Ireland in Depth 2022 Learn How to Personalize Your Experience on This Vacation

GRAND CIRCLE TRAVEL PLANNING GUIDE

Ireland in Depth 2022 Learn how to personalize your experience on this vacation

Grand Circle Travel ® Worldwide Discovery at an Extraordinary Value 1 Grand Circle Travel ® 347 Congress Street, Boston, MA 02210

Dear Traveler,

At last, the world is opening up again for curious travel lovers like you and me. Soon, you’ll once again be discovering the places you’ve dreamed of. In the meantime, the enclosed Grand Circle Travel Planning Guide should help you keep those dreams vividly alive.

Before you start dreaming, please let me reassure you that your health and safety is our number one priority. As such, we’re requiring that all Grand Circle travelers, Program Directors, and coach drivers must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at least 14 days prior to departure. Our new, updated health and safety protocols are described inside.

The journey you’ve expressed interest in, Ireland in Depth vacation, will be an excellent way to resume your discoveries. It takes you into the true heart of Ireland, thanks to our groups of 42 travelers (with an average of 30). Plus, our Irish Program Director will reveal their country’s secret treasures as only an insider can. You can also rely on the seasoned team at our regional office in Killarney, who are ready to help 24/7 in case any unexpected circumstances arise.

Throughout your explorations, you’ll meet local people and gain an intimate understanding of the regional culture. Visit a working sheep farm where you’ll chat with the owner about rural life and get a chance to see Ireland’s finest border collies in action. You’ll also learn about contemporary life in Ireland—and savor a traditional meal—during a Home-Hosted Lunch in a local home. Plus, a portion of our proceeds goes toward the charitable efforts of Grand Circle Foundation: inside you’ll also see how your travel dollar helps make the world a better place.

We understand that no two people are the same. That’s why more than 80% of our travelers take advantage of the freedom to personalize their experience. Join the 50% of travelers who extend their time abroad. Add the pre-trip extension to Northern Ireland, post-trip extension to Glasgow, Scotland, or both of these extensions to your Ireland vacation.

I hope you find this Grand Circle Travel Planning Guide helpful. If you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to contact one of our Travel Counselors at 1-800-221-2610.

Warm regards,

Harriet R. Lewis Vice Chairman Overseas Adventure Travel

P.S. For further peace of mind, please know that we are EXTENDING our Risk-Free Booking Policy through 12/31/21. Learn more at www.gct.com/riskfree-booking.

2 WHAT’S INSIDE

TRIP SUMMARY

It’s Included ...... 4

Departure Dates and Prices ...... 5

Freedom to Personalize Your Experience ...... 6

DETAILED DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY ...... 7

ESSENTIAL TRAVEL INFORMATION ...... 29

Travel Documents & Entry Requirements ...... 31

Rigors, Vaccines & General Health ...... 33

Money Matters: Local Currency & Tipping Guidelines ...... 36

Air, Optional Tours & Staying in Touch ...... 40

Packing: What to Bring & Luggage Limits ...... 43

Climate & Average Temperatures ...... 49

About Your Destinations: Culture, Etiquette & More ...... 52

Demographics & History ...... 62

Resources: Suggested Reading & Movies ...... 69

Health & Safety Measures – Vaccines Required ...... 74

MAP ...... 75

3 Ireland in Depth Ireland: Dublin, Kilkenny, Cork, Killarney, Galway

Countries: 1 | Cities: 5

Cliffs of Moher, County Clare, Ireland

Experience rural life on a working sheep farm and witness Irish border collies in action

IT’S INCLUDED $ 15 days from 2995 • Choose to purchase Grand Circle’s airfare, and your airport transfers, Including international airfare government taxes, fees, and airline fuel surcharges are included. Or, make from New York your own air arrangements Travel from only $200 per day • Accommodations for 13 nights in comfortable rooms with private baths • 22 meals: 13 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 6 dinners (including 1 Home- 14 days from $2195 Hosted Lunch) Tour only • 16 included features: 12 guided tours and 4 exclusive Discovery Series Travel from only $157 per day events: Hurling demonstration • Home-Hosted Lunch • Irish history & culture discussion • Sheep farm experience Single Supplement: FREE • Exclusive services of a local Grand Circle Program Director (assigned to no more than 42 travelers) MAXIMIZE YOUR • Gratuities on your main trip for local guides and motorcoach drivers DISCOVERIES & VALUE • Personal headset for all included and optional tours on your main trip • Private motorcoach land travel OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS Baggage handling for 1 piece of luggage per person, including tips all with FREE Single Supplements • • 5% Frequent Traveler Credit toward your next trip Northern Ireland 5 nights pre-trip from $1195 Glasgow, Scotland To get a richer view of the Included Features on this trip, 5 nights post-trip from $1695 watch our Trip Itinerary video at www.gct.com/eid2022

Ireland in Depth 4 IRELAND IN DEPTH Freedom to Personalize Your Experience From spending more time abroad or adding extensions, to 2022 DATES & PRICES choosing your air preferences, our Travel Counselors are here to discuss your personalization options at 1-800-221-2610. Visit www.gct.com/personalize-eid2022 for details.

M A Y M A Y DEPART FROM: M A R C H A P R I L 4-14 1 8 - 2 5 J U N E J U L Y A U G U S T S E P T E M B E R O C T O B E R N O V E M B E R New York $2995 $3795 $4095 $4145 $4395 $4595 $4495 $4295 $3995 $3095

Orlando, Seattle, Tampa $3095 $3895 $4195 $4245 $4495 $4695 $4595 $4395 $4095 $3195

B a l t i m o r e , M i a m i , Minneapolis, Newark, $ 3195 $ 3995 $ 4295 $ 4345 $ 4595 $ 4795 $ 4695 $ 4495 $ 4195 $ 3295 Philadelphia, Portland, San Diego

Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, $ 3295 $ 4095 $ 4395 $ 4445 $ 4695 $ 4895 $ 4795 $ 4595 $ 4295 $ 3395 Houston, Phoenix

Denver, Detroit, Los Angeles, San Francisco, $3395 $4195 $4495 $4545 $4795 $4995 $4895 $4695 $4395 $3495 Washington, DC Additional departure cities are available. Upgrade to Business Class may be available for the international portion of your flight. Call for details.

M A Y JUNE; MARCH APRIL MAY 4-14 18-25 S E P T E M B E R J U L Y A U G U S T O C T O B E R N O V E M B E R

L a n d t o u r o n l y $ 2195 $ 2895 $ 3195 $ 3145 $ 3395 $ 3595 $ 3495 $ 3095 $ 2295

EID2022

Prices are per person. Airfare prices include government taxes, fees, and airline fuel surcharges. All prices and availability are effective as of the date of this publication, and are subject to change without notice. Standard Terms & Conditions apply, please visit our website: www.gct.com/tc. Every effort has been made to produce this information accurately. We reserve the right to correct errors.

For specific departure dates, current availability, and detailed pricing, visit www.gct.com/eid2022pricing

SAV FREE SINGLE SUPPLEMENTS SHARE YOUR LOVE OF TRAVEL WITH OUR GOOD BUY PLAN on your main trip and extensions. New travelers you refer will instantly The earlier you reserve your departure We don’t charge you more for your save $100, and you’ll earn increasing and pay in full, the more you’ll save—up own room. rewards—up to a FREE trip! to 10%—plus, you’ll lock in your price. Each departure has limited solo space For details, visit www.gct.com/va For details, visit www.gct.com/gbd available—call today.

Publication Date: 11/20/20 1-800-221-2610 • www.gct.com/eid2022 5 Freedom to Personalize Your Experience Your Choice, Your Trip, Your Way

Extending the length of your stay in a destination can improve your overall travel experience—and allow you to seek out even more eye-opening cultural interactions. Your local Program Director will help to ensure you’re getting the personalized experiences you’re looking for. In fact, 85% of our travelers are personalizing their experience in more than 85 countries.

Call us at 1-800-221-2610 to discuss personalizing your vacation today or visit us online at www.gct.com/personalize-eid2022.

Maximize Your Time & Value: 55% of our travelers Back-to-Back Trips: 90% of our travelers who choose to take a pre- or post-trip extension combined two vacations rated it excellent See more of the world and maximize your value by taking One of the most common vacations travelers combine with advantage of your already-included airfare. On this this one is England, Scotland & Wales. If you’re already vacation, you can choose between Northern Ireland and overseas, why not see more of the region and avoid another Glasgow, Scotland. international flight? Plus, you’ll save $250 per person when you reserve two trips right after one another. “Break Away” Options: 30% of our travelers choose to arrive early or stay late in their destination Air Options: More than 50% of our travelers Before or after your main tour or trip extension, “break customize their flights away” anywhere you’d like to go to do more exploring We make every effort to provide you with non-stop entirely on your own. flights and acceptable connection times to and from your destination. You also have several other ways you can Please note: Our Travel Counselors can help you plan your personalize your air itinerary, including choosing your airfare if you’d like to “break away,” however since this option departure city and airline, upgrading your seat, and more. is completely on your own, you will need to plan your own accommodations, meals, tours, and transfers.

Glasgow Cathedral, Glasgow, Scotland

Ireland in Depth

6

Ireland in Depth 2022 15-Day Land Tour

EXTEND YOUR TRIP PRE-TRIP Northern Ireland POST-TRIP Glasgow, Scotland

Your Day-to-Day Itinerary

7 GRAND CIRCLE TRAVEL

Grand Circle Travel, founded in 1958 to serve the American Association for Retired Persons (AARP), is the leader in international travel and discovery for Americans over age 50. Grand Circle vacations have been recommended by The New York Times, Conde Nast Traveler, The Los Angeles Times, Travel + Leisure, The Wall Street Journal, Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel, and others. But our most impressive reviews come from our travelers. More than two million people have traveled with us, and the overwhelming majority say they’d gladly do so again.

LAND TOUR

During your Grand Circle vacation, you’ll have reliable assistance available at all times from an on-site local Grand Circle Travel Program Director throughout your trip. He or she is fluent in English and can give you an inside perspective on your destinations. You will also be supported along the way by local tour guides, who lead you expertly through particular sites and cities.

Many Program Directors are graduates of professional education programs for travel guides. In addition, they receive specialized training directly from Grand Circle, based on what we’ve learned from past travelers about how to make the trip most enjoyable. Your Program Director offers both a deep knowledge of the region and a commitment to make this a very pleasant, informative, and rewarding travel experience for you.

He or she will provide sightseeing trips, handle all travel details, reserve optional tours you choose to take, oversee your Discovery Series events, and provide any other assistance you may need.

INCLUDED IN YOUR PRICE

» Choose to purchase Grand Circle’s airfare, » Exclusive services of a local Grand Circle and your airport transfers, government Program Director (assigned to no more taxes, fees, and airline fuel surcharges than 42 travelers) are included. Or, make your own air » Gratuities on your main trip for local guides arrangements and motorcoach drivers » Accommodations for 13 nights in » Personal headset for all included and comfortable rooms with private baths optional tours on your main trip » 22 meals: 13 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 6 » Private motorcoach land travel dinners (including 1 Home-Hosted Lunch) » Baggage handling for 1 piece of luggage per » 16 included features: 12 guided tours and 4 person, including tips exclusive Discovery Series events: Hurling » 5% Frequent Traveler Credit toward demonstration • Home-Hosted Lunch • your next trip Irish history & culture discussion • Sheep farm experience

Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-221-2610

8 WHAT THIS TRIP IS LIKE

GROUP SIZE » A maximum of 42 travelers, led by a local Grand Circle Program Director

PACING » 5 locations in 14 days

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS » Walk 2 miles unassisted and participate in 1.5-2.5 hours of physical activities daily, including stairs » Agility, balance, and stair-climbing are required to kiss the Blarney Stone » Not accessible for travelers using wheelchairs or scooters » Travelers using walkers, crutches, or other mobility aids must travel with a companion who can assist them » We reserve the right for Program Directors to restrict participation, or in some circumstances send travelers home, if their limitations impact the group’s experience

TERRAIN & TRANSPORTATION » Uneven walking surfaces, including unpaved paths, hills, stairs, and cobblestones » Travel by 45-seat motorcoach, ferry, and boat

CLIMATE » Daytime temperatures range from 48-67°F during touring season » June-August are the warmest months » Weather in Ireland can be unpredictable and change quickly » Rain is common and should be expected

Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-221-2610

9 Ireland in Depth

YOUR DETAILED ITINERARY

BEGIN YOUR TRIP WITH AN OPTIONAL PRE-TRIP EXTENSION 5 nights in Northern Ireland

Day 1 Depart U.S. Day 6 Derry • Visit Belleek Pottery • Athlone Day 2 Arrive Belfast, Northern Ireland Day 7 Explore Athlone • Clonmacnoise Day 3 Explore Belfast Monastery • Lough Boora Discovery Park Day 4 Belfast • Explore Derry • Tullamore • Dublin • Join main trip Day 5 Derry • Inishowen Peninsula optional tour

Day 1 Depart U.S. meet your Program Director and your fellow travelers, including those returning from their Depart from the U.S. today and travel to Northern Ireland pre-trip extension. After your Ireland, arriving on Day 2. Please refer to your arrival, your Program Director will take you individual air itinerary for exact departure and for a vicinity walk to explore the area around arrival times. your hotel, and provide suggestions on how to maximize your day and explore on your own. Day 2 Arrive Dublin, Ireland Tonight, get to know your fellow travelers over • Destination: Dublin a Welcome Drink and briefing. • Accommodations: Clayton Hotel Cardiff Lane or similar Dinner/Evening: Tonight is yours to relax or explore independently, with dinner on your Activity Note: Your Program Director may be own. Ask your Program Director for restaurant traveling on the Northern Ireland pre-trip recommendations. extension, in which case you will be assisted by a Grand Circle hotel representative until your Program Director arrives with the rest of Day 3 Explore Dublin your group. • Destination: Dublin • Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Morning/Afternoon: Arrive in Dublin today • Accommodations: Clayton Hotel Cardiff Lane and begin your Ireland tour. A Grand Circle or similar representative will meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel, where you’ll Breakfast: At the hotel.

Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-221-2610

10 Morning: Begin your discoveries of Dublin, observe the technique behind pouring a perfect Ireland’s political and cultural center. Dublin glass of “the black stuff” during a pint-pulling is amazingly rich in literary history—Yeats, demonstration, and enjoy a glass on the house Shaw, Beckett, Joyce and other literary at the Storehouse’s Gravity Bar at the top level, immortals have walked its streets—and its which features 360-degree panoramic views architecture and museum collections are of Dublin. second to none. After your tour, the rest of the day is yours to Begin your discoveries with a guided panoramic spend discovering Dublin at your own pace. tour of the city’s sights, which will include a Lunch/Afternoon: Yours to do as you please. stop at Trinity College to view the ancient Book Your Program Director will be happy to of Kells. Believed to have been crafted in AD recommend a spot for lunch and free time 800, the Book of Kells is a stunningly illustrated activities. collection of the four Gospels of the New Testament. Perhaps you’ll wander to St. Stephen’s Green, a 22-acre public park designed in the Georgian After your tour, you’ll have the rest of the day era. Its history is as rich as its landscaping. to spend in Dublin as you wish. Among many points of interest, a memorial Lunch/Afternoon: Yours to do as you please. garden to W. B. Yeats features a Henry Moore Your Program Director will be happy to sculpture. recommend a spot for lunch and free time Or maybe you’ll visit the National Library of activities. Ireland, whose collection includes manuscripts Dinner: Get to know your fellow travelers spanning a thousand years. The library during an included Welcome Dinner at regularly exhibits selections from its archive of your hotel. historic and modern Irish photographs, prints, and drawings. You could also choose to follow Evening: You have the freedom to spend the the enlightening route walked by Leopold rest of your evening as you wish—ask your Bloom in Joyce’s Ulysses, including Eccles Street Program Director for recommendations. and Bachelor’s Walk.

Day 4 Dublin • Visit Guinness Storehouse • Dinner/Evening: Continue making independent Optional Traditional Irish Night discoveries this evening, with dinner on your own. Ask your Program Director for restaurant • Destination: Dublin recommendations. • Included Meals: Breakfast • Accommodations: Clayton Hotel Cardiff Lane Or, join us for an optional Traditional Irish Night, or similar for a hearty three-course meal accompanied by lively tunes from local musicians. Feel free Breakfast: At the hotel. to raise your voice and join in the chorus as the Morning: Learn about the history of Ireland’s merriment takes you away into the evening. famous brew during a tour of the Guinness Storehouse, a seven-story museum located in a former brewing factory inside the St. James’s Gate Brewery. You’ll also have a chance to

Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-221-2610

11 Day 5 Dublin • Visit Glendalough • Avoca Day 6 Explore Kilkenny • Hurling Handweavers • Kilkenny demonstration • Destination: Kilkenny • Destination: Kilkenny • Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner • Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch • Accommodations: Pembroke Hotel or similar • Accommodations: Pembroke Hotel or similar

Breakfast: At the hotel. Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Depart for Kilkenny, stopping along Morning: Partake in an exclusive Discovery the way at Glendalough to tour the ruins of the Series event as you learn about hurling, an monastery, founded in the sixth century by energetic and uniquely Irish sport similar to St. Kevin. field hockey or lacrosse, with traditional Gaelic roots. The Irish have been playing the game Among the monks’ great achievements was since the Celts invented it 2,000 years ago, and manuscript writing and copying, including take an immense amount of pride in the game. the creation of the spectacular Book of Glendalough around 1131. Now at the Bodleian You’ll learn all about the game as a former Library at Oxford, the book—containing player demonstrates his skillful moves, and historical chronicles, genealogies, and you’ll watch as an expert craftsman masterfully religious poems—is one of the most important transforms a plank of ash into a hurley (the and beautiful Irish manuscripts from the stick used to play the game) in his workshop. pre-Norman period. Then, explore Kilkenny, a medieval city Then, continue on to the river town of Avoca, straddling the banks of the River Nore, on made famous by the Avoca Handweavers. This an included walking tour with your Program clothing manufacturer is Ireland’s oldest line Director. Your tour will take you to the of business, active since the early 1700s. Here, sprawling gardens of Kilkenny Castle, an you’ll meet with some of the handweavers 800-year-old stronghold that lords over the when you visit Avoca’s mill, which happens to city center. Though originally designed to be the oldest of its class in all of Ireland. defend a crossing over the River Nore, the castle’s grounds today provide a peaceful place Lunch: On your own in Avoca—ask your for locals and visitors alike to stroll about Program Director for local restaurant and admire the impressive artisanal floristry recommendations. on display. Afternoon: Continue on to Kilkenny, where Lunch: Conclude your tour of Kilkenny with an you’ll arrive later today and check into included lunch at a local restaurant. your hotel. Afternoon: Free for your own discoveries—ask Dinner: Included at your hotel tonight. your Program Director for recommendations. Evening: You have the freedom to spend the Dinner/Evening: Continue making independent rest of your evening as you wish—ask your discoveries this evening, with dinner on your Program Director for recommendations. own. Ask your Program Director for restaurant recommendations.

Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-221-2610

12 Day 7 Kilkenny • Visit Waterford Crystal Arrive in Cork late this afternoon, where, after factory • Cahir Castle • Cork checking in to your hotel, you may choose to relax, explore independently, or join an • Destination: Cork optional orientation walk around the city with • Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner your Program Director. • Accommodations: Maldron Hotel South Mall or similar Dinner: Enjoy an included dinner with your fellow travelers tonight. Breakfast: At the hotel. Evening: You have the freedom to spend the Morning: Travel from Kilkenny to the city of rest of your evening as you wish—ask your Cork today, stopping en route to visit Waterford Program Director for recommendations. and Cahir Castle.

In Waterford, you’ll tour the Waterford Day 8 Cork • Explore Cobh • Crystal factory, prized the world over as the Home-Hosted Lunch standard for the highest quality lead-cut • Destination: Cork crystal. Founded in 1783 by George and William • Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Penrose, the Waterford branch of the company • Accommodations: Maldron Hotel South Mall is now part of a worldwide operation that or similar includes such notable brands as Wedgwood and Royal Doulton. Breakfast: At the hotel.

You’ll learn about the organization’s history, Morning: This morning, ride to Cobh and witness a glassblowing demonstration (pronounced “cove”). This picturesque town before free time to explore further or shop their long served as the main harbor for the city fine products. of Cork, and is dominated by the spire of St. Colman’s Cathedral, which contains the largest Lunch: Depart for Cahir, and enjoy an carillon in Ireland. A local historian will give independent lunch upon arrival. Your Program you some insight into Cobh’s history during an Director can offer a number of restaurants to included tour this morning. choose from. Cobh was a major emigration point for families Afternoon: Enjoy a tour of Cahir Castle. In who left the country during the Great Potato its time (13th-15th centuries), Cahir Castle Famine, when some two-and-a-half million featured a state-of-the-art defensive design, emigrants departed this port for North and is now one of Ireland’s best-preserved America. Here you’ll discover the story of Irish castles. Situated on a rocky island in the River emigration and the era of the great ocean liners, Suir, the castle still boasts its keep, tower, and when Cobh was a very active port. This was much of its original structure. The last Lord the last place the RMS Titanic dropped anchor Cahir died in 1961, at which point the castle before heading across the Atlantic on her tragic came into state stewardship. journey in 1912.

Here you can also pay tribute to the victims of the RMS Lusitania at a quayside memorial. In 1915, this ship was sunk by a German

Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-221-2610

13 submarine off the coast of Cobh, with a loss of the castle to the Crown. The McCarthys built 1,196 passengers, including 127 Americans. This the present castle with its 85-foot-high keep in action helped bring America into World War I. 1446, replacing an earlier castle.

Lunch: Learn about contemporary life in Though the Blarney Stone gets all the publicity, Ireland—and savor a traditional meal—during the castle’s tower house and surrounding a Home-Hosted Lunch in a local home, an gardens are superb in their own right. The exclusive Discovery Series event. castle’s grounds also include caves, dungeons, and a rock garden of ancient trees and Afternoon: In the late afternoon, return to weathered stones. Cork, where the rest of the day is yours to explore independently. After your tour, you’ll set off for an exclusive Discovery Series event at a working sheep farm, Dinner/Evening: Continue making independent where you’ll chat with the owner about rural discoveries this evening, with dinner on your life, and get a chance to see Ireland’s finest own. Ask your Program Director for restaurant border collies in action. recommendations. Lunch: Arrive in Killarney this afternoon and Day 9 Cork • Visit Blarney Castle • Sheep enjoy an independent lunch. farm experience • Irish history & culture Afternoon: You’ll have some free time to relax conversation • Killarney or explore independently in Kilarney. • Destination: Killarney Before dinner, enjoy an exclusive Discovery • Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Series discussion with a local resident for a • Accommodations: Killarney Towers personal perspective on rural Irish life and or similar growing up on a small farm in the 1950s. Activity Note: Today’s exclusive Discovery Dinner: Included at your hotel this evening. Series farm visit is an outdoor event and is weather-dependent. It will not be conducted in Evening: You have the freedom to spend the wet, muddy conditions. rest of your evening as you wish—ask your Program Director for recommendations. Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Bid Cork farewell and begin your Day 10 Killarney • Optional Dingle transfer to Killarney. Experience tour

On the way, stop for a visit to Blarney Castle, • Destination: Killarney where a 129-step staircase leads up a tower • Included Meals: Breakfast to the famed Blarney Stone. According to • Accommodations: Killarney Towers legend, anyone who manages the backward or similar lean to kiss it receives the “gift of the gab”—a Breakfast: At the hotel. smooth, soothing way with words that at best mean nothing. Morning: Free for your own discoveries—ask your Program Director for recommendations. The word “blarney” was coined by Elizabeth I to describe her endless and fruitless discussions with Dermot McCarthy over his surrender of

Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-221-2610

14 Or, join a full-day optional tour as we venture Day 11 Killarney • Explore Ring of out along the Dingle Peninsula. You’ll stop first Kerry • Optional National Folk Theatre at Tralee’s Kerry County Museum, where you’ll performance enjoy the fascinating experience of a recreated • Destination: Killarney medieval street. Then follow the rugged Dingle Peninsula, tracing a path of wild mountains and • Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch some of the most spectacular coastline Ireland • Accommodations: Killarney Towers has to display. or similar Please note: The National Folk Theatre optional On a clear day, you can see the famed Blasket tour is available on late May-early September Islands, rising like jewels from the Atlantic departures only. Ocean. One of Ireland’s largest Irish-speaking areas, the peninsula has attracted many Breakfast: At the hotel. writers and artists for the inspiration the wild landscape offers. The movies Ryan’s Daughter Morning: On this morning’s included tour, and Far and Away were filmed here, as well as you’ll discover the Ring of Kerry, a drive that scenes from Star Wars: The Last Jedi. traces the coastline of the Iveragh Peninsula and offers breathtaking views. There is Lunch: On your own—ask your Program always something new to appreciate in the Director for local restaurant recommendations. combination of ocean, islands, mountains, Or, if you’ve chosen to join our optional tour, light, and ever-changing weather patterns. We you’ll stop in the fishing town of Dingle to ride most of the way, making scenic stops. enjoy an included lunch of locally caught fish and chips. The first town along the route is Killorglin, where an elegant eight-arched bridge crosses Afternoon: Free for your own discoveries—ask the River Laune. Then you’ll advance to the your Program Director for recommendations. If water’s edge at Kells, an attractive fishing you’ve chosen to explore the Dingle Peninsula village with panoramic viewing points. today, you’ll enjoy more of the Wild Atlantic Way’s stunning scenery as you make your Lunch: On the return to Killarney, your route way back toward Killarney, arriving late this takes you through the picturesque village of afternoon. Sneem, where you’ll have an included lunch.

Dinner/Evening: Continue making independent Afternoon: Make your way back to Killarney, discoveries this evening, with dinner on your pausing along the way to enjoy the scenery own. Ask your Program Director for restaurant of Ladies View, named after Queen Victoria’s recommendations. ladies-in-waiting. The vistas of lakes and mountains remain magnificent today.

Upon returning to Killarney, you’ll have the rest of the day at leisure to explore independently. Perhaps you’ll choose to ride on a jaunting car (a traditional Irish horse-drawn carriage) for a tour of the lush forested environs of Killarney National Park.

Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-221-2610

15 Dinner/Evening: Continue making independent house the guests of Cornelius O’Brien, County discoveries this evening, with dinner on your Clare’s legendary Member of Parliament from own. Ask your Program Director for restaurant the 1830s until he died in 1857. recommendations. Lunch: You’ll have time for lunch on your own Or, join us for an optional performance by at the Cliffs of Moher. the National Folk Theatre, the country’s Afternoon: Depart the cliffs and travel along a only repertory company, with an included scenic coastal road to discover another natural three-course dinner. Using traditional Irish wonder, the Burren. Its name is derived Irish disciplines, the group offers a cultural from a Gaelic word meaning “stony place,” experience dramatizing the essence of and it is like no other place in Ireland. Instead Irish culture. of peat bogs and pastures, you’ll find a surreal moonscape full of huge limestone crags. Day 12 Killarney • Visit Cliffs of Moher & the Burren • Galway Despite this seemingly inhospitable setting, a diverse array of plant life—including wild • Destination: Galway orchids and rock rose—thrives here. Alpine • Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner plants nestle in crevices beside temperate • Accommodations: The Galmont Hotel species. The white, deeply crevassed limestone or similar conceals “micro-environments” rich in Breakfast: At the hotel. potholes and hollows. The ample rainfall and strange topography have resulted Morning: Bid farewell to Killarney and begin in a paradoxical profusion of arctic and your transfer to Galway, stopping along the semi-tropical vegetation growing side by side. way to discover a few more treasures of the Emerald Isle. Finally, you’ll arrive in Galway later today, where, after checking into your hotel, you’ll First, ferry across the River Shannon and drive set out with your Program Director on an along the coast of County Clare to visit the orientation walk. majestic Cliffs of Moher. These precipitous rock formations—towering more than 700 feet Dinner: Included at a local restaurant with your above the crashing ocean surf at their highest fellow travelers. point—offer breathtaking panoramic views of Evening: You have the freedom to spend the Ireland’s Atlantic coast, and provide nesting rest of your evening as you wish—ask your sites for tens of thousands of seabirds. If the Program Director for recommendations. wind is strong, the sea foam and spray flies up and over the cliffs along with the rain; while on clear sunny days, fantastic views can be seen Day 13 Galway • Optional Connemara & from every angle. Kylemore Abbey tour • Destination: Galway Over the centuries, people have also made their mark with towers, quarries, and well-worn • Included Meals: Breakfast paths, but they’re almost lost in the scale and • Accommodations: The Galmont Hotel grandeur of the sea cliffs. One that does stand or similar out is O’Brien’s Tower, a huge structure built to Breakfast: At the hotel.

Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-221-2610

16 Morning: Spend the day at leisure, exploring famines of the 18th and 19th centuries. Today, Galway on your own. The city’s compact center only the shells of their homes remain—set spans both sides of the River Corrib. In the amidst hundreds of miles of stone walls. center of Eyre Square stands the Quincentennial Return to Galway late this afternoon. Fountain, constructed in 1984 to mark the 500th anniversary of the Royal Charter granted Dinner/Evening: Continue making independent by King Richard III that created Galway as an discoveries this evening, with dinner on your independent city-state. own. Ask your Program Director for restaurant recommendations. Nearby are some of the oldest streets in Galway, narrow winding lanes that curve in and around old wooden buildings, often Day 14 Explore Galway meandering off toward the Corrib and the • Destination: Galway docks. Yet turn a corner and you will find • Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner modern Galway—certainly one of the liveliest • Accommodations: The Galmont Hotel cities in Europe. Artists and musicians crowd or similar the sidewalks and almost every pub seems to offer live music. Breakfast: At the hotel.

Or, join us for an optional full-day journey Morning: Join your Program Director on a through the Connemara region of Galway. walking tour through Galway. This enchanting Once home to more than two million Irish, it city is a medley of narrow lanes, wood and still retains its regional heritage, as you will stone shop fronts, and bustling restaurants discover while we ramble around its lakes, and pubs. Originally presided over by the mountains, and bogs. local O’Flahertys, Galway was taken over by Anglo-Normans and became a thriving center You’ll visit the former Gothic mansion of of trade and commerce by the 14th century. Mitchell Henry, now the home of Benedictine nuns and better known as Kylemore Abbey. Your tour will take you to Galway Bay, which You’ll have time to wander both the mansion Spanish galleons once regularly called “home” and the Victorian gardens. Then cruise Killary, a during their western voyages. Galway declined charming fjord. after being damaged in battle with the forces of Oliver Cromwell in the mid-17th century, but Lunch: On your own—ask your Program regained its prosperity and vitality in modern Director for local restaurant recommendations. times. Today, Galway remains a merchant Or, if you’ve chosen our optional tour, you’ll town, but it is also a burgeoning center for enjoy an included lunch and Irish coffee during technology and a lively bohemian mecca. your fjord cruise. Lunch/Afternoon: Yours to spend in Galway as Afternoon: Today’s optional tour continues you please. Your Program Director will be happy as you travel through the Inagh Valley to the to recommend a spot for lunch and free time coast, where you’ll see the deserted village of activities. Clough Na Mara and discover a sense of the hardship the Irish experienced during the Dinner: Gather with your Program Director and fellow travelers at your hotel for an included Farewell Dinner.

Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-221-2610

17 Evening: You have the freedom to spend the Morning: After breakfast, transfer to the rest of your evening as you wish—ask your airport for your flight home. Or cross the sea Program Director for recommendations. to join our optional post-trip extension in Glasgow, Scotland. Day 15 Galway • Return to U.S. • Included Meals: Breakfast

Breakfast: At the hotel.

END YOUR TRIP WITH AN OPTIONAL POST-TRIP EXTENSION 5 nights in Glasgow, Scotland

Day 1 Galway, Ireland • Glasgow, Scotland Day 4 Glasgow • Visit Loch Lomond Day 2 Explore Glasgow Day 5 Glasgow • Visit Robert Burns Museum Day 3 Glasgow • Edinburgh optional tour Day 6 Glasgow • Return to U.S.

Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-221-2610

18 OPTIONAL TOURS

During your trip you will be able to book optional tours directly with your Program Director. He or she will ask you to confirm the payment for these tours by filling out a payment form. Optional tours can only be purchased with a credit or debit card. We accept Visa, MasterCard, and Discover credit cards. We also accept Visa and MasterCard debit cards, but it must be a debit card that allows you to sign for purchases.

In order to correctly process these charges, there can be a delay of 2-3 months from the date of your return for the charges to be posted to your account. Therefore we ask that you use a card that will not expire in the 2-3 months following your return.

Please note: Optional tour prices include gratuities for local guides and motorcoach drivers, are listed in U.S. dollar estimates determined at the time of publication, and are subject to change. Optional tours may vary.

Traditional Irish Night National Folk Theatre performance (Day 4 $95 per person) (Day 11 $95 per person)

Enjoy a night of craic (a ubiquitous Irish Enjoy a performance of Siamsa Tíre—the word with no real English equivalent, loosely National Folk Theatre of Ireland, and the translated to “having a good time”) at a local country’s only repertory company. Using restaurant as you savor a hearty three-course traditional disciplines, Siamsa Tíre offers a dinner, followed by an evening of lively cultural experience dramatizing the essence of entertainment. A group of local musicians takes Irish culture. You’ll also enjoy a three-course the stage after dinner to play some traditional dinner before the show. Irish music into the night. Please note that this optional tour is available on late May-early September departures only. Dingle Experience This optional tour is available on late May-early (Day 10 $95 per person) September departures only.

Venture out along the Dingle Peninsula, stopping at Tralee’s Kerry County Museum, Connemara & Kylemore Abbey where you’ll experience a re-created medieval (Day 13 $95 per person) village. Then follow the rugged peninsula, tracing a path of wild mountains and some Once home to more than two million Irish of Ireland’s most spectacular coastline. One residents, Connemara retains its regional of Ireland’s largest Irish-speaking areas, the heritage, as you will discover while rambling wild landscapes continue to inspire writers around its lakes, mountains, and bogs. Visit and artists. We’ll stop in the fishing port of the former Gothic mansion of Mitchell Henry, Dingle, to enjoy locally caught fish (and chips) now the home of Benedictine nuns and better for lunch. known as Kylemore Abbey. You will have time to wander both the mansion and the Victorian gardens. Then enjoy lunch as you

Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-221-2610

19 cruise Killary Harbor, a charming fjord-like inlet. Lastly, you’ll see the deserted village of Clough Na Mara, where only shells of 18th- and 19th-century houses remain—set amid hundreds of miles of stone walls.

Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-221-2610

20 PRE-TRIP Northern Ireland

INCLUDED IN YOUR PRICE

» Accommodations for 5 nights » Exclusive services of a local Grand Circle » 6 meals: 5 breakfasts and 1 dinner Program Director » 6 included tours: Belfast, Giant’s » Gratuities on this extension for local guides Causeway, Londonderry, Belleek Pottery, and motorcoach drivers Clonmacnoise monastic site, Lough Boora » All transfers Discovery Park

PRE-TRIP EXTENSION ITINERARY

Northern Ireland beckons with rich history and natural beauty. In a truly timeless extension, you’ll gaze in wonder at the curious rock formation of the Giant’s Causeway and bow your head in a rustic churchyard, pausing along the way to stroll the cobbled streets of Londonderry. You’ll also tour historic Athlone, Lough Boora Discovery Park, and more.

Day 1 Depart U.S. in the development of industries like linen, rope-making, and shipbuilding, with the Depart from the U.S. today on your flight to world’s largest dry dock. The city’s Victorian Belfast, Northern Ireland. heritage can be seen in the stately buildings of this area and at Belfast’s Grand Opera House. Day 2 Arrive Belfast, Northern Ireland This afternoon, get acquainted with the area • Destination: Belfast around your hotel on an orientation walk. • Accommodations: Europa Belfast or similar The balance of the day is free for you to relax Breakfast: At the hotel. after your overseas flight. Gather in the late afternoon with your fellow travelers for a Morning/Afternoon: Arrive in Belfast today. Welcome Drink and briefing from your Program You’ll be met at the airport by a Grand Circle Director. representative who will assist you with the transfer to your hotel. Dinner/Evening: Tonight is yours to relax or explore independently, with dinner on your Belfast is a robust northern metropolis of own. Ask your Program Director for restaurant nearly half a million people. This is a scenic recommendations. city, situated between the waters of Belfast Lough, the Belfast Hills, and the forested slopes of Cave Hill. Belfast was the catalyst of the industrial revolution in Ulster, and specialized

Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-221-2610

21 Day 3 Explore Belfast Day 4 Belfast • Explore Derry • Destination: Belfast • Destination: Derry • Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner • Included Meals: Breakfast • Accommodations: Europa Belfast or similar • Accommodations: City Hotel Derry or similar

Breakfast: At the hotel. Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: On a panoramic city tour this Morning: Today, we travel from Belfast to morning, you’ll see Belfast’s compact center Londonderry, or simply Derry as the locals refer in Donegall Square, which is dominated by the to it. On the way, we’ll stop to view the Giant’s elaborate City Hall. Causeway, an amazing geological formation of approximately 40,000 basalt stones—some as You’ll also drive through West Belfast’s tall as 130 feet, and mostly hexagonal in shape. Protestant neighborhood of Shankill Road, and the Catholic neighborhood of Falls Road, where As Northern Ireland’s premiere landmark, and large, vivid murals painted on the sides of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you’ll be free buildings express the feelings that still run deep to decide for yourself whether the Causeway is on both sides. Though the names of these areas a result of accelerated cooling of lava outflows were much in the news during “the Troubles,” 60 million years ago. Or is it the work of the the gate in the Peace Wall between them now legendary Irish giant, Finn MacCool, in his stands open. attempts to a) woo a distant lady giant, or b) meet a Scottish giant in battle to determine who Lunch/Afternoon: Yours to do as you please. was the stronger giant? Your Program Director will be happy to recommend a spot for lunch and free time Lunch: On your own at Giant’s Causeway—ask activities. Perhaps you’ll top for lunch at your Program Director for recommendations. Brannigans or The Oval Bar for traditional Irish Afternoon: You’ll arrive in Derry in the pub fare. afternoon, where you’ll set off on a guided walk The city’s main shopping district is just atop the city’s walls, which have stood around north of Donegall Square along several the city since the 17th century. pedestrian-only streets. Belfast’s most famous Dinner/Evening: Early this evening, you may historic pub, the Crown Liquor Saloon, is also in join your Program Director for a vicinity walk this area (it’s always packed, but worth a look in the neighborhood surrounding your hotel. for its gaslit Victorian architecture even if you The remainder of the day is yours to spend at can’t get a seat). leisure. Dinner will be on your own. Or you might head for Belfast’s Golden Mile neighborhood or the beautiful Botanic Gardens, Day 5 Derry • Inishowen Peninsula with the campus of Queen’s University nearby. optional tour Dinner: Enjoy an included Welcome Dinner at • Destination: Derry your hotel tonight. • Included Meals: Breakfast • Accommodations: City Hotel Derry or similar Evening: You have the freedom to spend the rest of your evening as you wish—ask your Breakfast: At the hotel. Program Director for recommendations.

Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-221-2610

22 Morning: Today is yours to spend in Derry at the origins of the structure, which dates back leisure. You might visit the Tower Museum, to 1700 BC, and admire the views from the with exhibits illustrating the maritime history hilltop vantage. of Derry, or the Guildhall built in 1890 and in Dinner/Evening: Continue making independent the Gothic architectural style, similar to its discoveries this evening, with dinner on your London counterpart. Today, it’s the seat of the own. Ask your Program Director for restaurant local government. recommendations. Or, join an optional full-day excursion to the Inishowen Peninsula, a peaceful place of Day 6 Derry • Visit Belleek pastoral solitude jutting out into the Atlantic on Pottery • Athlone Ireland’s northern edge. First, you’ll visit the • Destination: Athlone Monreagh Heritage Centre, a small museum whose artifacts and exhibits tell the story of • Included Meals: Breakfast the Ulster Scots, who migrated from Great • Accommodations: Sheraton Athlone Hotel Britain during the Plantation of Ulster in the or similar 17th century. Breakfast: At the hotel.

Then you’ll travel to Ulster American Folk Morning: Set off on your day-long drive to the Park and spend some time walking the picturesque town of Athlone, first stopping at grounds. This fascinating facility tells the Belleek Pottery near the coast of the River Erne. story of emigration from Ulster to America A world-renowned brand established in 1857, in the 18th and 19th centuries and provides Belleek Pottery is known for the production visitors with a “living history” experience on of unique, intricately decorated china. Stop its outdoor site. In the Folk Park, costumed at the Visitor Centre where a member of guides and craftspeople recreate the past in the organization will tour you through the an outdoor museum that includes a weaver’s impressive facilities. cottage, forge, schoolhouse, log cabin, church, and a 19th-century Ulster street. The Ship After the visit, continue your journey with and Dockside Gallery features a full-size a stop for lunch and some free time in reconstruction of an early 19th-century sailing Carrick-on-Shannon, a traditional village set ship of the type that carried thousands of along the River Shannon. emigrants across the Atlantic. A major indoor Lunch: Your explorations of exhibition, “Emigrants,” complements the Carrick-on-Shannon include lunch on your outdoor site. own. Your Program Director will provide Lunch: On your own—ask your Program options for local fare. Director for local restaurant recommendations. Afternoon: After lunch, continue to follow the If you’re on the optional tour, your Program River Shannon as you depart for the remainder Director will indicate lunch spots at American of the journey to Athlone. This little town is Folk Park. full of hidden gems that most comparable Afternoon: At leisure. If you choose to join itineraries leave undiscovered, which you’ll see the optional tour, you’ll discover the Grianan tomorrow during several guided tours. of Aileach, an Iron Age stone ring fort resting atop a high hill, after lunch. You’ll learn about

Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-221-2610

23 Upon arrival in Athlone, the rest of your Then, experience a fusion of the natural and afternoon is at leisure to settle in or explore the the man-made at Lough Boora Discovery Park. surrounding area. The verdant park itself is home to unique flora, as well as a slew of birds and fish who thrive in Dinner/Evening: Continue making independent marshland habitats. And in the Sculpture Park discoveries this evening, with dinner on your area, you’ll find 24 sculptures inspired by the own. Ask your Program Director for restaurant rich industrial and natural history of midland recommendations. Ireland’s raised bogs. From rocks to metals and much more, Irish artists have used materials Day 7 Explore Athlone • Clonmacnoise found in the boglands to produce their striking Monastery • Lough Boora Discovery Park • pieces. As you walk the grounds, you might Tullamore • Dublin • Join main trip talk with your Program Director about the • Destination: Dublin history of the Irish boglands’ industrial impact, particularly in terms of the current shift away • Included Meals: Breakfast from peat harvesting as a main source of Breakfast: At the hotel. electricity.

Morning: Set off on your discoveries of Finally, stop in nearby Tullamore for lunch and Athlone today. First, you’ll head to the ruins some free time. of Clonmacnoise Monastery by motorcoach for a guided tour. You can feel the history in Lunch: On your own in the quaint town of what remains of the monastery’s very walls; Tullamore—ask your Program Director for local the building itself was founded by Saint Ciarán restaurant recommendations. in the year 544. In its centuries of existence, Afternoon: At leisure. You might visit the and largely due to its ideal location along the Tullamore Dew Distillery for a taste of its River Shannon, the monastery functioned as famous whiskey. A little later, you’ll transfer to a center for learning, religious worship, and Dublin to begin your main Ireland in Depth tour. even artisan crafting. Today, the ruins serve as a reminder of the monastic practices that were a crucial part of Irish religious life until the twelfth century.

OPTIONAL TOUR

Inishowen Peninsula a tribute to the history of Irish emigration (Day 5 $60 per person) to America. Finally, explore the Grianan of Tour the peaceful Inishowen Peninsula, Aileach, a hilltop stone ringfort whose origins starting at the Monreagh Heritage Centre, trace back to the Iron Age. You’ll tour the fort which tells the story of the Ulster Scots—Gaelic and admire the views from atop the high hill. immigrants who came from Great Britain during the Plantation of Ulster in the 17th century. Then, set off for your next destination, Ulster American Folk Park, where you’ll witness

Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-221-2610

24 POST-TRIP Glasgow, Scotland

INCLUDED IN YOUR PRICE

» Accommodations for 5 nights » Exclusive services of a local Grand Circle » 10 meals: 5 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners Program Director » 3 included tours: Glasgow, Loch Lomond, » Gratuities for motorcoach drivers on Robert Burns Museum your extension » All transfers

POST-TRIP EXTENSION ITINERARY

Experience the warmth and charm of Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city. Study its contrast of modernist chic and old-fashioned Victorian elegance, and expand your Scottish discoveries with day trips to peaceful Loch Lomond, the largest lake in all of Great Britain, and the birthplace of Robert Burns, one of Scotland’s national heroes.

Day 1 Galway, Ireland • Glasgow, Scotland Day 2 Explore Glasgow • Destination: Glasgow • Destination: Glasgow • Included Meals: Dinner • Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch • Accommodations: Radisson Blu Hotel • Accommodations: Radisson Blu Hotel Glasgow or similar Glasgow or similar

Morning: Transfer to the Dublin airport for Breakfast: At the hotel. your flight to Glasgow, Scotland. Morning: Tour Glasgow, the largest city in Lunch: On your own in the airport. Scotland. Glasgow’s incredible collection of museums, theaters, and performance halls and Afternoon: Arrive in Glasgow in the late seamless blend of Victorian and art nouveau afternoon. Check into your hotel and take a architectural styles set the city apart as one of quick vicinity walk of your surroundings. the UK’s most refined destinations. Dinner: Get a taste of Glasgow’s Its famously friendly people and wealth history—literally—during an included dinner of welcoming parks ensure a hospitable at one of the city’s oldest restaurants. atmosphere. You’ll witness Glasgow’s many Evening: You have the freedom to spend the highlights this morning on an included city rest of your evening as you wish—ask your tour with your Program Director, using a Program Director for recommendations. hop-on/hop-off bus service.

Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-221-2610

25 Enjoy a guided tour of historic Glasgow Lunch: On your own—ask your Program University, whose halls of learning have Director for local restaurant recommendations. produced such luminaries over the centuries If you’ve chosen to join our optional tour, you’ll as Adam Smith and John Baird. On your tour, enjoy an included lunch aboard the Britannia. you’ll admire the stunning Gothic architecture Afternoon: Free for your own discoveries—ask of the campus, including the renowned your Program Director for recommendations. cloisters, an undercroft of fluted columns and soaring arches. Or, your optional tour continues in Edinburgh, with a panoramic tour of the city’s sights, Lunch: Enjoy an included picnic lunch at the followed by a free afternoon to explore university after your tour. independently. You might choose to visit Afternoon: Free for your own discoveries—ask Edinburgh Castle, which overlooks the city your Program Director for recommendations. from a perch atop a long-extinct volcano. A royal dwelling has been located here since the Dinner/Evening: Continue making independent twelfth century, and the castle’s St. Margaret’s discoveries this evening, with dinner on your Chapel—the oldest surviving building in the own. Ask your Program Director for restaurant city—dates to this time. recommendations. Perhaps you’ll browse the shops and pubs of Day 3 Glasgow • Edinburgh optional tour the Royal Mile, the city’s main thoroughfare. Or, pay a visit to Holyrood Palace, whose • Destination: Glasgow carefully designed additions over the centuries • Included Meals: Breakfast have made it one of the most admired buildings • Accommodations: Radisson Blu Hotel in the British Isles. The palace was completed in Glasgow or similar 1501 and was the site of the marriage of Mary, Breakfast: At the hotel. Queen of Scots and Lord Darnley in 1565, and of much subsequent intrigue. Morning: Enjoy a full day to explore Glasgow at leisure. Perhaps you’ll visit its Kelvingrove Return to Glasgow later today. Art Gallery & Museum, a Victorian Cathedral Dinner/Evening: Continue making independent featuring a stunning variety of exhibits, or discoveries this evening, with dinner on your stop into a tea shop to sample the locals’ own. Ask your Program Director for restaurant favorite drink. recommendations. Or, enjoy an optional tour of Edinburgh, Scotland’s bustling capital. You’ll start Day 4 Glasgow • Visit Loch Lomond with a visit to the Royal Yacht Britannia. • Destination: Glasgow Commissioned by Queen Elizabeth II in 1954, • Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner the vessel was perhaps most famously used • Accommodations: Radisson Blu Hotel by Prince Charles and Lady Diana for their Glasgow or similar honeymoon cruise. Breakfast: At the hotel.

Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-221-2610

26 Morning: Head out of the city into the Morning: Learn about one of Scotland’s countryside today, stopping for a visit to a national heroes today during a visit to the family-owned distillery, where you’ll meet the birthplace of Robert Burns, the celebrated workers and learn about the production of a author and poet who penned Auld Lang Syne, famous local export—scotch whisky. among other renowned works. The humble cottage where he was born is now a museum Then, continue to the “bonnie banks and dedicated to his life, featuring his handwritten bonnie braes” of Loch Lomond, the largest loch manuscripts along with other historical in Scotland. This scenic body of water, located artifacts. Delve into Burns’ legacy during a tour in the heart of Scotland’s first national park, is of the museum. a tranquil space where Glaswegians go to get away from it all. Lunch: Enjoy an included Farewell Lunch at the museum. The loch features a diverse array of geological features to catch the eye. In the north, the Afternoon: Enjoy some free time to continue water narrows into a glacial trench, flanked by exploring the museum and its scenic gardens towering snowcapped peaks. In the south, the on your own, before returning to Glasgow, lake broadens, its shores fringed by lush woods, where the rest of the day is at leisure. carpeted with a layer of bluebells in the spring. Dinner/Evening: Continue making independent You’ll arrive at the eastern bank of the loch, discoveries this evening, with dinner on your where you’ll board a ferry for a cruise to the own. Ask your Program Director for restaurant village of Luss on the opposite side of the water. recommendations.

Lunch: Enjoy an included lunch in Luss, followed by free time to stroll around the Day 6 Glasgow • Return to U.S. picturesque village on your own. • Included Meals: Breakfast

Afternoon: Return to Glasgow, arriving late this Breakfast: At the hotel. afternoon. Morning: Transfer to the airport for your Dinner: Included at your hotel. flight home.

Evening: You have the freedom to spend the rest of your evening as you wish—ask your Program Director for recommendations.

Day 5 Glasgow • Visit Robert Burns Museum • Destination: Glasgow • Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch • Accommodations: Radisson Blu Hotel Glasgow or similar

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-221-2610

27 OPTIONAL TOUR

Edinburgh (Day 3 $105 per person) Tour Scotland’s lively capital city today, starting with a visit to the Royal Yacht Britannia, where Princess Diana and Prince Charles once honeymooned. After a lunch aboard the yacht, you’ll explore the city further on a panoramic tour, and then have an afternoon at leisure to explore independently. Edinburgh boasts a number of delightful options for discovery, from its imposing hilltop castle, to the bustling shops and cafes of the Royal Mile, to glamorous Holyrood Palace.

Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-221-2610

28

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THIS TRIP:

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Counselors will be ready and eager to address any additional questions you may have.

With all of our resources available to you, enjoy peace of mind … and look forward to the incredible discoveries that await.

29 CONTENTS

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS...... 31

RIGORS, VACCINES & GENERAL HEALTH ...... 33

MONEY MATTERS: LOCAL CURRENCY & TIPPING GUIDELINES . . . 36

Top 3 Suggestions

Local Currency

Tipping Guidelines

AIR, OPTIONAL TOURS & STAYING IN TOUCH ...... 40

PACKING: WHAT TO BRING & LUGGAGE LIMITS...... 43

CLIMATE & AVERAGE TEMPERATURES ...... 49

ABOUT YOUR DESTINATIONS: CULTURE, ETIQUETTE & MORE . . . 52

Culture & Points to Know

Shopping

DEMOGRAPHICS & HISTORY ...... 62

RESOURCES: SUGGESTED READING & MOVIES...... 69

30 TRAVEL DOCUMENTS & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Your Passport • Must be in good condition

• Must be valid for at least 6 months after your scheduled return to the U.S.

• Must have the required number of blank pages (details below)

• The blank pages must be labeled “Visas” at the top. Pages labeled “Amendments and Endorsements” are not acceptable

Need to Renew Your Passport? Contact the National Passport Information Center (NPIC) at 1-877-487-2778, or visit their website at www.travel.state.gov for information on obtaining a new passport or renewing your existing passport. You may also contact our recommended visa service company, PVS International, at 1-800-556-9990 for help with your passport.

Recommended Blank Pages Please confirm that your passport has enough blank pages for this vacation.

• Main trip only: You will need 2 blank passport pages.

• Pre-trip extension to Northern Ireland: You will need an additional passport page, for a total of 3.

• Post-trip extension in Scotland: You will need an additional passport page, for a total of 3.

• Both a pre- and a post-trip extension: You will need a total of 4 passport pages.

No Visas Required Travelers with a U.S. passport do not need any visas for this vacation, including the optional trip extensions.

Traveling Without a U.S. Passport? If you are not a U.S. citizen, or if your passport is from any country other than the U.S., it is your responsibility to check with your local consulate, embassy, or a visa services company about visa requirements. We recommend the services of PVS International, a national visa service located in Washington D.C.; they can be reached at 1-800-556-9990 or www.pvsinternational.org.

Traveling With a Minor? Traveling with a minor may require certain documentation for border crossings. For further detail on the required documentation, please contact the local embassy or state government.

31 Emergency Photocopies of Key Documents We recommend you carry color photocopies of key documents including the photo page of your passport plus any applicable visas, air itinerary, credit cards (front and back), and an alternative form of ID. Add emergency phone numbers like your credit card company and the number for your travel protection plan. Store copies separate from the originals.

If you plan to email this information to yourself, please keep in mind that email is not always secure; consider using password protection or encryption. Also email is not always available worldwide. As an alternative, you could load these documents onto a flash drive instead, which can do double-duty as a place to backup photos during your trip.

Overseas Taxes & Fees This tour may have taxes and fees that cannot be included in your airline ticket price because you are required to pay them in person onsite. All taxes are subject to change without notice and can be paid in cash (either U.S. or local currency). If applicable, you will receive a list of these fees with your Final Documents.

32 RIGORS, VACCINES & GENERAL HEALTH

Keep Your Abilities In Mind Please review the information below prior to departing on this trip. We reserve the right for our Program Directors to modify participation, or in some circumstances send travelers home if their limitations are impacting the group’s experience.

GROUP SIZE • A maximum of 42 travelers, led by a local Grand Circle Program Director

PACING • 5 locations in 14 days

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS • Walk 2 miles unassisted and participate in 1.5-2.5 hours of physical activities daily, including stairs

• Agility, balance, and stair-climbing are required to kiss the Blarney Stone

• Not accessible for travelers using wheelchairs or scooters

• Travelers using walkers, crutches, or other mobility aids must travel with a companion who can assist them

• We reserve the right for Program Directors to restrict participation, or in some circumstances send travelers home, if their limitations impact the group’s experience

TERRAIN & TRANSPORTATION • Uneven walking surfaces, including unpaved paths, hills, stairs, and cobblestones

• Travel by 45-seat motorcoach, ferry, and boat

CLIMATE • Daytime temperatures range from 48-67°F during touring season

• June-August are the warmest months

• Weather in Ireland can be unpredictable and change quickly

• Rain is common and should be expected

33 Health Check Feeling healthy and confident of your mobility is essential to fully enjoy your trip. If you have ongoing medical conditions or concerns about your health, we highly recommend that you schedule a checkup with your personal physician at least six weeks in advance of your departure date.

• Discuss with your doctor any aspects of your itinerary that may affect your health and be guided by his or her advice. (You can use the “Keep Your Abilities in Mind” on the previous page as a guideline to discuss with him or her.)

• You may want to have a dental exam before your trip. A loose filling or developing cavity would be difficult to remedy while you are traveling.

• If you have a condition that requires special equipment or treatment, you must bring and be responsible for all necessary items related to your condition.

Vaccine Required

COVID-19 Grand Circle Travel requires that all travelers are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and are able provide proof of their vaccination upon arrival at their destination. A full vaccination is defined as having been inoculated at least 14 days prior to departure by an approved vaccine. This requirement is not contingent on the countries the tour visits, but a strict company policy due to the nature of the pandemic.

Other Vaccines The CDC recommends that all travelers be up to date on their routine vaccinations and on basic travel vaccines like Hepatitis A and Typhoid, but these are suggestions only. However, this could change in future so we encourage you to check with the CDC yourself before meeting with your doctor.

Traveling with Medications • Pack medications in your carry-on bag to avoid loss and to have them handy.

• Keep medicines in their original, labeled containers for a quicker security screen at the airport and a better experience if you get stopped by customs while overseas.

• Bring copies of your prescriptions, written using the generic drug name rather than a brand name to be prepared for any unforeseen loss of your medications.

We recommend checking with the State Department for medication restrictions by country: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel- Country-Information-Pages.html. (Pick the country and then follow the links to “Local Laws & Special Circumstances”; if you don’t see any medications specifically mentioned, then you can presume major U.S. brands should be OK).

34 Staying Healthy on Your Trip

Jet Lag Tips • Start your trip well-rested.

• Begin a gradual transition to your new time zone before you leave or switch to your destination time zone when you get on the plane.

• Attempt to sleep and eat according to the new schedule.

• Avoid heavy eating and drinking caffeine or alcoholic beverages right before–and during– your flight.

• Drink plenty of water and/or fruit juice while flying

• Stretch your legs, neck, and back periodically while seated on the plane.

• After arrival, avoid the temptation to nap.

• Don’t push yourself to see a lot on your first day.

• Try to stay awake your first day until after dinner.

Allergies If you have any serious allergies or dietary restrictions, we advise you to notify us at least 30 days prior to your departure. Please call our Traveler Support team at 1-800-321-2835, and we will communicate them to our regional office. Every effort will be made to accommodate you.

Water • Tap water is safe to drink on this trip; however, it may be processed differently than your tap water at home, so you might not like the taste or it may feel “heavy” in your stomach.

• Bottled water is widely available for sale.

35 MONEY MATTERS: LOCAL CURRENCY & TIPPING GUIDELINES

Top Three Tips • Carry a mix of different types of payments, such as local currency, an ATM card, and a credit card.

• Traveler’s checks are not recommended. They can be difficult to exchange and the commission fee for cashing them is quite high. It’s more practical to view them as a last resort in the event of a special situation.

• You will not be able to pay with U.S. dollars on this trip; you will need local currency.

Local Currency For current exchange rates, please refer to an online converter tool like www.xe.com/ currencyconverter, your bank, or the financial section of your newspaper.

Republic of Ireland Ireland (the Republic of Ireland) is a member of the European Union and as such, the official unit of currency is the euro. Euro banknote and coin denominations are as follows:

• Banknotes:5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 euros

• Coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents; 1 and 2 euros

Northern Ireland As part of the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland’s official currency is the pound sterling (GBP). As a reminder, banknote and coin denominations are as follows:

• Banknotes: 5, 10, 20, and 50 pounds

• Coins: 1 and 2 pence (copper); 5, 10, 20, and 50 pence (silver); 1 and 2 pounds (silver/gold)

Tip: In Northern Ireland, you may find bank notes in circulation that were issued by the Bank of Northern Ireland, Bank of England, Bank of Scotland, or the Bank of Wales. These notes are typically accepted throughout Northern Ireland. However, only bank notes issued by the Bank of England are accepted in England.

United Kingdom The official currency of the United Kingdom is the pound sterling (GBP). One pound (£1) is divided into 100 pence (100p). This legal tender is used throughout Scotland, England, and Wales. Banknote and coin denominations are as follows:

• Banknotes: 5, 10, 20, and 50 pounds

• Coins: 1 and 2 pence (copper); 5, 10, 20, and 50 pence (silver); 1 and 2 pounds (silver/gold)

36 You may want to avoid 50 pound notes as these are not always accepted at smaller restaurants, cafes or shops.

Scotland Please note that although the British pound is the official currency in Scotland, Scottish banknotes are different in appearance than those used elsewhere in the UK. That’s because the three main Scottish retail banks (the Bank of Scotland, Clydesdale Bank and Royal Bank of Scotland) all issue their own notes with their own designs. They are all legal tender and are accepted everywhere in Scotland. They may also be accepted in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, though technically, shops in those countries are not required to accept them.

How to Exchange Money If you want to exchange money before your trip, you can usually do so through your bank or at an exchange office. Your departure airport in the U.S., a travel agent, or an AAA office are also possible outlets. Or you can wait and change money on the trip instead—but it might be helpful to arrive with some local currency in case you run into a bank holiday or an “out of order” ATM.

On your trip, the easiest way is to withdraw funds from a local ATM. The ATM will give you local money and your bank at home will convert that into U.S. dollars.

You can also exchange cash at some hotels, large post offices, and money exchange offices. To exchange cash, you’ll usually need your passport and bills in good condition (not worn, torn, or dirty). New bills (post 2004) are best. Never exchange money on the street. All exchange methods involve fees, which may be built into the conversion rate; ask beforehand.

ATMs When using the ATM, keep in mind that it may only accept cards from local banks, and may not allow cash advances on credit cards; you might need to try more than one ATM or more than one card.

Many banks charge a fee of $1-$5 each time you use an out-of-network ATM. Others may charge you a percentage of the amount you withdraw. We recommend that you check with your bank before you depart.

Lastly, don’t forget to memorize the actual digits of your card’s PIN number (many keypads do not include letters on their keys—they only display numbers.)

Ireland: ATMs are common throughout Ireland so ATM cards will give you a reliable payment method and ready access to local currency.

Northern Ireland: ATMS are common throughout Northern Ireland so ATM cards will give you a reliable payment method and ready access to local currency.

United Kingdom: ATMs are common throughout the United Kingdom so ATM cards will give you a reliable payment method and ready access to local currency.

37 Scotland: ATMS are common throughout Ireland so ATM cards will give you a reliable payment method and ready access to local currency.

Credit & Debit Cards Even if you don’t plan on using a credit card during your trip, we still suggest that you bring one or two as a backup, especially if you are planning a large purchase (artwork, jewelry). We also suggest that you bring more than one brand of card (i.e. Visa, MasterCard, American Express) if possible, because not every shop will take every card. For example, although the Discover card is accepted in some countries outside the U.S., it is not widely adopted, so other brands will work at a much larger range of stores, restaurants, etc.

Ireland: Visa and MasterCard credit cards are readily accepted (and American Express to a lesser extent), but you should always inquire if your type of credit card is accepted before deciding on your purchase.

Northern Ireland: Credit cards are readily accepted in most hotels and restaurants, but you should always inquire if your type of credit card is accepted before deciding on your purchase.

United Kingdom: Visa and MasterCard credit cards are readily accepted (American Express is not commonly honored), but you should always inquire if your type of credit card is accepted before deciding on your purchase.

Scotland: Visa and MasterCard credit cards are readily accepted, but you should always inquire if your credit card is accepted before deciding on your purchase.

Chip Cards Many countries have adopted a new type of credit card that has an embedded computer chip. These cards are inserted into the reader instead of swiped. The card owner then authorizes the purchase using a PIN instead of signing.

This new technology is only now gaining traction in the U.S., so occasionally there are machines in other countries that can’t read U.S. cards. Or the machine can read the card, but asks for a PIN. This doesn’t happen often, and is nothing to worry about. You can usually resolve the situation by asking the cashier to let you sign. (If you don’t speak the language, just mime signing on your hand.) If you are not able to sign for a purchase, such as at an automated ticket booth, you can use another form of payment, such as a debit card that has a PIN.

Notify Card Providers of Upcoming Travel Many credit card companies and banks have fraud alert departments that will freeze your card if they see suspicious charges—such as charges or withdrawals from another country. To avoid an accidental security block, it is a good idea to notify your credit card company and/or bank you will be using your cards abroad. You can do this by calling their customer service number a week or two before your departure. Some banks or credit card companies will also let you do this online.

38 You should also double-check what phone number you could call if you have a problem with a card while you are abroad. Don’t assume you can use the 1-800 number printed on the back of your card—most 1 800 numbers don’t work outside of the U.S.!

Tipping Guidelines Of course, whether you tip, and how much, is always at your own discretion. But for those of you who have asked for tipping suggestions, we offer these guidelines. To make it easy for you to budget, we have quoted the amounts in U.S. dollars; tips can be converted and paid in local currency or in U.S. dollars.

• GCT Program Director: It is customary to express a personal “thank you” to your GCT Program Director at the end of your trip. As a guideline, many travelers give $6-$8 per traveler for each day their Program Director is with them. Please note that tips for your Program Director can only be in the form of cash. If you are taking any of the optional extensions, your Program Director during the extension(s) may not be the same as the one on your main trip.

• Hotel Housekeeping: Many travelers will leave the equivalent of $1-$2 per day, per room for the hotel housekeeping staff. Please note: Because of the difficulty in exchanging a small amount of dollars, it would be easier for the housekeeping staff if you left their tips in local currency.

• Included in Your Trip Price: Gratuities are included for local guides and motorcoach drivers on your main trip, extensions, and all optional tours.

39 AIR, OPTIONAL TOURS & STAYING IN TOUCH

Land Only Travelers & Personalized Air

Quick Definitions • Land Only: You will be booking your own international flights. Airport transfers are not included.

• Air-Inclusive: You booked international air with us. Airport transfers are included as long as you didn’t customize your trip’s dates (see next bullet).

• Personalized Air: You booked international air with us, and have customized it in some way. If you have customized your trip’s dates to arrive early, stay longer, or stop on your own in a connecting city, airport transfers will NOT be included. You must also arrange your own accommodations for any additional nights. For your convenience, a preliminary list of your included hotels is available on your My Account at www.gct.com/myaccount under “My Reservations”.

Airport Transfers Can Be Purchased For eligible flights, airport transfers may be purchased separately as an optional add-on, subject to availability. To be eligible, your flight(s) must meet the following requirements:

• You must fly into or fly home from the same airport as Grand Circle travelers who purchased included airfare.

• Your flight(s) must arrive/depart on the same day that the group arrives or departs.

Airport transfers can be purchased up to 45 days prior to your departure; they are not available for purchase onsite. To learn more, or purchase airport transfers, please call our Traveler Support team at 1-800-321-2835.

If you don’t meet the requirements above, you’ll need to make your own transfer arrangements. We suggest the Rome to Rio website as a handy resource: www.rome2rio.com.

Air Inclusive Travelers If you have purchased international air with Grand Circle Travel, there are some points that may be helpful for you to know.

• U.S. Departure: If you are among a group of ten or more Grand Circle travelers who depart the U.S. from your international gateway city, it is our goal to have a Grand Circle Representative assist you at the U.S. airport with the check-in of your flight. Unless there are extenuating circumstances beyond our control, the Representative will be at the check- in counter three hours before your departure time. If you are flying domestically before your international flight, the representative will be stationed at the check-in counter for your departing international flight, not at the domestic arrival gate.

40 • Overseas Arrival: Once you arrive overseas, you’ll need to collect your luggage and clear customs. A Grand Circle Representative will meet you outside of customs and assist you with your transfer to the hotel or ship. Important note on porters: Airport porters are NOT allowed in the baggage claim area. On arrival, you must take your luggage off the baggage carousel and load it onto a cart, which you will then move through customs. When you exit customs, you’ll handle your cart until reaching your transfer vehicle. Your driver will load your luggage into the transfer vehicle.

• Flight Delays: Grand Circle Travel is not responsible for flight delays or cancellations. In the unfortunate circumstance that your flight is delayed or changed, please try to reach the regional GCT office (their number will be in your Final Documents) in order to make new arrangements for your transfer. Due to airline regulations our staff is not notified of flight rerouting, and our local representative won’t necessarily be aware of your new arrival time. In these cases you will need to arrange your transfer by taxi to your hotel.

• U.S. Return: If you are among a group of ten or more Grand Circle travelers who return to the same U.S. gateway city, a Grand Circle Representative will meet you as you exit Customs and help you find taxis, buses, hotel accommodations, or connecting flights. Again, it is our goal to have our Grand Circle Representative waiting to assist your group. In rare instances, unforeseen circumstances may prevent this service.

• Flying with a Travel Companion: If you’re traveling with a companion from a different household, and both of you are beginning and ending your trip at the same airport on the same dates, let us know you’d like to travel together and we’ll make every effort to arrange this (please note, however, that this is not always possible). If you request any changes to your flights, please be sure that both you and your companion tell us that you still want to fly together.

Optional Tours Optional tours are additional add-on tours that allow you to personalize your vacation by tailoring it to your tastes and needs. And if you decide not to join an optional tour? Then you’ll have free time to relax or explore on your own—it’s about options, not obligations.

What You Need to Know • All optional tours are subject to change and availability.

• Optional tours that are reserved with your Program Director can be paid for using credit/ debit cards only. We accept MasterCard, Visa, and Discover credit cards; we can also take MasterCard or Visa debit cards as long as the card allows you to sign for purchases. (You won’t be able to enter a PIN.)

• To ensure that you are charged in U.S. dollars, your payment will be processed by our U.S. headquarters in Boston. This process can take up to three months, so we ask that you only use a card that will still be valid three months after your trip is over. The charge may appear on your credit card statement as being from Boston, MA or may be labeled as “OPT Boston”.

41 • Your Program Director will give you details on the optional tours while you’re on the trip. But if you’d like to look over descriptions of them earlier, you can do so at any time by referring to your Day-to-Day Itinerary (available online by signing into My Account at www.gct.com/myaccount).

Communicating with Home from Abroad

Cell Phones If you want to use your cell phone on the trip, check with your phone provider to see if your phone and service will work outside of the U.S. It may turn out to be cheaper to rent an international phone or buy a SIM card onsite. If you want to use a local SIM, just make certain your phone can accept one.

Calling Apps Another option is to use a smartphone app like Skype or FaceTime. These services are usually less expensive than making a traditional call, but you’ll need a Wi-Fi connection and the calls may count towards your phone plan’s data allowance. Many smartphones—and some tablets or laptops—come with one of these apps pre-installed or you can download them for free from the appropriate apps store.

Calling Cards and 1-800 Numbers When calling the U.S. from a foreign country, a prepaid calling card can be useful because it circumvents unexpected charges from the hotel. Calling cards purchased locally are typically the best (less expensive, more likely to work with the local phones, etc.).

One reminder: Do not call U.S. 1-800 numbers outside the continental United States. This can result in costly long distance fees, since 1-800 numbers do not work outside the country.

How to Call Overseas When calling overseas from the U.S., dial 011 for international exchange, then the country code (indicated by a plus sign: +), and then the number. Note that foreign phone numbers may not have the same number of digits as U.S. numbers; even within a country the number of digits can vary depending on the city and if the phone is a land line or cell phone.

Ireland: +353 United Kingdom: +44

Northern Ireland: +44 Scotland: +44

42 PACKING: WHAT TO BRING & LUGGAGE LIMITS

Luggage Limits

MAIN TRIP LIMITS

Pieces per person One checked bag and one carry-on bag per person.

Weight restrictions Varies by airline. The current standard is 50 lbs for checked bags and 15 lbs for carry-on bags.

Size Restrictions Varies by airline. Measured in linear inches (length+width+depth). Generally, 62 linear inches is the checked bag limit; carry-on limit is 45 linear inches.

Luggage Type A sturdy, fabric-sided suitcase with built-in wheels and lockable zippers is recommended.

TRIP EXTENSION(S) LIMITS

Same as the main trip.

REMARKS/SUGGESTIONS

One suitcase and one carry-on bag per person: Due to the space limitations on bus transfers, you’ll be restricted to one suitcase and one carry-on bag per person. This is to ensure that we have room for everyone’s luggage. We ask that you abide by this limit to avoid inconveniencing your fellow travelers and prevent additional airlines luggage fees (which are your responsibility). Most airlines now charge to check more than one suitcase per person for flights to Europe and other international flights.

Luggage rules: Luggage rules and limits are set by governmental and airline policy. Enforcement of the rules may include spot checks or may be inconsistent. However one thing is the same across the board: If you are found to have oversized or overweight luggage, you will be subject to additional fees, to be assessed by—and paid to—the airline in question.

Don’t Forget: • These luggage limits may change. If the airline(s) notify us of any changes, we will include an update in your Final Documents booklet.

43 • It’s a good idea to reconfirm baggage restrictions and fees directly with the airline a week or so prior to departure. For your convenience, we maintain a list of the toll-free numbers for the most common airlines on our website in the FAQ section.

• Baggage fees are not included in your trip price; they are payable directly to the airlines.

• The luggage limits above are based on your regional flights, which may be less than your international flights. Even if your international airline offers a larger weight limit, you will need to pack according to the lower restrictions.

Your Luggage • Checked Luggage: Consider a duffel bag or soft-sided suitcase. Look for one with heavy nylon fabric, wrap-around handles, built-in wheels, and a heavy duty lockable zipper. Due to space limitations on our motorcoaches, you are allowed one piece of checked luggage per person. Porterage at airports and hotels is provided for one bag per person. All bags should have luggage tags.

• Carry-on Bag: You are allowed one carry-on bag per person. We suggest a tote or small backpack that can be used as both a carry-on bag for your flight and to carry your daily necessities—water bottle, camera, etc.—during your daily activities.

• Locks: For flights that originate in the U.S., you can either use a TSA-approved lock or leave your luggage unlocked. Outside of the U.S. we strongly recommend locking your luggage as a theft-prevention measure.

Clothing Suggestions: Functional Tips • Travel light: A good rule of thumb is to gather together everything you want to bring; then take half of that. To have a varied travel wardrobe, yet keep your luggage light, we recommend you select a color scheme and pack color-coordinated clothing items that can be mixed to create different outfits.

• Pack casual clothes: Comfortable, informal apparel is acceptable at each of your destinations. At dinner, you will not need to don “dressy” clothing; men do not need jackets or ties and women do not need fancy dresses. You may want one or two “smart casual” outfits for the Welcome Reception or Farewell Dinner, but it’s completely up to you.

• Consider clothing designed for travel, sports, or camping: With modern fabrics, lightweight packing for comfort and protection through a wide range of weather is easy.

• Plan to dress in layers. Weather in Ireland is unpredictable, and can feature warm and cold temperatures at any time of the year. The most practical travel wardrobe consists of items that you can wear in layers. Then you can easily add or remove a layer according to any fluctuations in temperatures.

• Bring rain gear: Regardless of your month of travel, rainfall is certainly a possibility. We suggest you bring a folding umbrella and waterproof shell. Water-resistant walking shoes are advantageous in case heavy downpours pass through.

44 • Good walking shoes are critical. This program features many included tours that follow steep, unpaved or cobbled routes; and even an average day of light sightseeing or shopping can put great demands on your feet. If you prefer more ankle support, take light hiking boots. In case you get caught in the rain, we suggest you bring an extra pair of walking shoes, and rain boots or galoshes. Aboard ship, you’ll want non-slip shoes with rubber soles.

What to Bring We have included suggestions from Program Directors and former travelers to help you pack. These lists are only jumping-off points—they offer recommendations based on experience, but not requirements. You may also want to consult the “Climate” chapter of this handbook.

Your accommodations will supply soap, body wash, and shampoo/conditioner. If you prefer a certain brand you may want to bring your own, but otherwise you can rely on what they provide. And don’t forget a reusable water bottle—you’ll need it to take advantage of any refills we offer as we are working to eliminate single-use plastic bottles on all of our trips.

Recommended Clothing ‰Shirts: A mixture of short and long-sleeved shirts to layer ‰Trousers, jeans, or skirts ‰Comfortable walking shoes and/or water resistant shoes ‰Light rain jacket/windbreaker with hood ‰Sleepwear ‰Socks and undergarments ‰A jacket or sweater, depending on the time of year

Essential Items ‰Daily essentials: toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, hairbrush or comb, shaving items, deodorant, sunscreen, shampoo/conditioner, shower cap, body soap, etc.

‰Spare eyeglasses/contact lenses and your prescription ‰Sunglasses with a neck strap ‰Wide-brim sun hat or visor ‰Compact umbrella ‰Photocopies of passport, air ticket, credit cards

45 ‰Travel money bag or money belt ‰Camera, spare batteries, and memory cards

Medicines ‰Your own prescription medicines ‰Vitamins ‰Cold remedies: Sudafed/Dristan ‰Pain relievers: Ibuprofen/naproxen/aspirin ‰Laxatives: Senokot/Ex-Lax ‰Stomach upset: Pepto-Bismol/Mylanta ‰Anti-diarrheal: Imodium ‰Band-Aids, Moleskin foot pads ‰Antibiotics: Neosporin/Bacitracin

Optional Gear ‰Travel alarm ‰Compact binoculars ‰Hanging toiletry bag with pockets ‰Washcloth ‰Travel-size tissues ‰Basic sewing kit ‰Hand-wash laundry soap (Woolite), clothespins/travel clothesline/stopper ‰Electrical transformer and plug adapter ‰Reading materials ‰Travel journal/note pad ‰Swimsuit, if your ship/hotel has a pool or whirlpool

46 ‰Addresses for postcards ‰Photos, small gift for Home-Hosted visit ‰Phrase book ‰Pocket-size calculator for exchange rates ‰Travel hair dryer: Many hotels will provide hair dryers, but not all. If a hair dryer is essential to you consider a travel-size version.

Home-Hosted Visits It is customary, though not necessary, to return your hosts’ generosity with a small gift. If you do bring a gift, we recommend that you bring something the whole family can enjoy, or something that represents your region, state, or hometown. Get creative and keep it small—peach jelly from Georgia, maple sugar candy from New England, orange blossom soap from California; something that can be used or used up is best. When choosing a gift, be certain to consider the local culture as well. For example, we do not recommend alcohol in Muslim countries because it is forbidden in Islam, and your hosts may be religious. Not all Grand Circle vacations include a home-hosted visit; please check your final itinerary before you depart.

Electricity When traveling overseas, the voltage is usually different and the plugs might not be the same shape.

Voltage Electricity at hotels in Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Scotland is 220-240 volts. In the U.S. it is 110 volts. Most of the things a traveler will want to plug in—battery chargers, MP3 players, tablets or computers—can run off both 110 and 220-240. But you should check the item or the owner’s guide first to confirm this before you plug it in. Plugging a 110V U.S. appliance into 220/240V 50/60Hz service will ruin the motor. If you have something that needs 110 volts—like a shaver or a hairdryer—you can bring a transformer to change the current. (But transformers tend to burn out, so it might be better to leave whatever it is at home.)

Plugs The shape of plugs will vary from country to country, and sometimes even within a country depending on when that building was built. To plug something from the U.S. into a local socket you’ll need an adapter that fits between the plug and the socket. Although you are only traveling in one country on this trip, it may be easier to purchase an all-in-one, universal adapter/ converter combo. Versatile and lightweight, these can usually be found at your local electronics goods or hardware stores. Sometimes you can buy them at large retailers too, like Target or Walmart. If you forget to bring an adapter, you might also find them for sale at the airport when you arrive at your destination.

47 Different plug shapes are named by letters of the alphabet. Standard U.S. plugs are Type A and Type B. Here is the list of plugs for the countries on this trip:

Ireland: G

Northern Ireland: G

United Kingdom: G

Scotland: G

Type G

48 CLIMATE & AVERAGE TEMPERATURES

Ireland: Irish weather is traditionally fickle, even in summer—when temperatures usually range from the low 50s to the upper 60s, though over the last decade, the spring and summer seasons were often glorious with many sunny days in the 70s. Nonetheless, chilly east winds may blow through, so come prepared for anything. Except for a strip along the east coast, the country receives some rain at least 200 days a year. This wet climate is responsible for Ireland’s verdant beauty.

Northern Ireland: With the Atlantic front sweeping over Northern Ireland, weather in the region tends to be unstable, with frequent winds and near constant clouds. A completely clear sky is a rarity, a grey sky a more common sight. Winters are cold and rainy, with an average of mid 40s during the day and a chance of a wind storm. Snow is rare. Summers are cool and rainy, with an average of mid 60s during the season. The mild weather and frequent rain has led to Northern Ireland’s picturesque green scenery.

Scotland: The variable climate of Scotland is infamous for its consistent ability to change from day to day. Cool, mild weather, accompanied by frequent cloud cover and rain, is the norm. But on occasion, and at any time of year, a stint of foul weather can settle in. In Scotland’s lowlands (the Edinburgh region), temperatures average in the low 50s during spring and fall, and in the low 60s during summer. At any time, temperatures could drop and the weather become chilly.

Climate Averages & Online Forecast The following charts reflect the average climate as opposed to exact weather conditions. This means they serve only as general indicators of what can reasonably be expected. An extreme heat wave or cold snap could fall outside these ranges. As your departure approaches, we encourage you to go online to www.gct.com/myaccount for your 10-day forecast.

49 Average Daily High/Low Temperatures (°F), Humidity & Monthly Rainfall

MONTH DUBLIN, IRELAND CORK, IRELAND

Temp. High-Low % Relative Monthly Rainfall Temp. High-Low % Relative Average # of Days Humidity (am-pm) (inches) Humidity (am-pm) with Rainfall JAN 47 to 36 87 to 81 2.5 47 to 37 90 to 84 20 FEB 47 to 36 87 to 76 1.9 47 to 38 89 to 79 17 MAR 50 to 38 84 to 71 2.1 50 to 39 88 to 76 19 APR 54 to 40 80 to 68 2.1 53 to 41 83 to 71 16 MAY 59 to 44 77 to 68 2.3 58 to 45 81 to 71 15 JUN 64 to 49 77 to 68 2.6 63 to 50 81 to 72 14 JUL 67 to 53 79 to 69 2.2 66 to 53 83 to 73 15 AUG 67 to 53 81 to 69 2.9 65 to 53 85 to 73 15 SEP 63 to 50 83 to 72 2.3 62 to 51 88 to 75 16 OCT 57 to 45 86 to 75 3.1 59 to 46 90 to 80 19 NOV 51 to 40 89 to 80 2.9 51 to 41 91 to 83 19 DEC 47 to 37 88 to 83 2.9 47 to 39 91 to 85 19

MONTH GALWAY, IRELAND BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND

Temp. High-Low % Relative Average # of Days Temp. High-Low % Relative Average # of Days Humidity (am-pm) with Rainfall Humidity (am-pm) with Rainfall JAN 45 to 37 89 to 83 25 46 to 36 84 14.7 FEB 46 to 37 88 to 77 22 47 to 36 81 11.4 MAR 49 to 39 89 to 75 27 50 to 38 78 13.8 APR 53 to 41 90 to 68 21 54 to 41 75 11.4 MAY 58 to 46 89 to 68 23 60 to 44 73 11.8 JUN 61 to 51 90 to 73 24 64 to 50 74 11.2 JUL 65 to 55 91 to 72 24 68 to 53 76 12.1 AUG 64 to 54 91 to 75 26 67 to 53 77 13.4 SEP 61 to 51 90 to 76 26 63 to 49 79 12.3 OCT 56 to 46 90 to 79 26 57 to 45 82 14.4 NOV 50 to 41 90 to 82 23 51 to 40 84 14.5 DEC 47 to 40 90 to 86 27 47 to 36 86 14.4

50 MONTH GLASGOW, SCOTLAND EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND

Temp. High-Low % Relative Average # Days Temp. High-Low % Relative Average # of Days Humidity (am-pm) with Rainfall Humidity (am-pm) with Rainfall JAN 44 to 35 88 to 83 25 44 to 34 86 to 80 14 FEB 45 to 35 86 to 75 22 45 to 34 86 to 75 10 MAR 49 to 37 87 to 70 23 48 to 37 86 to 68 12 APR 55 to 41 87 to 62 22 53 to 39 87 to 65 10 MAY 61 to 45 87 to 60 19 58 to 44 87 to 65 11 JUN 65 to 50 87 to 63 20 63 to 48 86 to 64 10 JUL 68 to 54 88 to 66 21 67 to 52 88 to 66 10 AUG 67 to 53 91 to 66 21 66 to 51 90 to 66 11 SEP 62 to 50 90 to 71 20 62 to 49 89 to 69 10 OCT 55 to 44 89 to 75 24 55 to 43 88 to 74 13 NOV 49 to 39 88 to 80 24 49 to 39 87 to 79 13 DEC 44 to 35 88 to 85 22 44 to 34 87 to 82 13

51 ABOUT YOUR DESTINATIONS: CULTURE, ETIQUETTE & MORE

Your Program Director During your exclusive Grand Circle vacation, you’ll have reliable assistance available at all times from an on-site Grand Circle Travel Program Director. Your Program Director is fluent in English and can give you an inside perspective on your destinations. He or she is supported along the way by local tour guides, who guide you expertly through particular sites and cities.

Many Grand Circle Program Directors are graduates of professional education programs for travel guides. In addition, they receive specialized training directly from Grand Circle, training that is based on what we’ve learned from thousands of past travelers about how to make the trip most enjoyable. Your Program Director offers both a deep knowledge of the region and a commitment to make this a very pleasant, informative, and rewarding travel experience for you.

Your Program Director will provide sightseeing trips, handle all travel details, reserve optional tours you choose to take, oversee your Discovery Series events, and provide any other assistance you may need. You will be in the company of a Program Director throughout your vacation.

Irish Culture Ireland has a rich cultural heritage of traditional music, dance, literature, language, and more, that stretches back thousands of years. It was only about a century ago when Irish culture and society began to diverge. The catalyst was the Irish War of Independence (1919-1921), a time when the island separated into two regions. By far the largest region (occupying about five-sixths of the island) is the Republic of Ireland, which is predominantly Catholic Christian. The remaining sixth of the island—Northern Ireland—remained part of the United Kingdom and is primarily Protestant Christian. Despite these political and religious differences, Irish culture is defined by a number of cherished traditions shared by all who make their home on the Emerald Isle.

Even if you are not Irish, you probably know someone who is: More than 10% of Americans claim Irish ethnicity. That’s about 33 million people—more than actually live on the island of Ireland (6.8 million). And while you are likely familiar with some of the common cultural markers of Irish identity, the richness of Irish culture can only be fully appreciated when you experience it back on the “auld sod,” as some Irish like to call their homeland.

Ireland has been inhabited for at least 9,000 years, by dozens of different tribes that were Celtic or Gaelic in origin. About 1,200 years ago, Viking, Norman, Scottish, Flemish, Welsh and English people began settling here, mixing in with the original population and influencing the culture. Today, most people consider themselves to be ethnically Irish, but in Northern Ireland especially, those who claim some British descent may refer to themselves as “Anglo-Irish” or “West Britons.” Another distinct ethnic minority are the semi-nomadic “Travellers”. For hundreds of years, they have been itinerant metal workers, horse traders, artisans, and entertainers. Much like the Roma of southern and eastern Europe, Travellers have historically suffered discrimination and ostracization. Though they are of Irish extraction, they are genetically distinct from the settled Irish population, due to years of separation.

52 The friendliness of the Irish people is not just a stereotype, it has been borne out in survey after survey. For instance, in a 2019 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice survey, Dublin and Galway ranked among the world’s top ten most friendly cities. Strangers on the street will look you in the eye and say “good day,” drivers will wave at you, and shopkeepers will engage you in conversation. In general, Irish culture is relaxed, informal, and open. Geniality, literacy, and eloquence are valued, and if a person commits a social faux pas, the usual correction would be sarcasm and good-humored teasing. A popular saying explains the rationale: “to make a friend, you must be a friend.”

Nowhere is this more apparent than in the pubs. The pub is not just a place for drinking, it’s where the village meets to socialize. In the Republic of Ireland alone, in 2019 there were 7,193 pubs—and that figure does not even include the bars in hotels and restaurants, or any drinking establishments in Northern Ireland. That would make for a very, very long pub crawl. If you are standing at the bar, you will likely be engaged in conversation, and may even be treated to a round of drinks (and also expected to reciprocate). What would you be drinking? Irish whiskey or a pint of Guinness, first brewed in 1859 and now a symbol of Irish culture. Based on statistics around consumption, the Irish do like to drink, but they describe that penchant with another saying: galor gan náire, which means, “an affliction without shame.”

The Irish are said to have the “gift of gab,” and their eloquence is reflected in the disproportionate number of world-class writers Ireland and Northern Ireland have produced compared to their small populations. Four Irishmen have won the Nobel Prize in Literature (William Butler Yeats, George Bernard Shaw, Samuel Beckett, and Séamus Heaney), and other literary giants include James Joyce, Oscar Wilde, Bram Stoker, Jonathan Swift, C.S. Lewis, Maeve Binchy, Frank O’Connor, Flann O’Brien, Roddy Doyle, and John Banville. So there is much truth to the old Irish saying, “If wars were fought with words, Ireland would rule the world.”

Ireland is also known for its long musical heritage. Even prior to medieval times, early Gaelic culture had ten known musical instruments. Modern performers such as The Chieftains, The Clancy Brothers, Tommy Makem, and the Irish Rovers revitalized the form in the 1960s. Today, traditional music is wildly popular and you will hear it played in local pubs and musical seisún (“sessions”). But the Irish have had a major impact in other musical genres, including classical music and popular music, with notable rock performers that include Van Morrison, Sinead O’Connor, U2, The Cranberries, The Boomtown Rats, Hozier and many, many more. With so much talent and conviviality gracing Ireland’s cultural scene, your visit will surely include plenty of craic (fun).

Accommodations As is common with hotels in Ireland, none of our hotels feature air conditioning, though all feature heating. In general you’ll also find that most European hotel rooms are smaller than what you may be used to in the U.S. Finally, ice machines may not be available at all hotels, but ice is usually available at the bar.

53 Laundry Service Most hotels in Ireland offer send-out laundry service (as opposed to self-service machines). The price varies according to the hotel, but your Program Director can advise you on the best place to have laundry done.

Language in Ireland English is the official language in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, and is spoken by nearly everyone. Additionally, in parts of Northern Ireland, Ulster Scots, a dialect of Scots, is sometimes spoken as a second language. In Ireland, a second official language is Irish or Gaelige. It is a Gaelic language but is separate and distinct from Scots Gaelic. Though most people know some Irish phrases and some signs are translated into this ancient tongue, it is very rarely spoken conversationally.

Useful Phrases Since everyone speaks English you should have no trouble communicating with your Irish hosts. And in a land where the spoken word is so highly valued, there is a rich and colorful catalog of vernacular and slang phrases. Here are few to help you get started:

• Craic is a catch-all word that means any manner of fun. It is social in nature something you’d enjoy at parties, in the pubs and anywhere people gather together.

• When something is on the tip of your tongue but you can’t quite muster the actual word you need, yoke is a common Irish substitute (like thingamajig in English). “Would you hand me that yoke over there?”

• You may know it as the restroom or toilet, but in Ireland the bathroom facilities are called “the jacks”. If you need to use one, as someone “Where are the jacks?” and they’ll point you in the right direction.

• The official name for the police is the Gardai, and an individual police officer is a Gard. But most often they are referred to as the “guards,” as in “Slow down your driving, or the guards will be on us.”

• “Aw, sure look it” is very widely used, with different connotations. It can be an answer to a rhetorical question, as in “Isn’t it a rotten day out there? Ah, sure, look it.” It is also used to tack onto the end of a sentence for emphasis, or in response to something when you don’t know what to say.

• “Was it any use?” is an inquiry that means, “was it any good?”

• The national drink, Guinness, is sometimes called “the black stuff” or “a pint of Gat.”

• If you are out and about exploring, you may be walking along a footpath (sidewalk), and you may be wearing runners (sneakers). If it’s cool, you may be wearing a jumper (sweater). You might also be carrying your belongings in a bum bag. Do not call it by its American name, fanny pack, because here, “fanny” is something altogether different (and crude).

54 Irish Cuisine If you come to Ireland expecting mostly mundane meat and potatoes, you will be surprised. Talented chefs have inspired a burgeoning food culture that continues to reinvent itself all over the island, fed by a steady supply of local ingredients fresh from the farms, fields and sea. There are also plenty of options for international fare, thanks to the growing immigrant population. But if it is traditional you’re after, look for these dishes:

Start your day right with an Irish breakfast. Hearty doesn’t begin to describe it, a plateful of some or all of the following: baked beans, broiled tomatoes, eggs, bacon, sausages, kippers, toast (made with soda bread and butter and marmalade), a potato dish, and tea. The sausages will include black and white pudding, which aren’t puddings in the American sense but casings filled with a mixture of pork, oats, seasonings and pig’s blood. They are then sliced and fried—and said to be very tasty. (The white pudding omits the blood.) In Northern Ireland, this breakfast banquet goes by the name of an “Ulster fry.”

The Irish have many inventive dishes based on potatoes. Try colcannon, a mix of mashed potatoes with cabbage or kale, butter, and scallions. Its Northern Ireland variant is called champ, and is made with just scallions and creamy potatoes. Boxty is a type of potato pancake, and bubble and squeak is a fritter of mashed potatoes mixed with vegetables and beef.

Irish cows must be very happy with all those rolling green pastures and family-run farms. They produce some of the finest milk in the world, not to mention the richest butter and a variety of fine cheeses such as Dubliner cheddar, Beara bleu cheese, and Wicklow Farmhouse (a type of brie). The goats must be happy, too, given the deliciousness of goat milk cheeses such as St. Tola Ash Log (rolled in food-grade ash) and Knockdrinna Farmhouse, a nutty, semi-hard cheese.

Irish stew is comfort food at its best. Inexpensive ingredients such as mutton, potatoes, and carrots are slow-cooked with herbs such as bay, parsley and thyme. Nowadays, you are more likely to have your stew made with lamb or even beef. Carnivores might also try Dexter beef, which is native to the island and known for its sweet, nutty flavor.

Fish and shellfish abound, especially in the west where you will find superb oysters. Those from Clarinbridge, County Galway are known for their superior quality. Connemara is known for clams. And though cockles and mussels are a Dublin specialty (immortalized in the song Molly Malone), you can enjoy them all over the island. Try also smoked Irish salmon, seafood chowder, butter- poached scallops and the staple, fish and chips.

A popular bread for sandwiches or breakfast is blaa, a soft, puffy yeast roll that is a specialty of Waterford. Authentic Irish soda breads can be sweet or savory. Soda fari is a type of quick flat bread from Ulster. There is also a special bread called barmbrack that is made with raisins and candied peel (often steeped in tea and whiskey). At Halloween, a charm hidden in your bread will foretell your future. And if your sweet tooth craves more at the end of your meal, try Irish trifle, a layered dessert of cream, custard, fruits, jam and sponge cake soaked in juice or sherry.

55 Scottish Cuisine Scotland has some of the most creative chefs in the United Kingdom, and considering the fantastic pantry they have to work with—with world-class seafood, game and produce—it’s no wonder that the country boasts ten Michelin-starred restaurants. Twelve products of Scottish origin qualify for the European Union’s PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) designation, including Shetland lamb, Orkney Island Scottish cheddar, Scottish salmon, and Scottish whisky.

You can enjoy these delicacies all over the country, not just in the foodie capital of Edinburgh. But when you’re in the capital, do visit one of its famous chippies. These fish and chip shops dish up the crispiest fare, served with something unique to Edinburgh: “salt ‘n sauce.” This is a tangy, brown condiment that’s a cross between malt vinegar, brown gravy, and ketchup.

Cullen Skink may sound like the name of a Harry Potter villain, but it’s a fish soup of smoked haddock, potatoes and leeks. Traditionally, it’s made from finnan haddie, a cold-smoked haddock from Aberdeen; or Arbroath smokie, a hot-smoked haddock. Scottish salmon is widely considered the best in the world. Some say the same about Scottish oysters from Loch Ryan.

For meat lovers, your roast, stew, or steak will taste best if it’s made with rich, marbled Angus Aberdeen beef. Another favorite of Scottish carnivores is black pudding. It’s a sausage made from congealed pig’s blood mixed with oats, fat, and seasonings. It may not sound appetizing, but because it’s loaded with protein, potassium, calcium and iron, it’s considered a “superfood.”

In Scotland, your bangers and mash (sausage and mashed potatoes) might include something besides pork, such as venison or apples. Bangers are a breakfast staple, as are lorne sausage, which are square and made with beef. You’ll get both of those if you order a full Scottish, a heaping breakfast plate that also includes fried eggs, tomatoes, baked beans, ham or bacon, butter, scones, bread, and sometimes even haggis.

And oops, there you go, we’ve mentioned the unmentionable: haggis. Scotland’s national dish, it’s made from minced sheep’s liver, lungs, and heart; mixed with spices and oatmeal; and served inside the stomach lining. It is usually served with neets and tatties (mashed turnips and potatoes.) If you get invited to a traditional Robbie Burns supper, haggis will be the main dish, ushered to the table by a bagpiper, and praised by a reading of the revered poet’s Address to the Haggis. Otherwise, haggis is widely available, and many people say it’s delicious. Go ahead, try it. This may be your only chance, because haggis has been banned by the USDA since 1971.

For dessert you might try traditional shortbread; tablet, a fudge-like confection (minus the chocolate); or the “king of Scottish desserts,” cranachan, a rich parfait of cream, raspberries and oats. Cholesterol not high enough? Try a battered Mars Bar. Scots love to dip this American candy in a sweet batter, then deep fry it. And here’s a secret: You can also get a deep-fried Snickers or Three Musketeers bar, whatever your sweet tooth desires.

Whatever your meal includes, you can toast it with a wee dram of Scottish whisky. If you order it in a pub, please don’t call it “Scotch.” If you ask for it on the rocks, you may get a pitying look along with your ice. To impress your bartender, order a single malt and specify one of the six official Scottish whisky regions: Lowlands, Speyside, Highlands, Campbeltown, Islay and Islands. Then raise your glass and say slainte-mhath (pronounced “slange var”)—to your health!

56 Dublin in Brief

City Layout and Details Compared to other European capitals, Dublin is a relatively small metropolis and easily traversed. The city center -- identified in Irish on bus destination signs as AN LAR -- is bisected by the River Liffey flowing west to east into Dublin Bay. Canals ring the city center: The Royal Canal forms a skirt through the north half, and the Grand Canal the south half. True Dubliners, it is said, live between the two canals.

The focal point of Dublin is the River Liffey, with 17 bridges connecting its north and south banks. The most famous of these is the O’Connell Bridge. The Millennium Bridge is a footbridge erected in 1999 to link Temple Bar with the Northside. The newest bridge, the Samuel Beckett Bridge, opened in December 2009.

On the north side of the river, the main thoroughfare is O’Connell Street, a wide, two-way avenue that starts at the riverside quays and runs north to Parnell Square. On the south side of the Liffey, Grafton Street is Dublin’s main shopping street. It is home to Ireland’s most exclusive department store, Brown Thomas. Restricted to pedestrians, Grafton Street is the center of Dublin’s up market shopping area, surrounded by a maze of small streets and lanes that boast a terrific variety of shops, restaurants, and hotels. At the south end of Grafton Street is St. Stephen’s Green, the city’s most beloved park and an urban oasis ringed by rows of historic Georgian town houses, fine hotels, and restaurants.

At the north end of Grafton Street, Nassau Street rims the south side of Trinity College. The street is noted for its fine shops and because it leads to Merrion Square, another fashionable Georgian park surrounded by historic brick-front town houses. Merrion Square is also adjacent to Leinster House, the Irish House of Parliament, the National Gallery, and the National Museum.

Local Transportation Bus: Dublin Bus offers public transportation services within the Dublin city limits, as well as in the surrounding area. Several routes are available throughout the city. Daily, weekly, monthly and annual passes are available for purchase. Service generally runs from 6am to 11:30 pm (10 pm on Sundays) and later on weekends.

Tram: The LUAS is a tram system with two main lines in Dublin, referred to as the Green Line and the Red Line. The LUAS runs from approximately 5:45am-midnight. Weekly or daily passes are available, or you can purchase a single fare based on the length of your ride. A single fare ranges from 2.10-3.20 euros or a round trip fare costs 3.70-5.50 euros.

57 Belfast in Brief

City Layout and Details Donegall Square, dominated by the landmark of Belfast’s grand City Hall, is at the heart of the city’s compact historic center. Fine buildings from the city’s prosperous Victorian Era surround the square. The Northern Ireland Tourist Board has an office here with ample information on the city and all of Ulster. Belfast’s main shopping area is an easy walk north from Donegall Square along Donegall Place and Royal Avenue.

Great Victoria Street, where the Grand Opera House and Crown Liquor Saloon are located, is a short walk to the west from Donegall Square. Within walking distance to the northeast, narrow allies called “The Entries” run off High and Anne Streets in a pedestrian-only shopping district. Here you can find a number of interesting pubs at which to share food and drink with the famously friendly local people.

To the south of the Donegall Square area, Great Victoria Road and Dublin Road lead to University Road and the area called the Golden Mile. The Ulster Museum, Queen’s University, and the city’s Botanic Gardens are in this area, as well as many restaurants and the city’s best nightlife.

Local Transportation Bus: Getting around Belfast by public transportation is relatively easy. The Metro is the name of the city’s bus service with routes that run from the city center outward along the spine roads. The system operates more than 12 busy arterial routes, in addition to branch routes in and around the capital and nightlink services from Donegal Square West.

For shorter stays the Metro Day Ticket may be the best bet. It costs approximately £3.50 and allows you to travel anywhere, anytime on the Metro network for one day, Monday through Saturday. Belfast has three main bus stations located at Europa Buscentre at Great Victoria Street, Laganside Buscentre and Newtonabbey.

The city also launched a new bus rapid transit system in 2018 called the Glider. The Glider has two lines (G1 & G2) which connect East and West Belfast and the Titanic Quarter with the city center. The Glider runs from approximately 5:30am-11:00pm and arrives every 5-7 minutes. It costs approximately £4 for a day pass or £1.60 for a single ride.

Taxis: There is a plating scheme that helps visitors recognize legitimate companies. Yellow license plates identify public hire in the city; white identifies outside the city; private hire is green; and blue identifies bus taxis.

58 Glasglow in Brief

City Layout and Details The city of Glasgow sits alongside the River Clyde in Scotland’s western Lowlands. As the largest city in Scotland, you’ll find abundant restaurants, shops, museums, musical performances, and nightlife. The city lives up to its name (which translates to “dear green place”) and features more than 90 parks and gardens, including Kelvingrove Park to the northwest of the city center and Glasgow Green to the southeast.

The streets are typically laid out in a grid with the River Clyde running through the middle of the city. The city center is very walkable or you may opt to explore the city by one of the many local transit options.

Local Transportation Subway: Nicknamed “the Clockwork Orange,” the city’s subway system creates a large loop around the city center, covering areas on both sides of the River Clyde (a complete circuit on the subway takes about 25 minutes). The subway runs Monday-Saturday from 6:30am-11:40pm and Sundays from 10:00am-6:12pm. There are various ticket options including single ride tickets or passes for 1, 4, or 10 weeks. For more information, please visit www.spt.co.uk.

Bus: There are over 100 bus routes which extend from the city center to the outer zones of the city.

Taxi: Glasgow Taxis are the official taxi company for the city. They are easily recognizable as black cabs with a yellow flag reading “Glasgow Taxis” on the top of the vehicle. Each taxi is licensed to carry 5 passengers. To take a taxi, either flag down a cab if their yellow light is on, or call (+44) 0141-429-7070.

Shopping: What to Buy, Customs, Shipping & More There may be scheduled visits to local shops during your vacation. There is no requirement to make a purchase during these stops, and any purchase made is a direct transaction with the shop in question, subject to the vendor’s terms of purchase. Grand Circle is not responsible for purchases you make on your trip or for the shipment of your purchases.

Returns If you discover an issue with an item, you should contact the vendor directly. If the shop is outside the country, you should expect that any resolution will take longer than it would in the U.S. We recommend that you keep a copy of all your receipts, invoices, or contracts, along with the shop’s contact information. Keep in mind, local practice may vary from the standards you are used to, so don’t assume that you have a certain number of days after the purchase to speak up or that you are guaranteed a refund.

59 Crafts & Souvenirs

Ireland One of the most popular Irish souvenirs is the highly prized white wool Aran sweaters and hats. Other commonly sought items include hand-woven Tweeds, knitwear, linen, earthenware and pottery, porcelain, glass and handmade jewelry (often in Celtic motifs), pearly Belleek china, luminous Waterford crystal, and Irish lace.

Scotland Scotland has many fine local products to choose from, including shortbread, handmade soaps, Celtic jewelry, and bagpipes. There are plenty of items emblazoned with the Scottish flag, Nessie the Loch Ness monster, and golf imagery (since the game was invented here.) If there’s a dog lover on your gift list, consider a memento of Greyfriar’s Bobby. He was a 19th-century Skye Terrier who supposedly stood by his master’s grave in Edinburgh’s Greyfriar’s churchyard— every day for 14 years.

Many of the best souvenirs are wearable, like Scottish cashmere, Harris tweed, quality woolens, Balmoral caps, tams, and tartans (which found on everything from umbrellas to scarves and pajamas.) While the kilt is the quintessential Scottish garment, there are also special accessories that complete the look: a sporran (pouch), sgian-dubh (a small ceremonial knife—which might be hard to get back to the U.S. in your luggage), and jaunty knee-high socks. Although women don’t wear kilts, they do wear tartan skirts and special shoes known as ghillie boots.

And of course, there’s whisky (without an “e”), which is so synonymous with Scotland that many Americans call it “Scotch.” Not a whisky fan? Scotland is also known for high-quality gin.

U.S. Customs Regulations & Shipping Charges For all things related to U.S. Customs, the ultimate authority is the U.S. Bureau of Customs & Border Protection. Their website, www.cbp.gov has the answers to the most frequently asked questions. Or you can call them at 1-877-227-5511.

The top three points to know are:

• At time of writing, your personal duty-free allowance is $800 for items brought with you. Items totaling more than $800 are subject to duty fees.

• Items shipped home are always subject to duty when received in the U.S. Even when the shop has offered to include shipping and duties in the price, this typically means shipping to the nearest customs facility and payment of the export duties—not door-to-door shipping or payment of the import duties. All additional duties or shipping charges would be your responsibility. Unless an item is small enough to send by parcel service (like FedEx), chances are you will need to arrange shipping or pick-up once the item is in the U.S. and will need to pay customs duties.

60 • It is illegal to import products made from endangered animal species. U.S. Customs & Border Protection will seize these items, as well as most furs, coral, tortoise shell, reptile skins, feathers, plants, and items made from animal skins.

61 DEMOGRAPHICS & HISTORY

Ireland

Facts, Figures & National Holidays • Area: 27,136 square miles

• Capital: Dublin

• Location: Ireland is situated in the Atlantic Ocean and separated from Great Britain by the Irish Sea. Half the size of Arkansas, it occupies the entire island except for the six counties that make up Northern Ireland.

• Geography: The ocean is responsible for the rugged western coastline, along which are many islands, peninsulas, and headlands. The main geographical features of Ireland are low central plains surrounded by a ring of coastal mountains. The highest peak is Carrauntuohill (Irish: Corrán Tuathail), which is 1041 m (3414 ft). There are a number of sizable lakes along Ireland’s rivers, with Lough Neagh the largest in Ireland and Great Britain. The island is bisected by the River Shannon, at 259 km (161 miles) with a 113 km (70 miles) estuary the longest river in Ireland (and the longest in the British Isles if the estuary is included), which flows south from County Cavan in the north to meet the Atlantic just south of Limerick.

• Languages: English, Irish Gaelic

• Population: 5,068,050

• Religions: Roman Catholicism 78.3%, Church of Ireland 2.7%, other Christian 1.6%, Orthodox 1.3%, Muslim 1.3%, other 2.4%, none 9.8%, unspecified 2.6%

• Time zone: Ireland is five hours ahead of Eastern Time: when it is 6 am in New York, it is 11 am in Ireland.

62 National Holidays: Ireland

In addition to the holidays listed below, 01/01 New Year’s Day Ireland celebrates a number of national 03/17 St. Patrick’s Day holidays that follow a lunar calendar, such as Easter and the June, August, and October 05/01 May Day Bank holidays. To find out if you will be traveling during these holidays, please visit 12/25 Christmas Day www.timeanddate.com/holidays. 12/26 St. Stephen’s Day

Ireland: A Brief History Human history in Ireland dates back 10,500 years, but the first identifiable people to settle here were the Celts, who came in waves between the 8th and 1st centuries BC. They were organized in various groups, the last of which, the Gaels, conquered the island and divided it into five tribes. The language they spoke, Q-Celtic, was the precursor of the Irish language, Gaelige.

Contrary to popular belief, St. Patrick did not introduce Christianity to Ireland’s pagan people. The religion was already present here. But Patrick and other priests spread the faith even beyond Ireland’s shores, and built great monasteries that became bastions of Latin learning. The monks created illuminated manuscripts such as the Book of Kells, and were engaged in sculpture and metalwork. This heritage has led to Ireland being called the “island of scholars and saints.”

By the 8th century AD, Vikings began raiding Irish settlements. Though often depicted as violent marauders, in some cases the Vikings arrived as traders and intermingled with the Irish. They established many towns, including Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Waterford. By 1014, Viking power was in decline when the Irish king Brian Bóru defeated the Vikings at the Battle of Clontarf.

New raiders came in 1172 with the Norman King Henry II of England. This began England’s 800- year struggle to dominate Ireland. English law was introduced, but the Irish did not accept it. The Normans were able to control four “obedient shires,” including the area around Dublin known as the Pale. Anything “beyond the Pale” was said to be savage and lawless. The Tudors brought systematic repression, encouraging Scottish Protestant colonization, and taking farms from Irish landowners and giving them to English nobles. In 1649 Oliver Cromwell launched a violent anti-Catholic campaign that bordered on genocide. By 1801 the Act of Union merged Ireland with Britain as the United Kingdom, with direct rule by Parliament in London.

What Cromwell was unable to accomplish, the Great Famine of 1845-49 nearly did. A blight infecting Ireland’s potato crops caused starvation and reduced the population by a third. The term “famine” is a misnomer: There was plenty of food, but it was exported by the English or used by Irish tenants to pay exorbitant rents to British landlords. Failure to pay meant eviction, and eviction meant death. The population further declined with mass emigration.

The late 19th and early 20th century saw vigorous but doomed campaigns for Irish home rule. After many brutal repressions, their moderate nationalism became militant separatism. In 1922, following the Irish Rising of 1916 and the bloody Anglo-Irish War, twenty-six counties of Ireland won freedom from the United Kingdom as the Irish Free State. The remaining six, in the province

63 of Ulster, remained within the United Kingdom as Northern Ireland. The struggle continued throughout the 1990s with “the Troubles” of Northern Ireland, where those who favored a united Ireland fought with unionists who wanted to stay within the United Kingdom.

For Ireland, the 1990’s ushered in an era of prosperity known as the “Celtic Tiger.” By the early 2000’s, Ireland was one of the richest countries in the EU, moving from being a net recipient to being a net contributor. Ireland rode the Celtic Tiger until the worldwide recession of 2008. In 2010 Ireland’s banks required bailouts from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Since then, Ireland has repaid its IMF loan ahead of schedule, in 2017.

The country’s difficult history proves that there is no such thing as “the luck of the Irish.” But there is pluck, endurance, and hope.

Northern Ireland

Facts, Figures & National Holidays • Area: 5,450 square miles

• Capital: Belfast (regional); Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom, whose national capital is London

• Location: Consists of the six counties of Ulster, occupying the northeastern corner of the island of Ireland.

• Languages: English

• Population: 1,862,100

• Religions: Roman Catholic 40.8%, Presbyterian 19.1%, Church of Ireland 13.7%, Methodist 3%, none or unknown 23.5%

• Time Zone: Same as the rest of Ireland, five hours ahead of Eastern Time

National Holidays: Northern Ireland

In addition to the holidays listed below, 01/01 New Year´s Day Northern Ireland celebrates a number of 03/17 St. Patrick’s Day national holidays that follow a lunar calendar, such as Easter and the Spring and Summer 07/12 Battle of the Boyne Bank holidays. To find out if you will be traveling during these holidays, please visit 12/25 Christmas Day www.timeanddate.com/holidays. 12/26 Boxing Day

Northern Ireland: A Brief History The arc of history followed a similar curve in Northern Ireland as it did in the southern island until the 20th century. In the 1600s, northern Ireland (which lies in the province of Ulster) was a bastion of resistance against the forces of King Henry VII, who was instituting widespread

64 programs of colonization by taking Irish lands and giving them to English and Scottish Protestant settlers. Key leaders of the anti-British forces were from the Ulster county of Tyrone, but many of them fled to Europe after being defeated at the Battle of Kinsale in 1601.

The Protestant colonization program, called the “Ulster Plantation,” continued until another rebellion broke out in 1641. Many Protestant settlers were massacred, but when the New Model Army of Oliver Cromwell arrived from England in 1649, four years of bloody anti-Catholic reprisals followed and land ownership reverted to the Protestants. Over the next several hundred years, there were Irish revolts, but the Protestant population grew into a majority.

Fast forward to 1921, after the island had been ripped by three years of guerilla warfare. A truce was reached between Irish republican and British forces, which resulted in the Anglo-Irish Treaty creating the Irish Free State. Under its terms Northern Ireland would be part of the Free State unless its parliament opted out. The parliament was controlled by the (Protestant) Ulster Unionist party and as expected, it chose to remain as part of the United Kingdom.

For the next 50 years, Northern Ireland enjoyed limited self-government within the UK. But since its parliament was controlled by the Ulster Unionist Party, the large Catholic minority had little participation in the government, which at times openly encouraged discrimination against Catholics. This led to large civil rights protests in the 1960s, which the government brutally suppressed, most notably on “Bloody Sunday.” During this time the paramilitary Provisional IRA, who favored the reunification of Ireland, began its campaign against what it called the British occupation of the six counties. Other splinter groups began to participate in the violence.

The Northern Irish government’s inability to manage the conflict prompted the British government to suspended home rule in 1972 and impose direct rule. The British tried to portray themselves as neutral peacekeepers, but British officers often colluded with illegal loyalist paramilitaries, were involved in murders, and obstructed justice when their crimes were investigated. Irish nationalist and republican groups further fragmented and also committed violence against civilians, as the so-called “Troubles” rolled on for 30 years.

In 1998, following a Provisional IRA cease-fire, the Good Friday Agreement restored self- government to Northern Ireland on the basis of power sharing between the two communities. Violence greatly decreased since the signing of the accord. In 2001, the police force in Northern Ireland, the Royal Ulster Constabulary, was replaced by the Police Service of Northern Ireland. On July 28, 2005, the Provisional IRA (PIRA) announced the end of its armed campaign and that September, international weapons inspectors supervised the full disarmament of the PIRA.

The elections of 2017 marked the first time since partition that the Unionists did not win a majority of seats. The opposing Sinn Féin party has stated its main goal is the reunification of Ireland. After three years of political deadlock, a power-sharing deal was reached in 2020. Considering shifting demographics and the fact that the majority of voters in Northern Ireland were opposed to Brexit and wanted to remain within the European Union, maybe reunification with the Republic of Ireland (which is an EU member state) is not a far-off dream.

65 United Kingdom in Brief

Facts, Figures & National Holidays • Area: 94,525 square miles

• Capital: London, with a separate parliament in Edinburgh for Scotland, a National Assembly in Cardiff for Wales, and a National Assembly for Northern Ireland in Belfast.

• Government: Constitutional monarchy

• Languages: English, Welsh, Gaelic

• Location: Situated off the northwest coast of Europe, the island of Britain is occupied by England, Wales, and Scotland—collectively called Great Britain. Together with Northern Ireland, Great Britain makes up the nation officially called the United Kingdom (UK). England, in the southern part of Britain, is separated from Scotland on the north by the granite Cheviot Hills. To the west along the border of Wales—a land of steep hills and valleys—are the Cambrian Mountains. To the south of England is the English Channel and to the east is the North Sea, which also washes the eastern coast of Scotland. To the west of England is the Irish Sea, mixed to the north with the Atlantic Ocean.

• Population: Entire UK 65,105,246 (estimate): England - 55,268,100, Scotland - 5,404,700, Wales - 3,113,200, Northern Ireland - 1,862,100

• Religions: Christian (Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist, etc.) 59.5%, Muslim 4.4%, Hindu 1.3%, other 2%, unspecified 7.2%, none 25.7%

• Time zone: Great Britain is five hours ahead of Eastern Time: when it is 6 am in New York, it is 11 am in Wales, England, and Scotland.

National Holidays: United Kingdom

National holidays can vary depending on follow a lunar calendar, such as Easter. To which part of the country you’re in; please find out if you will be traveling during these refer to the section for the specific area that holidays, please visit www.timeanddate. you’ll be visiting. The United Kingdom also com/holidays. celebrates a number of national holidays that Scotland

Facts, Figures & National Holidays • Area: 30,918 square miles

• Capital: Edinburgh (regional); Scotland is part of the United Kingdom, whose national capital is London

• Location: Consists of 32 council areas, occupying the northern part of Great Britain and islands

66 • Languages: English, Scots, Scottish Gaelic

• Population: 5,404,700

• Religions: None 49.4%, Church of Scotland 24.1%, Roman Catholic 14.5%, other Christian 7.8%, Other 2.3%, Muslim 1.6%, Unknown 0.3%

• Time Zone: Same as the rest of the United Kingdom, five hours ahead of Eastern Time

National Holidays: Scotland

In addition to the holidays listed below, 1st Monday in May Early May Bank Holiday Scotland celebrates a number of national Last Monday in May Spring Bank Holiday holidays that follow a lunar calendar, such as Easter. To find out if you will be traveling First Monday in August Summer Bank Holiday during these holidays, please visit www. timeanddate.com/holidays. 11/30 St. Andrew’s Day

01/01 New Year’s Day 12/25 Christmas Day

01/02 2nd January Holiday 12/26 Boxing Day

Scotland: A Brief History We know that various hunter-gatherer tribes inhabited Scotland as far back as 9,600 BC. By 3,000 BC, they used tools, established farming and scattered standing stones all over. You can see some of these Neolithic monoliths on the Isle of Lewis, Shetland, Orkney, and beyond.

The Romans arrived in Great Britain 43 AD, but when they attempted to occupy Scotland, they met fierce resistance from the native tribes, who they referred to as Caledonians. The Romans built several fortifications, including Hadrian’s Wall and the Antonine Wall. But they were never able to conquer the Caledonians and by 212 AD, they left.

In the wake of the Romans, Scotland was divided into four main kingdoms. The Picts held the northeast, the Scots (from Ireland) established Dal Riata in the west, the Britons occupied the southwest, and the Angles had Bernicia, which eventually morphed into Northumbria and stretched into England. Their rivalries were set aside in the face of a new threat: by 793 AD, Viking marauders arrived, ferociously attacking the monasteries at Iona and Lindisfarne, taking over villages and establishing trading posts. In 843 AD, the various kingdoms united under Kenneth MacAlpin, the first King of Alba. Eventually, his domain became known as Scotland. A nation was born.

When the Normans took over England in 1066, many Anglo-Saxons moved north into the Scottish Lowlands. This is when the Scots began adopting English cultural ways. But when a succession dispute arose, the English King Edward I seized the opportunity to invade and name himself king. This led to the first War of Scottish Independence in which William Wallace, of Braveheart fame, routed the English at Stirling Bridge in 1297. The victory was short lived, as the English returned

67 in 1298, captured Wallace and executed him in 1305. But Robert the Bruce picked up the baton (and the crown), and defeated the English at Bannockburn in 1314. Scotland’s independence was assured, but peace was not.

Centuries of conflict with England ensued, often fueled by religion and marked not just by physical violence, but by various English attempts to suppress Scottish culture. The connections between clans were broken, and the chieftains became feudal lords whose rapacity often forced their own people off lands in evictions known as “clearances.” In 1707, the two nations signed onto the Act of Union, which united England and Scotland under the same flag and Parliament, but allowed Scotland to keep its own church and legal system. The United Kingdom was born, but again, the bloodshed did not die as years of rebellion continued. The last one, led by Bonnie Prince Charlie, culminated with the Battle of Culloden in 1746.

Despite tensions, Scotland’s economy was supercharged by the Industrial Revolution. The 18th century saw the Scottish Enlightenment, and Glasgow became a great trading port. Scotland’s educational system flourished, and its inventors exported their genius around the world. During World Wars I and II, the Scots’ warrior legacy made huge contributions to the Allied War effort.

Following deindustrialization in the 20th century, the Scottish economy hit a wall. Tensions with England continue, manifesting as periodic calls for independence. In 2014, voters rejected a referendum for independence by a slim margin. They may well be reconsidering that decision: only 38% of Scots were in favor of Brexit, and a 2020 poll showed that 52% of voters support leaving the UK, post-Brexit.

68 RESOURCES

Suggested Reading

Ireland Malachy McCourt’s History of Ireland by Malachy McCourt (2008, History) If you like your history with a dose of wry humor, this New York Times best seller may be for you. It is more a series of biographical vignettes than an academic history, but it weaves together myth, folklore, culture, music, cuisine and more from the country’s past and present.

The Spinning Heart by Donal Ryan (2012, Fiction) Long-listed for the Booker Prize, this story is told by 21 diverse narrators, each one describing their version of life in a rural Irish village that has been knocked hard by the economic crisis of 2008.

The Great Hunger by Cecil Woodham-Smith (1962, History) The authoritative book on Ireland’s potato famine during 1845-1849.

Normal People by Sally Rooney (2018, Fiction) This popular best seller (long-listed for the Man Booker Prize) explores the intense love between two west Ireland teens who end up at college in Dublin, and move on to navigate adulthood. It’s a witty look at contemporary Irish life, and a love that is muddled by secrecy, social class, and the characters’ own complicated personalities.

Irish Sagas and Folk Tales by Eileen O’Faolain (1954, Folk Tales) The most comprehensive one- volume collection of Irish mythology.

Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt (1996, Autobiography) This Pulitzer Prize-winning book recounts the author’s youth in Depression-era Limerick. Through harrowing poverty, punishing schools, his father’s alcoholism, searing loss, and the casual cruelty of friends and relatives, the author still manages to retain his love for storytelling, for humor, for the mother who could not protect him, and for life itself.

TransAtlantic by Colum McCann (2014, Historical Fiction) Three iconic crossings between Ireland and New World are retold—the 1845 visit to Ireland by Frederick Douglass; the first non-stop transatlantic flight in 1919; and a senator’s involvement in the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.

Circle of Friends by Maeve Binchley (1990, Fiction) A coming-of-age novel set in 1950s rural Ireland. Most of the book centers on the lives of three friends—gentle Benny, bravely honest Eve, and class-conscious Nan—as they grow up and enter college. The book was made into a film starring Chris O’Donnell and Minnie Driver.

69 Northern Ireland Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland by Patrick Radden Keefe (2019, Nonfiction) In 1972, 38-year old Jean McConville, a widowed mother of eight, was abducted from her Belfast home and murdered. What would otherwise be a gripping true crime story is revealed to be part of a web of other stories, which altogether provide an epic portrait of the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

Scotland The Scottish World: History and Culture of Scotland by Harold Orel, et al (1981, Culture) Ten essays seek to show that Scottish culture is distinctly different from English in its art, architecture, literature, music, and history.

The Crow Road by Iain Banks (1992, Fiction) Set in the west Highlands (in a town reminiscent of Oban), this darkly comic tale from one of Scotland’s most acclaimed writers touches on themes of love, death, sex, addiction, family and the power of the Scottish landscape. In it, Prentice, a bumbling student, attempts to unravel the disappearance of his Uncle Rory, just one of the eccentric characters in the sprawling McHoan family. The Crow Road is a real road in Glasgow, but the expression “to take the crow road” means you are dead.

Corrag by Susan Fletcher (2010, Historical Fiction) In Glencoe in 1692, 38 members of the Macdonald clan are killed by the redcoats of William III—after they’d enjoyed the family’s hospitality for a week. This real-life incident is told from the perspective of Corrag, a young woman who is accused of witchcraft after the event, and imprisoned in Inverary.

The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark (1961, Fiction) In 1930s Edinburgh, six 10-year-old girls are chosen as the favorites of their teacher, the unconventional, complicated and exuberant Miss Brodie. We follow all their lives through petty jealousies, the emergence of fascism in Europe, misguided affairs, World War II, religious awakening—and a searing betrayal. The film version won an Oscar for star Maggie Smith as Miss Jean.

44 Scotland Street series by Alexander McCall Smith (Fiction) Alexander McCall Smith, also known for the bestselling No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series, depicts the lives of colorful residents in an Edinburgh apartment building.

Complete Poems and Songs of Robert Burnsby Robert Burns (2012, Poetry) A collection by the famous Scottish poet who is known for writing in the Scots language, including the famous Auld Lang Syne.

Suggested Film & Video

Ireland The Commitments (1991, Comedy/Drama) Based on a novel by Roddy Doyle, this musical follows the travails of working-class youth in 1980s Dublin, who think their ticket to fame lies in forming a band dedicated to American soul music. A cast of young, inexperienced actors play the musicians with heart and passion (and offer up a truly knockout version of Mustang Sally).

70 Philomena (2013, Drama) Based on the true story of Philomena Lee, who became pregnant out of wedlock in 1950 and was sent to an abbey in Roscrea to give birth. She spent three years there with her son Michael, who was then taken from her and sold to an American couple (as were many other children). Fifty years alter, journalist Martin Sixsmith helped uncover the scandal, and helped Philomena learn the fate of her son.

Ryan’s Daughter (1970, Drama) Imagine Madame Bovary—set against the sweeping beauty of the Dingle Peninsula. This David Lean epic tells the story of an young, unfulfilled married woman’s affair with a traumatized British officer during World War I. The all-star cast includes Sarah Miles, John Miles, Robert Mitchum, Trevor Howard, and Leo McKern.

Michael Collins (1996, Drama) Directed by Neil Jordan, this fine biopic stars Liam Neeson as the hero of the Irish Civil War, who helped negotiate the creation of the Irish Free State.

Brooklyn (2015, Drama) is a touching drama about a young Irish woman who emigrates to New York in the 1950s. Though much of it takes place in Brooklyn, the heroine Eilis (Saoirse Ronan) returns to Ireland to make an important choice. Nominated for three Academy Awards in 2016.

Waking Ned Devine (1998, Comedy). Set in a rural Irish town, this is the tale of lottery winner Ned Devine—who is found dead, with a winning ticket in his hand. The townsfolk try to fool the authorities into thinking Ned is still alive so they can cash the ticket in and share the prize.

Northern Ireland ‘71 (2014, Drama) During the height of The Troubles, a British soldier becomes separated from his unit after a riot breaks out in a mixed Belfast neighborhood. Suspense and compassion mix as the film explores the humanity of all the characters, regardless of their sectarian roles.

Derry Girls (2018, TV Show). This acclaimed sitcom follows the lives of high school girls in Northern Ireland during the end of the Troubles in the 1990s. Enjoy the dark humor, raw writing and irrepressible cast.

In the Name of the Father (1994, Biopic) The true-life story of Gerry Conlon, one of the “Guildford Four”—four Irish youths who were falsely convicted of blowing up an English pub in the 1970s. Although only partly set in Northern Ireland (the trial and jail time are in England), the film does a good job at exploring the tensions between the Catholics and Protestants at the time.

Scotland Mary Queen of Scots (2018, Historical Drama) History has cast Queen Elizabeth I (Margot Robbie) and her cousin Mary (Saoirse Ronan) as enemies. This film imagines them as both power brokers and pawns whose mutual admiration is crushed by the misogyny, nationalism and treachery of their courts.

71 Local Hero (1983, Comedy) Oil exec Burt Lancaster sends young hotshot Mac to coastal Ferness, Scotland, to buy the entire village to make way for an oil refinery. The quirky locals are eager to make money, but others are not so keen, including an eccentric beach bum and a researcher who may (or may not) be a real mermaid. Spectacular Scottish locations, magical starry skies, subtle humor and genuine affection make this the perfect pre-trip pic.

Macbeth (2015, Drama) Evocative Scottish settings, outstanding production values and the timeless themes of Shakespeare’s tragedy make this a must-see. Stars Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard bring intensity and depth as Scotland’s most famous power couple.

Trainspotting (1997, Dark Comedy/Drama) Danny Boyle’s electrifying breakthrough film follows a young heroin addict (Ewan MacGregor) and his outrageous friends as they struggle to score in the underside of Edinburgh. Plenty of black humor and provocative social commentary.

Braveheart (1995, Drama) The 13th century rebel William Wallace teams up with Robert the Bruce to lead the First War of Scottish Independence against England. The historical accuracy of Mel Gibson’s opus has been critiqued, but none can deny the thrill of its battles, epic scenery and engrossing storyline.

Scottish TV Shows Outlander (2014–present, Drama) Based on the novels of Diana Gabaldon, this wildly popular, historical time-travel series begins when a WWII nurse visits Inverness, Scotland, where she is mysteriously carried from the standing stones at Craigh na Dun back in time to 1743. She falls in love with a rebel Highlander, whose Jacobite cause, she knows, is doomed.

Shetland (2013–present, Mystery) Small town life is more complicated than it seems in this acclaimed BBC series. Follow detective Jimmy Pérez as he investigates crime amidst the elemental landscapes of the Shetlands.

72 Useful Websites

Grand Circle Forum (tips from previous World Weather travelers) www.intellicast.com www.gct.com/forum www.weather.com www.wunderground.com Grand Circle Shop www.grandcircleshop.com Basic Travel Phrases (80 languages) www.travlang.com/languages Grand Circle Frequently Asked Questions www.gct.com/faq Packing Tips www.travelite.org International Health Information/CDC (Centers for Disease Control) U.S. Customs & Border Protection http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel www.cbp.gov/travel

Electricity & Plugs Transportation Security www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/ Administration (TSA) plugs-and-sockets www.tsa.gov

Foreign Exchange Rates National Passport Information Center www.xe.com/currencyconverter www.travel.state.gov www.oanda.com/converter/classic Holidays Worldwide ATM Locators www.timeanddate.com/holidays www.mastercard.com/atm www.visa.com/atmlocator

73 VACCINATIONS NOW REQUIRED FOR ALL TRAVELERS, PROGRAM DIRECTORS, AND COACH DRIVERS Plus, updated Health & Safety Protocols for our Land Tours

The health and safety of our travelers is always our #1 priority, and we understand travelers are concerned about exploring the world in light of the unprecedented crisis we are currently facing. To ensure your safety and give you peace of mind, we have worked with our regional team and listened to government guidance and feedback from our travelers to create these health and safety protocols for our trips. As we continue to make changes, we will keep our website updated with the latest information.

VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS AND UPDATED HEALTH & SAFETY PROTOCOLS FOR GRAND CIRCLE TOURS

• All travelers must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at least 14 days prior to departure. If you are unable to provide proof of vaccination upon arrival at your destination, you will have to return home at your own expense.

To meet this requirement, please bring your original COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card with you on your trip. The white card must display your name, type of vaccine, and the date(s) the vaccine was administered. We also suggest taking a picture of this card to keep for your records as a backup.

• All local Program Directors will be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

• All coach drivers will be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

We will do all we can to ensure our travelers’ safety and health while on our trips, but we need your help. We expect travelers to follow best health and hygiene practices to prevent the spread of illness as well—from washing your hands regularly, to covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing. By working together, we can create a safer travel experience for everyone.

Learn more at www.gct.com/covid-update

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a Included Tour Optional Tour N. Ireland

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h S e a I r i s 3 Sea Dublin Celtic Waterford 2 Glendalough Kilkenny Cobh Ireland Cork 2 Cahir Castle 3 Castle Blarney 3 Burren Galway Connemara Kerry Ring of Dingle Killarney Cliffs of Moher Ocean Atlantic

75 Visit www.gct.com or call us toll-free at 1-800-221-2610

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