Orkney Explorer - 6 Nights

Orkney Explorer 6 Nights

First inhabited some 6000 years ago, The Orkneys are located off Scotland’s northern coast and offer hundreds of miles of coastline and beautiful beaches along with a rich and varied history. Join us on this fascinating tour and discover ancient civilisations and world famous archaeology from our base in the islands capital, Kirkwall.

Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall ***

The welcoming family run Ayre Hotel is perfectly situated in the heart of Kirkwall, the principal town of the Orkneys overlooking the sea.

• Well appointed en-suite bedrooms • Smart television • Free Wi-Fi • Hairdryer • Tea, coffee-making facilities• Orcadian Restaurant & Bar • Lift

kirkwallhotel.com

Day 1

TO OVERNIGHT HOTEL
We travel to northern England / southern Scotland where we stay overnight. (D)

Day 2

OVERNIGHT HOTEL TO THURSO
We continue our journey northwards travelling through the spectacular Highlands to Thurso on the tip of mainland Scotland where we stay overnight. (B, D)

Day 3

CASTLE OF MEY & THE ORKNEYS
This morning we visit the Castle of Mey, the most northerly inhabited castle in Scotland and which was purchased in 1952 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. She spent many happy summers here and it is still used annually by the Royal Family. In the afternoon we board the ferry to cross the Pentland Firth, a graveyard to sunken shops to arrive in St Margaret's Hope an hour later. We then drive along the shoreline of Scapa Flow, famous as the naval refuge during both world wars before arriving at our hotel in Kirkwall. (B, D)

Day 4

GUIDED TOUR OF THE ORKNEY ISLES
Today we depart on a guided tour of the Orkney Isles. Our tour includes a scenic circular tour of the island visiting most of the main sites including 5000 year old Skara Brae, a stone-built Neolithic settlement, the Churchill Barriers, Ring of Brodgar, the Stones of Stennes and the Italian Chapel built during WWII by Italian prisoners of war. Along the way listen to the tales of Viking intruders, wartime exploits and immerse yourselves in Orkney's rich maritime heritage. (B, D)

Day 5

SPEY VALLEY & PERTHSHIRE
This morning catch the morning ferry back to the mainland and take the coastal drive southwards. After some free time in Aviemore we continue on to our overnight hotel in Perthshire. (B, D)

Day 6

PERTHSHIRE TO OVERNIGHT HOTEL
We continue our journey through Scotland on to our overnight hotel for our final nights accommodation. (B,D)

Day 7

FROM OVERNIGHT HOTEL
We depart this morning and complete the journey home. (B)

Executive coach travel
3 overnights dinner, bed & breakfast accommodation
1 night dinner, bed & full Scottish breakfast accommodation in Thurso
2 nights dinner, bed & full Scottish breakfast accommodation in Kirkwall
Entrance to the Castle of Mey
Return ferry to / from Orkney
See Scapa Flow, the famous naval refuge
Guided tour of the Orkney Isles
Entrance to the 5000 year old Neolithic settlement Skara Brae
See the Churchill Barriers, Ring of Brodgar & Standing Sones of Stennes
Entrance to the Italian Chapel built in WWII by Italian prisoners of war
Spend time in Kirkwall, the main town on Orkney

DEPARTURE DATE & PRICE

13^th Jul 6 nights £962

SRS £190

Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.

Name	Address	Distance
Cardiff Gate Services	Cardiff Gate Services CF23 8RA
Cardiff West Services	Cardiff West Services Coach Park, CF72 8SA
Dyffryn Depot	Edwards Travel Centre, Dyffryn Close, Llansamlet SA6 8QG
Edwards Depot LLANTRISANT	Edwards Depot, Llantrisant, CF72 8QZ
Magor Services NP26 3YL	Magor Service Coach Park
Neath - Railway	Neath - Outside Railway Station, SA11 1BY
Newport RAILWAY STATION	Bus Stops outside the RAILWAY STATION,NEWPORT NP20 4AX
Port Talbot Customs	Port Talbot Bus Stop OUTSIDE Customs House Just past the Plaza, SA13 1HW
Pyle Cross	Pyle Cross, bus stop outside supermarket.Pyle Road CF33 6AG
Sarn SERVICES	Sarn SERVICES - Coach Park, CF32 9SY