Meeting at the intersection of faith and history.
Adventure to Ireland & Scotland
11 Day Itinerary
Day 1 – Sunday, June 18: Depart U.S.A. (International Airfare is not included)
When booking your flights to Ireland, you will want to book your flights to arrive into Cork, Ireland on Monday morning, June 19th.
Day 2 – Monday, June 19: Arrive in Cork, Ireland
Begin the tour on the southern tip of the Emerald Isle, with arrival in Cork. The group will waste no time in starting their sightseeing, as they head to nearby Blarney Castle. The castle building dates to the 15th century and is home to the Stone of Eloquence, more famously known as the ‘Blarney Stone’. If you dare, position yourself upside-down over a sheer drop to kiss the stone, said to give the gift of eloquence. Transfer to Cork, with the remainder of the day free before a welcome in a local pub or restaurant. Overnight in Cork.
Day 3 – Tuesday, June 20: Cork, Limerick, Clare, Galway, Clifden
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The group will head northwest today, driving through the counties of Cork, Limerick, and Clare, to be confronted with the imposing Cliffs of Moher. These sea cliffs, on the southwestern edge of the Burren, run for almost 10 miles along the country’s western Atlantic coast, and are understandably one of the most photographed natural features in the country. Following a walk along the cliffs and a visit to the visitor centre, the group will re-board the coach to continue to the city of Galway this afternoon, with some free time to explore. The city is the fourth most populous in the Republic of Ireland is known for its cultural and arts festivals. This evening the group will stay in a nearby countryside castle hotel (subject to availability), with dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Clifden.
Day 4 – Wednesday, June 21: Clifden, Dublin
The group is Dublin-bound today and will visit some key sights of central Ireland along the way. First is the site of Clonmacnoise, a ruined monastery complex which by the 9thcentury was a major centre of religion, learning, trade, and craftsmanship.. Many of the high kings of Tara and Connacht were buried here over the years. The next stop for the group is the thoroughbred horse breeding facility near Kildare. Irish is known for its horse breeding prowess and the National Stud visitor centre provides fascinating insight into the tradition and history of this. The decades-old surrounding gardens are also of international renown – with the Japanese Gardens held to be among the finest in all of Europe. Dinner is at local pub or restaurant in Dublin. Overnight in Dublin.
Day 5 – Thursday, June 22: Dublin
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Dublin, the capital of Ireland, is a reasonably small city, however what this now cosmopolitan, contemporary city lacks in size it makes up for in passion and character. On a full day guided city tour, the group will see sights including Dublin Castle (which, before secession in 1922, was the seat of the British government in Ireland) and St. Patrick’s Cathedral (the national cathedral of the Church of Ireland, dating back over 800 years). Trinity College (who alumni include Oscar Wilde, Bram Stoker, Samuel Beckett, Chris de Burgh and Aisling Bea) houses the famous Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript Gospel book and one of the finest examples of such work in existence. This afternoon, the group will also to the Guinness Storehouse, to learn the history of the nation’s most famous export, as well as have the opportunity to pour a perfect pint of the ‘black stuff’ as Arthur Guinness intended. Dinner is at your leisure tonight, overnight in Dublin.
Day 5 – Thursday, June 23: Belfast
The group will head north to Belfast, and enjoy a famous Black Cab taxi tour to see the murals around the city and to learn about the history of a city which saw extreme cultural and political tensions during the 20th century. Next, the group will visit the state-of-the-art Titanic Belfast exhibition, with Belfast the site at which the doomed ship was constructed during its shipbuilding heyday. Remainder of day free. Dinner tonight is at you leisure, not included. Overnight in Belfast.
Day 7 – Saturday, June 24: Dublin, Belfast, Glasgow
Day 7 – Saturday, June 24: Dublin, Belfast, Glasgow
The group will head north into Northern Ireland, bound for Belfast ferry terminal. Sailing across the Irish Sea to Scotland, on a clear day the group may be lucky enough to see the peninsula that is home to the Mull of Kintyre in the distance. On arrival at Cairnryan, the group will head straight to the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Ayrshire, exploring the state-of-the-art exhibition as well as having the opportunity to enter the old cottage in which the famous Scots poet was born in 1759. Dinner is at local restaurant or pub in Glasgow this evening. Overnight in Glasgow.
Day 8 – Sunday, June 25: Glasgow, Perth, Perthshire
The Glengoyne Distillery is one of many acclaimed single malt whisky makers in Scotland and will welcome our group this morning for a tour and (more importantly!) a tasting. Stirling Castle will be the next port of call, one of the largest and most significant castles in Scottish history. The castle was used as a royal residence before the union with England, while many Scottish Kings and Queens were crowned here. It was also the location where Mary Queen of Scots died in 1542. The small of Callander, the ‘Gateway to the Highlands, is home to various woollen mill outlets, selling some of Scotland’s finest woollen products. After some time to buy souvenirs, the group will transfer to their hotel near to the town of Perth. Dinner is included at the hotel, overnight Perthshire
Day 9 – Monday, June 26: Perthshire, St. Andrews, Edinburgh
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Balmoral Castle, which opens its door to visitors in the summer months, is owned by Queen Elizabeth II and has been a royal residence of the British royal family since the middle of the 19th century. Her Majesty usually spends the summer holiday at Balmoral. The next stop of the tour, St Andrews, also has a royal connection, as the University counts both Prince William and Kate Middleton among its alumni and is understood to be where they met. The town is also home to one of Scotland’s most famous golf courses, the Old Course – availability permitting, the group will enjoy a guided tour of the course, before transferring south to Edinburgh. Dinner is at your leisure tonight, overnight in Edinburgh.
Day 10 – Tuesday, June 27: Edinburgh
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Edinburgh, or ‘Auld Reekie’, is one of the finest cities in the UK, not to mention one of the most walkable. A full day guided tour will include a visit to the Royal Mile, the main thoroughfare through the Old Town of Edinburgh connecting Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse which is almost exactly one Scots mile (longer than an English mile) in length. The Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence of the British Monarch in Scotland, is home to a plethora of antiquities and artwork. In the Royal Botanic Gardens, the group will have the chance to shelter from the supposedly perpetual Scottish summer rain inside the glasshouse! A farewell dinner is included tonight at a traditional Scottish pub or restaurant. Overnight in Edinburgh.
Day 11 – Wednesday, June 28: Depart Edinburgh (International Airfare is not included)
Morning transfer to Edinburgh Airport for your return flight back to the U.S.A.