Southlake TravelWhere Dreams Become Reality

From August 6 - August 12, 2009Enjoy a Culinary Tour of Edinburgh and an insider’s tour of the royal palaces with Darren McGrady, – former Chef to H.M. Queen Elizabeth II and Diana, Princess of Wales.You are invited on a tour with The Royal Chef, Darren McGrady as he personally guides you through the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official Scottish residence of her Majesty the Queen and Glamis Castle, birthplace of the Queen Mother. Highlights of the trip include the Military Tattoo, a culinary presentation by The Royal Chef, and an exclusive tour and dinner on Her Majesty’s Yacht Britannia. You will get a firsthand, unique insight into the day to day life of Britain’s royal family through the eyes of Darren and his fifteen years royal service.

Culinary Excursion

Where We Visit Day 1 – Thursday, August 6

Welcome to Edinburgh!You are met upon arrival at Edinburgh International Airport and transferred to our centrally located hotel, The Apex City Hotel. Explore this wonderful city of Edinburgh; a city of elegant streets, cobbled alleys and incomparable sunsets. Gather tonight for a glass of wine to renew friendships and meet new friends.

Hotel: Apex City HotelMeals: Welcome reception

Day 2 – Friday, August 7This morning we get together for coffee with The Royal Chef at the hotel, hearing tales from the Royal Chef as he traveled from the position of Junior Chef at Buckingham Palace to the position of Personal Chef for Princess Diana.

Our day today starts with a tour of the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence in Scotland for her majesty the Queen and where Darren traveled to every summer for eleven years to cook for the Queen and her guests. This palace is rich in history and today the State Apartments are used regularly by The Queen for State ceremonies and official entertaining.

Lunch will be at the Brasserie at The Scotsman Hotel.

After lunch, we search for antiques in the Georgian Antiques Market, the largest collection of antiques in Scotland.

Dinner tonight is at the fabulous Amber Restuarant in the Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre..

Hotel: Apex City HotelMeals: BLD

Day 3 – Saturday, August 8 Saturday is market day in Edinburgh, and a great reason to stroll through the bustling Edinburgh Farmers Market with The Royal Chef as he points out and we sample indigenous Scottish foods. The market has evolved since it first opened as a small monthly event in 2000 into a showcase for Scottish agriculture.

Lunch today will be at Olarosa’s, which features the most stunning views across both the Firth of Forth and Edinburgh Castle.

Then we’re off to visit Her Majesty’s Yacht Britannia now moored permanently in Leith. The Royal Yacht has played host to some of the most famous people in the world, but, above

all, she was home to Her Majesty the Queen and the Royal Family - a floating palace. Once onboard you will discover the heart and soul of this most special of royal residences as you experience an exclusive tour with access to areas unavailable on normal tours, including the royal galley (kitchen).

Champagne and canapés will be served on the tour followed by an eight course dinner in the royal dining room where the royal chef prepared a state banquet when the Queen entertained Presidents Regan and Ford. After dinner, Darren will regale us with his favorite adventures on the high seas and share royal memorabilia.

Hotel: Apex City HotelMeals: BLD

The Trip

Glamis Castle

Military Tattoo

HMY Britannia

Southlake TravelWhere Dreams Become Reality

Palace of Holyroodhouse

Day 4 – Sunday, August 9This morning you have a chance to sleep in a little and enjoy a free morning of leisure.

Grab a Pub lunch on your own, or with Darren at Greyfriars Bobby’s Bar before we venture forth to Glamis Castle, built in 1034 and the home of the Queen Mother’s birthplace in Angus, Scotland. This expansive castle with its stunning architecture offers rich history as well as beautiful grounds and gardens on a 14,000 acre estate.

This evening is open for your personal discovery of Edinburgh… we might recommend The Edinburgh Theatre Festival or take in one of the many of the festivals in the city.

Hotel: Apex City HotelMeals: B

Day 5 – Monday, August 10This morning we’ll explore the unique Belhaven Smoke House, located in Dunbar. The beautiful town of Dunbar is on the North Sea coast of East Lothian, about 30 miles east of Edinburgh. We’ll sample many of the smoked meats and fishes that are traditional Scottish cuisine.

No trip to Scotland would be complete without stopping for Afternoon Tea; today we stop at the beautiful Balmoral Hotel, a luxury five-star property in the very heart of Edinburgh.

After a quick supper of Fish and Chips, we head off to the Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle. This colorful military musical spectacular celebrates its 60th season this year, including highlights such as the Massed Pipes & Drums, the Massed Bands of the Royal Air Force, along with the highland dancing, and the haunting notes of the Lone Piper, and in their first Tattoo appearance, the Central Band of the Swiss Army. Bring your cameras for this one!

Hotel: Apex City HotelMeals: BD, Afternoon Tea

Day 6 – Tuesday, August 11We’re off this morning to Cooking School by Martin Wishart, a renowned cooking school just outside of town. Chef Darren McGrady will delight us with a 3 course meal he prepares with local produce and specialties. This interactive class will show us “best practices” techniques for the chef in all of us, while sampling his wonderful Scottish recipes and fine wines.

After lunch, we take a delightful ride through the countryside to Ballathie House Hotel in nearby Perth where at 17 years old Darren learnt to cook. We’ll stay the night at this elegant country house hotel that offers guests beautiful accommodations in an estate setting. Our finale dinner will be celebrated in their fine dining room, a truly Scottish sensation.

Hotel: Ballathie House HotelMeals: BLD

Day 7 – Wednesday, August 12 Depart for Edinburgh International airport for your flight home.

Where We Stay

Southlake TravelWhere Dreams Become Reality

Ballathie House

Apex City Hotel

ABOUT USA highly-personalized travel concierge service that arranges memorable trips, cruises, exotic vacations and travel for those with discriminating taste. So, whether you’re looking for a private jet to Paris, a villa in Tuscany, tickets to the Grand Prix in Monaco, golfing at St. Andrews or an island escape to the Caribbean, we can arrange every detail.

AVAILABILITY This exclusive culinary tour with The Royal Chef will be limited to 15 – 20 adults; with a minimum of 15. To avoid disappointment (and the inevitable waitlist), please book early.

BOOK YOUR TRIPCONTACT:

Karen M. Dawson1300 Concord AveSouthlake, TX 76092kdawson@southlake-travel.comPhone: 817.657.9866

PAYMENTS & DEPOSITS$1,000 per person non-refundable deposit at time of booking (to guarantee tickets & hotels). Deposit must be received by February 6, 2009. Final payment will be due on May 15, 2009.

The DetailsSTART: Edinburgh, Scotland FINISH: Edinburgh, Scotland

What’s Included:

Spontaneity: We build all of our itineraries as exhaustively as possible; however, we also leave room for the spontaneity of the group, the creativity of the guide, and the unpredictability of the elements. Thus, all itineraries are subject to modest modification, dependent on local weather, new opportunities, and the desires of the group.

Trip Operator: Travelbound, a tour operator specializing in travel arrangements to Europe..

Dates & PricesDuration: 6 Nights / 7 Days

Dates: August 6 – August 12, 2009

Prices: $4,785.00 USD (Per person based upon double occupancy)*

Single Supplement: $780.00 USD

*Prices are based at $1.379 USD to one GBP. Final price will be adjusted on May 15, 2009.

Getting ThereFlights: Please be advised that most international flights arrive early in the morning, and check-in for the hotel is not until 3pm.

Travel Services:For the convenience of our travelers, we would be happy to assist you with flights to get to and from the trip. If you require assistance beyond the flights, (i.e. if you wish to extend your stay or arrive earlier), or if you wish to make private or custom travel arrangements, please call us to discuss your needs. Please note that a service transaction of $50.00 will be charged for arrangements such as flights, transfers and hotel rooms that are outside the planned itinerary.

Southlake TravelWhere Dreams Become Reality

© 2009 Southlake Travel

- All accommodations on a shared twin/double room basis

- Daily breakfast at hotel- Round-trip transfers from Edinburgh

Airport to hotel- Entrance and tour of Palace of

Holyroodhouse- Cooking demonstration by

The Royal Chef- Entrance and tour of Glamis Castle- Three lunches and four dinners

- Afternoon Tea at Balmoral Hotel- Walking tour with Royal Chef through

Edinburgh’s Farmers Market- Walking tour with Royal Chef

through Antique Markets- Entrance to Military Tattoo at

Edinburgh Castle- Entrance, tour and dinner on

Her Majesty’s Yacht Britannia- Farewell celebration dinner