2015 Celtic Sampler of Ireland, Scotland & More 8 Days / 7 Nights
Day 1:
Your trip starts at 2:00 pm when you meet your tour director at your Drogheda hotel. Drogheda is 30 miles north of Dublin Airport so ensure you have appropriate transfer arrangements made. Take a short walking tour around central Drogheda, a town with a long history dating back to 1194 AD and often entwined with English political events. It has strong associations with Oliver Cromwell who routed Royalist defenders in 1649 and destroyed many towns and monasteries throughout Ireland. In 1690 the Battle of the Boyne was fought 3 miles from Drogheda between King James II and his son-in-law, William of Orange. Enjoy a welcome drink with your tour director and fellow travelers followed by dinner in your hotel.
(D)
Day 2:
This morning visit the Boyne Valley Visitor Centre to learn about the passage burial tombs of Newgrange and Knowth, both of which are over 5,000 years old, making them older than the Egyptian pyramids. Visit one of the tombs to see how primitive people managed to align these buildings precisely with the sun or the moon. Take the coastal route around the gentle slopes of the Mourne Mountains and continue into Belfast. Visit Titanic Belfast to learn about various aspects of this famous liner which was built in the nearby docks in 1912.
(B,D)
Day 3:
Tour Belfast to see the principal streets and points of interest including Donegal Square in the heart of the city. Drive north along the Nine Glens of Antrim, a scenic route with lovely views of mountains, valleys and coastline, passing through the towns of Cushendall and Ballycastle. Continue to the Giant’s Causeway, hexagonal basalt columns formed by volcanic activity over 60 million years ago. The enormous rocks have spawned legends about the mythical giant, Finn McCool. Take a walk around to see the various rock formations. Return to Belfast where the evening is free for dining in one of the many restaurants close to your hotel.
(B)
Day 4:
Take a short ferry ride to Scotland and drive along the west coast, stopping at the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum near Ayr. Learn about Scotland’s popular poet through modern displays dedicated to his life and works and stroll through the gardens to see Burns Monument and the Brig o’Doon, which featured in his work. Continue through the charming countryside to your hotel in central Edinburgh. Head out for a Scottish Evening for dinner with a fun show of entertainment and music and you will have an opportunity to try the Scottish traditional dish of haggis with neeps and tatties.
(B,D)
Day 5:
This morning explore Edinburgh on a sightseeing tour to see the main points of interest. See the wide streets and elegant mansions of the Georgian 200-year-old “New Town” with its planned streets, elegant Georgian houses. View the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official Scottish residence of The Queen and walk along part of the Royal Mile where medieval houses are clustered closely together. Finish your tour at the imposing Edinburgh Castle where you can see historic buildings and marvel at the Crown Jewels of Scotland and the Stone of Destiny. Enjoy splendid panoramic views from the ramparts. The balance of the day is free. On August 8 to 22 departures enjoy the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on the Castle esplanade.
(B)
Day 6:
Travel through the scenic Borders region and stop in the Old Blacksmith’s Shop at Gretna Green, once famous for elopements of English couples across the Scottish border. Today it is a popular wedding destination with many shops specializing in Scottish goods. Drive through the stunning scenery of the Lake District and stop in the picturesque village of Grasmere where William Wordsworth lived and worked. See his burial place in the center of the village. Continue south to Liverpool to visit The Beatles Story where you will experience the music and lives of the “Fab Four.” Your Beatles-themed hotel is located right beside the Cavern Club so you may like to head there for some music after dinner.
(B,D)
Day 7:
Drive along the north coast of Wales to visit the huge Conwy Castle, a medieval fortification built by King Edward I at the end of the 13th century during his conquest of Wales by his English army. Take a guided walk around the walled medieval town with its quaint streets and houses. On the waterfront see the smallest house in Britain, measuring 10 feet by 6 feet, and used as a fisherman’s residence until 1900 AD. Then take a ferry to Dublin and check in to your hotel. In the evening head to O’Connell’s Restaurant to finish up your vacation in style with a demonstration of bread-making and an excellent dinner.
(B,D)
Day 8:
Your program ends after breakfast.
(B)
B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner