Compare Edinburgh & Glasgow by Rail by Great Value Vacations vs Country Roads of Scotland - Small Group by Insight Vacations
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
4 | Great
|
5 | Excellent
|
| Duration | 6 days | 10 days |
| Price From | $ 1,612 | $ 4,713 |
| Price Per Day | $ 269 | $ 471 |
| Highlights |
|
|
| Trip Style | Self-guided tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
| Physical Level |
|
|
| Travel Themes |
|
N/A |
| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
|
|
| Flights & Transport | Airfare included | Airfare included |
| Activities |
|
N/A |
| Meals Included | N/A | N/A |
| Description |
Spend 5 nights exploring two of Scotland's most famous cities! You'll enjoy sightseeing tours in each city, so you can see the most important sites within a limited period of time. Edinburgh is the country's hilly capital city, where you'll encounter ancient volcanoes, stunning castles, and medieval paths and alleyways. You'll have access to a Royal Tour Ticket, which gives you the flexibility to choose between four different bus tours of the city - choose one or all! You'll also enjoy a unique Secrets of the Royal Mile Walking Tour, where you'll discover the tumultuous history of Edinburgh's past! After a comfortable train ride taking in Scotland's breathtaking scenery, you'll arrive in Glasgow, where you'll be surrounded by its picturesque Victorian and art nouveau buildings as well as experience its famed art scene. There you'll have access to the city sightseeing bus - hop on and off as you wish! |
Set foot on the stomping grounds of the Military Tattoo in Edinburgh, see the grand Georgian architecture of Glasgow and sail across the sea to the Isle of Skye—the most beautiful island of the Inner Hebrides. Join Local Experts on this grand Gaelic tour as you pass Britain’s northernmost point at John O’Groats and board a ferry to the Orkney Islands. Enjoy a quieter pace of life on these tranquil isles as you explore the 5000-year-old village of Skara Brae and the mysterious Ring of Brodgar. In Wick, whet your whistle with a wee dram of whisky at the Old Pulteney Distillery or visit the fascinating Heritage Museum on this Insight Choice. After exploring the charming cobbled streets of St. Andrews, take afternoon tea at Blair Castle—the historic home of the Atholl family for over seven centuries. |
Day 1 Welcome to Edinburgh!
Arrive in Edinburgh Airport and enjoy a private airport transfer to your first accommodation. Celebrate your first night in Scotland by treating yourself to a pint at Scotland's oldest pub, the Sheep Heid Inn.
Day 2 Edinburgh
Take advantage of your Royal Tour Ticket and explore the highlights of the city your way! You can choose from one of four bus tour options; consider hopping on the City Sightseeing Tour and hop off at the Edinburgh Castle and Palace of Holyroodhouse today. You'll then want to hop off at old town and explore the medieval mile.
Day 3 Edinburgh
Continue using your Royal Tour Ticket pass; hop off at New Town and the Royal Yacht Brittania, where you can enjoy fast-track admission. You'll also want to make use of your Secrets of the Royal Mile Walking Tour today; your guide will take you to the places where history was made - the wynds, closes, courtyards and homes of Edinburgh’s Old Town. You’ll go far beyond the well-known facts and faces - uncovering another side of the city, and Scotland’s past.
Day 4 Edinburgh - Glasgow
Enjoy a train ride to Glasgow, located in Scotland's western Lowlands. Once settled in, consider making the trip to the city's Lighthouse and climbing to the top; here you can enjoy some breathtaking views of the cityscape!
Day 5 Glasgow
Take advantage of your included sightseeing tour bus pass today! Activate your pass and experience the city from the top deck of the tour bus; explore famous art galleries and museums, hop off at picturesque parks, or enjoy the full-loop on the bus and enjoy the audio tours, including a special Ghoulish Glasgow channel for children! You will also want to spend some time exploring the Glasgow Cathedral, one of Scotland's most magnificent medieval buildings.
Day 6 Depart Scotland
Your Scotland trip comes to an end today. Enjoy a private transfer to the airport in accordance with your departure flight.
Day 1: Welcome to Edinburgh
Welcome to Scotland - land of legends and romance, from the great cultural cities in the south, to the dramatic mountains and misty lochs of the Highlands. On arrival at Edinburgh airport, transfers depart for your hotel at 09:00, 11:00 and 13:00. Then the rest of the day is yours to relax before joining your Travel Director at 16:30 for a Welcome Dinner with wine at a local restaurant. On select departures, during your time in Edinburgh you will also attend The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo — a colourful mix of pipes and drums, dance and display, set against the floodlit backdrop of Edinburgh Castle.
Malmaison Hotel Edinburgh.
Dinner with Wine
Day 2: Edinburgh, The Capital of Culture
Join a Local Expert to see the highlights of the city. In the Old Town, see the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official Scottish residence of the Queen. Drive along Princes Street to the ornate Scott Memorial, then see the 18th century New Town with its neoclassical Georgian facades. Venture up the Royal Mile to visit Edinburgh Castle, home of Mons Meg, the Stone of Destiny and Scotland’s Crown Jewels.The rest of the day is at leisure; why not visit the art treasures in the National Gallery?
Malmaison Hotel Edinburgh.
Breakfast
Day 3: To St. Andrews and the Highland Capital of Inverness
Cross the Firth of Forth into Fife and journey to St. Andrews, passing the Old Course, home of golf since its creation in the 15th century. Enjoy free time to explore. Perhaps stroll to West Sands Beach where the famous 'Chariots of Fire' scene was filmed? Alternatively, wander to St. Andrews University where the love story of Kate Middleton meeting her Prince Charming began. Cross the Tay and journey to the charming Victorian resort town of Pitlochry, famous for its salmon run. Continue via Blair Atholl and pass the Grampian Mountains on the way to the sparkling Spey Valley. Stop at Blair Castle and Gardens, which has been home to the Atholl family for over seven centuries. Tour the magnificent ballroom and learn about the history of the estate. During your visit relish a delicious cream tea. Continue to Inverness, where your luxury hotel is set within four acres of manicured grounds.
Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness.
Breakfast, Afternoon Tea, Dinner with Wine
Day 4: Culloden, Loch Ness and onto Thurso
See Culloden Moor in the morning, where Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Jacobite army was crushed in 1746. Visit the Culloden Visitor Centre before continuing along the shores of Loch Ness. Keep your eyes peeled for the legendary monster! Next, follow the rugged coast north to the fishing port of Wick. Explore Wick with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the Old Pulteney Distillery to taste a wee dram of its award-winning whiskeys. Alternatively, join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience with a visit to the highly rated Wick Heritage Museum and hear about the past of this once thriving fishing community.
The Pentland Hotel, Thurso.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 5: A Day in the Orkney Islands
Start the day by driving to the most northern point of the British mainland, John O’Groats. Board the ferry to the beautiful Orkney Islands where the countryside is breathtakingly majestic and the tranquillity supports a quieter pace of life. Here the hardy locals say they live ‘below the wind and above the water.’ Your Local Expert accompanies you as you visit the 5,000-year-old village of Skara Brae, the mysterious Ring of Brodgar, Kirkwall and the small chapel built by Italian prisoners during World War II.
The Pentland Hotel, Thurso.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 6: Over the Sea to Skye
Travel through stunning, pristine landscapes along the northern coast with its white sandy beaches, and further inland to misty valleys and glens, lochs and rushing waters. Then it’s ‘Over the Sea to Skye,’ the largest and most beautiful island of the Inner Hebrides. On the way to Broadford, hear romantic tales of how young Flora MacDonald helped rescue Bonnie Prince Charlie and see the dramatic Cuillin Hills.
The Dunollie Hotel, Broadford.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 7: Through the Scottish Highlands to Glencoe Relaxed Start
Explore this wild and beautiful island on your own, before crossing to the Kyle of Lochalsh. Stop for a photo at remote Eilean Donan Castle, which under a clear sky offers a perfect reflection in its loch. Move on to the WWII Commando Memorial where there is a fine view of Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain. Enjoy spectacular scenery en route to the Valley of Glencoe. Join a ranger for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, learn about the protection of this rare ecosystem and the important work reintroducing lost indigenous species to its flora and fauna. In the evening, enjoy market-fresh Scottish ingredients and wine, as you get together with your newfound friends for a sumptuous Celebration Dinner. Don't be surprised if, by the end of the evening, you're 'Toasting to the Lassies' or singing 'Auld Lang Syne'.
Ballachulish Hotel, Glencoe., Isle of Glencoe Hotel & Leisure Centre.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 8: Along the Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond to Glasgow Relaxed Start
Spend time around peaceful Loch Lomond, ‘Queen of Scottish Lochs’ according to Sir Walter Scott and the largest in Great Britain. Perhaps experience the beauty and tranquillity of the loch with an optional cruise before continuing to Glasgow? An orientation drive through the city will show you the grand public buildings, including George Square and St. Mungo’s Cathedral. Then the rest of the afternoon is at your leisure.
Holiday Inn Glasgow - City Centre Theatreland.
Breakfast
Day 9: Depart Glasgow
Your travels come to an end after breakfast. Departure transfers arrive at Glasgow airport at 06:30 and 09:00.
Breakfast
