DAY 1, Canada - Edinburgh
Depart for Edinburgh
DAY 2, Edinburgh
Arrive in Edinburgh in the morning and check into your hotel.
Explore the city and get settled in. Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and is known for its rich history, stunning architecture, and cultural attractions.
Overnight in Edinburgh
Meals: Dinner
DAY 3, Edinburgh
Join a local guide for a tour of historic Edinburgh this morning. The Scottish Parliament, Holyrood Palace, the Museum of Scotland, the Royal Mile, and Princes Street are all along the route. Then explore Edinburgh Castle, which sits atop an extinct volcano and offers panoramic views of the city. This afternoon is free for leisure. Enjoy the evening in Edinburgh, experiencing the city's nightlife and cuisine. Or you may join the optional Scottish Evening with Dinner(€89). Overnight in Edinburgh
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4, Edinburgh - Inverness Area
In the morning, start your day with a visit to Scone Palace, the family home of the Earls of Mansfield, the ancient residence of Scottish kings where Macbeth, Robert the Bruce, and Charles II were once crowned. Explore the palace and its extensive grounds, which include the famous Murray Star Maze, the pinetum, and the peaceful kitchen garden. Next, head to Hermitage Forest, a beautiful natural area located near the town of Dunkeld. The forest is known for its spectacular waterfalls and stunning scenery, so be sure to take a nature walk and enjoy the surroundings. Then you're off to a whisky distillery to learn more about the art of Scotch whisky making and savor tastings of the different varieties. In the late afternoon, leave Pitlochry and head towards the Inverness area, where you will be spending the night.
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5, Inverness Area
Join us for a day full of adventure as we journey through the stunning landscapes, forests, lochs, and plains of northern Scotland. Our first stop is the iconic Eilean Donan Castle, often regarded as the most photographed fortress in the entire country. Explore the castle's fascinating history and enjoy stunning views of the surrounding area.Next, we'll make our way to Fort Augustus where we'll visit the impressive sluice gate system.
In the afternoon, we'll embark on a boat tour of the dark and mysterious waters of Loch Ness, one of Scotland's most legendary bodies of water. Keep your eyes peeled for a glimpse of the fabled Loch Ness Monster. After the boat tour, we'll visit the medieval castle of Urquhart, where you can immerse yourself in its intriguing history and take in the breathtaking views. End the day with dinner and an overnight stay in the Inverness area, complete with a comfortable bed and breakfast.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 6, Inverness Area - Glasgow
We'll continue our scenic journey through the gorgeous landscapes of Scotland. After a brief stop at Spean Bridge to see a Second World War monument, we'll arrive at Fort William, a popular tourist center located at the base of Ben Nevis, the highest summit in the United Kingdom. Then we'll pass Kilchurn Castle and explore the picturesque village of Inveraray before lunch. After lunch, we'll stroll around lively Balloch by Loch Lomond, immortalized in song, and the largest freshwater lake in the UK. Take a walk around the lake to enjoy stunning views of pretty villages, serene scenery, and the Trossachs, Scotland's first National Park. The area has been commemorated in the writings of poet Sir Walter Scott, adding to its charm and allure. Continue on to Glasgow, where your journey concludes for the day.
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 7 Glasgow
Starting at George Square, named after King George III, our exploration of Glasgow begins. Admire the square's collection of statues and monuments dedicated to figures like Robert Burns, James Watt, Sir Robert Peel, and Sir Walter Scott. Next, visit the impressive Glasgow Cathedral, an excellent example of 12th-century Gothic architecture dedicated to the city's patron saint, St. Mungo. On a drive, see beautiful Victorian buildings constructed with local red sandstone, and the regenerated area around The Clyde, famous for its shipbuilding industry and the birthplace of numerous ocean liners, including the Queen Mary. Spend the afternoon at leisure or join the optional Stirling Castle and Bannockburn Monument tour to visit historic Stirling Castle and the Battle of Bannockburn site（€69）.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 Glasgow - Dublin
Today, we say goodbye to Scotland and fly to Dublin for the Irish part of the trip. The day is relaxed as we gather at our hotel. In the evening, you will meet new travel companions at the welcome reception, followed by dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 9 Dublin - Kerry
Today, you will embark on a journey to County Kerry. En route, make a stop in the charming town of Blarney to visit the historic Blarney Castle. There, you will have the chance to kiss the legendary Stone of Eloquence and be gifted with the power of eloquence. After visiting the castle, head to Blarney Woollen Mills, a shop that offers high-quality crafts and was shielded from the worst effects of the famine thanks to its employment of local workers. Overnight in Kerry/Killarney.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 10 Ring of Kerry
Get ready for a stunning day of picturesque views as we journey through Killarney National Park and the famous "Ring of Kerry" in the southwest of Ireland. Be prepared to capture the sparkling seascapes, colorful farmhouses scattered over the mountains, quaint villages like Cahirciveen and Sneem, winding lanes lined with subtropical plants, and breathtaking panoramas of the Lakes of Killarney. You'll have free time in Killarney in the afternoon. For an optional activity, you may choose a fun-filled horse-drawn Jaunting Car Ride(€25), a traditional mode of transportation, through the peaceful green countryside of the national park. Take a break from the drive and visit a local farm for a sheepdog demonstration, where you'll learn about the different breeds of sheep, meet the farmer's trusty border collies, and watch as they expertly herd a flock from the mountains to the sheep pen. In the evening, enjoy dinner at your own leisure in one of Killarney's many restaurants or pubs. Overnight in Kerry/Killarney.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 11 Kerry - Burren & Cliffs of Moher
Travel to the north to Tarbert and take a short ferry ride across the mouth of the River Shannon to land on the shore of County Clare at Killimer. Explore the stunning Cliffs of Moher, which rise from the Atlantic Ocean and stretch for over 7 km. On a clear day, you can see the Aran Islands and the Connemara Mountains.
Discover the unique Burren region, a strange and distinctive plateau of porous limestone in northern Clare. OPTIONAL: Experience a Medieval Banquet at Bunratty Castle for a supplement of €75.00 per person. Bunratty Castle was built in the 15th century by the Earl of Thomond and stands on the banks of the Raite River in County Clare. The Earl was known for his hospitality and lavish entertainment and banquets. Today, the entertainment is provided by the BunrattySingers and includes a lively mead reception, a four-course meal, and good wine. Overnight in Limerick.
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 12 Galway
Travel to Galway City this morning and get familiar with this charming place that has drawn many musicians and artists. Stop at Galway Cathedral, one of the largest and most magnificent buildings in Galway, built between 1958 and 1965. Afterwards, you may take the optional to embark on a cruise along Lough Corrib(€45), which includes scones and an Irish coffee. The journey on the Corrib Princess takes you along the stunning Lough Corrib and through the lake, offering you breathtaking views of historic landmarks and natural wonders that make this one of the most stunning waterways in Ireland. Overnight in Galway
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 13 Connemara - Galway
Explore the breathtaking Connemara region today with its picturesque landscapes of lakes, rivers, bogs, and mountains. Make a stop at Kylemore Abbey, built in 1868 by Mitchell Henry and known for its miniature cathedral. It has been home to the Irish Benedictine nuns since 1920. Afterwards, visit a bodhrán maker, Roundstone Music and Crafts, located in a former Franciscan monastery in Roundstone. This is where you will find the workshop of Malachy Kearns, also known as Malachy Bodhrán, who is renowned for his manufacture of bodhráns, one of the oldest instruments in traditional Irish music. Malachy makes bodhráns for the famous Riverdance troupe and is the only full-time bodhrán maker in Ireland.
Spend the night in Galway.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 14 Galway - Dublin
Depart Galway for Dublin today. Upon arrival, you'll explore the north side of the city, which boasts notable landmarks such as the GPO (General Post Office) on O'Connell Street and Phoenix Park, the largest public park in Europe. The south side of the city offers a more sophisticated vibe with its grand Georgian squares, and is home to Trinity College, Dublin Castle, and two Anglican Cathedrals.Then, visit EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum. This is a cutting-edge interactive experience located in the stunning vaults of the 1820 Custom House Quarter building in Dublin's Docklands, which was the original departure point for so many of Ireland's emigrants. (OPTIONAL: Evening Entertainment at Taylor's Three Rock or similar, Supplement of €65.00 p.p.)
Overnight in Dublin.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 15 Dublin – North America
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast
