The Best of Scotland and Ireland

Your discovery of Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland begins in Edinburgh, Scotland's atmospheric capital. Enjoy a free afternoon in the UNESCO-listed heart of the city, wandering the maze-like streets of the medieval Old Town and wide avenues of the Georgian New Town. As you admire neoclassical buildings or stroll up Calton Hill to see the National Monument of Scotland (modeled on the Greek Parthenon), it's easy to see why this city came to be regarded as the "Athens of the North."

Among the city's many sights are two palaces at opposite ends of the famed Royal Mile: the imposing Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace. You might like to visit the National Museum of Scotland or stop by the Royal Botanic Garden. As you explore, keep an eye out for the statue of Greyfriars Bobby, the famously loyal Skye terrier who steadfastly guarded the grave of his owner for 14 years.

In the evening, make your way to our four-star hotel, where you meet the Tour Manager and travel group. Enjoy a welcome glass of prosecco and dinner this evening. Overnight Edinburgh.

• Dinner

After breakfast at our hotel, we leave Edinburgh, traveling north by rail to the picturesque Highland city of Inverness. Nestled at the north end of the Great Glen where the River Ness flows into the Moray Firth, this historic city is known as the "Gateway to the Highlands." 

On arrival, we head to Dalwhinnie Distillery to explore a Scottish staple, whisky. Deeply embedded in the local culture and history, whisky is an important part of Scotland's national identity. Its name comes from the Gaelic name, uisge beatha, which loosely translates to "water of life." Here at the highest and coldest distillery in Scotland, we are walked through the distilling process and taken into the warehouse before being treated to tastings of the smooth yet smoky whisky produced on-site.

Afterward, our coach takes us to our hotel to check in ahead of a three-course dinner. Overnight Inverness. 

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today brings a scenic ride on the Kyle Line, one of Scotland's most picturesque railways. After passing the birdwatching hotspot of Beauly Firth, the route skirts alongside lochs and through wild landscapes with views of cascading waterfalls and undulating hills. At the end of this sensational route is Kyle of Lochalsh, a picturesque coastal village looking out across the water to the Isle of Skye and its mountainous landscape.

In the afternoon, we enjoy a guided tour of 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 was formerly a stronghold for the clans Mackenzie and Macrae.

From here, we continue by coach to Fort Augustus for a Clansman Show. Our presenter, usually dressed in the traditional tartan Feilidh Mhor, shares fascinating stories about how Highland families ate, lived, and survived in the "days of old." We discover the history of the clan system and local culture and enjoy interactive demonstrations showcasing traditional Highland dress and ancient weapons. After the show, we return to our hotel for dinner. Overnight Inverness.

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

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today, we set off on a scenic coach journey to Mallaig, a port in Morar, on the west coast of the Highlands. On the way, we pass through beautiful scenery, encountering dramatic mountains, lochs and picturesque villages before we arrive in Mallaig, where we have free time to explore the charming streets or stop by a café or restaurant.

In the afternoon, we board the iconic Jacobite steam train for a scenic trip to Fort William, our base for the night. Widely regarded as one of Scotland's finest train journeys, the Jacobite recaptures a golden era of steam rail for a new generation of travelers. Our journey takes us along the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct, the immense arched railway featured in three Harry Potter movies, ahead of our arrival in Fort William. Stepping off the train, we transfer by coach to our hotel in Ballachulish, where we enjoy dinner. Overnight Ballachulish.

*Please note: trains are steam-hauled when possible. Some departures will make this journey on Scotrail's diesel service.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Enjoy a leisurely morning in Ballachulish before 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, and we can watch from the comfort of our train car as the rugged Highlands give way to the modern metropolis of Scotland's largest city, Glasgow.

Straddling the River Clyde, this thriving metropolis is one of Europe's most popular destinations. It has a lively city center with an ever-evolving culinary scene and world-class museums; however, scratching beneath the surface reveals a rich history and outstanding Victorian architecture. As we arrive, we set out on a guided coach tour of its many highlights.

After the tour, we check into our four-star hotel near the station, and you have the rest of the evening to explore. You might like to visit one of the local pubs or try one of the Michelin-starred restaurants for dinner. Overnight Glasgow.

• Breakfast

Bidding farewell to Scotland today, we travel to Cairnryan to board the ferry for a short journey across the Irish Sea to Belfast.

On arrival in Northern Ireland, we board a coach for a short tour of the city. Stopping to view some of Belfast's most famous sights, we encounter the culture, history, and people of this fascinating and friendly place. After the tour, 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 to our historic four-star hotel in the city center, we have dinner at our hotel this evening. Overnight Belfast.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, we board a coach and head north along the Causeway Coastal Route, one of the most scenic drives in Northern Ireland. Heading toward the UNESCO-listed Giant's Causeway, we stop at Glenariff National Park, or "the Queen of the Glens," a protected area of 1,000 hectares with planted woodland, lakes, and conservation areas.

Continuing by coach, we arrive at the Giant's Causeway, where we have free time to marvel at this natural wonder. One of the most popular attractions in Northern Ireland, the Causeway is an area of around 40,000 natural hexagon-shaped rock formations leading down into the Atlantic Ocean. Formed by volcanic activity around 50 to 60 million years ago, these distinctive basalt columns were once thought to have been built by a mythical Irish giant. After a guided tour of the site, we travel by coach back to Belfast, stopping en route at Dunluce Castle, a romantic ruin perched at the top of craggy cliffs.

Returning to Belfast, we have a free evening to explore, and you can choose from among the city's varied restaurants for dinner. Overnight Belfast.

• Breakfast

Today we visit Hillsborough Castle, an official government residence where the British royal family stay when visiting Northern Ireland. Built in the 18th century, this Georgian country estate was once home to the Marquesses of Downshire. Today, it's the official residence of the Secretary of State of Northern Ireland and is often open to the public.

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. Overnight Cork.

• Breakfast, Dinner

In the morning, we head into Kerry, a county known since ancient times as "The Kingdom." Our first stop is the 15th-century Blarney Castle, where there is time at leisure to wander the beautiful gardens. If you're up for a challenge, you can climb the 127 steps to kiss the Blarney Stone. According to legend, the stone endows the kisser with the gift of great eloquence. After visiting the castle, we have an opportunity to shop for Irish woollens and souvenirs at the world-famous Blarney Woollen Mills.

Arriving in Killarney in the afternoon, we have free time to explore the charming shops, art galleries and cafes before checking in to our hotel in the center of town.

After dinner at our hotel, we head off to watch a Celtic Steps show, a lively performance of traditional Irish music and dance. Overnight Killarney.

• 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 Quill's Farmhouse with traditional food and entertainment. Overnight Killarney.

• 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 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. Overnight Galway.

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

• Breakfast

Waking in Galway 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 free for the rest of the day to explore more of Dublin's history, culture, and lively atmosphere. Crossing the Liffey, you can find a range of fascinating museums, including the GPO Museum, and admire the Spire, a 393-foot tapered steel column in the center of historic O'Connell Street. Alternatively, you might like to discover the stories of Irish people across the world at EPIC, the Irish Emigration Museum.

We meet back up this evening for a farewell dinner and a traditional Irish "hooley" celebration at a local restaurant. Overnight Dublin.

• Breakfast, Dinner

On this wonderful journey, we experienced the culture, history and natural beauty of three incredible countries in the British Isles. In Scotland, we enjoyed an authentic whisky tasting in Inverness, discovered the history of Eilean Donan castle, and experienced scenic journeys on the Kyle Line and the Jacobite Steam Train. In Northern Ireland, we visited the Titanic Center in Belfast and the Giant's Causeway before venturing to the Republic of Ireland, where we saw Hillsborough Castle, the Ring of Kerry, and the Cliffs of Moher.

After breakfast this morning, your vacation comes to an end, and you can make your way to the airport to begin your journey home.

• Breakfast