Best of Scotland & Ireland - Classic

Royal Mile, old Castle, home of the brave, Edinburgh is going to turn it on from start to end. With days of adventure up ahead, we'll kick off the evening with the option to indulge in a whisky tasting where you can get to know your new Scottish Contiki family.

Today is yours to roam free - but if you want to get the low down on the history of this city why not join our local guide for an optional tour of Edinburgh Castle (which is resting on an extinct volcano!!) to kickstart your love affair with this city. Or maybe you'll do a spot of tartan shopping on Princes Street.

It's time to blaze a trail out of Edinburgh & head for the Scottish Highlands. On the way to the main affair of the day we'll stop by St. Andrews, the birthplace of golf, would you believe? As well as Scotland’s oldest university town. Already blown away by the beauty of the rugged mountain scenery en route, we'll arrive in the Scottish Highlands amped up for mystical tales and a chance to compete in some traditional Highland games.

• Visit St Andrews

We might be coming down from a high (geographically speaking) this morning, but as we seek out the stunning Loch Ness, the mood will only be rising. We'll stop to see lovely Loch Ness and hop on board for a cruise of the most voluminous lake in the UK - containing more water than all the lakes of England and Wales combined! It's also rumoured to contain something else, something far more legendary which you're sure to have heard of... Small pitstop! We'll check out the lush, hilly rewilding centre here to learn about how Scotland's native animal species are reintroduced into the wild. Plus, you have the option afterwards to canoe across the stunning southern end of Scotland's most famous lake and see even more wildlife along the way. We'll arrive into Glasgow tonight, grab a bite to eat and then hit the hay ready for some more exploration in the am!

• Spot the Loch Ness Monster
• Visit Dundreggan Rewilding Centre (MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience)

Wakey wakey everyone. We're up bright and early this morning. Next stop, Stirling! We'll make a stop in Stirling, the town where William Wallace took on the English and yelled "Freeedom!" (and also known for its famous hill-top Castle). Today, we'll also check out the epic engineering feat called the 'The Kelpies' in Helix Park. Get involved with everything great about Glasgow. Live music on every corner, a gothic cathedral & plenty of quirky characters make this city unique. Plus, you've got the option to celebrate our final night in Scotland with a local meal accompanied by a live, traditional music.

• See the William Wallace Monument
• See the Largest Equine Sculptures in the World

Scotland, you've been unreal. If Ireland puts on half the show you did, we have many happy days ahead of us. We arrive in the port town of Larne, your first steps on Northern Irish soil, but not for long... So much more than the capital city, Dublin is a place of heritage, character, and more cute pubs than you could crawl in a week. First fill up on your included group dinner, then end the day with a lively night of festivities at the cobbled lanes of Temple Bar.

That's us done with Dublin…for now. But fear not Dub-lovers, we'll get another taste of this fine place before our trip comes to an end. Wanna break up your coach hangs with some bicycle time? Then choose to join us for a bike ride in a city sure to leave you wanting Irish in your blood. Explore the castle, a cathedral and take in all of the medieval charm that Kilkenny has to offer before we hit the road again. Welcome to Cork! But not before the chance to opt into sampling some of Ireland's famous whiskey at the Jameson's Distillery in Midleton. After we arrive at the hotel in the evening, we'll tuck into an included dinner and then head off into town together to explore.

Cork, it's been fun, but we have to leave you now. Next up, we're off to an Irish city that was propelled into the pop culture stratosphere by none other than Ed Sheeran. Anyone wanna guess where? Irish folklore tells us there's a chunk of limestone built into a castle that grants its kissers the gift of the gab. Pucker up kids, we're paying her a visit! Whether heights are your cup of Irish Breakfast or not, these impressive cliff faces are not to be missed! From the moment we arrive in Galway, you'll understand why 2 nights were needed here. Everything you've dreamed Ireland to be is tucked into this small, atmospheric city. Step into a local pub and down Irish stew over live music and chats with locals. Outside will be just as lively, with buskers & colourful buildings lining the streets.

• Visit Blarney Castle
• See the iconic Cliffs of Moher
• Get to Know Galway

Try your tongue at some Gaelic and carry on exploring gorgeous Galway. Or, if you hear the call of the wild, you can sign yourself up to a ferry ride to Aran Islands (summer departures only) where you can dance around with horses and take a bike ride around the picturesque farms, or head up to Dún Aonghasa (the ruins of a prehistoric fortress) - make sure you take photos, this area is not for the faint-hearted! Irish life, you so sweet.

Goodbye Galway, hello more Irish eye-candy. This afternoon, we'll drive into Derry/Londonderry - a historical city with 17th century walls. Today, you can opt for an authentic rural Irish experience with sheepdogs, a local shepherd and some homemade lunch. Next, we'll head into town for an optional guided tour of the Bogside - a neighbourhood that used to be underwater! This day is as Irish as it gets.

• See the City Walls

Today we've got a one way ticket to Belfast and a whole lot more exploration to do. UNESCO World Heritage site of the Giant’s Causeway - also known as those giant rock columns you've probably drooled over on Pinterest, needs to be seen to be believed. Get those hashtags ready, a snap with the group is essential on this mind-blowing natural formation. Next up - we'll arrive in Belfast. Concluding the day will be a driving tour and an optional trip to the Titanic museum where the world's most famous ship was built.

• See Giant's Causeway
• Tour Belfast

With one night left in Ireland and on tour, we're on the fast track to Dublin where our Irish fairytale first began. A promise is a promise. Here we are back in the city that started our Ireland infatuations. Use this second stint to do your missed critical activities such as visiting the Guinness Storehouse where you can learn how to pull a pint the Irish way. Tonight you can choose to end your week in Ireland at a Free Time Add-On farewell dinner.

We leave Ireland today with leprechauns in our hearts and memories in our souls. Say goodbye at breakfast as it will be the last bite our crew has together.