IRELAND & SCOTLAND
Itinerary

Day 1
Arrive at Dublin Airport and drive to our hotel. A guided tour of Dublin will familiarize us with this ancient city and introduce us to its rich history. This evening we enjoy our first gourmet dinner which dispels any possible doubts about the talents of Ireland's great chefs.

Day 2
This morning we head for the western coast, traveling through the counties of Kildare, Kilkenny and into Tipperary to our first stop, the Rock of Cashel. This site, perched high above the plains surrounding the River Suir, includes many extraordinary examples of Celtic art and medieval architecture. We will take the time for lunch in a charming nearby village before we head off to Blarney Castle where some of us will succumb to the promise of the "gift of gab" by kissing the famous stone. We continue our drive through quaint villages surrounded by rolling fields dotted with cows and sheep. We arrive at our destination, the lovely little Irish town of Kenmare, our base for the next two days while we explore southwestern Ireland.

Day 3
The brightly painted town of Kenmare is filled with charming shops and pubs. At the edge of the village is a fascinating, prehistoric early Bronze Age stone circle, one of the biggest in southwest Ireland. Fifteen stones ring a boulder dolmen, a burial monument rarely found outside this part of the country. After exploring Kenmare, we drive through the gorgeous, wild landscape of the Beara Peninsula. This mountainous peninsula has breathtaking vistas around every corner. Our scenic drive takes us to the tiny village of Glengarriff on beautiful Bantry Bay. After lunch in the village we take a small boat out into the bay, where we glide by a family of seals basking on an island. We get off the boat at Ilnacullin to walk through the magnificent gardens. Tonight after a wonderful dinner in Kenmare we'll have the chance to experience a true Irish singing pub. This will be a night to remember!

Day 4
Today we drive around the Ring of Kerry, stopping for photo ops along this spectacular route. In Killarney National Park. we tour the beautiful Muckross house and gardens on Killarney Lake. Our next destination is the charming town of Doolin. Here we arrive at our elegant historic country house hotel, located on the grounds of an ancient castle, with fabulous views of the ocean and the Aran Islands. We enjoy a gourmet dinner in Lord O'Brien's beautiful dining room.

Day 5
This morning we head out to visit the intriguing landscape of the Burren, the largest limestone area in Europe, covering over 300 square kilometers. We then visit the majestic 700-foot Cliffs of Moher, one of the most strikingly beautiful landscapes in all Ireland. This afternoon we see the fascinating Neolithic stone tomb of the Poulnabrone Dolmen, dating from the 4th Century B.C., and then drive along the beautiful coast to Black Head, where unusual limestone expanses form an eerie lunar-like landscape. This area is rich in archaeological, botanical and geological importance. How lucky that our wonderful driver/guide is a geologist! We return to Doolin for another splendid dinner.

Day 6
Today we visit the lively city of Galway, which was known in the 13th century as The City of Tribes because of the fourteen families who each tenuously held power here. The city teems with a small town vibe despite its size and has many wonderful craft shops and pubs. After exploring Galway, we drive north through Sligo and Donegal and arrive at our lovely country inn in the tiny village of Ardara. After a wonderful gourmet dinner you can step into the pub and join in with the Irish musicians.

Day 7
On our last full day in Ireland we visit Glenveagh National Park, Ireland's largest and most beautiful park, which lies in the heart of the Derryveagh Mountains. We take a tour of its beautifully appointed castle and lovely gardens. Tonight is another delicious dinner.

Day 8
In the morning we cross into Northern Ireland and make our way to Belfast, the capital city. After a quick tour of the city, we say our goodbyes to Ireland and board a ferry that takes us across the Irish Sea to Cairnryan, Scotland. On the ride to our hotel in Glasgow, we'll get an introduction to Scottish history. For anyone with enough energy after dinner, Glasgow is known for its lively nightlife.

Day 9
This morning we visit Stirling Castle, hearing the true story about Scotland's most famous son, Sir William Wallace, and Robert the Bruce, King of Scots. After a visit to a Scottish whiskey distillery, we head back to Glasgow to explore before dinner.

Day 10
After a sumptuous Scottish breakfast we travel along the "bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond," hearing stories of Rob Roy, the Robin Hood of the Highlands. We drive west to see the stunningly beautiful "Harry Potter land". Our scenic drive takes us through the spectacular area around Glencoe, where we have time for a walk and hear the tragic tale of Clan warfare. We continue on, passing Doune Castle where Monty Python and the Holy Grail was filmed. We travel through Fort William, at the base of mighty Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK, and see the most photographed (and most beautiful) castle in Scotland, Eilean Donan. Heading over the Skye Bridge, we spend our first night on the mystical Isle of Skye.

Day 11
We spend a full day exploring the Isle of Skye, with its ruined castles and amazing scenery. We hear tales of Bonnie Prince Charlie's Jacobite Rebellion against the backdrop of the jagged Cuillin Mountains, discover the scenic Island Capital of Portree, take a walk by its harbor, and sample some locally caught seafood. Our journey heads to the north of the island past the mysterious Trotternish Ridge with its spectacular cliffs and rock formations, including the Old Man of Storr. The "Winged Isle" is immersed in Celtic myths and legends. We hear about Selkies, the mischievous faeries, and even learn the secret of eternal youth! We spend a second night on this fascinating island.

Day 12
This morning we head off the island to one of the most mysterious stretches of water on the planet, searching for the elusive Loch Ness monster. We make a stop at Urquhart Castle, a spectacular 13th century ruin (where most of the monster sightings take place). We then journey south through Perthshire and over the Forth Bridge, where we can enjoy fantastic views of one of Scotland's greatest engineering achievements, the Forth Rail Bridge. From there it's a short drive into Scotland's capital, Edinburgh, where we spend the next two nights.

Day 13
Our last day in Scotland will be spent in its culturally rich capital city. We begin the day with a guided walking tour of the medieval Old Town and the Georgian "New Town." The stunning architecture in the center of the city classify it as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The afternoon is free to explore, visit a world-class museum or gallery, poke around the shopping districts, or sip some Scottish whiskey while enjoying one of the most beautiful cityscapes in the world. We regroup for a very special farewell dinner in the city.

Day 14
After breakfast we head to the Edinburgh Airport for the return flight home.