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Ireland and Scotland Adventure

12 daysIreland, Northern Ireland, Scotland

Trace the Celtic story from Ireland to Scotland, with characterful cities, wild shores, ancient fortresses and a big helping of Highland drama. With plenty of Choice Experiences and free time built in, you’ll make this adventure uniquely yours.

Length
12 days
Route
Dublin to Edinburgh
Meals
11 breakfasts, 1 dinner
Group size
48

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Highlights

  • DublinWith your Local Guide, see St. Patrick's Cathedral, Christchurch Cathedral and Trinity College
  • KilkennyVisit the Medieval city
  • BlarneyKiss the Blarney Stone during your visit of Blarney Castle
  • Ring of KerryAdmire remote beaches, pretty villages and a rugged coastline along one of Ireland's most scenic drives
  • AdareView the thatched cottages in this pretty village
  • Cliffs of MoherView the stunning seascape from the cliffs and visit the Atlantic Edge exhibition in the eco-friendly Visitor Centre
  • GalwaySee Church of St. Nicholas, where Christopher Columbus reputedly prayed before setting off for his discovery of America. Also see the pre-medieval Spanish Arch and Eyre Square, dedicated to the late U.S. President, John F. Kennedy
  • DonegalVisit the colourful town
  • Giant’s CausewayExplore this iconic natural landmark
  • BelfastSee the Big Fish at Donegall Quay, the Titanic Quarter, the Samson and Goliath cranes and Belfast City Hall, along with the city’s murals throughout
  • GlasgowView Glasgow Cathedral and George Square on your orientation tour
  • Loch LomondSee the freshwater lake with the largest surface area in Britain
  • Fort WilliamSee the Commando Memorial and Britain's highest mountain Ben Nevis and enjoy a scenic drive through Glencoe, the infamous 'Glen of Weeping'
  • St. Andrew’sView the 18th green on St. Andrews Old Course
  • EdinburghSightseeing with your Local Guide includes views of the famous Princes Street, the Royal Mile and the Castle
  • Deluxe coach travel
  • Selected hotel dinners, with optional meals to purchase
  • 3-star stays

Itinerary

  1. DublinDays 1–2
  2. CorkDay 3
  3. Ring of KerryDay 4
  4. GalwayDay 5
  5. Derry/LondonderryDay 6
  6. BelfastDay 7
  7. GlasgowDay 8
  8. Scottish HighlandsDay 9
  9. EdinburghDays 10–12
Day 1Arrive DublinDublin

Welcome to Ireland’s capital, where your Celtic adventure gets off to a lively start. Arrive at your hotel, settle in, then meet your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a first look at the journey ahead. Later, get your bearings on an orientation drive through this fascinating city. The evening is yours so discover Dublin your way.

Stay: Clayton Hotel Leopardstown Dublin, Dublin

Day 2Discover DublinDublin

Dive deeper into the city this morning with a Local Specialist, ticking off the city’s big sights and hearing its juiciest stories. As you wander through the Irish capital, see icons like Trinity College, Temple Bar and St Patrick’s Cathedral while listening to tales of literary legends, Viking roots and rebellious heroes. The rest of the day is yours, so keep exploring at your own pace or consider a Choice Experience where you’ll get sporty and try your hand at Gaelic games. This evening you can also opt to ramp up the fun at an interactive Dublin cabaret show.

  • Dublin City Tour

Meals: Breakfast

Stay: Clayton Hotel Leopardstown Dublin, Dublin

Day 3Dublin – Kilkenny – Blarney – CorkDublin · Kilkenny · Blarney · Cork

Roll south to Kilkenny, Ireland’s medieval marvel packed with cobbled lanes, colorful shopfronts and folklore. Your Travel Director gives you the lowdown before free time to grab lunch, stroll the Medieval Mile or take in views of mighty Kilkenny Castle. Then it’s on to Blarney Castle, where you can wander the grounds and perhaps pucker up for the famous Blarney Stone. Later, continue to Cork, with the option to cap off the day with hearty pub food, local music and classic Irish entertainment.

Meals: Breakfast

Stay: Cork International, Cork

Day 4Ring of KerryRing of Kerry

Get ready for one of Ireland’s great scenic drives as you follow the Ring of Kerry, where rugged coastlines, mountain views and postcard-perfect villages keep the cameras busy. Stop in Waterville for free time and lunch your way, then continue to Killarney for an orientation with your Travel Director and time to explore on your own terms. Want to add extra charm? Choose a traditional ‘jaunting car’ ride past the Lakes of Killarney and Ross Castle. Afterwards, return to Cork.

  • See the Ring of Kerry

Meals: Breakfast

Stay: Cork International, Cork

Day 5Cork – Adare – Cliffs of Moher – GalwayCork · Adare · Cliffs of Moher · Galway

Wave goodbye to Cork today and stop in pretty Adare, where 19th-century thatched cottages bring a storybook charm. Then it’s on to the mighty Cliffs of Moher, one of Ireland’s most iconic sights, where rugged rock plunges into the wild Atlantic and seabirds wheel overhead. Take time to enjoy the views, feel the ocean breeze and snap that big-sky photo. Onwards to Galway, where your Travel Director gives you the inside track on this lively harbor city. This evening, continue to explore at your own pace or join an optional walking tour of Galway and dinner.

  • Cliffs of Moher Guided Walk
  • Stroll Through Galway

Meals: Breakfast

Stay: Clybaun

Day 6Galway – Sligo – Donegal – Derry/LondonderryGalway · Sligo · Donegal · Derry/Londonderry

Travel north, stopping in Sligo for a coffee break before continuing to Donegal. Your Travel Director will show you around, then you’ll have free time to get lunch and explore this colorful town. Later, roll on to Derry/Londonderry for an evening of your design. Fancy adding more local flavor? Join an optional dinner at the Walled City Brewery, with beer-paired courses.

  • Donegal Visit

Meals: Breakfast

Stay: Holiday Inn Express, Derry/Londonderry

Visit Londonderry in Derry, Northern Ireland
Day 7Derry/Londonderry – Giant’s Causeway – BelfastDerry/Londonderry · Giant's Causeway · Belfast

Start the day your way with free time or an optional locally guided tour of Derry/Londonderry. Then it’s time to get your camera ready for a trip to the legendary Giant’s Causeway, where thousands of basalt columns meet the wild Antrim coast. Later, continue to Belfast for a Travel Director orientation and then continue discovering the city your way. Choose to visit the Titanic Museum and perhaps top off the evening with an optional guided walk with a pub trip and fish and chips.

  • Visit Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland

Meals: Breakfast

Stay: Corr's Corner Hotel, Belfast

The exterior of the Belfast City Hall in Belfast, Northern Ireland
Day 8Belfast - GlasgowBelfast · Glasgow

Set off on a Belfast orientation drive before heading to the ferry port and crossing to Scotland. Back on land, continue to Glasgow, where your Travel Director gives you the lowdown on the city on the way to your hotel. Tonight, explore at leisure or choose a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience of a seasonal Scottish dinner and comedy show.

  • Glasgow Orientation

Meals: Breakfast

Stay: Novotel Glasgow, Glasgow

Glasgow City Chambers, Glasgow, Scotland
Day 9Glasgow - Scottish HighlandsGlasgow · Scottish Highlands

Head for Loch Lomond, where you can enjoy free time or choose an optional cruise across its bonnie banks, with big views and local stories from the skipper. Continue through Glencoe for a photo stop of the dramatic rugged scenery, then on to Fort William for lunch your way. Later, pause in Fort Augustus for a view of infamous Loch Ness before arriving in the Highlands for dinner.

  • See Glencoe

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Stay: Craiglynne Hotel Grantown On Spey, Scottish Highlands

Picturesque landscape of Loch Lomond, Scotland
Day 10Scottish Highlands – St. Andrews – EdinburghScottish Highlands · St. Andrews · Edinburgh

Bring 750 years of Scottish history to life on an optional visit inside Blair Castle or explore at your own pace. Continue to St Andrews, famed for its coastal charm and golfing heritage, before arriving in Edinburgh late afternoon. Tonight, relax at leisure or choose a lively Ceilidh evening with dinner, a welcome drink and the famous ‘Piping in the Haggis’ ceremony. Tickets to The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo are included on certain departures.

Meals: Breakfast

Stay: Novotel Edinburgh Park, Edinburgh

18th Tee of St. Andrews, Scotland
Day 11EdinburghEdinburgh

Go behind the scenes in Scotland’s capital this morning with a Local Specialist, learning about its grand streets and hearing stories of its royal past. Make the rest of the day your own. Choose to visit mighty Edinburgh Castle, home to the Honours of Scotland, or enjoy free time to roam its pretty surrounds at leisure. This afternoon, join an optional Old Town walk with fish and chips, and later opt to see out the day in style with a Johnnie Walker whisky and dinner experience on the Royal Mile.

  • Edinburgh City Tour

Meals: Breakfast

Stay: Novotel Edinburgh Park, Edinburgh

View of Edinburgh, Scotland
Day 12Depart EdinburghEdinburgh

Your Ireland and Scotland adventure wraps up after breakfast. Leave with some amazing memories and maybe a new love for ceilidhs and fish and chips.

Meals: Breakfast

Old Town of Edinburgh, Scotland

Hotels

Dublin, Ireland

2 nights

Clayton Hotel Leopardstown Dublin

Hotel

Cork, Ireland

2 nights

Cork International

Hotel

1 night

Clybaun

Hotel and room features

Room Wi-Fi

Derry/Londonderry, Northern Ireland

1 night

Holiday Inn Express

Belfast, Northern Ireland

1 night

Corr's Corner Hotel

Hotel

Glasgow, Scotland

1 night

Novotel Glasgow

Hotel

Scottish Highlands, Scotland

1 night

Craiglynne Hotel Grantown On Spey

Hotel

Edinburgh, Scotland

2 nights

Novotel Edinburgh Park

What’s included

Optional experiences
  • Experience Gaelic Games

    2 hours · Hands-on demonstration, Practise a new sport

    Paid on tour

  • Dublin Dinner and Cabaret

    150 minutes · Three-course meal, Live entertainment

    Paid on tour

  • An Evening of Irish Entertainment with a Pub Supper

    2 hours · Live entertainment, Dinner

    Paid on tour

  • Experience a Jaunting Car Ride

    1 hour · Jaunt with a local jarvey

    Paid on tour

  • Galway Walking Tour

    Local Guide, Food and Drink

    Paid on tour

  • Dinner at Derry's Walled City Brewery

    Food and Drink

    Paid on tour

  • Tour of Derry/Londonderry with a Local Guide

    3 hours · Local Guide

  • Titanic Experience

    105 minutes · Entrance and reservation fees

    Paid on tour

  • Belfast Walk with Fish and Chips

    3 hours · Walking tour, Food and Drink

    Paid on tour

  • Scottish Platter and Comedy Show

    2 hours · Live entertainment, Entrance and reservation fees, Directly support United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Scottish Plate

    Paid on tour

  • Loch Lomond Boat Trip

    1 hour · Local Guide, Boat cruise

    Paid on tour

  • Blair Castle Visit

    90 minutes · Entrance and reservation fees

    Paid on tour

  • Ceilidh Evening and Dinner at Ghillie Dhu

    3 hours · Three-course meal, Live entertainment

    Paid on tour

  • Edinburgh Castle Experience

    2 hours · Entrance and reservation fees, Local Guide

    Paid on tour

  • Historic Old Town Edinburgh Walk With Traditional Fish & Chips

    3 hours · Entrance and reservation fees, Local Guide, Food and Drink

    Paid on tour

  • Johnnie Walker’s ‘Journey of Flavor’ Tour & Dinner on the Royal Mile

    3 hours · Local Guide, Three-course meal, Live entertainment

    Paid on tour

Dates and prices

Per person, twin share

From, per person$2,678

Choose a departure