Page 8 - AAA Schuylkill County – AAA Now! – November/December 2015

TRAVE
Highlands Allure, Majesty Awaits
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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 are 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 such meticulously groomed parks and green spaces that it was recognized with the Gold Award in the Britain in Bloom national 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 as 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 interrupted by 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 the Wars 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 begs visitors to join in the appreciation of both natural and manmade beauty.
TASTE OF IRELAND & SCOTLAND
July 12-24, 2016
12 Days / 11 Nights $3,918 per person, double occupancy
HIGHLIGHTS:
• Scottish evening in Edinburgh
• Dublin canal cruise dinner
• Bunratty Castle medieval banquet • Cliffs of Moher
• St. Andrews
INCLUDES:
• 18 meals
• Airfare and round-trip transfers • Touring
• A pre-night stay
Travel
For more information or reservations, contact Cathy Baldigo at (570) 622-4991.
TOUR PRESENTATION DATE TO BE ADVISED.
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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015
Now!