iExplore Scotland Experience

Tour Description

Scotland is a beautiful and sparsely populated country with rolling lowland, dramatic mountains, lochs and many offshore islands. These days, Scotland's cities - which have always been considered a bit, well, gloomy - have become as popular as the pastoral countryside. The annual Edinburgh International Festival, which gets bigger and zanier every year, is one of the hottest arts tickets in Europe. With the opening in 1999 of its Parliament, Scottish politics is abloom as well.

Even with all that activity, Scotland has plenty of places to get away from it all. In the Highlands, you can walk for hours across misty moors and clamber up and down rocky slopes without seeing a soul, and only a shaggy Highland cow or a thread of smoke curling from a cottage chimney will dispel the feeling of blissful solitude. And when you're ready for company, you'll find it at friendly pubs and inns: For all its air of wildness, reinforced by its rebellious history and its moody weather, Scotland has a wonderfully cozy and warm side. The Scots (not Scotch - that's what you drink) have a strong hospitable streak and a great sense of humor.

Scotland's geography is characterized by the fabled Highlands, the lowlands and its coastline, which is cut by firths (similar to fjords). The national symbol, the thistle, combines with evergreens and heather to enhance the countryside. And while the land can be bleak or even barren in places, the nation has many lush, dramatic and heart-stopping scenes of beauty in others. Industry is concentrated in the central valley of Scotland and around the main cities, especially Glasgow.

Itinerary

Scotland 2012   ITINERARY  Edinburgh - Inverness - Gleneagles         7 DAYS

 

Day 1:  Arrive Edinburgh

 

Upon arrival at the Edinburgh airport (flight not included in tour cost) you will be met by your local representative, welcomed to Scotland and privately transferred to your hotel, where you will be assisted with check-in procedures.

 

Your local representative is part of a unique network of one of over 75 on the ground representatives throughout Europe to ensure your vacation operates smoothly and to your absolute satisfaction.  Your local representative is there on the ground to ensure that your travel arrangements run perfectly.  He/she is on the end of the phone for you should you have any queries and is there to assist you.

 

The remainder of the day will be at your leisure.

 

You will be confirmed for two nights at the Balmoral in classic room accommodation, inclusive of Scottish breakfast. Please note that official check-in time is 2.00pm. If your arrival is before this time we will request early check-in on your behalf however this cannot be guaranteed.

 

Balmoral

 

                                                                       

Day 2:  Edinburgh

 

This morning, your expert local guide will meet you at your hotel for a half day tour of Edinburgh (4 hour). You will head up to Edinburgh Castle, where you will see the 'Honours of Scotland', or the Scottish Crown Jewels, and obtain stunning views of the city. 

 

Balmoral       

                                                                                                          B

Day 3:  Edinburgh – St. Andrews – Inverness

 

Enjoy a full day journey (up to 8 hours) with your driver-guide and private vehicle to the North of Scotland.  Stop en-route in the “kingdom” of Fife and the town of St. Andrews on the North Sea coast. Known throughout the world as the home of golf, St. Andrews was originally the ecclesiastical and educational capital of Scotland. Visit the ruins of the cathedral, destroyed during the Reformation and St. Andrews Castle.

 

You will continue on to Inverness where the remainder of the day will be at your leisure.

 

You will be confirmed for two nights at the Glenmoriston Town House Hotel in standard double room accommodation, inclusive of Scottish breakfast.  

 

Glenmoriston Town House Hotel                                                                                 B

 

 

Day 4:  Inverness

 

Spend the day (8 hours) in the company of your driver-guide exploring the region.  The first stop will be Culloden Moor, where the Jacobite army of Bonnie Prince Charlie was defeated in 1746.  Today you can visit the site as well as the Culloden Visitors Centre.  Also visit Cawdor Castle, Set in wooded grounds, the present buildings date from the early 14th century.  You enter the central square tower over the drawbridge. The interior of the castle is full of eclectic collections of paintings, tapestries, furniture and books in the castle.  The gardens of Cawdor are also stunning.   You will be transferred back to your hotel in Inverness.

 

Glenmoriston Town House Hotel                                                                                 B

 

 

Day 5:  Inverness – Auchterarder

 

Spend the day with your driver-guide, traveling towards Perthshire.  Drive along the River Ness until you reach Loch Ness, home of the fabled monster. You will also see the ruins of Urquhart Castle that dominate the deepest part of the lake and take time for photo stops. Continue along the Great Glen past Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Scotland to Fort William that stands at the head of Loch Linnhe.

 

Your driver-guide will take you on to Auchterarder from here where the remainder of the day will be at your leisure.

 

You will be confirmed for two nights at the Gleneagles Hotel in classic room accommodation, inclusive of Scottish breakfast.   

 

Gleneagles Hotel                                                                                                       B

 

 

 

 

Day 6:  Auchterarder

 

Today will be at your leisure to enjoy the many facilities and activities available at your hotel (extra cost activities not included in tour cost.)

 

Gleneagles Hotel                                                                                                       B

 

Day 7:  Auchterarder – Edinburgh Airport

You will be privately transferred to Edinburgh Airport for your departure flight (flight not included in tour cost).

End of Services

Bon Voyage!

 

*** THIS IS A PROPOSAL ONLY AND IS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY AT THE TIME OF CONFIRMATION.

WE ARE NOT HOLDING ANY SPACES FOR THIS ITINERARY AT THIS TIME. ***

Departures

Depart any day! Contact iExplore for details.

Pricing Information

Scotland for 7 days     2012   ITINERARY    Edinburgh - Inverness - Gleneagles 

Inclusions:

 

·          Scottish breakfast

·          Accommodation in Classic Room(s) at the Balmoral, Edinburgh

·          Accommodation in Standard Room(s) at the Glenmoriston Town House Hotel, Inverness

·          Accommodation in Classic Room(s) at the Gleneagles Hotel, Auchterarder

·          Private transport where stated by VW Caravelle / Mercedes Viano (or similar).  Please note that the vehicle provided allows for two pieces of luggage per person.  For additional luggage, larger vehicles can be provided for a supplementary cost

·          Blue Badge qualified guide for tour of Edinburgh on day two

·          Driver-guide for services on days three, four and five

·          Entrance fees to all statedsights and museums in the itinerary

·          The services of a local representative to meet the clients at the airport upon arrival, telephone monitoring at each hotel and reconfirmation of all services in advance of the guests

·          Welcome pack (one per room)

·          All taxes

·          24 hour emergency contact service of local agent.

 

ExExclusions:

·           All air travel and associated costs

·           All meals EXCEPT breakfast

·           Any visas and related costs

·           Entrance fees not stated in the itinerary

·           Porterage

·           Gratuities

·           All items of a personal nature (e.g. beverages, telephone calls, laundry, personal insurance)

·           Anything not specifically mentioned in the “Inclusions”list above.

 

 

 USD pricing

 

 

	Per Person Prices – High Season	Per Person Prices – Low Season
One person traveling alone	8199.00	7210.00
Two persons traveling together sharing one double/twin room	4444.00	3999.00
Three persons traveling together sharing one triple room	3999.00	3499.00
Four persons traveling together sharing two double/twin rooms	3399.00	3199.00

 

 

High Season:           Tours Starting 1 May 2012 – 31 October 2012

 

Low Season:            Tours Starting 1 January 2012 – 30 April 2012

All prices are in US dollars and do not include international airfare, unless otherwise noted.

Prices displayed are based on the lowest season base price and assume double occupancy. Prices are shown in U.S. dollars and may or may not include administrative fees, taxes, meals, airfare (where applicable) and Single Supplements. Cancellation penalties, blackout dates and other restrictions may apply.

Options and Extras

Tour Notes