Itinerary Details
A Taste Of Ireland And Scotland With London
Day 1: ARRIVE IN DUBLIN, IRELANDCéad míle fáilte—A Hundred-Thousand Welcomes! Enjoy free time upon arrival before meeting your Tour Director and travel companions at 6 pm for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)
Day 2: DUBLINIreland’s Capital City The morning’s orientation drive in the “Fair City” includes statue-lined O’Connell Street, elegant Georgian squares, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and Trinity College where Oscar Wilde studied. The afternoon is at leisure to enjoy this vibrant city. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
“In Dublin’s fair city where girls are so pretty” you’ll also find great personality and charm. The charisma of Dubliners and the bounty of pubs here is matched only by the gorgeous Georgian Squares, 12th-century St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and Trinity College.
Day 3: DUBLIN–ATHLONE–RATHBAUN FARM–GALWAY–CASTLEBARScones and Cities The first stop today is the pretty town of Athlone, located on the banks of the River Shannon. At Rathbaun Farm, try your hand at [LF] scone baking and learn about sheep shearing and herding from the farmer before enjoying coffee and your homemade scones. Continue to Galway, a popular seaside destination with a buzzing center of colorful shops and a busy café and bar culture. Enjoy some free time before heading to Castlebar for your overnight stay. (B,D)
LOCAL FAVORITE
Someone’s in the kitchen in Rathbaun Farm, just outside of Galway. You can don an apron and whip up your own delicious home-made scones, served with fresh preserves and whipped cream. Learn about the long-time tradition of sheep farming in this beautiful Irish landscape.
Day 4: CASTLEBAR–BELLEEK–BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELANDSpend Your Day Your Way in Belfast Cross into Northern Ireland for a stop at Belleek Pottery. Explore Belfast with your choice of an included Globus Choice excursion. (B)
TROUBLES & TRIUMPHS
Take an inspiring journey through war and peace with a walking tour of Belfast's city center to learn the history of Northern Ireland's political conflicts, "The Troubles," Hear the personal stories, struggles, and ultimate path to peace.
THE BEST OF BELFAST
Discover the essential Belfast on a walking tour with your expert Local Guide. Explore its beautiful architecture, stunning street art, unique heritage, and the amazing stories spanning centuries of history.
:
BELFAST–GLASGOW, SCOTLANDStrait to Scotland This morning, visit the fascinating Titanic Belfast and learn about the building of the doomed passenger steam ship, its maiden voyage, and the tragic events of April 14-15, 1912. Board your ferry for the maritime port of Cairnryan on Scotland’s west coast. Continue on to Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
The North Channel connects northeast Ireland to the southwestern coast of Scotland. The North Channel is part of the Ocean’s Seven, a set of seven long-distance open-water swims, although most who cross rely on the many ferries that run between Belfast and Cairnryan, the Scottish village with a proud maritime history, including construction of sections of the floating Mulberry Harbors built to support the D-Day invasion of Normandy.
Day 6:
GLASGOW–INVERARAY–OBANClans and Slate Enjoy an opportunity for a photo stop on the Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond before a visit to the stunning Inveraray Castle. Continue to the pretty conservation village of Ellenabeich, a remote former slate-mining village and the largest village on the island of Seil. Oban is your overnight destination. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
Inveraray Castle is the ancestral home of the Duke of Argyll, the chief of Clan Campbell, one of Scotland’s most powerful and influential clans. The castle’s conical roofs and turrets give it a fairy-tale appearance, while its interior features stunning rooms with opulent decorations. Set against stunning views over Loch Fyne, it’s no wonder it has been used for location filming on many occasions, including for the popular Downton Abbey.
Day 7:
OBAN–STIRLING–EDINBURGHCastle and Tipples A scenic drive along the banks of Loch Lomond and through theTrossachs National Park takes you to the historic city of Stirling. Explore its imposing castle, a favored residence of the Stewart kings and queens before a [LF] visit to a whisky distillery. Enjoy some free time in Edinburgh this evening. (B)
LOCAL FAVORITE
We’ll raise a wee dram of malt whisky at a local distillery, distilling in slow Scottish style in the Highlands for many years. Slàinte Mhath!
Day 8:
EDINBURGHDrummers, Pipers & Precious Jewels Morning city sightseeing with a Local Guide introduces you to the 200-year-old “New Town,” and the famous scientists, inventors, and novelists who lived there. In the “Old Town,” visit Edinburgh Castle to admire Scotland’s Crown Jewels. Enjoy some free time this afternoon and evening. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
Unpack your plaid for The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo! Edinburgh Military Tattoo performances are included on departures August 5 and 19.
Ascend to Castle Rock to explore Edinburgh Castle, one of the most important historical strongholds in the Kingdom of Scotland, with an 1,100-year history as “the most besieged place in Great Britain.” Here, you’ll find the royal regalia and Scotland’s Crown Jewels. The Castle forms the background of the spectacular Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, an extravaganza of bagpipes and drums performed en masse in August each year.
Day 9:
EDINBURGH-LONDONWelcome to London!
Travel from Edinburgh to London by express train. Your Local Host will meet you at the station and will be on hand to help you make the most of your free time. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
A favorite character in Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice noted “London is so diverting; there is so much to entertain!” This is even more true today, from its panoramic views of wide-open spaces and leafy landscapes to its bustling British sense and sensibilities, museums, galleries, and iconic sights. Mingle with the serenity of Hampstead Heath or Kensington Gardens. Be enthralled by a dazzling show at one of the West End’s historic theaters, a fabulous bookend to your time in London.
Day 10:
LONDON The Royal Treatment Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide includes sights of the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall, the Prime Minister’s Downing Street residence, Piccadilly Circus, Buckingham Palace, and a visit to St. Paul’s Cathedral. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
See the legendary landmarks of Britain’s historic capital city. Walk where voices have rung out for centuries in Parliament Square and where chimes rise high above you with the ringing of Big Ben’s quarter bells. See Westminster Abbey, where royal coronations, weddings, and funerals have made history.
Day 11:
LONDONKettle’s On! A whole day to do as you please. Explore more on your own and get better acquainted with this fascinating city or join one of the optional excursions on offer. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
Double-decker buses, Piccadilly Circus, London Bridge, British pubs, and sweet shops are waiting to be discovered with a leisurely day in London town. Find your hideaway in Hyde Park’s lush gardens or find styles to suit your fancy in some of Britain’s most famous boutiques in Mayfair, Kensington, or Chelsea.
Day 12:
LONDONSafe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
extensive gardens, which are open to the public; as is the Main House. There is a lovely restaurant in the house, overlooking the gardens and Wicklow Mountains, which offers the finest in Irish artisan, home cooked cuisine. The 34,000 acres of this estate extend along both shores of the River Dargle . Powerscourt is one of the finest properties in Europe, designed and laid out by Daniel Robertson between 1745 and 1767. This property is filled with splendid Greek and Italian-inspired statuary, decorative ironwork, a petrified-moss grotto, lovely herbaceous borders, a Japanese garden, a circular pond and fountain with statues of winged horses, and an occasional herd of deer. Opportunity for shopping at Avoca Handweavers now located in Powerscourt House. Enjoy lunch here at Powerscourt or at a traditional Irish pub in the city centre.
number of city parks, such as St. Stephen’s Green and indeed Merrion Square. The highlights of any tour in Dublin may include a visit to Trinity College, the Guinness Storehouse… and –if time permits –St. Patrick’s Cathedral. 
