Scotland & Ireland Adventure

Tour Highlights:
Burns Cottage and National Park
Culzean Castle (President Eisenhower Connection)
Loch Lomand Cruise
Scottish Shepard
Local Kiltmaker
Culloden Battlefields
Edradour Distillery
Edinburgh Castle
St. Patrick's Cathedral
Factory Tour of Waterford Crystal
Blarney Castle
Bunratty Folk Park
Clonmacnoise

Prices & Dates : Below

Based on per person traveling in twin room, Prices are subject to change 

YOUR TOUR INCLUDES:

• Escorted sightseeing by luxury motorcoach
• Professional Tour Director throughout
• 12-nights accommodation at first Class hotels
• Full Scottish/Irish Breakfast (B) daily except morning of arrival
• 6 dinners (D) including 1 with entertainment - Medieval Banquet, and a farewell at Cabra Castle
• Welcome reception hosted by your Tour Director
• All entrance fees to:
  • Burns Cottage and National Park
  • Culzean Castle (President Eisenhower Connection)
  • Loch Lomand Cruise
  • Scottish Shepard
  • Local Kiltmaker
  • Culloden Battlefields
  • Edradour Distillery
  • Edinburgh Castle
  • St. Patrick's Cathedral
  • Factory Tour of Waterford Crystal
  • Blarney Castle
  • Bunratty Folk Park
  • Clonmacnoise
• Sightseeing in Scotland: Glasgow, Ayrshire, Loch Lomand, Glencoe, Loch Ness, Pitlochry, St. Andrews, Edinburgh
• Sightseeing in Ireland: Dublin, Waterford, Killarney, Ring of Kerry, Cliffs of Moher, Galway, Meath and Cavan
• Tips for baggage handling, taxes and hotel gratuities except gratuity to your Tour Director

Pricing excludes

• Airport taxes and security charges
• Transfers from airport/ hotel/ airport
• Meals not speciically identified
• Other personal expenses

DAILY ITINERARY

Day 1: Depart USA Your trip begins with an overnight transatlantic flight to Scotland (Your airfare is not included in the tour price). Relax and enjoy the in-flight meal service and onboard entertainment.

Day 2: Glasgow Upon arrival at Glasgow airport, collect your luggage and proceed to the arrivals hall. A representative will be there to meet you and direct you to your first hotel (transfer cost not included). In the afternoon we shall take a city tour, passing Glasgow Cathedral: a magnificent medieval structure built in the 14th century. You are free this evening to further enjoy this wonderful city. Maybe a closer look at the monuments in George Square, shopping in Buchanan Street, a leisurely walk in the Glasgow Green or a visit to one of the many fine pubs. This evening we shall enjoy a welcome drinks reception followed by evening dinner together. Accommodation: Jury's Inn or similar (D)

Day 3: Robert Burns Country/Culzean Castle This morning after breakfast we will travel south along the Ayrshire coast and into Robbie Burns Country, the ploughman poet. Here we will visit Burns Cottage in Alloway where you can walk in the footsteps of Tam O'Shanter in "Alloway's auld haunted kirk" and across auld Brig O'Doon, where Tam's mare, Meg had her narrow escape from the witches. We continue on to the 18th century Culzean Castle, which overlooks the Atlantic coast. Part of this Castle was gifted to General Eisenhower who resided here during his presidency and retirement on several occasions. Accommodation: Jury's Inn or similar . (B)

Day 4: Loch Lomond/Glencoe/Inverness After breakfast we shall visit The "Bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond" where we will stop for a short cruise on this famous Loch. So much myth, legend and history precedes a visit to the expanse of Glencoe and Loch Leven, that many visitors are unprepared for the sheer beauty and breathtaking serenity of this vast sweeping pass. We will pass Urquhart Castle, a stronghold on a rocky peninsula overlooking Loch Ness, where we will stop for pictures. Continuing on to Inverness, the capital of the highlands and our hotel tonight, we shall enjoy evening dinner together. Accommodation: Palace Hotel or similar. (B,D)

Day 5: Inverness After a leisurely breakfast we visit to a local kilt maker where we can learn all about the famous tartans (plaids). We then continue on to the famous Culloden Battlefield where Bonnie Prince Charlie’s army was defeated by the government troops in 1746. This afternoon take the time to explore Inverness with its suspension bridges across the River Ness, old stone buildings and Ben Wyvis soaring above the skyline. This evening you are free to enjoy the local restaurants and pubs for dinner. Accommodation: Palace Hotel or similar. (B)

Day 6: Edradour Distillery / St. Andrews Leaving the Highlands behind us, we travel southward where we visit a Scottish shepherd at work with his faithful sheepdog. We continue to the Edradour Distillery in Pitlochry. Sample a wee dram at Scotland’s smallest distillery. We continue our drive to ancient St Andrew’s home of Royalty and birthplace of golf. See St Andrews University, founded in 1413, and the oldest university in Scotland. There will be time in the quaint village of St. Andrews which is full of traditional Scottish craft shops, pubs and restaurants, or perhaps you will prefer exploring the ruins of St Andrew’s Cathedral. We travel on to the imposing city of Edinburgh and our downtown hotel. Tonight you are free to enjoy the many culinary delights this city has to offer and why not round the evening off in one of the many pubs & wine bars. Accommodation: Thistle Edinburg or similar. (B)

Day 7: Edinburg City This morning’s tour takes us along Princes Street with its fine shops and through the lovely Georgian squares and terraces of the new town. We continue along the historic Royal Mile to the palace of Holyrood, the official Scottish residence of Her Majesty the Queen. Our tour concludes at Edinburgh Castle where we will enjoy a lunch in the castle before we view the Scottish Crown Jewels and take in the breathtaking views of the city from the castle ramparts. This evening enjoy an optional Scottish Banquet where you can sample some haggis and enjoy traditional bagpipe music, songs and dancing. Accommodation: Thistle Edinburg or similar. (B,L)

Day 8: Edinburgh / Dublin After breakfast, transfer to Edinburgh airport for your shuttle flight to Dublin (flight cost not included). In the afternoon, commencing at 2.00 pm, we will take a tour of Dublin’s Fair City. We will pass Trinity College, home of the Book of Kells and stop to visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral. We’ll pass O’Connell Street, Europe’s largest street and pass Christchurch Cathedral, and the Bank of Ireland, which is formerly the Irish House of Parliament. If you keep a close eye on the road, you may even spot Molly Malone wheeling her wheelbarrow! Tonight opt for an evening of Irish dinner and entertainment at the Jameson’s Shindig. Accommodation: Jury's Custom House or similar. (B)

Day 9: Dublin / Waterford / Killarney This morning, we leave the city behind and travel through the gentle hills of Ireland. We travel south through Carlow and into the Viking city of Waterford where we will take a guided tour of the famous Waterford Crystal Factory. Continue on through Youghal, Cork and Macroom as we enjoy the lush green countryside and coastal views of Ireland. We arrive in Killarney in the late afternoon in time for dinner and overnight. Accommodation: Killarney Towers Hotel or similar. (B,D)

Day 10: Killarney (Ring of Kerry excursion) An exciting day of travel as we experience one of the most scenic drives in all of Europe around the famous “Ring of Kerry”. Head along the coastline of the Iveragh Peninsula through the towns of Glenbeigh, Cahirciveen, Waterville and Sneem. Complete the tour via the “Ladies View” back to Killarney. This is Ireland as you have always imagined it! Later, enjoy an optional Jaunting Cart Ride offered by your Tour Director. Dinner is at your hotel this evening. Accommodation: Killarney Towers Hotel or similar. (B,D)

Day 11: Killarney/Bunratty/Ennis We depart Killarney and our first destination is the village of Blarney where you’ll have the opportunity to kiss the Blarney Stone and get the gift of the gab! Also enjoy shopping at the Blarney Woolen Mills for all your Irish treasures. In the afternoon, we visit the Bunratty Folk Park which depicts life in Ireland in time's past. We continue on to our hotel where you are free for the evening. Accommodation: West County Hotel or similar. (B)

Day 12: Cliffs of Moher/Galway/Ennis This morning we travel to the mighty Cliffs of Moher. Absolutely spectacular views of the Atlantic and Galway Bay await you! Rising 700 feet up from the Atlantic Ocean, the Cliffs stretch for 5 miles along the coastline. We continue onto Galway, named “The City of Tribes” after the fourteen families who originally settled in the area. Enjoy a short tour of Connemara region, prior to visiting the Cathedral and Claddagh area. Tonight enjoy a Medieval Banquet in the company of the Lords & Ladies of the castle. Accommodation: West County Hotel or similar. (B,D)

Day 13: Lockes Distillery/Cabra Castle Today we travel north along on the banks of the Shannon River and stop at the monastic site of Clonmacnois. See one of the best preserved monasteries founded by St Ciaran in the 6th century and famed for its high Crosses. We continue though Athlone and on to the beautiful 15th century Cabra Castle, situated in Kingscourt Co. Cavan. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at the castle. Accommodation: Cabra Castle or similar. (B,D)

Day 14: Dublin/USA After breakfast, we depart for Dublin Airport, where you will have time for duty free shopping before your flight. (B)