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Details Celtic Highlights
This 13-day journey brings you the best of Scotland, England's Lake District, North Wales and the
Emerald Isle. Your Scottish experience begins in the lively city of Glasgow and continues via the
"Bonnie Banks" of Loch Lomond to Fort William and the Highland capital of Inverness. In Edinburgh
visit the famous castle and the Queen's Holyrood Palace, and in the lowland hills visit the famous
blacksmith's shop at Gretna Green before crossing the border into England. Delight in the beauty
of the peaceful Lake District on your way to historic Chester. Explore the north Welsh towns of
Betws-y-Coed and Caernarvon, then take a ferry across the Irish Sea to the "Fair City" of Dublin.
Blarney, the Ring of Kerry, the Cliffs of Moher and the Giant's Causeway are all included before
your Irish experience is completed with a visit to Belfast in the company of a local guide.
Back to Glasgow to complete this popular vacation. Tickets for the world-renowned Edinburgh
Military Tattoo are included for tours 0807, 0814 and 0821.
Day 1
Arrival in Glasgow, Scotland
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| Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax in Scotland's largest city.
Before tonight's welcome dinner join your Tour Director and traveling companions for a toast
to happy touring with a congenial group. (D)
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Day 2
Glasgow-Inverness
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| Your Celtic adventure starts in earnest as you head for the Highlands. On the way this
morning: Dumbarton, the capital of the ancient Celtic kingdom of Strathclyde; the "Bonnie Banks"
of Loch Lomond; wild Rannoch Moor; Glen Coe, where the MacDonalds were treacherously massacred
by the Campbells; lovely Loch Linnhe; Fort William beneath Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain.
The spectacular afternoon drive follows the Caledonian Canal, with vistas of the Great Glen,
Loch Lochy, and Loch Ness, looking out for signs of the mysterious monster. Spend the night in
Inverness, the Highland capital. (FB,D)
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Day 3
Inverness-Edinburgh
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| Cross the battlefield of Culloden Moor and continue through heather-clad moors for a visit to
a WHISKY DISTILLERY, where your guide explains the ancient art of converting barley, water, and
yeast into a heart-warming liquor. On to BALMORAL CASTLE, the Queen's residence during the hunting
season. (After July 31 when the Royal Family is in residence, visit CRATHIE CHURCH instead.) Drive
through Braemar, home of the Royal Highland Games for over 900 years, and in the afternoon travel
via Perth and over the mighty Forth Road Bridge to Edinburgh. Tonight don't miss our optional
Scottish evening with Highland dancers, bagpipers, and the Ceremony of the Haggis. (FB)
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Day 4
Edinburgh
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| Morning city sightseeing with a local expert introduces you to the 200-year-old "New Town" and
famous scientists, inventors and novelists. In the "Old Town", drive up the narrow Royal Mile to
EDINBURGH CASTLE to admire Scotland's Crown Jewels, then explore HOLYROOD PALACE, the Queen's
official Scottish residence. The afternoon is free to enjoy this "Prince of Cities" at your
own pace. Later, a unique optional experience: board the former Royal Yacht Britannia, which for
the Queen was once the perfect royal residence for glittering state visits and family holidays.
Tour five decks and see how the Royal Family and crew of 240 lived and worked on board. Dinner
rounds off this optional evening. For tour numbers 0807, 0814, 0821 the optional Britannia
excursion is replaced with included tickets for tonight's performance of the world-renowned
MILITARY TATTOO: a vast spectacle of massed Scottish pipe bands which takes place in an arena
on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle. (FB)
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Day 5
Edinburgh-Chester, England
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| On the way through the history-steeped Lowland Hills, stop at Gretna Green, where the
blacksmith used to wed runaway couples. Leave the land of the Scots, and journey through the
tranquil Lake District, considered the finest of England's national parks, and drive over
spectacular Kirkstone Pass to visit picturesque Bowness-on-Windermere. Continue to Chester, the
historic county town on the River Dee. On your walking tour see the Roman remains, the
characteristic black and white half-timbered houses, and the famous two-tiered arcades called
the "Rows". (FB,D)
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Day 6
Chester-North Wales-Dublin, Ireland
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| Travel through the incomparable landscapes of Snowdonia National Park, via lovely Betws-y-Coed
and over breathtaking Llanberis Pass, a region where Welsh is widely spoken as the first language.
At Caernarvon you have time to explore the castle which saw the investiture of Charles as Prince
of Wales. Now it's across Britannia Bridge to the Isle of Anglesey for a photostop at
tongue-twisting Llanfair... At Holyhead board your fast ferry and cross the Irish Sea to
Dublin. Top the day with an optional Irish speciality dinner and cabaret show. (FB)
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Day 7
Dublin
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| An orientation drive in the Irish capital includes statue-lined O'Connell Street, elegant
Georgian squares, and St. Patrick's Cathedral. Then visit Oscar Wilde's TRINITY COLLEGE, famous
for the 1,200-year-old Book of Kells and the magnificent Old Library. Afternoon at leisure.
Your Tour Director will have dining suggestions for this evening. (FB)
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Day 8
Dublin-Killarney
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| Horse-racing country this morning. Drive across the Curragh to visit the IRISH NATIONAL STUD
at Kildare, whose thoroughbreds command respect on the racecourses of the world. The Rock of
Cashel, where St. Patrick preached, is another milestone on the route to Blarney, renowned for
its magical Stone of Eloquence. Time here to visit the castle and shop for fine Waterford crystal
before continuing on to the popular resort of Killarney. (FB,D)
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Day 9
Killarney-Ring of Kerry-Limerick
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| Follow the road known as the "Ring of Kerry" for a spectacular 100-mile panoramic drive
around the island's southwestern tip and take your photos of the Lakes of Killarney from
Ladies View. In the afternoon drive via quaint Adare to Limerick where an orientation drive
features St. Mary's Cathedral, King John's Castle, and the Stone where the Treaty of Limerick
was signed in 1691. A suggestion for a very special night out: an optional medieval banquet
at Bunratty Castle. (FB)
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Day 10
Limerick-Sligo
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| Motor to the spectacular Cliffs of Moher, rising 668 feet above the Atlantic. Via the
limestone plateau of The Burren you reach Galway, a vibrant city with a great seafaring
tradition. Hear about the infamous Lynch Stone, commemorating the day Mayor James Lynch
Fitzstephen hanged his son for murder. Pass through the region featured in the film The
Quiet Man and visit Knock, a village that attracts pilgrims from all over the world since
townsfolk saw apparitions. Spend the night in Sligo. (FB,D)
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Day 11
Sligo-Belfast, Northern Ireland
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| A rich string of attractions awaits youtoday: the grave of the native son and poet W.B.
Yeats in Drumcliff; BELLEEK POTTERY FACTORY, renowned for its exquisite cream-colored
Parian china; a fascinating walking tour of Derry with a Local Guide, taking in the Guildhall,
old city walls, and St. Columb's Cathedral. Pass Dunluce Castle, a romantic ruin clinging to
its clifftop, and visit awe-inspiring GIANT'S CAUSEWAY, composed of thousands of strangely
symmetrical basalt columns jutting out to sea. Follow the scenic Antrim coast road to the
vibrant city of Belfast. (FB,D)
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Day 12
Belfast-Glasgow, Scotland
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| Learn more about this fascinating city on this morning's "Living History" tour in the company
of a Local Guide before boarding your ferry for the crossing of the North Channel to Stranraer
on the west coast of Scotland. Back in Glasgow, your city drive takes in the fine 12th-century
cathedral, imposing university buildings, and elegant Georgian squares, built by the wealthy
tobacco barons. Tonight, raise a glass of wine to a successful tour at a private farewell dinner
at your hotel. (FB,D)
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Day 13
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| Tour ends. (FB)
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Additional Information
Meals
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| - 7 full Irish breakfasts (FB); 3 three-course dinners (D) with choice of menus and
coffee, including a special welcome banquet with wine at Bunratty Castle
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City Highlights
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- LIMERICK Orientation drive, guided tour of the Hunt Museum, visit King John's Castle
GLENGARRIFF Private boat to Garinish Island DINGLE PENINSULA Visit the Blasket Islands Centre
KILDARE Guided tour of the Irish National Stud DUBLIN Orientation drive, visit Trinity College
GLENDALOUGH Guided tour of St. Kevin's center of Irish Christianity POWERSCOURT Visit the
house and gardens
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- Please note surcharges may apply due to special events on in the different cities -
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