Page 10 - AAA Northampton County - AAA Now! Winter 2014

Winter 2014 10 3914 Hecktown Rd., Easton, PA • (610) 258-2371 •www.aaanc.com
Travel with someone
you trust ® TRAVELNow! TM
Join us for our Cruise/Tour Sale • January 25 – February 8
Save up to $760* per couple
on Ireland & Scotland Guided Vacations!
Book now to take advantage of our best Early
Payment Discounts, plus secure the best airfares
on all of our expertly-crafted itineraries!
Irish Heritage - 6 Days from $965**
Best of Scotland - 9 Days from $1,825**
Castles & Manors - 9 Days from $3,075**
Best of Ireland & Scotland - 16 Days from $3,450**
*Saveupto$760percouple ($380perperson)with10%EarlyPaymentDiscount (EPD)or$570
per couple ($285 per person) with 7.5% EPD on new 2013-2014 Ireland & Scotland Guided
Vacations booked and paid in full by 1/15/14 or 3/31/14, respectively. Sample savings are
based on Brendan’s “Best of Ireland & Scotland” itinerary departing 7/18/2014 - 8/8/2014.
**Prices are land-only, per-person, based on double occupancy and reflect travel dates with
the lowest vacation price. Full Brendan Vacations terms and conditions apply. For more
information please visit BrendanVacations.com. CST# 2084503-20.
AAA Members receive a
$40 voucher toward any
optional excursion while in
Ireland or Scotland!
Reserve your space today,
610.258.2371
AAA Northampton County
3914 Hecktown Road
Easton, PA 18045
Viking Cruises and AAA Northampton County
cordially invite you to Viking Cruises Travel Talk.
Discover the best way to see the world with Cindy Zalesky,
Director of Business Devlopment for Viking Cruises
at AAA Northampton County on January 28, 2014, 6 p.m.
Light refreshments will be served.
Ask about our exclusive AAA member benefit and RSVP today.
Call 610-258-2371, click AAA.com or visit AAA Northampton
County, 3914 Hecktown Road, Easton, Pa 18045
THE WORLD’S LEADING RIVER CRUISE LINE...BY FAR®
CST#2052644-40
The landscape of Scotland looks nothing like that
of England, with its remote hillsides and peatland
punctuated by lochs and rivers. There’s a geological
reason behind this distinct visual separation: Until
410 million years ago, Scotland and England were
separated by the Iapetus Ocean, which was much
wider than the present-day North Atlantic. The line
along which England and Scotland joined runs
almost parallel to Hadrian’s Wall, a 73-mile barrier
likely constructed to separate the Romans and the
barbarians.
Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh, has a long reputation
for scholastic excellence, rooted in the 1582
establishment of the world-famous Edinburgh
University, which still stands. Cobbled streets
dissect great expanses of greenery throughout the
city. Edinburgh has suchmeticulously groomed parks
and green spaces that it was recognized with the
Gold Award in the Britain in Bloomnational awards.
At the north end of the city, Edinburgh’s Castle
overlooks Old Town from high up on its island of
craggy, volcanic rock. Home to the Scottish Crown
Jewels – the oldest in the British Isles – Edinburgh
Castle is full of mystery. Don’t be alarmed when
gunshots ring out at 1:00 p.m. sharp. The One
O’clock Gun, designed to help shipping set the
maritime clocks, has been fired almost daily (except
Sunday) since 1861. The Royal Mile unfurls from
Edinburgh Castle, stretching down the hill like the
tongue of the castle. Along it are historic sites, such
as St. Giles’ Cathedral, as well as a plethora of spots
to sample some haggis or Scottish ale.
For otherworldly beauty, journey through the
Highlands: sparsely populated mountain ranges with
more pockets of water than people. Loch Ness cuts
deeply through the Highlands, providing yet another
layer of natural wonder to the land. Visit the water’s
edge for a possible glimpse of Nessie, the world-
famous Loch Ness Monster, a long-running legend
in the area.
Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city, is known for its art
population and vibrant culture. It’s also home to one
of Scotland’s most revered castles. Until the 1800s,
Stirling Castle guarded what was the farthest
downstream crossing of the River Forth. Many
significant events took place there, including the
crowning of Mary, Queen of Scots in 1542. Perched
atop Castle Hill and surrounded on three sides by
steep cliffs, Stirling had a strong defensive advantage;
it withstood at least eight sieges, including several
during theWars of Scottish Independence. Views
from the battlements overlook two great battlefields:
Stirling Bridge and Bannockburn.
From its haunting flute to the friendliness of
its people, Scotland invites visitors to appreciate
both natural and manmade beauty.
Highlands Allure, Majesty Awaits
By Kimberly Thomson