), 2 lunches (L), and 5 dinners (D), including dinner and a show at the Glyde Inn, and a farewell dinner.
Trip Highlights:
- Trim Castle Living History Demonstration
- Croke Park GAA Stadium
- St Michan’s Crypt Tour
- Causey Farm
- Titanic Belfast
- Giant's Causeway
- Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge
- Culzean Castle
- Edinburgh Castle
Hotels:
GB-EDI-MAR | Dunboyne, Co. Meath (1)NI-BEL-EUR | Belfast (2)GB-GLA-MAR | Glasgow (2)GB-EDI-MAR | near Edinburgh (1)