The Best of Scotland and Ireland

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

• 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, a thriving culinary scene, and welcoming locals. While here, we visit a whiskey Distillery for a tour and tasting, before checking into our hotel for two nights. There is time to relax before dinner this evening. Overnight Inverness.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today begins with a journey to Kyle of Lochalsh on the Kyle Line. Skirting alongside lochs and through wild 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 films.

After exploring the castle's history and views, 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. Afterward, there is time at leisure to explore the city and find a place to enjoy dinner. Overnight Inverness.

• Breakfast

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 into our hotel, we enjoy dinner this evening. Overnight Fort William.

• Breakfast, Dinner

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 one of Scotland's largest cities.

Arriving in Glasgow, we get to know the city on a coach tour. Afterwards, we check into our hotel, and you are then at leisure to explore. With an evening at leisure, you could dine at one of the local pubs or restaurants. Overnight Glasgow.

• 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 enjoy dinner at our hotel this evening. Overnight Belfast.

• 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 take in Dunluce Castle and, back in the city we enjoy a city panoramic tour before an evening at leisure. There is no dinner at the hotel, so you could take the opportunity to experience one of Belfast's many places to eat. Overnight Belfast.

• Breakfast

Today we visit Hillsborough Castle, an official government residence and the spot where Queen Elizabeth II resided while visiting Northern Ireland. We enjoy a guided tour around 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 into our hotel for the night and enjoy dinner. Overnight Cork.

• Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, we head west into Kerry, the kingdom county. Our first stop is the village of Blarney where there is time at leisure to wander the beautiful gardens or, if you're up for a challenge, climb the 15th-century castle's 127 steps to kiss the stone of eloquence. In Killarney, the afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the town. You could shop for woollens or tweeds, visit Killarney House, or enjoy a traditional open boat trip around Killarney's beautiful lakes. After dinner at the hotel this evening, we're whisked 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 Torc Waterfall - a natural wonder, 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. Overnight Killarney.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We spend this morning visiting 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 to Clare, on the far west coast of Ireland. 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 where we arrive in time for dinner. Overnight Galway.

• 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 from the windows of iconic landmarks like the Guinness Storehouse, Trinity College, and Dublin Castle.

Once we've checked into our hotel after the tour, 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 together at a local restaurant. Overnight Dublin.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast this morning, our vacation comes to an end and you can make your way home with new memories. After a night in Edinburgh, we tasted authentic whisky in Inverness, travelled on the Kyle Line to Eilean Donan Castle and rode the Jacobite Steam Train to Fort William. We then went from Glasgow to Belfast, toured the Titanic Center, and visited the Giants Causeway before exploring Ireland's highlights, including Hillsborough Castle, the Ring of Kerry, and the Cliffs of Moher, finishing in Dublin.

• Breakfast