Tours Details

Day 1: Day 1

ARRIVE IN DUBLIN, IRELAND Check into your hotel. In the afternoon, there’s time to rest or discover the vibrant Irish capital. Toast Ireland with an optional excursion to learn about the history, traditions, and brewing techniques behind one of the world's most popular beers on this fascinating tour, tasting, and dinner at Dublin's legendary Guinness Storehouse.

Day 2: Day 2

DUBLIN Meet your Tour Director and traveling companions to start your day in the “Fair City” with an orientation drive along statue-lined O’Connell Street; elegant Georgian squares with their tall red-brick townhouses, multi-hued doors, and wrought-iron decorated windows; Oscar Wilde’s Trinity College; and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The afternoon is free for you to explore at your leisure. Why not end the day with an optional dinner evening at the legendary Taylors Irish Cabaret? Enjoy a bit of craic (conversation) with this popular optional outing featuring a delicious dinner, drinks, and outstanding Irish music, dance, and comedy. (B)

Day 3: Day 3

DUBLIN–KILKENNY–WATERFORD–TRAMORE Kilkenny, with its medieval cobblestone streets and old-world charm, is your first destination today. There is time to stroll through pretty lanes with vibrantly painted houses and enjoy a morning coffee. Continue on to Waterford, famous for its exquisite crystal, before arriving at the seaside resort of Tramore. Enjoy a bit of craic (conversation) with an early evening optional excursion featuring authentic Irish local flavor – take a scenic drive to a traditional pub with a local musician ready to entertain you and give you wonderful memories of this beautiful country. Two drinks of your choice are included. (B,D)

Day 4: Day 4

TRAMORE–BLARNEY–RING OF KERRY–KILLARNEY The first of today’s highlights is Blarney, famous for its Stone of Eloquence, with time at leisure to see the castle and shop for Irish handicrafts and handmade crystal. At Kenmare, join part of the Ring of Kerry, and stop for spectacular photos of the Lakes of Killarney from Ladies View before arriving in the popular resort town of Killarney. (B)

Day 5: Day 5

KILLARNEY–ADARE In Killarney this morning, there is time for an optional horse-drawn jaunting car ride along the National Park lakeshore for pictures of Ross Castle. Then to Adare, renowned as one of Ireland’s prettiest towns. Its main street is punctuated with beautiful stone buildings and thatched cottages, medieval monasteries, ruins, and a picturesque village park. Go medieval with an optional original Irish castle banquet. Enjoy a 4-course feast with wine, then relax as your hosts dazzle you with unforgettable music and storytelling. (B)

Day 6: Day 6

ADARE–CLIFFS OF MOHER–GALWAY–SLIGO Breathtaking scenery awaits you today. Start with a visit to the spectacular Cliffs of Moher rising over 700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean and Clare coast. Then, cross the limestone plateau of the Burren and stop in Galway, a popular seaside destination and a buzzing cosmopolitan district with vibrant shops, and a busy café and bar culture. Your destination for tonight is Sligo. (B,D)

Day 7: Day 7

SLIGO-DERRY, NORTHERN IRELAND–GIANT’S CAUSEWAY–BELFAST Drive along Donegal Bay with its small fishing ports and hidden beaches to Derry, the walled city on the banks of the Foyle River. Continue on to the awe-inspiring Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hear how, millions of years ago, the more than 40,000 interlocking basalt columns were formed. Stay overnight in the vibrant city of Belfast, where the Titanic was built. (B)

Day 8: Day 8

BELFAST–ALLOWAY, SCOTLAND–GLASGOW Enjoy a leisurely morning in the capital city of Northern Ireland before boarding the ferry for the Irish Sea crossing to Cairnryan. On your way to Glasgow, stop in Alloway, the birthplace of Scottish poet Robert Burns. (B)

Day 9: Day 9

GLASGOW–FORT WILLIAM– FORT AUGUSTUS–CULLODEN MOOR–HIGHLANDS Follow the “Bonnie Banks” of Loch Lomond and proceed via wild Rannoch Moor, Glen Coe, Fort William, beneath Ben Nevis, and Fort Augustus. In the afternoon, look out for signs of the mysterious Loch Ness monster on the way to Culloden Moor, where the Jacobite Rising, with Bonnie Prince Charlie at its helm, came to a tragic end at the hands of the Hanoverians. (B,D)

Day 10: Day 10

HIGHLANDS–PITLOCHRY–ST. ANDREWS–EDINBURGH Travel through the spectacular Cairngorms National Park to Pitlochry, the Victorian resort town set amid beautiful scenery. Then, head to St. Andrews, whose Royal and Ancient Golf Club has given us the rules of golfing. Finally, cross the elegant Forth Road Bridge to Edinburgh. We have an optional tour suggestion for this evening – no trip to Scotland is complete without an authentic Scottish evening filled with traditional food, drinks, singers, dancers, bagpipes, and, of course, the unforgettable Ceremony of the Haggis! (B)

Day 11: Day 11

EDINBURGH A full day to enjoy the Scottish capital. Enjoy morning sightseeing with a Local Guide who introduces you to the 200-year-old “New Town,” home to famous scientists, inventors, and novelists. In the “Old Town,” visit Edinburgh Castle to admire Scotland’s Crown Jewels. Your afternoon is at leisure. Join an optional excursion this afternoon and get the royal treatment! Discover what life was like on board Queen Elizabeth II’s floating residence during an exciting visit to the Royal Yacht Britannia, followed by dinner with wine at an excellent local restaurant! For departures on July 30, 31, August 6, 7,13, and 14, tickets are included for tonight’s performance of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. (B)

Day 12: Day 12

EDINBURGH Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)