|
Explore the Celtic
cultures, ancient castles, and lively pubs of beautiful
Ireland and Scotland. Begin in Dublin, where you will
enjoy a jovial evening of traditional Irish cuisine and
music and see the world-famous St. Patrick’s Cathedral,
O’Connell Street, Grafton Street, Phoenix Park and the
city’s trademark rows of Georgian town homes. Traveling
through central Ireland, visit Belleek Pottery,
internationally known for its highly decorative Parian
China. Continue on to Donegal Town, where you can browse
the many craft and woolen shops of the town square. A
short journey brings you to the spectacular Glenveagh
National Park, where Glenveagh Castle sits within 40,000
acres of mountains, lakes, and woodland. In historic
Derry, a walking tour features the magnificent medieval
city walls, St. Augustine’s Cathedral, and the
Guildhall. En route to Belfast, see Northern Ireland’s
magnificent Giant’s Causeway which resembles a cobbled
road leading into the sea. And of course, you can’t
leave Ireland without visiting the oldest distillery in
the world to learn the art of making Irish whiskey and
participate in a tasting! A ferry carries you across the
sparkling sea to Scotland, the land of kilts and
bagpipes. Explore the regal capital of Edinburgh, where
you’ll see the 11th century Edinburgh Castle, home of
the Scottish crown jewels. On the mystical Isle of Iona,
you will see Iona Abbey, the birthplace of Scottish
Christianity and burial place of early Scottish Kings.
You’ll also enjoy a delightful sheep dog demonstration
and learn about the country’s agricultural industry.
Finally, visit the magnificent Stirling Castle, where
Mary, Queen of Scots, was crowned in 1543.
- Explore centuries of
Celtic culture and tradition on this program devoted to
Ireland and Scotland.
- Experience the rugged natural beauty of
Donegal and Glenveagh National Park.
- Enjoy a scenic cruise of beautiful Loch
Lomond.
- Visit Iona Abbey, the birthplace of
Scottish Christianity and burial place of Scottish Kings.
 Day
1: Overnight Flight
Begin your journey through the history, culture and
scenic wonders of Ireland and Scotland with an overnight
flight.
Day 2: Dublin, Ireland - Tour Begins
Your tour begins in Dublin. The afternoon is yours
to relax and unwind or to begin exploring this historic
city. Tonight, join your fellow travelers for a
memorable Irish Night featuring local cuisine and
traditional Irish music. (D)
Day 3: Dublin
A delightful panoramic sightseeing tour highlights the
attractions of this "Fair City." You will visit the
world-famous St. Patrick's Cathedral, O'Connell Street,
Grafton Street, Phoenix Park and see Dublin's
magnificent rows of Georgian town homes. An afternoon at
leisure allows you to further explore Dublin's cultural
riches. (B)
Day 4: Dublin - Bundoran
Depart Dublin, traveling through central Ireland to
Strokestown Park. A guided visit of the park features
the restored Georgian mansion and gardens as well as the
Famine Museum, which documents the hardships experienced
by tenant farmers during the Great Irish Famine. Next,
visit Belleek Pottery, internationally known for its
highly decorative Parian China. Your day ends at the
beautiful coastal resort town of Bundoran. (B, D)
Day 5: Bundoran - Donegal - Derry, Northern Ireland
Today's travels highlight the rugged natural beauty of
County Donegal. Your first stop is at Donegal Town.
Enjoy a stroll around the town square, with its many
craft and woolen shops. A short journey brings you to
the spectacular Glenveagh National Park, encompassing
some 40,000 acres of mountains, lakes and woodland.
Enjoy a guided visit of Glenveagh Castle, set amidst the
natural splendor of the park. This afternoon cross the
border into Northern Ireland as you travel to Derry. (B,
D)
Day 6: Derry - Ulster American Folk Park - Derry
Begin your day with a locally guided walking tour of
historic Derry, including the magnificent medieval city
walls, St. Augustine's Cathedral and the Guildhall. Then
travel via Omagh to the Ulster American Folk Park. This
open air museum documents the story of emigration from
Northern Ireland to America during the 18th and 19th
centuries. Return to Derry this afternoon. (B)
Day 7: Derry - Giant's Causeway - Antrim Coast -
Belfast
See the most famous natural sight in Northern Ireland
this morning as you visit the magnificent Giant's
Causeway. Formed by volcanic activity millions of years
ago, the causeway resembles a cobbled road leading into
the sea. You will then visit the famous Old Bushmills
Distillery, the oldest in the world, to learn the art of
making Irish whiskey and participate in a tasting.
Continue along the stunning Antrim Coastal Route to
Belfast, where you will enjoy a guided tour of the city
sights. (B, D)
Day 8: Belfast - Ferry Crossing - Edinburgh, Scotland
Bid farewell to Ireland this morning as you board the
high speed ferry that will carry you across the sea to
Scotland. Upon arrival in Stranraer, travel to
Scotland's regal capital of Edinburgh. Tonight, you will
be treated to a traditional Scottish dinner with a touch
of local entertainment. (B, D)
Day 9: Edinburgh
A tour of the beautiful city of Edinburgh includes the
famous Edinburgh Castle, home of the Scottish crown
jewels, and the Palace of Holyrood House (except when
the Queen is in residence), once the home of Mary, Queen
of Scots. Enjoy a free afternoon to shop along Princes
Street or visit one of Edinburgh's many museums. (B)
Day 10: Edinburgh - Loch Lomond - Oban
Travel through the beautiful Loch Lomond and Trossachs
National Park this morning, stopping for a delightful
scenic cruise along the Loch. Continue north to Oban, a
charming port town known as the "Gateway to the Western
Isles." (B, D)
Day 11: Oban - Isle of Mull - Iona - Oban
A ferry crossing brings you to the Isle of Mull. Enjoy
spectacular landscapes as you travel toward Fionnphort,
where a passenger ferry takes you to the mystical Isle
of Iona. Visit Iona Abbey, the birthplace of Scottish
Christianity and burial place of early Scottish Kings.
Upon return to Mull, stop at Duart Castle, and enjoy a
guided visit of the ancestral home of the Clan Maclean.
Return by ferry to Oban this evening. (B, D)
Day 12: Oban - Stirling - Falkirk
Your first stop this morning features a delightful sheep
dog demonstration and the opportunity to learn about
Scottish farming. Continue on to Stirling Castle, first
erected 900 years ago, and formerly used as a royal
residence for the House of Stewart where, Mary, Queen of
Scots, was crowned in 1543. Join your fellow travelers
tonight for a farewell dinner. (B, D)
Day 13: Falkirk - Glasgow Airport - Tour Ends
This morning you will travel to Glasgow Airport where
your tour of Scotland comes to a close. (B)
Stay Another Night - Add a pre night stay in Dublin. Prices start at $100 per person,
double.
|
Uniquely For You
Duart Castle |
| Upon
your visit to Duart Castle, you may be
greeted by a gentleman in green tartan
slacks who is not an employee but the
chief of the Clan Maclean. This is his
home and has been the seat of the Clan
Maclean for over seven centuries. The
rocky outcrop on which it stands offers
excellent panoramic views. Climb the
ancient worn steps to the top of the
keep and read of the Maclean's turbulent
past. Enjoy the grounds and the story of
the Cromwellian shipwreck. Visit the
dungeons and then relax in the tearoom
and enjoy a home baked treat. |
Base Rates Per Person
| Departure Date |
Tour Rate – Twin |
Tour and Air Rate |
| May 20 2006 |
$2299 |
$2849 from NYC |
| Jun 03 2006 |
$2299 |
$3429 from NYC |
| Aug 05 2006 |
$2499 |
$3629 from NYC |
| Sep 16 2006 |
$2299 |
$2849 from NYC |
| Oct 07 2006 |
$2099 |
$2649 from NYC |
| Nov 04 2006 |
$1999 |
$2399 from NYC |
| Mar 17 2007 |
$1999 |
$2399 from NYC |
| Apr 14 2007 |
$2099 |
$2649 from NYC |
*Tour and air prices are lead-in rates from a
specific gateway based on twin occupancy and are subject to change. Rates do not
include inter-air flights. Please call for triple or child occupancy rates.
Tours departing BEFORE 4/30/06 may follow a different itinerary than what is
listed here. Please confirm your specific itinerary at the time of booking. For
tours that feature a cruise, port taxes are not included in the prices above.
Additional tour dates
may be available, please call us for information.
13 days, 19 meals
11 Breakfasts, 8 Dinners
Day 1 - Overnight flight
Day 2, 3 - Camden Court Hotel, Dublin
Day 4 - Great Northern Hotel, Bundoran
Day 5, 6 - Great Southern City Hotel, Derry
Day 7 - Europa Hotel, Belfast
Day 8, 9 - The George Hotel, Edinburgh
Day 10, 11 - Oban Caledonian Hotel, Oban
Day 12 - Macdonald Inchyra Grange Hotel, Falkirk
On some dates alternate hotels may be used
NOTES:
- Passengers arriving into
Edinburgh between August 3-25 will be provided with tickets to
the Edinburgh Military Tattoo Show.
- Due to tour scheduling return
flights should not be booked prior to 9:00 a.m.
- In the event that the
passenger ferry to Iona does not operate due to inclement
weather, a visit to the island capital of Tobermory will be
substituted.
- Duart Castle is included from
May to October only, and this is reflected in the tour price.
Back to Itinerary Page
|
