Scotland and Ireland 9 days, 8 nights

Itinerary – Touch down in Edinburgh, clear customs, and meet your tour manager.  Meet your local tour guide, who will take you on a walking tour of Edinburgh. You will appreciate the contrast between the 18th-century Georgian “New Town” with its wide, tree-lined streets and elegant squares and the medieval “Old Town.” The Royal Mile is the backbone of the old Quarter, running from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to Edinburgh Castle.

Hike up to Arthur’s Seat and enjoy the views. Located in Holyrood Park, Arthur’s Seat is a landmark across Edinburgh, almost as famous and easy to recognize as Edinburgh Castle itself!   It is the highest peak in Edinburgh and offers breathtaking views of the city’s skyline out towards the sea and over towards the Pentlands.

Visit Edinburgh Castle, one of the most famous castles in the world, for a guided tour.  The castle houses the Scottish Crown Jewels and the Stone of Destiny. Also, visit the private apartments of Mary Stuart and St Margaret’s Chapel, the oldest building in the city, which dates back to the 11th century, and the 15th-century gun Mons Meg.

Overnight:  Edinburgh

Meals:  Lunch/Dinner (additional meals based on arrival time)

Itinerary – The day begins with a visit to the Palace of Holyrood House, followed by St. Giles’s Cathedral, the principal place of worship of the Church of Scotland in Edinburgh.  The cathedral’s distinctive steeple is a prominent feature of the city skyline.

This afternoon, visit the Royal Yacht Britannia, the former Queen Elizabeth’s floating Royal residence, now berthed in Leith. She was home to the Royal Family for over 40 years and sailed over one million miles.  Discover what life was like onboard – start at the Bridge, continue to the State Apartments and crew’s quarters, and finish at the Engine Room.   Follow in the footsteps of world leaders such as Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela, and Rajiv Gandhi.

Overnight:  Edinburgh

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Itinerary –Board your coach and depart for Stirling this morning.   Visit Stirling Castle, a magnificent castle situated on a commanding rocky outcrop.  Of outstanding interest are the Great Hall and the Gatehouse of James IV, the marvelous palace of James V, the Chapel Royal remodeled by James VI, and the artillery fortifications of the 16th and 18th centuries. The castle was a favorite royal residence and the birthplace of James II in 1430.

Continue to Loch Lomond, the longest stretch of inland water in Britain. Framed by lovely mountain scenery, the landscape of this area has played a significant part in the history and literature of Scotland.  It was the inspiration and setting for Sir Walter Scott’s major work, “The Lady of the Lake,”  inspiring the first tourists to venture to Highland Scotland.

Overnight: Edinburgh

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Itinerary – Board your coach and transfer to Glasgow (approx 2 hrs). Meet your local guide on arrival, and enjoy a panoramic city tour of Glasgow, the largest city in Scotland. Glasgow is considered one of Europe’s most exciting and beautiful destinations that combines the energy and sophistication of a great international city. As a former UK City of Architecture and Design, Glasgow offers a range of fascinating buildings in various architectural styles.

After lunch, visit Glasgow Cathedral, one of the only cathedrals to escape destruction during the Scottish Reformation by adapting to Protestant worship.  It is a rare example of an almost complete 13th-century church. St. Mungo Museum of Religious Art, situated in the Cathedral precinct, has an exhibition illustrating religious themes with superb artifacts from around the world.

Overnight:  Edinburgh

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Itinerary – Board your coach and transfer to Glasgow’s Cairnryan Port for your ferry to Belfast in Northern Ireland.   The ferry crossing is just over two hours; enjoy lunch on board.

Arrive in Belfast, once through the terminal, board your coach, and head over to discover the story of the Titanic. Discover the story of the Titanic in the brand new visitor experience, located in the heart of Belfast, next to the historic site of this world-famous ship’s construction. Learn more about her conception, construction, launch, famous maiden voyage, and tragic end.

Overnight:  Dublin

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Itinerary – Visit the famous Trinity College and the Book of Kells (subject to availability). Trinity College is the oldest university in Ireland. Founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I.  Built on grounds confiscated from an Augustinian priory, its purpose was to serve the Anglo-Irish ruling classes, and attendance restrictions for Catholics existed until the 1970s.   The major attractions are the Old Library and the Book of Kells, housed in the Treasury.

Visit the Book of Kells exhibition and the Old Library. The Book of Kells, crafted in a Columban monastery around 800AD in either Britain or Ireland and now housed in the Treasury of Trinity College, Dublin, is a four-volume, illuminated manuscript of the four Gospels of the New Testament together with various prefatory texts and tables in Latin. The book takes its name from the Abbey of Kells, where it stayed for several centuries. It is considered Ireland’s finest national treasure.

Visit Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, the National Cathedral of the Church of Ireland, one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the country. Saint Patrick’s has been at the heart of Dublin and Ireland’s history and culture for over 800 years, and its story is a microcosm of the story of Ireland.

Enjoy an early dinner and performance at the Celtic Nights Experience, which boasts some of Ireland’s most talented traditional musicians and world-championship Irish dancers.  In addition to the live entertainment, enjoy a delicious traditional 3-course Irish feast.

Overnight:  Dublin

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Itinerary – Depart for Malahide Castle. This magnificent medieval castle dates back 800 years. Setting down roots in the medieval era, generations of the Talbot family called Malahide Castle home. Hear their stories, see the rooms where they lived, and explore its surrounding 260 acres of lush parkland.

Return to Dublin and enjoy a free afternoon to explore Dublin in small groups.

Overnight: Dublin

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Bid farewell to Ireland this morning as you board your flight home.

Meals Included:  Breakfast (Lunch/Dinner based on flight time)