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YOUR O.A.T. ADVENTURE TRAVEL PLANNING GUIDE® Maritime Jewels of the British Isles & Ireland 2022 Small Groups: 20-25 travelers—guaranteed! (average of 22) Overseas Adventure Travel ® The Leader in Personalized Small Group Adventures on the Road Less Traveled 1 Dear Traveler, At last, the world is opening up again for curious travel lovers like you and me. And the O.A.T. New! Maritime Jewels of the British Isles: England, Wales, Northern Ireland & Scotland itinerary you’ve expressed interest in will be a wonderful way to resume the discoveries that bring us so much joy. You might soon be enjoying standout moments like these: When I think of the British Isles, I imagine dramatic cliffs and lush greenery, lively music echoing from a local pub, and legendary tales of folk heroes. I also love to see how the people live, work, and play in rural communities like the Orkney Islands, a remote community off the northeaster coast of Scotland. You’ll experience A Day in the Life of a working sheep farm. You’ll meet the farm owner and his wife before feeding the sheep and witnessing a demonstration of the whistle commands uses by farmers to train sheepdogs to herd flock. Then, you’ll enjoy a farm-fresh lunch with the farmer and his wife. But nothing compares with the stories I hear directly from the local people. You’ll hear their dramatic personal experiences when you explore Belfast via black cab, driven by locals who lived through The Troubles; and you’ll have a rare opportunity to meet an ex-British soldier and two ex-political prisoners—a Republican who fought for Irish independence and a loyalist who fought with the Ulster Volunteer Force—to learn about the dark shadow cast by this conflict and their shared hopes for a better future. The way we see it, you’ve come a long way to experience the true culture—not some fairytale version of it. So we keep our groups small, with only 20-25 travelers (average 22) to ensure that your encounters with local people are as intimate and authentic as possible. It’s also why your O.A.T. Trip Experience Leader will be a resident “insider” who can show you the culture as only a local can. To ensure that your adventure is truly unique, put your own personal stamp on it. You can arrive early and stay later, add a pre- or post-trip extension, spend time in a Stopover city, or combine two or more trips. Plus, your itinerary offers ample free time so you can pursue your own interests. So until the day comes when you are off to enjoy your New! Maritime Jewels of the British Isles: England, Wales, Northern Ireland & Scotland adventure, I hope you will relish the fun and anticipation that this O.A.T. Adventure Travel Planning Guide® will inspire. Should you have further questions, feel free to call our Regional Adventure Counselors at 1-800-955-1925. Love and peace, 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.oattravel.com/risk-free-booking. USA Today “Best Tours” 10Best Readers’ Presented by Choice Awards Solo Traveler 2 CONTENTS A Letter from Harriet Lewis ................................................................2 The O.A.T. Difference......................................................................4 The Freedom to Personalize Your Experience ................................................6 Grand Circle Foundation...................................................................8 The Leader in Solo Travel ..................................................................9 MARITIME JEWELS OF THE BRITISH ABOUT YOUR DESTINATIONS: ISLES: ENGLAND, WALES, NORTHERN CULTURE, ETIQUETTE & MORE IRELAND & SCOTLAND Culture of the British Isles ................ 65 Your Adventure at a Glance: Language in Ireland ..................... 67 Where You’re Going, What it Costs, Oxford in Brief........................... 71 and What’s Included ..................... 10 Aberdeen in Brief ........................ 72 Your Detailed Day-To-Day Itinerary ........ 12 Dublin in Brief........................... 74 Pre-Trip Extension ....................... 23 Edinburgh in Brief ....................... 73 Post-Trip Extension ...................... 29 Shopping: What to Buy, Customs, Deck Plans .............................. 34 Shipping & More ........................ 75 Dates & Prices ........................... 36 DEMOGRAPHICS & HISTORY Travel Documents & Entry Requirements. 37 United Kingdom in Brief.................. 77 No Visas Required ....................... 37 Facts, Figures & National Holidays ........ 77 Rigors, Vaccines & General Health ......... 39 England ................................ 77 Ocean Cruise vs. River Cruise ............. 40 Facts, Figures & National Holidays ........ 77 Vaccines Required ..................... .. 40 England: A Brief History .................. 78 Money Matters: Local Currency & Wales................................... 79 Tipping Guidelines....................... 43 Facts, Figures & National Holidays ........ 79 Top Three Tips .......................... 43 Wales: A Brief History .................... 80 How to Exchange Money ................. 44 Scotland................................ 80 Tipping Guidelines....................... 47 Facts, Figures & National Holidays ........ 80 Air, Optional Tours & Staying in Touch ..... 48 Scotland: A Brief History ................. 81 Optional Tours .......................... 49 Isle of Man .............................. 82 Communicating with Home from Abroad . 50 Facts, Figures & National Holidays ........ 82 Packing: What to Bring & Luggage Limits . 51 Northern Ireland ........................ 83 Your Luggage............................ 52 Facts, Figures & National Holidays ........ 83 Clothing Suggestions .................... 52 Northern Ireland: A Brief History .......... 83 Suggested Packing Lists .................. 53 Ireland ................................. 84 Electricity Abroad ....................... 55 Facts, Figures & National Holidays ........ 84 Climate & Average Temperatures .......... 57 Ireland: A Brief History ................... 85 Aboard Your Ship: Cabin Features, Dining & Services on Board ............... 61 RESOURCES M/V Corinthian & M/V Clio................. 61 Suggested Reading ...................... 87 Ship Specifications ...................... 64 Suggested Film & Video .................. 89 O.A.T. Health & Safety Measures.......................................................... 94 Notes.................................................................................. 95 Map ................................................................................... 99 3 EXPERIENCE THE O.A.T. DIFFERENCE in Europe This adventure not only showcases iconic sights, but takes you beyond them to experience the culture through unique activities, engagement with the natural world, and authentic encounters with local people. Since our founding in 1978, O.A.T. has become America’s leader in personalized small group journeys on the road less traveled. SMALL GROUPS: 20-25 TRAVELERS LOCAL MODES OF TRANSPORTATION (AVERAGE OF 22)—GUARANTEED To see the world like the locals, you should The world feels more intimate and engaging travel like one. Our small group size allows when your experience of it is also personal us to take the roads and waterways that are and genuine. That’s why our groups never less traveled, and we often follow them using exceed 25 travelers. This gives you access to the same unique modes of transportation people and places larger groups simply can’t that the locals use—be it a canoe, a camel or a reach. More authentic interactions. Deeper vintage cab. bonds with your travel mates. Personal service from your Trip Experience Leader. Smoother UNIQUE LODGINGS transitions. And a far more satisfying Our lodgings reflect the local character, experience than any traditional tour offers. from smaller family-run hotels and historic manors to comfy inns. Occasionally, larger THE BEST TRIP EXPERIENCE LEADERS hotels closer to city centers are used. Wherever Your English-speaking, O.A.T. Trip Experience you stay, you’re assured fine comfort and Leader is a resident of the region you are visiting, hospitality. so you will get a true insider’s perspective that brings each place alive—the stories, food, OUR WORLDWIDE OFFICES customs, hidden treasures and more. With 36 regional offices around the world, we are perfectly poised to leverage our local AUTHENTIC CULTURAL CONNECTIONS relationships to deliver an excellent experience Engage with local people through visits to and value. During this trip, you’ll be supported farms, factories, markets, and artisans’ by our team in London. studios; school visits; Home-Hosted meals; and more. Witness the thatched cottages of Gaerannan Blackhouse Experience the hospitality of locals over a Home-Hosted meal Village on the Isle of Lewis 4 THE PILLARS OF DISCOVERY Enriching. Inspiring. Unforgettable. These features form the foundation of your Maritime Jewels of the British Isles adventure. GRAND CIRCLE FOUNDATION (GCF) VISIT divisions still split Belfast today, and how GCF was established in 1992 to help change they are now committed to a shared vision of people’s lives in the world where we live, reconciliation. work, and travel. To date, we have pledged or A DAY IN THE LIFE donated $200 million worldwide. Do you ever wonder, “What would it be like By investing in the places we explore— to live here?” when you visit new lands? Let’s including local schools, cooperatives,