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Ireland and Scotland
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Explore the Celtic cultures, ancient castles, and lively pubs of beautiful Ireland and Scotland. Begin in Dublin, where you will enjoy a jovial evening of traditional Irish cuisine and music and see the world-famous St. Patrick's Cathedral, O'Connell Street, Grafton Street, Phoenix Park and the city's trademark rows of Georgian town homes. Traveling through central Ireland, visit Belleek Pottery, internationally known for its highly decorative Parian China. Continue on to Donegal Town, where you can browse the many craft and woolen shops of the town square. A short journey brings you to the spectacular Glenveagh National Park, where Glenveagh Castle sits within 40,000 acres of mountains, lakes, and woodland. In historic Derry, a walking tour features the magnificent medieval city walls, St. Augustine's Cathedral, and the Guildhall. En route to Belfast, see Northern Ireland's magnificent Giant's Causeway which resembles a cobbled road leading into the sea. And of course, you can't leave Ireland without visiting the oldest distillery in the world to learn the art of making Irish whiskey and participate in a tasting! A ferry carries you across the sparkling sea to Scotland, the land of kilts and bagpipes. Explore the regal capital of Edinburgh, where you'll see the 11th century Edinburgh Castle, home of the Scottish crown jewels. On the mystical Isle of Iona, you will see Iona Abbey, the birthplace of Scottish Christianity and burial place of early Scottish Kings. You'll also enjoy a delightful sheep dog demonstration and learn about the country's agricultural industry. Finally, visit the magnificent Stirling Castle, where Mary, Queen of Scots, was crowned in 1543.
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| Details | | Collette Vacations | | Offer valid through 5/31/2008 | | | Day | Destination | Description | | Day 1 | Overnight Flight | Overnight Flight : Begin your journey through the history, culture and scenic wonders of Ireland and Scotland with an overnight flight. | | Day 2 | Dublin | Dublin, Ireland - Tour Begins : Your tour begins in Dublin, the beautiful capital of Ireland. This evening, join your fellow travelers for Irish Night, a memorable experience featuring great local cuisine and traditional Irish entertainment. Today dinner is included. | | Day 3 | Dublin | Dublin : Discover why Dublin is dubbed the "Fair City" during a sightseeing tour highlighting its many attractions. Visit the world-renowned St. Patrick's Cathedral, O'Connell Street, Grafton Street, Phoenix Park and see the magnificent rows of lovely Georgian town homes, a Dublin trademark. An afternoon at leisure allows you to further explore the city's delightful atmosphere and cultural treasures. Today breakfast is included. | | Day 4 | Bundoran | Dublin - Bundoran : Depart Dublin, traveling through central Ireland to Strokestown Park. A guided visit of the park features the restored 18th-century Georgian mansion and 4-acre pleasure garden with its famous herbaceous border, as well as the Famine Museum, which documents the hardships experienced by tenant farmers during the Great Irish Famine. Next, visit Belleek Pottery, internationally known for its highly decorative Parian China. Your day ends in the beautiful coastal resort town of Bundoran. Today breakfast and dinner are included. | | Day 5 | Derry | Bundoran - Donegal - Derry, Northern Ireland : Today's journey showcases the rugged, natural beauty of County Donegal. Your first stop is Donegal Town. Stroll the town square, enjoying its many quaint craft and woolen shops. Continue to spectacular Glenveagh National Park, a natural wonderland with over 40,000 acres of mountains, lakes and woodland. Enjoy a guided visit to the Scottish-styled Glenveagh Castle, set amidst the natural, colorful splendor of one of the finest gardens in Ireland. This afternoon cross the border into Northern Ireland en route to Derry. Today breakfast and dinner are included. | | Day 6 | Derry | Derry - Ulster American Folk Park - Derry : Begin your day with a locally guided walking tour in "Maiden City." See Derry's medieval walls, St. Augustine's Cathedral and the Guildhall. Then, travel via Omagh, one of the oldest towns in Ireland, to the Ulster American Folk Park. This open-air museum documents the stirring story of emigration from Ireland to North America during the 18th and 19th centuries. Today breakfast is included. | | Day 7 | Belfast | Derry - Giant's Causeway - Antrim Coast - Belfast : This morning, see the most famous natural sight in Northern Ireland when you visit the wondrous Giant's Causeway. Formed by volcanic activity millions of years ago, the causeway resembles an old cobbled road leading mystically into the sea. Continue along the stunning Antrim Coastal Route en route to Belfast. Today breakfast and dinner are included. | | Day 8 | Edinburgh | Belfast - Ferry Crossing - Edinburgh, Scotland : This morning, enjoy a guided tour of Belfast's many sights. A visit is included to the Culturlann McAdam O'Fiaich*- an Irish language arts and community center supported by the efforts of the Collette Foundation. The Culturlann is headquartered in West Belfast, which suffered greatly during many years of political strife. This groundbreaking program is dedicated to enriching the lives of Ireland's underprivileged children and the revitalization of Northern Ireland. Later this morning, bid farewell to Ireland as you board a high-speed ferry that will carry you across the sea to Scotland. Upon arrival in Stranraer, travel to Scotland's regal capital city, Edinburgh. Today breakfast and dinner are included. | | Day 9 | Edinburgh | Edinburgh : The beauty and charm of Edinburgh comes to life during a tour of the city. Visits are included to the majestic Edinburgh Castle - home of the Scottish crown jewels - and the famous Palace of Holyroodhouse (except when the Queen is in residence), which was once the home of Mary, Queen of Scots. Enjoy a free afternoon in which you could shop along Princes Street or perhaps visit one of Edinburgh's many museums. Today breakfast is included. | | Day 10 | Oban | Edinburgh - Loch Lomond - Oban : Travel through the beautiful Trossachs National Park this morning before enjoying a delightful scenic cruise on Loch Lomond, subject of Andrew Lang's song, "The Bonnie Banks O' Loch Lomond." Then, continue to Oban, a charming port town known as the "Gateway to the Western Isles." Today breakfast and dinner are included. | | Day 11 | Oban | Oban - Isle of Mull - Iona - Oban : A ferry crossing brings you to the Isle of Mull. Behold spectacular landscapes as you travel toward Fionnphort, where a passenger ferry* takes you to the mystical Isle of Iona. Enjoy a visit to Iona Abbey, the birthplace of Scottish Christianity and burial place of early Scottish Kings. Upon your return to Mull, stop at Duart Castle** and enjoy a guided visit of the ancestral home of the Clan Maclean of Duart. Return by ferry to Oban this evening. Today breakfast is included. | | Day 12 | Drymen | Oban - Stirling - Drymen : This morning, visit Stirling Castle, first erected 900 years ago and formerly the royal residence for the House of Stewart where Mary, Queen of Scots, was crowned in 1543. Your next stop gives you the opportunity to learn about Scottish farm life with a fascinating and delightful sheep dog demonstration! Join your fellow travelers tonight for a farewell dinner where you will enjoy a traditional Scottish meal and a ceilidh (a social gathering with traditional music, dancing, and storytelling). Today breakfast and dinner are included. | | Day 13 | Drymen | Drymen - Tour Ends : This morning your unforgettable journey through Ireland and Scotland comes to a close in Drymen. Today breakfast is included. |
| | | Total meals - 18 | Breakfasts - 11 | | Lunches - 0 | Dinners - 7 |
| Base Rates Per Person Air rates are based from the following airport: New YorkTour and air prices are lead-in rates from a specific gateway based on double occupancy and include fuel surcharges and internal flights, these rates are subject to change. Please call for triple or child occupancy rates. Please confirm your specific itinerary at the time of booking. Taxes and fees are additional, for tours that feature a cruise; port taxes are not included in the prices above.
*All special offers are valid on non-group and new bookings only. Special offers can not be combined with any other offer, except AARP discounts. |
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