14 Day Scottish & Irish Dream Tour

Scottish & Irish Dream 14 Days / 13 Nights

Itinerary

For single tour rate, please add AU$956 single room supplement to featured price.

Day 1: Glasgow Arrival & City Sightseeing TourYour 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 of Glasgow on a panoramic tour and view extensive art collections in 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 CastleEmbark on a short cruise of Loch Lomond to appreciate views of Highland peaks. Drive to Inveraray and browse around the town before touring Inveraray Castle, home of the Campbells and used as a location for the Downton Abbey series. Drive through Glen Coe, a spectacular valley renowned for a skirmish between the Campbell and Macdonald Clans in 1692 and on to the coast to your hotel in Ballachulish.(B,D)

Day 3: Isle of Skye & Clan Donald CentreTravel 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 bridge, stopping for photos at the famous Eilean Donan Castle. Then drive along the beautiful shores of Loch Ness, famous for its monster. Continue to your hotel in Nairn, a manor house property set in spacious grounds near the North Sea.(B,D)

Day 4: Culloden Battlefield & DistilleryA 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. This changed the traditional Highland way of life for the clans. Drive south through the high peaks of the Grampian Mountains to the town of Pitlochry. Visit Blair Athol Distillery to learn about whisky making and sample a “wee dram” at the end of the tour. Check in to your gracious manor-style hotel.(B,D)

Day 5: Royal Deeside & CastlesDrive along the charming River Dee Valley, called Royal Deeside as it was made popular by Queen Victoria. Tour the grounds of the Royal Family’s Balmoral Castle (Apr-Jul). When Balmoral is closed (Mar & Aug-Nov) visit Crathes Castle. This is an enchanting 16th-century tower house with turrets and towers. Stop in Ballater, where many shops show royal warrants to indicate Royal patronage. Return to your hotel and enjoy free time to stroll through the spacious gardens or the nearby town.(B,D)

Day 6: Glamis Castle & St Andrews GolfVisit Glamis Castle, legendary setting of Macbeth and childhood home of the late Queen Mother. Drive across the modern Tay Bridge to St Andrews, the “Home of Golf.” See the famous Royal and Ancient Clubhouse and the Old Course and enjoy free time to look around specialty golf stores. 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 and entertainment.(B,D)

Day 7: Edinburgh Castle & City TourThis 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 August 2 to 23 departures enjoy the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle.(B)

Day 8: Titanic Belfast & Vibrant DublinDepart Edinburgh early this morning and drive south through Ayrshire and along the coast. At Cairnryan take a ferry ride to Belfast. Close to the 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)

Day 9: Dublin Touring & Merry Ploughboy PubEnjoy 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 & KillarneyDepart 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 in to your hotel and relax before dinner. Afterwards you may like to head to a "singing pub".(B,D)

Day 11: Ring of Kerry & Skellig ExperienceToday 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 & Bunratty Castle BanquetTake 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 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 GalwayDrive along the famous Galway Bay to the Connemara Marble Factory to see locally-quarried marble and enjoy tea and scones. Take a panoramic tour around Galway and travel to Dublin where you are free for independent activities and dining.(B)

Day 14: Tour Ends in DublinYour tour ends after breakfast.(B)

B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner