Scenic Scotland. September 17 29, 2019 (13 days) SPECIAL TRAVEL INTERNATIONAL

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1 Scenic Scotland September 17 29, 2019 (13 days) photo: Markus Trienke photo: Stephen McKay GLASGOW AYR LOCH LOMOND INVERARAY MULL IONA OBAN GLENCOE FORT WILLIAM SKYE URQUHART INVERNESS CULLODEN GLENFIDDICH PERTH EDINBURGH SPECIAL TRAVEL INTERNATIONAL 4603 Main Street Vancouver, BC V5V 3R6 Canada tel: (604) or 1(800) Fax: (604) website:

2 SCENIC SCOTLAND photo: Dominic Moore GLASGOW AYR LOCH LOMOND INVERARAY MULL IONA OBAN GLENCOE FORT WILLIAM SKYE URQUHART INVERNESS CULLODEN GLENFIDDICH PERTH EDINBURGH September 17 29, 2019 (13 days) Day 1 This morning we will visit Summerlee Museum photo: Stara Blazkova Wed, September 18 ARRIVAL IN GLASGOW Arrive and meet with your coach and driver. PANORAMIC TOUR OF GLASGOW Discover Glasgow, Scotland s largest city, with a panoramic city tour. From the magnificent St Mungo Cathedral to the People s Palace and Glasgow Green, explore Glasgow rich past as a religious centre and one of the most important industrial cities in Britain. The Victorian architecture of the centre offer a striking contrast to the extensive parks of the West End. Among those, Kelvingrove offers a haven of peace in the city, with amazing views on Glasgow University s striking buildings and the Kelvingrove Museum. It is not hard to imagine why Glasgow is home to Scotland s most celebrated architect: Charles Rennie Mackintosh. photo: Dirk Elsthout Overnight, dinner, bed & breakfast at our hotel in Glasgow. (D) photo: Gil Cavalcanti GLASGOW CATHEDRAL Glasgow Cathedral is also known as the High Kirk of Glasgow, St Kentigern s or St Mungo s Cathedral. Standing majestically in the heart of Scotland s largest city, it is the only medieval cathedral on the Scottish mainland to have survived the Protestant Reformation of 1560 virtually intact. There used to be a chanonry around it, a precinct where the bishops (and later archbishops) and clergy had their residences. To its south, a thriving burgh sprang up, under episcopal patronage. That burgh has since expanded into the great metropolis we see today. photo: Stara Blazkova photo: Thyes Thu, September 19 Departure for Scotland. Then we will visit Glasgow Cathedral 1 Day 3 GLASGOW Day 2 photo: Fingalo Tue, September 17 CANADA SCOTLAND THE SUMMERLEE MUSEUM The Summerlee Museum incorporates Scottish industrial life in the 19th century. It temporarily closed in 2006, but reopened on 26 September 2008 following a modern refurbishment and amazing array of social history and interactive displays. Built on the site of the old Summerlee Ironworks in Coatbridge and the main workshop contains the former Hydrocon Crane, an operational heritage tramway, a recreated mine with guided tours, miners cottages and an exhibition hall with working machinery. Then we will visit Bothwell Castle BOTHWELL CASTLE Bothwell Castle is roughly rectangular in shape. Its west end is occupied by the remains of the massive circular donjon or keep. The east end of the castle comprises the great hall and the south east tower. The angle behind the great hall was, until about 1700, home to the north east tower, a large square tower built in about 1400 to replace the siege-damaged donjon and considerably taller than the surviving south east tower. Only its base survives. Return to overnight, dinner, bed & breakfast at our hotel in Glasgow. (B,D) Day 4 Fri, September 20 DAY TRIP TO AYR Depart this morning for Ayr, where we will visit the birthplace of Robert Burns.

3 Sat, September 21 GLASGOW OBAN This morning we depart Glasgow for Oban. CRUISE ON LOCH LOMOND At the heart of Loch Lomond National Park is Loch Lomond itself. You won t find a bigger loch or lake in the whole of Britain and you ll have a hard time finding a more beautiful one. From here we will take a two hour cruise from Balloch Pier to the village of Luss. INVERARAY JAIL Inveraray Jail is a living museum and visitor attraction where real people portray life in a 19th century prison. This award-winning attraction has established itself as one of Scotland s most exciting heritage attractions. Visitors can sit in the restored 1820s courtroom with lifelike models and listen to excerpts from trials of the past before passing pass on to the prisons below, and meeting with the Warder, Matron and Prison Guides, all dressed in period costumes. photo: Oliver Bonjoch We proceed to our hotel. Overnight, dinner, bed & breakfast at our hotel in Oban. (B,D IONA In 563 Saint Columba, exiled from his native Ireland, founded a monastery on Iona with 12 companions. From Iona they set about the conversion of pagan Scotland and much of northern England to Christianity. Iona is three miles long and a mile and a half long and has been a place of pilgrimage for 1500 years. Iona differs much from Mull, there are no tall mountains but instead there are some lovely white beaches. Lunch will be provided today. We end the day back at our hotel in Oban. Overnight, dinner, bed & breakfast. (B,L,D) Day 7 photo: Norrie Adamson photo: John Allan ISLE OF MULL Mull is the fourth largest Scottish island and has an area of 338 square miles. It has been inhabited since around 6000 BC and in the 14th century Mull became part of the Lordship of the Isles. After the collapse of the Lordship in 1493 the island was taken over by the clan MacLean, and in 1681 by the clan Campbell. The island is home to over 250 different bird species including the White-tailed Eagle, Minke Whales, Porpoises and Dolphins are among the sea life that can be seen on boat tours from Mull. photo: Brain Grarwicke Day 5 This morning we travel to the islands by ferry. Our first stop will be the Isle of Mull. Mon, September 23 OBAN FORT WILLIAM This morning we depart Oban for Fort William, making the following visits en route. McCAIG S TOWER Located on Battery Hill overlooking the town of Oban, the structure was built by a wealthy architect named John Stuart McCaig in Admirer of Roman and Greek architecture McCaig s intention was to provide a lasting monument to his family, and provide work for the local stonemasons during the winter months. He had planned for a museum and art gallery and a central tower. Inside the central tower he planned to commission statues of himself, his siblings and their parents. But his death brought an end to the construction and only the outer walls completed. photo: David E Gorla Return to hotel. Overnight, dinner, bed & breakfast at our hotel in Glasgow. (B,D) Sun, September 22 ISLE OF MULL AND IONA photo: Alan Mitchell CULZEAN CASTLE The interior of the castle is very grand in terms of scale and furnishings. A large number of rooms are open to the public and you seem to see most of the castle with a tour that takes you through 10 major rooms and then out through the servants quarters / kitchen. Visitors to Culzean are welcome to tour the castle independently. There are guides in most rooms who are always happy to answer questions. They also provide information sheets in each room Organised groups may arrange a guided tour of the castle. This must be done in advance by contacting the Reservations Secretary. Day 6 photo: Postdlf ROBERT BURNS BIRTHPLACE MUSEUM The museum offers a truly unique encounter with Scotland s favourite son. The museum comprises the famous Burns Cottage where the poet was born, the historic landmarks where he set his greatest work, the elegant monument and gardens created in his honour and a modern museum housing the world s most important collection of his life and works. 2

4 photo: Africaspotter VALLEY OF GLENCOE The valley is a glen of volcanic origins in the Scottish highlands and is considered one of the most spectacular and beautiful places in Scotland. We then proceed to Fort William where we overnight, have dinner, bed & breakfast at our hotel. (B,D) Day 8 Tue, September 24 FORT WILLIAM ISLE OF SKYE INVERNESS photo: Richard Slessor photo: Donatella Tronca photo: Dannie Calder photo: Arthur Bruce This morning we depart for the scenic journey to Inverness, first travelling to Mallaig for the ferry to Armadale on Skye. 3 ARMADALE CASTLE Built between 1815 and 1819 by the Mac Donald s but today it is part of the excellent Donald Clan Centre. The massive estate is 20,000-acre with magnificently restored historic gardens, as well as superb walking trails through the woodlands around the castle ruins. We next cross to Kyle of Lochalsh by the Sky Bridge, constructed over Loch Alsh spanning between the villages of Kyleakin on Isle of Skye to Kyle of Lochalsh on the mainland. Next we will visit famous Urquhart Castle. URQUHART CASTLE Urquhart Castle offers a taste of the Highlands at their most dramatic. Discover 1,000 years of drama, experience a glimpse of medieval life and enjoy stunning views over Loch Ness from the ruins of the greatest castle in the Highlands. Urquhart s stories are also told through a remarkable collection of artefacts left by its residents, historic replicas, including a full-sized, working trebuchet siege engine. The castle has a distinctly Highland heritage and the site has witnessed some of the most dramatic chapters in our nation s history. It is here that St Columba is said to have worked miracles in the 6th century, where acts of chivalry and defiance provided inspiration during the Wars of Independence and where the MacDonald Lords of the Isles struggled with the Crown for power. Day 9 Wed, September 25 INVERNESS AVIEMORE Today we will explore Inverness and Aviemore. CULLODEN BATTLEFIELD Scene of the 1746 Battle of Culloden between the Jacobite and the British armies. As the last battle being fought on British soil, Culloden marks the beginning of the dismantlement of the structures of Highland society. In the aftermath of the battle, kilts and tartans were banned. Visit the innovative exhibition featuring interactive characters involved in Culloden s events - helps guests follow Culloden s events in a more interesting way. Feel firsthand what it was like to be involved in the battle through our immersion theatre with 360º fighting action. Then we will visit the Glenfiddich Distillery. GLENFIDDICH DISTILLERY Set in the heart of the Highlands, Glenfiddich (meaning Valley of the Deer in Gaelic) is a place of breathtaking beauty. Glenfiddich is little changed since 1886, when William Grant and his nine children rolled up their sleeves to build the Distillery with their bare hands. These same silent warehouses and steamy mash rooms produce the world s favourite single malt Scotch whisky today. Feel the heat rising from the mash tun and discover the giant washback s, hand-made from Douglas fir and five metres high. Experience one of their traditional warehouses - whose earthen floors, stone walls and age-old atmosphere nurture this famous whisky to life. Overnight, dinner, bed & breakfast at our hotel in Inverness. (B,D) Day 10 Thu, September 26 INVERNESS PERTH This morning we depart from Inverness for Perth. LEAULT WORKING SHEEPDOGS Participate in the working day of a Highland Shepherd and his dogs. Watch up to eight dogs working at the same time on the sheep and hear their individual whistle commands - something you won t see anywhere else as it s unique to Neil s personal style of training! Possibly meet the friendly collie pups, help to shear a sheep and bottle feed orphan lambs. Finally we continue to Inverness. Overnight, dinner, bed & breakfast at our hotel after a long but spectacular day. (B,D) photo: Diliff photo: Niels Weber CASTLE STALKER PHOTO STOP The castle is a four-story tower house or keep set on a tidal islet on Loch Laich. The name Stalker comes from the Gaelic Stalcaire, meaning hunter or falconer as it was used by James IV as a hunting lodge in the 14th century. In recent times, the castle was brought to fame by the Monty Python team, appearing in their film Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

5 BLAIR CASTLE Blair Castle, the ancient seat of the Dukes and Earls of Atholl, enjoys one of Scotland s finest settings in the heart of Perthshire. Visit the castle and enjoy a tour of 30 rooms and the fascinating collections they contain. As one of the first private homes to open to the public in Scotland, Blair welcomes more visitors than any other. Discover the castle, its extensive collections and beautiful gardens. Blair Castle has a long and illustrious history, throughout which it has accumulated many fascinating historical artefacts, including antique furniture, art, period dress and arms and armour. Overnight, dinner, bed & breakfast at our hotel in Perth. (B,D) Day 11 Fri, September 27 PERTH EDINBURGH This morning we depart from Perth for Edinburgh. ST. ANDREWS CASTLE St Andrews Castle is the ruins of the castle of the Archbishops of St Andrews, dating in part from the 13th century. On a headland to the north of St Andrews stand the ruins of the city s castle, the main residence of the bishops and archbishops of St Andrews and the focal point of the church in medieval Scotland. ST. ANDREWS CATHEDRAL The remains of St Andrews Cathedral, which was Scotland s largest cathedral and most magnificent church, show how impressive it used to be. The museum houses an outstanding collection of early and later medieval sculptures and other relics found on the site, including the magnificent St Andrews Sarcophagus of Pictish date. The precinct walls are particularly well preserved. Overnight, dinner, bed & breakfast at our hotel in Edinburgh. (B,D) Day 12 Sat, September 28 EDINBURGH We begin with a panoramic tour of this beautiful city. EDINBURGH CITY TOUR Edinburgh is one of the world s finest capital cities, because of its cultural diversity and impressive history. The medieval streets run through the whole city telling their own story about the 1000 year old traditions and myths of Edinburgh. Throughout your city tour you will get to know different parts of this city, such as the Royal Mile, the Princes Street Gardens, the Calton Hill and many more. Here you will also enjoy fantastic views of the city and Leith, the city s port, and beyond. EDINBURGH CASTLE Edinburgh s Castle rock has been a stronghold for over 3000 years. In its dominating position overlooking the capital city, the grandeur and historical significance of Edinburgh Castle has made it a globally famous icon of Scotland and part of the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh World Heritage Site. Tonight we enjoy our farewell dinner and an evening of entertainment at Prestonfield House. PRESTONFIELD HOUSE EVENING Featuring a nightly performance by acclaimed Three Scottish Tenors, Scotland s most famous evening of traditional Scottish music, bagpipes, fiddles and dance with wine and dinner is not to be missed! Moments from the bustle of the Royal Mile, enjoy a memorable evening of emotive song and spirited dance. A delicious 4-course dinner of Angus beef and Orkney salmon with wine and taste of haggis accompanies this unmissable evening of traditional hospitality and entertainment. Overnight, bed & breakfast at our hotel in Edinburgh. (B,D) Day 13 Sun, September 29 EDINBURGH CANADA After breakfast at the hotel we transfer to Edinburgh Airport for our flight home. (B) INCLUDED Air Fare Canada Scotland Canada. 11 nights at Superior Tourist Class Hotels. Modern, private bus and guide throughout. Airport transfers. All Breakfasts (B); one packed Lunch (L) & all Dinners (D) as noted in itinerary, including entertainment and dinner at Prestonfield House on the final evening. Entrance fees/ferries/boat tours for all visits per itinerary. City Tours with local experts. Porterage for 1 piece of luggage at hotels. NOT INCLUDED Lunches, except as noted in itinerary. Travel Insurance. Departure taxes. Gratuities for driver and guide. Drinks and items of a personal nature. COST in Canadian funds Tour cost per person, based on double occupancy from Vancouver from Toronto/Montreal Please contact us for information on departing from other gateways $4490 $4390 Single Supplement +$ 690 Land-Only Rate* $3840 if you want to make your own flight arrangements photo: Kim Traynor photo: Connie Ma photo: Brian McNeil photo: Oskar Karlin photo: Sam Fentress photo: Ulayiti 4

6 RESERVATION FORM SCENIC SCOTLAND September 17-29, 2019 (13 days) Please fill out this form in full and mail it with your deposit of $600 and the travel insurance payment for each traveller. Insurance is optional but strongly recommended. Please write names exactly as listed in passport (e.g.: William, not Bill ). TRAVELLER #1 TRAVELLER #2 Mr/Mrs/Ms First Name Mr/Mrs/Ms First Name Middle Name(s) Last Name Middle Name(s) Last Name Date of Birth: dd/mm/yy Date of Birth: dd/mm/yy City of Birth: Country of Birth: City of Birth: Country of Birth: Passport #: Passport #: Passport Expiry Date: Passport Issuing Country: Preferred First Name (for name tag): Passport Expiry Date: Passport Issuing Country: Preferred First Name (for name tag): ADDRESS Street: City: Postal Code: Cell No.: Province/State: Country: Home No. Accommodation: Single Double Sharing With: Seating Preference on Aircraft: Aisle Window Special Dietary Meal Request: (where available) Next of Kin (in case of emergency): Ph: TRAVEL INSURANCE (to be purchased at time of deposit) All-Inclusive Trip Cancellation Declined Amount of premium (please contact office) $ PAYMENT deposit + insurance premium $ Please make cheques payable to: Visa/Mastercard SPECIAL TRAVEL INTERNATIONAL 4603 Main Street, Vancouver, BC V5V 3R6 Canada phone: (604) or 1 (800) *A 2% service fee applies to payments made by credit card Card No. Expiry date Name on card Amount to be charged $ I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the terms and conditions outlined in the brochure. Signature: Date:

7 FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW RESERVATIONS AND PAYMENT: A deposit of $600 per person is required at the time of reservation on this Special Travel International (hereafter called STI) tour. A second payment of $600 per person is then due by May 1, The final payment is due by August 1, Travel documents will be sent to you approximately 14 days prior to your trip departure, provided full payment has been received. TOUR PRICES: All tour prices for land arrangements are based on rates effective at the time of printing and are expected to be in effect at the time of departure. Should these rates change, it may be necessary to surcharge the price of your vacation. Should the tour price increase by more than 10%, the passenger shall have the right to cancel within seven days of notification without penalty. CANCELLATION AND REFUNDS: Notice of cancellation must be made in writing. The effective cancellation date is the date when written notification is received by STI. The deposit of $600 is nonrefundable. photo: Anne Burgess INSURANCE PREMIUMS Following are the main areas of coverage with Allianz Global Assistance and the two packages we offer for this trip. Please carefully read the brochure you will receive after booking for full details. For insurance purposes the key point is that you are in GOOD health. Please note that PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS are not covered. Please contact us if you have any questions or would like further information. Please Note: Travellers need to have current Provincial Health Plan coverage in order to qualify for the ALL-INCLUSIVE insurance package. THE ALL-INCLUSIVE PACKAGE consists of: Cancellation & Interruption Flight Accident Emergency Medical ($5 Million limit) Travel Accident Baggage & Personal Effects BC Reg # If you wish you may also choose the Cancellation & Interruption insurance alone. This plan is suitable if you have sufficient medical coverage already and rates apply to any trip length. Note: If you purchase flights through Special Travel, please add $1500 to the tour cost in order to calculate the full amount to be insured. Please Note: The premiums listed are guidelines. The exact premium will depend on whether you are traveling as a single and the final airfare cost. We will provide the applicable premium for your situation at the time of booking. Insurance rates are valid at time of printing and are subject to change. Premiums are quoted per person, in Canadian funds, and subject to Provincial Sales Tax: 8% Ontario, 9% Quebec, 7% Manitoba The following scale of charges will apply when cancellation is received prior to departure: until May 1, 2019 $600 deposit May 2 July 31, 2019 $1200 After August 1, % P.S.: Different payment/cancellation policies apply to airline tickets; you will be advised at time of booking. RESPONSIBILITY AND LIABILITY: STI acts only as an agent in securing all services related to the tours described in this brochure, including transportation, sightseeing and accommodation. STI shall not be responsible or liable for any loss, cost, damage, injury, delay or expense arising from the use of any conveyance, accommodation or service or from acts of God, strikes, weather, quarantine, accidents, sickness, government regulations, insufficient documents and any loss/expense resulting from the above contingencies shall be borne by the tour member. In the event it becomes necessary or advisable for the comfort of the passenger, or for any reason whatsoever, to alter the itinerary or arrangements, such alterations may be made without penalty to the operators. Additional expense, if any, shall be borne by the passenger. The right is reserved to withdraw any or all tours should conditions warrant, and also to decline to accept or retain any passenger as a member of the tour. In such instances, full or equitable amounts will be refunded. INSURANCE: STI recommends that each tour participant has health, cancellation, interruption, accident and baggage insurance for the duration of his/her travel (whenever insurance is not included in the tour price). TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: It is entirely the passenger s responsibility to possess whatever documents and visas required by the law of the countries visited on the tour. AIRLINE RESPONSIBILITY: Any airliner carrier providing transportation in connection with these tours is not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time the passenger is not on board its planes or conveyances. The passenger contract in use by the airlines concerned, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between the airline and the purchase of these tours and/or passenger. Similar responsibility as noted applies to all types of carriers, including car rental companies. OPTION 1: THE ALL-INCLUSIVE PACKAGE TOUR/ COST: 13-day Tour ($4,400 insured) Tour with Single Supplement ($5,000 insured) AGES: Travellers 75 or over please contact our office. up to $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ OPTION 2: CANCELLATION + INTERRUPTION INSURANCE TOUR/ COST: 13-day Tour ($4,400 insured) Tour with Single Supplement ($5,000 insured) AGES: up to $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ SPECIAL TRAVEL INTERNATIONAL 4603 Main Street Vancouver, BC V5V 3R6 Canada tel: (604) or 1(800) Fax: (604) sti@sticanada.com website: