The Best of Scotland and Ireland

Your Celtic adventure begins as you arrive at your hotel in Edinburgh. The heart of this city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its medieval Old Town, Georgian New Town, and award-winning modern architecture. You can explore at leisure until we enjoy a glass of prosecco and dinner this evening.

• Dinner

We take the train to Inverness, a city nestled at the north end of the Great Glen where the River Ness flows into the Moray Firth. Known as the 'gateway to the Highlands', the city has a sandstone castle and a thriving culinary scene. While here, we visit a whiskey Distillery for a tour and tasting, before checking into our hotel for two nights.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today begins with a journey to Kyle of Lochalsh on the Kyle Line. Skirting alongside lochs and through mountain landscapes, admire the cascading waterfalls and towering peaks that roll by the windows.

On arrival, we visit Eilean Donan Castle, one of the most striking castles in Scotland. Perched atop a tiny island at the confluence of Loch Duich, Loch Long and Loch Alsh, this iconic fortress has played a role in several movies.

After exploring the castle's history and views on a guided tour*, we continue by coach to Fort Augustus for a 'Clansman Show'. Our presenter, usually dressed in the Feilidh Mhor, explains how the 'days of old' Highland families ate, lived and survived. We learn the clan system and local culture as interactive demonstrations showcase traditional Highland dress and ancient weapons.

*Please note: on August departures, Eilean Donan Castle is entrance only, there is no guided tour.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Our coach takes us to Mallaig this morning. Along the way, we stop to admire views over Glenfinnan Viaduct, the historic viaduct that featured in three of the Harry Potter movies. There is some time to take photos before we board the iconic Jacobite Steam Train and travel to Fort William, our base for the night. The journey takes us through beautiful scenery, passing dramatic mountains, skirting the shores of lochs and winding past villages. After checking in to our hotel, we have dinner this evening.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After a leisurely morning, we join the West Highland Line for a journey to the city of Glasgow. The scenic rail route takes us through some of the world's most beautiful landscapes. We watch from the comfort of the carriages as the scenery outside the window changes, with the rugged Highlands giving way to the modern metropolis of Scotland's largest city.

Arriving in Glasgow, we get to know the city with a coach tour of its highlights. Afterward, we check in to our hotel and you are free to explore. With an evening at leisure, you could dine at one of the local pubs or restaurants.

• Breakfast

Bidding farewell to Scotland today, we travel to Cairnryan to board the ferry to Belfast. Our coach picks us up from the port and we drive into Belfast where we visit the world-famous Titanic Center where you can explore at leisure, learning about the construction of the ship and the stories of its passengers and crew. After checking in, we have dinner at our hotel this evening.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today we head north along the Causeway Coastal Route, one of the most scenic drives in Northern Ireland. Heading toward the Giants Causeway, we stop enroute at Glenariff National Park before reaching the UNESCO heritage site. Here, we see the giant hexagon rock formations tumbling down into the Atlantic Ocean.

Continuing our explorations, we head back to the city for a panoramic coach tour with a guide before an evening at leisure. You could take the opportunity to experience one of Belfast's many places to eat.

• Breakfast

Today we visit Hillsborough Castle, an official government residence where the British royal family stay when visiting Northern Ireland. You can independently explore the royal residence, set within 100 acres of gardens made up of meticulous ornamental lawns, peaceful woodlands and trickling waterways.

Later, we take a coach to Dublin, crossing the border into the Republic of Ireland. Here, we board the train to Cork, where we check in to our hotel in time for dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, we head into Kerry, the kingdom county. Our first stop is the 15th-century Blarney Castle where there is time at leisure to wander the beautiful gardens or, if you're up for a challenge, climb the 127 steps to kiss the stone of eloquence. There is then an opportunity to shop for Irish Woollens and souvenirs at the world-famous Blarney Woollen Mills.

Arriving in Killarney, the afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the town before dinner at the hotel. We are then whisked off to watch a Celtic Steps show - a lively performance of traditional Irish music and dance.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, we enjoy a ride on a traditional Killarney mode of transport, a Jaunting Car. We then have a chance to soak up the dramatic beauty of Ireland on a scenic drive around the Ring of Kerry. On the coach, we're joined by an expert guide who narrates the area of tumultuous sea, windswept cliffs and mountains.

Along the way, we see Waterville - a town Charlie Chaplin loved to visit for his vacations, the breathtaking Moll's Gap, and Ladies View - a vantage point with amazing views. For dinner this evening, we head to Muckross House for an Irish Night in Quills farmhouse with traditional food and entertainment.

• Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, we visit Foynes Flying Boat & Maritime Museum. The exhibition is in the lovely village of Foynes, where Irish Coffee was invented and we can enjoy a cup of the traditional drink while here.

We then board the ferry across the Shannon Estuary to Clare. After disembarking the ferry, our coach takes us to the village of Doolin where we experience a boat trip into the Atlantic Ocean to view the mighty Cliffs of Moher from below*. Ireland's most iconic natural attraction and a UNESCO Global Geopark, the area is made up of towering cliffs that rise up out of the sea as waves crash against the jagged rocks below.

Our hotel tonight is in Galway, a harbor city on Ireland's west coast. After checking in, the evening is at leisure for you to dine independently.

*Please note: during bad weather, the boat trip is replaced with a clifftop exploration of the Cliffs of Moher.

• Breakfast

This morning we journey by rail from the west coast returning to Dublin. On a coach tour of Dublin, our expert guide shares fascinating insights while we enjoy panoramic views of iconic landmarks like the Guinness Storehouse, Trinity College, and Dublin Castle.

After checking in to our hotel, you are at leisure for the rest of the day to explore more of Dublin's history, culture, and lively atmosphere. We meet back up this evening for a farewell dinner and a traditional Irish 'hooley' celebration at a local restaurant.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast this morning, your vacation comes to an end. You can make your way home with new memories of an authentic whisky tasting in Inverness, the history of Eilean Donan castle, and views from the Kyle Line and the Jacobite Steam Train. You can also recall the Titanic Center in Belfast, the Giants Causeway and Ireland's highlights, including Hillsborough Castle, the Ring of Kerry, and the Cliffs of Moher.

• Breakfast