Scottish & Irish Gold 16 Day

Included in this tour:

• Sightseeing by luxury coach
• Professional tour director
• 15 nights in hotels listed
• Full breakfast daily (B) except on day 1
• 10 dinners (D) including
  - Scottish Evening in Edinburgh
  - Jarvey's Irish Night
  - O’Connell’s Restaurant in Dublin
  - 7 table d'hote dinners
• 3 lunches (L)
• Welcome get-together drink
• Tours of Glasgow and Edinburgh
• Loch Lomond scenic cruise
• Ferries to the Isle of Skye and from Scotland to Ireland and across River Shannon
• Blair Athol Distillery whisky tasting and tour
• Reserved seats for Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on July 31 to August 21 departures
• Killary Fjord catamaran cruise
• Sheepdog trials in Scotland and Ireland
• Horse-drawn jaunting car ride in Killarney
• Irish coffee and music session at the Marine Bar in Dungarvan
• Walking tours of Waterford and Galway
• Visits and admissions to Clonmacnoise Monastic Site, Culloden Battlefield, Kelvongrove Art Gallery & Musuem, St Andrews and Titanic Belfast.
• Headsets for walking tours
• Deluxe carry-on backpack, ticket wallet, luggage tags & strap
• All local taxes, hotel service charges & porterage for one suitcase per person
• Free Wi-Fi on coaches and in hotel lobbies
• Dublin open-top bus tour with a visit to Guinness Storehouse or General Post Office (16 day tour only)

Day 1: GLASGOW CITY TOUR
Tour beings 2:30 PM, Glasgow hotel. Set out on an introductory tour of central Glasgow’s main attractions including parks and squares, and a visit to Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Enjoy a welcome drink with your group before dinner.
(D)

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

Day 3: ISLE OF SKYE & CLAN DONALD CENTRE
Travel 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. Journey along the beautiful shores of Loch Ness and end the day in Nairn where you’ll stay in a manor house property 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 and enjoy a sheepdog demonstration. Spend the evening in a gracious manor-style hotel near Pitlochry.
(B, D)

Day 5: BLAIR CASTLE & WHISKEY TASTING
Head to Blair Castle for a tour of the home of the Dukes and Earls of Atholl. Go behind the scenes at Blair Athol Distillery to learn about whiskey making and sample a “wee dram.” Spend the afternoon at leisure exploring the hotel gardens, museum and facilities or browse around the town.
(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 travel 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 and entertainment.
(B, D)

Day 7: EDINBURGH CASTLE & CITY TOUR
Start your day with a sightseeing tour of Edinburgh to see the wide streets and elegant mansions of the Georgian 200-year-old “New Town” and 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 July 29 to August 19 departures enjoy the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle.
(B)

Day 8: TITANIC BELFAST & VIBRANT DUBLIN
Today you’ll say farewell to Scotland and hello to Ireland! Enjoy a ferry ride to Belfast with lunch on board. Immerse yourself in the history of the Titanic through state-of-the-art displays at Titanic Belfast. Head to Dublin for a free evening in this bustling city.
(B, L)

Day 9: CLONMACNOISE & GALWAY
Elaborate high crosses, church ruins and round towers are the highlights of your visit to Clonmacnoise Monastic site, founded in 545 AD by St. Ciaran. After exploring the grounds head to Galway for a gentle walking tour and enjoy free time before dinner.
(B, D)

Day 10: CONNEMARA & CATAMARAN CRUISE
Explore Kylemore Abbey and gardens, and enjoy a casual lunch. Embark on a cruise of Killary Harbour, a 15 km fjord (March 18 to October 8 departures), and enjoy views of hills where traces of “lazy beds” of potato ridges from the 19th century can still be seen. Spend a free evening in Galway. 
(B, L)

Day 11: CLIFFS OF MOHER & IRISH NIGHT
Visit a farm where you’ll enjoy a demonstration as trained working dogs herd sheep. See the Cliffs of Moher soaring almost 200m above the pounding Atlantic surf. Ferry across the River Shannon and head to picturesque Killarney. This evening enjoy an Irish night featuring a lively show and dinner.
(B, D)

Day 12: JAUNTING CAR, MUCKROSS HOUSE & RING OF KERRY
Today a traditional jaunting car will drive you along the shores of Lough Leane to view Ross Castle. At Muckross House see the period furnishings and hear local history on a guided tour. Take in the views as you travel the famous Ring of Kerry route and stop for a casual lunch. Cross to Valentia Island by bridge to Skellig Experience to learn about the rocky offshore islands. Take a break in the colourful village of Sneem before returning to Killarney for a free evening.
(B, L)

Day 13: BLARNEY CASTLE & WATERFORD CRYSTAL
Visit Blarney Castle to kiss the famous “Stone of Eloquence” or stroll through the lovely gardens. Stop in Dungarvan at the Marine Bar for a creamy Irish coffee and an informal traditional music session. At the House of Waterford Crystal watch glass blowing and cutting by master craftspeople.
(B, D)

Day 14: WATERFORD WALK & DUBLIN
Start your day with a walking tour to discover Waterford’s long history. Then visit the Medieval Museum, which incorporates a 13th century Choristers’ Hall. Stop in Kilkenny for a look around the city centre before heading to Dublin and savour an elegant farewell dinner at O’Connell’s Restaurant.
(B, D)

Day 15: INDEPENDENT DAY IN DUBLIN
Spend a day in Dublin using your vouchers for an independent open-top bus tour around the city and a visit to one attraction.
(B)

Day 16: DEPART DUBLIN FOR HOME
Your tour ends after breakfast.
(B)

B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner