WHISKY TOUR OF SCOTLAND! With Bob & Mark Feit May 31 - June 9, 2020 Dear Friends, If you enjoy a dram of Deanston or Dalmore, a spot of Springbank or Strathisla, or a glass of Glenlivet or Glenfiddich, join us for a tour through Scotland s most iconic distilleries. There are over 100 distilleries in Scotland. The light and fruity lowland whiskies, the sweet sherried speysides, and the smoky, peaty islays. You will sample whiskies 20, 30, perhaps even some over 40 years old, and most are ones you ll not see again and definitely can t get here in the states. This is a trip specifically designed for the whisky aficionado, but we ll also spend time in Edinburgh, visit Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile, Balmoral Castle, and the old course at St. Andrews. Hiking trails abound in the green and rural highlands of northern Scotland, and beautiful nature and rivers surround you. Legal distilleries have been around since 1824, but many places we will visit are centuries older. My father and I have collected nearly 300 Scotch whiskys, and enjoy sharing our love of Scotch with others. We would love to guide you through the 14 distilleries we will visit in 8 days, and offer comments on the many others we will travel past. We ll spend time in the Scotch Malt Whisky Society Vaults, several whisky specialty shops for private tastings, and of course, enjoy Scottish breakfasts and quaint pubs. There s also an optional Islay extension if your whisky journey also includes love of all things Ardbeg, Laphroaig, or Bowmore that will add another 9 distilleries, including a stop in Campbelltown, regarded as the early center of Scotch whisky. Slainte! Mark and Bob Feit Tour Hosts Call Executive Travel s Group Department today at 402-435-8888. Space is limited.
May 31, 2020 - Sunday Our wonderful Scotch adventure begins as we take an overnight flight to Edinburgh. Enjoy in-flight entertainment and meal service as you start your dream vacation. June 1, 2020 - Monday Edinburgh Fàilte (welcome) to Scotland! Morning arrival to Edinburgh Airport where we will meet our local tour manager. A short ride takes us to Edinburgh center where we will enjoy a sightseeing tour and visit Edinburgh castle, a world famous icon of Scotland and part of the Old Town and New Town of Edinburgh s World Heritage Site. We will also visit the Scotch Whisky Experience for lunch and a tasting. Prior to checking in to our hotel, we will visit Royal Mile Whiskies and Cadenhead s for some whisky shopping! Tonight we will enjoy our welcome dinner at the members-only club at the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. B (inflight) T L D June 2, 2020 - Tuesday Glenkinchie - St. Andrews - Aberfeldy - Pitlochry Today we will leave Edinburgh and explore the nearby area. Just 15 miles from the capital, Glenkinchie is the Edinburgh Malt. Visit the picturesque distillery and experience a real taste of Scotland, as we join the Whisky in the Wild Tour. We will sample four whiskies from the Flora and Fauna range as part of our wildlife tour here. To finish our tour, we are welcomed into the bar for a tasting of Glenkinchie Single Malt Whisky. Next stop is St. Andrews. Standing proudly on the east coast of Scotland, the historic town of St. Andrews is a jewel in the crown of Fife, offering panoramic views across the North Sea and famous for its historic university, medieval streets, gorgeous traditional buildings and, of course, its world-famous golf courses. We will enjoy a champagne reception and light meal at one of the golf courses and a panoramic tour of the town. We continue on to Aberfeldy, the home of Dewars, for a wee dram in their tasting room. Then a few miles away, the picturesque highland town of Pitlochry, renowned for it s beautiful shops and pubs. We will enjoy dinner at a local pub and a good night s rest! B T LL D June 3, 2020 - Wednesday Edradour - Aberlour/Elgin/Aviemore After a hearty breakfast we head out to visit Edradour Distillery, which sits on top of a hill overlooking Pitlochry, a quaint distillery dating back to 1825, the home to Signatory. The distillery features over 25 expressions of Highland single malt Scotch whisky. We will be taken through the art and craft of whisky making as well as the traditional methods used in Victorian times. Our next visit, and set among the magnificent scenery of Royal Deeside, in the shadows of Lochnagar, is the Balmoral Estate. Balmoral Castle and Estate is the Scottish home of the British Royal Family. In her journals, Queen Victoria described Balmoral as my dear paradise in the Highlands. Then off to the Royal Lochnagar Distillery for a tour and tasting of the its outstanding flavours. Royal Lochnagar whisky owes both to an incredible location. One mile from Balmoral Castle, it sits at the foot of the Cairngorm mountains, fed by the crystal clear water of the Scarnock springs. Last stop today is at the Whisky Castle in the small town of Tomintoul, a gem of a shop where the owner will let you sample whiskies you can purchase. B T June 4, 2020 - Thursday A day of great Scotch! Our journey today takes us to some of the most renowned distilleries. Our first stop is at Balvenie*, nestled in Dufftown, Speyside. We will tour the traditional malting floor, peat furnace, and cooperage, all of which are the only ones still used and open in Speyside or the Highlands. In the heart of the beautiful Macallan Estate, is the newly opened $186 million Distillery and Visitors Centre. Not only is the whisky at Macallan regarded as the finest produced in Scotland, but its brand new Distillery and Visitor s Centre is as well. It is also a marvel of architecture, with natural lighting and a green (literally, it s grass) roof, and a 16M GBP Macallan whisky collection on display. We will enjoy a tasting (this is not a guided experience; we will purchase our own whiskies from the bar) and tour the Visitor s Centre. Next, time for some shopping at the Glenfiddich Distillery. Hand fill and purchase your own bottle of 15-year old cask Strength Glenfiddich. Glenfiddich Distillery has been owned by the Grant family since they started in 1886. An impressive achievement in an industry that has seen so many distilleries bought out by big internationals! It is also the only distillery in the Highlands where bottling takes place on site. In the afternoon, enjoy optional shopping opportunity at the Whisky Shop in Dufftown, a whisky bottler, with an exceptional selection of over 500 single malt Scotch whiskies. B T *Balvenie and Macallan only allow a maximum of 8 people on a tour and there are two tours a day. The group may be split to tour Balvenie and Macallan separately, and then swap.
June 5, 2020 - Friday More Scotch! More distilleries on the program today! We start in Aberlour. Steeped in centuries of legend and surrounded by the dramatic Highland scenery of Ben Rinnes, the village lies at the very heart of Speyside, where the Lour burn joins the River Spey. The exceptionally pure, soft spring water used for making Aberlour whisky is drawn from nearby natural springs. We will tour and taste some of their finest! Next, visit Cardhu or Glenfarclas for a tasting. Founded by Helen Cumming in 1811 as an illicit distillery and licensed in 1824, Cardhu is the first distillery to be officially pioneered by a woman. Cardhu is the spiritual home of Johnny Walker. Established in 1836, Glenfarclas is one of the very few remaining independent, family owned and managed distilleries. Finally, visit The Glenlivet for a tasting. The Glenlivet Distillery is one of the oldest in Scotland, in operation since 1824. The Glenlivet 12 is the most popular and best selling single malt in the world, and the distillery sits in a remote valley (glen is Gaelic for valley) in the middle of the Cairngorms National Park. Miles of hiking trails abound, including a short one to the source of The Glenlivet s water, Josie s Well. Inside the visitor s centre, buy a bottle of The Glenlivet spring water, try Glenlivet whisky ice cream, or hand fill your own bottle of The Glenlivet. Most importantly, we will taste some whisky straight from the cask, and, depending on availability (They change their tour and tasting offerings yearly), taste our way through some of the oldest whiskies not available for purchase anywhere. (ask us about our last visit there!) B T June 6, 2020 - Saturday Elgin Today we will visit Elgin, a pleasant small town on the south coast of the Moray Firth. Here, visit the famous Gordon & Macphail shop for a guided tasting. Stocking around 1,000 different single malt whiskies, the Whisky Room within the shop attracts customers from throughout the world. Browsing through the wide selection of whiskies, many of which are very old and extremely rare, is like entering the Aladdin s Cave of whisky. Next we will enjoy a tour and tasting at Glen Moray. Situated on the banks of the River Lossie, the Glen Moray Distillery produces single malt scotch whisky. The production started in 1897 and the methods and know-how have been passed on from generation to generation to ensure that the whisky stays true to its origins. Time permitting, we will stop at Glen Grant for tasting and some shopping on the way back to our hotel. B T June 7, 2020 - Sunday Oban We take off for Oban on Scotland s west coast. The name Oban derives from the Gaelic language and means little bay, but when it comes to having an unforgettable break, Oban is definitely a place which is big on things to see and do. Surrounded by miles of dramatic coast and beautiful countryside, the seaside town is also known as the Gateway to the Isles, as a number of ferries depart from its main port and travel to the islands of the Inner and Outer Hebrides. We will swing by Oban Distillery, nestling beneath the steep cliff and overlooking Oban. This is one of Scotland s oldest sources of Single Malt Scotch Whisky. We will visit the bar and purchase our drinks, sit back and enjoy the scenery! For those who like to hike, the McCaig s Tower, a prominent local landmark, is not to be missed. Built in 1897 by local banker John Stuart McCaig, the aim of the tower was to provide work for local stonemasons and a lasting monument to the McCaig family. The climb from the town centre to McCaig s Tower is well worth the effort when faced with the spectacular views across Oban Bay to the Atlantic Islands. Oban also hosts one of the finest chocolate companies, offering a range of innovative handmade chocolates f rom the fiery Chilli Chuffle to the sublime Pear William, the smooth and fruity Strawberry Cream to the original (and unusual) Marmite chocolates! B June 8, 2020 - Monday Glasgow/Edinburgh After breakfast, it s time to drive to Glasgow/Edinburgh. The route will take us through the picturesque Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, with breathtaking landscapes and wonderful Scottish wildlife. We will stop at Glengoyne Distillery for a tour and tasting. This picture-postcard whisky distillery provides some of the most informative, entertaining tours in the industry. Nestled at the foot of Dumgoyne Hill, the Glengoyne Distillery was founded and has been in operation since 1833. The distillery is unique in that it produces Highland single malt whisky which is then matured in the Lowlands. According to the best flight itinerary and group air pricing, we will stay overnight in either Glasgow or Edinburgh. B June 9, 2020 - Tuesday Extension of the trip or return home All too soon, your Scotch tour has ended. Transfer to the airport in plenty of time to check in for our flight and clear security. You may do some last minute shopping at the duty-free stores before boarding and flying west across the Atlantic Ocean back to the United States. We offer an exciting extension to the Isle of Islay; please see separate insert. B Itinerary and visits are subject to change. B = Breakfast L = Lunch LL = Light Lunch D = Dinner T= Tasting
To register contact: 1212 O Street Lincoln, NE 68508 Phone: 402-435-8888 (ask for Group Department) Fax: 402-435-2735 GroupDepartment@executivetravel.com www.executivetravel.com ONLINE REGISTRATION LINK: executivetravel.com/whisky-tour-of-scotland Package Price - Land Only - June 1-9, 2020: Per person in shared double room: $4,295 Per person in single room: $5,695 (2 rooms max.) A non-refundable deposit of $500 per person is required upon signing up for the tour. Deposit can be paid by cash, check or credit card. Balance is due on Feb. 28, 2020 and is non-refundable. Balance can be paid by cash or check. Credit card payment(s) (any payment applied to the tour after the deposit) will access a 3.5% processing fee. We strongly recommend travel insurance, not only in the unfortunate event of cancellation prior to the departure, but also for full medical coverage while traveling in Europe. Base Plan coverage is offered from $226 per person (covers land up to a total of $ 4,500 per person). Please ask us for the details. The price quoted within this brochure is based on a GBP/USD exchange rate of 1.30 (1 GBP = 1.30 USD). We reserve the right to adjust the price at final payment if the exchange rate increases above $1.30. This tour will be materialized with a minimum of 15 travelers. Should the number of travelers fall below 15, all funds paid to Executive Travel will be refunded latest 90 days prior to departure. Air: Group airfare will be available by end of July, 2019. We estimate airfare at $1,200 per person, economy class, incl. taxes and fees. All registered travelers will be notified as soon as group airfare becomes available, and your travel insurance will be adjusted to cover your package in full (land and air arrangements). Accommodation: Final accommodation will be confirmed 90 days prior to departure Included: 8 nights at 3 and 4 star accommodations 8 full breakfasts 2 lunches (beverages excluded) 2 dinners (beverages excluded) All motor coach (private) transportation as per itinerary Sightseeing program as per itinerary Admissions as per itinerary Tastings at Glenkinchie, Aberfeldy, Edradour, Royal Lochnagar, Whisky Castle, Aberlour, Cardy or Glenfarclas, Glen Moray, Balvenie, Glenlivet, Gordon and MacPhail, Glen Grant (Garden Tour), Glengoyne, Champagne at St. Andrews Professional English-speaking tour manager during entire program in Scotland All local taxes and fees as per July 20, 2018 Tour hosts, Mark and Bob Feit Not Included: Airfare Additional baggage fees (first checked bag FREE, 50 lbs) Travel insurance Porterage at hotels Gratuities for local tour manager and driver (estimate $5-$8 per day) Personal expenses Meals other than mentioned in tour program Entrances to monuments and/or museums other than mentioned Cost of shipping whiskies to the United States Professional fee, $75 per person, due at time of registration Anything not mentioned in the inclusions Forwarding registration and deposit signifies that you agree to the terms and conditions of this tour which can be found at http://executivetravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/terms-and-conditions.pdf Call Executive Travel s Group Department today at 402-435-8888. Space is limited. 7/31/2018
June 9, 2020 - Tuesday - Glasgow/Edinburgh - Isle of Islay After a hearty breakfast we travel from Glasgow/Edinburgh to Isle of Islay. Drive along the shore of Loch Lomond - one of the most beautiful places in Britain! Stop in Luss, a picturesque village on the Loch s shore, to enjoy the breathtaking views and take pictures. Thanks in large part to the famous traditional Scottish ballad that fondly recalls its bonnie, bonnie banks, this remarkable loch is Scotland s second most famous loch after Loch Ness. Loch Lomond is the epitome of Scottish splendour. With it s perfect reflection of the surrounding hills, the loch is not only Britain s largest body of fresh water but also one of its most beautiful. We arrive to Kennacraig, from where we will take a 2-hour ferry journey to Isle of Islay, our home for the coming three nights. B June 10, 2020 - Wednesday - Islay Today we will start exploring Islay s greatest treasures - the distilleries! The southernmost of its island chain, Islay, is known as The Queen of the Hebrides - and is certainly the reigning monarch of a typically smoky, peaty style of single malt whisky. But there s much more to this beating heart of distillation, which has eight active producers and more to come. Today s visits will feature Laphroaig, founded in 1815, for the Distillers Wares Tour. The Laphroaig brand is considered a very strong flavoured whisky and has been made with the same recipe for over 200 years. Lagavulin, known for its producer s use of slow distillation speed and pear-shaped pot stills, for a Warehouse Demonstration tour, and finally Ardbeg for a tour and lunch at Old Kiln Cafe. The whiskies produced by this distillery are different from other whiskies in that the focus is on aromatic spices, and sweet tones such as vanilla and chocolate, instead of saltiness. B L T June 11, 2020 - Thursday - Islay We continue exploring Islay s ditilleries as we take the Bowmore Craftsman s tour. The distillery was founded in 1779 and is one of the oldest distilleries on the island. To this day, it continues to hand down the tradition, skills, and expertise that were crafted in the earliest days of Scotch whisky. Next stop is at Ardnahoe and Caolla distilleries situated near Port Askaig, with scenic views of the ocean and surrounds. Caol Ila Distillery is the largest whisky distillery in the Isle of Islay. Whiskies produced here are single malt, with distinctive peppery and floral notes, and is lighter in colour than most other whiskies. Because of the lightness of the whisky, it is a popular Included: 12 nights at 3 and 4 star accommodations 12 full breakfasts 4 lunches (beverages excluded) 2 dinners (beverages excluded) All motor coach (private) transportation as per itinerary Ferry tickets to/from Islay, economy class Sightseeing program as per itinerary Admissions as per itinerary Tastings at Glenkinchie, Aberfeldy, Edradour, Royal Lochnagar, Whisky Castle, Aberlour, Cardy or Glenfarclas, Glen Moray, Balvenie, Glenlivet, Gordon and MacPhail, Glen Grant (Garden Tour), Glengoyne, Laphroaig, Lagavulin, Ardbeg, Bowmore, Bunnahabhain, Springbank and Glengyle (standard tour), Champagne at St. Andrews Professional English-speaking tour manager during entire program in Scotland All local taxes and fees as per July 20, 2018 Tour hosts, Mark and Bob Feit ingredient used in blends such as Johnnie Walker. Last, but not least, we will visit the Bunnahabhain for the unique Warehouse 9-tasting experience. B T June 12, 2020 - Friday - Glasgow/Edinburgh This morning we will take the early ferry back to mainland, and a 2-hour drive leads us to Campbelltown to visit Springbank and Glengyle Distillery for lunch and tasting. In the afternoon we arrive to Glasgow/Edinburgh for our last night in Scotland. B L T Package Price - Land Only - June 1-13, 2020: Per person in shared double room: $6,795 Per person in single room: $8,195 (2 rooms max.) A non-refundable deposit of $500 per person is required upon signing up for the tour. Deposit can be paid by cash, check or credit card. Balance is due on Feb. 28, 2020 and is non-refundable. Balance can be paid by cash or check. Credit card payment(s) (any payment applied to the tour after the deposit) will access a 3.5% processing fee. We strongly recommend travel insurance, not only in the unfortunate event of cancellation prior to the departure, but also for full medical coverage while traveling in Europe. Base Plan coverage is offered from $402 per person (covers land up to a total of $7,000 per person). Please ask us for the details. The price quoted within this brochure is based on a GBP/USD exchange rate of 1.30 (1 GBP = 1.30 USD). We reserve the right to adjust the price at final payment if the exchange rate increases above $1.30. This tour will be materialized with a minimum of 15 travelers. Should the number of travelers fall below 15, all funds paid to Executive Travel will be refunded latest 90 days prior to departure. Air: Group airfare will be available by end of July, 2019. We estimate airfare at $1,200 per person, economy class, incl. taxes and fees. All registered travelers will be notified as soon as group airfare becomes available, and your travel insurance will be adjusted to cover your package in full (land and air arrangements). Accommodation: Final accommodation will be confirmed 90 days prior to departure Not Included: Airfare Additional baggage fees (first checked bag FREE, 50 lbs) Travel insurance Porterage at hotels Gratuities for local tour manager and driver (estimate $5-$8 per day) Personal expenses Meals other than mentioned in tour program Entrances to monuments and/or museums other than mentioned Cost of shipping whiskies to the United States Professional fee, $75 per person, due at time of registration Anything not mentioned in the inclusions 8/2/2018