The Best of Ireland & Scotland

Welcome to Scotland! Upon your flight’s arrival, a private driver will greet you in the Arrivals Hall to take you to your hotel in the heart of Edinburgh. If your room is not yet available, leave your luggage securely with the hotel’s reception and begin exploring Scotland’s hilly capital utilizing the hop-on/hop-off bus.

Traveling to all of the highlights of the city, the hop-on/hop-off bus is a wonderful way to not only learn about the city’s historical background but also to tour at a comfortable pace after such a long journey and become acquainted with the layout of the city. 

If you have an interest in gardens, it is well worth paying a visit to the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh. These manicured 70-acre gardens are absolutely beautiful with a variety of special collections year-round. Admission is free and there’s a lovely cafe inside as well!

This evening, there are many traditional pubs on Rose Street. We especially like the Auld Hundred Pub – try the fish and chips there! For dinner, why not try Gardiner’s Cottage? It’s a delicious experience you won’t be disappointed with. We also recommend The Last Drop, The Kenilworth, The World’s End or The Bow Bar.

Highlights (included): Hop-On, Hop-Off Tour

Overnight in Edinburgh

Today, discover the fascinating secrets behind Edinburgh’s famous, historic Old Town with a guided walking tour. Your small group tour takes 2 hours and 15 minutes. Your time in the Castle will be self-guided to enjoy at your own time and pace. We recommend planning at least 2 hrs for your visit to the Castle, post the walking tour.

Included in your package is a skip-the-line admission to Edinburgh Castle. Head past the ticket line and go straight into the castle to begin your adventure! This tour explores the upper half of the Royal Mile; the Canongate and The Palace of Holyroodhouse, due to time and distance constraints, is not covered. For dinner, try Deacon Brodies or Rabble Taphouse if you are looking for more suggestions!

Highlights (included): Guided walking tour with a local guide; admission and fast-track entry to the castle, with a free 30-min guided tour

Overnight in Edinburgh
Breakfast included

After breakfast this morning, you will depart Edinburgh at approximately 9:30 am for a full day experiencing an ancient university, breathtaking medieval ruins and quaint coastal villages on a small group tour. 

This tour takes you to the Kingdom of Fife, St. Andrews and Falkland before returning to Edinburgh. On the way back, you’ll pass Loch Leven where Mary, Queen of Scots, was imprisoned by her Protestant nobility. 

Highlights (included): Guided Small Group Tour

Overnight in Edinburgh
Breakfast included

Say farewell to Edinburgh this morning! Make your own way to the rail station to board the train for a 3.5-hour journey north to the capital of the Scottish Highlands. Upon your arrival in Inverness, you’ll head to your hotel.

Meaning “Mouth of the River Ness” in Scots Gaelic, Inverness sits on the northeast coast of the Highlands, straddling the banks of the river for which it is named.

Tour Inverness at your own pace this afternoon, maybe take in a visit to the new Uile Bheist Distillery and Brewery located right on the banks of the River Ness.

Our favorite restaurants in Inverness to consider over the next few days include The Mustard Seed, The Kitchen Brasserie, Fig & Thistle Bistro and Cafe One.

Highlights (included): Train ticket from Edinburgh to Inverness

Overnights in Inverness
Breakfast included

Today, you’ll join a small group tour starting in Inverness and ending at the famous Loch Ness before returning to Inverness.

Along the way, you’ll visit the burial site of Clava Cairns, the battlegrounds of Culloden, the scenic mountains and waterfalls of Glen Affric and Loch Affric, the historic ruins of Beauly Priory and finally the shores of Loch Ness. You’ll return to Inverness for the evening.

Highlights (included): Transportation in a 16-seat air-conditioned mini-coach; Services of a local driver guide; Admission to Culloden Museum and Battlefield

Overnight in Inverness
Breakfast included

Say farewell to Inverness this morning as you head back to the rail station and head down to Glasgow. Upon arrival, you’ll make your way to your hotel.

We recommend heading to Glasgow’s bohemian West End to visit the Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum. You may also want to spend the day visiting Necropolis (depending on the weather), and St Mungo’s Museum of Religious Life & Art before venturing to the West End in the evening for dinner and entertainment. Bynes Road has a variety of fine dining including modern Scottish fare at Bothy, Stravaigin II, Oran Mor Brasserie and the Ubiquitous Chip.

Highlights (included): Train Ticket from Inverness to Glasgow; Private 2 hr Walking Tour of Glasgow

Overnight in Glasgow
Breakfast included

After breakfast, another small group tour awaits you! This time, you’ll depart Glasgow and head for historic Stirling, the magnificent Trossachs National Park in the Scottish highlands, picturesque Aberfoyle (where you’ll be stopping for lunch), and finally a cruise along Loch Lomond. 

Once you’re back on dry land, you’ll have one last chance to enjoy the stunning views of the loch and park before returning to Glasgow in the early evening.

Highlights (included): Small Group Tour: Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond & Cruise Day Tour from Glasgow

Overnight in Glasgow
Breakfast included

Check out of your hotel this morning after breakfast and meet your driver who will take you to Glasgow Airport to catch your flight to Dublin. Upon arrival, and after going through baggage claim, collect your rental vehicle. Once you pick-up your vehicle, be sure to request a GPS for easy navigation if it is not already built-in your vehicle (these cannot be pre-arranged). Plan on your drive from Dublin Airport to Kilkenny takes about 1.5 to 2.5 hours, depending on traffic and any sightseeing you might wish to do. As you will be doing some driving around Dublin on the M50, please familiarize yourself with the e-flow toll system. https://www.eflow.ie/

Visit Kilkenny Castle, a historic landmark located in the city of Kilkenny, Ireland. It is a popular tourist attraction known for its rich history and stunning architecture. Originally built in the 12th century by the Earl of Pembroke it has undergone several expansions and renovations over the centuries. The Butler family, who were prominent figures in Irish history, owned the castle for almost 600 years. In the castle, you will find many architectural styles from Norman and Gothic to Victorian. It features a central keep, four towers, a courtyard, and beautiful gardens.

The Kilkenny Castle Park, 21 hectares of public parkland extending to the southeast of the castle, frames a fine view of Mt Leinster, while a Celtic-cross-shaped rose garden lies northwest of the castle. A gate on the north side of the park leads steeply down to the riverside, where you can walk back into town at St John’s Bridge.

Kilkenny has a proud food heritage too, and there is plenty to choose from for dining this evening, including artisan cafés and charming gastropubs! My personal favorites include Lanigan’s and Tynan’s Pub.

Highlights (included): 4-door rental car; Admission to Kilkenny Castle

Overnight in Kilkenny
Breakfast included

Another beautiful day in Ireland! After a tasty breakfast, you’ll make the 3-hour drive to the charming town of Killarney in County Kerry. As you depart Kilkenny and begin making your way west, 1 hour into your drive you will pass directly by the Rock of Cashel where you may wish to make a stop.

As you continue towards Killarney, you will stop in Blarney village, known around the world for its famous Blarney Castle and Stone. There is much to see and explore before continuing 1 hour and 15 minutes west to Killarney.

Spend the evening walking through the town browsing the various shops boasting local favorites and consider dining at The Porterhouse – a personal favorite of ours!

Highlights (included): Admission to Blarney Castle and Stone

Overnight in Killarney
Breakfast included

Today, you’ll get a break from driving as you embark on a group tour of the magical Ring of Kerry.

Considered by many to be one of the essential attractions in Ireland, the Ring of Kerry circles the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks and mountain range. You’ll get to witness the highest peaks in Ireland along with the popular shores of Dingle and Kenmare Bays. One of the Ring’s highlights is the Kells Sheep Dog Trial in the famous Bog Village, which you will visit today as well. 

Highlights (included): Ring of Kerry Day Tour from Killarney (Priority Seating)

Overnight in Killarney
Breakfast included

You have a full day in Killarney filled with optional activities to choose from! 

Consider traveling to the Dingle Peninsula, about an hour’s drive from Killarney. Or, if you’d rather take a break from driving, you can spend the day in Killarney itself. The Killarney National Park is a great choice with hiking trails, lakes, scenic viewpoints and the Torc Waterfall. One of our favorite activities is the jaunting car rides within the National Park that provide you with a comfortable way to see the sights without all the walking. 

No matter what you choose to do today, you are in for incredible scenery! Spend the evening walking through the town taking in some traditional music in one of the many bars in the town.

Highlights (optional): Dingle Peninsula; Killarney National Park; Jaunting car rides 

Overnight in Killarney
Breakfast included

Say farewell to the southwest as you pack the car and begin your journey north to Galway!

Along the drive, you may be looking for lunch options, so we suggest a stop in Doolin. While in Doolin, you may wish to head to nearby Doolin Cave on the western edge of the Burren. 

The magnificent Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland’s most spectacular sights, and they reach a height of 700 feet. On a clear day, you can see as far as the Aran Islands, Galway Bay and Connemara. Admission is included for you so that you can explore the Cliffs of Moher at your leisure!

Afterward, you will head to Galway. Enjoy the stone-clad cafes, boutiques, and small shops that line the Latin Quarter of the city this evening and be sure to enjoy traditional Irish music at one of the many pubs in the heart of town! For dinner, we highly recommend the Quay Street Kitchen.

Highlights (included): Admission to Cliffs of Moher

Overnight in Galway
Breakfast included

You have the entire day at your leisure! We recommend journeying into Connemara National Park making sure to allow time for the magnificent Kylemore Abbey The complete loop will take around 3.5 hours. Spend this evening in the heart of town meandering down the small streets adjacent to the picturesque harbor. McDonagh’s is a great spot for dinner tonight with some of the best seafood in the area!

Highlights (optional): Connemara National Park 

Overnight in Galway
Breakfast included

Jump back into your car rental this morning after breakfast at your hotel and make your way back east towards Dublin for the last two nights of your trip!

A wonderful way to break up this drive is to make a stop in the town of Athlone. Athlone Castle dating back to the 12th century is a popular attraction as visitors are welcome to climb the steps to the castle to enjoy views across the River Shannon and across the entire town. Upon arrival in Dublin, drop off your car downtown and make your own way to your hotel.

Take advantage of Dublin’s compact size while walking around on your own this afternoon to soak in the atmosphere and buzz of the city. 

This evening, you may wish to pay a visit to the Brazen Head, the oldest pub in Ireland dating back to 1198. It is famous for traditional live Irish music and delicious food a a great way to toast to the end of your Irish adventure!

Highlights (optional): Visit to Athlone 

Overnight in Dublin
Breakfast included

Discover Dublin today! In a city with unlimited activities, there’s no end to what you can do. From parks and golf to amazing museums, distilleries and breweries, you will not be disappointed while meandering on your own today with the Hop-on/Hop-off bus.

We’ve included admission to the Guinness Storehouse for you today. As Ireland’s top visitor attraction, the contemporary design of the building and its seven levels provides a fascinating journey through the history of beer. You’ll receive a free pint with your admission and can take in views over the city on the 7th-floor Gravity Bar!

This evening, you may want to venture to Temple Bar. While it’s not a single bar as the name suggests, it consists of multiple pubs with street musicians and live traditional Irish music. You’ll have no problem finding a pint here if you wish to experience the nightlife of Dublin!

Highlights (included): Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus Ticket Dublin; Admission to Guinness Storehouse Visitor Experience

Overnight in Dublin
Breakfast included

It is time to say goodbye to the Emerald Isle! Check your flight status and head to Dublin Airport.

This Irish airport offers US-bound passengers full U.S. customs and immigration Border Control pre-clearance so that you do not have to clear customs at your entry airport in the USA. 

Goodbye, or “Slan abhaile,” as the Irish would say!

 Breakfast included