Max group size: 12

Itinerary

Day 2 Glasgow Highlights
Land in Glasgow and meet your Queenslander Tour Captain upon clearing customs. Transfer included. Lunch at the hotel or nearby restaurant on your own and then a quick walkabout with your tour captain to get acquainted with the area. At 3:00 p.m. board your private coach for a city tour with a local guide. We'll learn about the major attractions of this city that flourished in Victorian times mainly due to the ship building industry on the River Clyde. We'll also see George Square with its ornate City Chambers and drive around the Glasgow Cathedral. We'll arrive back at our Hotel in time for welcome festivities & freshen up before first night in town and Welcome Dinner.

Day 3 Loch Lomond and Loch Ness.
After a hearty breakfast we'll depart Glasgow in route to Loch Ness for a short sight seeing cruise and maybe catch a glimpse of the famous Loch Ness Monster. Along the way we'll drive alongside the famous Loch Lomond, and take in the beauty of the lake and mountains. Our travels this day will also take us through Glencoe, notoriously known for the Campbell massacre of the McDonald Clan in 1692. Before we set off for our cruise we will stop for a brief tour of a woolen mill and browse a great selection of quality Scottish goods, along with lunch. We begin our cruise at Fort Augustus and enjoy the enchanting views. Afterwards we are back on the road driving alongside the Loch and through Inverness. Our evening destination is Nairn for a well-deserved rest before dinner.

Day 4 The Culloden Battlefield
We'll begin our day after breakfast by a visit to the Culloden Battlefield Visitor Center, and learn how the defeat of the Scots, led by Bonnie Prince Charlie in 1746 changed the traditional way of Highland Clan life forever. We'll travel through the Grampian Mountains as well as the gentle countryside of Perthshire in route back to Edinburgh where we will spend the night. Tonight we will dine on local specialties, including the famous haggis, and maybe sip a little double malt Scotch.

Day 5 Edinburgh City Tour and Castle Tour
Our wonderful experienced city guide will join us after breakfast to point out the principal sights of Scotland’s Capital City. We'll contrast the compact medieval section along the Royal Mile, with the wide streets of the 200-year-old Georgian New Town, as we drive along the bustling Princes Street. Dominating the city center, Edinburgh Castle contains the Scottish Crown Jewels and the Stone of Scone, and is our next destination. The rest of your day is on your own to discover more of this enchanting city, shopping and dinner on your own.

Day 6 Flight to Dublin and pub crawl
This morning we transfer to the Airport for a short flight to Dublin. Upon arrival we transfer to our hotel and settle in. Join your Tour Captain for a walkabout to get acquainted with the area, in route to lunch at on of the many lively pubs. The afternoon is on your own before reuniting with you travel partners for an included dinner at the Brazen Head, Dublin's oldest Pub. Tonight we will gather for an evening of Food, Folk and Fairies with this informative introduction to Irish History and Folklore. Afterwards we will take in traditional Irish entertainment and merriment before heading back to our hotel for a good nights sleep.

Day 7 Dublin City Tour. Once again we utilize the experience of on of Dublin’s finest city guides as we embark on our tour of Dublin. We will visit Trinity College to view the famous Book of Kells, as well as a stop at St Patrick’s Cathedral, founded in 1190. We'll also make stops to see Christchurch Cathedral, O'Connell Street and the Bank of Ireland, formally the Irish House of Parliament. Afterwards you may choose to continue your tour from an optional open-top bus and explore on your own. Tonight is on your own for dinner or you can always join your Tour Captain if you prefer.

Day 8 Killkenny, Rock of Cashel, to Cork
After breakfast we are on our way to the medieval gem, Killkeny for some leisurely exploration on foot. With its’ impressive castle, a fortress of a cathedral, and ancient buildings, we will have our first look into the life and times of ancient Ireland. After lunch we travel to one of Ireland’s most important medieval centers, the Rock of Cashel. Perched high on a rock is the walled cluster of historic ecclesiastical buildings from which powerful kings and churchmen ruled for nearly a thousand years. Our destination for the day is Cork City, where you may choose to venture into the Hi-B, an entirely unspoiled pub, a bit shabby but very friendly.

Day 9 Blarney Castle and Killarney
After a hearty Irish breakfast we'll depart Cork City for a short drive to the famous Blarney Castle, and maybe kiss the famous "Stone of Eloquence", reputed to grant the Gift of Gab. We may also take time to visit the Blarney Woolen Mills and shop for quality Irish-made goods. Then we backtrack a bit and head south to the Kinsale, the “Gourmet Capital of Ireland” for lunch. From there its’ off to County Kerry to Killarney, picturesquely set besides lakes and mountains. We check into our downtown hotel and relax before dinner. Tonight maybe opt to join the locals at a "singing pub.”

Day 10 Ring of Kerry and Muckross Gardens
Warm and wonderful Irish breakfast send us on our drive to the Ring of Kerry along this winding route which boasts breathtaking sights of mountains and the coastline. We'll make a stop near the Gap of Bunloe to see the Essence of Kerry, an audio-Visual presentation. Bring the camera, as today there will be a multitude of photo opportunities. We'll drive through Glenbiegh, Cahirciveen and Waterville and take a walk around Sneem, with groups of brightly colored houses grouped around the central green. We'll visit Muckross Gardens on the shores of Muckross Lake for an interpretive guided tour, before returning to Killarny to relax before dinner.

Day 11 Cliffs of Moher and Bunratty Castle
Today we experience more spectacular sightseeing as we depart for the mighty Cliffs of Moher. Rising 700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean, these limestone cliffs stretch out over five miles along the coastline. We drive to Bunratty to experience Bunratty Folk Park depicting life in Ireland in times past. You may wish to have a drink in the 200 year old Durty Nelly's Pub or shop at the Bunratty Mills. Then we are off to tour the Bunratty Castle before checking into our hotel. Tonight join your Tour Captain for a lively evening of song and dance, that will accompany your included farewell gala and dinner.

Day 12 Shannon Airport for flight home
After one final Irish breakfast we transfer to the nearby Shannon Airport where we say goodbye to all our newly found travel friends and depart for home.

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