Compare Outlander: On the Trail of Jamie & Claire by Great Value Vacations vs Castles & Kingdoms by Luxury Gold
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| Trip |
4 | Great
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4.5 | Great
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| Duration | 7 days | 21 days |
| Price From | $ 3,202 | $ 14,612 |
| Price Per Day | $ 457 | $ 696 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Group tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Luxury |
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| Flights & Transport | Airfare included | No |
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| Meals Included | N/A |
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| Description |
This vacation package includes a 3-night escorted tour. It’s perfect if you prefer not to do your own driving and want to see as many sights as you can during your vacation. Enjoy a literary journey following the footsteps of epic lovers Jamie and Claire, visiting locations that have been used for the filming of the popular Outlander television series, and which would have inspired Diana Gabaldon to write her acclaimed book series. And along the way, discover a magical mix of mountains, lochs, forests, and glens, and a land steeped in fascinating history, culture, and heritage. You'll start and end in Edinburgh's hilly capital before embarking on your 3-night guided Outlander tour. Share this unique and special experience with Outlander fans from around the world, discuss your favorite quotes from the books, and soak up Scotland's mystic and romantic atmosphere. |
From London to Edinburgh and over the Irish Sea to Belfast and Killarney this adventure across Ireland and Great Britain pairs iconic sights with once in a lifetime experiences. Join the Yeoman Warder at the Tower of London and bear witness to the Ceremony of the Keys, the oldest practiced military tradition in the world. In Northern Ireland, join a local ranger to explore the spectacular Giant’s Causeway and in England, journey to the majestic 11th-century Alnwick Castle—known to many from the Harry Potter films. On Founder’s Collection departures, meet her Grace the Duchess of Northumberland for a private tour of the castle gardens followed by a seasonal lunch. The Activity Level of this tour is Balanced, meaning there is 1 to 3 miles of walking per day which may include some uneven surfaces such as cobblestones and stairs. |
Day 1 Welcome to Edinburgh!
Upon arrival in Edinburgh Airport, enjoy a private transfer to your first accommodation. Once you've settled, hike up to Edinburgh Castle for panoramic views of the city. Celebrate your first night by indulging in a plate of Scotland's National dish - Haggis!
Day 2 Edinburgh
Start your Scotland journey by visiting Edinburgh’s Old Town, where cobblestone streets lead you by impressive castles showcasing Scotland's epic history. Established as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995, the town boasts popular attractions like the Edinburgh Castle where you can view Britain's oldest crown jewels worn by Mary, Queen of Scots herself! You can also have fun at the unusual Camera Obscura, where visitor's can be amazed by spectacular optical illusions creating 19th-century virtual reality scenes and provides stellar views from its rooftop. Be sure to also visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse, where the Queen lives when she's in town.
Day 3 Edinburgh - Inverness
Please arrive by 8:30 am for a 9:00 am departure, from the Edinburgh Bus Station (Gate J & K, St Andrew Square). We leave Edinburgh and follow the trail of the best-known locations featured in the Outlander TV Series. Your first stop is the place that needs no introduction: Midhope Castle, known as Jamie’s lovely home Lallybroch. The cozy interior of the house has been re-created in the film studios. In reality, visitors can’t explore the ruins of the castle, instead, you can sit on the iconic steps of Lallybroch and wait for Jamie or Claire to walk through the beautiful archway in the courtyard. Heading north, you visit the charming village of Culross. In Outlander, Culross posed as the fictional village of Cranesmuir and the home of Geillis Duncan and her unfortunate husband, Arthur. Exploring the town’s cobbled streets is like stepping back in time. Look carefully and you may even find Claire’s herb garden behind the impressive, historic Culross Palace. We continue to the small town of Falkland to relive the first scenes of the show, where Falkland represents 1940s Inverness. See if you can recognize the familiar sights such as Mrs. Baird’s Guesthouses (The Covenanter Hotel) and the Bruce Fountain, where Claire’s husband Frank sees the ghost of Jamie. Then, it’s time to leave the castles and villages behind and discover the beauty of the Highlands. We travel through lush Perthshire in the afternoon and stop at the Newtonmore Highland Folk Museum. The site houses replicas of 18th-century turf-roofed Highland crofts and gives you a glimpse into past Highland life. You’ll remember this place as one of the MacKenzie clan villages where Claire and the MacKenzie party stop to collect the rent. Venturing further north, we pass Aviemore and continue to Inverness, where we arrive in the early evening. Spend overnight in Inverness.
Day 4 Inverness
You'll start your day by visiting the mysterious site of Clava Cairns near Inverness. This well-preserved complex of ring cairns and standing stones is as ancient as it is beautiful. And it’s also said to be the inspiration for the standing stones of Craigh na Dun. Your driver-guide can’t promise any time travel here, but exploring this 4,000-year-old site feels like stepping back in time. The next stop evokes a lot of emotions; it’s the forbidding Culloden Battlefield. This site plays a crucial role in Scottish history and the Outlander books. It’s not far from the battlefield where the couple said their tearful goodbyes before Jamie joined the Jacobite army to fight for the Stuarts. And it’s where the final Jacobite Raising came to a harrowing end, bringing on the persecution of the Highland way of life. You can explore the visitor center and the site and pay tribute to those who lost their lives at the last battle fought on British soil. We continue our journey to the heart of Clan Fraser lands. Here you can pay your respects at the tomb of Lord Lovat, the ‘Old Fox’ of the Jacobite Rebellion, who is Jamie’s manipulative grandfather in the saga. After seeing some of the most important sites from the Outlander universe, we return to Inverness with time to explore the city for another evening.
Day 5 Inverness - Fort William
Your day starts with a visit to the majestic Glen Affric. Lochs, mountains, and pine forests: this is one of Scotland’s most glorious glens. It’s also an ideal spot for Jamie to hide. Next, we leave the ancient forests behind and continue along Loch Ness to stop at Urquhart Castle. Standing on the banks of Loch Ness for 1,000 turbulent years, this castle offers a taste of the Highlands at their most dramatic. You can choose to explore this majestic ruin and discover its secrets. And while you’re there, be on the lookout for Nessie. The journey takes you through the Great Glen before heading to Glenfinnan. The monument here commemorates the meeting of Bonnie Prince Charlie with his loyal supporters and marks the beginning of the doomed Jacobite Rising. The column stands framed by Loch Shiel and a well-known section of the Jacobite Steam Train railway line, famously used as the Hogwarts Express in Harry Potter. Moved by the history and beauty of this site, you travel to your overnight stop in Fort William, underneath the shadow of Britain’s tallest mountain, Ben Nevis.
Day 6 Fort William - Edinburgh
You'll start the day with a magnificent drive through Glencoe and cross the rugged Trossachs area onto Doune Castle. The Castle is an extensive ruin representing Castle Leoch in the TV program, home to Colum MacKenzie and his clan in the 18th-century episodes. Later, we stop for a photo at Linlithgow Palace. This pretty palace is a favorite because of its connections to Mary, Queen of Scots. It also starred as Wentworth Prison and is known for one of the most intense scenes in the Outlander series. The last highlight of the day is Blackness Castle. This tough-looking fortress looks like it could fend off an entire empire – and in Outlander, it represents Fort William. You can choose to walk along the ramparts and explore the fictional headquarters of Jack Randall. After being immersed in the history and landscapes that inspired Outlander, we return to Edinburgh in the early evening (approximately 7 pm).
Day 7 Depart Scotland
Your private airport transfer will take you to Edinburgh Airport in accordance with your departure flight today.
Day 1: Welcome to London
Your UK luxury tour begins with a private chauffeur to your five-star hotel, Rubens at the Palace. Here you are welcomed with the royal treatment from their red tail-coated doormen. Tonight, enjoy sumptuous British fare at the English Grill Restaurant.
The Rubens at the Palace, London.
Dinner
Day 2: Traditions and Treasures of London
Hear the bells of Big Ben and admire the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. Enter bustling Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus before visiting the Household Cavalry Museum. After the sun sets and London lights up, you’re treated to a private, after-hours tour of the Tower of London and the historic Ceremony of the Keys.
The Rubens at the Palace, London.
Breakfast
Day 3: Stonehenge and Georgian Bath Relaxed Start
Savor a Relaxed Start before standing in awe of mysterious Stonehenge, Britain's best-known UNESCO World Heritage Site. Immerse yourself further into British history as you travel to Bath. Stroll the streets lined with Georgian architecture feeling as though you’ve stepped into a classic English novel.
Francis Hotel, Bath.
Breakfast
Day 4: Explore Bath Relaxed Start
Personalise your day with a visit to the Jane Austen Center or visit the Roman Baths and Georgian Pump Room, Britain’s only natural hot springs. Share the highlights of your morning over locally sourced dishes at the Michelin-starred Olive Tree restaurant.
Francis Hotel, Bath.
Breakfast, Lunch
Day 5: Cotswolds, Stratford-upon-Avon and York
Travel through a storybook of rolling hills in the Cotswolds toward Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of Shakespeare, and admire quaint Tudor cottages. Your day concludes in York where cobbled streets, classic tearooms and Gothic buildings lure you further into the past.
The Grand Hotel & Spa, York
Breakfast
Day 6: Medieval Wonders of York Relaxed Start
Step back into the Middle Ages in York joining an expert-led tour of the York Minster or a walk on the 13th-century city walls. Enter the stately Castle Howard through landscaped gardens before sitting down to a traditional English afternoon tea and private tour of the house.
The Grand Hotel & Spa, York
Breakfast, Lunch
Day 7: The Wild and Poetic Lake District
Let the beauty of the Lake District inspire you as you cruise shimmering Ullswater Lake, taking in some of the best views of this region. Later, check into the lovingly restored country house overlooking Lake Windermere.
Merewood Country House Hotel, Lake District
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Alnwick Castle
Discover majestic Alnwick Castle’s magnificent interiors with a Local Expert before exploring Edinburgh's beautiful, walkable city. Should you visit during August, witness The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, one of the most spectacular military concerts and celebration of the history, heritage and colors of Scotland’s regiments.
Kimpton Charlotte Square, Edinburgh.
Breakfast
Day 9: Highlights of Beautiful Edinburgh
Explore the grounds of Edinburgh’s “castle on the hill,” as your guide unlocks more than 900-years of history. Personalise your afternoon visiting the 17th-century Mary King's Close or with a stimulating whisky tasting. After a private performance from a former bagpiper to the Royals, a meal of fine dishes such as Scottish Border brisket of beef or poached fillet of sole, rounds off your final day.
Kimpton Charlotte Square, Edinburgh.
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10: Edinburgh to Belfast
Journey to your luxurious hotel in Belfast for a relaxing three-night stay in the heart of the city center. Pop up to The Observatory bar where glittering views stretch into the distance. Get to know the tastes of the town at a local restaurant.
Grand Central Hotel, Belfast.
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 11: Highlights of Belfast
Visit the world-class Titanic Museum for a vivid picture of the past , before customising your time in Belfast. Step out with Local Expert and explore the City Hall, prestigious Queen's University and Parliament Building at Stormont or meet a local artist to discover Belfast’s progressive street art.
Grand Central Hotel, Belfast.
Breakfast
Day 12: Giant's Causeway and Londonderry
Experience Northern Ireland's most spectacular geological wonder, the UNESCO Listed Giant's Causeway on a private tour with a Local Ranger. On arrival in Londonderry, Local Guide Ronan, one of Northern Ireland's best storytellers, will captivate you with his deep knowledge of history and politics.
Grand Central Hotel, Belfast.
Breakfast
Day 13: Strangford Lough and Vibrant Dublin Relaxed Start
Sweet aromas and a slow food ethos await at Tracey's Farmhouse. Explore the organic farm and learn how to make traditional Irish soda bread before enjoying a farm-to-table lunch. Continue to Dublin for a tour of the city’s key sights including a tasting experience at the Guinness Storehouse, or tour Pearse Lyons Distillery and enjoy a whiskey tasting.
Dylan Hotel, Dublin.
Breakfast, Lunch
Day 14: A Truly Irish Experience
A visit to Trinity College unveils the 9th century Book of Kells. At a VIP, after-hours visit to the Little Museum of Dublin, sip Prosecco with the museum founder Trevor White as he shares his local stories.
Dylan Hotel, Dublin.
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 15: Glendalough to Kilkenny Relaxed Start
After a Relaxed Start, explore Glendalough, the "glen of two lakes" with a Local Expert. Stroll Kilkenny’s Medieval Mile linking Kilkenny Castle and St. Canice’s Cathedral. Your own historic residence, Lyrath Estate, is set within sprawling acres of lakes, gardens and woodlands.
Lyrath Estate, Kilkenny.
Breakfast
Day 16: Banter in Blarney
See classic Ireland in Cashel, famous for its medieval structures including the spectacular Rock of Cashel. Visit Blarney Castle to take part in the legend of kissing the Blarney Stone. This evening join the locals at a home hosted dinner with entertainment and dancing.
The Dunloe Hotel & Gardens (Superior Rooms)
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 17: Scenic Ring of Kerry Relaxed Start
Journey into Killarney National Park, winding along the iconic Ring of Kerry. Travel back in time with a traditional jaunting car ride, enjoying views of Ireland's highest Mountain Range, the MacGillycuddy's Reeks. Explore the town of Kenmare before indulging in a gourmet lunch at the Park Hotel.
The Dunloe Hotel & Gardens (Superior Rooms)
Breakfast
Day 18: Exploring Limerick Relaxed Start
Admire dramatic mountains and windswept sands along Dingle Peninsula. In Adare, discover the charming thatched-roof cottages, castles and abbeys before continuing to Limerick to see the best of the city including St. Mary's Cathedral and Limerick's Treaty Stone.
The Savoy Hotel, Limerick.
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 19: Regal County Mayo Relaxed Start
Breathtaking views continue through County Clare to the Cliffs of Moher and Galway. Your stay at the 5-star Ashford Castle begins with a royal welcome as a lone piper escorts you over the drawbridge to this estate, once home to the Guinness family. Tonight, savor specialties from a seasonal menu at the Castle’s Cullen's at the Cottage.
Ashford Castle, Cong.
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 20: Majestic Ashford Castle Relaxed Start
Indulge in another Relaxed Start with the option of breakfast in-bed room service. Get acquainted with elegant birds of prey at the oldest established falconry school in Ireland or delve into the Castle’s history on a guided historical tour. Then treat yourself to a spa or stroll the magnificent castle grounds. End the last full day of your Belfast to Shannon luxury tour dining in style at the esteemed George V Dining Room.
Ashford Castle, Cong.
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 21: Depart Shannon
Conclude your travels in Ireland with a private transfer to Shannon Airport.
Breakfast
