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It's
a new and very exciting trip for us that has been in the planning
stages for some time now that we're hoping to make another
epic adventure. This 2-week trip will have us in Ireland for
4-nights, Scotland for 4-nights and finally Iceland for 5-nights.
We've got great group air that helped make this trip affordable,
excellent hotels and some very exciting tours to look forward
to.
We
fly from LAX to Dublin via JFK. In the wake of a remarkable
economic boom, Dublin's landscape has changed immeasurably
over the past decade. These days Dublin ranks among the top
tourist destinations in Europe, and this vibrant city hums
with a palpable sense that it is creating a new cultural heritage.
The city's burst of prosperity gave it a new confident sheen,
but what remains special is the spirit of the people who ensure
that, despite whirlwind changes, Dublin remains one of Europe's
most down-to-earth, friendly and accessible cities. Voted
by Frommers Guide readers in 2011 as their favourite holiday
destination in the world, it’s now your turn to uncover the
mystique and charm of the Emerald Isle. A bustling metropolis
alive with entertaining cultural pursuits, fine museums, beautiful
architecture and lively pubs, Dublin offers something for
everyone. Castles, galleries, cathedrals, parks, shopping,
fine dining – Dublin has it covered.
Some
of the tours that we expect to offer as optional tours in
Ireland are:
 Tours
of the castles. Tthere are more than 340 castles in
Ireland. That’s an incredible amount. Because of its tumultuous
history, castles were built by the Irish, the British, and
the Scottish all during different eras of conflict.Irish
castles radiate the romantic feel of this beautiful country.
Cahir, Kilkenny and Dunguaire Castles all evoke magical
visions of fair maidens, brave kings and frightful dungeons.
Blarney Castle
in County Cork is one of the most visited castles in Ireland.
Adventure tours such as sea kayaking, paragliding, rock
climbing, caving, mountain biking and walking. Hiking along
Ireland’s evergreen hills and atop its windswept cliffs
comes very highly recommended - National Geographic voted
Ireland’s walks as the best in the world.
We can take
a tour of Brú
na Bóinne in County Meath, a site that is older
than England’s Stonehenge and Egypt’s Giza Pyramids. This
Neolithic site of henges, standing stones and burial chambers
was built around 3,200 B.C., and is highlighted by several
large passage tombs: Knowth, Dowth and Newgrange.
 We
can visit Rock
of Cashel (also known as St. Patrick’s Rock) in
County Tipperary. Dating from the 12th and 13th centuries,
this formidable fortress boasts a round tower, cathedral
and chapel bearing priceless Celtic art and medieval architecture.
Pubs!
Of course we'll have to spend some time visiting some of
the famous pubs in Dublin in the Temple area and down a
Guiness or two. Here's a pretty good website where you can
see what's in store: http://www.dublinpubscene.com/thepubs/pubsdirectory.html
One can easily say that the largest part of Irish culture
today is pub culture. This is where everyone goes to kick
back, drink some delicious local beverages, and cut loose
with old friends and complete strangers. Given the popularity
of Ireland as a place to visit, most everyone in Ireland
from small town pubs to the city bars are warm and welcoming
to visitors. Just to listen to all the amazing live music
performed in every dimly lit, beer-soaked corner of drinking
establishments around the country. More than just traditional
Irish music, the well travelled, multicultural musical stylings
of plenty of Irish artists may surprise you as well.
 In
western Ireland we can visit Galway, is one of the
biggest vacation spots during the summer for much of northern
Europe. There’s a reason for that. This gem of a city nestled
in western Ireland, in county Connacht overlooking Galway
Bay might just be the best city in the country. The food
is great, the people are friendly, the nightlife is absolutely
bustling not just with Irish but with people visiting from
all over Europe and the Mediterranean. The King’s Head pub,
which is 800 years old, and named after the execution of
King Charles I of England who lived there after Cromwell’s
takeover of Ireland, is an example of one of the many different
vibrant locations in this city.
Bike-on-Boat
tour.
Rent a bike and cycle to Ross Castle. Sling your bike onto
a boat for a tour of the lakes before cycling through the
Gap of Dunloe and returning by road to Killarney. Highly
recommended.
Day trip to Glendalough.
The best day trip from Dublin is undoubtedly to Glendalough
(glen of the two lakes) in County Wicklow. Only an hour’s
journey by car, Glendalough has a beauty and serenity found
in few other places in Ireland. The ruins of the 8th century
monastic settlement only add to the otherworldly peacefulness
of this unique valley. There are walking and hiking trails
to suit all energy levels
After our 4-nights
in Ireland we will make our way to Scotland. We will bus
first to northern Ireland and stop by the mysterious Giant’s
Causeway - the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Northern
Ireland - beholds one of the most cherished legends. Epic
tales state that the remarkable stones were the work of
an Irish giant, Fionn mac Cumhail (Finn McCool). He built
the Causeway to keep his feet dry while he walked to Scotland.
We will board the ferry for the 2-1/2 hour journey.
Scotland is home
to a relatively diverse terrain, complete with tall mountains,
several islands, sea-side cliffs, and lush forests. Possessing
vibrant and modern cities such as Edinburgh and Glasgow,
it manages to successfully combine these two contrasting
sides. It holds a rural backdrop of awe inspiring scenery,
villages and towns of unique local history and culture all
the while possessing a modern and young urban landscape
with cities of the calibre of Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen
that can rival the best in Europe. There's plenty of adventure,
whether you want to bash downhill on a mountain bike, hurl
yourself off a bungee or take on the Atlantic surf in a
kayak Scotland is one of the world’s top adventure playgrounds.
It's got wildlife with huge eagles and stately stags on
land and basking sharks, dolphins and even killer whales
at sea. Scotland’s seven cities – Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen,
Dundee, Inverness, Stirling and new city Perth- all have
their own charms and each is worth a trip on its own. Scotland
is also home to an impressive five UNESCO World Heritage
sites – Edinburgh’s Old and New Town, Orkney’s Prehistoric
Sites, Hadrian’s Wall, St. Kilda and New Lanark.
Some
of the tours we expect to offer include in Scotland:
 Riding
the rails: This year sees the Borders Railway re-open,
offering a scenic saunter from Edinburgh down into the rolling
hills of the Scottish Borders.
More Castles!
Of all the castles in Scotland, however, the most famous
and best loved is, of course, Edinburgh
Castle perched on an ancient volcanic rock and overlooking
the capital. Inside, it is a living reminder of Scottish
history where Scottish kings and Queens reigned and where
the Scottish crown jewels reside to this day. It is a must
see for visitors to Edinburgh offering both a wealth of
history and legend and holds stunning views over the entire
domain of Edinburgh from its man-made urban skyline to the
north to it’s geological landscape to the south. Stirling
Castle is one of the finest and best-preserved Renaissance
buildings in the whole of the UK and was the favoured residence
for many of Scotland’s kings and queens. Then the fairy
tale-like Urquhart
Castle sits in a dramatic location on the banks of Loch
Ness. These ruins date back thousands of years and the events
that have played out on this site have shaped the history
of the Highlands.
 Visit
a famous golf course! Scotland is known as the ancestral
home of golf with the first recorded game of golf being
originally played at St Andrews (allegedly by shepherds
knocking stones into rabbit holes in their spare time) and
developed from there into the game it is today. Today, St
Andrews holds the seat of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club,
the game’s governing body and its old golf course is one
of Scotland’s most famous links courses, the others being
Royal Troon, the Old Course, Muirfield, Carnoustie and Turnberry
all of which often hold the British Open Championship.
Learn about
Scotch Whisky. There's even a tour called The
Scotch Whisky Experience where you ca improve your whisky
knowledge at the Scotch Whisky Experience, Scotland’s 5-star
premier whisky attraction. Take a barrel ride through a
replica distillery and discover how whisky – uisge beatha
meaning ‘the water of life’ is made, and learn about the
whisky regions.
Outdoors!
Idyllic Loch Lomond, just a short drive northwest of Glasgow,
is Britain's largest lake and, according to author Walter
Scott, is "The Queen of Scottish Lakes". With plentiful
trout, salmon and whitefish as a lure for anglers, this
beautiful corner of Scotland is also hugely popular amongst
 day-trippers,
watersports enthusiasts, hikers and those simply drawn by
the wonderful scenery. Boat trips are always popular, as
are longer treks up majestic Ben Lomond (3,192 ft) with
its spectacular views.
Isle
of Arran! It's for good reason that the lovely
Isle of Arran is known as "Scotland in Miniature". Only
166 square miles in size, Arran is a mirror image of the
landscape found on the mainland. Like mainland Scotland,
it boasts majestic mountains, moorland, sandy beaches, wildlife,
castles, fishing harbors, great golf, and plenty of friendly
people. It's also easy to get to from Glasgow, less than
an hour's ferry ride away, and buses run regularly around
the island.
After our time
in Scotland we'll make our last stop in Iceland. Iceland,
a country rich with roaring volcanoes, monolithic glaciers,
icy mountains and deep fjords, has become a mecca for photographers
looking to capture the raw, mystical power of its natural
northern beauty. The ruggedness of and stark contrasts present
in Iceland’s landscapes makes them irresistible to photographers.
Glacial floodplains, waterfalls, towering mountains, fjords
and even deserts of volcanic ash can all be found in relative
proximity to each other. Its small population (of roughly
325,000) also means that the majority of its natural wonder
remains nearly or completely untouched. We will be spending
most of our time here exploring the outdoors and natural
beauty.
Some
of the optional tours that we expect to offer in Iceland include:
 Hiking!
The Landmannalaugar region is a popular destination
in Iceland, full of great hiking opportunities. It’s also
home to multicolored rhyolite mountains that have a fantastic
array of colors, including pink, green, yellow, purple,
black, brown, and white. There's so much nature including
a huge variety of waterfalls, and they can be found almost
anywhere. Some are enormous and powerful, others smaller,
but they’re all magnificent.
The
Blue Lagoon.
This steamy outdoor spa (where the water is 98 to 102 degrees
Fahrenheit, naturally!) also offers in-water massages and
a swim-up bar.
Drive the
Golden
Circle. While driving the Golden Circle, you'll
pass a couple of geysers, a national park with the largest
natural lake in Iceland, and Gullfoss, the country's most
famous waterfall. Thingvellir
National Park is the only national park in Iceland that
is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is situated in
the south of Iceland, not far from Reykjavík and is one
of the stops on the Golden Circle route. Thingvellir is
also home to
 Þingvallavatn
Lake, the largest natural lake in Iceland. Silfra, Iceland's
most famous location for scuba divers and snorkellers, is
located within the Þingvallavatn Lake. It has extremely
clear water, with visibility from 90-120 meters!
See the Northern
Lights! Of course, on many people's bucket list, and
mine for sure, is to see the fantastic northern lights,
or aurora borealis in Iceland. The best time to view the
natural sensation is in September and October or March and
April, when it most often occurs. Perfect timing! Thingvellir
National Park -- the picturesque field where leaders
of yore decided laws in an open-air forum -- is today recognized
as both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best
places to see aurora borealis.
Whale Watching.
The gentle marine giants can be seen from the different
locations in the country including Reykjavík. Several companies
organize the 2-3 hour whale watching tours. Icelanders also
hunt whales, so later you can order it in the restaurant.
Cruel, but this is life. The whales can be
 seen
until the end of September.
More waterfalls!
Gullfoss Waterfall
The gorgeous waterfall is one of the most popular attractions
in the country. Located in the canyon, which forms three
step terraces, river Hvítá plunges creating a powerful stream
and Gullfoss. There are no rails – just a natural surroundings.
Skaftafell
Park Measuring 4800 square kilometers,
Skaftafell is home to some of the strangest and most surreal
landscapes on the planet; the area is formed by a constant
duel of fire and water, and camping in the greens of a
birch wood forest, surrounded by black desert sands, glacial
rivers, and a spur of the Vatnajökull ice cap is always
a humbling experience. Numerous hiking trails rest across
the campground, leading to such natural treasures as Svartifoss
(Black fall), which flows over a sublime cliff of black
basalt columns, and only a short distance away, titanic
icebergs float magnificently on Jökulsárlón, a majestic
sky-blue glacier lagoon, where travellers can sail among
the countless mountains of ice that constantly fall from
the glacier.
 Temperature
The month of September is characterized by falling daily
high temperatures, with daily highs decreasing from 54°F
to 48°F over the course of the month, exceeding 58°F or
dropping below 42°F only one day in ten. Daily low temperatures
range from 39°F to 45°F, falling below 32°F or exceeding
50°F only one day in ten.
Extra light!
The sun will set about 8:30 pm during our stay.
DEPOSIT TO
SIGN UP - $200
OUR
AIR: Deduct
$825 with your own air and you will not pay the departure
tax. We will include the air from Scotland to Iceland
INTERNATIONAL:
Flight: Delta
Air Lines 471 Departure:Los Angeles 27AUG/1115A Arrival:New
York Kennedy 27AUG/745P
Flight:Delta
Air Lines 44 Departure: New York Kennedy 27AUG/1023P Arrival:Dublin
28AUG/950A
Flight: Delta
Air Lines 246 Departure:Reykjavik 10SEP/830A Arrival:New
York Kennedy 10SEP/1038A
Flight: Delta
Air Lines 447 Departure:New York Kennedy 10SEP/345P Arrival:Los
Angeles 10SEP/717P
FROM SCOTLAND
TO ICELAND:
Flight :Icelandair
431 Departure: Glasgow 05SEP /205P Arrival:Reykjavik 05SEP/325P
FROM JFK:
If you would
like to meet the group in JFK we have a limited number of
seats. You would deduct $338 from the price of the trip
and your departure taxes will drop to $335
INCLUDES:
- Round trip international
air from LAX (other gateways available but could be slightly
more)
- 13-nights
accommodations (double occ.)
- All ground transportation
- Ferry from
Ireland to Scotland (option to pay for a flight if you
prefer)
- Daily Breakfast
- Flight from Scotland
to Iceland
DOES
NOT INCLUDE:
Cassidy Hotel
- 3-star http://www.cassidyshotel.com/
-
Tripadvisor reviews
 Cassidys
hotel, Dublin 1. is situated in the heart of Dublins city
centre opposite the famous Gate theatre on Upper O’Connell
Street and close to everything a visitor to Dublin could
want. Dublin’s shopping districts and museums are all within
a short stroll of Cassidys hotel. This Dublin hotel forms
one of the cities famous Georgian terraces on Parnell square
Within a 10 minute walk of the hotel you will find Trinity
College (Book of Kells), Jameson Whiskey Distillery, Dublin
Castle, Wax Museum, Plus Temple Bar (Dublin’s Cultural Quarter),
The Writers Museum, Dublin City Gallery (The Hugh Lane),
Abbey Theatre.
We are happy
to offer our guests Hotel in Dublin with City Centre Location
- Complimentary
WIFI
- 113 Guest
rooms
- Fitness Suite
For a classic
Dublin experience Cassidys hotel in Dublin city centre is
the perfect choice. Cassidys hotel is a comfortable, family
owned and operated, boutique styled hotel located in 3 converted
Georgian buildings in downtown Dublin city.. Here at Cassidys
Hotel Dublin you are assured a traditional warm Irish welcome.
SCOTLAND
Radisson Blu
Edinburgh - 4-star - Website
-
Tripadvisor review
 The
Radisson Blu Hotel, Edinburgh is designed to blend into
the surrounding medieval architectural with its own 16th-century
style façade. The hotel’s spot in the middle of Edinburgh
lets you see Scotland’s capital city from a convenient vantage
point. Nearby public transportation is readily available,
and many city attractions are within walking distance of
the hotel’s location.
In Edinburgh,
you’ll find plenty of shopping centres, restaurants and
bars as well as historic areas such as Edinburgh Castle,
Holyrood Palace and Abbey, and Rosslyn Chapel.
After a day of
sightseeing, relax in one of our rooms or suites with amenities
such as Free high-speed, wireless Internet. Dig in to something
tasty for breakfast, lunch and dinner at our on-site restaurants,
and cap off a fun day with a drink from our well-stocked
bar. Keep up with your fitness routine at our fitness centre,
and test the waters of our indoor pool. Unwind in the sauna,
and then get a rejuvenating massage or facial. Host meetings
or special events with our spacious meeting facilities,
on-site car parking, charging stations for electric vehicles
and catering options.
ICELAND
Fosshotel Reykjavík
- 4-star - Website
-
Tripadvisor reviews
 
Fosshotel Reykjavík
is the largest hotel in Iceland. It is located in Reykjavík's
business district, a short walking distance from Laugavegur,
the main shopping street. Immerse yourself in Reykjavík's
magnificent architecture, captivating history, vibrant markets
and rich culture. Fosshotel Reykjavík is located in the
heart of the city so it's ideal for those who want to experience
everything the city has to offer. The hotel has 16 floors
with many rooms offering magnificent views of the city and
the bay area. The top floor features seven suites, four
of which can be used as meeting rooms. Fosshotel Reykjavík
will feature first class conference facilities on the second
floor. Unwind with Icelandic draught beer at the Beergarden
or enjoy dining at Fosshotel Reykjavík's restaurant, Haust.
- 320 rooms
- Breakfast
included
- Bjórgarðurinn
/ Beer Garden Haust restaurant
- Gym access
for all hotel guests
- Tour desk
- Free WiFi
Sign
up for this Trip!
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