THE NATURAL BEAUTY AND WONDERS
OF
IRELAND AND SCOTLAND
PRESENTED BY
PRESENTED BY
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Daily Itinerary
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I have lost count of how many times I have been to Ireland and Scotland, however, one thing remains the same—my enthusiasm to share these magical countries with everyone. This will be the first time that I escort a tour of Ireland that mostly encompasses the Republic of Ireland. It is past time to do so and I look forward to introducing you, or reintroducing you, to this country of historical and mythical wonders. We will have an experienced guide each day in Ireland. Many of you know that I hold Scotland very close to my heart and the islands have a special mystery about them that I love to experience time and time again. As always, Brian Sykes, will be at the helm of our motorcoach. Come join us on this journey to these lands of green rolling hills, ancient ruins and picturesque seashores.
Dianne Harris
Co-Owner of Dalianes Travel, ScotMaster
Depart San Francisco for Dublin
This morning we arrive in Dublin where Brian will meet us at the airport and transfer us to our hotel. This afternoon we will take a city tour of Dublin and visit the Guinness factory. Tonight we will stay at the Grafton Capital Hotel in Dublin.
Dinner
Today we will leave Dublin and travel south through the rugged Wicklow Mountains. You will be delighted with the beauty of the garden at the Powerscourt Estate, which is most likely the finest in Ireland. After our visit here we will travel on to Glendalough. Glendalough was established by St. Kevin in the 6th century and is a most atmospheric monastic site. For those of you that have seen the BBC series Ballykissangel, you will enjoy seeing Avoca village where the program was filmed. Even if you have not seen the program I am sure you will enjoy this lovely hamlet. We will stop for photos at Browne’s Hill Dolmen, which boasts the biggest capstone in Ireland. Traveling on to Kilkenny we will arrive at the Mount Wolseley Hotel in Carlow for our 2 night stay. .
Breakfast, Dinner
This morning our first stop will be at Jerpoint Abbey. This is a fine Cisterian ruin that sets on the banks of the Little Arrigle. We will make a quick stop at JFK Memorial Park to take in the panoramic views from here. The Dunbrody famine ship will undoubtedly touch your hearts whether you have had ancestors that may have been subjected to this era of famine or not. What would a visit to the far south of Ireland be without a stop at the Waterford Crystal Factory? So we will!
Breakfast, Dinner
On our way to Killarney, we will venture through the Glen of Aherlow, the lush valley of the River Aherlow that runs between the Galty Mountains and the wooded ridge of Slievenamuck. In the past this was an important link between Limerick and Tipperary and a hideout for outlaws. Today it is an outdoor person’s delight. Our home for the next two nights will be the Killarney Plaza Hotel.
Breakfast, Dinner
Our destination today is the famous route around the Ring of Kerry. We will stop along the way to take it the various sights and enjoy the mountain and coastal scenery.
Breakfast, Dinner
On our way to Adare, we will come upon the Stone Age settlement of Lough Gur. It was inhabited in 3000 BC and today you will be able to view the remaining standing stones and burial mounds. We will be staying at the Dunraven Arms hotel one night. Tonight we will attend the Bunratty Medieval Banquet.
Breakfast, Dinner
Today we start our journey north first through Kells and the Kells visitors center. The Kells Monastery was established by St. Columba. The monks from Iona, Scotland fled here in 806 and may have been the scribes of the Book of Kells. From here we will travel to Cavan and our hotel for one night the Cabra Castle Hotel.
Breakfast, Dinner
This morning we continue northward bound through Enniskillen for a visit to Castle Coole. Then on to Ballygally Castle Hotel for our last night in Ireland.
Breakfast, Dinner
This morning we board the ferry for our sail to Scotland. Once we disembark we will travel up the west side of Scotland via Tyndrum and Glencoe. Tonight we will stay in Glencoe at the Ballachulish Hotel for one night.
Breakfast, Dinner
Our day will start with one of the most beautiful train rides in Scotland from Fort William to Malliag. When we arrive in Malliag you will have time to look around and have lunch before we board the ferry to Armadale on the Isle of Skye. Once off the ferry will we go a short ways down the road to Armadale Castle Gardens and the Museum of the Isles, where we will spend the remainder of the afternoon. Our hotel for the next two nights will be the Dunollie Hotel in Broadford.
Breakfast, Dinner
This morning we will start our circle tour of Skye stopping first in Portree for a wee wander before traveling to the northern most point of Skye on the far reaches of the the Trotternish peninsula. There are many natural and historic wonders to see as we travel around the northern tip and turn south down the western side of Skye on our way back to Broadford.
Breakfast, Dinner
We will have an early morning departure to Uig in order to board our ferry to Harris. From Tarbert we will travel south taking in the dramatic scenery of this portion of the Harris/Lewis Island. At the very far southern tip of Harris is the St. Clements church built around 1520. Circling back north we will follow the east coast up to Lewis and our hotel in Stornoway. Our home for the next two nights the Caberfeith Hotel..
Breakfast, Dinner
Today we will explore the ancient wonders of Lewis including brochs, standing stones and blackhouses of ages past. I think you will agree that Lewis, as well as Harris, has some of the most stunning beaches in Scotland if not the world. We will complete the circle of northern Lewis and return to our hotel for our last night in the Western Isles.
Breakfast, Dinner
We have a very early morning ferry out of Stornoway to Ullapool. Upon arrival in Ullapool, we will head east to Beauly for a coffee stop at the Made in Scotland gift shop; one of the finest in Scotland. We will continue with our trek south to Edinburgh stopping for lunch in Dunkeld where you can visit the Dunkeld Cathedral and Beautix Potter’s Garden. We will arrive in Edinburgh this evening for our two night stay at the Apex International Hotel..
Breakfast, Dinner
You will be free today to see the sights of Edinburgh at your leisure. I will be available this morning to anyone who would like to join me for a walking tour of the Royal Mile. The Royal Mile runs between Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace, the royal family’s home in Edinburgh.
Breakfast, Dinner
Today we say tarra to Scotland and board our flight for San Francisco.
2019 Central Ave.
McKinleyville, CA 95519
(707) 839-4381 - (800) 462-2938
dianne@dalianes.com
CST # 2007118-40