Edinburgh, Islay and the Whisky Coast Escorted Tour 

Tour Highlights:
This specialist whisky tour takes you to the “Queen of the Isles” and the Whisky Coast.
Islay is home to 8 of Scotland’s finest malt whisky distilleries Lagavulin, Laphroaig, Bowmore, Bunnahabhain,
Bruichladdich, Ardbeg, Caol Ila and Kilchoman. For the whisky enthusiast this tour will give you an in depth
knowledge and even better - you won’t need to drive anywhere yourself!

Prices & Dates : Below
Based on per person traveling, Prices are subject to change

YOUR TOUR INCLUDES:

  • Roundtrip air from New York to Edinburgh
  • 3-night hotel accommodations in Edinburgh (2-Pre, 1-Post)
  • 3-night Ensuite accommodations at the Bowmore Distillery Self Catering Cottages during Escorted Tour
  • Escorted sightseeing by luxury coach throughout
  • Breakfast (B) as noted on itinerary
  • Discount Card - money off restaurants, shopping and attractions

Please Note:

  • On this tour we have pre-booked a number of rooms in the beautiful Bowmore Distillery Cottages. These are self catering cottages in the grounds of Bowmore distillery and offer a unique accommodation experience. The cottages have between 3 and 6 bedrooms adn these are all en-suite. The kitchen and lounge facilities are shared and self-service continental breakfast ingredients will be provided. Please note that due to the shared nature of the accommodation individual bedrooms do not have lockable doors.
  • No childreen under the age of 18 are allowed on this tour.

 

Pricing excludes

  • Airport taxes and fees
  • Lunch, dinner or beverages
  • Entrance fees
  • Incidentals or Expenses of a personal nature

DAILY ITINERARY

Day 1: Depart USA overnight flight.

Day 2: Edinburgh Touch down at Edinburgh International Airport and transfer to your hotel (own account). Spend the rest of the day at leisure, exploring, shopping, or take an optional afternoon tour (own account). Accommodation: Edinburgh Hotel. (B)

Day 3: Edinburgh Spend the day exploring Edinburgh on your own. Accommodation: Edinburgh Hotel. (B)

Day 4: Edinburgh – Inveraray – Kilmartin - Islay: Start your Escorted Tour After breakfast make your way to the Rabbie`s Trailburner Offices at 207 High Street by 8:15am to start your escorted tour at 8:30am sharp. You will meet your driver/guide and will receive all necessary documents for your escorted tour. Leaving Edinburgh at 08.30 you will head west through Scotland’s largest city, Glasgow along Loch Lomond then west through the mountains to the beautiful little village of Inveraray on the banks of Loch Fyne. Here you can perhaps sample some of the local seafood for lunch or just explore the historic town itself. After lunch you will then travel through Argyll and into the ancient Kingdom of Dalriada. There are more than 350 prehistoric monuments within a six-mile radius of the village of Kilmartin. We will stop here to see the mysterious stone circles and standing stones and visit the community museum. From here it is a short drive to Kennacraig where we catch the early evening ferry to Islay. The sail is just over 2 hours and you should look out for wildlife such as dolphins, whales and seabirds. Accommodation: Bowmore Distillery Cottages. (B)

Day 5: Islay A full day exploring Islay. The itinerary today is quite flexible with a mixture of beautiful scenery, white sand beaches, short walks and of course the famous Islay whiskies –renowned for their strong peaty flavours and nurtured by the salty sea air. In the morning we will take the short drive to the west of the island via Saligo Bay for a visit to Kilchoman Distillery (the newest and smallest on the island) with the option of a coastal walk to Machair Bay for any non-whisky lovers. In the afternoon you will stop at the privately owned Bruichladdich Distillery for a tour and tasting and visit the tiny harbour village of Portnahaven (look out for seals) before taking the back roads along the west coast with its lovely sandy bays. You then travel back to Bowmore for an overnight stay. Accommodation: Bowmore Distillery Cottages. (B)

Day 6: Islay If you are back in Bowmore early you could visit the famous Round Church, Bowmore Distillery itself (open June through August) or just relax with a quiet drink looking out over the water. Accommodation: Bowmore Distillery Cottages. (B)

Day 7: Edinburgh: End of Escorted Tour This morning you take the ferry back to the mainland then travel up the coast to Oban – a busy harbour town and the main ferry port for the islands. Here we will drop off anyone who is continuing on the Mull, Iona and Isle of Skye extension. The others will have some free time to explore the town, have a late lunch or even pop into Oban Distillery before departing for the return trip to Edinburgh. Return time is approx. 8:00pm. Accommodation: Edinburgh Hotel. (B)

Day 8: Edinburgh - USA ACheck out of your hotel and transfer to the airport (own account) for your flight home.

Escorted Tour Details:
Escorted Tour Departs: Select Tuesdays and Fridays
Departure time: 8:30am from 207 High St, Edinburgh
Return time: Approx 8:00pm to Waverley Bridge opposite Waverley Train Station

Services include:
Transportation by top of the range 16 seat Mercedes minicoach for a more personal experience.
Services of a professional Rabbie's driver/guide
Self Catering Breakfast
Discount Card - money off restaurants, shopping and attractions

 

Rates & Departures (2012)
 
       Departs 
         
  LAND & AIR
   Twin
April 13
$1,499*
Apr 27
$1,499*
May 01
$1,499*
May 04
$1,649*
May 11
$1,549*
May 15
$1,499*
May 29
$1,849*
June 08
$1,549*
June 12
$1,749*
June 26
$1,799*
June 29
$1,899*
July 06
$2,049*
July 10
$1,949*
July 13
$2,049*
July 20
$2,099
July 24
$1,999*
July 27
$2,149*
August 03
$2,149*
August 07
$2,099*
August 10
$2,149*
August 17
$1,999*
August 21
$1,899*
August 24
$1,749*
August 31
$1,649*
September 04
$1,499*
September 07
$1,549*
September 14
$1,549*
September 21
$1,599*
October 05
$1,549*
 
Prices are per person in a twin room.  Please call for single supplement.
*Air inclusive package prices do not include US and foreign government airport taxes and fees up to $240, depending on the airfare. These taxes and fees include (a) a federal excise tax of $3.70 per U.S. domestic flight segment, defined as one takeoff and landing, of a passenger's itinerary; (b) up to $18 per round trip in local Airport Passenger Facility Charges of up to $18; and (c) September 11th Security Fee of $2.50 per enplanement originating at a U.S. airport (up to $10 per person).
Airline-imposed baggage fees may apply and be due at the airport; please consult your airline prior to departure for the latest fees. 

Land tours commence in Ireland one day later than departure date shown.
Airfare available from most cities.

 

Notes
Space is limited and your desired travel dates may not be available if you wait, so book early to avoid disappointment. We highly recommend 2nd and 3rd choices for travel dates and/or accommodations.
It is the sole responsibility of each passenger to obtain the necessary documents for travel, not excluding passports and visas. A valid passport is normally the only requirement for U.S. citizens. Visa requirements do change without notice and vary by nationality. Please check with the consulate office of the destination country as to visa requirements.
Restrictions
*Prices are per person based on double occupancy and a 70-day advance purchase. Purchases within 70 days will incur additional shipping and handling fees. Travel is valid for these dates only. This is a nonrefundable, non-changeable purchase. Certain other restrictions may apply, and offer is subject to change without notice. No request will be processed until full payment is received.
Airport/Hotel Transfers: Unless specified above in the inclusions, transportation between the airport and hotels are not included. Travellers must make their own way to/from hotels via taxi or public transportation.
 

 

Disclaimer:
Demfer Travels will accept Credit Card payment for the Land or Cruise only portion of travel. Payment for the Air portion of travel is by check made out to Demfer Travels USA LLC.