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Departing Edinburgh, you travel north-west for your first stop of the day at magnificent Stirling Castle*, one of Scotland’s most historically significant castles, sitting high on volcanic rock and offering wonderful views of the surrounding landscape. You will have time to visit the castle and learn of the exploits of key historic figures including William Wallace, Robert the Bruce and Mary Queen of Scots. With lots of interesting things to see and do here, the Stirling Castle experience is a must for any visitor to Scotland. You then continue on, past medieval Doune Castle, to the pretty town of Callander, situated on the banks of the River Teith in Stirlingshire, where you will have a chance to stop to enjoy some lunch. From here we enter The Trossachs National Park, also known as “The Highlands in miniature” for its abundance of lochs, mountains and forests, and famous as the homeland of legendary outlaw, Rob Roy MacGregor. You will then reach the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, one of the prettiest and largest lochs in the whole of Scotland. Here you can enjoy an hour long cruise* taking in spectacular views of the loch’s many islands and the surrounding mountains. Alternatively, take a stroll through the picturesque loch-side conservation village of Luss, with its quaint houses, cafes and stunning views across the loch’s western shoreline. You will then travel back to Edinburgh. *OPTIONAL EXTRA. Daily | ALL YEAR Departs: 09:15 Returns: 18:30
A Shorter Day Tour visiting Rosslyn Chapel, Scott’s View & Melrose Abbey. Departing at 09.30 your tour takes you south to the world famous Scott’s View, with stunning views over the Tweed Valley and the Eildon Hills. You will also get the opportunity to visit the original Wallace Monument. From here you travel to Melrose with the opportunity to explore its great Border Abbey, founded by the Cistercians in the 12th Century. The Cistercian monks had very close connections with the Knights Templar and Melrose Abbey is the burial place of Robert the Bruce's heart, brought back from the crusades in Moorish Spain. Following lunch in Melrose you will make your way to the stunning 15th century Rosslyn Chapel, immortalised in Dan Brown’s “Da Vinci Code” and you can find out more about the myths and legends surrounding the whereabouts of the “Holy Grail”
You will hear the story of Lord Norbury, the infamous and sadistic ‘Hanging Judge’ who presided over the trial of Robert Emmet. Hated in life, in death he returned to continue his reign of terror. You will learn the legend of Scaldbrother, the infamous medieval thief whose buried treasure may still lie in a labyrinth of tunnels under Smithfield. Not to mention Billy the Bowl, the 18th century murderer, born without legs, who once terrorized Stoneybatter and Grangegorman. If you are feeling brave enough, we will take you down Hendrick Street, once the site of two of the most haunted houses in Dublin. Between them, nos. 7 & 8 Hendrick Street were home to no fewer than six different ghosts. Demolished in the 1960’s, the houses are long gone, but the ghosts...? And what of the haunted hospital? Ghostly nurses have been seen all the way down the block. Could they be the reason for office chairs spinning by themselves in an adjacent building? Or electronic toys turning on and off by themselves? You might want to steel your nerves before venturing with us to Croppie’s Acre. This long-abandoned site was used as a football pitch in the 20th century. Shocking when you consider that it is a mass grave – the final resting place of hundreds of rebels executed after the 1798 rebellion. If you are of a sensitive disposition, you may well come away feeling disturbed. Sometimes, the spirits here attempt communication! You will also hear tell of the mummies of Saint Michan’s Church, surely the most macabre tourist attraction in Ireland, and a major inspiration to the young Bram Stoker, native of Clontarf and author of Dracula. As if that’s not enough to whet your appetite, you will also visit the site of a 21st century apparition of the Virgin Mary. Thousands of passers-by claim to have seen the image on the wall. Can you? And do be careful who you step on as we pass through the deconsecrated graveyard. The gravestones may have moved, but the bodies haven’t... Testimonials: "It was one of the best ghost tours I’ve been on. The whole group felt the temperature drop as we were leaving Saint Mary’s Abbey. It was really weird." Alison, San Francisco, California "I liked that it took the subject seriously. These are real haunted places, and sensitive people on the tour definitely seemed to be experiencing something. Hendrick Street was interesting. One woman in the group who said she was psychic refused to go near the old funeral parlour" Paul, Dallas, Texas "I’ve been in the Edinburgh vaults a couple of times, and never felt anything. What I liked about the Northside Ghost Walk is how ordinary some of the places are – shops, museums and parks that people use every day without realising what has happened there. I’ve never really been a believer, but I swear I saw someone walking through Croppie’s acre, and I got some really weird stuff in my photos there." Sarah, Edinburgh, Scotland "Thanks a bunch, guys! I live on Hendrick Street, and after your tour I think I’m gonna have to move!" Ciaran, Dublin "I highly recommend this tour to anyone who likes ghost stories. Don’t expect cheesy attempts to scare you – you’ll get true stories backed up by the true history behind the places. Some of these places will make your skin crawl!" Lisa, Washington D.C. "I’m the biggest skeptic in the world, but something is just wrong with Hendrick Street!" John, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Start your day trip to the East Algarve with a hotel pickup, and then travel by air-conditioned coach to the pretty town of Almancil, roughly 8 miles (13km) northwest of Faro. Head inside the town’s crowning glory, the beautiful Church of St Lourenço (Igreja de São Lourenço de Matos), and marvel at its stunning blue-and-white wall tiles while exploring. The tiles depict the story of St Lourenço who used money from the Catholic Church to pay for the poor until he was caught by the Romans. Continue to Faro, the Algarve’s capital, for a walking tour of its elegant Old Town. Amble around the charming cobblestone streets and see the Arc da Vila, a monument that was commissioned to mark the entrance to the Old Town after a devastating earthquake in 1755. After exploring the streets, enjoy some free time to sightsee independently or shop for souvenirs to take home. Meet back up with your guide and travel to the nearby town of Olhão with its bustling fishing port and Moorish-esque neighborhoods and cube-shaped houses. Stretch your legs on a walk around with your guide, and then take a break for lunch at your own expense; your guide will have plenty of restaurant recommendations if you need them. Your last stop of the day is the beautiful city of Tavira, a town often called the 'Venice of the Algarve' after its location that straddles the River Gilão. Steeped in history, Tavira is home to Roman bridges, Renaissance churches and historical monuments aplenty, but it’s Tavira Castle — a structure thought to date to Neolithic days — that is the town’s most intriguing sight. Pay your entrance fee and then head inside the site to explore the castle's ramparts and ruins. Leave Tavira in the late afternoon and travel back to your Algarve hotel where your day trip finishes.
The new Acropolis museum is consider one of the most important archaelogical museums in Athens and ranks among the most important museums of the world. For the first time ever all the surviving treasures of the Acropolis will be seen together in one place. Works currently held in storage or in other museum in Greece and all over the world are now together in one brand new museum close to their original location. The Acropolis museum main attractions such as votives, artifacts of every day life, statues from archaic period, Caryatids, and of course the Parthenon hall with the metopes, the pediments and the frieze will impress you. Another major exhibit is the remains of the ancient Athenian city that revealed by archaeological excavations on the site of the museum.
Your Parisian evening starts with a cruise through the scenic heart of arguably the most romantic city in the world. Included is an a la carte menu: starter, main course, dessert, wine, mineral water and coffee. All authentic cuisine is prepared on board by the Chef. Dinner is accompanied by an original musical animation. Menu available in - French, English, Spanish, German, Japanese, Italian, Russian, Korean, Chinese and Portugese. Autumn/Winter menu 2018/2019 Click here to see the menu Vegeterian Menu (From 4th of april to 2nd october 2018) Click here to see the menu
