Locally Hosted Rail Vacations

Best of Ireland & Scotland Giant’s Causeway SCOTLAND

Glencoe Loch

Lomond

Culloden 1 SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS Pitlochry St. Andrews 2 EDINBURGH DERRY~LONDONDERRY DERRY~LONDONDERRY 1

ISLE OF SKYE ISLE OF SKYE 1 Loch Ness GLASGOW GLASGOW 2

N.IRE

Donegal 1

BELFAST BELFAST

Travel to see the very Best of Ireland and Scotland, from delicate Waterford Crystal to the golfing greats of St. Andrews. Kiss the Blarney Stone and you’ll be sharing tales from the Giant’s Causeway, the Ring of Kerry and the Scottish Highlands for years to come.

BALLINA BALLINA 1

IRELAND

Galway Kildare 2

DUBLIN DUBLIN

Ring of Kerry Adare

2

KILLARNEY KILLARNEY

Blarney 1

WATERFORD WATERFORD

YOUR MUST-SEE HIGHLIGHTS

EXPLORE Dublin, Londonderry, Belfast and Edinburgh with Local Specialists. DISCOVER Waterford, Adare, Galway and Glasgow. VISIT the Irish National Stud in Kildare, the Waterford Crystal showroom, Blarney Castle, the Giant’s Causeway, Titanic Experience Belfast, Glengoyne Whisky Distillery, Pitlochry and Edinburgh Castle. VIEW Eilean Donan Castle, the battlefield of Culloden and the 18th green at St. Andrews SEE St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin, Galway Cathedral and Loch Lomond. SCENIC DRIVE of the Ring of Kerry.

INCLUDED EXTRAS

Tickets to the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo are included on departures that coincide with performance dates.

Your Itinerary

DAY 1 | FÁILTE TO DUBLIN

Delve into the whimsy of the Irish capital, then join your fellow travelers and Travel Director for a Welcome Reception. (WR) Hotel: Mespil/Clayton Ballsbridge

DAY 2 | DISCOVER DIVERSE DUBLIN

Drive through the streets of Dublin, joining your Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour past the stately Georgian Squares and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Spend the rest of the day on your own or consider joining an Optional Experience at an Irish cabaret. (B)

DAY 3 | JOURNEY TO WATERFORD

Dive Into Culture and explore Ireland’s strong tradition of breeding world-class thoroughbreds at the Irish National Stud. We travel to the House of Waterford Crystal this afternoon and Dive Into Culture yet again, witnessing talented master craftsmen at work in their workshop. (B) Hotel: Dooley’s

DAY 4 | ONWARDS TO BLARNEY & KILLARNEY

Maybe bend over backwards and kiss the Blarney Stone to acquire the ‘gift of the gab’, before crossing the Kerry Mountains to County Kerry. We visit the working farms of Muckross for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience where we’ll Connect With Locals over dinner at a Be My Guest experience in the Quilles Farmhouse. (B,BMG) Hotel: Killarney Towers/Hotel Killarney

DAY 5 | A DAY ON THE RING OF KERRY

Embark on a soul-stirring journey around the Ring of Kerry. See Daniel O’Connell’s Cahirciveen, the coastal village of Waterville, the Black Valley and Moll’s Gap. (B)

DAY 6 | CONTINUE TO GALWAY & COASTAL BALLINA

Drive to Adare, one of Ireland’s prettiest villages, known for its thatched cottages. See the imposing stone cathedral, built on the site of an old prison and Eyre Square on our next stop in Galway, where we’ll enjoy some free time before continuing our journey northward. This evening we dine in our hotel. (B,D)

Hotel: Ballina/The Ellison

DAY 7 | OFF TO DONEGAL & LONDONDERRY

Head north to Donegal with its ‘Diamond’ center before joining a Local Specialist in Londonderry to see the ‘Troubles’ neighborhood of Bogside. (B)

Hotel: Everglades/City

DAY 8 | ADMIRE THE GIANT’S CAUSEWAY & ON TO BELFAST

Tread in the footsteps of Finn MacCool and along the other-worldly Giant’s Causeway ‘steps’ that descend into the sea during a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience that will help to conserve this iconic landmark. We arrive in Belfast later and visit the Titanic Belfast Experience, where we’ll Dive Into Culture and gain insights into the tragic story of the famous ship. (B) Hotel: Stormont Old Man of Storr, Isle of Skye

From the peace and quiet of vast open spaces to the hustle and bustle of capital cities, this trip captures the contrasts of our Celtic cousins. Experience the kinetic energy of Dublin and discover a distinctly different pace of life in the Inner Hebrides on the magical Isle of Skye.

VACATION PLANNER

15 DAYS | 20 MEALS | FROM: $4125PP*

START: Dublin END: Edinburgh CODE: BIAS

2022 Departures Apr 09,16,18,23,25,30 May 02,07,09,14,16,21, 23,28,30 Jun 04,06, 11,13,18,20,25,27 Jul 02,04,09,11,16,18, 23 ● ,25 ● ,30 ● Aug 01● ,06 ● ,08 ● ,13 ● ,15 ● ,20 22,27,29 Sep 03,05,10,12,17,19,24,26 Oct 01,03,08,15,22

● Edinburgh Tattoo 5-27 August 2022: We’ve included Tattoo tickets when you’re in Edinburgh during these dates. See the

Edinburgh Military Tattoo panel on page 62 for further details.

WANT TO TRAVEL IN 2023?

If you’re looking even further ahead, this trip departs every Saturday and Monday from April to October 2023. Visit our website for dates and prices.

* Pricing is per person and based on double occupancy.

DAY 9 | CROSS THE IRISH SEA TO GLASGOW

Join your Local Specialist this morning for an included city tour to Queen’s University and City Hall. We board our ferry at Larne and cross to Cairnryan in Scotland, driving to Glasgow. (B) Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn

City Centre /Maldron

DAY 10 | DISCOVER GLASGOW’S RICH LEGACY

Delve into Scotland’s intriguing cultural capital and stroll through the toon, admiring views of George Square and the River Clyde, once the heart of Scotland’s shipbuilding industry. We head to whisky country next, visiting the beautiful Glengoyne Whisky Distillery where we’ll Dive Into Culture and learn how to make Scotland’s favorite honey-colored drink and have a chance to sample a wee dram. Our hearts warmed, we return to Glasgow for some free time to explore the city. (B)

DAY 11 | CONTINUE OVER THE SEA TO SKYE

Journey to the tragic site of the 1692 massacre of the MacDonalds at the ‘Glen of Weeping’. Continue to Fort William at the foot of Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, then cross to the Isle of Skye, where we’ll spend this evening dining in our hotel. (B,D) Hotel: Dunollie Please Note: Hotels on the Isle of Skye are generally simpler establishments typical of the region and may be substituted with accommodations on the mainland. All sightseeing will remain the same as per the itinerary.

DAY 12 | VENTURE TO LOCH NESS & CULLODEN IN THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS

We leave the rugged beauty of Skye behind and venture past Eilean Donan Castle before continuing along the banks of Loch Ness. See the bloody battlefield of Culloden before we dine at our hotel in the Scottish Highlands this evening. (B,D) Hotel: Highlander Please Note: Hotels in the Scottish Highlands are generally simpler establishments typical of the region.

DAY 13 | JOURNEY TO ENCHANTING EDINBURGH

Traversing the dramatic landscapes of the Scottish Highlands, we pass Pitlochry before arriving in St. Andrews to see its famous golf courses. We cross the scenic Firth of Forth to enchanting Edinburgh. Tickets to see the spectacular Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo are included on departures that coincide with performance dates. (B) Hotel: Novotel Centre/Apex Haymarket

DAY 14 | UNCOVER EDINBURGH’S TREASURES

Join your Local Specialist for a guided sightseeing tour including a visit to Edinburgh Castle. See the Royal Mile, the elegant Palace of Holyrood in the shadow of Arthur’s Seat and the new Scottish Parliament building. Later, we join our Travel Director and fellow travelers for a Farewell Dinner. (B,FD)

DAY 15 | DEPART EDINBURGH

For now it’s time to say a fond farewell to Scotland and our newfound friends, at the end of an unforgettable Celtic sojourn. Find out more about your free airport transfer at brendanvacations.com/transfers. (B)

Best Scotland of

Isle of Skye

Experience the Best of Scotland from Edinburgh Castle to the eclectic streets of Glasgow. Revel in the romance and history of the Scottish Highlands and contemplate the mysterious depths of Loch Ness, before toasting bonnie Scotland’s lochs, glens and legendary locals.

YOUR MUST-SEE HIGHLIGHTS

EXPLORE Edinburgh with a Local Specialist. DISCOVER Glasgow and Stirling. VISIT Edinburgh Castle, Pitlochry, the Isle of Skye, Glasgow Cathedral, Culloden Battlefield, Stirling Castle and Glengoyne Whisky Distillery. VIEW the 18th green at St. Andrews, the Glenfinnan Monument, Eilean Donan Castle, Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Necropolis and George Square in Glasgow.

INCLUDED EXTRAS

Tickets to the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo are included on departures that coincide with performance dates.

ROYAL EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO

5 – 27 AUGUST 2022

One of the most spectacular annual events is the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. This simply not-to-be-missed occasion sees Military bands from all over the world take to the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle to play rousing tunes culminating in the haunting melody of the Lone Piper. The Tattoo is run for charitable causes and has donated over five million pounds to military and civilian charities and organizations. Brendan includes tickets and arrangements for our guests on every trip in this brochure that stays in Edinburgh during the Tattoo.

Eilean Donan Castle

Loch Ness

2

Ben Nevis Glencoe Culloden

SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS

Pitlochry

Stirling

GLASGOW GLASGOW 2

St. Andrews

2

EDINBURGH

SCOTLAND

Your Itinerary

DAY 1 | WELCOME TO EDINBURGH

Get lost in the narrow lanes of Edinburgh – the Scottish capital has a mystical air that combines ancient heritage with the verve of a modern city. Spend your day at leisure delving into its rich history and embracing the warm culture of the Scots, before joining your travel companions and Travel Director for a Welcome Reception with a light meal and drinks. (WR) Hotel: Novotel Centre/Apex Haymarket

DAY 2 | DISCOVER ENCHANTING EDINBURGH

Join your Local Specialist this morning for an intriguing sightseeing tour of the city. Ascend Castle Rock and visit Edinburgh Castle, which watches over the surrounding city from its elevated vantage point. Stroll through the Old Town along the Royal Mile and see the stunning Palace of Holyroodhouse, before enjoying time at leisure to soak up the city’s festive atmosphere. Tickets to see the spectacular Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo are included on departures that coincide with performance dates. (B)

DAY 3 | VENTURE INTO THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS

Tread in the footsteps of the world’s golfing greats and head to St. Andrews en route to the glorious Scottish Highlands. A scenic drive takes us north and across the Firth of Tay, past the city of Dundee to Pitlochry. After lunch, enjoy some free time to explore its riverside setting or join an Optional Experience to Blair Castle, the ancestral home of the Clan Murray. Our day in beautiful surrounds comes to an end with a cozy dinner at our hotel located within the Cairngorms National Park in the Scottish Highlands. (B,D) Hotel: Laggan/Craiglynne Please Note: Hotels in the Scottish Highlands are generally simpler establishments typical of the region.

DAY 4 | EXPLORE CULLODEN, LOCH NESS & THE ISLE OF SKYE

Continue your journey to the tragic battlefield of Culloden. Pay tribute to the brave men who lost their lives in the Jacobite Uprising before journeying past Scotland’s infamous Loch Ness. The solitary beauty of Eilean Donan Castle will leave you speechless before you reach the coast and cross to the Isle of Skye. Heather-clad peaks provide a stunning backdrop for our scenic drive across the Sleat Peninsula. Indulge in some free time for lunch before boarding your ferry in Armdale and crossing to Mallaig, back on the mainland. (B,D)

DAY 5 | JOURNEY TO THRIVING GLASGOW

Our first stop today sees us commemorate World War II history at the Commando Memorial near Fort William, from which we admire spectacular views of Britain’s highest peak, Ben Nevis. We journey through the volcanic ruins and precipitous mountains that lie just beyond Glencoe to see the ‘Glen of Weeping’. Here we remember the MacDonald clansmen who were massacred in 1692. Continuing towards the River Clyde, we arrive in Glasgow, our final stop for the day. (B) Hotel: Crowne Plaza

DAY 6 | WALK THE WALLS OF STIRLING CASTLE

Madainn mhath! While your Gaelic may be a little rusty, your orientation tour around this edgy city will be anything but. Begin your day seeing Glasgow’s iconic sights. Enjoy views of the Necropolis, the regal George Square and River Clyde, for over two hundred years the center of shipbuilding. Journey to Stirling to see its hilltop fortress, which stands as a symbol of national pride and was once the seat of Scottish kings and queens, including Mary, Queen of Scots. View the Wallace Monument from the castle walls, paying tribute to the Scottish hero who fought for Scotland’s independence. Later, Dive Into Culture at Glengoyne Whisky Distillery and enjoy a wee dram before joining the Wood family at their 15th-century farm on the shores of Loch Ard to Connect With Locals over a home-cooked Be My Guest Farewell Dinner, amidst tales of Rob Roy and a few foot-tapping Ceilidh tunes. (B,BMG)

DAY 7 | FAREWELL GLASGOW

The rugged beauty and warmth of Scotland’s people forever in your memories, we enjoy one last hearty breakfast with our travel companions before wishing them and your Travel Director a fond farewell. Find out more about your free airport transfer at brendanvacations.com/transfers. (B)

The Wood Family recount the legend of Rob Roy

Experience ancient castles, high mountains and deep lochs on this trip that truly encapsulates the very best of Scotland. A real highlight is your trip to the Wood family’s 15th-century farm. Enjoy a rousing Ceilidh, complete with hearty highland fare, foot-tapping tunes and the legend of Rob Roy.

VACATION PLANNER

7 DAYS | 10 MEALS | FROM: $1550PP*

START: Edinburgh END: Glasgow CODE: BBOS

2022 Departures Jan 09 ■ ,23 ■ Feb 06 ■ ,20 ■ Mar 06 ■ ,20 ■ Apr 03 ■ ,10 ■ ,17,24 May 01,05,08,15,19,22,29 Jun 02,05,12,16,19,26,30 Jul 03,10,14,17,24,28,31 2023 DEPARTURES Jan 08 ■ ,22 ■ Feb 05 ■ ,19 ■ Aug 04 ● ,07● ,11● ,14 ● ,18 ● ,21● , 25 ● ,28 Sep 01,04,08,11,15,18,22,25 Oct 02,06,16,30 Nov 13 ■ ,27■ Dec 11,26 ■1

Mar 05 ■ ,19 ■

■ These departures may vary in itinerary, hotels and inclusions in line with seasonal changes. ● Edinburgh Tattoo 5-27 August 2022: We’ve included Tattoo tickets when you’re in Edinburgh during these dates. See the

Edinburgh Military Tattoo panel (left) for further details. 1 Festive Meal: a New Year’s Eve dinner has been arranged for this departure.

WANT TO TRAVEL IN 2023?

If you’re looking even further ahead, this trip departs every Sunday and most Thursdays from April to October 2023. Visit our website for dates and prices.

* Pricing is per person and based on double occupancy.

Faerie Glen, Isle of Skye