Day 1: Sunday 21st April 2019 – Canada to Scotland
Depart from Ottawa on evening flight for Edinburg via London.
Day 2: Monday 22nd April 2019 – Welcome to Scotland
Arrive at Edinburgh Airport, meet with your driver and guide and depart for your hotel.
On arrival enjoy a Panoramic City Tour of Edinburgh.
Edinburgh is one of the world’s finest cities. Its magnificent architecture shifts from the lofty buildings of its medieval Old Town, as they tumble down the Royal Mile, to the graceful houses of the Georgian New Town. City tour including the Georgian New Town and photo stop on Calton Hill to admire the splendid views of the city and the historic Old Town. Overlooking it all perches Edinburgh Castle, the medieval fortress which dominates the city’s skyline.
Visit Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh’s Castle rock has been a stronghold for over 3000 years. In its dominating position overlooking the capital city, the grandeur and historical significance of Edinburgh Castle has made it a globally famous icon of Scotland and part of the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh World Heritage Site. Sited on top of an extinct volcano, gaining stunning views across City of Edinburgh, the castle has witnessed many of the defining events of Scottish history. Edinburgh Castle has dominated its surroundings with majesty for centuries. Today the castle continues to attract visitors to its rocky perch. Captivating visitors with its ancient buildings and marvellous views, it continues to spellbound with its wonderful story. Overnight, at Mercure Hotel Princess Street or similar
Meals: dinner.
Day 3: Tuesday 23rd April 2019 – Edinburgh to Inverness
Today you will travel through the scenic highlands.
First today you will visit Glamis Castle.
Glamis Castle has a fascinating and exciting history. It has been the family home of the Earls of Strathmore since 1372, when King Robert II (the first of the Stuart Kings) of Scotland gave the castle to Sir John Lyon. Legends and myths have grown around the castle. King Malcolm II was said to have been murdered here in the 11th century. Lady Janet Douglas, widow of Lord Glamis, was burned at the stake as a witch in 1540 by James V. There is said to be a secret room where a nobleman played cards with the devil himself. Glamis today looks more like a French Chateau than a medieval fortress, because it was extensively restored in the 17th and 18th centuries. The original tower house remains at the centre of the castle today. It has close connections with the present Royal Family, being the childhood home of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother (she being the youngest daughter of the 14th Earl), and Her Royal Highness The Princess Margaret was born here in 1930. Whether you choose to visit Glamis to admire its stunning architecture, to explore its history, legends and myths or to enjoy the surrounding beauty of the grounds and gardens, you will not fail to be touched by the magic of Glamis. It is situated in the fertile valley of Strathmore, only 5 miles from Forfar and 12 miles from Dundee.
Next visit Edradour Distillery.
Edradour is a unique, single Highland malt whisky, to be enjoyed in recognition of those small, significant moments that make up the ebb and flow of life. Edradour is produced in Scotland’s smallest distillery – and is hand made today as it was over 150 years ago by just three men who are devoted to the time-honoured methods of whisky making. Indeed equipment used at the distillery has remained unchanged since the day the distillery opened and is only just capable of producing commercial quantities. Only 12 casks of whisky are produced a week, making Edradour single malt a rare pleasure for a fortunate few. Free guided tours include a taste of the whisky, an audio-visual presentation and a real insight into the traditional methods of whisky making.
Continue to Inverness and check into your hotel. Overnight, at Royal Highland Hotel or similar
Meals: breakfast
Day 4: Wednesday 24th April 2019 – Inverness to Glasgow
Today you will depart Inverness and travel south to Glasgow.
First today you will enjoy a cruise on Loch Ness
Loch Ness in the Highlands of Scotland is one of the most popular destinations in UK. Over 20 miles long, a mile wide and 700 feet at its deepest, Loch Ness is the largest lake in Scotland by volume. The surrounding area is filled with historic attractions, natural wonders and cosy places to stay. The Loch Ness Monster is just one of the many myths and legends to be discovered in this particularly beautiful part of Scotland.
Visit Urquhart Castle
Urquhart Castle dominates a rocky promontory jutting into Loch Ness. The magnificently situated Urquhart Castle, on the banks of Loch Ness, remains an impressive stronghold despite its ruinous state. Once one of Scotland’s largest castles, Urquhart’s remains include a tower house that commands splendid views of the famous loch and Great Glen. The castle’s history and that of the noble families – Durward, MacDonald and Grant – who held it, is told in the exhibition and audio-visual display in the new visitor centre. The Centre features an outstanding array of medieval arte-facts found at the castle. Overnight, at Argyll Hotel or similar
Meals: breakfast and dinner.
Day 5: Thursday 25th April 2019 – Glasgow Sightseeing
This morning enjoy a Panoramic City Tour of Glasgow
Overflowing with style and culture, Glasgow offers a blend of internationally-acclaimed museums and galleries, stunning architecture, vibrant nightlife, fabulous shopping and superlative wining and dining .The city tour will take you from George Square in the city centre past the impressive Glasgow Cathedral – the only mainland Scottish Cathedral to have survived the Reformation intact – to the West End to admire Glasgow’s historic university buildings before returning to the city centre.
Visit Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is one of Scotland’s most popular free attractions. It has 22 themed, state-of-the- art galleries displaying an astonishing 8000 objects. The collections are extensive, wide-ranging and internationally- significant. They include natural history, arms and armour, art from many art movements and periods of history, and much more. They even have a real Spitfire! There are lots of inter-actives throughout the museum that will appeal to younger audiences. The RBS Exhibition Gallery and the community exhibition space both have a running program of temporary exhibitions and displays. Please note that some temporary exhibitions are subject to an entry fee.
Enjoy the afternoon at leisure in Glasgow. Overnight, at Grand Canal Hotel or similar
Meals: breakfast.
Day 6: Friday 26th April 2019 – Glasgow to Dublin
This morning you will journey to Cairnryan and take a ferry to Belfast.
On arrival in Larne, depart for Belfast City.
On arrival enjoy a Belfast City Tour
The tour will take you at the leaning Albert Memorial Clock tower (Irelands answer to the Tower of Pisa) and the Opera House, which is one of Belfast’s great landmarks. Your tour will pass by the City Hall, The Crown Bar (dates from 1885) Queens University and the Botanic Gardens. Some tours will take in a visit to the Harland and Wolfe Shipyard, where the Titanic was built and launched in 1912. A visit to the Shankill and Falls road will be of interest as it will give you an indication of how life was in Belfast during the troubles.
Continue to Dublin.
Check into your hotel. Overnight, at Grand Canal Hotel or similar
Meals: breakfast
Day 7: Saturday 27th April 2019 – Connemara
This morning after breakfast we depart Dublin and travel to Connemara.
Connemara is a land of lakes and rivers, bogs and mountains. A land of small villages where Gaelic is still the spoken language and where little has changed little since the beginning of time. It is without a doubt the wildest and the most romantic part of Ireland. Connemara is a vast peninsula bordered by the arid and rocky coastline of Galway Bay in the south ~ a land characteristic for its stone walls and thatched cottages. On its northern shore the land is harsher and more secret, with spectacular views of the Ocean and the beautiful fjord of Killary Harbour, as well as the steep mountains overlooking numerous lakes and large bog areas.
We will visit Kylemore Abbey and enjoy an afternoon treat of Tea & Scones
Kylemore Abbey is located in the Kylemore Pass in Connemara. Mitchell Henry built the House in 1868, after having spent his honeymoon in the area. The architecture is best described as neo-gothic and the house still displays all the characteristics of that period. One of Kylemore Abbey’s most famous features is its miniature cathedral, built in 1870 and known locally as the Gothic church. Today, the abbey is home to the Irish order of Benedictine nuns. They established a private school for young girls, which was the renowned Kylemore Abbey International School. The school eventually closed in 2010. Facilities at Kylemore include a visitor centre, an exhibition housed in the main reception rooms of the house and a video which takes the visitor through the history of the house and its occupants. The Gothic church is available to visit and as a venue for choir groups to sing in. If time allows guests can also visit the Kylemore Abbey Victorian Walled Garden was laid out in 1867 and took three years to complete. A bus service provided from the front door of the Abbey directly to the garden and is the only permitted means of access.
Return to your hotel in Galway. Overnight, at Connacht Hotel or similar
Meals: breakfast and dinner.
Day 8: Sunday 28th April 2019 – Galway to Limerick
This morning attend mass at the Cathedral of Galway; enjoy some free time in Galway City.
Depart Galway and travel through the Burren Region
The Burren form the 100 sq. km Burren National Park. In fact the Burren are a Karst limestone region of approx. 300sq. km. It is composed of limestone pavements which are criss-crossed by cracks known as grykes. The Burren contains also dozens of megalithic tombs and Celtic crosses as well as a ruined Cistercian Abbey dating back to the 12th century.
Visit the Cliffs of Moher.
Situated on the Atlantic Ocean and bordering the Burren Area, the Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland’s most spectacular sights. Standing 230 metres above the ground at their highest point and 8km long, the Cliffs boast one of the most amazing views in Ireland. On a clear day, the Aran Islands are visible in Galway Bay as well as the valleys and hills of Connemara. The cliffs reach their highest point just north of O’ Brien’s Tower built by Cornelius O’ Brien, a descendant of Brian Boru, to entertain his lady friends. Atlantic Edge is the exciting new interpretive centre at the Cliffs of Moher and is built into the natural landscape. The centre is a huge domed cave that contains images, exhibits, displays & experiences exploring different elements of the mighty Cliffs of Moher: Ocean, Rock, Nature and Man. Overnight, at South Court Hotel or similar.
Meals: breakfast
Day 9: Monday 29th of April 2019 – Limerick to Killarney
This morning you will depart Limerick.
Stop in the village of Adare
Adare, regarded as one of Ireland’s most picturesque villages, is a small village with thatched cottages dotted throughout the town. These where created by the 3rd Earl of Dunraven in the 1820’s for his estate workers. Today they are mostly used as craft shops or restaurants. A small town it offers a lot. No visitor should leave without seeing the Trinitarian Abbey, The Wishing Pools or partaking of a drink in the famous Dunraven Arms hotel. The village has a Desmond castle and a Manor, once the home of Lord Dunraven ~ today it is the 5-star Adare Manor Hotel.
Continue on to Killarney.
Then enjoy a Ring of Kerry Highlights tour to include photo stops at Ladies View and Molls Gap
Overnight, bed and breakfast at Killarney Court Hotel or similar
Meals: breakfast and dinner.
Day 10: Tuesday 30th of April – Killarney to Dublin
This morning you will depart your hotel in Killarney and travel towards Dublin.
First stop today is a visit to Blarney Castle
Attracting visitors from all over the world, Blarney Castle is situated in Blarney 8 km from Cork City. An ancient stronghold of the McCarthy’s, Lords of Muskerry, it is one of Ireland’s oldest and most historic castles, and indeed one of the strongest fortresses in Munster. Built in 1446, Blarney Castle is famous for its Blarney stone – The Stone of Eloquence, which is traditionally believed, to have the power to bestow the gift of eloquence on all those who kiss it. Many legends tell the story of the Stone, but why not kiss it and find out the truth behind the legend.
Spend some time at Blarney Woollen Mills.
The presence of the Woollen Mills during the famine shielded Blarney from the worst effects of the famine, due to its employment of local workers. The success story at the mills continued until a disastrous fire in 1869. By August 1871, the mill was once again operational with a labour force of 222. In 1976 Chris Kelleher, himself a mill worker, bought the old mill property. Within a short period of time Chris and his family transformed the mill into what is perhaps the largest quality craft shop in Ireland.
Continue on to Dublin and check into your hotel. Overnight, at Plaza Hotel or similar
Meals: breakfast.
Day 11: Wednesday 1st of May 2019 – Dublin’s Fair City.
This morning enjoy a panoramic tour of Dublin.
Enjoy a panoramic tour of Dublin City. Here you will discover the north and south side of the River Liffey. This area offers great striking monuments such as the GPO (General Post Office) on the city main thoroughfare, O’Connell Street, or the Custom House along the quays, as well as the Phoenix Park, the largest public park in Europe. The south side appears more sophisticated with its vast Georgian squares, such as Merrion Square, where Oscar Wilde’s House can still be found (today owned by an American College), its colourful doors, along with Grafton Street and its quality shops. Not so far from St. Stephen’s Green, in Kildare St., you will see the house of Bram Stoker, the author of Dracula. This part of the city is also dominated by the students of Trinity College, where the famous book of Kells is permanently exhibited in its library. The university is facing the medieval district where Dublin Castle and the two Anglican Cathedrals can be found.
Visit Trinity College and the Book of Kells.
Thomas Burgh built the Old Library building in the 18th century. Today it houses one of Ireland’s most illustrious books, the 9th century “Book of Kells”. Before viewing the famous book you pass through an excellent exhibition based on the book of Kells and other important books written in monasteries around Ireland from the 9th century. After viewing the book of Kells you are invited to visit the long room built in 1745. Once the principal library of the University, it now contains over two hundred thousand books and manuscripts of the Trinity’s oldest volumes. Brian Boru’s harp said to be the “oldest harp in Ireland” and a copy of the 1916 proclamation, one of the most important documents relating to Irish history are also on display in the long room.
Next visit the Guinness Storehouse
The Guinness Brewery in Dublin is Europe’s largest stout producing brewery and home to the Guinness Storehouse. Opened in 1904, the Storehouse was an operational plant for fermenting and storing Guinness. Today it houses a very fine exhibition dedicated to the Guinness story. Visitors will discover what goes into the making a pint of Guinness – the ingredients, the brewing process, the time, the craft and the passion. The exhibition shows how the brew has been marketed and how it is today sold in over 150 countries. Once the tour has finished your group is invited to the Gravity Bar to enjoy their pint of Guinness.
This evening enjoy your farewell dinner and entertainment at The Abbey Tavern or similar
The Abbey Tavern hosts the original “Traditional Irish Night” which features traditional Irish music from world famous Abbey Tavern singers and musicians with a lively performance of music, song and the very best of Irish dancing. The evening has been running in Howth since the early 1960’s and the venue has welcomed thousands of guests from around the globe to its authentic Irish dinner and entertainment night.
Evening transfer back to your hotel. Overnight, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Dublin or area.
Meals: breakfast and dinner and entertainment.
Day 12: Thursday 2nd of May 2019 – Dublin to Ottawa
This morning after a final breakfast at your hotel, transfer to Dublin Airport for your return flight to Ottawa.
A possible 4 days extension of the D-Day and the Normandy Tour with emphasis on Juno Beach and Canadian
Cemetery, and the Canadian Sector subject to a minimum of 10 participants to form the group. are interested.
*********End of Program*********
286 Kent Street
Ottawa ON K2P 2A4
T: 613.569.3888
F: 613.569.1666
Terms & Conditions
Tour price per person (based on double occupancy) in Canadian dollars:
- ● CAD $3,935 ($3,380.36 Tour and Airfare + 554.64 Tax)
- ● Single supplement (if desired): CAD $760Inclusions
- ● Tourist class accommodation.
- ● Meals (10 breakfast & 5 dinners) as stated per itinerary.
- ● Round trip airfare (including taxes) from Ottawa to Edinburg and return from Dublin to Ottawa.
- ● Fully escorted upon arrival and departure at all airports.
- ● Services of a licensed English-speaking guide.
- ● Modern motor coach transportation as per itinerary (with free WiFi)
- ● Porterage: 1 piece of luggage per person in and out each hotel.
- ● Admission fees to all attractions & activities as per itinerary.Exclusions
- ● Travel & Health Insurance
- ● Tips per person €10 per day (to be distributed to driver and guide).
- ● Personal expenses.Conditions for departure
● Minimum group size is 20 fare-paying customersRESERVATONS & DEPOSIT
A deposit of $500 per person is required within 7 days after a tour invoice is issued.
considered confirmed after a deposit has been received. Payment can be made by cheque payable to “JBC Travel” or by VISA or MASTERCARD. Payment by credit card will be subject to 3% convenience fee.FINAL PAYMENT
Final and full payment is required 90 days prior to departure.CANCELLATIONS
All cancellations must be made in writing to JBC Travel. The date of receipt of the cancellation notice will determine what penalties, if any, will be assessed, in accordance with the following schedule:
After the booking was confirmed: CA$300.
60~31 days prior to departure: 50% of the tour price per person.
30 days prior to departure: 100% forfeiture of tour price per person.
Reservations are
TOUR PRICE
Tour price includes air and surface transportation as arranged. All prices are subject to change without notice.
Tour price quoted in Canadian dollars.
PASSPORT AND VISA
A valid passport is required which must be valid for at least six months after the scheduled return of the tour. Visa is not required for Canadian visiting Ireland and the United Kingdom.
JBC Travel cannot accept responsibility for alternate or additional land or air arrangements incurred by tour participants with improper documentation.
INSURANCE
JBC Travel recommends that all tour participants ensure that they have sufficient trip cancellation, hospital/medical, and baggage insurance coverage prior to departure. Contact us for additional information.
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
Currently none of the areas included in the itineraries require certificates of vaccination. However, this is subject to change at any time.
BAGGAGE
JBC Travel can assume no responsibility for lost or damaged baggage. Baggage allowance currently in effect on trans-Atlantic flights is one (1) pieces of checked baggage with dimensions not exceeding 62 inches (158 cm.). Excess baggage charges are the responsibility of the traveler.
MEALS
There will be one or two meals a day as per itinerary. Daily breakfasts will be always provided in the hotels, and dinners will be served at local restaurants.
ACCOMMODATION
3-star hotel accommodations are used where available and are based on double occupancy in a room with private bathroom. Single supplement charges are indicated in the brochure programs.
TRANSFER AND SIGHTSEEING
All transfers and sightseeing are by air-conditioned motor coach with free wi-fi or other conveyance.
RESPONSIBLITY
JBC Travel Canada Ltd., acts only as agent and/or intermediary for the independent suppliers. The suppliers who provide transportation, conveyance, or accommodations are independent contractors and are not agents or employees of JBC Travel. JBC Travel assumes no liability for any injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity. JBC Travel reserves the right to withdraw any tour published in this program and to substitute hotels if necessary.
286 Kent Street
Ottawa ON K2P 2A4
T: 613.569.3888 F: 613.569.1666
For more information or to register for this tour please contact:
Dennis Kam
JBC Travel
286 Kent Street
Ottawa ON K2P 2A4
Call: 613.581.5566