About Package
DELUXE – COACH TOUR 13 days / 12 nights
This tour is designed for small groups of around 12/14 pax maximum.
The category is 4-star deluxe, all properties offering a high standard of service, food and amenities in castle type accommodation
Day 1 - Dublin to Kilkenny
Arrive at Dublin airport and meet up with your tour guide. Your special tour begins with a panoramic tour of Dublin, travelling down the sights of O’Connell Street, past the impressive Central Post Office and across the River Liffey into the South side of the city. We visit the famous Temple Bar area, Trinity College – which has the magnificent illustrated manuscript Book of Kells, Dublin Castle, as well as Christchurch Cathedral. We finish our exhaustive city tour with a visit to the Guinness Storehouse and a welcoming pint of the famous brew in the panoramic bar, with stunning views across the city. We then transfer to the Mount Juliet Conrad Hotel**** (or similar) nearby Kilkenny. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 2 – Kilkenny to Shannon
After your Irish breakfast, the group will go to Kilkenny City and visit the famous Kilkenny Castle. We will then head west and stop in Cashel for the visit of the famous Rock of Cashel. From Cashel, we then take the direction of County Clare, visiting Bunratty Castle and Folk Park before going to Dromoland Castle***** (or similar) for the night. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 3 – Shannon to Connemara
The group then spends the morning discover the dramatic scenery of County Clare, with a stop at the Cliffs of Moher, one of Ireland's most spectacular sights. Standing 230 metres above the ground at their highest point and 8km long, the Cliffs boast one of the most amazing views in Ireland. On a clear day, the Aran Islands are visible in Galway Bay as well as the valleys and hills of Connemara. We then follow the quaint Irish country lanes and drive across the lunar landscape of the Burren, spending time with a local guide to discover the fascinating flora and fauna of this unique landscape. The Burren lies south of Galway in County Clare, Ireland. The name Burren is from the Irish - bhoireann meaning a stony place. Its formation has lain unspoiled since the ice-age and is composed of karstic limestone, the largest area of such in western Europe. After lunch, we head towards the bustling town of Galway and have some free time in Galway to enjoy the laidback ambiance of the city, before going to Ballynahinch Castle **** (or similar) for the night. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 4 – Connemara to Cong, nr Galway
We spend today visiting the magical Connemara region, beginning in the stopping in the charming town of Clifden, a quaint town set between the Atlantic Ocean, and the 12 Ben Mountains and preserved boglands.
We leave Clifden behind and drive along the Skye Road, and stop to visit the idyllic Kylemore Abbey, home to the Irish Benedictine nuns since 1920. We leave the Abbey and head towards our luxury accommodation at Ashford Castle ***** (or similar), on the shores of lough Corrib. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 5 – Galway to Straffen, nr Dublin
After breakfast we will cross the Midlands, with our stop at the Monastic site of Clonmacnoise, which is one of Ireland’s Monastic site, dating back over 1500 years. After enjoying the monastery, we travel onto visit the Lockes Distillery Museum, and taste famous Irish Whiskey. Before we head towards our sumptuous accommodation, we visit the Irish National Stud and the beautiful Japanese Gardens, which is situated on the extensive lands of the Stud. Dinner and overnight in hotel at Barberstown Castle **** in County Kildare.
Day 6 – Arrival in Scotland
After breakfast, transfer to Dublin airport for departure flight to Scotland.
Arrive Glasgow airport, where Clients will be met by their Scottish Tour Guide. Transfer to Hotel for check-in, unload luggage, and time to allow Clients to get organised in their rooms. Then the Guide will take the group for a city sightseeing tour of Glasgow by coach. This will include Glasgow Cathedral, the University buildings, Art Galleries and the many sites of architectural interest. In the evening dinner in the hotel and overnight.
Day 7 – Excursion to Loch Lomond and Trossachs
After breakfast, the group will depart heading north of Glasgow for an excursion to Loch Lomond, the largest loch in Scotland. Surrounded by amazing woodland, Loch Lomond is set amidst some of Scotland’s finest scenery. We’ll stop at the banks of the loch, with the optional choice to take a short boat trip. In the afternoon, we’ll drive across the Trossachs National Park, with its rolling hills and varied wildlife, before we reach the medieval town of Stirling and visit Stirling Castle. In the evening return to our hotel in Glasgow for dinner and overnight.
Day 8 – Glasgow / Scottish Borders / Edinburgh
After breakfast, we’ll drive south and across the Scottish Borders. Our first stop will be at Traquair House, the oldest inhabited and most romantic house in Scotland. In the afternoon, before we reach Edinburgh we’ll stop at Rosslyn Chapel for a visit to the ancient building. In the late afternoon we’ll arrive in Edinburgh. Dinner and overnight.
Day 9 - Edinburgh
After breakfast we’ll take a City Sightseeing Tour of the Scottish Capital by coach. This will include the New Town with its Georgian architecture, Princes Street and its Gardens, Carlton Hill with its breathtaking panoramic views, the Old Town and the Royal Mile, Holyrood Palace and a guided visit to Edinburgh Castle. Free time in the afternoon: your Tour Guide will be at hand to direct you to the many places of interest that Edinburgh offers (Museums and Art Galleries, Gardens, shopping, Royal Yacht Britannia, Monuments and Visitors Centres). In the evening we will attend a “Scottish Evening”, a typical dinner which takes place in the ballroom of the largest city hotels: during the meal, which is based on local produce, you will see a show of Scottish Music, Songs, Poems, Dancers and the Scottish Piper! Overnight in Edinburgh.
Day 10 – Edinburgh / Perthshire / Aberdeen
After breakfast we depart Edinburgh heading north. We’ll cross the Forth Road Bridge into the Kingdom of Fife. Our first stop will be just outside Perth for a visit to the “Caithness Glass” Visitor Centre, a small factory where, from a viewing gallery, you can watch glassmakers at work, turning sand into beautiful glass artefacts. We’ll then move further north for our next stop at Glamis Castle, which has been a royal residence since the 12th century.
In the evening we’ll arrive in Aberdeen for dinner and overnight.
Day 11 – Aberdeen / Speyside / Inverness
Today we will visit the beautiful Speyside, the home of the Scottish Malt Whisky. With its clear rivers and rolling hills, the Spey Valley hosts many of the most famous Scotch Whisky Distilleries. We’ll have a guided tour of one of them and a taste of the product. In the afternoon, we’ll stop at the Spey Valley Smokehouse, where from a viewing gallery you can watch the process of curing and making smoked salmon. In the evening we’ll arrive in Inverness for dinner and overnight.
Day 12 – Inverness to Glasgow
After a short drive from Inverness, we’ll reach Loch Ness. Surrounded by mystery and legend, the dark and deep waters extend for miles shaded by the Scottish moors. Time to visit the ruins of Urquhart Castle, sitting on the banks of the loch. In the late morning we’ll return to Inverness to make our way back south towards Glasgow. In the afternoon we’ll stop near the town of Pitlochry to experience a “Scottish Afternoon Tea” in one of the local tea-rooms, where we can sample the local pastries and cakes. In the evening return to Glasgow for dinner and overnight.
Day 13 – Departure
After breakfast, transfer to Glasgow airport for departure flight.
The package includes:
- 12 nights in 4-star castle deluxe hotels (11 nights on a DBB basis+ 1 night BB only)
- Airport transfers with assistance on arrival and departure
- Private transport in deluxe coach for the duration of the tour
- Local Guide for the duration of the tour (foreign languages available)
- Service of Luggage Porters in all hotels
- All admissions to places of interest visited during the tour
- Scottish Evening in Edinburgh with typical dinner and show
- Service of Luggage Porters in all hotels
- Afternoon tea in typical tea-room