Discover King Arthur's Excalibur

Travel into the heart of Arthurian legend country in Cornwall. Discover the mythical tale of King Arthur's sword Excalibur in Dozmary pool, the legendary resting place. Few legends have won the literary heart of the world as the tale of King Arthur. You will find him in a plethora of ancient and contemporary text from Disney's animated film adaptation "The Sword in the Stone" to Robert de Boron's "Merlin".

King Arthur is a legendary British leader of the late 5th and early 6th centuries, who, according to Medieval histories and romances, led the defence of Britain against Saxon invaders in the early 6th century. The details of Arthur's story are mainly composed of folklore and literary invention, and his historical existence is debated and disputed by modern historians. The legendary Arthur developed as a figure of international interest largely through the popularity of Geoffrey of Monmouth's fanciful and imaginative 12th-century "History of the Kings of Britain". Some Welsh and Breton tales and poems relating the story of Arthur date from earlier than this work; in these works, Arthur appears either as a great warrior defending Britain from human and supernatural enemies, such as Morgan Le Faye, or as a magical figure of folklore.

Stories of King Arthur usually make reference to the mythical wizard Merlin, who was invented by Geoffrey of Monmouth, Guinevere, his legendary wife and Excalibur, his sword. Excalibur is the legendary sword of King Arthur, sometimes attributed with magical powers or associated with the rightful sovereignty of Great Britain. Sometimes Excalibur and the Sword in the Stone (the proof of Arthur's lineage) are said to be the same weapon, but in most versions they are considered separate. The name Excalibur apparently derives from the Welsh Caledfwlch which combines the elements caled ("battle, hard"), and bwlch ("breach, gap, notch").

In Arthurian romance, a number of explanations are given for Arthur's possession of Excalibur. One tale is that he was given the sword by the Lady of the Lake who occupied Dozmary Pool, a small lake in Bodmin Moor, Cornwall.

Travel into the heart of Arthurian legend country on your next tour of England with Celtic Tours World Vacations.

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Islay and the Whisky Coast - Escorted Tour of Scotland

Islay and Whisky Coast - 8 Day Small Group Escorted Tour

A tour taking in two of the most famous whisky regions in the world. First you visit the beautiful island of Islay, renowned for its peaty, smoky malt whiskies. Following 2 nights in the historic city of Edinburgh, your tour continues north to Speyside, home to more than half of Scotland's malt whicky distilleries.

Your Islay and Whisky Coast Tour Highlights:

• GUARANTEED DEPARTURES
• Transportation by top of the range 16 seat Mercedes mini coaches
• Seven nights accommodations at your choice of B&B or Hotel
• Breakfast daily, except on day of arrival
• Services of professional driver/guide
• Touring per your itinerary
• All ferry and bridge crossings
• Discount card to restaurants, attractions and shopping
• Tips to your driver are not included, as they are considered personal


Tour Islay and the Whisky Coast with Celtic Tours World Vacations.

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Staffa

Named from the Old Norse name for stave or pillar island, Staffa is a must see for anyone traveling in Scotland. The uninhabited .13 square mile island lies about 6 miles off the coast of the Isle of Mull and is remarkable for its hexagonal basalt columns.

In pre-historic times Staffa was covered by the ice sheets which spread from Scotland out into the Atlantic Ocean beyond the Outer Hebrides. The basalt columns were formed entirely by volcanic activity. The slow cooling of the basalt from the volcano resulted in the extraordinary shape of the columns.Similar formations can also be found at the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland.

Over the years, Staffa has attracted the attention of many writers and influencers including Sir Walter Scott, Jules Verne, John Keats, Robert Louis Stevenson and William Wordsworth. In fact, Sir Joseph Banks, an 18th century scientist, admitted that he was, "forced to acknowledge that this piece of architecture, formed by nature, far surpasses that of the Louvre, that of St. Peter at Rome, all that remains of Palmyra and Paestum, and all that the genius, the taste and the luxury of the Greeks were capable of inventing."

A visit to Staffa is a must on your next tour of Scotland with Celtic Tours World Vacations.

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Scottish Islands - Small Group Escorted Tour of Scotland

The tour of dreams - with 9 days to enjoy 5 fantastic west coast islands and the prehistoric beauty and history of the northern Orkney islands. Enjoy the rolling splendor of the island of Mull, the peace and spirituality of Columba's Iona, followed by the dramatic beauty of our most famous island, the Isle of Skye.


Your Scottish Islands Tour Highlights:

• GUARANTEED DEPARTURES
• Transportation by top of the range 16 seat Mercedes mini coaches
• Eight nights accommodations at your choice of B&B or Hotel
• Breakfast daily, except on day of arrival
• Services of professional driver/guide
• Touring per your itinerary
• All ferry crossings, except for optional trip to Staffa
• Local taxes
• Discount card to restaurants, attractions and shopping
• Tips to your driver are not included, as they are considered personal


Visit the Scottish Islands with Celtic Tours World Vacations

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Stirling Castle, Scotland

Stirling Castle was the center of art, culture and celebrity in the 16th century. Knights, nobles and foreign ambassadors once flocked to the Royal Court at Stirling Castle to revel in the castle's grandeur. A place of power, beauty and history, discover the favored residence of Scotland's Kings and Queens! Today, Stirling Castle is a great symbol of Scottish independence and a source of national pride.

Step into a world of plots, passion, intrigue and high fashion. The Castle's long, turbulent history is associated with great figures from Scotland’s past such as William Wallace & Mary Queen of Scots.

There's more than ever to see and do at Stirling Castle. With splendour, colour and glorious craftsmanship, enter the world of Scotland's Renaissance Kings & Queens. From the Royal Palace to the Great Kitchens, visitors will get a chance to experience the grandeur of life in the 16th century.

While visiting Scotland's Stirling Castle it is a must to check out the Queen Anne Garden. These attractive terraced gardens occupy a peaceful and colourful spot on the sunny south side of the castle. A royal garden was probably formed here in the 1400s.

As the childhood home of Mary Queen of Scots, it is not surprising that she was crowned at Stirling Castle. The ceremony took place in September 1543 in the old Chapel Royal, which is no longer standing. The queen was only nine months old and cried throughout the ceremony. It is also said that Stirling Castle is where she fell in love with her cousin and future husband, Henry Stewart, Lord Darnley.

Some say a lion was kept at Stirling Castle. James V’s Palace is built around an open rectangular courtyard known as the Lion’s Den. James did own at least one lion (heraldic symbol of the king of Scots) and it has been suggested that the Lion’s Den was where it was housed.

Stirling Castle has something for everyone, visit the castle on your next tour of Scotland with Celtic Tours World Vacations.

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Castle Coole

Castle Coole in County Fermanagh is a superb late 18th century neo-classical house designed by James Wyatt and was the home of the Earls of Belmore. Very fine interior furnishings and plasterwork, a visit to Castle Coole can now include the ornate state bedroom, the servant's tunnel, the laundry house, the dairy, five of the original stables in the Grand Yard and the Belmore Private Coach in the original coach house. Landscaped parkland with many walks and nature trails make Castle Coole a great visit on your next tour of Northern Ireland.

Visit Castle Coole on your next self-drive tour of Northern Ireland with Celtic Tours World Vacations.

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Irish Rambler

Premier Escorted Motorcoach Tour!

A fabulous new itinerary featuring Dublin, Galway and Killarney! Visit new sights like the Whitefriar Church and enjoy the scenic rugged beauty of Connemara and enjoy Dinner and Irish entertainment in Dublin.

Your Irish Rambler Tour Includes

• First Class and Superior First Class hotels throughout
• Full Irish breakfast daily, except day of arrival
• Four (4) hotel dinners
• Dinner and Irish cabaret show & entertainment in Dublin
• Full sightseeing by Deluxe Touring Motorcoach
• Professional Irish driver/guide to escort you through out
• Visits to Whitefriar Church, St. Brendan's Cathedral, Celtic Crystal Factory (or Galway Crystal), Connemara Marble factory Cliffs of Moher, Adare.
• Panoramic city tour of Dublin
• Scenic tour of the Ring of Kerry
• Porterage of one (1) suitcase per person
• Tips and taxes in Ireland. Gratuities to the driver/guide not included
• Celtic Tours flight bag and portfolio of travel documents

Tour Ireland with Celtic Tours World Vacations on our Irish Rambler Escorted Motorcoach Tour of Ireland

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