13 days Celtic Highlights (GD) (2017)
From their breathtaking scenery to their vibrant cities and small towns, this fascinating tour delivers the best of Scotland, England’s Lake District, North Wales, and the Emerald Isle. You’ll start and end in Glasgow and overnight also in Inverness and Edinburgh in Scotland; Liverpool, England; Dublin, Killarney, Limerick, and Bundoran in Ireland; and Belfast, Northern Ireland. Throughout the tour, you’ll learn about the history and cultures as you visit some of the areas’ must-see attractions. For example, you’ll enjoy a “Living History” tour in Belfast accompanied by a Local Guide who will give you a glimpse into life in the city and its history like only a local can.
You’ll also experience stunning scenery on this Britain and Ireland tour. Keep your eyes out for the Loch Ness monster in Scotland’s beautiful Highlands. Travel through the incomparable landscapes of Snowdonia National Park in Wales, with picturesque villages, mountains, and lakes. Follow Ireland’s Ring of Kerry, a 100-mile panoramic drive with sparkling seascapes, brightly colored farmhouses, and the breathtaking panorama of the Lakes of Killarney. Visit the spectacular 668-feet Cliffs of Moher and awe-inspiring Giant’s Causeway, composed of thousands of basalt columns formed millions of years ago.
But that’s not all…Globus has also included out-of-the-ordinary experiences just for you. For example, you’ll visit the Irish National Stud in Kildare, where you’ll enjoy tea and scones at its Japanese Gardens Restaurant. You’ll also taste the famous gingerbread crafted in Grasmere in England’s Lake District. Or how about a walk with a Local Guide on the old city walls in Derry, Northern Ireland?
Bustling cities, smaller towns, scenic castles (Caernarvon, Edinburgh, and Blair Castles), breathtaking landscapes, tasty treats, and so much more are offered on this incredible Britain and Ireland tour.
For more great rates and dates, call your Travel Planner.
| Day | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive In Glasgow, Scotland (flight not included) | Welcome to Glasgow! Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax in Scotland’s largest city. At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner with wine at your hotel. Dinner |
| 2 | Glasgow–Fort William–Inverness | Your Celtic adventure starts in earnest with a city drive, taking in the fine 12th-century cathedral, imposing university buildings, and elegant Georgian squares. On the way this morning: the “Bonnie Banks” of Loch Lomond, wild Rannoch Moor, Glen Coe, lovely Loch Linnhe, and Fort William beneath Ben Nevis. In the afternoon, look out for signs of the mysterious Loch Ness monster. Spend the night in Inverness, the Highland capital. Breakfast, Dinner |
| 3 | Inverness–Culloden–Blair Atholl–Edinburgh | At CULLODEN VISITOR CENTER, hear the story of the crushing Hanoverian victory over Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Scottish clans. Then, drive through the Cairngorms National Park and visit BLAIR CASTLE, the ancient seat of the Dukes and Earls of Atholl and home to Europe’s last remaining private army, the Atholl Highlanders. Tonight in Edinburgh, don’t miss our optional Scottish evening with Highland dancers, bagpipers, and the Ceremony of the Haggis. Breakfast |
| 4 | Edinburgh | Morning city sightseeing with a Local Guide introduces you to the 200-year-old “New Town” and the famous scientists, inventors, and novelists who lived there. In the “Old Town,” drive up the narrow Royal Mile to EDINBURGH CASTLE to admire Scotland’s Crown Jewels, then explore HOLYROOD PALACE (when available). Later, a unique optional excursion: board the former Royal Yacht Britannia once the perfect royal residence for glittering state visits and family holidays. Dinner rounds off this evening. For departure numbers August 7, August 14, and August 21, tickets are included for tonight’s performance of the world-renowned MILITARY TATTOO. Breakfast |
| 5 | Edinburgh–Gretna Green–Grasmere, England–Liverpool | On the way through the history-steeped Lowland Hills, stop at Gretna Green. Then, leave the land of the Scots and journey into England through the tranquil Lake District to Grasmere, home of poet William Wordsworth, to try original GRASMERE GINGERBREAD. In Liverpool, visit the award-winning BEATLES STORY, an atmospheric journey into the life, times, culture, and music of the “Fab Four.” Breakfast, Dinner |
| 6 | Liverpool–North Wales–Dublin, Ireland | Travel to lovely Betws-y-Coed, then through the incomparable landscapes of Snowdonia National Park and over breathtaking Llanberis Pass. After a stop at Caernarvon, cross Britannia Bridge to the Isle of Anglesey for a photo stop at tongue-twisting Llanfair.... At Holyhead, board your FERRY and cross the Irish Sea to Dublin. For a first taste of Ireland, why not join an optional Irish cabaret evening including dinner, dance, song, and laughter? Breakfast |
| 7 | Dublin | An orientation drive in the Irish capital includes statue-lined O’Connell Street, elegant Georgian squares, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and Oscar Wilde’s Trinity College. Afternoon at leisure. Tonight, you might want to take in an optional dinner outing to the Guinness Storehouse. Breakfast |
| 8 | Dublin–Kildare–Cashel–Blarney–Killarney | Horse-racing country awaits this morning. Drive across the Curragh to visit the IRISH NATIONAL STUD at Kildare, whose thoroughbreds command respect on the racecourses of the world. After your guided tour, enjoy TEA and SCONES at the Japanese Gardens Restaurant. On the way to Killarney, stop at the Rock of Cashel, where St. Patrick preached, and in Blarney, renowned for its magical Kissing Stone. Breakfast, Dinner |
| 9 | Killarney–Ring of Kerry–Adare–Limerick | Follow the road known as the RING OF KERRY for a spectacular 100-mile panoramic drive around the island’s southwestern tip. Have your camera ready for sparkling seascapes, brightly colored farmhouses, subtropical vegetation, and the breathtaking panorama of the Lakes of Killarney from Ladies View. In the afternoon, travel via quaint Adare to Limerick. A suggestion for a very special night out: an optional medieval banquet at Bunratty Castle. Breakfast |
| 10 | Limerick–Cliffs of Moher–Galway–Knock–Bundoran | Motor to the spectacular CLIFFS OF MOHER, rising 668 feet above the Atlantic. Via the limestone plateau of The Burren, reach Galway, a popular seaside destination and a buzzing cosmopolitan center with colorful shops and a busy café and bar culture. Visit Knock, a village that attracts pilgrims from all over the world, then spend the night in Bundoran. Breakfast, Dinner |
| 11 | Bundoran–Derry, Northern Ireland–Giant's Causeway–Belfast | First highlight today is Derry, situated on the banks of the Foyle River, and a WALK on the Old Town walls in the company of a Local Guide. After lunch, take your photographs of Dunluce Castle, then visit awe-inspiring GIANT’S CAUSEWAY, composed of thousands of strangely symmetrical basalt columns jutting out to sea. Stay in Belfast tonight, Northern Ireland’s seat of government. Breakfast, Dinner |
| 12 | Belfast–Glasgow, Scotland | On this morning’s “Living History” tour in the company of a Local Guide, learn more about this fascinating city where the Titanic was built. Board your FERRY for the crossing of the North Channel to Cairnryan on the west coast of Scotland. Back in Glasgow, celebrate the success of your journey with a farewell dinner with wine at your hotel. Breakfast, Dinner |
| 13 | Glasgow | Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. |