Optional add-on to attend the Edinburgh Military Tattoo
Come with us on our small group tour of Scotland and Ireland! Striking green hills dotted with sheep, megalithic Celtic stones, friendly locals speaking Gaelic, small villages with cobblestone streets, cozy “singing” pubs, ancient churches, the Scottish Highlands, picturesque castles, mountains and lochs.
Round trip airfare from Boston or NY to Edinburgh, Scotland and back from
Shannon, Ireland*
Airport transfers from Edinburgh Airport and to Shannon Airport
Full-time tour leader
Transportation by comfortable mini-coach or mini-van
Flight from Glasgow (Scotland) to Dublin (Ireland)
Local expert guides
14 nights in charming, elegant historic country houses and inns:
7 nights in Scotland; 7 nights in Ireland
All breakfasts and 11 dinners
Highlights in Scotland: Edinburgh, Loch Ness, Inverness, Isle of Skye, Portree, Fort William, Glencoe, Oban, Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond, Glasgow
Highlights in Ireland: Dublin, Rock of Cashel, Blarney Castle, Kenmare, Beara
Peninsula, Bantry Bay, Ring of Kerry, Killarney, Doolin, Burren region, Cliffs of Moher, Galway
Whisky-tasting lesson in Scotland and visit to Oban distillery
All tour guides, museums and entrance fees
All tips and taxes
Tour price is per person based on double occupancy. Single supplements are available for those traveling alone who would like their own room.
*Cost of airfare can be deducted if you wish to make your own arrangements
Scotland & Ireland Itinerary
Day 1
Our adventure begins in Edinburgh, Scotland. We meet in the lobby of our hotel in the city center for a guided walking tour of this beautiful city. The stunning architecture in the center of the city classifies it as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This evening we enjoy a Scottish whisky-tasting lesson before a wonderful dinner.
Overnight: Edinburgh
Meals: D
Day 2
After a full Scottish breakfast, we head north toward Inverness. We stop on the way in Perth and Pitlochry. Then we continue our journey north and arrive near Inverness, where we check into our beautiful hotel, a 17th century Scottish mansion, majestically situated on the shore of Beauly Firth. This evening we enjoy a wonderful dinner at our hotel.
Overnight: Inverness
Meals: B, D
Day 3
This morning we take a boat ride (weather permitting) on Loch Ness to search for the monster. We visit Urquhart Castle, then drive along the beautiful lake to the village of Fort Augustus for lunch. Continuing west, we stop for some photos at (arguably) the most beautiful castle in Scotland, Eilean Donan. Crossing the Skye Bridge, we drive onto the Isle of Skye and check into our charming country inn. Our hosts give us a warm welcome and serve us a delicious home-cooked dinner.
Overnight: Isle of Skye
Meals: B, D
Day 4
We spend a full day exploring the Isle of Skye,with its ruined castles and amazing scenery. There are many choices today for photogenic walks and vistas: the Cuillin Hills, Trotternish Ridge, spectacular cliffs and rock formations such as the Old Man of Storr, the scenic island capital of Portree, the “fairy pools”, or the tiny seaport of Uig. Or you may say, “I can’t decide! I’m playing golf!”
Overnight: Isle of Skye
Meals: B, D
Day 5
In the morning we leave the Isle of Skye, driving through the stunningly beautiful Highlands region to Fort William and on to the Glenfinnan Viaduct: the famous “Harry Potter bridge” that you may recognize from the movie. After enjoying the beauty of Glencoe Gorge, we head to Oban, where we spend the night at a charming inn and enjoy another delicious dinner.
Overnight: Oban
Meals: B, D
Day 6
After breakfast, we take a tour of the famous Oban whisky distillery. We enjoy some free time in Oban and then we say good bye to the Highlands and head south, driving along the beautiful Loch Lomond toward Glasgow. Get orientated with a tour of the city center before checking in to our centrally situated four-star hotel. Dinner is at a special restaurant a short walk from our hotel.
Overnight: Glasgow
Meals: B, D
Day 7
Today we take an excursion to historic Stirling Castle. We enjoy a tour of this famous castle, hear the true story about Scotland’s most famous son, Sir William Wallace, and the King of Scots, Robert the Bruce. We have free time this afternoon, and tonight is a free evening in Glasgow.
Overnight: Glasgow
Meals: B
Day 8
This morning,we say our goodbyes to Scotland (Haste ye back!) and transfer to Glasgow airport for the short flight to Dublin. After we check into our hotel in the city’s center, the afternoon is yours to explore the many sights of Ireland’s capital city. This evening we enjoy dinner in one of Dublin’s best restaurants.
Overnight: Dublin
Meals: B, D
Day 9
Today we explore the city with an expert local guide. Our tour includes a visit to the Trinity College Library to see the famous Book of Kells, written in the 4th century AD. This afternoon and evening are free to enjoy dinner in the city, go to a show, or try the pubs.
Overnight: Dublin
Meals: B
Day 10
We leave Dublin behind and drive southwest, stopping at an ancient abbey, the Rock of Cashel. This historic site, perched high above the plains surrounding the River Suir, includes many extraordinary examples of Celtic art and medieval architecture. Our next stop is Blarney Castle. Those who don’t want to climb the steep steps to the castle roof to kiss the famous Blarney stone can wander through the beautiful park grounds around the castle walls. Our next destination is the lively town of Kenmare, where our charming inn in the town’s center is our home for the next three nights.
Overnight: Kenmare
Meals: B, D
Day 11
Our day begins with a walk through Kenmare to see the prehistoric Celtic stone circle. We then take a short drive to Glengariff and board a boat that takes us into beautiful Bantry Bay, where we glide by a family of seals basking on an island. We get off the boat at lnacullinto walk through the island’s magnificent gardens. We spend the afternoon on a scenic drive onto the Beara peninsula, a photographer’s paradise. Tonight, after a wonderful dinner, we may venture out to a singing pub for a nightcap.
Overnight: Kenmare
Meals: B, D
Day 12
Today is an unforgettable immersion into the spectacular natural beauty of Ireland’s southwest coast. We drive onto the Ring of Kerry, stopping for short walks to capture the coastal views with our cameras. We drive through Killarney National Park with its mountains and lakes and stop in Killarney for a pint. We return to Kenmare for free time and dinner on our own.
Overnight: Kenmare
Meals: B
Day 13
This morning, we depart Kenmare and cross from County Kerry into County Limerick, where we stop for a look at the city of Limerick. We continue into County Clare to the coast and visit the majestic 700-foot Cliffs of Moher, whose beauty will leave you breathless. After a stop in the tiny village of Doolin, famous for its singing pubs, we check into our elegant historic country house hotel. Located on the grounds of an ancient castle, it has fabulous views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Aran Islands. We enjoy a wonderful dinner at the hotel before a chance to visit one of the singing pubs in the village.
Overnight: Doolin
Meals: B, D
Day 14
This morning we take a scenic drive along the rugged Black Coast to visit the Poulnabrone dolmen, a prehistoric stone structure dating to the Neolithic period. We continue on to the lively city of Galway, arguably every Irishman’s favorite Irish city. After some free time to explore Galway, we head back to our hotel in Doolin for a farewell dinner. This is our last chance to try a singing pub in Ireland!
Overnight: Doolin
Meals: B, D
Day 15
After breakfast, head to the Shannon airport for the return flight home.
Meals: B
Sun shining on Glengarriff Harbour, Co.Cork, Ireland
East Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh, Scotland
River Liffey and Four Courts building in Dublin, Ireland
Kilkenny Castle, County Kilkenny, Ireland
The Scott Monument in Edinburgh, Scotland
Eilean Donan Castle, Loch Duich, Scotland
Quin Abbey from outside, Co. Clare, Ireland
The staggering Cliffs of Moher in Ireland
The Claddagh in Galway, Ireland during summertime
Sunny green mountain landscape on Dingle Peninsula, Ireland
