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Travel Solutions IrelandCorduff RoadBlanchardstownDublin 15IrelandTel: +353 1 8242626 Fax: +353 1 8242627US Toll-free number: 1 800 242 3610Email:info@travelsolutionsireland.com | |
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A Tale of Three Cities: Ireland and Scotland Tour - Dublin, Belfast and Edinburgh
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Day 1: Arrival at Dublin Airport and you are met by your chauffeur. You are then taken on a tour of Dublin featuring the Four Courts, Leinster House (the seat of the Irish Parliament), the National Gallery, Georgian Squares, Guinness Distillery and O'Connell Street. Visit Trinity College where you will proceed through the grounds of this hallowed education site. You view the Book of Kells which has been described as “the most beautiful book in the world”. Check-in to your hotel, the rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Dublin's five star Westbury Hotel. |
Four Courts |
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Day 2: After breakfast your chauffeur will take you to Wicklow, often referred to as the Garden of Ireland. You journey through the picturesque town of Enniskerry . Your first stop is Powerscourt Gardens . Beautiful formal gardens, steep terraces, flamboyant fountains, statuary and the dramatic backdrop of the Sugar Loaf Mountain make Powerscourt Estate one of the loveliest gardens in Ireland. You are chauffeured southwards to Glendalough, a beautiful and historic glen with two lakes. One of the most impressive clusters of medieval monastic monuments in Ireland is situated here as well as an interpretive centre. There are lovely walks by the lake shore and in surroundings hills. See the pretty villages of Laragh/Clara, Rathdrum, Roundwood and Avoca which houses one of the oldest mills in Ireland - Avoca Handweavers before you are chauffeured back to Dublin. Return to your hotel in Dublin. Your chauffeur will recommend some dining options for you tonight. Overnight in Dublin. |
Powerscourt House & Garden |
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Day 3: After breakfast you are escorted northwards through the Boyne Valley to Belfast. For thousands of years, the Boyne Valley was the centre of civilisation in Ireland and today hundreds of thousands of visitors are still captivated by the surviving monuments to past glories. You travel to Mellifont Abbey - the first Cistercian monastery in Ireland founded in 1142 by St Malachy of Armagh, its most unusual feature is the octagonal lavabo. After your visit you are driven further northwards to Belfast. Upon arrival in Belfast enjoy a city tour of Northern Ireland's Capital which has been voted one of Europe 's most fashionable cities. See the birthplace of the Titanic and then visit the People's Museum: a community museum which explores the history of the Greater Shankill area. The exhibitions focus on the social and industrial history of the Shankill, the tradition of service in the Armed Forces and the Irish cultural identity. Your chauffeur will show you further sights including the Belfast City Hall, built in 1906, the Botanic Gardens and Queens University. Belfast is teeming with a multitude of stylish bars, gourmet restaurants and some of the best shopping in Ireland and the UK. Overnight in Belfast's five star hotel, the Culloden. |
Belfast City Hall |
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Day 4: After breakfast your chauffeur will travel northwards and take the scenic Antrim Coast stopping at the Giants Causeway: which is a world heritage site, a national nature reserve and area of outstanding natural beauty. Over 38,000 hexagonal shaped basalt columns formed 60 million years ago make up the Grand, Middle and Little Causeways. Wreck site of Girona, the Armada Treasure Ship is east of the Causeway at Port-na-Spanaigh.
Spectacular scenery and way marked walks along the sea shore and cliff top. Your chauffeur will take you to the Old Bushmills Distillery, the oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world, established in 1608. Visitors to the distillery can experience the craft and skills involved in the making of an Irish single malt whiskey. During the guided tour, visitors will discover the secrets of the special water from St. Columb's Rill, the malted Irish barley, triple distillation in copper stills and the ageing for long years in oak casks. You are chauffeured back to Belfast for your evening at leisure. Enjoy a show at The Grand Opera House, Northern Ireland's premier theatre, presents a programme of the very best in live theatrical performances or The Lyric Theatre, which reflects the rich cultural diversity of Northern Ireland. Overnight in Belfast. |
Giants Causeway |
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Day 5: After breakfast you are transferred to Belfast Airport for your flight to Edinburgh. Arrival in Edinburgh you are met by your chauffeur and transferred to your Hotel in the City. After checking into your hotel enjoy a tour of the city, visiting Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh Castle dominates the city of Edinburgh like no other castle in Scotland. Over one thousand years of history sit on top of the famous Edinburgh rock. The Palace of Holyroodhouse was founded as a monastery in 1128 and is now the Queen's official residence in Scotland. Situated at the end of the Royal Mile, the Palace of Holyroodhouse is closely associated with Scotland 's turbulent past, including Mary, Queen of Scots, who lived here between 1561 and 1567. Today, the Palace is the setting for State ceremonies and official entertaining. The Scottish Parliament, Scotland's new Parliament sits at the foot of Edinburgh's famous Royal Mile in front of the spectacular Holyrood Park and Salisbury Crags. Constructed from a mixture of steel, oak, and granite, the complex building has been hailed as one of the most innovative designs in Britain today. The rest of the day is at leisure, for further sightseeing or perhaps shopping on Princes Street and The Royal Mile. Overnight in the five star Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh , often referred to as the best hotel in Edinburgh. |
Edinburgh Castle |
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Day 6: After breakfast your chauffeur takes you on a tour of Glenkinchie Malt Distillery. You will be driven through the outskirts of Edinburgh to Rosslyn Chapel or the Collegiate Chapel of St Matthew as it was known. It was founded in 1446 by Sir William St Clair, third and last St Clair Prince of Orkney. The castle was made famous worldwide through the popular book and movie “The Da Vinci Code”. Continue through the East Lothian countryside to the charming village of Pencaitland where you will visit Glenkinchie Malt Whiskey Distillery. Following your tour you will have the opportunity to taste the delights of their produce. Return to Edinburgh for your free evening. Your chauffeur will suggest some well known restaurants for your dining requirements. Second overnight in your five star hotel. |
Glenkinchie Malt Distillery |
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Day 7: After breakfast you are chauffeured to Edinburgh Airport for your flight home. Safe journey home! |
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