This fascinating journey delivers the best of Scotland, England’s Lake District, North Wales, and the Emerald Isle. Begin in lively Glasgow and head north via the “Bonnie Banks” of Loch Lomond to Fort William, Loch Ness, and the Highland capital of Inverness. Travel south, stopping to visit a whisky distillery and Balmoral Castle (when open). Spend two nights in Edinburgh and visit the famous castle and Holyrood Palace. In the Lowland hills, see the blacksmith’s shop at Gretna Green before crossing into England. Delight in the beauty of the Lake District on your way to Liverpool, where you visit the award-winning Beatles Story. Explore the North Wales towns of Betws-y-Coed and Caernarvon, then ferry across the Irish Sea to the “Fair City” of Dublin, where an orientation drive shows off O’Connell Street, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and Trinity College. Visit the Irish National Stud at Kildare. Stop in Blarney and at the popular resort of Killarney. Marvel at the scenic Ring of Kerry, the spectacular Cliffs of Moher, and stunning Giant’s Causeway. Visits to the pilgrimage village of Knock, world-famous Belleek Pottery, Derry, and Belfast are also included, before returning to Glasgow for the conclusion of the tour.
Itinerary:
Day #1 Arrive in Glasgow, Scotland. Welcome to Glasgow! Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax in Scotland’s largest city. At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)
Day #2 Glasgow–Fort William–Inverness.Your Celtic adventure starts in earnest with a city drive, taking in the fine 12th-century cathedral, imposing university buildings, and elegant Georgian squares. On the way this morning: the “Bonnie Banks” of Loch Lomond, wild Rannoch Moor, Glen Coe, lovely Loch Linnhe, and Fort William beneath Ben Nevis. In the afternoon, look out for signs of the mysterious Loch Ness monster. Spend the night in Inverness, the Highland capital. (B,D)
Day #3 Inverness–Braemar–Edinburgh. Cross the battlefield of Culloden Moor for a visit to a WHISKY DISTILLERY, where your guide explains the ancient art of distillation and will give you a [LF] ‘WEE DRAM’ to sample. On to BALMORAL CASTLE, the Queen’s residence during hunting season (when available). Then, drive through Braemar, home of the Royal Highland Games for over 900 years, and in the afternoon, via Perth to Edinburgh. Tonight, don’t miss our optional Scottish evening with Highland dancers, bagpipers, and the Ceremony of the Haggis. (B)
Day #4 Edinburgh. Morning city sightseeing with a Local Guide introduces you to the 200-year-old “New Town” and famous scientists, inventors, and novelists. In the “Old Town,” drive up the narrow Royal Mile to EDINBURGH CASTLE to admire Scotland’s Crown Jewels, then explore HOLYROOD PALACE (except when the Queen is in residence). Later, a unique optional excursion: board the former Royal Yacht Britannia to see how the Royal Family and crew of 240 lived and worked on board. Dinner rounds off this evening. For departure numbers August 5, August 12, and August 19, tickets are included for tonight’s performance of the world-renowned MILITARY TATTOO. (B)
Day #5 Edinburgh–Lake District, England–Liverpool. On the way through the history-steeped Lowland Hills, stop at Gretna Green. Then, leave the land of the Scots and journey into England through the tranquil Lake District to Grasmere, home of poet William Wordsworth. In Liverpool, visit the award-winning BEATLES STORY, an atmospheric journey into the life, times, culture, and music of the “Fab Four,” and take home your [LF] BEATLES STORY SOUVENIR.(B,D)
Day #6 Liverpool–North Wales–Dublin, Ireland. Travel to lovely Betws-y-Coed, then through the incomparable landscapes of Snowdonia National Park and over breathtaking Llanberis Pass. After a stop at Caernarvon, cross Britannia Bridge to the Isle of Anglesey for a photo stop at tongue-twisting Llanfair.... At Holyhead, board your FERRY and cross the Irish Sea to Dublin. (B)
Day #7 Dublin. An orientation drive in the Irish capital includes statue-lined O’Connell Street, elegant Georgian squares, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Then, visit Oscar Wilde’s TRINITY COLLEGE, famous for the 1,200-year-old Book of Kells and the magnificent Old Library. Afternoon at leisure. Later, why not join an optional Irish cabaret evening including dinner, dance, song, and laughter? (B)
Day #8 Dublin–Kildare–Blarney–Killarney. Horse-racing country this morning. Drive across the Curragh to visit the IRISH NATIONAL STUD at Kildare, whose thoroughbreds command respect on the racecourses of the world. On the way to Killarney, stop at the Rock of Cashel, where St. Patrick preached, and in Blarney, renowned for its magical Kissing Stone. (B,D)
Day #9 Killarney–Ring of Kerry–Adare–Limerick. Follow the road known as the RING OF KERRY for a spectacular 100-mile panoramic drive around the island’s southwestern tip. In the afternoon, travel via quaint Adare to Limerick, where an orientation drive features St. Mary’s Cathedral, King John’s Castle, and the stone where the Treaty of Limerick was signed in 1691. A suggestion for a very special night out: an optional medieval banquet at Bunratty Castle. (B)
Day #10 Limerick–Cliffs of Moher–Galway–Sligo. Motor to the spectacular CLIFFS OF MOHER, rising 668 feet above the Atlantic. Via the limestone plateau of The Burren you reach Galway, a popular seaside destination and a buzzing cosmopolitan center with cobblestone streets, colorful shops, and a busy café and bar culture. Visit Knock, a village that attracts pilgrims from all over the world, then spend the night in Sligo. (B,D)
Day #11 Sligo–Derry, Northern Ireland–Giant’s Causeway–Belfast. A rich string of attractions awaits you today: the grave of native son and poet W.B. Yeats in Drumcliff; BELLEEK POTTERY, renowned for its exquisite cream-colored Parian china; and in Derry, [LF] WALK the city walls in the company of a Local Guide. After lunch, drive to Dunluce Castle, then visit awe-inspiring GIANT’S CAUSEWAY. Stay in Belfast tonight, Northern Ireland’s seat of government. (B,D)
Day #12 Belfast–Glasgow, Scotland. On this morning’s “Living History” tour in the company of a Local Guide, learn more about this fascinating city where the Titanic was built. Board your FERRY for the crossing of the North Channel to Cairnryan on the west coast of Scotland. Back in Glasgow, celebrate the success of your journey with a farewell dinner tonight at your hotel. (B,D)
Day #13 Glasgow. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)