“The mark of a Scot is that he remembers and cherishes the memories of his forebears…” Robert Louis Stevenson
CHARLIE ZAHM IN SCOTLAND –JULY 23 TO JULY 31, 2016
ARGYLL / COWAL / AYR TOUR
Saturday, July 23rd: Meet at Newark, NJ Airport for 7:30pm flight to Glasgow, Scotland. Try to sleep- we’ve lots to do over the next
week! We can assist you with your flight to Newark or you can book this portion on your own.
Sunday, July 24th: Arrive in Scotland at 7:30am and hop onto our luxury coach – THE ZAHM BUS and set out for the pretty harbor town
of Oban – The Gateway to the Isles. We’ll drive along Loch Lomond’s beautiful western shore stopping for brunch at the Drovers inn,
where they’ve been serving food and drink since 1705! Once back on the coach, we’ll do little hike out to Kilchurn Castle. It’s a chance to
stretch the legs and breath in the Highland Air! We’ll check into the Regent Hotel (we’re 2 nights here), let you do some town exploring
and meet back for dinner. Then there is this little pub….
Monday, July 25th: “Oh, it’s nice to get up in the mornin’, when the sun begins to shine!” Today we really get going! Just a couple of
miles outside of Oban stands the 13th century fortress of Clan MacDougal – Dunstaffnage Castle. One of the oldest stone castles in
Scotland, Robert the Bruce held it and Flora MacDonald was a prisoner there. After a wander about the grounds, we head further north to
Glenfinnan – landing site of Bonnie Prince Charlie and the gathering of the clans on August 19, 1745. Cameras ready?? Behind you is the
Harry Potter railway viaduct. Next – Fort William and lunch before heading to the “Glen of Weeping” – Glencoe. Charlie will tell the story in
song. Then across Rannoch Moor and back to Oban, dinner and our first night of music with Charlie and Tad!
Tuesday, July 26th: After breakfast we bid adieu to Oban and head for Inveraray at the head of Loch Fyne. We’ll stay at the lovely Loch
Fyne Hotel & Spa for two nights – giving us ample time to explore the Seat of Clan Campbell, visit the ancestral home of the Duke of
Argyll, take in the infamous Gaol (Jail), do some shopping, eat some wonderful sea food and see the Vital Spark ("Ach, if Dougie were
here, he'd tell you himself!” – from the great book, ‘Para Handy’). Tonight – our second show with the boys! Afterwards – a stroll on the
beautiful grounds of the hotel and I bet we’ll find a pub…. Ah, a good Single Malt or a local beer to end the day.
Wednesday, July 27th: After breakfast we’ll load up the coach and do some sightseeing. Awaiting us is the picturesque village of
Lochgoilhead, the 13th Century Kilfinan Church (What? Not old enough? Well, there is evidence that this church was built on an earlier
one dating back to the 9th century!), the ‘Rest and Be Thankful’ Pass, Strachur House Gardens and a tour of the Fyne Ale Brewery. A bit
of well deserved “down time” back at the hotel and its spa followed by dinner, conversation and Highland conviviality.
Thursday, July 28th: Today have a second helping of haggis, black puddn’ and more from the larder of the hotel, before loading up the
coaches. Today we head along the old Drovers Roads to the town of Dunoon. This is the main resort on the beautiful Cowal Peninsula and
is the maritime gateway to the islands in the Firth of Clyde. With its famous Victorian pier, promenade and Castle Mound, we’ll take
leisurely look about, have lunch in the many small bistros and don’t forget to get your picture with Highland Mary – Robert Burns’ ‘Bonny
Mary O' Argyll’. She stands beneath the remains of the 12th century castle. Then it’s a short ferry ride across the Firth to Gourock and Ayr
country. We’re headed to Ayr and a lovely hotel. However, an afternoon stop in Largs is a must. Here is where an invading Viking
stepped on a prickly thistle, gave out a cry and roused the Scots- who beat back the Norsemen – at the Battle of Largs on October 2, 1263.
The thistle has been Scotland’s Badge ever since. Tonight – a beautiful view across the water and a wonderful night of music with
Charlie & Tad. Watch out any of you Vikings lurking out there!
Friday, July 29th: Get up you sleepy heads! Take a lovely little walk around the hotel grounds or down to the water, ’cause once we eat
and pack up, we’re off to the castle of the Kennedy family in Scotland – Culzean Castle. Huge and beautiful, the top floor was given to
President Eisenhower for his service during WWII. After lunch, we head north to the town of Paisley and a visit to the Abbey – site of a 6th
century Celtic Church, William Wallace, the Stewarts, Robert Wilson, the Paisley Pattern. Our final stop - the Capital City – the Heart of
Midlothian, the Athens of the North – Edinburgh and our check into the Hilton Edinburgh Hotel for two nights. It’s a ten minute walk to
Princess Street and moments later you will be on The Royal Mile, at the Castle, arranging a Ghost Walk and into St. Giles Cathedral or
sipping something. Plan for an evening dinner on your own.
Saturday, July 30th : Our last day and tons to do! Today, walk up Arthur’s Seat – the mountain beside the city. It’s a semi-easy walk –
no ropes or anything with a well-worn path – and you can stop when you want. Then, Ah, on ya go on – spit on the Heart outside of St.
Giles Cathedral! It’s good luck! Then you’ve the rest of the day free for Princes Street, the Gardens, the Zoo, The Royal Mile and so
much more - Shopping, exploring, eating, maybe a drink at “The Last Drop” or “Jinglin’ Geordie”, Mary King’s Close, the Underground City,
museums, or a climb up the Walter Scott Monument and a chance to see where Harry Potter was written. Hey, don’t get too tired – we’ve
a final planned dinner at the hotel and the last night of music with CHARLIE AND TAD!
Sunday, July 31st: Ah well, it’s time to say farewell to Scotland. We’ll head back with tales and stories, memories and laughs to tell your
friends of how we explored Scotland’s beautiful countryside with Charlie Zahm and Tad Marks– and make plans for next year!!!
Argyll
Cowal
ayr tour
July 23
to
July 31, 2016
TOUR DETAILS
Bill & Karen Reid
East of the Hebrides
Plymouth Meeting,
PA 19462
610-825-7268
[email protected]
Tour Package Price - $3295.00 Per Person / Double Occupancy
Single Supplement - $395.00
Includes: Round Trip Airfare from Newark, NJ to Glasgow, Scotland
Seven Nights Hotel Accommodations – Full Scottish Breakfast Daily – Six Dinners – Entrance Fees
to Historic Sites – Luxury Touring Coach – Service Gratuities – Taxes *
The Music of Charlie Zahm & Tad Marks And Other Guests
Not Included: Personal Purchases – Beverages – Hotel Incidentals – One Dinner – All Lunches,
Optional Insurances – Transportation To and From Newark Airport
The deposit per person is $350 and is non-refundable
Your Minimum Second Payment of $650 PER PERSON is Due NO later than 30 days from Enrollment
You can also make combined payments, or you can pay off the entire amount at any time – up until May 20th.
You will be sent an optional payment schedule.
Total payment must be received by May 20th, 2016
If you are traveling as a Single, your $395 Single Supplement is due May 20 th in addition to the balance.
At your request, we will notify you if we can arrange a ‘Roomie’ and the Single Supplement will be waived.
If you will be paying your Second or Subsequent Payments by check (no fee), make checks to:
EAST OF THE HEBRIDES.
Send to: P.O. Box 102, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462
If you are paying your Second or Subsequent Payments by credit card, there is a service charge of 3.6% on each payment.
We will notify you by e-mail when payments are due two weeks before due date. You can e-mail or phone us to verify payment
onto your card using the details as you have provided on the Registration Form or otherwise.
CANCELLATION POLICY: WRITTEN CANCELLATION RECEIVED BY EAST OF THE HEBRIDES 160 DAYS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE, ALL PAYMENTS
ARE RETURNED (EXCEPT THE NON-REFUNDABLE $350 DEPOSIT.) WRITTEN CANCELLATIONS RECEIVED 125 TO 159 DAYS PRIOR TO
DEPARTURE, ALL RETURNED (EXCEPT $350 DEPOSIT AND 50% OF YOUR SECOND PAYMENT OF $650). CANCELLATIONS 124 DAYS OR LESS
BEFORE DEPARTURE, ALL PAYMENTS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.
ALL TOUR PARTICIPANTS HAVE AGREED TO THE TERMS OF THE WAIVER AS PRESENTED ON THE INITIAL REGISTRATION FORM WHEN SIGNING
UP FOR THE TOUR AND HAVE AFIXED THEIR SIGNATURE REPRESENTING THEMSELVES AND THEIR TRAVELING COMPANION.
EAST OF THE HEBRIDES WILL NOTIFY TRAVELER IF THERE IS A +3% CURRENCY FLUCTUATION BETWEEN THE US DOLLAR AND THE UK POUND
AS REFLECTED IN THE PRICE OF THE TOUR AS PRICED. * TRAVELER AGREES TO PAY ANY ADJUSTMENTS OR BALANCE DUE PRIOR TO
DEPARTURE. TRAVELER ALSO AGREES TO PAY ANY INCREASE IN GOVERNMENT DEPARTURE TAXES IF ASSESSED PRIOR TO DEPARTURE BY
UNITED AIRLINES.
WHAT AIRLINE ARE WE FLYING TO SCOTLAND? WE’RE FLYING ON UNITED AIRLINES.
WHEN SHOULD WE BE AT THE AIRPORT? PLEASE ARRIVE AT NEWARK AIRPORT BY 5:00PM. ARRIVAL TIME BACK ON JULY 31ST TO NEWARK
IS APPROXIMATELY NOON.
WILL I NEED A PASSPORT? YES – TO TRAVEL INTERNATIONALLY A VAILD PASSPORT IS NEEDED BY ALL PASSENGERS. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE
ONE, PLEASE APPLY FOR IT NOW SO THAT YOU HAVE IT IN HAND BY JANUARY 1ST. PLEASE SEND US A PHOTOCOPY OF THE DETAILS PAGE. IF
YOU HAVE A PASSPORT, MAKE SURE IT IS VALID THROUGH OCTOBER 2016.
WHAT ABOUT LUGGAGE? UNITED AIRLINES ALLOWS EACH PASSENGER ONE STANDARD PIECE OF LUGGAGE UP TO 50 LBS IN WEIGHT TO GO
INTO THE HOLD AND ONE CARRY-ON. AFTER THAT, IT’LL COST YOU EXTRA – AND HONESTLY, YOU WON’T NEED MORE THAN ONE CASE
GOING OVER – IT’S THE RETURN WHEN YOU ARE LOADED DOWN WITH PRESENTS FOR YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS THAT WILL BE
“FUN”! SO KEEP IT TO ONE SUITCASE PER PERSON!
WHAT SHOULD WE PACK? MORE ON THIS AS WE GET CLOSER TO JULY BUT SCOTLAND IS TYPICALLY A MONTH BEHIND THE STATES SO
FIGURE ON JUNE WEATHER. LAYERS ARE THE BEST TO FEND OFF THE CHILL AND WIND AND OF COURSE IT WILL RAIN - SO A RAIN PROOF
JACKET IS HANDY. WE ARE A VERY “RELAXED” GROUP SO BE CASUALLY COMFORTABLE. AND DON’T WORRY – THERE ARE STORES IN
SCOTLAND THAT WILL BE HAPPY TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR NEEDS. MAKE SURE YOUR SHOES ARE BROKEN IN – IT’S NOT THAT WE ARE DOING
ANY MOUNTAIN CLIMBING OR THE LIKE BUT THERE IS NOTHING WORSE THAN NEW SHOES THAT HAVEN’T GOTTEN USED TO YOUR FEET! TWO
PAIR MIGHT BE A GOOD IDEA – FOR WHEN ONE PAIR GETS WET? DON’T FORGET YOUR CAMERA!
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE ARRIVE AT GLASGOW’S AIRPORT? WE’LL GATHER OUR BAGS, CLEAR CUSTOMS AND AWAY WE GO! IT’LL BE A
SUNDAY SO WE’LL VISIT THE ATM AND THE CONVENIENT BANKS AT THE AIRPORT TO EXCHANGE SOME DOLLARS FOR POUNDS AND PENCE.
LATER ON, WE’LL COVER THE MONEY ISSUES AND MAKE SUGGESTIONS. YOU CAN USE YOUR CREDIT CARD BUT CALL YOUR CARD COMPANY
AHEAD OF TIME TO LET THEM KNOW YOU WILL BE USING IT IN THE UK.
CELL PHONES (THEY ARE CALLED MOBILE PHONES IN SCOTLAND)? UNLESS YOU HAVE ONE OF THOSE FANCY INTERNATIONAL ONES, IT’LL
COST YOU A FORTUNE TO CALL HOME ON YOURS. IF YOU MUST CALL HOME – YOU CAN PURCHASE PHONE CARDS. NEVER THE BEST BUT
THEY ARE CHEAPER. AND HEY – YOU’RE ON VACATION – LEAVE THE OFFICE AT HOME! OUR HOTELS SHOULD HAVE FREE WIFI BUT CHECK
WHEN WE GET THERE. AND MAKE SURE YOU ARE ON IT!!
HOW MANY HOTELS WILL WE BE STAYING IN?
2 NIGHTS IN OBAN; 2 NIGHTS IN INVERARAY; 1 NIGHT IN AYR, 2 NIGHTS IN EDINBURGH.
WHAT ABOUT MEALS? EVERY MORNING YOU WILL BE AMAZED AT THE BREAKFAST. THEY ARE ALL INCLUDED. THE TOUR DETAILS LISTS THE
(6) DINNERS AND THEY ARE PLANNED AND ARE INCLUDED IN THE TOUR PRICE. ONE DINNER IN EDINBURGH IS ON YOU. YOU WILL HAVE TO
TAKE CARE OF YOUR LUNCHES. BUT DON’T WORRY – WE HAVE PLANS TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE IS FED AND HAPPY. BY THE WAY, IF YOU
DON’T FORCE ME TO EAT BRUSSEL SPROUTS – I WON’T FORCE YOU TO EAT BLOOD PUDDING OR HAGGIS! WELL I WILL BADGER YOU UNTIL
YOU DO – AND YOU’LL BE HAPPY I DID!
HOW MANY ARE GOING ON THE TRIP? TOUR WILL HAVE ONE COACH (BUSES) WITH UP TO 50 PEOPLE PLUS CHARLIE & CATHY ZAHM, TAD
MARKS AND KAREN & BILL REID
WILL CHARLIE & TAD BE WITH US? YES! THROUGHOUT THE TRIP - ON THE BUS, AT THE HOTELS AND EXPLORING THE NOOKS AND CRANNIES
OF SCOTLAND.
WILL THERE BE TIME TO SHOP? OF COURSE! AND IF YOU ARE WORRIED, THE LAST DAY IN EDINBURGH YOU’LL BE SET LOOSE IN THE CITY
AND THERE’S SHOPS BY THE SCORE!
WILL THERE BE MUSIC? WE’VE AT LEAST FOUR NIGHTS OF MUSIC PLANNED WITH CHARLIE & TAD JUST FOR OUR GROUP – AND WHO KNOWS
WHAT WE MIGHT FIND ALONG THE WAY?
WILL THERE BE BEVERAGES AVAILABLE? IN SCOTLAND?? ARE YOU KIDDING? LOTS OF BEERS! WE’RE GOING TO VISIT SOME GREAT PUBS –
TRUST ME! AND DID I TELL YOU HOW MUCH BILL LIKES SINGLE MALT WHISKY AND GIN & TONICS?
WHAT SHOULD I REMEMBER? START PRACTICING LOOKING THE OTHER WAY WHEN YOU CROSS THE STREET. REMEMBER, FRENCH FRIES ARE
CHIPS, A POTATO CHIP IS A CRISP, THE HOOD OF A CAR IS THE BONNET (SEE WHAT YOU SHOULD BE PRACTICING – SO YOU DON’T MEET ONE
OF THESE!).
GOT OTHER QUESTIONS? WE’LL BE UPDATING YOU AS WE GO ALONG BUT CALL OR E-MAIL BILL OR KAREN REID (610) 825-7268 OR
E-MAIL US AT [email protected] AND WE’LL HELP YOU OUT. AND THANKS FOR JOINING CHARLIE ZAHM IN SCOTLAND!
NOW – GO BRAG TO YOUR FRIENDS THAT YOU ARE TOURING SCOTLAND WITH CHARLIE!