Dargal Interline Worldwide - Interline Agency to the World

Best of Ireland & Scotland 2010 - About this Tour

Tour Details | Departure Dates and Pricing

Details

Duration (with arrival/departure): 16
Tour Style: Regional
Destinations: Dublin, Kildare, Waterford, Blarney, Kenmare, Limerick, Galway, Drumcliff, Omagh, Londonderry/Derry, Giant's Causeway, Belfast, Glasgow, Glencoe, Isle of Skye, Edinburgh

Itinerary

Day 1 - Depart USA Overnight flight to Dublin

Day 2 - Arrive Dublin (2 nights) Welcome to Dublin and Ireland. After check-in the remainder of your day is at leisure to perhaps admire the elegant architecture of this great city. This evening, you’ll meet with your Tour Director and fellow traveling companions for a Welcome Drink.

Hotel: Trinity Capital

Day 3 - Dublin sightseeing & at leisure After a hearty Irish breakfast, our sightseeing tour with a local guide takes in this ‘fair city’s’ highlights. We’ll see Phoenix Park and Dublin Castle and enjoy views of St. Patrick’s Cathedral - and our highlight will be a visit of Trinity College so that we can admire the ancient Book of Kells. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore further. (Full breakfast)

Day 4 - Dublin – Kildare – Waterford Today’s first stop is a visit to the Irish Stud Farm at Kildare. With a guide we will enjoy a walking tour of the Stud and see some of the country’s finest thoroughbreds. We will also visit the Japanese Garden – designed by a Japanese landscape artist at the turn of the last century. Next off to the coast of this Emerald Isle and to the seaside resort of Waterford where we see the 12th century Reginald’s Tower and stop to visit the Waterford Crystal Showroom. (Full breakfast / Dinner)

Hotel: The Belfry

Day 5 - Waterford – Blarney – Tralee (2 nights) This morning’s drive takes us along the scenic coast via the fishing village of Youghal where Moby Dick was filmed, and through the city of Cork to Blarney where we visit the castle in order to kiss the stone and acquire ‘the gift of the gab’! Finally, we drive north to Tralee. (Full breakfast / Dinner)

Hotel: Ballygarry House

Day 6 - Ring of Kerry excursion Not only spectacular scenery today but also a Hidden Treasure will be revealed to us by our Tour Director as we tour the Ring of Kerry. Plunging cliffs, glassy lakes, granite mountains and jagged coastlines regale us as our trip passes Killorglin (of Puck Fair fame), Daniel O’Connell’s Cahirciveen, Waterville and Moll’s Gap before returning to Tralee and our hotel for the night. (Full Breakfast)

Day 7 - Tralee – Limerick – Galway – Castlebar This morning after breakfast we drive to Limerick where the film ‘Angela’s Ashes’ was set and where we see St. Mary’s Cathedral, King John’s Castle and the Treaty Stone. From here we visit the magnificent Cliffs of Moher and drive across the mysterious limestone landscape known as the Burren, before continuing to beautiful Galway Bay. Then we head north to Castlebar and our hotel for dinner and overnight. (Full breakfast / Dinner)

Hotel: Days Hotel Castlebar

Day 8 - Castlebar – Londonderry (2 nights) First we see Yeats’ grave in Drumcliff before crossing the border into Northern Ireland and along the shores of Lough Erne to Enniskillen in Ireland’s lake district. Then up to Omagh where we stop to visit the Ulster-American Folk Park. Next via Strabane we soon reach Londonderry/Derry where a walking tour with a local guide takes us to the city walls, some of the best-preserved in Europe. We also see the 17th century St. Columb’s Cathedral with its tower before heading to the Derry Craft
Village and on to the quay where Irish emigrants sailed to the New World. (Full breakfast / Dinner)

Hotel: City Hotel

Day 9 - Giant's Causeway excursion Our day begins with a drive along the beautiful Antrim coast road as we make our way to the Giants Causeway. Here we stop to see the basalt columns rising from the sea before we make our way back to Londonderry for the night. (Full breakfast / Dinner)

Day 10 - Londonderry – Belfast – Glasgow (2 nights) Today’s drive takes us to the capital of Northern Ireland, Belfast. Here our sightseeing tour shows us Stormont Castle, the City Chambers and Queen’s University before heading to the port of Larne where we board our ferry for the sea crossing to Cairnryan in Scotland. Then we drive through Ayrshire where we stop in Alloway to see the great poet Robbie Burn’s cottage before arriving in Scotland’s commercial capital, Glasgow, for a leisurely two-night stay. Tonight we will enjoy a typical
Glaswegian Highlight Dinner in a characteristic local restaurant. (Full breakfast / Highlight Dinner)

Hotel: Jurys Inn Glasgow

Day 11 - Glasgow orientation & at leisure Another Hidden Treasure is revealed today by your Tour Director. But first our orientation tour includes a visit to St. Mungo’s Cathedral and views of the City Chambers and George Square. Later we visit the Burrell Collection where some 9,000 artefacts and works of art are on view. Then time at leisure and maybe join a Burns supper tonight? (Full Breakfast)

Day 12 - Glasgow – Fort William – Isle of Skye We drive along the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond then through Glencoe, where we will be able to take pictures of the site of the famous 1692 massacre. Then along the shores of Loch Linnhe in the shadow of Ben Nevis and over the sea to Skye, made famous by Bonnie Prince Charlie. We spend the night and have dinner on this beautiful isle. (Full breakfast / Dinner)

Hotel: Tongadale

Day 13 - Isle of Skye – Loch Ness – Inverness – Culloden – Scottish Highlands Through Glen Shiel to the banks of Loch Ness where we can look out for the famous monster! The Loch Ness Monster is one of the best known cryptids, alleged animals, in the world and the first sighting was reported in 1933. Past the ruins of Urquhart Castle and romantic scenery, we reach Inverness. Then we continue to visit the battlefield of Culloden, where Bonnie Prince Charlie was defeated by Butcher Cumberland and to the ski resort of Aviemore. (Full breakfast / Dinner)

Hotel: Macdonald Highland Resort

Day 14 - Scottish Highlands – Pitlochry – Edinburgh (2 nights) This morning we travel through the Cairngorm Mountains to reach Blair Castle and Pitlochry, renowned for salmon fishing. Then we stop in St. Andrews to see the ecclesiastical ruins and to take a picture at the 18th hole of the famous golf course. Recently Prince William attended St. Andrews University, making it world renowned. Then through the Kingdom of Fife to the Forth Bridge where we cross the Firth of Forth to Edinburgh. (Full breakfast)

Hotel: Marriott

Day 15 - Edinburgh sightseeing & at leisure After breakfast our guided sightseeing tour includes a visit to Edinburgh Castle and views of Holyrood House and Arthur’s Seat at either end of the Royal Mile. We also see Princes Street and see the new Scottish Parliament before free time – perhaps to take an excursion to the Rosslyn Chapel, long associated with the Knight Templars and the Freemasons, this pretty church has come to notoriety through the popular ‘Da Vinci Code’. During the Edinburgh Festival in August, tickets for the spectacular Edinburgh Tattoo are included. Tonight we enjoy a Farewell Dinner together with our Tour Director and fellow-traveling companions. (Full breakfast / Farewell dinner)

Day 16 - Edinburgh – USA It is time to bid farewell to your Tour Director and new-found friends as our tour comes to an end and we return home with happy memories. (Full breakfast)

Edinburgh Tattoo: 6-28 August 2010 Tickets are included for the world-famous Tattoo during the Festival. Applicable to departures 23 July - 13 August.

Free airport transfers: Transfers on Day 2 at Dublin Airport will operate at 08.00, 11.00 and 13.30. Passengers arriving later should make their own way to the first hotel. Return transfers on the last touring day will arrive at Edinburgh Airport at 07.00 and 09.00.

Whats Included

Sightseeing Highlights

Dublin: Views of St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin Castle, Phoenix Park and visit Trinity College.
Kildare: Visit the Irish National Stud Farm and Japanese Garden.
Waterford: Visit the crystal showroom (when open).
Blarney: Visit to the castle.
Limerick: Orientation includes St. Mary's Cathedral and King John's Castle. Visit the spectacular Cliffs of Moher and the Burren.
Tralee: Ring of Kerry excursion
Galway Bay: Panoramic views.
Drumcliff: View Yeat's burial place.
Omagh: Visit the Ulster-American Folk Park.
Londonderry / Derry: Walk the city walls and St. Columb's Cathedral.
Giant's Causeway: Visit this geological formation of huge basalt columns.
Belfast: See the City Hall and Queen's University.
Glasgow: Orientation tour, visiting St. Mungo’s Cathedral, seeing George Square, Clydeside and the city chambers. Visit the Burrell Collection of Art in Pollok Park.
Glencoe: See the Vale of Weeping.
Isle of Skye: Visit the beautiful island.
Culloden: Visit the famous battlefield.
St. Andrews: View the famous golf course.
Edinburgh: Visit the castle and views Holyrood House.

Dining Highlights

8 Irish and 6 Scottish full breakfasts
7 three-course dinners
Local highlight pub restaurant dinner with wine in Glasgow
Farewell Dinner with wine in Edinburgh

23 meals in total

First Class Travel Highlights

First Class hotel accommodation includes twin-bedded rooms with private facilities, all hotel service charges and tips, baggage handling fees and local taxes.
Touring by luxury air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and a washroom onboard.
The services of one of Trafalgar's top professional Tour Directors.
A qualified local city guide in Dublin, Londonderry/Derry, Belfast and Edinburgh.
Tickets are included for the world-famous Tattoo during the Edinburgh Festival.
Ferry across the Irish Sea from Northern Ireland to Scotland.
A stylish wallet, tour documents and a Welcome on Tour book.
Airport transfers are provided on Day 2 and Day 16.

Airport Transfers

London Gateways: Transfers can be expensive, particularly between the airport and your London hotel. But when you book your Trafalgar tour and take advantage of our land and air packages, we have included a FREE transfer to and from London’s airports and your Trafalgar London hotel. For passengers who have their own flight arrangements we offer you the opportunity to purchase inexpensive transfers to and from London’s Heathrow – Trafalgar has negotiated special rates for the Dot2Dot transfer from London’s Heathr
Important – Please Note: Passengers will only be entitled to transfers to and from London Airports providing the following conditions are met:
For included transfers: Your flights must be booked directly by Trafalgar no fewer than 21 days prior to departure. For chargeable transfers: Your Travel Agent provides detailed flight information to Trafalgar no fewer than 21 days prior to departure. Once transfers are booked they cannot be changed.
For London arrivals, you must stay at a London hotel booked by Trafalgar on the night of arrival and the night prior to your departure date.
Trafalgar only includes one inbound and one outbound transfer.
In the event of flight delays outside of Trafalgar’s control, the transfers will be deemed to be cancelled.
All transfers are based on group transfers. No refund is therefore available for missed transfers, or passengers not using this service.
In the event of unforeseen events (such as road or rail works, strikes or demonstrations), Trafalgar will not be responsible for delayed or cancelled transfers.
Heathrow Airport: National Express Dot2Dot will pick up and drop off in time to meet all flights to/from London’s Heathrow Airport. For guests arriving at the Dot2Dot desk after 22.00 hrs please make use of the courtesy phone to arrange your transfer to your Trafalgar hotel.
Gatwick Airport: Passengers who have booked Trafalgar’s Land and Air packages arriving at London’s Gatwick Airport are provided with a Gatwick Express train voucher. The Gatwick Express train journey from Gatwick Airport to London’s Victoria Station takes 30 minutes. Guests then need to make their way from Victoria Station to their Trafalgar hotel.
European Gateways: With Trafalgar all passengers will receive complimentary arrival and departure transfers on the scheduled arrival and departure day of their tour at the times specified below. Please ensure your Travel Agent reserves your flight to co-ordinate with the transfer times shown.
Trafalgar Bonus - Passengers who book Trafalgar's Land+Air package and who arrive or depart outside of these specified times on the scheduled arrival and departure day of the tour will also be provided with a transfer.
Passengers arriving before or leaving after the scheduled tour days are not entitled to a transfer but may book and purchase one through Trafalgar providing that they also purchase the additional pre and/or post tour hotel night(s) from Trafalgar. Please ask for prices of transfers at the time of booking your extra night accommodation.
Land only passengers arriving or departing on the scheduled tour arrival or departure days but whose flights don't coincide with the listed transfer times below may also book and purchase these transfers. Flight details must be provided to Trafalgar not less than 21 days before the flight departure.
Click here to see scheduled transfer times.

Edinburgh Tattoo:

Edinburgh - London train connection

Options

Child Prices: Apply to children under the age of 16.