It’s been a few years since my last Adventure by Disney (ABD) vacation and the new itinerary for Scotland caught my attention.
SCOTLAND — A BRAVE ADVENTURE
This 9 day/8 night adventure begins and ends in Edinburgh with visits to Inverness, Isle of Skye and Isle of Lewis.
Join me for an adult-only experience that only the Adventures by Disney folks can provide, September 15-23, 2013!
Itinerary Highlights
Day 1 – A Disney representative meets you at the airport and a driver takes to you the Balmoral Hotel. Everyone arrives throughout the day and we gather for a welcome dinner to meet our guides and fellow travelers.
Day 2 – Our first excursion is to the Palace of Holyroodhouse where a Blue Badge Guide leads us on a tour of this royal palace that is one of the Queen’s official residences in Edinburgh. The National Museum of Scotland is next, where a private guide provides the tour. After a group lunch in the Museum it’s time for the Dovecot Studios Tour. This 100-year-old studio creates tapestries through a rich collaboration between the artist, weavers and commissioners. Late afternoon and dinner we are on our own.
Day 3 – After breakfast we journey by coach to one of the most famous islands of Scotland — the mystical, magical Isle of Skye. A visit to Ft. William where the sea meets the Rivers Nevis and Lochy, with mighty Ben Nevis — the highest mountain in the British Isles — towering in the background. Time on our own is included. Back on the coach to the Cuillin Hills Hotel, overlooking the waters of Portree Bay, with spectacular views of both the Sound of Raasay and the grand Cuillin Mountain Range.
Day 4 – Breakfast first and then we board the coach to the rugged Sound of Raasay. Our day includes hiking at Brothers Point and a ride to Quiraing. After lunch at Flodigarry Hotel, we walk along Staffin Beach and visit Kilt Rock. At the Isle of Skye Baking Company we’ll learn how to make scones! Dinner is on our own in Portree.
Day 5 – On the coach to our next destination, Eilean Donan Castle. This majestic national icon sits at the dramatic junction of three great saltwater lochs. We can explore the Loch Ness Exhibition Centre and enjoy an exclusive Lunch at the Loch Ness Café. Then we board a motor launch for a trek across Loch Ness. We disembark at the ruins of this once-mighty fortress that commands breathtaking views of Loch Ness. Finally we arrive at the Kingsclub Hotel & Spa, Inverness, the new annex of the Kingsmills Hotel, and enjoy dinner.
Day 6 – We board a flight to the Isle of Lewis where we tour: the Blackhouse of Arnol, No. 42, Gearrannan Village and see the Dun Carloway Broch, the Callanish Standing Stones and then lunch at the Cafe. We then fly back to Inverness for dinner at the Mustard Seed.
Day 7 – We spend the day at the Rothiemurchus Estate! Horseback riding, bicycle (or casual) walking tour, and lunch at the Druie Café Restaurant.
Day 8 – Our final full day of touring! After breakfast at the hotel we board a coach for a scenic three-hour trip to the Scottish Highlands! Dunnottar Castle and Glamis Castle are on the list as well as a picnic lunch, private guided tour and archery lesson. We have a welcome reception at Edinburgh Castle. Once the castle is closed to the general public, we have a private tour of this magnificent monument and then an exclusive dinner at Edinburgh Castle.
Day 9 – Breakfast and then transfers to the airport. Whew! What an itinerary!
Accommodations
While in Edinburgh we will stay in the Balmoral Hotel, a 5-star luxury hotel. The Balmoral was named as Scotland’s Leading Hotel at the World Travel Awards 2011 and as the Top UK Business Hotel outside of London at the Condé Nast Traveller’s Readers’ Travel Awards 2011.
The Cuillin Hills Hotel , a four-star luxury hotel, will be our home for our two nights in the Isle of Skye. It’s set within 15 acres of mature private grounds overlooking Portree Bay, with magnificent views over the Sound of Raasay to the Cuillin Mountain range.
While in Inverness, our home is the Kingsclub Luxury Spa Hotel. All rooms at the Kingsmills Hotel are ensuite with satellite TV, wifi, and tea and coffee making facilities.
DINING
The Adventure includes 8 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches and 5 Dinners. The guides will assist you by providing recommendations for the “meals on your own”.
Interested? Find out more about this exciting trip and how you can join us!
WHY ADVENTURES BY DISNEY
I absolutely love the Adventures by Disney product and my experience on my two trips were equally wonderful. Every little detail is taken care of for you. Your pre-trip planning consists of learning the rich history about the areas you will visit, not trying to determine where to stay and exactly what to do!
Before my first AbD, I found the offerings intriguing, but so expensive. Everyone I spoke with who had done an Adventure raved about it and said it was worth every penny. I had never done an organized tour before, wasn’t sure what I’d think of it. I now stand with those folks and can only sing the praises about the incredible experience.
Here are some of the reasons I love Adventures by Disney:
A Disney representative meets you at the airport and a driver takes you to your hotel!
Everyplace we went, our rooms were ready and our luggage was already in them! No check-in lines, our guides had us all pre-registered and handed out the keys as we entered the lobby of each hotel.
Our guides were like the Energizer bunnies. No matter what time of day, where we were, or what the situation, they consistently went over and above. They made the Disney Difference.
We were treated like VIPs at almost every place we went. The Disney name goes a long way! We only had to mention at any of the hotels we were with the “Disney” group and folks couldn’t do enough to make us happy.
Not every single moment is planned — free time is built in for your own explorations.
Each stop we had local guides on the tour sharing their knowledge and expertise. They were able to answer just about any question asked and knew the special things to point out to us, things you wouldn’t necessarily find in a printed guide.
It was wonderful to be able to look out the bus windows and see the scenery along the way. Since we weren’t driving, one person wasn’t missing the highlights.
All gratuities are included except for the Disney Guides.
FIRST-HAND REPORTS ABOUT ADVENTURES BY DISNEY
Read all about my Southwest Splendors Adventure by Disney!
Here’s my trip report from the Backstage Magic Adventure!
Beci shared her Adventure by Disney to Ireland!
Erin enjoyed the Costa Rica Adventures with her family!
Sounds like a great trip!!! Im checking into my schedule and if possible we would love to join you again.
Deb, FYI, the Balmoral is where JK Rowling secluded herself in a suite to finish writing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. We have a dear friend who lives in Edinburgh, and we’ve had high tea at the Balmoral. It’s an amazing property. Enjoy!
I don’t know if you have any free time pre or post your adventure but if so perhaps we could have an All Ears UK meet? it would be fab to meet you and other UK fans. Have a lovely time in Scotland it is a beautiful country.
DEB: Thanks for the suggestion. I’ll see how the flights and such come together and then decide!
As a proud Scotswoman I think it’s great Disney’s organising Adventures over here.
Here’s hoping you have a great time in Bonnie Scotland – and that you understand all our accents okay! 😀
Welcome to the UK!
You’ll have a fantastic time! Some of the scenery in Scotland is the best in the world.
Enjoy!
That sounds so amazing! I wish I could go with you! (Totally out of the question, unfortunately.) This Scottish trip of theirs has really caught my attention, I hope they keep it around for a while yet.