DAY 1: NEW YORK/EDINBURGH
Depart on an international overnight flight to Edinburgh. Dinner and breakfast are served on board.
DAY 2: EDINBURGH
Upon arrival in Edinburgh, we are met by our tour guide, and next board our deluxe motorcoach for a half day sightseeing tour. We visit The Palace of the Holyroodhouse, the Queen’s official residence in Scotland; the beautiful St. Giles Cathedral, the principal place of worship of the Church of Scotland; and the house of the renowned Protestant reformer John Knox where he lived during the 16th century. Dinner and overnight in Edinburgh or the area. (D)
DAY 3: EDINBURGH/ST. ANDREWS/EDINBURGH
This morning we travel to nearby Haddington, the birthplace of John Knox. Then we continue to St. Andrews, one of Scotland’s oldest university towns, to visit the sites associated with John Knox and George Wishart. We tour the ruins of St. Andrews Castle and St. Andrews Cathedral. After lunch (not included) we depart and journey to Perth to visit the Falkland Palace, one of the finest surviving examples of Renaissance architecture in Scotland, before returning to Edinburgh. Dinner and overnight in Edinburgh or the area. (B/D)
DAY 4: EDINBURGH/BORDERS ABBYS/EDINBURGH
Today we travel South and visit Melrose Abbey, the site of the Cistercian order; Dryburgh Abbey established in 1150 and probably the most beautiful of all Border Abbys; and Jedburgh Abbey founded by Augustinian canons. We return to Edinburgh in the late afternoon. Dinner and overnight in Edinburgh or the area. (B/D)
DAY 5: EDINBURGH/OBAN
Following breakfast, we travel through the very scenic Trossachs Region stopping at Stirling Castle. Enjoy the castle’s turbulent history associated with William Wallace and Mary Queen of Scots. We continue to Oban, an unofficial capital of the West Highlands of Scotland. Dinner and overnight in Oban or the area. (B/D)
DAY 6: OBAN/IONA/OBAN
This morning we board our ferry to Craignure on the beautiful Isle of Mull, followed by another short ferry ride to the historic Island of Iona. Here we enjoy a walking tour of Iona stopping by the old Nunnery and the historic Iona Abbey, the burial site of Scottish Kings. In the afternoon we return via the Isle of Mul to Oban. Dinner and overnight in Oban or the area. (B/D)
DAY 7: OBAN/LOCH LOMOND/GLASGOW
We depart Oban in the morning and head for Glasgow driving via the shores of Loch Lomond, the largest surface area of fresh water in the United Kingdom. En route we enjoy a cruise on the Loch Lomond. Upon arrival in Glasgow, we visit the Metropolitan Cathedral Church of St. Andrews. Dinner and overnight in Glasgow or the area. (B/D)
DAY 8: GLASGOW
Today’s morning tour includes visit to the Glasgow Cathedral (also known as St. Mungo’s Cathedral), the medieval cathedral and the largest place of worship in Scotland; and the beautiful Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, house of one of Europe’s great civic art collections. Afternoon at leisure to pursue your own interests. Dinner and overnight in Glasgow or the area. (B/D)
DAY 9: GLASGOW/WHITHORN/GLASGOW
Today, we enjoy a full day excursion to Whithorn. Our first stop is the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum. We continue to Whithorn, one of Scotland’s earliest towns, and the site of the first Christian settlement. Here we visit the renowned Whithorn Priory and Museum (the sites are closed in March). Next, we visit the St. Ninian’s Priory Parish Church, the oldest Christian church in Scotland. We return to Glasgow in the early evening. Dinner and overnight in Glasgow or the area. (B/D)
DAY 10: GLASGOW/NEW YORK
Morning transfer to the airport for your flight back home arriving the same day. (B)
* (B,L,D) = Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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