Tour Overview:
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 photo opportunities.
Itinerary:
Best of Ireland and Scotland
14 DAYS ~ IRELAND ~ NORTHERN 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.
Fellow Passengers - This tour appeals to seasoned travellers who
want to concentrate on Scotland and Ireland, as well as first-timers who wants to trace
their family history while taking in the glorious scenery of both countries.
DAY 1 – SUN – ARRIVE DUBLIN. Welcome to Ireland! On
arrival at Dublin Airport, your airport shuttle service leaves for the tour hotel
at 08:00, 11:00 & 13:30. Perhaps stroll around the shops of Grafton Street? Tonight,
join your Tour Director and fellow guests 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. (B)
DAY 3 – TUE – DUBLIN – WATERFORD. Drive to
Kildare for an informative visit Ireland’s National Stud, one of the
country’s main racehorse breeding centres. You also visit Europe’s finest
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 4 – WED – WATERFORD – KILLARNEY. Take the
coastal road via the fishing village of Dungarvan to Ireland’s second city
of Cork for an orientation tour. Stop 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 shop for woollens 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 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.
(B)
DAY 6 – 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 7 – SAT – LIMERICK – CASTLEBAR. 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 US President John F. Kennedy. Now drive out to Connemara, a
wonderland of rivers, lakes and hills. Tonight your hotel retains all the charm and
elegance of a bygone age.
Hotel: Breaffy House. (B,D)
DAY 8 – SUN – CASTLEBAR – 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 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 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 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 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 drive though the dramatic
scenery of Glencoe’s ‘Valley of the Weeping’, still echoing with
the cries of massacred clansmen, before reaching Fort William. Pause at the
Commandos’ Memorial for a view of Britain’s highest mountain, Ben
Nevis, then continue to Newtonmore.
Hotel: Highlander. (B,D)
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’ really exist? Visit a whisky distillery, where local water, the
best malt and age-old skills combine to produce a ‘wee dram’ for you to
taste. Relax with another night in the Highlands. Enjoy a Highlight Dinner with
haggis and traditional Scottish entertainment. (B,HD)
DAY 12 – THU – HIGHLANDS – EDINBURGH. A scenic
drive takes you through the Grampian Mountains passing the Duke of Atholl’s
Blair Castle, site of Britain's only private army. Travel through the Pass of
Killiecrankie, to Pitlochry, famous for its Salmon Leap. Drive down by
Macbeth's Birnam Wood and cross the Tay to visit St. Andrews, the home of golf.
Now, continue southwards, across the majestic Forth Bridge to historic Edinburgh,
capital of Scotland.
Hotel: Jurys Inn. (B)
DAY 13 – 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. Now drive down
Princes Street, past the Scott Memorial to see Edinburgh’s famous
Georgian architecture. Later, there is time to shop in Princes Street. Selected
departures enjoy the Military Tattoo at the castle. (B)
DAY 14 – SAT – EDINBURGH. Departure transfers
arrive at Edinburgh Airport at 06:15 & 09:00. (B)
Price Details:
Notes
REF: B935. Prices are per person sharing a twin.
Insight's Airport Shuttle Service
Transfers operate on the days and at the times shown in the itinerary.
Passengers arriving ourside these days and times have the option of either
purchasing a transfer (see Conditions) or making their own way from/to the airport.
2009