13D12N IRELAND & SCOTLAND

13D12N Ireland & Scotland

Day 01 – DUBLIN AIRPORT – GALWAY 
On arrival at Dublin Airport, your driver will meet you at the arrival hall and drive you to your hotel in Galway, a harbour city on Ireland’s west coast facing the Atlantic Ocean.  Once a small fishing village, Galway grew in strength in the 13th century to become a prosperous walled town ruled by merchant families (known as the Tribes of Galway).  The old city walls are now incorporated into a modern shopping centre at Eyre Square.  Enjoy Galway town at your own leisure.

Day 02 – GALWAY: CLIFFS OF MOHER & THE BURREN   [B] 
Visit some of Ireland’s most spectacular natural wonders – the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren.  Sights in this area were featured in “Harry Potter’s Half-Blood Prince” and in another movie classic “The Princess Bride”.  First stop is the quaint and picturesque fishing village of Kinvara to see Ireland’s famous Dunguaire Castle – built in 1520, this restored 16th century tower house sitting on a rocky outcrop on the shores of Galway Bay is one of the most visited and photographed castles in western Ireland.  Next stop is the vast rolling hills of the Burren where numerous ancient Irish monuments are sited.  The tour continues into Kilfenora to see the famous Celtic Crosses (Irish High Crosses) and the picturesque coastal village of Doolin for a lunch break (own expense).  After lunch, the tour will take you to the day’s highlight – the breathtaking 200m high and 8km long Cliffs of Moher.  Feel yourself standing at the edge of the world as you take in the awe-inspiring view and experience afforded by nature!   

Day 03 – GALWAY: CONNEMARA & KYLEMORE ABBEY   [B]
It is often said that when you visit Connemara you get to “experience the real beauty of Ireland”.  Located in the northwest corner of County Galway, it is an area of beauty with incredible scenery and  interesting attractions.  Given its beautiful unspoilt landscape and fresh country air, it is no wonder that it is a playground for outdoor activities such as horse riding, cycling or hiking (in the Twelve Bens mountains of Connemara).  Next stop is the charming mountain village of Leenane where you can take in views of Ireland’s only fjord (at Killary Harbour).  No trip to Connemara would be complete without visiting the magnificent Kylemore Abbey & Garden – the jewel in the Connemara crown and the most-photographed of all of Connemara’s many attractions!  Kylemore Abbey & Garden has a superb picturesque lakeside setting, surrounded by woodlands at the foot of the Twelve Bens Mountains.

Day 04 – GALWAY – DUBLIN   [B]
Train from Galway to Dublin, the lively capital of the Republic of Ireland (referred to here as “Ireland”).  With its seamless blend of classic visitor sights, excellent social scene and the natural playgrounds of Dublin Bay and the Dublin Mountains framing it on all sides, this laid-back city is as intimate as a village and as friendly as your local Irish pub.  Dublin has been named Europe’s friendliest city twice by TripAdvisor for good reason.  Enjoy Dublin city at your own leisure.

Day 05 – DUBLIN: KILKENNY, WICKLOW MOUNTAINS & GLENDALOUGH   [B]
Visit the medieval town of Kilkenny with its cobblestone streets and the oldest brewery in Ireland.  First stop is Kilkenny Castle, majestically located on the banks of the River Nore.  Stroll around the cobblestone streets and visit Saint Frances Brewery – Ireland’s oldest brewery – and Rothe House & Garden – a 17th century merchant’s mansion featuring, among others, some priceless Viking artifacts and a recreation of a garden from that period.  Thereafter, head to the rugged mountains and glacial valleys of the Wicklow Mountains – Ireland’s largest national park and also home to Ireland’s highest waterfall and biggest man-made lake.  Continue on over the mountains to explore the monastic site of Glendalough (meaning “Valley of 2 Lakes”) where Christianity was re-introduced to Ireland after the Dark Ages (following the decline of the Roman empire).  Learn about Saint Kevin, founder of the 7th century monastery and see intact architecture such as St Kevin’s Kitchen, Church and Round Tower.  The final part of the tour takes you to the highest village in Ireland, known as Roundwood, before returning to Dublin.  Enroute, enjoy the sights of the Sugar Loaf Mountains, the Glen of Imail and Powerscourt Estate.

Day 06 – DUBLIN: BELFAST, GIANT’S CAUSEWAY & DUNLUCE CASTLE   [B]
Head to Belfast, capital of Northern Ireland (UK), for an orientation tour of the city centre.  Thereafter, visit the Giant’s Causeway, famous for its stunning interlocking polygonal basalt columns – about 40,000! – that were the result of an ancient volcanic fissure eruption – truly an amazing wonder of the world and well deserving of a UNESCO World Heritage Site accreditation!  There is also the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge that links the mainland to the tiny island of Carrickarede which you may choose to cross if you feel up to it!  Another attraction you will be visiting is Dunluce Castle, the former residence of the McDonnell clan and considered by many to be the most beautiful castle in Northern Ireland.

Day 07 – DUBLIN: RING OF KERRY   [B]
Travel to Killarney by train and continue on to the Ring of Kerry by coach.  Highlights include Dingle Bay, MacGillycuddy’s Reeks Mountain (Ireland’s highest mountain), Carrantuohill, Moll’s Gap, Ladies View and the world-famous Lakes of Killarney.

Day 08 – DUBLIN – EDINBURGH   [B]
Depart Dublin and fly to Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland.  Packed with medieval architecture, narrow alleys of the Old Town and sweeping elegance of the Georgian New Town, there is no doubt that Edinburgh – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – is one of the most stunning and enthralling cities in the world.  With fantastic shopping, top-class dining including four Michelin-star restaurants, a fabulous bar and cafe culture, vibrant nightlife, a varied arts scene, relaxing spas and beautiful green spaces to unwind. Edinburgh is a city that not only beckons but also never stands still.  After checking in at your hotel, explore Edinburgh at your own leisure for the rest of the day.

Day 09 – EDINBURGH: SCOTLAND’S HIGHLANDS   [B]
Join a tour to discover the beauty of Scotland’s Highlands.  The tour will take you to Stirling for a view of the Castle and Wallace Monument.  Continue towards Callander for a stop for morning coffee and the chance to meet “Hamish the Hairy Coo”.  Thereafter, the tour will proceed on to the Highlands over Rannoch Moor and through the dark, brooding Pass of Glencoe where you will get to learn the haunting story of the famous massacre of 1692.  After crossing Loch Leven at Ballachulish, the tour will stop for lunch (own expense) in the Fort William area.  After lunch, the tour will proceed along the course of the Caledonian Canal up the Great Glen to the pretty Highland village Fort Augustus on the banks of Loch Ness.  Here, you have the option to cruise on the loch for approximately an hour, or relax in the tranquil village on the banks of the loch.  After Loch Ness the tour will head southeast and you can take in magnificent views of Loch Laggan.  You should be able to catch a quick view of the magnificent Blair Castle, home of the Dukes of Atholl for over 700 years, before making a stop in picturesque Pitlochry, a delightful Victorian resort town.  The tour will then head south through the Kingdom of Fife and over the Forth Road Bridge alongside the amazing Forth Bridge before arriving back in Edinburgh.

Day 10 – EDINBURGH: ROSSLYN CHAPEL & GLENKINCHIE DISTILLERY   [B]
Join a tour to the intriguing 15th century Rosslyn Chapel; experience the pretty Scottish Borders town of Melrose; and enjoy a Scottish whiskey tour at Glenkinchie Distillery.  Dating back to 1445, Rosslyn Chapel gained worldwide fame thanks to the increasing interest in Freemasonry and the Knights Templar.  After Rosslyn, the tour continues into the heart of the Scottish Borders in the eastern part of the Scottish Uplands – rich in hills, valleys, rivers, and moorland – and to the picturesque historic town of Melrose, the birthplace of the game of Rugby Sevens and home to Melrose Abbey.  The Abbey, founded in 1136, is one of the most beautiful religious ruins in the United Kingdom, containing many intricately carved sculptures.  It is also said to be the burial place of the embalmed heart of Robert the Bruce (a warrior King of Scotland who freed Scotland from English rule).  Break for lunch (own expense) in Melrose and you will have plenty of free time to explore the town and the abbey thereafter.  As you head back to Edinburgh, you will travel through the quaint village of St Boswells and stop for a photo stop at Scott’s View for a scenic view of the woodlands and hills of the Scottish Borders before travelling on to the village of Pencaitland, where you will tour the charming Glenkinchie Distillery and learn and sample Scottish whisky.

Day 11 – EDINBURGH: EDINBURGH CASTLE   [B]
Visit Scotland’s most famous landmark, Edinburgh Castle, and learn about one of the world’s most heroic and bloody national histories.  Standing on Castle Rock (130m), an extinct volcano cut to its hard basalt core in the Ice Age, Edinburgh Castle, a historic fortress, dominates the skyline of the city of Edinburgh and overlooks the Old Town that nestles in its shadow.  Despite its seemingly impenetrable defences, the castle’s past is riddled with dramatic conquests, captures and tales of destruction.  By contrast, today it is one of the quietest places in Edinburgh.

Day 12 – EDINBURGH   [B]
Enjoy Edinburgh at your own leisure today.  As one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Edinburgh is blessed with a stunning landscape that incorporates rocky hills, a shimmering sea, endless cliffs and a glorious skyline made up of buildings from different periods.  It is filled with charming townhouses, churches, historic landmarks and picturesque market squares.  Highlights include New Town‘s elegant Georgian neighbourhoods of stately terraces; the Old Town‘s narrow winding lanes, steep staircases, and hidden passageways; and the Royal Mile (a splendid thoroughfare full of shops including kiltmakers, inns, museums, cafés and restaurants).  You can also visit the Royal Yacht Britannia which once served the British royal family and is now permanently moored in Edinburgh.

Day 13 – DEPART EDINBURGH   [B]
Free time until your transfer to Edinburgh Airport for your departure flight.

Whether you prefer the above itinerary “as-is” or have it customised, if you will indicate the start/end dates of your intended travel and provide your contact details, we will get in touch with you to discuss the itinerary on a no-obligations basis on your part.