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13D Scotland & Ireland
Scotland & Ireland
OVERVIEW
Have a hankering for all things Scottish and Irish? This tour combines two of the most  picturesque countries in Europe. Scotland is famous for its whisky, haggis, bagpipes, an elusive lake monster and men who wear kilts! Ireland is famous for Guinness, the Blarney Stone, good music and craic! Join this tour to enjoy the best of both worlds. If you don't see a departure date that works for you on this version of the tour, check out the non-reverse version of the tour.
Tour Highlights These highlights are included in the price of your tour.
- Edinburgh
- See Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace and the Royal Mile
- Scottish Highlands
- Visit St. Andrews, the home of golf
- Scenic drives including the Whisky Trail and Royal Deeside
- Visit Loch Ness & Loch Lomond
- Spot 'Nessie' on a boat cruise of stunning Loch Ness
- West Highlands
- See the spectacular Eilean Donan Castle
- Visit the seaside town of Portree on the Isle of Skye
- See Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain
- Glasgow
- See Stirling Castle and the William Wallace Monument
- See George Square & the Glasgow City Chambers
- Dubin
- City tour of Belfast with a Local Guide
- See Trinity College, the Monument of Light, Parnell Square and St. Stephen's Green
- City tour of Belfast with a Local Guide
- Kilkenny
- See Kilkenny Castle & St. Canice's Cathedral
- Cork
- Entrance to the Port Heritage Centre, last port of call for the ill-fated Titanic
- Galway
- Visit Blarney, home of the Blarney Stone
- Londonderry
- See the 17th century city walls of Londonderry
Daily Itinerary
 Day 1 Arrive Edinburgh (Hotel)
Check in to your hotel this evening in the buzzing city of Edinburgh. Home to loads of festivals, cutting-edge Edinburgh serves up a fun, creative mix of ancient and modern. Later, meet up with your fellow travellers and Tour Manager. Round up some of the group and head out into the city for a fun night out. Edinburgh has so much on offer – so ask your Tour Manager for some tips on the city’s cosy pubs, basement bars and happening clubs.
Day 2 Edinburgh (Hotel)
With a free day, decide how you want to shape your Edinburgh experience and explore this living time-line. Explore the scene-stealing Edinburgh Castle, perched high up above the city on an extinct volcano, where the Scottish crown jewels and famous Stone of Destiny are housed. Retrace Scottish royalty’s footsteps and walk the Royal Mile with its jumble of medieval houses and buildings. See the Holyrood Palace, former home to Mary Queen of Scots. For a one-stop shopping spot, make the most of Princes Street. From kilts and tartans to modern labels and cashmere, this street has it all. At lunch, go local and order some traditional fish’n’chips and a deep fried chocolate bar if you’re feeling adventurous! For a relaxing afternoon, spend some time in Edinburgh’s famous Botanical Gardens. Explore the 72 acres of grounds, exotic plants and stunning glass houses.(B,D)
Day 3 Edinburgh to Scottish Highlands (Hotel)
Stop by St. Andrews, Scotland’s oldest university town and the “home of golf” where you’ll see the famous course of the same name that is used in major international tournaments. Then roll on through the Scottish Highlands, packed with wild mountain scenery, rugged green hills and the tales of old clans. Next up is the stuff of legends – a cruise on the gorgeous & world-famous Loch Ness. This afternoon find out more as your Tour Manager fills you in on the lake’s mythical monster. Back on the coach, plug in your headphones, sit back and take in the dramatic scenery. We drive past turreted castles and surging rivers before stopping for the night in this spectacular spot.(B,D)
Day 4 Scottish Highlands to West Highlands (Hotel)
This morning, we continue on past tiny villages, emerald green moors, lakes and seaside cliffs that the West Highlands are so famous for. You’ll see the iconic Eilean Donan Castle – one of Scotland’s most recognized monuments. Sitting above the Alsh, Duic and Long Lochs, with a spectacular mountain backdrop, the 13th century castle is stunning. On the stunning Isle of Skye, we visit the seaside town of Portree, known for its brightly coloured houses and charming fishing port. Next up: the bizarre landscapes of the Trotternish Peninsula, where sharp cliffs and stone pillars rise above the wild Atlantic Ocean. Your Tour Manager will tell you the stories and legends connected too this remote inner Herbridean Island and fill you in on how people live in this dramatic environment. Later, we pass Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain, as we continue through the remote West Highlands.(B)
Day 5
West Highlands to Glasgow (Hotel)
We make our way to Glasgow this morning, via Stirling, famous for its iconic Castle and William Wallace Memorial. Your Tour Manager will tell you all about this historic point of conflict and the battles that took place here before we reach Scotland’s largest city. We arrive in Glasgow this afternoon. It’s pulsing with urban soul, pubs filled with colourful characters and the most happening live music scene in the country. There’s free time to explore this UNESCO city of music. Walk around the down town and see the city’s famed Victorian architecture, including Glasgow’s Gothic cathedral, the impressive City Chambers and St. George’s Square – located right in the city’s heart. Tonight, get out amongst the locals and try some of Scotland’s tasty produce. Order yourself some of the country’s world-renowned salmon, trout or Aberdeen Angus beef and grab yourself a pint. Later, make the most of the live music scene and ask your Tour Manager where to go for door-to-door music venues.(B)
Day 6 Glasgow to Dublin (Hotel)
Ferry across the Irish Sea to Northern Ireland and travel through County Meath and Boyne Valley - former seat of power for ancient kings and the site of one of Ireland’s most bloody battles. Continue on to dynamic, down-to-earth Dublin. This bustling student town has a whole lot of heart and loads of things to do. Discover Dublin’s fascinating heritage with your Tour Manager who’ll show you Trinity college, the 120m high Monument of Light, Parnell Square and St. Stephen’s Green, once the site of Dublin’s public floggings and hangings. Afterwards, make the most of the night and head to the cultural hot spot of Temple Bar, where pubs, bars and cafes spill out onto cobbled lanes.(B,D)
Day 7 Dublin to Kilkenny (Hotel)
Discover Kilkenny’s medieval charm and its signature sites, Kilkenny Castle and St. Canice’s Cathedral.(B,D)
Day 8 Kilkenny to Cork (Hotel)
En route for Cork, you’ll visit portside Cobh and its Heritage Centre, and get the background on the Titanic and her last port of call. Also find out about how 2.5 million people left Ireland from this spot during the famine. Then stop by and see the Rock of Cashel. The former seat of power to the region’s kings is now a striking green hill topped with ancient ruins. Later, we pull into colourful Cork, set on the banks of the River Leah. Make the most of your free time and enjoy some shopping. Rummage through the lively markets, bustling with friendly locals. There’s the rowdy Coal Quay street market where you’ll find local produce or the historic English Market, operating since 1785. (B,D)
Day 9 Cork to Galway (Hotel)
See the medieval Blarney Castle, where you can kiss the magical Blarney Stone if you’re keen – your Tour Manager will fill you in on the legend. Continue on through the moors and woodlands past the vertical cliffs of Moher. Cruise on to the traditional town of Galway. Loaded with Irish soul and packed with lively pubs, Galway gives you a chance to experience the typically Irish. Get a feel for this pretty town’s atmosphere, where street performers, magicians and traditional musicians busk outside colourfully painted buildings. Make the most of your free night, round a group of friends and head to the pub. Listen out for locals speaking Irish as you try out traditional Irish stew or order some of the region’s famous oysters.(B)
Day 10 Galway (Hotel)
Get out there and discover this quintessential Irish town where Gaelic is still spoken on the streets. You also have the option to jump on a ferry and cruise out to the stunning Aran Islands for a day away from it all. With rugged cliffs, wild flowers and pounding seas, the Aran Islands are all about natural beauty.(B,D)
Day 11 Galway to Londonderry (Hotel)
Next up: riverside Londonderry. With loads of artistic activity, it’s the central point of Northern Ireland’s cultural renewal. Your Tour Manager will show you the city’s famous 17th century walls. They’ve got a rep for a reason – standing at 8m high and 9m long, no enemy has ever succeeded in getting through them. Explore more of Londonderry with our Local Guide in a fascinating optional tour around the historic city. Learn about epic battles of the past before taking a step back in time with the People’s Gallery in Bogside. Our Local Guide will explain how the colourful murals sum up and commemorate key events from the Troubles.(B)
Day 12 Londonderry to Dublin (Hotel)
From Londonderry, we slide by Belfast, former hotspot of the Troubles (political conflict in Ireland) and learn about the city’s difficult past. Our Local Guide will introduce Belfast’s iconic political murals and Victorian buildings, while telling you the story behind the city’s history. Later on, you’ll be amazed by the natural wonder and UNESCO World Heritage site, the Giant’s Causeway. With approximately 40 000 rock columns packed together, reaching heights of 12m (36ft),this unbelievable rock formation will give you goose bumps. Back into buzzing Dublin, you’ve got time to explore more of this charismatic capital. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Guinness Storehouse and get the low down on Ireland’s national drink. Find out how the “black stuff” is made and how to pull a pint the Irish way. You’ll even get to satisfy your taste buds with a Guinness at the end. Dublin has it all shopping-wise so get some pointers from your Tour Manager and hit the shops on Grafton Street or poke around Dublin’s many bookstores. For a bite to eat, head to the open air food and fresh produce markets and live a bit of the local lifestyle. Cap off your tour with a night out with the group and opt for authentic Irish experience, complete with a traditional meal and Irish dancing in one of Dublin’s most popular pubs.(B,D)
Day 13 Depart Dublin
Our tour ends after breakfast, so make sure you get your new friends’ email addresses. *Please note:* Days 1 & 8 have been designed to allow you to start & finish the tour without needing extra nights accommodation.(B)
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