Scottish & Irish Dream (12 Nights)
[vc_row el_class=”package”][vc_column el_class=”content-width-1″][vc_column_text]For all of those Celtic souls stuck living across the Atlantic, the rolling green pastures of Ireland and the Highlands can seem like a faraway dream. With this tour, we’ve made them a reality. The Scottish and Irish Dream Tour is dedicated to displaying the tranquil, enchanting lands of both countries. Prepare to fall in love with Celtic history and culture if you haven’t already. Beginning in Glasgow you’ll spend seven days getting to know the Scottish Isles inside and out, wandering through the romantic countryside and through the formidable Highlands before finishing in Edinburgh. You’ll enter Ireland next, where another world of lush green fields and rich, interesting history awaits you. Take five days to make your way around the Ring of Kerry and the Cliffs of Moher before returning home – we can’t guarantee you’ll ever want to leave though![/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”10px”][vc_row_inner el_class=”cus-accordion”][vc_column_inner][vc_toggle title=”Day 1: Glasgow City Tour” open=”true” el_id=”1481212574158-0f1cc01e-2a51″ el_class=”tour-content-p” css=”.vc_custom_1543394689095{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-right: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;background-color: #6dab3c !important;}”]Your Scottish adventure kicks off at 2:30PM; you’ll meet your tour director at your Glasgow hotel, before setting out on an introductory tour of the city. Take in all of Glasgow’s main attractions, including parks and squares before viewing beautiful art collections at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. That evening enjoy a welcome drink with your tour director and fellow travellers before dining in your hotel.[/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Day 2: Loch Lomond & Inveraray Castle” el_id=”1481212904463-44c26644-5b36″ el_class=”tour-content-p” css=”.vc_custom_1543394765396{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-right: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;background-color: #6dab3c !important;}”]Today you’ll take a short cruise around Loch Lomond to enjoy some world-famous views of the Highland peaks, before driving to Inveraray. Here, you can explore the town before a tour of Inveraray Castle, where the Campbells once lived – it’s also a filming location for the critically-acclaimed TV series “Downton Abbey”. Then travel through Glen Coe, one of Scotland’s most beautiful areas, before arriving at your hotel in Ballachulish.[/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Day 3: Isle of Skye & Clan Donald Centre” el_id=”1481213015123-20aa3f61-bbbf” el_class=”tour-content-p” css=”.vc_custom_1543394785294{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-right: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;background-color: #6dab3c !important;}”]Journey down the idyllic “Road to the Isles”, pausing for some photos at the Glenfinnan Monument. Then travel on a ferry to the Isle of Skye, visiting the Clan Donald Centre at Armadale Castle. You can drive through the island and return to the mainland via bridge, pausing for pictures at Eilean Donan Castle before continuing on your journey. Travel along the gorgeous shoes of the famous Loch Ness, where the mysterious Loch Ness monster is said to reside. Keep your binoculars at the ready! Finish up your day at your hotel in Nairn, a manor house sitting on fabulous grounds near the North Sea.[/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Day 4: Culloden Battlefield & Sheepdogs” el_id=”1481213276012-606c0906-4c49″ el_class=”tour-content-p” css=”.vc_custom_1543394805685{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-right: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;background-color: #6dab3c !important;}”]Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre, just a stone’s throw distance from Nairn, is your first destination today. Here, you can learn about the battle that took place on 16th April 1746, when Prince Charles Edward Stuart and his army were defeated by the British Government forces. Take a walk around the moorland to discover monuments commemorating the troops involved in the battle. Then, you’ll continue through the Highlands, taking in the wonderful scenery, before arriving at Leault Farm where sheepdogs herd sheep.[/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Day 5: Blair Castle & Whisky Tasting” el_id=”1481213661866-f5cbfb27-15ab” el_class=”tour-content-p” css=”.vc_custom_1543394826390{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-right: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;background-color: #6dab3c !important;}”]Start off your fifth day with a tour of Blair Castle, home to the Dukes and Earls of Atholl. The castle dates back to 1259 and has undergone many renovations through the ages, transforming from a strong medieval fortress to a Victorian castle. Here you’ll learn the history of Mary, Queen of Scots, Bonnie Prince Charlie, Queen Victoria and the Atholl Highlanders. After, you’ll visit Blair Athol Distillery and observe how whiskey is made, maybe indulging in a wee tipple before you depart. The afternoon is free to explore the hotel gardens and facilities, or to have a root around the town of Pitlochry.[/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Day 6: Glamis Castle & St Andrews Golf” el_id=”1481213775814-5e3f4cb9-a4b0″ el_class=”tour-content-p” css=”.vc_custom_1543394845814{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-right: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;background-color: #6dab3c !important;}”]Today take a trip to Glamis Castle, the childhood home of the late Queen Mother and the legendary backdrop of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Travel across the Tay Bridge to visit St. Andrews, the world-famous “Home of Golf” where you can view the Old Course and the Royal and Ancient Clubhouse while on a scenic drive. If golfing isn’t for you, you can explore the town instead, learning about the ruined cathedral and castle. Then you’ll drive south to the capital of Scotland, Edinburgh, and enjoy a traditional Scottish Evening with a dinner of haggis and a bagpipe show.[/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Day 7: Edinburgh Castle & City Tour” el_id=”1481213881740-d976a9ff-a6a3″ el_class=”tour-content-p” css=”.vc_custom_1543394865196{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-right: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;background-color: #6dab3c !important;}”]Start your last day in Scotland off with a sightseeing tour of Edinburgh; wander through the wide streets and elegant mansions of New Town, a 200-year-old Georgian town. Walk part of the Royal Mile, the oldest part of the city, before visiting Edinburgh Castle. The castle is Edinburgh’s most famous attraction and offers some simply stunning views of the city. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to enjoy. (On July 30 to August 20 departures enjoy the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle.)[/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Day 8: Titanic Belfast & Vibrant Dublin” el_id=”1481214174160-51525f3d-a328″ el_class=”tour-content-p” css=”.vc_custom_1543394901110{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-right: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;background-color: #6dab3c !important;}”]Today you’ll say farewell to Edinburgh, driving south along the coast to Ayrshire. You’ll take a ferry to Belfast from Cairnryan, eating a light lunch while sailing. After arriving in Belfast, you’ll travel to the Titanic Belfast exhibition to learn more about the ill-fated cruise liner and the people who built it. Then it’s on to Dublin, Ireland’s capital city. You’ll check in at your hotel, located in the city centre, before dining independently.[/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Day 9: Dublin Touring & Merry Ploughboy Pub” el_id=”1481214409815-569a15be-84a4″ el_class=”tour-content-p” css=”.vc_custom_1543394964249{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-right: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px
Irish and Scottish Sample (8 Nights)
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Perfect for those who’ve been longing for greener pastures, this eight-night adventure is dedicated to giving you a taste of all that Ireland and Scotland have to offer. If you can’t decide on either one, why not visit both? Beginning in Dublin’s fair city, you’ll be ending your trip in Edinburgh. Along the way we’ve devised a route that gives you the most authentic Gaelic experience possible, leaving room for you to explore and investigate castles, countryside and various attractions. You’ll also be visiting the three biggest cities in the area – Dublin, Belfast and Edinburgh, cities that are the perfect blend of past and present. All three have rich historical roots and today they remain thriving, vibrant and metropolitan. If you’ve always wanted to learn more about Ireland and Scotland then this tour is right up your alley. Pack your bags and prepare to leave your heart somewhere in the Irish Sea! [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”10px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row el_class=”cus-accordion”][vc_column][vc_toggle title=”Day 1: Dublin Arrival & Dalkey Village” open=”true” el_id=”1481191279620-db6fb376-61a6″ el_class=”tour-content-p” css=”.vc_custom_1501848951584{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-right: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;background-color: #6dab3c !important;}”]Your Irish adventure begins at 2:00PM. You’ll meet your tour director at your hotel in Dublin located about 8 miles south of the City Center before taking the drive to Dalkey Village, which is now an upscale suburb. While there you’ll undertake a gentle, guided walk through the village to explore some of the countless interesting shops, bars and restaurants. You can visit Dalkey Castle, an impressive piece of Irish history with a lot of stories to tell. Marvel at local literary connections in the newly re-furbished Writers’ Gallery in the castle. In the evening meet your tour director over a welcome drink to discuss your trip and enjoy dinner in your hotel.[/vc_toggle][vc_empty_space height=”10px”][vc_toggle title=”Day 2: Dublin Tour & Taylor’s Three Rock Pub” el_id=”1481193638287-793c94bc-dbf9″ el_class=”tour-content-p” css=”.vc_custom_1501849352561{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-right: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;background-color: #6dab3c !important;}”]Spend your morning undertaking an introductory tour of Dublin, taking in rows of stately Georgian houses lining elegant squares. Observe Trinity College, home of the book of Kells, as well as Leinster House where the Government convenes. You’ll also tour St. Patrick’s Cathedral, which dates from 1220-1259, and learn about prominent people in Ireland’s history including Dean Jonathan Swift, author of Gulliver’s Travels. The afternoon is free so that you may use your vouchers for an independent open-top bus tour around the city and a visit to one attraction. Afterwards, you’ll drive to Taylor’s Three Rock Pub for a dinner of Irish specialties. After all is said and done, you can sit back with an Irish coffee to watch a lively trad show with music, songs and step-dancing[/vc_toggle][vc_empty_space height=”10px”][vc_toggle title=”Day 3: Antrim Coast & Giant’s Causeway” el_id=”1481193876860-1c24078c-4297″ el_class=”tour-content-p” css=”.vc_custom_1528972312771{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-right: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;background-color: #6dab3c !important;}”]On day three, you say goodbye to Dublin before travelling north to Derry for a guided walking tour of Northern Ireland’s most historically rich city. Learn about 20th century Irish history as you take in the Bogside, and take a stroll along the medieval city walls completely encasing Derry City Center. Continue on then to the Giant’s Causeway! The Giant’s Causeway is a formation of multiple hexagonal basalt columns, created by volcanic activity over 60 million years ago. The enormous rocks have spawned legends about the mythical giant, Finn McCool, so enjoy a walk to see the stunning, unique rock formations and sea views. Check in to your hotel in Ballycastle and relax before dining in the hotel.[/vc_toggle][vc_empty_space height=”10px”][vc_toggle title=”Day 4: Heritage Farm & Titanic Belfast” el_id=”1481194024799-b992287f-4e4c” el_class=”tour-content-p” css=”.vc_custom_1501849565848{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-right: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;background-color: #6dab3c !important;}”]The first stop on your fourth day in Ireland is the Causeway Coast Discovery Center. Here, you’ll receive a taste of Irish hospitality by way of tea and home-made scones, before watching a turf-cutting demonstration. Then, take a drive along the Nine Glens of Antrim – a scenic region with fantastic views of mountains, valleys and coastline. The Nine Glens is also used to film scenes for Game of Thrones. Afterwards, continue on to Belfast. Here, a panoramic tour will show you Victorian buildings, the imposing City Hall in Donegall Square and the shipyards where RMS Titanic was built in 1912. Visit Titanic Belfast to learn about the background, building and short life of this ill-fated famous liner. At the end of the day, you can spend some free time having a look around on your own before dining in your hotel.[/vc_toggle][vc_empty_space height=”10px”][vc_toggle title=”Day 5: Ferry to Scotland & Pitlochry” el_id=”1481194699157-8eb4036d-582d” el_class=”tour-content-p” css=”.vc_custom_1501849824841{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-right: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;background-color: #6dab3c !important;}”]On day 5, say farewell to the Emerald Isle and take a short ferry trip to Scotland, before driving along the west coast and entering Glasgow. After a quick break, you can take a guided tour of Pollok House, a grand old country house which gives great insight into life in the 1930s. The many lavish rooms are stacked with priceless antique furniture and a vast collection of Spanish artwork, as well as preserved servant’s quarters. You’ll then continue your journey northward into the fabulous scenery of the Scottish Highlands before arriving at your hotel in Pitlochry. The hotel originally opened in 1884 and still boasts many of its original features, including opulent guest rooms and massive grounds to explore.[/vc_toggle][vc_empty_space height=”10px”][vc_toggle title=”Day 6: Whisky Tasting & St Andrews” el_id=”1481194793272-53eb85ab-a780″ el_class=”tour-content-p” css=”.vc_custom_1501849897946{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-right: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;background-color: #6dab3c !important;}”]On this day, you’ll take a guided tour of Blair Athol Distillery which is conveniently located very close to your hotel. Here you can observe how whiskey is distilled and sample some of Scotland’s finest before you continue southwards. Next stop is St. Andrews, a town located on the east coast. St. Andrews is known internationally as the “home of golfing”, and the town’s University is where Princess Catherine and Prince William studied and subsequently began dating. Here, you can take a short walking tour and explore the town at your own pace. Afterwards, you’ll arrive at your hotel in
