Tour Itinerary:
Day 1, Aug 28th: Arrive at Glasgow airport and you are met by tour director and coach/driver. We start off with a city tour around Glasgow, pointing out various sites as we get to know the largest city in Scotland. We have lunch (not included) at a local pub, followed by a tour of Glasgow Cathedral and Provand’s Lordship – the oldest building in Glasgow. Afterwards we check into our hotel for the next few nights. Welcome Dinner Inc. then off to the Merchant’s City area to visit some of the gay pubs and nightclubs. Overnight Glasgow, Hotel du Vin @ One Devonshire Gardens. Includes: (D
Day 2, Aug 29th: After breakfast we take a day trip south into Ayrshire where we visit the cottage where Robert Burns, the famous Scottish poet was born, we spend time in the Heritage center and learn about his life 200 years ago. We then have a tour of Culzean castle, sitting high above the sea on the west coast. The castle home of the Kennedy family includes the apartments where President Eisenhower used to stay when visiting Scotland. Return to Glasgow for time to dine on your own, before we head to The Polo Lounge for their Sunday night disco. Includes: (B).
Day 3, Aug 30th: This morning we depart mid morning and head north up to Loch Lomond where we have a boat ride on the Loch, then we continue north with a stop at Castle Stalker View for some photo opportunities. We also have a short stop at Neptune’s staircase which is part of the Caledonian Canal. We continue on to Fort William for lunch (not inc) in this lovely Highland town. Continue north towards Inverness, with stops along the way at Spean Bridge War Memorial, and Urquhart Castle on the banks of Loch Ness. Check into our beautiful Georgian Mansion in Inverness for the next 3 nights. Overnight at Culloden House Hotel. Dinner Inc. Tonight we meet the Culloden Ghost. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 4, Aug 31st: After a good Scottish Breakfast, we have a morning visit to Culloden Battlefield site and learn about the history of the area followed by a short stop at Clava Cairns and standing stones, written about in the book, The Outlander. Afternoon is free to shop and explore the city of Inverness or visit the Kiltmakers and learn how kilts are made. Or an optional (not inc) game of golf on a local course. Dinner on own, then meet for cocktails at the Station Hotel, a gay friendly bar in the city center. Includes: (B).
Day 5, Sept 1st: After breakfast we head north onto the Black Isle where we visit the Black Isle Brewery and take a tour of this organic Brewery in it’s beautiful location in the north of Scotland. We continue north to Dornoch where we have lunch and some free time to shop (great antique shops here) and see the Cathedral where Madonna got married. We then head to Golspie where we have a visit to Dunrobin Castle, home of the Duke and Duchess of Sutherland and tour this beautiful fairytale castle and gardens. Return to Culloden House. Tonight we go to Nico’s Bar to meet some of the locals. Includes: (B).
Day 6, Sept 2nd: Today we head south through the Cairngorm Mountains and our first stop is at Pitlochry where we visit Edradour, the smallest Distillery in Scotland and have some free time for lunch (not inc) in this town that wins lots of Scotland in Bloom awards. We then continue on to Perth where we visit Scone Palace, where the Kings of Scotland were crowned on the Stone of Destiny. Then we continue on to Edinburgh the Capital City of Scotland where we spend the next 3 nights. Edinburgh is often called the Gay Capital of Europe. Dinner in a local restaurant inc. Many fun bars and pubs to visit. Overnight Hotel du Vin. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 7, Sept 3rd: After breakfast you have the day free to explore this exciting city, possibly visit Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace or do a haunted Underground Tour, or visit one of the many museums in the city, or do some great shopping on Princes Street or George Street. Or take an open top double decker bus tour around the city (not inc) Overnight Edinburgh. Tonight after dinner (on your own), we head to CC Blooms, the premier gay bar/nightclub in Edinburgh, open till 3am!!! Includes: (B).
Day 8, Sept 4th: A morning at leisure before we depart at noon and head south to the village of Roslin where we have a tour of the famous Rosslyn Chapel, made more famous by the novel The Da Vinci code. We see the intricate carved walls and hear the history of this amazing church. We then head to Leith Dockyards where we tour the Royal Yacht Brittania, the decommissioned ship owned by the Queen and her family. Return to Edinburgh. Tonight we head to Frenchies, a gay friendly pub on Rose Street for pub food (not inc) then onto Downstairs at Twist for a fun night mixing with locals. Overnight Edinburgh. Includes: (B).
Day 9, Sept 5th: Late Morning flight to Shannon, Ireland, then we head to The Cliffs of Moher, where we see the fabulous cliffs and stunning scenery of this western part of Ireland. We continue with a stop at The Burren a fine collection of alpines and Mediterranean species growing together in this limestone area. The Burren is bordered to the west by the Atlantic Ocean and Galway Bay and has some of the finest archaeological megalithic tombs in Ireland. We also visit the vortal tomb at Poulnabrone, which dates back 6000 years. We then head to Cong to our hotel for the next 2 nights, Ashford Castle. We soak up the atmosphere of this famous Irish Castle Hotel where Maureen O’Hara & John Wayne stayed during the filming of The Quiet Man. Overnight Ashford Castle, Cong. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 10, Sept 6th: Following a good Irish breakfast, we tour the beautiful Kylemore Abbey, Gardens and chapel home of the Benedictine Nuns and learn about the history of the Abbey and the Nuns. We continue through the Connemara Mountains to the Galway border to visit an Organic Farm and Cooking School where we will enjoy a tour of the farm and learn about Sustainable Farming in Rural Ireland and the benefits of eating Organic. Return to Ashford Castle for an early evening cruise on Lough Corrib followed by a dinner in the Castle. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 11, Sept 7th: After breakfast we take the Train to Dublin where we check into our hotel then we take an open top double decker bus ride around the city learning where all the sites are, inc. Trinity College and the Book of Kells, The Guinness Factory and also Dublin Castle, and St Stephens Green. In the evening we attend a show at the Gaiety Theatre Dublin, home of Riverdance. Overnight Dublin. Includes: (B).
Day 12, Sept 8th: Today we have an optional tour north to Newgrange and tour The Megalithic Passage Tomb at which was built about 3200 BC. Newgrange has been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO . We then head to The Hill of Tara, the Seat of the High Kings of Ireland. We continue on to the Heritage Town of Trim for a visit to Trim Castle, built in 1176 before we return to Dublin. Or you can stay in the city and explore on your own. Overnight Dublin City. Final Night dinner at a local restaurant. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 13, Sept 9th: Morning departure from Dublin City Airport back home. Final Night dinner at a local restaurant, followed by a visit to The George, Dublin’s most famous gay bar/nightclub for a fun night in this amazing Capitol City. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 14, Sept 10th: After breakfast we get transfers to Dublin airport for your return flights home.
Member discount:
10% discount for InfoHub customer. Request a free gift certificate.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Inc. airfare from Edinburgh to Dublin, and Train from Galway to Dublin. International airfare not inc. Ask for prices.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Ireland
Scotland
Sweet Harmony
Gay Tours
Lesbian Tours
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