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Itinerary

DAY 1 – USA / EDINBURGH: Fly transatlantic overnight from Chicago to Edinburgh, Scotland. Dinner is served and in-flight entertainment is provided.

DAY 2 – ARRIVE IN SCOTLAND: Arrive in Edinburgh, Scotland. After you make your way through customs, meet with your tour manager in the arrivals area. No good story ever started with an empty stomach and so first things first things first, we’re off to enjoy a hearty Scottish breakfast. Afterwards, check into your hotel. The remainder of your day is at leisure in Edinburgh. This evening, enjoy dinner in your hotel. (B/D)

DAY 3 – EDINBURGH: Enjoy breakfast in your hotel. Today, start off with a half-day city tour of Edinburgh where you will appreciate the contrast between the 18th century Georgian “New Town” with its wide, tree lined streets and elegant squares and the medieval “Old Town”. The Royal Mile is the backbone of the old quarter, running from the Palace of Holyrood House to Edinburgh Castle. You will visit Edinburgh Castle which dominates the city from its 400-foot rock where you will see the Scottish crown jewels and the Stone of Destiny, now back in Scotland where it belongs. Your afternoon and evening are at leisure in Edinburgh. (B)

DAY 4 – MELROSE & ROSSLYN: Enjoy breakfast. Afterwards, depart and make your way to Melrose where you visit probably the most famous ruin in Scotland, Melrose Abbey. The abbey was founded by David I in 1136 for the Cistercian Order, and it was largely destroyed by Richard II’s English army in 1385. The surviving remains of the church are of the early 15th century and are of an elegance unsurpassed in Scotland. Objects found during excavation are displayed in the Commendator’s House. Afterwards, visit one of the most mysterious sites in Scotland, Rosslyn Chapel, which was featured in the bestselling film The Da Vinci Code. Later, return to Edinburgh where your evening is at leisure. (B)

DAY 5 – THE KELPIES / STIRLING: This morning after breakfast, depart on a full day excursion from Edinburgh. Your first stop today will be at Helix Park, the Home of The Kelpies – the largest equine sculptures in the world. Standing at 100ft tall and weighing more than 300 tons each, the magical Kelpies are a man-made wonder and a feat of engineering. The works of art, created by artist Andy Scott, have become iconic on the landscape after being modelled on real-life icons of times gone by — Clydesdale horses Duke and Baron. Next, make your way to Stirling. Visit Stirling Castle, one of Scotland’s most historically important sites and was once a favored residence of the Stewart kings and queens who held grand celebrations at the castle. Today it remains a great symbol of Scottish independence and national pride. Afterwards, head to visit the National Wallace Monument. Stirling’s famous landmark stands above the fields where William Wallace led his troops to victory at The Battle of Stirling Bridge and tells the story of the patriot and martyr who became Scotland’s National Hero. Then return to Edinburgh. This evening enjoy dinner and traditional Scottish entertainment. (B/D)

DAY 6 – EDINBURGH / BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND: This morning, depart Edinburgh and travel through Ayrshire to the west coast of Scotland where you board a ferry to Belfast. On arrival in Belfast, enjoy a panoramic tour, including a visit to the Titanic Belfast, the world’s largest Titanic visitor attraction. Titanic Belfast is in the heart of the city, on the slipways where RMS Titanic was built. You will truly re-live the entire Titanic story from her birth in Belfast to the fateful maiden voyage and her eventual discovery on the seabed. Check into your Belfast hotel and enjoy dinner. (B/D)

DAY 7 – GIANT’S CAUSEWAY / DERRY / DONEGAL: After breakfast, depart from Belfast and start your journey along the magnificent causeway coast towards Derry and Donegal. Pause to visit the Giants Causeway and take in the natural beauty of the northern coast. Walk around admiring the hexagonal rock columns and gaze out at the crashing waves along the dramatic coastline. Then head to Derry where you join a local guide for a walking tour around the defensive walls that encircle the old city. Afterwards, continue to Donegal and Lough Eske Castle for dinner and overnight. (B/D)

DAY 8 – COUNTY DONEGAL / SLIABH LIAG: This morning, depart to enjoy spectacular scenery of heathery hills and deep valleys. Experience the local culture, heritage, and people of Donegal against the backdrop of the spectacular and rugged coastline. In Ardara visit Triona Design to sample freshly baked scones with tea and see demonstrations of spinning and weaving. Afterwards, pause to visit one of Ireland’s best kept secrets and a signature point on the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland’s highest Sea Cliffs, Sliabh Liag. Return to Lough Eske Castle where the remainder of your afternoon and evening are free. (B)

DAY 9 – ENNISKILLEN / DUBLIN: This morning, depart from Donegal and start your journey towards Dublin. Pause in Enniskillen where you pause to visit Enniskillen Castle. Located beside the River Erne, Enniskillen Castle was built around 600 years ago by the ruling Gaelic Maguires. The historic attraction provides a key to Irish history from Medieval Stronghold to Plantation Castle to later Military Barracks. Afterwards, continue to Dublin for dinner and overnight. (B/D)

DAY 10 – DUBLIN: After breakfast, enjoy a full day at leisure in Dublin. (B)

DAY 11 – DUBLIN / USA: After breakfast transfer to Dublin airport for your return flight home. (B)

IMPORTANT: This tour includes walking tours. To enjoy this tour, you should be in good health and able to walk reasonable distances, often over unpaved and uneven surface.

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 Inclusions

• Roundtrip air from Chicago on United Airlines
• Edinburgh – 4 nights, 4-Star Hilton Carlton Edinburgh
• Belfast – 1 night, 4-Star Europa Hotel
• Donegal – 2 nights, 5-Star Lough Eske Castle
• Dublin – 2 nights, 4-Star Radisson Blu Royal
• Breakfast each morning, including breakfast on day of arrival
• 2, three-course dinners in Scotland, including an evening of traditional Scottish entertainment in Edinburgh
• 3, three-course dinners in Ireland
• Luxury motorcoach with services of a professional driver/guide
• Half-day Edinburgh city tour, including a visit to Edinburgh Castle
• Excursion to visit Melrose Abbey and Rosslyn Chapel
• Excursion to visit Helix Park and Stirling Castle
• Ferry from Cairnryan, Scotland to Belfast, Northern Ireland
• Panoramic Belfast city tour
• Visit the Titanic Belfast Museum
• Visit the Giants Causeway
• Walking tour in Derry
• Donegal Excursion
• Visit Sliabh Liag Cliffs
• Visit Enniskillen Castle
• Hotel porterage of one suitcase per person
• Portfolio of e-documents
• 24-hour emergency customer service while in Europe

IMPORTANT: This tour includes walking tours. To enjoy this tour, you should be in good health and able to walk reasonable distances, often over unpaved and uneven surface.

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