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10-night Wild Lands Of Scotland, The Faroe Islands And Iceland Cruise

Price: $9,060 - # of Days: 10 days

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14-night British Isles & Ireland Cruise

Price: $7,999 - # of Days: 14 days

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3-Nights Hilton Glasgow

Price: $183 - # of Days: 3 days
A city landmark, Hilton Glasgow offers a central location from which to begin your adventures. Stylish guest rooms, designed with your comfort in mind, are bright and spacious, and afford stunning views of the city. Enjoy seasonal dishes at Morblas Seafood and Grill, and savor a creative cocktails a...

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3-Nights voco Grand Central Glasgow

Price: $167 - # of Days: 3 days
Directly adjoining Glasgow's Central Station, The Grand Central Hotel was originally built in the late 19th-century as a railway hotel. One of the city's most prestigious buildings, the hotel has welcomed many famous guests including Frank Sinatra and Winston Churchill. Elegantly appoint...

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3-Nights Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel

Price: $326 - # of Days: 3 days
The Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel has been a prestigious address since the early 19th century. Overlooking a private garden square, the hotel's Georgian townhouses were originally home to merchants and were later turned into the club headquarters for The Royal Scottish Automobile Club. Kimpton...

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3-Nights Holiday Inn Glasgow Airport

Price: $117 - # of Days: 3 days
Holiday Inn® Glasgow Airport hotel places you a short walk away from the main terminal at Glasgow Airport. This stylish hotel features conference facilities and on-site parking. Stylish and modern guest rooms feature comfortable beds, free Wi-Fi and pillow menus to ensure restful nights. In the hot...

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3-Nights Holiday Inn Glasgow - City Centre Theatreland

Price: $146 - # of Days: 3 days
Holiday Inn® Glasgow - City Centre Theatreland hotel is close to the city's main theaters and the shops on Buchanan Street and well connected to popular city landmarks via public transport. Newly refurbished accommodations focus on your comfort and convenience, helping you feel right at at h...

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Overview

Introduction

Glasgow is a reflection of Scottish exuberance. Even the frequently seen rain clouds can't dampen Glaswegian enthusiasm, friendliness and civic pride. No other Scottish city has quite the same endearing grittiness, in spite of its sophistication.

Drawing on a long tradition of support for the performing arts, Glasgow fills its theaters with music, comedy and drama and flaunts the fact that it—not Edinburgh—is home to Scottish Opera, Scottish Ballet and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.

Well known as Scotland's center for architecture and design, Glasgow is an increasingly popular European tourist and conference venue. Glasgow is also a bustling business and manufacturing center.

After visitors have experienced the depth of sophistication and diversity Glasgow has to offer as a European travel destination, they'll likely agree with the many conventioneers, business travelers and tourists who have departed singing the city's praises.

Must See or Do

Sights—Some of architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh's finest works including House for an Art Lover at Bellahouston Park and Scotland Street School; the tranquil Botanic Gardens; Glasgow Cathedral; the University of Glasgow.

Museums—The People's Palace and its depiction of Glasgow history; Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum; The Burrell Collection; the Gallery of Modern Art; the purpose-built Transport Museum on the banks of the Clyde.

Memorable Meals—Celebrity-watching and sumptuous seafood at Rogano; Chinese food at the Dragon-i; most dishes at The Ubiquitous Chip; breakfast at the Cafe Gandolfi and fresh fish next door at Gandolfi Fish.

Late Night—The cafes and bars on Byres Road and Merchant City; music in the Scotia Bar.

Walks—Strolling the grounds at Pollok Country Park; walking along the banks of the River Kelvin from the Botanic Gardens; Spirit of Glasgow's Horror Walking tour; following the West Highland Way (or at least part of it).

Especially for Kids—M & D's Theme Park; Scotland Street School Museum; Glasgow Science Centre; ice skating at Braehead Shopping Centre.

Geography

Located in the west of Scotland, with the Campsie Fells to the north and the Clyde Valley to the south, Glasgow serves as a link between the Highlands and the Lowlands. The River Clyde, which flows in from the rugged Lanarkshire countryside to the west, cuts through the city. The city center is located on the Clyde's north bank; that's where you'll find George Square, the main shopping centers and the city's two main railway stations, Glasgow Central and Glasgow Queen Street.

Surrounding the city center are diverse and cosmopolitan suburbs. South of the river are Pollokshields, a bustling Asian community, and the vibrant Shawlands district. The West End is home to Glasgow's student population, and it's also where stylish Byres Road is located. Gorbals, once notorious for its slums but now noted for gentrification, is southeast of the city center, and the old shipyards of Govan are to the southwest. To the east, Dennistoun is undergoing a renaissance, thanks to an influx of young professionals and the subsequent arrivals of new cafes, delis and restaurants.

History

Stone Age settlers first established a fishing village on the banks of the River Clyde. Celtic tribes were later drawn to the area, which became known as Glas cu (meaning "dear green place"), and the Romans spent time there in their struggle to maintain a military foothold. By the sixth century, it was part of the British Kingdom of Strathclyde, and St. Kentigern (also known as St. Mungo) was invited there to establish a Christian church. St. Mungo was buried there, and the town soon became a magnet for pilgrims. Mungo is now considered the city's founder; his original church was later replaced by Glasgow Cathedral, which is named in his honor.

Glasgow flourished as a business center, and it was trading with the Americas by the end of the 18th century. Its role as a European hub for imports of tobacco and sugar produced the city's first millionaires, although the darker side of the trade included links to slavery. Throughout the 1800s, Irish immigrants provided an abundance of unskilled labor for the city's industries, which built ships, locomotives and other heavy industrial equipment. As these industries prospered, Glasgow became one of the richest cities in Europe.

Although Glasgow's shipbuilding industry survived the recession of the early 1900s with orders for Royal Navy vessels and liners such as the Queen Elizabeth and the Queen Mary, demand for well-built ships was evaporating. By the 1960s, Glasgow was in serious industrial decline. But toward the end of the 20th century, the city reinvented itself by expanding retail space in the city center, attracting new businesses and developing tourism.

The 21st century holds a bright future filled with construction and a campaign to promote Glasgow as a cosmopolitan city with panache. The River Clyde Waterfront Regeneration is transforming the center of Glasgow into an upscale area. Development at Pacific Quay provides accommodations for Scotland's media industry and other businesses. Scottish Media Group and the headquarters for BBC Scotland operate from there.

The Clyde Arc, which links Pacific Quay with Finnieston and was the first new Clyde bridge in 30 years, opened in 2006. The City Council kept the name a closely guarded secret until the day of the launch, but by then they were too late as all of Glasgow was calling it the "Squinty Bridge" because it runs diagonally across the river, rather than straight.

A bit farther along the river, another bridge was opened in 2009 for pedestrians and cyclists. While it's officially called the Tradeston Bridge, Glaswegians in their inimitable style have named it the "Squigly Bridge" because of its lazy-S shape.

Potpourri

Glasgow Green is the oldest park in the city. This patch of green was given to the people of Glasgow in 1450. Strictly speaking, any Glasgow resident has the right to hang laundry on the Green to dry.

The Glasgow Central Station bridge over Argyle Street is known as the hielan' (highland) man's umbrella because it was a good sheltered meeting point for the people coming from the north. The hielan' men would stand on the north side of the street and prostitutes would stand on the south side.

Glasgow was the first city in Britain to establish a professional police force.

John Logie Baird, credited with making the first trans-Atlantic television transmission, sent his first long-distance TV pictures from the Glasgow Central Hotel.

When singing-cowboy Roy Rogers stayed at Glasgow Central Hotel, he booked a second bedroom for his horse Trigger and later descended the staircase on horseback.

The Scotia Bar, which was established in 1792, is Glasgow's oldest pub and a favorite hangout of local musicians, artists and writers.

The Glaswegian expression Aye, right is said to be the world's only instance of language where two positives make a negative.

Location

Throughout the summer cruise liners make their way to Greenock Ocean Terminal, a popular deepwater port suitable to handle all types of vessels big and small. Located in the scenic Clyde River estuary and situated in the town of Greenock, this terminal is close to Glasgow (24 mi/39 km) and makes an ideal starting point for touring the area. A piper's welcome is typical of the Scottish hospitality.

The terminal building has a gift shop, internet access and a taxi stand along with a public bus stop. Many cruises offer shuttle buses to Glasgow, suitable for the independent traveler. Patrick Street, Greenock PA16 8UU. Phone 147- 572-6 171. http://www.cruiseglasgow.com.

Shore Excursions