Escocia e Irlanda (2024)

Hari 1

Welcome to Scotland. Welcome to EDINBURGH. Transfer to the hotel. At 13.00 hrs.- (approximate time). Sightseeing tour with a local guide to the Scotland’s capital city and one of the most active cities in Northern Europe. Its monumental centre has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its castle overlooks the city, its steep streets and its parks.

Hari 2

With the group we will learn about the process of making Scotland´s national drink, a whiskey distillery (entrance included), a beautiful liquor made from barley that is drunk not only in Scotland but also all over the world, constituting its largest export. The rest of the day is free to continue enjoying Edinburgh, you can stroll through its lively streets and get to know its rich historical and museum heritage.

Hari 3

After leaving Edinburgh we make a stop to photograph THE KELPIES, enormous sculptures of two horses with water heads from Scottish mythology. They represent the strength and beauty of horses, as well as their connection to water and land. We continue towards STIRLING with its impressive historic center dominated by the great castle, one of the most important in Scotland having witnessed numerous historical events, including not only legendary battles but also thecoronation of several kings. Reservation and tickets included. We continue our route towards the north. Stop in PITLOCHRY, a picturesque town in the center of the Scottish region, where the majority of whiskey is produced. We will visit a traditional whiskey distillery in the area (entrance included). Time for lunch. Continuing north, we will make a stop at CULLODEN, where one of the main battles in Scottish history took place against the British forces with a crushing victory for the English army. The battle had consequences for Scotland as laws and policies were imposed that sought to suppress its culture and traditions. In the evening arrival in INVERNESS, the "Capital of the Highlands", where its castle stands out. We suggest enjoying a walk along the banks of the River Ness and the iconic suspension bridge. Note: depending on the time of year and sunlight, the stop in Culloden might be organized on Monday.Note: due to capacity limitations in traditional distilleries, sometimes we can carry out this visit in a different town/time than in previously scheduled Pitlochry.

Hari 4

We will have a day full of excitement as we travel along the hauntingly beautiful landscapes, forests, lochs and plains of northern Scotland. We will visit the fascinating EILEAN DONAN CASTLE probably the most photographed fortress in the entire country (entrance included). Next, we will travel to FORT AUGUSTUS where we will visit the sluice gate system. Time to have lunch and a stroll. In the afternoon, we will then travel to LOCH NESS and go on a boat tour on the lake’s dark and mysterious waters. After that, we will visit the medieval castle of URQUHART (entrance included). Accommodation in INVERNESS.

Hari 5

We will continue enjoying a stage with gorgeous landscapes. We will make a brief stop in SPEAN BRIDGE to visit a monument that speaks about the Second World War. We will later stop in FORT WILLIAM, a tourist centre at the foot of Ben Nevis, the highest summit in the United Kingdom. We will go by KILCHURN Castle, which displays its beautiful ruins right by a dark lake. INVERARAY, a quite picturesque historic village by Loch Fyne with a large castle and quiet streets. Lunchtime. We will return contouring Loch Lomond, one of the most popular lakes in Scotland. Time for a stroll around BALLOCH, the liveliest town on its banks. Arrival in GLASGOW in the evening. Time for a stroll around the center of this lively city.

Hari 6

Today we will leave Glasgow heading towards southern Scotland. We will board a ferry in Cairnryan. Our journey takes us towards Northern Ireland, arriving in BELFAST, Northern Ireland’s capital city. This monumental city is overcoming its religious conflicts. We will resume our journey to EIRE in Ireland. Last stop will be DUBLIN, arriving at the end of the day.

Hari 7

We start the day with a sightseeing tour of DUBLIN, Ireland’s peaceful capital city. We will enjoy a stroll on the banks of River Liffey, visiting its parks, old university and its lively downtown streets. We will stroll around Trinity College (depending on the duration of sunlight, this visit may take place the afternoon before, upon arrival in Dublin). Free time in the afternoon.

Hari 8

In the morning we will depart from Dublin heading to POWERSCOURT which is located nearby. We will visit its magnificent gardens, designed in the 18th century and considered the most beautiful gardens in Ireland (entrance included). Admire its fountains, Japanese Gardens, and its pet cemetery. Afterwards, we will travel to KILKENNY, here we will have time for lunch and to stroll around this lively town. Further south, we will stop to visit the impressive Rock of CASHEL (entrance included), a medieval fortress that symbolizes the fight of Irish people against England. We will arrive in CORK in the evening. Time for a stroll in the center of Ireland’s second largest city. Dinner included.

Hari 9

We will depart for KINSALE. Making a stop by Charles Fort to admire its great views of the ocean right by the 17th century fortress. Time in the historic centre of KINSALE, a seaside town, considered by many as one of the most beautiful coastal towns in Ireland. Afterwards, we will travel to KILLARNEY, a tourist town in the heart of Ireland. Time for lunch and a walk around, we will also enjoy a romantic horse and carriage tour of its national park (included). The horse and carriage tour will take us to Ross Castle which offers wonderful views by the lake. We include a short cruise to enjoy the beautiful views. Continuing, a brief stop in ADARE, a small village that preserves its picturesque traditional thatched-roof cottages and the ruins of the old abbey. Mid-afternoon we will arrive in LIMERICK. Time to stroll around its centre where you will have the opportunity to visit its castle, walk along the river, its cathedral or discover its shopping centre. Dinner included.

Hari 10

Today we will visit FOLK PARK in BUNRATTY (ticket included), a wonderful park where we can learn about how life was in Ireland in the past with its typical cottages and old markets. Its castle stands, accurately reproducing how life was in the Middle Ages. We will continue to CAHERCONNELL where the Poulnabrone dolmen is found. We may get the chance to see an exhibition of how dogs shepherd sheep. Afterwards, we will visit the impressive Cliffs of Moher which overlook the ocean, those who wish can walk to O’Brien’s Tower (entrance included). Our route continues through Burren National Park which displays amazing landscapes. Finally arriving in GALWAY.

Hari 11

We will depart for CONG, a small picturesque village located in a magnificent lake area. We will visit the ruins of the Royal Abbey and walk around Ashford Castle, a gorgeous medieval castle that has been turned into a hotel. We will travel to CLONMACNOISE, where after lunch, we will visit its monastic ruins (ticket and visit included). We will resume our journey back to DUBLIN, where we will arrive in the evening.

Hari 12

After breakfast, end of our services.