LOCHS AND LEGENDS, LOWLANDS AND HIGHLANDS

01-22-2008

 

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – Tread heather-covered lowland moors and highland hills as you visit battlegrounds where the likes of William Wallace (better known as Braveheart) and Rob Roy McGregor wielded heavy claymore broadswords to fight off enemies. Walk the “bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond” and look for the legendary monster of Loch Ness. Visit ancient castles, walk (or play) at St. Andrews, birthplace of golf, and sample the product at Oban Distillery, one of Scotland’s oldest licensed distilleries.

Visit Scotland’s east and west coasts and listen to the whir of bagpipes and the poetry of Robert Burns as you tour the land where it was written. Dine on freshly caught salmon and country-made meat pies and sample haggis (but don’t ask its ingredients!). These sights, sounds and tastes of Scotland are the focus of a nine-day vacation that not only puts the accent on fun but also provides an enjoyable learning experience.

“Alumni Campus Abroad in Scotland – Oban and Stirling” is offered by AHI Travel, a tour company that has been providing deluxe programs for alumni groups, associations and special-interest organizations for more than 45 years. For those interested in learning as they travel, these inclusive vacations offer an engaging mix of excursions and education programs, with the line between the two often enjoyably thin. It is an opportunity to travel with like-minded companions while enjoying a memorable vacation.

Headquarters for this fascinating look at Scotland are two historic hotels (with four nights spent at each). The luxury four-star Oban Caledonian Hotel dates back to 1882. Rising from the water’s edge, this landmark building commands breathtaking views over the sheltered Bay of Oban to the romantic hills and islands of Scotland’s magnificent west coast. 

The other hotel of choice for this unique Scottish vacation is the first-class Stirling Highland Hotel. Dating back to 1854, it is only 500 yards from the town’s famous eponymous castle and is meticulously furnished, featuring excellent restaurants and a health and leisure club. Comfortable rooms include bath and shower, color TV and radio.

Excursions explore the Isle of Mull, including 13^th-century Duart Castle and colorful Tobermory, the island’s main village.  You’ll also visit the legendary Isle of Skye, admiring along the way the beautiful shores of Loch Lomond and traveling through Trossachs National Park. You’ll pause in Glenfinnan at the monument of the kilted highlander at the site where Bonnie Prince Charlie and his army incited the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745.

You’ll also tour charming Seil and Easdale, two of the Slate Islands, and see the highlights of Stirling. You’ll spend a day in Edinburgh, one of Europe’s most distinguished capitals, where you’ll explore the Royal Mile, Old Town and High Street and tour famed Edinburgh Castle.

On an east coast excursion, you’ll visit St. Andrews, the birthplace of golf and home to the third-oldest university in Britain. At St. Andrews, view the ruins of a 12^th-century castle; at Dundee, take time for a leisurely stroll and shopping.

Educational focus of this itinerary includes “History of the Highlands,” describing the geologic and political events that shaped Scotland, and “Clans and Clearances,” examining Scotland’s chief-ruled clan system and the causes and effects of the Highland Clearances, which began in 1785.

“Meet the Highlanders” is an open-panel exchange with friendly local residents and an opportunity to learn about modern life in Scotland. “The Art of Being Scottish” examines the trappings of Highland traditions, with a demonstration on wearing a kilt and playing bagpipes.

Included in this package is round-trip airfare from select U.S. gateway cities aboard scheduled jet service to Glasgow, plus round-trip motorcoach transfers between the Glasgow airport and the two hotels, along with baggage handling at the hotels. Also included are four nights' accommodations at the first-class Oban Caledonian Hotel and four nights’ accommodations at the first-class Stirling Highland Hotel (both based on double occupancy). An extensive meal program includes eight Scottish breakfasts, three lunches and six dinners (in addition to in-flight dining service). A festive welcome reception at the hotel includes performances by a bagpiper and highland dancers and a “Haggis Ceremony.”  A special farewell party and dinner featuring Scottish music follows AHI’s traditional “Graduation Ceremony.”

Also included are all excursions and educational programs developed exclusively for this program and featuring local experts, plus the services of an experienced AHI Campus Director throughout and a deluxe travel wallet—plus $250,000 flight insurance.  Domestic and foreign governmental airport/departure taxes and fees also are included.

The inclusive price of this program ranges from $3,789 to $4,569, depending on U.S. gateway city.  Departure dates from the U.S. run from May 11 through September 14, 2008.

For more information contact AHI Travel, 6400 Shafer Ct., Rosemont, IL 60018, 800-323-7373—or check the Web site at www.ahitravel.com.

 

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