Ireland & Scotland
17 August 2023 – 25 August 2023
Thursday 17th August
We meet our tour leader at 14.55 at the airport for our Ryanair flight to Shannon. On arrival we are transferred to our Hotel in Co.Cork. After check-in we join the tour leader for a familiarisation walk in the surroundings.
Friday 18th August
Our first full day optional excursions takes us to Killarney and Dingle Peninsula. We start with the town of Killarney, picturesquely set beside lakes and mountains. Killarney itself is a lively hub of activity with colourful laneways, historic buildings and may sites of interest, one of which is the Muck Ross House. We make a short stop at the house gardens to see the beautiful scenery of the lakes. In the afternoon we go to Dingle Peninsula. Hanging on the edge of the Atlantic in Ireland’s southwest, picturesque Dingle is over the Bay which takes its name to the Blasket Islands. The Dingle Peninsula, known for its spectacular coastal road with breath-taking views of the Atlantic Ocean. The coastal road takes us first along thousands of deserted beaches such as Inch beach where the film ‘Ryan’s daughter’ was filmed, then through the bustling port of Dingle, renowned for its seafood restaurants and traditional pubs. Continue to Killarney for free time to explore the traditional pubs and the Killarney national park. Accommodation in Co.Kerry.
Saturday 19th August
Today we travel for another optional excursion to Blarneyand visit the famous Castle. The origin of Blarney Castle goes all the way back to the early 13th century. However, the castle as we know it today was rebuilt in 1446 by the King of Munster. Close to the castle lies a garden with many rock formations like Druid’s Circle, Witch’s Cave and the Wishing Steps. At the top of Blarney Castle lies the Stone of Eloquence or the Blarney Stone as it is usually called. It is called this because as legend would have it, if you kiss the Blarney Stone, it gives you the gift of eloquence, or The ‘Gift of the Gab’. Here we can have some free time for shopping at Blarney Wollen Mills. Then we head to the small beautiful village of Cobh, with its impressive Gothic Cathedral dedicated to St Colman. This was the embarkation point for people emigrating from Ireland to the New World during the Famine Years, and also became famous for it was the last port of call of the Titanic in 1912 and the sinking of the Lusitania in 1915. Some free time here and then we return to our hotel in Co.Kerry.
Sunday 20th August
Transfer to Dublin, check in our hotel and a short familiarization walk in the surroundings of the hotel. In the afternoon, we meet with your English speaking guide for a half day panoramic tour of the city (optional). The tour will introduce you to the principal sites, the elegant Georgian squares, famous for its architecture and of course its famous –doors. Pass by Trinity College, with the 8th century Book of Kells and the long room with its 200,000 books. Continue to St Patrick’s Cathedral. Built in 1192, it is one of Ireland’s largest Cathedrals made famous by its former dean Jonathan Swift, author of “Gulliver’s Travels.” You will pass by Christchurch, built by the Anglo-Norman’s in 1172 to replace an earlier Church built by the Vikings in 1038. Pass by the Guinness brewery before continuing to O’Connell Street and the city centre. After the city tour one can do some personal sightseeing or go shopping in the many shops and shopping centres or go to the Ireland’s most famous tourist attraction the Guinness Storehouse Brewery.
Monday 21st August
After breakfast we check out from our hotel in Dublin leave Dublin and go to Larne to take a ferry ride across the narrow channel between Ireland and Scotland departing at 13:30. Upon arrival at 15:30 in Cairnryan. At our arrival in Scotland, we continue to Glasgow. Check in our hotel and a familiarization walk with our tour Leader.
Tuesday 22nd August
This morning is free for shopping in the many department stores of Glasgow or for a city bus tour of Glasgow (extra) on the city has been reborn as a centre of style and vitality set against a backdrop of outstanding Victorian architecture. Early in the afternoon we take our coach for an optional excursion heading to Forth Bridges and the capital of Scotland Edinburgh – one of the most famous historic cities in the world. You may visit the main sites such as the Royal Mile, the towering Edinburgh Castle, Princes Street and Waverley Gardens or join in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the largest festival celebration of arts and entertainment in the world in the Royal Mile. In the evening we attend the Military Tattoo (entrance tickets not included) – a spectacular show with inspiring colours and a variety of music from the world famous backdrop of Edinburgh Castle.
Wednesday 23rd August
This morning, another optional excursion, we travel to the wonderful area of Loch Lomond, the largest loch in mainland Britain and after Loch Ness is probably also the most famous of Scottish lochs.
We will stop at Luss for a photo stop before continuing for Inveraray to visit the castle, a Georgian-style town built at the behest of the Duke of Argyll in the 18th century, head of the Campbell clan who made Inveraray Castle his residence. At the end of the visit return to Glasgow.
Accommodation on BB basis in Glasgow area or surrounding areas.
Thursday 24th August
Optional – Departure to the Trossachs and stop at Loch Katrine to experience the natural beauty which inspired Sir Walter Scott’s epic poem, “The Lady of the Lake”. Within the beauty of Scotland’s first national park, we can enjoy a boat cruise (optional). In the afternoon we visit Sterling Castle. One of Scotland’s grandest castles due to its imposing position and impressive architecture, Stirling Castle commands the countryside for many miles around. It towers over some of the most important battlefields of Scotland’s past including Stirling Bridge, the site of William Wallace’s victory over the English in 1297, and Bannockburn where Robert the Bruce defeated the same foe in the summer of 1314. Situated on a volcanic outcrop guarding the lowest crossing point of the River Forth, Stirling Castle is a great symbol of Scottish Independence and a source of enduring national pride. The castle’s long, turbulent history is associated with great figures from Scotland’s past, such as William Wallace, Robert the Bruce and Mary Queen of Scots. It has seen many royal dramas and witnessed the lives and deaths of almost every Scottish monarch up to the Union of the Crowns in 1603.
Friday 25th August
After breakfast we will enjoy our last few hours in Edinburgh before we check out our hotel to have our last drive to Edinburgh airport for our Air Malta flight.
PRICE PER PERSON
Adult in Quadruple room
€ 1902 / * € 1802
Adult in Triple room
€ 1953 / * € 1853
Adult in Double/Twin room
€ 1999 / * € 1902
Adult in Single room Supplement
€ 505
Child 3-11 sharing room with 2 adults
€ 1703 / * € 1603
What’s included in the price:
Return flights with Ryanair including 1 x 20 Kgs checked in luggage and 1 Hand luggage
8 Nights in 3 Star accommodation
Rooms with private facilities and Wifi
Transfers and ferry.
Service of a Kercem A’Tours, Tour Leader
Insolvency Fund Certificate
Transport in air conditioned vehicle
NOT included in Price
Killarney and Dingle Peninsula Full Day: €69
Blarney & Cobh Full Day including castle entrance fee: €80
City Tour Glasgow with Profession English Speaking Guide Half Day: €30
City Tour Edinburgh with Professional English Speaking guide Half Day: €31
Loch Lomond – Luss – Inverary Castle Full day: €83
Trochass – Lake Katrine Full day: €60
Boat Tour at Lake Katrine: €25
Entrance Sterling Castle Fee: €19
Entrance ticket Military Tattoo show ticket starting price €55.
Hotel city Tax
N.B. These prices are to replace the EBB prices with effect as 01st May 2023.
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