Celtic Voyage: The Hebrides and the Irish Sea – with Smithsonian Journeys

Designed to avoid noisy public squares and crowded tourist sites, this program delves into a slower-paced London, a London of quiet neighborhoods and secret gardens.

 

Day 1 – London

 

Arrive at your London area airport, where you will be met and transferred to The Great Scotland Yard Hotel in the center of the city, your home for the night. A local representative will be present at the hospitality desk in the afternoon to welcome you and answer any questions you may have. Relax and unwind at the hotel, or explore some of the sites that are just steps away from the front door. This evening, join fellow travelers for a welcome cocktail reception. Dinner is independent.

 

Day 2 – London | Embark

 

Following breakfast at the hotel and check out, meet your guide for a walking tour of some of London’s secret gardens. Explore secluded spots tucked away in tranquil churchyards, hidden behind courtyard walls, or thriving in raised-box gardens on rooftops. Many of the gardens you will see are associated with historic buildings, and your guide will be happy to answer all of your questions about their architecture and their significance in London's rich history.

 

After about two and a half hours of this leisurely stroll, it will be time to duck into a traditional English pub for a private lunch. During lunch and afterwards, you will be captivated by a storytelling session that weaves together British myths, legends, and folklore from prehistoric times to the modern day. Then, filled with food, drink, and pleasant memories, transfer to Le Bellot, docked near Tower Bridge.

 

Your hotel:

Part of the Hyatt Unbound Collection, The Great Scotland Yard Hotel is a five-star luxury property located in historic Westminster, just off Trafalgar Square and within easy walking distance of Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, and other places of interest. It has an onsite restaurant, a cozy bar, a fitness center, and all of the amenities you would expect in a luxury hotel.

 

Your program includes:

·        1 night at the The Great Scotland Yard Hotel (or similar)

·        Transfer and luggage handling from the airport to the hotel on the scheduled program arrival day

·        Transfer and luggage handling from the hotel to the ship on embarkation day

·        Welcome Reception on Day 1

·        Breakfast and lunch on Day 2

·        Sightseeing and programming as noted in the itinerary

·        Local English-speaking guide

·        Gratuities for the drivers and local guides

Your program does not include:

·        Transfer from the airport to the hotel on any day other than the scheduled program arrival day

·        Personal expenses and other services and meals not mentioned as included in the program

Please note:

·        It is imperative that your flight arrival details are communicated at least 90 days prior to the beginning of your cruise in order to secure your transfer from the airport to the hotel.

·        Early check-in and/or late check-out are available depending on availability and at a supplement. An additional night is possible, upon request and depending on hotel availability. Please, contact reservations or your travel agent for further details.

·        This program includes a lot of walking, along cobblestone streets and garden paths and may not be suitable for guests with limited mobility.

·        The official currency is the British pound. Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, shops, and restaurants.

·        This pre-cruise program is offered as a package. There will be no refunds for unused accommodations, meals, or excursions.

·        Program is offered on a space available basis.

·        Program is subject to change without notice.

Hotel contact information:

Great Scotland Yard Hotel

3-5 Great Scotland Yard

London, England

United Kingdom

SW1A 2HN

Phone: +44 0 207 9254 700

The Scottish Highlands encompass some of the most romantic and storied landscapes in the world. Famous for their rugged beauty, they are also home to a vigorous Gaelic pride and the site of many battles in the struggle for autonomy from England. This program provides an introduction to all of these aspects of Highland culture, as well as a tasting of local whisky, without which any visit to the region is incomplete.

Day 1 – Disembark | Glasgow, Scotland | Inverness

After breakfast aboard and disembarkation, board your motorcoach for a leisurely journey to Inverness.

Drive northwards through the beautiful scenery of Trossachs National Park to Loch Lomond, the largest freshwater lake in Britain, where your guide will regale you with stories of Rob Roy, the 17th-century Scottish outlaw made famous by Sir Walter Scott. Continue to picturesque Glencoe, situated in a steep-sided valley known for its waterfalls and impressive mountain peaks, where you pause for lunch, before visiting the award-winning Glencoe visitor center to learn more about the history and geology of this region.

As you continue northward through the wonderfully scenic Great Glen, you pass by Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the British Isles, and stop briefly at the Commando Memorial, dedicated to the men of the British Commando Forces whose training depot the memorial overlooks. Follow the route of the Caledonian Canal, built in the early 19th-century to connect Scotland's east and west coasts, pausing at the small town of Fort Augustus, on the southern tip of Loch Ness, before continuing along the shores of this legendary home of the Loch Ness Monster to Inverness.

On arrival in Inverness, check-in to the Best Western Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa, your home for the next two nights. Dinner is independent and at your leisure.

Day 2 – Inverness

After breakfast at the hotel, visit the Culloden Battlefield and Visitor's Center, a powerful memorial to the final battle of the 1745 Jacobite Rising. Then, a short drive across the Moray Firth and through the countryside brings you to the Glen Ord Distillery, where the famous Singleton single malt whisky is made. A guided tour of the facility and a nosing and tasting led by an experienced whisky sommelier is followed by time to explore the distillery's exhibition area or browse their gift shop.

Returning to Inverness, enjoy a guided walking tour of this 'capital of the Highlands'. Explore Inverness Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral Church of St. Andrew, and stroll along the River Ness toward the city center, for splendid views of Inverness Castle. Your guide will explain the legend of the encounter between a saint and a water monster that continues to attract visitors to the region, and as you walk up Church Street, lined with many grand buildings, you will also learn about the Jacobite uprising and its end in 1746 at the battle of nearby Culloden Moor.

Reaching the top of Castle Hill, you will enjoy a brilliant view of the River Ness and hear the history of the castle, of Mary Queen of Scot's visit to Inverness, and of Flora MacDonald, the Highland heroine who saved the life of Bonnie Prince Charlie by disguising him as a maid.

Your walking tour ends at the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery, where you can discover more of the fascinating history and culture of the city of Inverness and the Scottish Highlands as you browse the museum's exhibits celebrating Highland life. The remainder of the day is at leisure, with an independent lunch and dinner.

Day 3 – Inverness | Homeward

After breakfast at the hotel and check out, transfer to the airport for flights homeward.

Your hotel:

Best Western Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa is a 4-star hotel where Victorian elegance meets modern comfort in the heart of the Highlands. Set on the banks of the tranquil River Ness, just across from Inverness Castle, the hotel offers stunning views and a prime location, only a short stroll from the city center. Guests can unwind in the stylish spa and leisure club, complete with heated pool, sauna, and a fitness suite.

Your program includes:

·        2 nights at the Best Western Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa (or similar)

·        Transfer and luggage handling from the ship to the hotel on disembarkation day

·        Transfer and luggage handling from the hotel to the airport on Day 3

·        Breakfast on Days 2 and 3

·        Lunch on Day 1

·        Sightseeing and programming as noted in the itinerary

·        Local English-speaking guides

·        Gratuities for the drivers and local guides

Your program does not include:

·        Transfer from the hotel to the airport on any day other than the scheduled program departure day

·        Personal expenses and other services and meals not mentioned as included in the program

Please note:

·        It is imperative that your flight departure details are communicated at least 90 days prior to the beginning of your cruise in order to secure your transfer from the hotel to the airport.

·        Late check-out is available depending on availability and at a supplement. An additional night is possible, upon request and depending on hotel availability. Please contact reservations or your travel agent for further details.

·        The official currency is the British pound. Credit cards are largely accepted in hotels, shops, and restaurants.

·        This post-cruise program is offered as a package. There will be no refunds for unused accommodations, meals, or excursions.

·        Program is offered on a space available basis.

·        Program is subject to change without notice.

Hotel contact information:

Best Western Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa

8 Ness Walk

Inverness IV3 5NG

United Kingdom

Telephone: +44 1463 223243