SUMMER & FALL 2012 - VOLUME 3 - Senior Tours Canada

TENTATIVE ITINERARY FOR BONNIE SCOTLANDDAY 1DAY 2DAY 3DAY 4DAY 5DAY 6DAY 7DAY 8DAY 9DEPARTURE. We depart on our direct non-stopflight from Toronto to Glasgow.GLASGOW. Upon arrival we transfer to our hotel ,for some time to relax before our Welcome Dinner.GLASGOW. This morning we follow the footstepsof Robert Burns, Scotland's most famous poet, tosee where he lived and his museum. We see theBrig O Doon bridge from his famous poem “TamO'Shanter”. Later we visit Culzean Castle situatedon a cliff top with spectacular views of thecountryside and sea. This evening we enjoy trueScottish hospitality, live entertainment andtraditional Scottish fare in a beautiful restored inn.EDINBURGH. We start with an incredible drivethrough the wondrous wild of the Trossachs,referred to as the “highlands in miniature”. Our firststop is the 15th century Stirling Castle - a venue formany of Scotland's historic events. It has beautifulgardens and lovely walks along the ramparts.Later we arrive in Edinburgh.EDINBURGH. Our city tour starts with a drivealong Princes Street and the Royal Mile. Historycomes alive as we tour Edinburgh Castle and theQueen's Holyrood House. The afternoon is free toexplore the Golden Mile or shop for tartans. Thisevening we attend a performance of the EdinburghTattooINVERNESS. Our first stop is St Andrews, home tothe famous golf course and University. During ourwalking tour we see the ruins of St. Andrewscathedral, the castle and a glimpse into thecampus grounds. You will have free time to enjoythe ancient town. This afternoon we travel into thehills of the highlands as we make our way to thecity of Inverness. After dinner we experience aHighlander storytelling and performance.WICK. A day of breathtaking scenery in the remotenorth. We stop at Culloden, where Bonnie PrinceCharlie was defeated in 1745. We also visitDunrobin Castle - perched on a high terrace abovewalled gardens, with fairytale spires and turrets,this castle rises above the North Sea like anillustration from a storybook. We overnight in Wick.ORKNEY ISLANDS / WICK. We drive to thenorthernmost tip of Scotland where we board aferry for the short crossing to South Ronaldsay,one of the Orkney Islands. A local guide will showus the the Italian Chapel, the Ring of Brodgar(Orkney's Stonehenge) and Kirkwall - the smallisland capital with a Viking flavour and redsandstone cathedral. We ferry back to themainland and return to Wick.ULLAPOOL. There are few places in the world tomatch the mountains, moors and beaches ofScotland’s northwest coast. We stop to visit SmooCaves, the largest limestone cave in Britain, beforecontinuing to the picturesque fishing village ofDAY 10DAY 11DAY 12DAY 13DAY 14DAY 15DAY 16Ullapool. Tonight a local group performs a Ceilidh,an evening of traditional Scottish music and dance.ISLE OF SKYE. We continue along the west coast,enjoying the magnificent views of Loch's andmountains. We stop at Scotland’s most famousgardens, Inverewe. Situated amid extreme naturalbeauty this area is able to sustain plants fromwarmer climates. Later we visit Eilean Donan, oneof Scotland's most photographed castles. Wecross the bridge to the Isle of Skye where weovernight.FORT WILLIAM. Today we explore the Misty Isleof Skye, known for its natural beauty, history andwildlife. See the Cuillins Hills, a visual treat ofshattered peaks, vertical faces and steep ridges.We spend time in the main town of Portree beforeheading to the Sleat Peninsula. Unlike the rest ofthe island there are no mountains here, but rathergreen fields, hedgerows and woodlands. We ferryback to the mainland and Fort William for ourovernight. Tonight we enjoy dinner at a local inn.OBAN. Our first stop is Glencoe, one of Scotland'smost historic and scenic glens. You will be inspiredby the sheer scale and grandeur of the surroundingmountains and fascinated by the intrigue of itsturbulent past. Then we cross the wilds of RannochMoor, a designated National Heritage Site and aplace of wild and wonder. We arrive in Oban for a3-night stay, and we have a tour of the ObanDistillery with a chance to sample a wee dram.Dinner tonight is at a local restaurant.MULL / IONA / OBAN. This day is steeped inhistory and dazzling landscapes. We ferry over tothe Isle of Mull and we drive across this magicalisle which seems to have been untouched by thepassage of time. From here we take a 5 minuteferry to Iona, known as the "Cradle of Christianityin Scotland" as it has been a place of pilgrimage forcenturies. lona Abbey is a celebrated Christiancentre and the burial place of early Scottish kings.Dinner this evening is on our own to sample one ofthe many great restaurants in this lively harbortown.OBAN. A day at leisure. There is much to do here,and your tour manager will offer suggestions andoptional excursions. Tonight is a Scottish banquetwith Highland dancers and bagpipes .LOCH LOMOND / GLASGOW. Our first stop isKiltmartin Glen with its rich historical legacy ofhundreds of ancient monuments, (many areprehistoric). Next we stop in Inverary, ancestralhome to the Duke of Argyll, where you may visit thecastle, the 19th century jail or just enjoy a stroll intown. We continue on to Glasgow via the bonniebanks of Loch Lomond. We will have a city tour ofGlasgow before the Farewell Dinner at our hotel.HOME. We fly home on our direct flight to Toronto.19.