Scottish and Irish Dream 13 Day

Included in this tour:

• Roundtrip Group transfers when you book our flights ($30 fee for transfers on Land-only bookings)
• Sightseeing by luxury coach
• Professional tour director
• 12 or 13 nights in hotels listed
• Full breakfast daily except on day 1 (B)
• 9 dinners (D) including:
  - Scottish Evening in Edinburgh
  - Merry Ploughboy Pub dinner with tradition show
  - Bunratty Castle Medieval Banquet
  - 6 table d'hote dinners
  - 2 lunches (L)
• Welcome get-together drink
• Tours of Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dublin
• Loch Lomond cruise
• Ferry to the Isle of Skye, from Scotland to Ireland
• Ferry across the River Shannon
• Blair Athol Distillery tour and tasting
• Reserved seats for Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on July 31 to August 21 departures
• Sheepdog trials in Scotland and Ireland
• Dublin open-top bus tour with a visit and drink at Guinness Storehouse or General Post Office
• Visits and admissions to Blarney Castle, Cliffs of Moher, Edinburgh Castle,  Inveraray Castle, Isle of Skye, Skellig Experience, St Andrews and Titantic Belfast.  
• Deluxe flight bag, ticket wallet, luggage tags & strap
• Headsets for walking tours
• All local taxes, hotel service charges & porterage for one suitcase per person
• Free Wi-Fi on coaches and in hotel lobbies
• Galway tour and tea and scones at Connemara Marble Factory (14 day tour only)

Currency:

Day 1: GLASGOW CITY TOUR
Tour begins 2:30 PM, 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 Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Join your group for a welcome drink before dinner.
(D)

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

Day 3: ISLE OF SKYE & CLAN DONALD CENTRE
Travel on the scenic “Road to the Isles,” stopping for photos at the Glenfinnan Monument. Ferry to the Isle of Skye to visit the Clan Donald Centre at Armadale Castle. Back on the mainland stop for photos at the famous Eilean Donan Castle and keep your eyes open as you travel along the shores of Loch Ness. End the day at your hotel in Nairn, a manor house property set in spacious grounds near the North Sea.
(B, D)

Day 4: CULLODEN BATTLEFIELD & SHEEPDOGS
Visit the Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre to learn about the battle which took place on 16th April 1746 when British Government forces defeated the army of Prince Charles Edward Stuart. Walk around the moorland to see monuments commemorating troops. Immerse yourself in farm life at a local farm where a sheepdog demonstration showcases the keen skills of specially trained dogs. Travel to your gracious manor-style hotel near Pitlochry.
(B, D)

Day 5: BLAIR CASTLE & WHISKY TASTING
Visit Blair Castle, home of the Dukes and Earls of Atholl. Dating back to 1269, the castle has been transformed through the ages, from a strong medieval fortress to a Victorian castle in the baronial style. Go behind the scenes at Blair Athol Distillery to learn about whisky making and sample a “wee dram” after your tour. Spend the afternoon at leisure to explore the hotel gardens, museum and facilities or browse around the town of Pitlochry.
(B, D)

Day 6: GLAMIS CASTLE & ST ANDREWS GOLF
The legendary setting of Macbeth and childhood home of the late Queen Mother awaits. After touring Glamis Castle, 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. Or browse through the medieval town with its ruined cathedral and castle. In Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital, enjoy a Scottish evening with dinner, haggis, bagpipes and kilts.
(B, D)

Day 7: EDINBURGH CASTLE & CITY 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 on a tour of Edinburgh. Visit the imposing Edinburgh Castle and admire splendid views. Spend the afternoon and evening at leisure. On July 29 to August 19 departures enjoy the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle.
(B)

Day 8: TITANIC BELFAST & VIBRANT DUBLIN
Embark on a ferry ride to Belfast and enjoy lunch on board. Immerse yourself in the history of the Titanic through state-of-the-art displays at Titanic Belfast. Tonight in Dublin, check out some of the local pubs or restaurants for independent dining.
(B, L)

Day 9: DUBLIN TOURING & MERRY PLOUGHBOY PUB
The morning is yours to explore Dublin. The open-top bus tour is a great option – use your included vouchers to see the sites. Meet your local guide at 1:45 p.m. 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 historic Dublin Castle, the historic heart of Dublin. A traditional Irish dinner and show at Merry Ploughboy Pub will wrap up your day.
(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" in this fun town.
(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. A sheepdog demonstration will highlight how highly skilled dogs interact with a farmer to herd flocks of sheep. Spend a free evening in Killarney.
(B, L)

Day 12: CLIFFS OF MOHER & MEDIEVAL CASTLE BANQUET
Take a ferry ride across the River Shannon Estuary and view the Cliffs of Moher, a spectacular wall of sandstone that reaches 200m above the Atlantic Ocean. Check in to Bunratty Castle Hotel, relax and enjoy free time. Head out for a memorable medieval-style feast complete with songs and harp music, evocative of the Middle Ages.
(B, D)

Day 13: TOUR ENDS IN SHANNON
Your tour ends after breakfast.
(B)

B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner