Scotland and Ireland
Day 1: April 2015 – Welcome to Scotland
Arrive at Edinburgh Airport. Meet with your Modern Motor Coach, your Driver and your English
Speaking Guide and depart for the City Centre.
Enjoy a panoramic city tour of Edinburgh, the inspiring capital of Scotland, is a historic, cosmopolitan
and cultured city. The setting is wonderfully striking; the city is perched on a series of extinct volcanoes
and rocky crags which rise from the generally flat landscape of the Lothians, with the sheltered shoreline
of the Firth of Forth to the north. Yet you will also see a modern, dynamic capital where international
festivals attract the world's leading performers, galleries display cutting-edge art, and bars, restaurants
and clubs create a lively, cosmopolitan atmosphere with a distinctly Scottish twist. 'Edinburgh,' said
writer Robert Louis Stevenson, 'is what Paris ought to be'. Take your time for an Edinburgh City Tour. Its
magnificent architecture shifts from the lofty buildings of its medieval Old Town, as they tumble down
the Royal Mile, to the graceful houses of the Georgian New Town. The City tour including the Georgian
New Town and photo stop on Calton Hill to admire the splendid views of the city and the historic Old
Town. Overlooking it all perches Edinburgh Castle, the medieval fortress.
Visit the Edinburgh Castle, which dominates the city-centre skyline and from its ramparts you can look
down on medieval lanes and elegant, sweeping terraces that hold over a thousand years of history,
mystery and tradition. Edinburgh Castle standing upon the basalt core of an extinct volcano. The castle
with the complex building history has played a pivotal role in Scottish history, both as royal residence
and as a military stronghold. You will visit the room where Mary, the tragic Queen of Scots gave birth to
King James VI, you will admire Mons Meg-a giant 15th century siege gun and you will learn about the
famous One O’Clock Gun. The most important exhibits to be found in the Castle are the Honours of
Scotland – the magnificent Crowned Sceptre and the Sword of State which are the oldest Crown jewels
in the British Isles and the Stone of Destiny, the enigmatic symbol of nationhood used to inaugurate
monarchs of Scotland, England and the United Kingdom for more than 1000 years.
Continue to your hotel in Edinburgh for your check in.
Enjoy the balance of the afternoon in Edinburgh at your leisure for some sightseeing and personal
shopping.
Overnight, bed and full Scottish breakfast at your hotel in Edinburgh or area.
Day 2: April 2015 – St Andrews
Enjoy your breakfast this morning before you will leave for St. Andrews.
Visit St. Andrew’s Cathedral. The remains of the largest cathedral in Scotland, and of the associated
domestic ranges of the priory. The precinct walls are particularly well preserved. The Cathedral Museum
houses an outstanding collection of early and later medieval sculpture and other relics found on the site,
including the magnificent St Andrews Sarcophagus of Pictish date. St Rule's Tower, in the precinct, is
part of the first church of the Augustinian canons at St Andrews built in the early 12th century. There are
splendid views from the top.
Continue to St. Andrew’s Castle
On a headland to the north of St Andrews stand the city’s castle, the ruins of the castle of the
Archbishops of St Andrews, dating in part from the 13th century. Notable features include the 'bottledungeon' and mine and counter-mine tunnelled during the siege that followed the murder of Cardinal
Beaton in 1546. These siege works are the finest of their kind in Europe. A fascinating exhibition in the
visitor centre brings the history of the castle and cathedral to life.
Enjoy some time at your leisure in St. Andrews before you will return to your hotel in Edinburgh.
Overnight, bed and full Scottish breakfast at your hotel in Edinburgh or area.
Day 3: April 2015 – Stirling & Loch Lomond
After your full Scottish breakfast you will depart for Stirling. Stirling offers with a setting of mountains,
rocky crags and the winding river Forth. Stirling is ‘the brooch which clasps together the Highlands and
the Lowlands'. The city is also the gateway to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, Scotland’s first national
park.
Visit Stirling Castle; Stirling Castle is one of Scotland’s most magnificent, built on a rocky outcrop and
commanding a view for many miles around. It was built as an almost impregnable fortification, and you
can explore many aspects of its long military history, particularly during the Wars of Independence in
the 1300s. But it was also an important and luxurious royal palace. Visitors today can gain an insight into
the life of Scotland’s royal court, especially that of James V.
Continue to Loch Lomond; Loch Lomond has the largest surface area of fresh water Loch in the UK. The
Loch is 24 miles long and five miles wide and at its deepest point is some 600 feet deep. On the Loch
there are approximately 38 Islands, some of them inhabited and there is even a Hotel on one,
Inchmurrin. Loch Lomond must be the world’s most famous Loch and has been much written about,
both in song and verse. The area is renowned for its beauty and tranquillity and offers picture postcard
views around every corner.
Continue to Tarbet and enjoy your cruise on Loch Lomond.
Return to Edinburgh.
Overnight, bed and full Scottish breakfast at your hotel in Edinburgh or area.
Day 4: April 2015 – Edinburgh to Belfast
This morning you will check out of your hotel and transfer to Cairnryan for your ferry to Belfast.
(Please note the ferry departs at 11h30am and it takes 2.5 hours from Edinburgh to Cairnryan)
Enjoy your evening at leisure.
Overnight, bed and full Irish breakfast at your hotel in Belfast or area.
Day 5: April 2015 – Belfast Sightseeing
Today enjoy a tour of Belfast City
A guided city tour is an excellent way to discover Belfast City. The tour will take in the leaning Albert
Memorial Clock tower (Irelands answer to the Tower of Pisa) and the Opera House, which is one of
Belfast’s great landmarks. Your tour will pass by the City Hall, the Opera house, The Crown Bar (dates
from 1885), Queens University and the Botanic Gardens. Some tours will take in a visit to the Harland
and Wolfe Shipyard, where the Titanic was built and launched in 1912. A visit to the Shankill and Falls
road will be of interest as it will give the visitor an indication of how life was in Belfast during the
troubles.
After enjoy a visit to the Titanic; Located in the heart of Belfast, the Titanic Belfast recreates the story of
the world’s most famous ship in a new iconic, six floor building right beside the historic site of the
original ship’s construction. Opened in April 2012 to coincide with the centenary of its launch, the self
guided journey begins on entering the building's giant atrium, where the visitor is surrounded by the
four ‘ship’s hull’ shaped wings which house the Titanic Experience. As you journey through the nine
large galleries of the interactive exhibition, you will uncover the true story of the Titanic, from her
conception in Belfast in the early 1900s, through her construction and launch, to her famous maiden
voyage and subsequent place in history.
Overnight, bed and full Irish breakfast at your hotel in Belfast or area.
Day 6: April 2015 – Belfast to Dublin
After breakfast depart for Dublin.
Visit the Battle of the Boyne Heritage Centre at Old Bridge Estate
Be transported back to the time of the Battle of the Boyne and learn all about the Baroque horses and
the training of a Cavalry Trooper. Witness for yourself the skills of a well trained Musketeer and hear
about the regiments who fought here on the 1st July 1690
Spend the balance of the day at your leisure in Dublin City.
Overnight, bed and full Irish breakfast at your hotel in Dublin or area.
Day 7: April 2015 – Dublin’s Fair City
Enjoy a Panoramic City Tour, which is the ideal introduction to “Dublin’s Fair City”. The tour will
introduce you to the principal sites, which you may then revisit at your leisure. You will visit the elegant
Georgian squares, famous for its architecture and of course its famous –doors. Visit Trinity College with
the 8th century Book of Kells and the long room with its 200,000 books. Pass by 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.” Pass by Christchurch, built by the Anglo-Norman’s in 1172 to replace an
earlier Church built by the Vikings in 1038, on your way to the Phoenix Park with its many monuments
including the Papal cross. Return to the city centre via the Quays and the Guinness brewery. Go on to
Collins Barrack, now part of the national museum, before arriving back into O’Connell Street and the city
centre.
Visit to Trinity College with Book of Kells; Thomas Burgh built the Old Library building in the 18th century.
Today it houses one of Ireland’s most illustrious books, the 9th century “Book of Kells”. Before viewing
the famous book you pass through an excellent exhibition based on the book of Kells and other
important books written in monasteries around Ireland from the 9th century. After viewing the book of
Kells you are invited to visit the long room built in 1745. Once the principal library of the University, it
now contains over twenty thousand books and manuscripts of the Trinity’s oldest volumes. Brian Boru’s
harp said to be the “oldest harp in Ireland” and a copy of the 1916 proclamation, one of the most
important documents relating to Irish history are also on display in the long room.
After this travel to Sandycove for a visit to the James Joyce Museum in the Martello tower. James Joyce
spent six nights in the tower in 1904 and it is the setting for the first chapter of Ulysses. The Martello
Tower at Sandycove was built in 1804 by the British Army as part of their defences against a feared
Napoleonic invasion. It became the private residence of Oliver St. John Gogarty in 1904 when James
Joyce (then 22) was invited to stay. The museum was opened in 1962 by Sylvia Beach, the 1st publisher
of Ulysses. The museum has photographs, letters, documents, various editions of his work and two
death masks of Joyce on display. This museum, dedicated to one of Irelands greatest and worldrenowned authors, is a must for any visitor interested in Irish Literature.
Overnight, bed and full Irish breakfast at your hotel in Dublin or area.
Day 8: April 2015 – Wicklow
After breakfast depart for Wicklow; South of Dublin, is County Wicklow. Known as “the Garden of
Ireland” it is home to Powerscourt, Mount Usher and Russborough, to name a few of its many houses
and gardens. This region features all the various types of scenery that makes Ireland so beautiful. The
coastline is bordered by charming sea resorts such as Bray or Greystones. In the heart of its gentle and
rounded hills are nestled Enniskerry and Avoca, both very picturesque villages. Discover its romantic and
quiet beauty, the deserted mounts where nothing but heather grows, the small forests and the lush
prairies illuminated by yellow gorse in spring. Glendalough, a 6th century monastic site and Powerscourt
house and gardens are a must for any visit to Wicklow.
Visit Glendalough ; The English name Glendalough originated from the Irish “Gleann Dá Locha”, which
translates as "The valley of the two lakes". It was here that St. Kevin, son of the king of Leinster,
founded a monastery in the 6th century. From a simple beginning the site grew to become famous as a
centre of learning throughout Europe. Standing for 600 years it was destroyed in 1398. Much of what is
to be seen today dates from the 10 to 12th century. One of the most attractive features is the fine 34m
high round tower. A cathedral, stone churches and decorated crosses also survived albeit as ruins.
Beautifully scenic walking trails take visitors on a circular route by the lakes from the Car park.
Glendalough has an excellent visitor's centre and display area, which is located at the entrance to the
Valley. It houses a very comprehensive exhibition on Glendalough detailing the history, archaeology and
wildlife of this area of Wicklow. An entrance charge applies to the visitor centre.
Enjoy some free time for a walk.
Return to your hotel.
Overnight, bed and full Irish breakfast at your hotel in Dublin or area
Day 9: April 2015 – Farewell
After a final breakfast at your hotel depart for Dublin Airport for your flight home.
Includes:
 International airfare
 Taxes
 RBC youth travel insurance
 Moderate Class hotel accommodation as per itinerary based on Double/Twin share
 All transfers and transportation by private, luxury air-conditioned coach with driver/guide (Any
individuals travelling outside the group arrangement must organize own transportation)
 Arrival Meet & Greet guide assistance, Departure guide assistance
 Sightseeing and admissions as per the itinerary
 Local taxes on accommodation and sightseeing tours
 Meals as indicated on itinerary (B-full breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner)
 Hotel Porterage – 1 piece only
 3FOC
 Edventure Tours back pack
Excludes:
 Lunches throughout the program
 Dinner except where mentioned above
 Beverages at the hotel and elsewhere
 Gratuities
 Personal expenses