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Day 2
Upon arrival, we'l check in, receive our room assignments, and meet up with our Trip Experience Leader and those travelers who took our The Gaelic Island Culture of the Scottish Hebrides: Skye, Lewis & Harris or our New! The Remote Shetlands: Wildlife, Nature & Time-Honored Traditions pre-trip extension. Depending on where we stay, hotel amenities may include an on-site restaurant and bar, while each of the hotel's air-conditioned rooms typically features coffee- and tea-making facilities, a safe, TV, wireless Internet access, and a private bathroom. You'l have some free time to settle in and unpack. Lunch: On your own. Your Trip Experience Leader will be happy to provide you with recommendations. Afternoon: Around 1:30pm, we'll gather for an orientation walk around the vicinity of our hotel. During this time, our Trip Experience Leader will point out ATMs, restaurants, pharmacies, and spots to explore during your free time. Around 2:30pm, we'll return to our hotel and you'l have some free time to rest or explore. Then, around 6:30pm, we'l regroup in the hotel lobby and set out on a 10-minute walk to reach the Willow Tea Rooms. Tea rooms have a long and storied history in Glasgow, dating back to the temperance movement in the late 19th century when they emerged as an alternative gathering place to pubs. The Willow Tea Rooms are particularly beloved by the city as they are the last remaining tea rooms designed by noted Scottish architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh. When we arrive, we will be greeted by Gordon, a trustee of the building and a passionate admirer of Mackintosh's. Gordon will take us on a tour of the tea rooms to show us the original Mackintosh features, and explain the importance of the tea rooms not only to him, but to the people of Glasgow. Dinner: Around 7:15pm, we'l sit down to a Welcome Dinner at the Willow Tea Rooms, featuring an array of Scottish dishes to welcome you to the country. Our Trip Experience Leader will also hold a welcome briefing during dinner. During this briefing, we will review our itinerary in more detail (including any changes that may need to occur). Our Trip Experience Leader will also discuss logistics, safety and emergency procedures, and answer questions we may have. Evening: We'l walk back to our hotel, arriving by about 8:30pm. You have the freedom to retire to your room for the night to rest, or to experience Glasgow's nightlife. You might like to find a local pub where you can grab a pint with your fellow travelers. Freedom to Explore During your three days in Glasgow, you have the freedom to explore this fascinating city on your own during your free time. Below are some recommended options for independent explorations:
How to get there: A 10- to 15-minute taxi ride, about $15 USD one way.
How to get there: A 10- to 15-minute taxi ride, about $15 USD one way.
How to get there: A 10- to 15-minute taxi ride, about $15 USD one way.
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Arrive in Glasgow, Scotland
Morning: You'l arrive in the lively city of Glasgow in the late morning or early afternoon, depending on your specific flight arrangements. Upon arrival, expect to spend about 45 minutes clearing customs and completing any health guidelines your airline requires. Travelers who have reserved their airfare with O.A.T. will also have their temperature checked by your Trip Experience Leader or O.A.T. representative before boarding your transfer vehicle, per our NEW health and safety protocols; those who do not reserve airfare with us will have their temperature checked upon arrival at the hotel. You will then be escorted to your hotel near the city by private car in groups of 2-3 or by private minivan in groups of 4-5, depending on the number of travelers who arrived with you. The transfer is approximately 30 minutes, depending on traffic.