Stepping Stones in the Atlantic: The Hebrides, Faroes, Shetland & Orkney Islands

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Overview
Highlights
- Navigate to some of the most beautiful, isolated islands in the Atlantic including St. Kilda and the Faroe Islands.
- Interact with the 60 or so residents of Fair Isle, the most remote inhabited island in the United Kingdom.
- Discover Orkney’s remarkable prehistoric sites including two ceremonial stone circles and a well-preserved village.
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Activities
Trip includes
- 13 nights of accommodations
- 36 meals: 13 breakfasts, 1 brunch, 9 lunches, 13 dinners
- 11 Field trips
- Free round-trip airfare from JFK is included in the program price
- Learning led by expert instructors who are authorities in the field of study.
- An experienced Group Leader attuned to the needs of Road Scholar participants.
- Customary gratuities throughout the program that you would normally pay yourself.
- The Road Scholar Travel Assistance Plan, which is purchased on behalf of every participant and provides 24-hour-a-day emergency assistance services coverage.
- Taxes
- State-of-the-art QUIETVOX listening devices
Itinerary

Evening: Flights to Edinburgh, Scotland depart North America.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Hilton Edinburgh Grosvenor (or similar)
Arrive To: Flights arrive in Edinburgh, Scotland. Transfer to the program hotel. Check-in time at the hotel is at 3:00. Although we will try to secure an early check-in for participants...
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Hilton Edinburgh Grosvenor (or similar)
Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning: Depart the hotel this morning for an exploration of Edinburgh. Start the morning at Edinburgh Castle, perched above the cit...
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Sea Explorer
Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning: Transfer by coach from Edinburgh to Oban. The driving time is approximately 3 hours, but the views through the Scottish highlands will be well ...
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Sea Explorer
Breakfast: Breakfast on board the ship
Morning: Explore the remote islands at the tip of the South Uist including Mingulay and Pabbay. Zodiacs will be used to explore and we hope to make ...
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Sea Explorer
Breakfast: Breakfast on board the ship
Morning: Arrive at first light in St. Kilda, a remarkable uninhabited archipelago some fifty miles beyond the Outer Hebrides. The largest island, Hi...
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Sea Explorer
Breakfast: Breakfast on board the ship
Morning: Spend the day around North Rona, an isolated island some fifty miles north of Cape Wrath. The last islanders left North Rona in 1844 and to...
Meals: Breakfast, Brunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Sea Explorer
Breakfast: Breakfast on board the ship
Morning: Enjoy a morning at sea before we arrive in the Faroe Islands at lunch time.
Brunch: Lunch on board the ship
Afternoon: From ...
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Sea Explorer
Breakfast: Breakfast on board the ship
Morning: Today we will use the Zodacis to explore the westernmost islands of the Faroes. One of the loveliest of the archipelago, Mykines is wonderf...
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Sea Explorer
Breakfast: Breakfast on board the ship
Morning: This morning you will board Zodiacs to explore the stunning cliff scenery, sea stacks, arches, blowholes, and coastal cavers of Papa Stour....
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Sea Explorer
Breakfast: Breakfast on board the ship.
Morning: After breakfast discover the Shetland capital and begin your exploration of this historic port. Wander through the narrow stone lanes, and...
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Sea Explorer
Breakfast: Breakfast on board the ship
Morning: This morning Sea Explorer will call at Fair Isle where you will be met with a warm welcome by the tiny population of sixty or so islanders....
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Sea Explorer
Breakfast: Breakfast on board the ship
Morning: This morning, head into the west of Mainland, Orkney's largest island. Pass through the gentle rolling landscape and into the Neolithic Hea...
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Hilton Garden Inn Aberdeen City Centre (or similar)
Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning: Disembark the ship this morning. Enjoy a morning exploration of Aberdeen
Lunch: Lunch on your own to explore the local fare.
Afternoon: Enjoy some free time to explore Aberdeen.
Dinner: Farewell dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning: Transfer to the airport for flights returning to North America.
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- You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
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Dates & Availability
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Road Scholar.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Logistics
What's excluded
- Passport charges
- Any kind of insurance
- Personal Expenses
Accommodation
Hilton Edinburgh Grosvenor (or similar)
2 nights Edinburgh
Located in the stylish West End of Edinburgh’s city center, the Hilton Edinburgh Grosvenor hotel combines a historical 1860s listed building with a chic and modern interior. Housed over two buildings – the main building and the Townhouse annex - the hotel boasts modern decor, yet retains stunning traditional features such as beautiful coving, ceilings and ornate staircases. Situated only 200 meters from Haymarket train station and a short walk from popular attractions including Edinburgh Castle, Princes Street and the Royal Mile, this unique Edinburgh hotel is the perfect base to explore Scotland’s capital.
Sea Explorer
10 nights Belgravia, London
The deluxe Sea Explorer is an all-suite yacht accommodating up to 114 guests. Built in 1992 and refurbished and redecorated in 2005, it has 57 suites. This small ship offers several advantages that mass cruiseliners cannot match. It can dock or anchor almost anywhere and are not limited to large commercial ports. The Sea Explorer can slip into small towns and tiny fishing villages. The ship's 70 officers and crew ensure personalized service.
DoubleTree Hotel Aberdeen City Centre
1 night Aberdeen
13 Breakfasts, 10 Lunches and 13 Dinners
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