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ITINERARY
Tour Pace
This well-paced tour has two night stays in Dublin, Killarney, the Highlands & Edinburgh. The driving days are of a reasonable length with frequent stops, and often affording splendid photo opportunities.
DAY 1 – SUN – ARRIVE DUBLIN
Welcome to Ireland! There are complimentary transfers to your tour hotel then the rest of this day is at leisure. Perhaps take a stroll around the shops of Grafton Street? This evening join your Tour Director and fellow passengers over a Welcome Drink. Hotel: Burlington.
DAY 2 – MON – DUBLIN SIGHTSEEING
Our sightseeing tour of Dublin this morning includes the elegant squares of Ireland's 'fair city' and a visit to the impressive Dublin Castle (when open). We also see famous O'Connell Street, and the historic Customs House, one of the masterpieces of architect James Gandon. Later in the day there is time for shopping or perhaps to see an Irish Cabaret Show? (Full breakfast)
DAY 3 – TUE – DUBLIN – WATERFORD
This morning we drive to Kildare, where we visit Ireland's National Stud, one of Ireland's main racehorse breeding centres. We visit the Japanese Gardens, laid out by Eida, a Japanese landscape artist invited to Ireland at the turn of last century. Now we continue to the beautiful coastal town of Waterford. We see the 9th century Reginald's Tower and the ruined city walls before visiting the famous Waterford Crystal Showroom. Hotel: Ramada Viking. (Full Breakfast, Three or four course table d’hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 4 – WED – WATERFORD – KILLARNEY
This morning we take the coastal road to the fishing village of Dungarvan, passing ruined castles and ancient abbeys. We drive to Ireland's second city of Cork for an orientation tour, before stopping at Blarney Castle. Will you dangle from the ramparts to kiss the Blarney Stone and acquire the 'gift of the gab'? We also have time to visit Blarney Mills with their beautiful display of world renowned Waterford Crystal. Now we drive through the rugged Derrynasaggart Mountains to peaceful Killarney where we take a highlight ride with the locals on one of the famous jaunting cars. Now on to our hotel. Hotel: Muckross Park. (Full Breakfast, Three or four course table d’hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 5 – THU – RING OF KERRY EXCURSION
Our highlight Ring of Kerry tour shows us superb seascapes, towering cliffs and spectacular mountains. A sense of the unhurried pace of Irish life surrounds us as we travel through charming villages to view the three Lakes of Killarney. Then time at leisure. (Full breakfast)
DAY 6 – FRI – KILLARNEY – COUNTY CLARE
Our journey takes us through picturesque Adare this morning to arrive in the city of Limerick, setting of 'Angela's Ashes'. We see the 12th century St Mary's Cathedral and medieval King John's Castle. We stay tonight in County Clare. Hotel: Clare Inn. (Full Breakfast, Three or four course table d’hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 7 – SAT – COUNTY CLARE – SLIGO
This morning we visit Galway where we see the Cathedral of St Nicholas, the Spanish Arch and Eyre Square. Now we drive out into Connemara, a wonderland of rivers, lakes and silent hills, before continuing to Sligo. Hotel: Clarion. (Full Breakfast, Three or four course table d’hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 8 – SUN – SLIGO – BALLYGALLY
We visit the famous Belleek Pottery Centre, en route to Donegal where we see the ruined O'Donnell's Castle and the Friary. We then pass the Blue Stack Mountains on our way to Londonderry. With a local guide we see 'Derry's Walls', built around the city in 1614, then we continue around the coast to the world famous Giant's Causeway. Now a spectacular drive along the Antrim coast road, brings us to our hotel, facing the soft, sandy beaches of Ballygally Bay. Hotel: Ballygally Castle. (Full Breakfast, Three or four course table d’hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 9 – MON – BALLYGALLY – GLASGOW
At the port of Larne we board our ferry to Scotland. The Ayrshire coastal drive gives us magnificent views of the Firth of Clyde and the Island of Aran. We pass the 'Open' Golf Links of Turnberry before arriving in Alloway, where we visit Robert Burns' birthplace and see Burns' Monument and the famous 'Brig O' Doon'. Tonight we stay in Glasgow. Hotel: Marriott. (Full breakfast)
DAY 10 – TUE – GLASGOW – HIGHLANDS
It's only a short drive from Glasgow to the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond where we enjoy a guided cruise on thisbeautiful loch. Now we cross Rannoch Moor, to Glencoe's 'Valley of the Weeping' before reaching Fort William. We pass Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis, and pause at the Commandos' Memorial before continuing to Newtonmore. Tonight, we enjoy a highlight dinner with haggis and traditional Scottish entertainment. Hotel: The Highlander. (Full breakfast, Speciality Highlight Dinner)
DAY 11 – WED – HIGHLAND EXCURSION
We first stop at the prehistoric Clava Stone Circle before crossing Culloden Moor, where Bonnie Prince Charlie's Jacobite army were defeated. Then it's on to Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, and mysterious Loch Ness. Does 'Nessie' exist or not? A 'wee dram' at a Highland distillery afterwards might solve the question once and for all! Now we return to our Highland hotel. (Full Breakfast, Three or four course table d’hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 12 – THU – HIGHLANDS – EDINBURGH
We drive south into the farmlands of Perthshire. We stop to pay a visit to the Caithness Glass Factory before crossing the beautiful River Tay at the city of Dundee. We visit St Andrews, the famous home of golf, then cross the Forth Road Bridge to Edinburgh, proud capital of Scotland. Hotel: Holyrood. (Full breakfast)
DAY 13 – FRI – EDINBURGH SIGHTSEEING
On our guided tour today we visit Edinburgh Castle, its fortified walls affording splendid views across Prince's Street to the 18th century New Town. Now we pass St Giles' Cathedral, as we drive down the Royal Mile to the Queen's Holyroodhouse Palace. Later, there's time at leisure to shop in Prince's Street. (Tonight, selected departures enjoy the Military Tattoo at the castle.) (Full breakfast)
DAY 14 – SAT – EDINBURGH
Our tour ends this morning after breakfast. There are complimentary transfers to Edinburgh Airport. (Full breakfast)
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