Included Premium Highlights

    * Visit Dublin Castle (when open) the former fortified seat of British rule in Ireland;
    * In Killarney, join a local 'Jarvie' for a ride through the streets on a jaunting car
    * Tour the Ring of Kerry, a scenic symphony with stunning views over mountains & sea
    * Visit the UNESCO World Heritage listed Giant's Causeway
    * Embark on a guided cruise on Loch Lomond - one of Scotland's most beautiful lochs
    * Visit Edinburgh Castle for fine views over the city & to see the 'Honours of Scotland'
    * Experience the sights & spectacle of the Edinburgh Millitary Tattoo (selected departures only)

Included Personal Insights

    * Learn about the highs & lows of the Celtic Tiger Economy through the eyes of an expert guest speaker
    * Join an equine professional for a behind the scenes look at Ireland's National Stud & visit its famous Japanese Gardens

Included Other Excursions & Sights

    * See the Customs House & O'Connell Street in Dublin
    * See Kilkenny Castle
    * See Waterford's old city walls, Reginalds Tower & visit the Waterford Crystal Showroom
    * Visit Blarney Castle to kiss the stone
    * See the picturesque village of Adare
    * See King John's Castle & St Mary's Cathedral in Limerick
    * See the Cathedral, Spanish Arch & Eyre Square in Galway
    * Visit Belleek Pottery Centre
    * See 'Derry's Walls' & Georgian houses
    * Visit Robert Burns' birthplace
    * Drive through Glencoe
    * See the Commandos' Memorial
    * See Ben Nevis
    * Cross Culloden Battlefield
    * See the prehistoric Clava Stones
    * Visit Inverness
    * Look for the monster at Loch Ness
    * See Blair Castle
    * Visit St Andrews, home of golf
    * Drive down the Royal Mile to Holyroodhouse & tour the 'New Town' in Edinburgh
    * Scenic Drives - Blue Stack Mountains, Connemara, Antrim Coast, Ayrshire Coast, Highlands

Included First Class Services

    * Escorted by a professional Tour Director
    * Headsets for all guided visits & walking tours
    * Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with extended leg room & on-board restroom
    * Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes & porterage
    * Insight Traveller document wallet, map book journal & information pack
    * Airport arrival & departure transfers at scheduled times on day 1 & Day 14
    * Should your flights not coincide with these arrival & departure transfers, please make your own way to/from the airport

Included Quality Dining

    * Traditional Highland Dinner with Scottish entertainment (HD)
    * Get together with your friends for a Dine Around evening in Killarney (DA)
    * 13 full Breakfasts (B), 5 three-course Evening Meals with choice, or buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)
 

Day 1 - ARRIVE DUBLIN

Welcome to Ireland! On arrival at Dublin Airport, your airport transfer service leaves for the tour hotel at 08:00, 11:00 & 13:30. Perhaps stroll around the shops of Grafton Street? Tonight, join your Tour Director & fellow guests for a Welcome Drink.

Hotel: Burlington

Day 2 - DUBLIN SIGHTSEEING

A sightseeing tour of Dublin includes the elegant squares of Ireland's 'fair city' & a visit to the impressive Dublin Castle (when open). See also famous O'Connell Street & the historic Customs House, one of architect James G&on's masterpieces. As evening falls, there is time for shopping & the chance to see an Irish Cabaret show.(B)

Day 3 - DUBLIN - KILDARE - KILKENNY - WATERFORD

Begin the DAY with a fascinating insight into the highs & lows of the Celtic Tiger economy with our local expert, before driving to Kildare to visit one of the country's main racehorse breeding centres & Europe's finest Japanese Gardens. Continue to the medieval town of Kilkenny to see the 13C castle. Then head for Waterford to see Reginald's Tower, the ruined city walls & to visit the famous Waterford Crystal Showroom.

Hotel: Dooleys (B,D)

Day 4 - WATERFORD - CORK – BLARNEY - KILLARNEY

Travel via the fishing village of Dungarvan to Cork for an orientation tour. Acquire the 'gift of the gab' by kissing the Blarney Stone at Blarney Castle & shop for woollens at the Blarney Mills. Continue to Killarney where you join a local 'Jarvie' aboard one of the jaunting cars. Tonight, dine as you please from our selection of local restaurants.

Hotel: Killarney Towers/Killarney Avenue (B,DA)

Day 5 - RING OF KERRY EXCURSION

A highlight Ring of Kerry tour opens up superb seascapes, towering cliffs & spectacular mountains. Unhurried Irish life surrounds you as you travel through charming villages to view the three Lakes of Killarney before spending an afternoon at leisure. (B,D)

Day 6 - KILLARNEY - LIMERICK

Journey through picturesque Adare to Limerick, on the shores of the Shannon, Ireland's longest river & the setting of Angela's Ashes. Sightseeing takes in the ruins of 13C King John's castle & St Mary's Cathedral.

Hotel: George Boutique Hotel (B)

Day 7 - LIMERICK - GALWAY - ROSSES POINT

Visit Galway to see the Cathedral of St Nicholas, the Spanish Arch & Eyre Square, dedicated to the late US President John F. Kennedy. Now drive out to the Connemara, a scenic wonderland of rivers, lakes & silent hills. Stay tonight in a picturesque holiDAY village on the shores of Sligo Bay.

Hotel: Yeats Country Hotel (B,D)

Day 8 - ROSSES POINT - BELLEEK - BALLYGALLY

Visit the Belleek Pottery Centre before reaching the walled city of Derry. Sightseeing with a local guide takes you past the Georgian houses of Shipquay Street. Continue around the coast to visit the amazing 'Giant's Causeway'. Now enjoy a spectacular drive along the Antrim coast road to your hotel.

Hotel: Ballygally Castle (B,D)

Day 9 - BALLYGALLY – GLASGOW

Take the ferry to Scotland; & continue along the Ayrshire coast, taking in views of the Firth of Clyde & the Island of Arran. Pass the Open golf links of Turnberry before arriving in Alloway, where you will visit Robert Burns' birthplace & see Burns' Monument & the famous 'Brig O' Doon'. Spend the night in vibrant Glasgow.

Hotel: Crowne Plaza (B)

Day 10 - GLASGOW - HIGHLANDS

It's only a short drive from Glasgow to the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond where you will enjoy a guided cruise on this beautiful loch. Now into the dramatic scenery of Glencoe, still echoing with the cries of massacred clansmen, before reaching Fort William. Pause at the Commandos' Memorial for a view of Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis, then continue along Loch Laggan to Newtonmore.

Hotel: Highlander (B,D)

Day 11 - HIGHLAND EXCURSION

Stop at the prehistoric Clava Stone Circle before crossing Culloden Moor, where Bonnie Prince Charlie's Jacobite army was finally defeated. Then it's on to Inverness & the mysterious shores of Loch Ness. Return to your hotel for a rousing evening, Highland style! Enjoy a Higlight Dinner complete with haggis and bagpipes. (B,HD)

Day 12 - HIGHLANDS - EDINBURGH

A scenic drive takes you through the Grampian Mountains past the Duke of Atholl's Blair Castle. Travel via the Pass of Killiecrankie to Pitlochry, famous for its Salmon Leap. Drive down & cross the Tay to visit St. &rews, the home of golf. Now continue across the majestic Forth Road Bridge to Edinburgh.

Hotel: Apex European (B)

Day 13 - EDINBURGH SIGHTSEEING

Join your guide for a tour of Edinburgh Castle, which houses the Scottish Crown Jewels. Pass St Giles' Cathedral, as you drive down the Royal Mile to Holyroodhouse Palace. Now drive down Princes Street, past the Scott Memorial to see Edinburgh's famous Georgian architecture. Later, there is still time to shop. Selected departures enjoy the spectacular Edinburgh Military Tattoo at the castle. (B)

Day 14 - EDINBURGH

Departure transfers arrive at Edinburgh Airport at 06:15 & 09:00. (B)

Your Insight tour already includes a host of bonus highlights and comprehensive sightseeing. However, there is an exciting array of optional excursions which will turn an already amazing experience into the trip of a lifetime! These are entirely optional and can be booked through your Tour Director/Local Representative at the commencement of your tour. All prices are quoted in local currency. Payment can be made in cash or by Visa, Mastercard or American Express. To help your pre-tour budgeting we suggest you allow approximately EURO 45 per person per day for optional excursions.

DUB04 - IRISH COUNTRYSIDE & GLENDALOUGH
An afternoon drive through County Wicklow known as the garden of Ireland. We pass through the Wicklow Mountains to the picturesque setting of St. Kevinís great 6th Century monastic site at Glendalough. We return to Dublin via the Great Sugar Loaf Mountain. EURO 18

DUB06 - DINNER & DUBLIN COAST DRIVE
A three course dinner at a local restaurant followed by a scenic drive around Dublin Bay. EURO 41

DUB07 - RAGÚS - THE SHOW
Inspired by the islanders of Inis Mór, Ragús is a show of Live, fast moving, traditional Irish music, song and dance. Evocative of times past, audiences feel the pulse of a rich and vibrant musical heritage and come away with a truly enjoyable and unique cultural experience. A three-course dinner with Irish coffee is included. EURO 55

WAT01 - WATERFORD WALKING TOUR
We take an interesting and informative walking tour with a local guide and then continue to get to know the locals with a drink in a typical pub. EURO 20

KLL02 - KILLARNEY LAKE CRUISE
A leisurely cruise around the spectacular lower Lake of Killarney, enjoy magnificent views of the surrounding mountains and we pass Innisfallen Island, site of a 6th Century monastic settlement. EURO 16

KLL07 - LIAM O'CONNOR
The 'Liam O'Connor Show' is a spectacular explosion of music, song and dance rooted in the Irish music tradition. Experience a spellbinding display of raw energy, passion and melodic genius. Liam O'Connor is an internationally renowned musician of 20 instruments and his show has a long running residency in Killarney. Your Tour Director will advise ticket availability. EURO 30

LIM01 - SHANNON CASTLE BANQUET
Enjoy a banquet in the great hall of the castle. As we dine, we are entertained by the court jester, the castle musicians and the ladies and gentlemen of the medieval court, in the splendour of a bygone age. Thereís fine music, singing, dancing, good food and laughter. It wonít be long before you join in with the court entertainers. You'll be sure to take home warm memories of this delightful evening. EURO 62

GLA02E - GLASGOW DINNER
Enjoy an evening of Scottish fayre in a local restaurant. After your three course dinner we take a drive around the city.
EURO 30

BLA01E - BLAIR CASTLE
Blair Castle is at the hub of a breath-taking historic landscape. This magnificent ancient seat of the Dukes and Earls of Atholl is Scotland is most visited historic house. It is the home of the Atholl Highlanders, Europeís only remaining private army, and is brimming with treasures inside and out. EURO 16

BLA02E - SHEEPDOG DEMONSTRATION
Visit a working sheep farm for a demonstration of the training and working of Border Collies. EURO 13

EDI05 - ROSSLYN CHAPEL TOUR & TRAIL
With a local guide, we drive out of Edinburgh to the tiny village of Rosslyn, where we have a tour of the famous Rosslyn Chapel. Visit one of Scotland's most unusual 15th Century buildings, famed for its associations with the Knights Templar, the Masonic movement, and now 'The Da Vinci Code'. Intricate carvings of New World plants and secret chambers make this a must on any visit to Scotland. Afterwards there is the opportunity to visit the chapel shop and maybe take a stroll in the beautiful Rosslyn Glen before returning to Edinburgh. GBP 18

EDI02E - DINNER IN EDINBURGH
Join your tour companions this evening for a night out in this splendid city as we visit a well established restaurant for a three course dinner with a drink included. EURO 30

EDI01E - SCOTTISH DINNER & CABARET
Join us for a memorable evening of traditional singing, dancing and bagpipe playing. There is food, wine and a great atmosphere to enjoy. Join in with the singing, weíll show you a Highland dance or two and there's a chance to sample Scotlandís national dish - haggis. It's a grand night and a wonderful way to celebrate an evening in Edinburgh. EURO 52