Day 1
FLIGHT TO EDINBURGH:
Today we join our tour director
and fellow travelers as we are transported to Charlotte-
Douglas Airport for our over-night flight to Edinburgh.
Day 2
GLASGOW HIGHLIGHTS:
Today we arrive at the Edinburgh
airport and transfer to Glasgow. You will be amazed at all
the inclusions on this tour! In Glasgow we see the highlights
of this city which flourished in Victorian times. We drive
around George Square with its ornate City Chambers and visit
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, a splendid Spanish
Baroque-style building housing one of Europe’s finest art
collections, including masterpieces by Rembrandt, Titian,
and Dali. This evening we join our traveling companions for a
welcome dinner. (D)
Day 3
LOCH LOMOND • LOCH NESS CRUISE:
We travel alongside
the famous Loch Lomond, renowned for its unsurpassed
beauty and through the deep valley of Glen Coe, notorious
for the Campbell massacre of the Clan Macdonald in 1692.
At Fort Augustus we embark on a short cruise on Loch Ness
as we keep an eye out for “Nessie.” (B, D)
Day 4
BLAIR ATHOL DISTILLERY • ST. ANDREWS • 2 NIGHTS
EDINBURGH:
We visit Blair Athol Distillery to see how
whiskey is distilled. Continuing our drive south we visit St.
Andrews, renowned as the “Home of Golf” and known for its
university, Scotland’s oldest. We arrive in Edinburgh and our
gracious manor house hotel, set on 1,000 acres with two
golf courses and spa facilities. Explore as your wish and dine
on your own this evening. (B)
Day 5
EDINBURGH TOUR & CASTLE • SCOTTISH EVENING:
This morning an Edinburgh city guide will point out the
principal sights of this capital city. We drive along the bustling
Princes Street and through the gracious, wide streets of the
200-year-old Georgian New Town and walk along part of the
Royal Mile where compact medieval houses reach 11 floors
tall. Next, we visit Edinburgh Castle, which dominates the
city and contains the Scottish Crown Jewels and the Stone
of Scone. We enjoy a Scottish Evening featuring excellent
Scottish cuisine followed by a lively show of song, stories
and traditional dance. (B, D)
Day 6
IRELAND • TITANIC BELFAST • 2 NIGHTS DUBLIN:
Early
this morning we depart Edinburgh and drive south
through Ayrshire and along the coast. At Cairnryan take a
ferry ride to Larne crossing into Ireland. In Belfast we enjoy
a panoramic city tour followed by a visit to Titanic Belfast
to learn about this famous liner through state-of-the-art
displays. Continuing our drive south to Dublin, where we
enjoy some free time for dinner and check into our hotel for
a two-night stay. (B)
Day 7
DUBLIN SIGHTSEEING • CANAL DINNER CRUISE:
Today
tour central Dublin with a local guide seeing public
buildings, lovely parks and rows of Georgian houses with
brightly-painted doorways. Walk around Christ Church
Cathedral, founded
in 1028. We enjoy a
canal dinner cruise
with traditional Irish
music aboard a former
Guinness barge
through central
Dublin. (B, D)
Day 8
FARMHOUSE
TEA • BLARNEY
CASTLE • 2 NIGHTS
KILLARNEY:
Travel
through the midlands
of Ireland, stopping
for photos at the
stately Rock of
Cashel. We visit a farmhouse for tea and scones and watch
skilled sheep dogs herd sheep. We continue south to visit
Blarney Castle and kiss the famous “Stone of Eloquence.”
It’s a beautiful drive in the mountainous countryside of
County Kerry to Killarney, picturesquely set beside lakes and
mountains. Check in to our hotel for a two night stay. (B, D)
Day 9
JAUNTING CAR • RING OF KERRY • SKELLIG
EXPERIENCE:
Take a jaunting car ride as you pass Ross Castle, set on
Lough Leane. We view the scenic Gap of Dunloe to visit
Moriarty’s, an authentic Irish gift store. Then embark on the
Ring of Kerry drive, a winding route with breathtaking sights
of mountains and coastal views. Cross to Valencia Island by
bridge to visit the Skellig Experience which describes the
austere lives of early Christian monks on the nearby islands.
Enjoy a casual lunch before our drive through Waterville. We
stop in Sneem to admire the brightly-painted houses, then
pause at Moll’s Gap for stunning views before returning to
Killarney. (B, L)
Day 10
RIVER SHANNON FERRY • CLIFFS OF MOHER:
We
take a ferry ride across the River Shannon to the Cliffs
of Moher, a spectacular wall of limestone that reaches 700 feet
above the Atlantic Ocean. Our home for the night is in Bunratty.
Dinner this evening is in a castle, a memorable medievalstyle
feast where the lords and ladies will serenade you with
song and harp music, evocative of the Middle Ages. (B, D)
Day 11
GALWAY WALKING TOUR • CLONMACNOISE • DUBLIN:
This morning we travel to Galway. We’ll enjoy a walking
tour around the city-center visiting the picturesque monastic
ruins of Clonmacnoise, founded in 544 AD by Saint Ciaran.
We arrive in Dublin late this afternoon. The evening is free to
explore and enjoy your surroundings. (B)
Day 12
DUBLIN AIRPORT • HOME:
This morning we transfer
to the Dublin Airport for our return flight home.
Ground Arrangements by CIE Tours
