|
14 Days ~ Ireland ~ Scotland
Tour Pace
This well-paced tour has
two-night stays in Dublin, Killarney, the Highlands and Edinburgh. The
driving days are of a reasonable length; frequent stops provide ample –
and splendid – photo opportunities.
DAY 1 –
SUN – ARRIVE DUBLIN
Welcome to
Ireland! There are complimentary transfers to your tour hotel, with
the rest of the day yours to relax. Perhaps stroll around the shops
of Grafton Street? In the evening, join your Tour Director and
fellow passengers for a Welcome Drink. Hotel: Burlington.
DAY 2 –
MON – DUBLIN SIGHTSEEING
A
sightseeing tour of Dublin includes the elegant squares of
Ireland’s ‘fair city’ and a visit to the impressive Dublin
Castle (when open). See also famous O’Connell Street and the
historic Customs House, one of architect James Gandon’s
masterpieces. As evening falls, there is time for shopping and the
chance to see an Irish Cabaret show. (Breakfast)
DAY 3 –
TUE – DUBLIN – WATERFORD
Drive to Kildare
to visit Ireland’s National Stud, one of the country’s main
racehorse breeding centres. Visit the Japanese Gardens, laid out by
Eida, a Japanese landscape artist invited to Ireland at the turn of
last century. Continue to the beautiful coastal town of Waterford to
see the 9th century Reginald’s Tower and the ruined city walls
before visiting the famous Waterford Crystal Showroom. Hotel:
Dooleys. (Breakfast,
Dinner)
DAY 4 –
WED – WATERFORD – KILLARNEY
Take the coastal
road to the fishing village of Dungarvan, passing ruined castles and
ancient abbeys along the way. Drive to Ireland’s second city of
Cork for an orientation tour, before stopping at Blarney Castle,
where you can dangle from the ramparts to kiss the famous Blarney
Stone and acquire the ‘gift of the gab’. There is also time to
visit the beautiful display of Waterford Crystal at the Blarney
Mills. Continue through the rugged Derrynasaggart Mountains to peaceful
Killarney. Climb aboard one of the famous jaunting cars where a
local ‘jarvie’ will take you on a highlight ride through the
streets. Hotel: Killarney Heights. (Breakfast,
Dinner)
DAY 5 –
THU – RING OF KERRY EXCURSION
A highlight Ring
of Kerry tour opens up superb seascapes, towering cliffs and
spectacular mountains. Unhurried Irish life surrounds you as you
travel through charming villages to view the three Lakes of
Killarney before spending an afternoon at leisure. (Beakfast)
DAY 6 –
FRI – KILLARNEY – COUNTY CLARE
Journey
through picturesque Adare to Limerick, setting of Angela’s Ashes,
and home to the 12th century St Mary’s Cathedral and
medieval King John’s Castle. Hotel: Bunratty Shannon
Shamrock. (Breakfast,
Dinner)
DAY 7 –
SAT – COUNTY CLARE – SLIGO
Visit Galway to
see the Cathedral of St Nicholas, (where Columbus reputedly heard
Mass before sailing for America), the Spanish Arch and Eyre Square,
dedicated to the late President Kennedy. Now drive out to Connemara,
a wonderland of rivers, lakes and silent hills. End the day
relaxing in Sligo. Hotel: Ramada Silver Swan. (Breakfast,
Dinner)
DAY 8 –
SUN – SLIGO – BALLYGALLY
Visit the famous
Belleek Pottery Centre en route to see Donegal’s ruined
O’Donnell’s Castle and the Friary. Pass the Blue Stack Mountains
on your way to Londonderry. Join a local guide to see Derry’s
walls which were built around the city in 1614. Continue around the
coast to the the UNESCO World Heritage site, Giant’s Causeway. A
spectacular drive along the Antrim coast road, brings you to your
hotel which faces the soft, sandy beaches of Ballygally Bay. Hotel:
Ballygally Castle. (Breakfast,
Dinner)
DAY 9 –
MON – BALLYGALLY – GLASGOW
At the port of
Larne, take a ferry to Scotland before driving the Ayrshire coastal
drive, taking in magnificent views of the Firth of Clyde and the
Island of Aran along the way. Pass the Open golf links of Turnberry
before arriving in Alloway, where you will visit Robert Burns’
birthplace and see Burns’ Monument and the famous ‘Brig O’
Doon’. Spend the night in vibrant Glasgow. Hotel: Marriott.
(Breakfast)
DAY 10 –
TUE – GLASGOW – HIGHLANDS
It’s only a short drive from Glasgow to the bonnie banks
of Loch Lomond where you will enjoy a guided cruise on this
beautiful loch. Cross Rannoch Moor to Glencoe’s ‘Valley of the
Weeping’ before reaching Fort William. We pass Britain’s highest
mountain, Ben Nevis, and pause at the Commandos’ Memorial before
continuing to Newtonmore. Hotel: Highlander. (Breakfast,
Dinner)
DAY 11 –
WED – HIGHLAND EXCURSION
Stop at the
prehistoric Clava Stone Circle before crossing Culloden Moor, where
Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Jacobite army was defeated. Then it’s on
to Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, and mysterious Loch
Ness. Does the ‘monster’ Nessie exist? A wee dram at a Highland
distillery afterwards might solve the question once and for all.
Relax with another night in the Highlands. Enjoy a Highlight Dinner
with haggis and traditional Scottish entertainment. (Breakfast,
Speciality Highlight Dinner)
DAY 12 –
THU – HIGHLANDS – EDINBURGH
Drive south into the
farmlands of Perthshire. Stop to visit the Caithness Glass Factory before
crossing the beautiful River Tay at the city of Dundee. Visit St Andrews,
the famous home of golf, then cross the Forth Road Bridge to Edinburgh, the
capital of Scotland. Hotel: Apex City. (Breakfast)
DAY 13 –
FRI – EDINBURGH SIGHTSEEING
A guided tour visits
Edinburgh Castle, its fortified walls affording splendid views across
Prince’s Street to the 18th century New Town. Pass St Giles’ Cathedral,
as you drive down the Royal Mile to Holyroodhouse Palace. There’s time to
shop in Prince’s Street. Selected departures enjoy the Military Tattoo at
the castle. (Breakfast)
DAY 14 –
SAT – EDINBURGH
Our tour ends
this morning after breakfast. There are complimentary transfers to
Edinburgh Airport. (Breakfast)
|
