10D11N Highlights of Ireland & Scotland (9030)

Check into your hotel. In the afternoon, there's time to rest or discover the vibrant Irish capital. Why not end the day with an optional dinner evening at the Guinness Storehouse? 

Meet your Tour Director and travelling companions to start your day in the "Fair City" with an orientation drive along statue-lined O'Connell Street; elegant Georgian squares with their tall red brick townhouses, multi-hued doors and wrought-iron decorated windows; Oscar Wilde's Trinity College; and St. Patrick's Cathedral. The afternoon is free for you to explore at your leisure. Maybe join an optional Irish cabaret evening, including dinner, dance, song, and laughter.

Kilkenny, with its medieval cobblestone streets and Old-World charm, is your first destination today. There is time to stroll through pretty lanes with vibrantly painted houses and enjoy a morning coffee. Continue on to Waterford, famous for its exquisite crystal, before arriving at the seaside resort of Tramore. Before dinner, an optional pub tour might be fun. Today's Distance: 128 mi/ 205 km

The first of today's highlights is Blarney, famous for its Stone of Eloquence, with time at leisure to see the castle and shop for Irish handicrafts and handmade crystal. At Kenmare, join part of the Ring of Kerry, and stop for spectacular photos of the Lakes of Killarney from Ladies View before arriving in the popular resort town of Killarney. Today's Distance: 178 mi/ 293 km

In Killarney this morning, there is time for an optional horse-drawn jaunting car ride along the National Park lakeshore for pictures of Ross Castle. Then to Adare, renowned as one of Ireland's prettiest towns. Its main street is punctuated with beautiful stone buildings and thatched cottages, medieval monasteries, ruins, and a picturesque village park. On to Limerick and, this evening, consider joining an optional medieval-themed banquet. Today's Distance: 75 mi/ 113 km

Breathtaking scenery awaits you today. Start with a visit to the spectacular 668-foot Cliffs of Moher and fantastic views over the Atlantic and Clare coast. Then, cross the limestone plateau of The Burren and stop in Galway, a popular seaside destination and a buzzing cosmopolitan district with vibrant shops, and a busy cafe and bar culture. Your destination for tonight is Sligo. Today's Distance: 178 mi/ 293 km

Drive along Donegal Bay with its small fishing ports and hidden beaches to Derry, the walled city on the banks of the Foyle River. Continue on to awe-inspiring Giant's Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hear how millions of years ago, the more than 40,000 interlocking basalt columns were formed. Overnight in the vibrant city of Belfast, where the Titanic was built. Today's Distance: 186 mi/ 300 km 

Enjoy a leisurely morning in the capital city of Northern Ireland before boarding the ferry for the Irish Sea crossing to Cairnryan. On your way to Glasgow, stop in Alloway, the birthplace of Scottish poet Robert Burns. Today's Distance: 100 mi/ 160 km

Follow the "Bonnie Banks" of Loch Lomond, and proceed via wild Rannoch Moor, Glen Coe, Fort William, beneath Ben Nevis and Fort Augustus. In the afternoon, look out for signs of the mysterious Loch Ness monster, on the way to Culloden Moor where the Jacobite Rising, with Bonnie Prince Charlie at its helm, came to a tragic end at the hands of the Hanoverians. Today's Distance: 202 mi/ 325 km

Travel through the spectacular Cairngorms National Park to Pitlochry, the Victorian mountain resort set amongst a beautiful scenery. Then, head to St. Andrews, whose Royal and Ancient Golf Club has given us the rules of golfing. Finally, cross the elegant Forth Road Bridge to Edinburgh. A suggestion for this evening: a traditional Scottish night out with Highland dancers, bagpipers, and, of course, the Ceremony of the Haggis. Today's Distance: 176 mi/ 284 km