15 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 – SAT – DEPART
USA
Overnight flight to Dublin.
DAY 2 – 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: Jurys Croke Park.
DAY 3 – 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. (B)
DAY 4 – 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. (B,D)
DAY 5 – 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 Avenue & Towers. (B,D)
DAY 6 – 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. (B)
DAY 7 – FRI – KILLARNEY
– LIMERICK
Journey through picturesque Adare to Limerick, on the shores of
the Shannon, Ireland's longest river and the setting of Angela’s Ashes. Sightseeing
takes in the ruins of 13th century King John's castle and St Mary's Cathedral.
Hotel:
George. (B,D)
DAY 8 – SAT – LIMERICK
– BUNDORAN
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 in the seaside
resort of Bundoran.
Hotel: Great Northern. (B,D)
DAY 9 – SUN – BUNDORAN
– 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. (B,D)
DAY 10 – 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 Arran 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: Crowne Plaza. (B)
DAY 11 – 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.
(B,D)
DAY 12 – 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. (B,HD)
DAY 13 – 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. (B)
DAY 14 – FRI – EDINBURGH
SIGHTSEEING
A guided tour visits Edinburgh Castle, its fortified walls
affording splendid views across Princes Street to the 18th century New Town. Pass
St Giles’ Cathedral, as you drive down the Royal Mile to Holyroodhouse Palace.
Later, there is time to shop in Princes Street. Selected departures enjoy the Military
Tattoo at the castle. (B)
DAY 15 – SAT – RETURN
TO USA
The tour ends with transfers to Edinburgh Airport. (B)
