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Superior First Class Hotels - 11 / 14 / 15 Day Coach Tour
Experience the Scottish and Irish Way of Life, on this 11 / 14 /15 day tour through Scotland and Ireland. Take part in a Scottish cabaret dinner in Edinburgh and a traditional Irish pub dinner with music session. Visit also the main attractions of both countries like, Loch Ness, Edinburgh Castle, Giant's Causeway and Slieve League Cliffs.
Day 1: Edinburgh & "Britannia"
Your trip starts in Edinburgh Airport with a group transfer to your hotel, departing at 8:00 am, 10:00 am or 12:00 noon. Passengers arriving later will transfer to the hotel at their own expense. At 2:00 pm tour the Royal Yacht “Britannia”, former floating home of The Queen. Learn about the famous guests and the state visits made by the Royal Family. Enjoy a welcome drink at your hotel and dine at the Heights Restaurant with views of Edinburgh Castle. (D)
Day 2: Edinburgh Castle & City Tour
This morning explore Edinburgh to 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. See Princes Street, the main shopping thoroughfare that separates the two areas. Learn about many prominent Scottish inventors, doctors and writers. Finish your tour at Edinburgh Castle to see historic buildings and enjoy splendid views of Edinburgh. The balance of the day is free for independent exploring, shopping and dining. On August 5 to 19 departures enjoy the Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle. (B)
Day 3: Sheepdog Trials & Culloden
Drive into the Highlands to visit Leault Farm where dogs herd sheep and ducks through various obstacles. Learn how each dog responds to individual whistles and see seasonal activities. Tour Culloden Moor Visitor Centre to walk around the battlefield where, on 16th April 1746, British Government forces defeated Bonnie Prince Charlie's army in just one hour and ended hopes of restoring the Jacobite Stuarts to the British throne. After dinner enjoy a ceilidh, traditional Scottish music, in your hotel. (B, D)
Day 4: Isle of Skye & Clan Donald Centre
Drive through wild Highland scenery to cross the bridge to the Isle of Skye, pausing for photos at the picturesque Eilean Donan Castle. Drive through part of the island and visit the Clan Donald Centre at Armadale Castle to discover the history of the powerful Lords of the Isles. Return to the mainland by ferry and take the “Road to the Isles” through some of Scotland's loveliest scenery, stopping for photos at the Glenfinnan Monument. (B, D)
Day 5: Rabbie Burns and Belfast
This morning drive south to Alloway to visit the Burns National Heritage Park where you will be able to see famous landmarks from Burns' poetry such as Brig o' Doon, the Auld Kirk, as well as the cottage where Rabbie Burns was born. Travel along the coastline to Cairnryan for a short ferry ride to Larne. Drive to your hotel in Belfast and enjoy free time to relax or head out to see some of this vibrant city before dinner. (B, D)
Day 6: Belfast Tour & Mount Stewart
A local guide will show you Belfast's Victorian buildings, the imposing City Hall in Donegall Square and the Shankill and Falls Road areas where many 20th century political events took place. Also visit the Titanic Quarter to see the Harland and Wolff Shipyards, where the famous liner was built in 1912. In the afternoon tour Mount Stewart House and Gardens to see antiques and world-famous paintings. Hear stories about the many prominent political visitors. The extensive gardens were planted in the 1920's by Edith, Lady Londonderry, and have been nominated a World Heritage Site. (B, D)
Day 7: Giant's Causeway & Derry's Walls
Drive north along the scenic route of the “Nine Glens of Antrim,” for lovely views of mountains, valleys and coastline. Stop at the Giant's Causeway, enormous hexagonal columns formed by volcanic activity 60 million years ago which have spawned legends about the mythical giant, Finn McCool. In Derry join a local guide for a short walking tour around the defensive walls that encircle the compact old city before driving to nearby Letterkenny. (B, D)
Day 8: Glenveagh Castle and Donegal
Travel into the heart of Donegal to Glenveagh National Park where Captain Adair evicted 225 tenants to build Glenveagh Castle in 1870. Learn about the history of the mansion, owners and guests as you tour the rooms and walk around the extensive gardens filled with exotic plants. Then experience the glorious natural beauty of the Grand Atlantic Drive, which winds through Downings and Rosapenna and around the coastline. Return to Letterkenny in time for dinner. (B, D)
Day 9: Belleek China & Kilronan Castle Stay
Drive south through the Barnesmore Gap and the Blue Stack Mountains for a look around Donegal town. Visit the Belleek Pottery Factory to see how the craftspeople shape and decorate clay, creating the world-famous fine china. Pause at Drumcliffe Churchyard to view the grave of W. B. Yeats, the Nobel prize-winning poet, who based many poems on the delightful countryside around Sligo. A short drive will take you to Kilronan Castle Hotel for leisure time to relax and enjoy the lovely setting. (B, D)
Day 10: Strokestown House & Cloffs of Moher
Visit Strokestown Park House in County Roscommon. There are three parts to see - the 18th century mansion with its original furnishings; the four-acre walled garden, restored to look as it would have during the heyday of the estate; and the Famine Museum, which explains the circumstances of the 1840's Great Irish Famine through a combination of original documents and images. Travel south passing the city of Galway to view the Cliffs of Moher, a dramatic wall of rock that plunges to the Atlantic Ocean. In the evening head to 15th century Bunratty Castle for a fun medieval-style banquet with entertainment by the lords and ladies of the castle. (B, D)
Day 11: Return Home from Shannon Airport (11-day tour)
or Dingle Peninsula & Killarney (14 and 15-day tour)
Passengers on the 11-day tour will take a group transfer from your hotel in Ennis to Shannon Airport for their flight home. (B)
Passengers on the 14 and 15-day tour will discover the glorious Dingle Peninsula, made famous by two movies, “Ryan's Daughter” and “Far & Away.” Drive to Slea Head at the westernmost tip and tour the Blasket Experience to learn about the Blasket Islands. Travel up to the Conor Pass for sweeping views and then head to Killarney, famous for its glorious setting near Ireland's highest mountains. (B, D)
Day 12: Killarney & Jaunting Car Ride
Take a traditional horse-drawn jaunting car ride to Ross Castle for views of Lough Leane, Killarney's largest lake. Drive to the delightful town of Kenmare where brightly-painted buildings are enhanced with flowers. Enjoy spectacular mountain scenery at Moll's Gap and travel part of the Ring of Kerry, pausing at Ladies' View. Return to Killarney to relax or go shopping before dinner. (B, D)
Day 13: Blarney Castle & Burlington Cabaret
Drive through County Cork to climb Blarney Castle to kiss the famous stone. Also shop at the Blarney Woollen Mills for quality Irish-made products. Pause for photos at the stately Rock of Cashel as you drive north to Dublin. In the evening enjoy the Burlington Cabaret right in your hotel, a great dinner of Irish specialties and a lively show with popular Irish songs and intricate step-dancing. (B, D)
Day 14: Depart from Dublin Airport (14-day tour)
or Dublin City Tour & Guinness (15-day tour)
For passengers on the 14-day tour group transfers are provided to Dublin Airport to arrive at 6:00 am, 9:00 am or 12:00 noon. (B)
For passengers on the 15-day tour the entire day is at leisure so you may schedule sightseeing as you wish. Use your open-top bus tour voucher to explore Dublin - you may get on and off at any of the 23 stops along the route, which include Dublin's most popular attractions. Take a tour around either the Guinness Storehouse or the Old Jameson Distillery to see stout or whiskey production techniques and enjoy a drink of the finished product. (B)
Day 15: Depart from Dublin Airport (15-day tour)
Take a taxi transfer to Dublin Airport in good time for your flight home. (B)
B=Breakfast, CB=Continental Breakfast, D=Dinner
Hotels on this tour
- Marriott Dalmahoy Hotel, Edinburgh (2 nights)
- Columba Hotel, Iverness (1 night)
- Isles of Glencoe Hotel, Ballachulish (1 night)
- Europa Hotel, Belfast City (2 nights)
- Station House Hotel, Letterkenny (2 nights)
- Kilronan Castle Hotel, Ballyfarnon (1 night)
- Temple Gate Hotel, Ennis (1 night)
- Killarney Towers Hotel, Killarney (2 nights - 14 and 15-day tour only)
- Burlington Hotel, Dublin (1 night - 14-day tour, 2 nights - 15-day tour)
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