Day 01: Glasgow Highlights

Start your trip at Glasgow Airport with a group transfer to your hotel, departing at 8:00 am, 10:00 am or 12:00 noon. If you arrive later than noon, transfer to the hotel at your own expense. At 2:30 pm tour Glasgow, a city that flourished in Victorian times. Drive around George Square with its ornate City Chambers and nearby Glasgow Cathedral. Visit Provand’s Lordship, Glasgow’s oldest house built in 1471, and step back in time to discover Glasgow’s unique history. The house was originally part of a hospital and has been extensively restored and furnished. Join your tour director and travel companions for a welcome drink before dinner. (D)

Day 02: Loch Lomond & Loch Ness Cruise

Travel along side the famous Loch Lomond, renowned for its unsurpassed beauty. Travel through the deep valley of Glen Coe, notorious for the Campbell massacre of the Clan Macdonald in 1692. Continue through Fort William and stop at the Spean Bridge Woollen Mill, which offers a good selection of quality Scottish goods. At Fort Augustus embark on a short cruise on Loch Ness to keep an eye out for “Nessie” as well as admire the lovely scenery of this long, narrow lake. Continue to Nairn for a Scottish Highland evening. (Friday departures will stay in Inverness and enjoy a ceilidh, a musical evening.) (B,D)

Day 03: Whisky Tasting & St Andrews

Drive to Blair Athol Distillery in Pitlochry to see how whisky is distilled and sample some. Continue south to St Andrews, renowned as the “Home of Golf” and for its university, Scotland’s oldest and spend some time to explore on your own. Drive south to Edinburgh and to your gracious manor house hotel, set on 1,000 acres with two golf courses and spa facilities a few miles from the city. In the evening dine at a popular restaurant and discover the haunts of Edinburgh’s eccentric characters in the Old Town on a fun walking tour. (B,D)

Day 04: Edinburgh Castle & City Tour

This morning an Edinburgh city guide will point out the principal sights of this capital city. Drive along the bustling Princes Street and through the gracious, wide streets of the 200-year-old Georgian New Town. Walk along part of the Royal Mile where compact medieval houses reach 11 floor stall. Visit Edinburgh Castle,which dominates the city and contains the Scottish Crown Jewels and the Stone of Scone. The balance of the day is free. On July 29 to August 19 departures,seats are reserved for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. (B)

Day 05: Titanic Belfast & Dublin

Depart Edinburgh early this morning and drive south through Ayrshire and along the coast. At Cairnryan take a ferry ride to Belfast for a visit to Titanic Belfast. Learn about this famous liner which was built in the adjacent docks. State-of-the-art displays describe Belfast,working conditions and many other aspects of the ship. Drive south to Dublin and check in to your hotel, located overlooking Dublin Bay.The evening is at leisure for independent dining. (B)

Day 06: Dublin & Canal Dinner Cruise

Start your day with a guided walk through Trinity College’s campus and visit the Old Library to view the priceless Book of Kells. Drive through central Dublin to see public buildings, lovely parks and elegant Georgian houses. In the Guinness Storehouse learn about the famous brew and sample a pint in the roof top bar. In the evening enjoy a canal dinner cruise with traditional Irish music aboard a former Guinness barge through central Dublin. (B,D)

Day 07: Blarney Castle & Killarney

Travel through the midlands of Ireland,stopping for photos at the stately Rock of Cashel. Visit a farmhouse for tea with scones and watch skilled sheep dogs herd sheep. Continue south to visit Blarney Castle and kiss the famous “Stone of Eloquence.” Also visit the Blarney Woollen Mills where you can find quality Irish-made goods. Drive to Killarney, picturesquely set beside lakes and mountains. Check in to your hotel and relax before dinner. Afterwards you may like to explore some of Killarney’s famous “singing pubs.” (B,D)

Day 08: Ring of Kerry & Skellig Experience

Take a jaunting car ride to view Ross Castle set on Lough Leane. 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. Savor a pub lunch and stop in Sneem to admire brightly painted houses. Pause at Moll’s Gap for stunning views before returning to Killarney where you have an evening free for independent dining and activities. (B,L)

Day 09: Cliffs of Moher & Bunratty Castle

Take a ferry ride across the River Shannon to reach the Cliffs of Moher, a spectacular wall of sand stone that reaches 700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean.Check in to Bunratty Castle Hotel, close to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park.If you wish, you may visit the Folk Park, have a drink in the 200-year-old Durty Nelly’s Pub or shop at the Bunratty Mills. In the evening head to Bunratty Castle for a memorable medieval-style feast where the lords and ladies will serenade you with song and harp music,evocative of the Middle Ages. (B,D)

Day 10: Tour Ends Shannon Airport

Take a group transfer to nearby Shannon Airport where the tour concludes at 10:30 am. (B)

Day 01: Glasgow City Tour

Your trip starts in Glasgow Airport with a group transfer to yourhotel at 8:00 am, 10:00 am or 12:00 noon. At 2:30 pm take a panoramic touraround central Glasgow.View extensive collections in Kelvingrove Art Galleryand Museum. Chat with your tour director over a welcome drink before dinner. (D)

Day 02: Loch Lomond & Inveraray Castle

Embark on a short cruise of Loch Lomond to appreciate views of Highlandpeaks. Take a guided tour around Inveraray Castle, home of the Campbell family, and browse around the nearby town. Drive through Glen Coe, a spectacular valley where the Campbells massacred a number of the Clan Macdonald in 1692 and on to Ballachulish. (B,D)

Day 03: Isle of Skye & Highland Evening

Travel on the scenic “Road to the Isles”, stopping for photos at the Glenfinnan Monument.Take a ferry to the Isle of Skye and visit the Clan Donald Centre at Armadale Castle. Drive through the island and return to the mainland by bridge, stopping for photos at the famous Eilean Donan Castle. Pass Loch Ness on the way to your hotel in Nairn. A Scottish Highland evening will feature haggis, bagpipe music and dancing. (B,D)

Day 04: Culloden & Speyside Distillery

Visit the Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre to learn about Bonnie Prince Charlie’s defeat in 1746, which changed the traditional Highland way of life for the clans. Drive into the Speyside region to visit one of the prominent distilleries. Learn about whisky making and sample a “wee dram” at the end of the tour. Drive to your 19th century manor house hotel near Blairs. (B,D)

Day 05: Balmoral Castle & Afternoon Tea with Scones

Drive along the charming River Dee Valley, called “Royal Deeside” as it was made popular by Queen Victoria.Visit the Royal Family’s Balmoral Castle set in its spacious estate (Apr-Jul). Visit Crathes Castle when Balmoral is closed (Mar & Aug-Nov). Take a look around the town of Ballater, where shops bear the Royal Warrant. Stop at the Fallsof Feugh to sample afternoon tea with freshly-baked scones and enjoy a talk on Highland life. (B,D)

Day 06: Glamis Castle& St Andrews

Visit Glamis Castle,legendary setting of Macbeth and childhood home of the late Queen Mother.Travel to St Andrews, the “Home of Golf" for free time to look around and perhaps visit the British Golf Museum.Drive south into Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital and enjoy a Scottish Evening with dinner and entertainment. (B,D)

Day 07: Edinburgh Castle & City Tour

Tour Edinburgh this morning to see the Georgian 200-year-old “New Town” and walk along part of the Royal Mile, the medieval section. Tour the imposing Edinburgh Castle and admire splendid views. Spend the afternoon and evening at leisure. On July 27 to August 17 departures enjoy the Royal Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle.(B)

Day 08: Titanic Belfast & Vibrant Dublin

Depart Edinburgh early this morning and drive south through Ayrshire and along the coast. At Cairnryan take a ferry ride to Belfast. Close to the ferry terminal in the heart of the docks, visit Titanic Belfast to learn about this famous liner through state-of-the-art displays. Drive south to Dublin and check in to your centrally-located hotel. You are free to dine independently. (B)

Day 09: Dublin Touring & Merry Ploughboy Pub

Enjoy the morning at leisure or use your included open-top bus tour voucher. At 2:00 pm meet a local guide and tour central Dublin to see Trinity College,public buildings, tranquil parks and rows of Georgian houses. Take a guided tour through historic Dublin Castle, seat of government for centuries. Dine at the Merry Ploughboy Pub and enjoy a great show. (B,D)

Day 10: Blarney Castle & Killarney

Depart Dublin and stop for photos at the stately Rock of Cashel. Visit Blarney Castle to kiss the famous “Stone of Eloquence” and shop at the Blarney Woollen Mills.Drive to Killarney, picturesquely set beside lakes and mountains. Check in to your hotel and relax before dinner. Afterwards you may like to head to a“singing pub". (B,D)

Day 11: Ring of Kerry & Skellig Experience

Today embark on the Ring of Kerry drive – a winding route with awesome mountain and coastline views. Watcha local farmer and his dogs herding flocks of sheep. Cross to Valencia Island by bridge to visit the Skellig Experience which describes nearby islands. Enjoy an informal lunch and pause at Moll’s Gap for stunning views before returning to Killarney. (B,L)

Day 12: Cliffs of Moher & Bunratty Castle Banquet

Take a ferry ride across the River Shannon Estuary and view the Cliffs of Moher, a spectacular wall of sandstone that reaches 700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean.Check in to Bunratty Castle Hotel and enjoy free time. Head to Bunratty Castle for a memorable medieval-style feast with a program of song and harp music, evocative of the Middle Ages. (B, D)

Day 13: Connemara Marble & Galway

Drive north from Bunratty and along the famous Galway Bay to the Connemara Marble Factory to see locally-quarried marble and enjoy tea and scones. Take a panoramic tour around Galway and travel to Dublin where you are free for independent activities and dining. (B)

Day 14: Depart from Dublin Airport

Group transfers are provided to Dublin Airport to arrive at 6:00 am, 9:00 am or 12:00 noon to check in for your flight. Then you can shop for duty-free goods before boarding your flight home. (B)