Globus > CELTIC HIGHLIGHTS

CELTIC HIGHLIGHTS
14 Days starting from $2,379

Countries Visited:
England, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland

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Length: 14 Days
Type: First Class Tour
Category: REGIONAL DISCOVERY ENGLAND
Operator: Globus
Tour Code: GD-2008
   
 
About This Tour


This 14-day journey brings you the best of Scotland, England’s Lake District, North Wales, and the Emerald Isle. Your Scottish experience begins in the lively city of Glasgow and continues via the “Bonnie Banks” of Loch Lomond to Fort William and the Highland capital of Inverness. In Edinburgh, visit the famous castle and the Queen’s Holyrood Palace; and in the Lowland hills, visit the famous blacksmith’s shop at Gretna Green before crossing the border into England. Delight in the beauty of the peaceful Lake District on your way to historic Chester. Explore the Welsh towns of Betws-y-Coed and Caernarvon, then take a ferry across the Irish Sea to the “Fair City” of Dublin. Blarney, the Ring of Kerry, the Cliffs of Moher, and the Giant’s Causeway are all included before your Irish experience is completed with a visit to Belfast in the company of a Local Guide. Back to Glasgow to complete this popular vacation.

 
  • What's Included
  • Itinerary
  • Dates & Prices
  • Sightseeing
  • SPECIALS

City Highlights
GLASGOW
Orientation drive

HIGHLANDS
Guided tour of a whisky distillery

BALMORAL
Visit the castle or Crathie Church

EDINBURGH
Guided sightseeing, visit Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace

CHESTER
Walking tour

DUBLIN
Orientation drive, visit Trinity College

KILDARE
Guided tour of the Irish National Stud

BLARNEY
Visit the famous woolen mills

RING OF KERRY
Scenic peninsula drive

LIMERICK
Orientation drive

CLIFFS OF MOHER
Savor the spectacular views

BELLEEK
Guided tour of the pottery factory

DERRY
Walking tour with a Local Guide

COUNTY ANTRIM
Visit the Giant’s Causeway

BELFAST
“Living History” tour with a Local Guide

FERRIES
Irish Ferries Holyhead-Dublin and Stena Line High Speed Service Belfast-Stranraer

Meals
12 full English breakfasts (FB); 7 three-course dinners (D) with choice of menus and coffee, and a welcome drink before dinner at your hotel in Glasgow

Hotels:
GLASGOW Novotel (F), INVERNES Columba (F), EDINBURGH Menzies Belford (SF), CHESTER St. David''s Park (SF) at Ewloe, DUBLIN Hilton City (SF), KILLARNEY Holiday Inn (F), LIMERICK Clarion (SF), SLIGO Clarion (SF), BELFAST Stormont (SF), GLASGOW Radisson SAS (SF)
Day 1:
(Sun.) Board your overnight transatlantic flight.

Day 2:
Arrival in Glasgow, Scotland. (Mon.) Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax in Scotland’s largest city. Before tonight’s welcome dinner join your Tour Director and traveling companions for a toast to happy touring with a congenial group. (D)

Day 3:
Glasgow–Inverness. (Tue.) Your Celtic adventure starts in earnest before you head for the Highlands with a city drive taking in the fine 12th-century cathedral, imposing university buildings, and elegant Georgian squares, built by the wealthy tobacco barons. On the way this morning: Dumbarton, the capital of the ancient Celtic kingdom of Strathclyde; the “Bonnie Banks” of Loch Lomond; wild Rannoch Moor; Glen Coe, where the MacDonalds were treacherously massacred by the Campbells; lovely Loch Linnhe; and Fort William beneath Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain, are memorable highlights. The spectacular afternoon drive follows the Caledonian Canal, with vistas of the Great Glen, Loch Lochy, and Loch Ness, looking out for signs of the mysterious monster. Spend the night in Inverness, the Highland capital. (FB,D)

Day 4:
Inverness–Edinburgh. (Wed.) Cross the battlefield of Culloden Moor and continue through heather-clad moors for a visit to a WHISKY DISTILLERY, where your guide explains the ancient art of converting barley, water, and yeast into a heart-warming liquor. On to BALMORAL CASTLE, the Queen’s residence during the hunting season. (After July 31 when the Royal Family is in residence, visit CRATHIE CHURCH instead.) Drive through Braemar, home of the Royal Highland Games for over 900 years, and in the afternoon travel via Perth and over the mighty Forth Road Bridge to Edinburgh. Tonight don’t miss our optional Scottish evening with Highland dancers, bagpipers, and the Ceremony of the Haggis. (FB)

Day 5:
Edinburgh. (Thu.) Morning city sightseeing with a Local Guide introduces you to the 200-year-old “New Town” and famous scientists, inventors, and novelists. In the “Old Town,” drive up the narrow Royal Mile to EDINBURGH CASTLE to admire Scotland’s Crown Jewels, then explore HOLYROOD PALACE (except when the Queen is in residence). The afternoon is free to enjoy this “Prince of Cities” at your own pace. Later, a unique optional experience: board the former Royal Yacht Britannia, which for the Queen was once the perfect royal residence for glittering state visits and family holidays. Tour five decks and see how the Royal Family and crew of 240 lived and worked on board. Dinner rounds off this optional evening. For departure numbers 0804, 0811, and 0818 tickets are included for tonight’s performance of the world-renowned MILITARY TATTOO, a vast spectacle of massed Scottish pipe bands which takes place in an arena on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle. (FB)

Day 6:
Edinburgh–Chester, England. (Fri.) On the way through the history-steeped Lowland Hills, stop at Gretna Green, where the blacksmith used to wed runaway couples. Leave the land of the Scots, and journey through the tranquil Lake District, considered the finest of England’s national parks, and drive over spectacular Kirkstone Pass to visit picturesque Bowness-on-Windermere. Continue to Chester, the historic county town on the River Dee. On your walking tour see the Roman remains, the characteristic black and white half-timbered houses, and the famous two-tiered arcades called the “Rows.” (FB,D)

Day 7:
Chester–North Wales–Dublin, Ireland. (Sat.) Travel through the incomparable landscapes of Snowdonia National Park, via lovely Betws-y-Coed and over breathtaking Llanberis Pass, a region where Welsh is widely spoken as the first language. At Caernarvon you have time to explore the castle which saw the investiture of Charles as Prince of Wales. Now it’s across Britannia Bridge to the Isle of Anglesey for a photo stop at tongue twisting Llanfair... At Holyhead board your fast ferry and cross the Irish Sea to Dublin. Top the day with an optional dinner evening at the Guinness Storehouse. (FB)

Day 8:
Dublin. (Sun.) An orientation drive in the Irish capital includes statue-lined O’Connell Street, elegant Georgian squares, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Then visit Oscar Wilde’s TRINITY COLLEGE, famous for the 1,200-year-old Book of Kells and the magnificent Old Library. Afternoon at leisure. Take your Tour Director’s dining recommendation. (FB)

Day 9:
Dublin–Killarney. (Mon.) Horse-racing country this morning. Drive across the Curragh to visit the IRISH NATIONAL STUD at Kildare, whose thoroughbreds command respect on the racecourses of the world. The Rock of Cashel, where St. Patrick preached, is another milestone on the route to Blarney, renowned for its magical Stone of Eloquence. Time here to visit the castle and shop for fine Waterford crystal before continuing on to the popular resort of Killarney. (FB,D)

Day 10:
Killarney–Ring of Kerry–Limerick. (Tue.) Follow the road known as the “Ring of Kerry” for a spectacular 100-mile panoramic drive around the island’s southwestern tip and take your photos of the Lakes of Killarney from Ladies View. In the afternoon drive via quaint Adare to Limerick where an orientation drive features St. Mary’s Cathedral, King John’s Castle, and the Stone where the Treaty of Limerick was signed in 1691. A suggestion for a very special night out: an optional medieval banquet at Bunratty Castle. (FB)

Day 11:
Limerick–Sligo. (Wed.) Motor to the spectacular CLIFFS OF MOHER, rising 668 feet above the Atlantic. Via the limestone plateau of The Burren you reach Galway, a vibrant city with a great seafaring tradition. Hear about the infamous Lynch Stone, commemorating the day Mayor James Lynch Fitzstephen hanged his son for murder. Pass through the region featured in the film The Quiet Man and visit Knock, a village that attracts pilgrims from all over the world since townsfolk saw apparitions. Spend the night in Sligo. (FB,D)

Day 12:
Sligo–Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Thu.) A rich string of attractions awaits you today: the grave of native son and poet W.B. Yeats in Drumcliff; BELLEEK POTTERY FACTORY, renowned for its exquisite creamcolored Parian china; and a fascinating walking tour of Derry with a Local Guide, taking in the Guildhall, old city walls, and St. Columb’s Cathedral. Pass Dunluce Castle, a romantic ruin clinging to its clifftop, and visit awe-inspiring GIANT’S CAUSEWAY, composed of thousands of strangely symmetrical basalt columns jutting out to sea. Follow the scenic Antrim coast road to the vibrant city of Belfast. (FB,D)

Day 13:
Belfast–Glasgow, Scotland. (Fri.) Learn more about this fascinating city where the Titanic was built on this morning’s “Living History” tour in the company of a Local Guide. Board your ferry for the fast crossing of the North Channel to Stranraer on the west coast of Scotland. Back in Glasgow, the rest of the afternoon is free for lastminute shopping before bidding farewell to your traveling companions during dinner at your hotel. (FB,D)

Day 14:
(Sat.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (FB)


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Airfare Disclaimer
A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link.

Documents
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

         
Touring Date
Land Only
Land + Air
Single
(Land Only)
Single
(Land + Air)
7/6/2008 - 7/19/2008
$2,399
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7/13/2008 - 7/26/2008
$2,399
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7/20/2008 - 8/2/2008
$2,379
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7/27/2008 - 8/9/2008
$2,379
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8/3/2008 - 8/16/2008
$2,419
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8/10/2008 - 8/23/2008
$2,419
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8/17/2008 - 8/30/2008
$2,419
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8/24/2008 - 9/6/2008
$2,379
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8/31/2008 - 9/13/2008
$2,399
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9/7/2008 - 9/20/2008
$2,409
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9/14/2008 - 9/27/2008
$2,409
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9/21/2008 - 10/4/2008
$2,399
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9/28/2008 - 10/11/2008
$2,399
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10/5/2008 - 10/18/2008
$2,389
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GLASGOW
Orientation drive

HIGHLANDS
Guided tour of a whisky distillery

BALMORAL
Visit the castle or Crathie Church

EDINBURGH
Guided sightseeing, visit Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace

CHESTER
Walking tour

DUBLIN
Orientation drive, visit Trinity College

KILDARE
Guided tour of the Irish National Stud

BLARNEY
Visit the famous woolen mills

RING OF KERRY
Scenic peninsula drive

LIMERICK
Orientation drive

CLIFFS OF MOHER
Savor the spectacular views

BELLEEK
Guided tour of the pottery factory

DERRY
Walking tour with a Local Guide

COUNTY ANTRIM
Visit the Giant’s Causeway

BELFAST
“Living History” tour with a Local Guide

FERRIES
Irish Ferries Holyhead-Dublin and Stena Line High Speed Service Belfast-Stranraer

CURRENT SPECIALS:

Book now and take $200 off per couple on any air-inclusive European Low Season Vacations.*

* Book a 2008/2009 Globus Europe Winter air-inclusive vacation on select carriers to receive the $100 per person discount. Booking must be made, under deposit, and discount applied between June 4 and August 31, 2008 for travel commencing between October 1, 2008 and April 30, 2009. To secure the air booking, an additional deposit of $250 is required, which is refundable until the time that the flight information is confirmed. Offers not valid with one another or any offer and applies to new 2009 bookings only. Offer reliant on space availability. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply.


Save up to $600 per stateroom on 2009 Globus River and Small Ship Cruises

Discover an entirely new way to uncover the wonders of the world with river and small ship cruises. From a wine tasting adventure through the vineyards of France to island hopping in the Galapagos Islands, you’re sure to find a Globus river or small ship cruise that speaks to your heart. There’s simply no more peaceful way to sample the charming cities and awe-inspiring sights of Europe, China, Egypt and the Galápagos Islands.

*Book a 2009 Globus River Cruise air-inclusive vacation to receive the $300 off per person offer. Cruise-only bookings are eligible for the $125 off per person offer. Booking must be made, under deposit, and discount applied between May 14 and August 31, 2008 for travel through December 31, 2009. To secure the air booking, an additional deposit of $250 is required, which is refundable until the time that the flight information is confirmed. Offers not valid with one-another or any other offer and applies to new 2009 bookings only. Offer reliant on space availability. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply.


Standard Offers and Specials provided by Globus

Discount for young travelers

Share the pleasure of a Globus vacation with your children and grandchildren and take advantage of a 10-percent discount on the land-only price. For eligibility, children must be under 18 years of age on the departure date and must be accompanied by an adult. On escorted vacations we don’t accept children under eight years old because we have found that they are too young to enjoy these vacations.

Pay less for your second vacation

We charge you vacation price for your first vacation in 2008, but for every additional Globus vacation you take in the same year, you pay US$35 under list. Our vacations are designed and scheduled so you can combine them almost any way you want. It’s fun to play the add-a-vacation game yourself or talk to your travel agent.

Triple room reduction

On most Globus vacations you receive a reduction when three people travel together and share the same accommodations. Triple room reductions, when available, are listed on the itinerary pages. A word of caution: Triple rooms usually are no larger than twin rooms and the third bed, if there is one, is often a rollaway put in a twin-bedded room.

Avoid the single room supplement

We do not take reservations on a “share” basis because we have found that strangers rarely enjoy sharing a room for the duration of their vacation. Avoid the single room supplement by traveling with a friend. It’s less expensive and much more fun!


Do you have a large party of friends or family that wants to travel?

Right now when you book between 5 and 7 people before December 31, 2008, each passenger will save $75.* For example, book 5 passengers and receive a $375 discount, 6 passengers equals a $450 discount and 7 passengers will receive a $525 discount. With an offer like this, the world’s greatest destinations are now closer than ever!

*Book a 2009 Globus vacation for five, six or seven travelers to receive the $75 off per person offer. Booking must be made, under deposit, and discount applied between Jun 4 and Dec 31, 2008 for travel through December 31, 2009. Individuals must be traveling together from the same origination point to receive the discount. Not valid with any other offer and applies to new 2009 bookings only. Offer reliant on space availability. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply.


   
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