Compare Royal Scotland by Great Value Vacations vs Scotland in 8 days - Highlands, Castles and Medieval Cities - Charm by Exoticca
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| Trip |
4 | Great
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4.5 | Great
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| Duration | 8 days | 8 days |
| Price From | $ 2,085 | $ 1,599 |
| Price Per Day | $ 261 | $ 200 |
| Highlights |
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N/A
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| Trip Style | Self-guided tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | NA | Airfare included |
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| Meals Included | N/A | 7 Breakfasts. |
| Description |
Ready, set, explore! This royal vacation is the total package. From magical city stays to drives through the picture-perfect Highlands, this trip is the perfect way to see Scotland at your own pace. From castles and palaces, to forts and yachts, prepare yourself for an unforgettable vacation rich with royal history. First, experience Scotland's charming capital city of Edinburgh. Stroll through winding stone streets lined with colorful pubs, castles, and cathedrals. Gawk at the city's incredible architecture and use your included Scotland Explorer Pass to check out Edinburgh's most raved-about sites and attractions! From Edinburgh, you'll pick up your rental car and hit the road! Enjoy postcard-worthy drives through rolling greenery, mountainous landscapes, and sparkling "lochs" (lakes). With stays at every end of the country, you'll experience Scotland front to back. Explore the western coast near Oban, visit the "capital of the Highlands" in Inverness, head up north near the Cairngorms to Aberdeenshire, soak up Scottish culture in Perthshire, and drench yourself in natural beauty near The Trossachs and Loch Lomond. |
Discover Edinburgh, the mountainous and compact capital of Scotland. Explore the different castles that the cities of Stirling and St. Andrews offer. Discover the port city of Aberdeen on a panoramic tour. Relax whilst tasting the famous whiskeys in Speyside. Admire the wild nature of the Highlands on the way to Inverness and enjoy a quick visit to the Trossachs and the city of Glasgow. |
Day 1 Welcome to Edinburgh!
Upon arrival in Scotland's medieval capital, enjoy a comfortable transfer to your luxurious hotel. Once you check in, the rest of the day is free for you to explore! With its stunning Georgian and Victorian architecture, it's easy to see why Edinburgh has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stroll through the city's winding colorful streets and treat yourself to a pint on the Royal Mile. Admire Edinburgh Castle, as it's perched atop the crags of an ancient volcano right in the center of the city! Be sure to activate your 7-Day Explorer Pass and take advantage of all its perks!
Day 2 Edinburgh
Recharge with a free day in Edinburgh, where you will begin your royal discoveries! Today, use your Scotland Explorer pass and consider visits to Holyrood Palace, the Royal Yacht Brittania, and of course, Edinburgh Castle. Holyrood Palace is the official residence of the Queen on her visits to Scotland, and the Royal Yacht Brittania has provided a home at sea to the Royal Family on their vacations. The yacht is berthed in Leith, and it gives a great peek into royal life!
Day 3 Edinburgh - Aberdeenshire
Fuel up with a scrumptious Scottish breakfast, then pick up your rental far and embark on the self-drive portion of your trip! Say "see ya" to Edinburgh and head over the Queensferry Crossing into the ancient Kingdom of Fife. From the bridge, you will enjoy views of the "Forth Rail Bridge." We recommend that you travel the coastal route to St Andrews, as it will take you through some of Scotland's most beautiful fishing villages. St Andrews has an ancient history - named after the patron saint of Scotland and said to be the final resting place of his remains. This beautiful town is also the birthplace of golf, and more recently, the location where the royal couple William and Kate met - at St Andrews University! You'll get to make a brief stop at this fascinating place before continuing on.
Day 4 Aberdeenshire
This morning, you might want to pay a visit to Glamis Castle, childhood home of Queen Elizabeth! Later in the day, follow the road to Blairgowrie, through an area known as the "Royal Deeside." Feel the road climb as you drive through the skiing hills of Glenshee towards Braemar. You will pass Crathie, where you can stop to see the church where the Royal Family attends Sunday service when on holiday at Balmoral Castle. Consider a visit to Royal Lochnagar Distillery, just a mile or so along the banks of the River Dee from Balmoral Castle.
Day 5 Aberdeenshire - Inverness
Today, travel through the Grampian Mountains and pass Tomintoul, the highest village in Great Britain! Head onto Grantown on Spey, where you can visit one of the many whiskey distilleries in the area. Continue onto Nairn, a popular seaside resort area famous for its golf course and beautiful sandy beaches. Time permitting, you may wish to visit Cawdor Castle! Best known for its literary connections to William Shakespeare's Scottish play, Macbeth, as the title character of the play was made Thane of Cawdor. The castle itself, however, was built many years after the events of the play. In the afternoon, travel to the Inverness area for your overnight. Roam around the beautiful city and treat yourself to dinner at a pub!
Day 6 Inverness - Oban
Enjoy a lovely morning in Inverness, then drive south and follow the shores of Loch Ness - the most famous loch in Scotland! You may wish to stop at Urquhart Castle on the shores of the loch. In fact, the castle is where most sightings of the famous Loch Ness Monster "Nessie" have been reported! Continue along the Caledonian Canal to Fort Augustus. Just before Fort William, make a little detour to Glenfinnan and gawk at the Glenfinnan Monument, situated on the scenic "Road to the Isles." Set amid superb Highland scenery at the head of Loch Sheil, the monument was erected in 1815 in tribute to the clansmen who fought and died for the Jacobite cause. As you drive toward Oban, be sure to make some photo-stops. Check out Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain, and Loch Linnhe! Upon arrival in Oban, check into your hotel and enjoy a night at leisure.
Day 7 Oban - Trossachs Area
After breakfast, travel south from Oban through Kilmartin Glen, located between Oban and Lochgilphead. The glen is home to more than 350 ancient monuments, 150 of them being prehistoric! Spend some time at Lady Glassary Wood, a site of standing stones and the Temple Wood stone circle. Learn more about the area in the Kilmartin House Museum of Ancient Culture! South of the glen, you will find the remains of the fortress of Dunadd, marking the royal center of Dalriada, where ancient kings were crowned. Later, follow the shores of Loch Lomond, the largest and perhaps most beautiful of all Scottish lochs in the Trossachs region. Immerse yourself in the spectacular natural beauty of the region, and enjoy a stay in the Trossachs area tonight!
Day 8 Depart Scotland
Pack up all your souvenirs and head to Edinburgh airport! Be sure to leave yourself enough time to drive to the airport, return your rental car, and still arrive at your terminal the suggested 3 hours prior to your flight's departure. Spend your flight replaying wonderful memories and dreaming about your next adventure!
Day 1: US - Night on board
Arrive at your US departure airport ready to board a flight to Edinburgh. Night on board.* * If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.
Day 2: Edinburgh
Arrive in Edinburgh and self-transfer* to the hotel. The capital of Scotland, Edinburgh is famed for its charming medieval Old Town and elegant Georgian New Town with neoclassical gardens and buildings. The rest of the day is free at your leisure to explore the city. Overnight stay in Edinburgh. Please note: During the winter season, the itinerary may be affected. In this case, it is important to review the notes section before your departure. * You will have the option to add a transfer from the airport to your hotel in the next step of the booking process.
Day 3: Edinburgh
Breakfast at the hotel. Discover the city’s most famous tourist sights and monuments on a panoramic walking tour of Edinburgh with a professional English-speaking guide, visiting the Grassmarket area of the city, the elegant Georgian New Town and the historic Old Town. Among its main attractions, there is the Palace of Holyroodhouse, St Giles Cathedral and The National Gallery of Scotland. Stroll along the majestic Royal Mile and visit Canongate. Take some free time in the afternoon to wander through the city's atmospheric streets at your leisure, browsing the shops or stopping for a warming 'dram' of whiskey in one of the local bars. Overnight stay in Edinburgh.
Day 4: Edinburgh
Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a full day at your leisure to continue discovering this amazing city. Why not take in the views from Carlton Hill or, if the weather is good, take a hike up Arthur's Seat for an unforgettable panorama of Edinburgh and beyond. Alternatively, Edinburgh is a paradise for shoppers, with plenty of quirky boutiques to explore. Overnight stay in Edinburgh.
Day 5: Edinburgh - Stirling - St Andrews - Aberdeen
After breakfast, meet your guide and depart towards Stirling. The castle played an important role during the Scottish independence wars and many will recognise it as it is featured in the 1995 film, Braveheart. Continue to St Andrews where to visit this picturesque town, known as the home of golf. Enjoy some free time to take in the sea views before continuing towards Aberdeen, stopping on the way to take pictures of beautiful Dunnottar Castle. Overnight stay in Aberdeen.
Day 6: Aberdeen - Castle Fraser - Cairngorms National Park - Aberdeen
Breakfast at the hotel. Explore the city of Aberdeen on a guided Panoramic coach tour. Visit the area surrounding the Cairngorm Mountains, home to breathtaking scenery, typical of the Scottish Highlands. Enjoy some free time at your disposal at lunchtime. In the afternoon, head to Speyside, famous for the whisky distilleries. Here, pay a visit to a local whisky distillery for a fascinating tour and tasting session. Afterwards, return to Aberdeen for an overnight stay.
Day 7: Aberdeen - Inverness - Aviemore
Breakfast at the hotel. Head west today as you depart on a guided coach journey towards Inverness. Along the route, admire the wild nature of the Highlands as you pass by spectacular landscapes of moorlands and glens. Arrive in Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, and enjoy a city tour. Afterwards, leave the city behind as you head to your hotel in the beautiful area of Aviemore, within the Cairngorms National Park. Overnight stay in the Aviemore area.
Day 8: Aviemore - Trossachs - Glasgow - Edinburgh
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, depart south towards Glasgow via the beautiful Trossachs where you can admire the scenery and see the largest Loch in Scotland, Loch Lomond. On arrival in Glasgow, the second most important and largest city in Scotland, enjoy a panoramic tour and some free time to explore the city at your leisure. In the evening, return to Edinburgh to enjoy your final night in Scotland at your leisure. Overnight stay in Edinburgh.
Day 9: Edinburgh - US
Breakfast at the hotel.* At the indicated time, self-transfer** to the airport for a flight back to the US. Arrive in the US and end your trip. * Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day. ** You will have the option to add a transfer to the airport in the next step of the booking process.
