Best of Ireland and Scotland 2024

15 days
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4.2/5 Great
5 reviews  
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Group Tour
Travel to see the very Best of Ireland and Scotland, from delicate Waterford Crystal to the golfing greats of St. Andrews. Kiss the Blarney Stone and you’ll be sharing tales from Giant’s Causeway, the Ring of Kerry and the Scottish Highlands for years to come.
12%
$5,674
From$4,995
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Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • : Explore Dublin, Londonderry, Belfast and Edinburgh with a Local Specialist
    • : Discover Waterford, Adare, Galway and Glasgow
    • : Visit the Irish National Stud in Kildare, the Waterford Crystal Showroom, Blarney Castle, Giant's Causeway, Titanic Experience in Belfast, a whisky distillery, Pitlochry and Edinburgh Castle
    • : View Eilean Donan Castle, the battlefield of Culloden and the 18th green at St. Andrews
    • : See St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin, Galway Cathedral and Loch Lomond
    • : Scenic Drive of the Ring of Kerry
    • : Tickets for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo are included on departures that coincide with performance dates
    • Dublin: A Local Specialist will show you Dublin's elegant Georgian squares, O'Connell Street and the Custom House.
    • Blarney: It is said that those who kiss the Blarney Stone are bestowed with the power to persuade, flatter and coax. But to do so, you must dangle from the ramparts! Visit Blarney Castle and see the famous Stone of Eloquence.
    • Cork: Your Travel Director will show you the Grand Parade and South Mall, along with City Hall and the Opera House.

What's this trip about?

    Travel to see the very Best of Ireland and Scotland, from delicate Waterford Crystal to the golfing greats of St. Andrews. Kiss the Blarney Stone and you’ll be sharing tales from Giant’s Causeway, the Ring of Kerry and the Scottish Highlands for years to come.

Details

Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeGroup - max of 40 people
Age range6 years and up
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityDublin
End CityEdinburgh

Travel Themes

  • 50 plus
  • Cultural
  • Education / Learning
  • Small Ship Cruise

Destinations

  • Europe
  • United Kingdom
  • Ireland

Activities

  • Culture
  • Historic sightseeing

Trip includes

    • An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
    • Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
    • All porterage and restaurant gratuities
    • All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
    • Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
    • Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
    • Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
    • Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
    • Ferry from Northern Ireland to Scotland
    • Optional Experiences and free time
    • On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1: Welcome to Dublin

Explore the Celtic heritage and hospitality of Ireland and Scotland on this grand adventure through beautiful landscapes and enchanting cities. Our first day sees us delve into the whimsy of the Irish capital, before joining our fellow travelers and Travel Director for a Welcome Reception.

The Address Hotel Connolly, Clayton Ballsbridge

Dinner

Day 2: Discover Diverse Dublin

Drive through the streets of Dublin, joining your Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour past the stately Georgian Squares and St. Patrick's Cathedral, the tallest church in Ireland. Enjoy a leisurely day exploring the city. Stop for a pint of 'the Black Stuff' in Te...

Day 3: Journey to Waterford Dive Into Culture

Dive Into Culture and gain insights into Ireland’s strong tradition of breeding world-class thoroughbreds at the Irish National Stud in Kildare. Enjoy a guided walk admiring the powerful steeds that have made racing history and stroll around the tranquil Japanese gard...

Day 4: Onwards to Blarney and Killarney Connect with Locals

Bend over backwards and kiss the Blarney Stone and acquire the 'gift of the gab' before crossing the Kerry Mountains to County Kerry. We journey to 1930s Ireland this evening for an unforgettable experience, visiting the working farms of Muckross, where we'll learn ab...

Day 5: A Day on the Ring of Kerry

The astounding beauty of the Iveragh Peninsula accompanies us on this soul-stirring coastal journey around the Ring of Kerry – a dramatic landscape of mountains, loughs and lakes which have inspired writers and poets for centuries. See Daniel O'Connell's Cahirciveen, ...

Day 6: Continue to Galway and Ballina

Drive to Adare, one of Ireland's prettiest villages, known for its thatched cottages. The imposing stone cathedral, built on the site of an old prison and Eyre Square on our next stop in Galway, where we'll enjoy some free time to explore the city before continuing our journey northward. This evening we dine in our hotel.

Great National Ballina

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7: Off to Donegal and on to Londonderry

Head north to Donegal with its 'Diamond' center before joining a Local Specialist in Londonderry to stroll along its 17th-century walls. See the neighborhood of the Bogside, known for its murals that depict events of the 'Troubles' like the Battle of the Bogside, which sparked the conflict.

City Hotel Derry

Breakfast

Day 8: Admire the Giant’s Causeway and on to Belfast Make Travel Matter Dive Into Culture

Tread in the footsteps of Finn McCool and along the other-worldly Giant's Causeway 'steps' that descend into the sea during your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER�� Experience. Your visit will help to conserve this iconic landmark. We arrive in Belfast later and visit the Titanic Be...

Day 9: Cross the Irish Sea to Glasgow

Join your Local Specialist in Belfast this morning for an included city tour which will take you to Queen's University and the Baroque Revival-style City Hall. We board our ferry in Belfast and cross to Cairnryan in Scotland, driving through the Ayrshire countryside bound for Glasgow, our home for the next two nights.

Hilton Garden Inn City Center, Maldron

Breakfast

Day 10: Discover Glasgow’s Rich Legacy Dive Into Culture

Delve into Scotland’s intriguing cultural capital and stroll through the town to admire views of George Square and the River Clyde, once the heart of Scotland's shipbuilding industry. We head to a whisky distillery next where we’ll Dive Into Culture and learn how to m...

Day 11: Continue Over the Sea to Skye

Journey along the famous bonnie banks of Loch Lomond to the tragic site of the 1692 massacre of the MacDonalds at the 'Glen of Weeping'. Continue to Fort William at the foot of Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis. Then, cross to the Isle of Skye, where we'll spend this evening dining in our hotel.

Dunollie

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 12: Venture to Loch Ness and Culloden in the Scottish Highlands

We leave the rugged beauty of Skye behind and venture to the site where three lochs meet. View Eilean Donan Castle before traveling along the banks of Loch Ness in search of the elusive monster that bears its name. The bloody battlefield of Culloden is our next stop, ...

Day 13: Journey to Enchanting Edinburgh

Traversing the dramatic landscapes of the Scottish Highlands, we pass Pitlochry before arriving in St. Andrews to see its famous golf course on which golfing greats have clamoured to play for centuries. We cross the scenic Firth of Forth to enchanting Edinburgh, our h...

Day 14: Uncover Edinburgh’s Treasures

Join your Local Specialist for a guided sightseeing tour which includes a visit to Edinburgh Castle, surveying the city from the imposing Castle Rock. See the Royal Mile, the elegant Palace of Holyrood in the shadow of Arthur's Seat and the new Scottish Parliament bui...

Day 15: Farewell Edinburgh

For now it’s time to say a fond farewell to Scotland and our newfound friends, after our unforgettable Celtic sojourn.

Breakfast

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Dates & Availability

Price From $4,995
Price per day$333
Last Updated: 4/26/2024
Start Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Availability
04 May 2024
18 May 2024
$5,125
Limited
06 May 2024
20 May 2024
$5,125
Limited
11 May 2024
25 May 2024
$5,125
Limited
13 May 2024
27 May 2024
$5,125
Limited
18 May 2024
01 Jun 2024
$5,125
Limited
20 May 2024
03 Jun 2024
$5,125
Limited
25 May 2024
08 Jun 2024
$5,175
Limited
27 May 2024
10 Jun 2024
$5,175
Limited
01 Jun 2024
15 Jun 2024
$5,175
Limited
03 Jun 2024
17 Jun 2024
$5,175
Limited

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Brendan Vacations.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Brendan Vacations Reviews & Ratings

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Barbara

Jul 2018

had a wonderful time

We just went on Iconic Ireland and Ashford Castle and had a wonderful time. This was our first bus tour and we didn't know quite what to expect, however, we couldn't...

J

Jo LaFalce

Jul 2018

it was fabulous!

My husband and I recently went to Ireland on a Brendan Vacations tour...first tour we've even been on...and it was fabulous! From start to finish everything about th...

M

Mark

Aug 2022

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Find someone else

After waiting for 3 years we were finally scheduled to go to Ireland but 8 days before our trip we were informed that they had changed their vaccination policy and w...

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Tour Operator

Brendan Vacations

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Brendan Vacations is the premier Ireland and Scotland destination expert, backed by more than 50 years of planning authentic Celtic travel experiences from its office in the heart of Dublin. Guided by its mantra ‘taking you personally,’ Brendan Vacations is passionate about delivering deeply immersive, tailor-made experiences across five travel styles: fully Guided Tour packages, independent Private Chauffeur, Lux Self-Drive, Self-Drive and Locally Hosted Rail vacations. Through the warmth of Brendan Vacations’ highly personalized service, guests will stay in hand-selected accommodations - including castles and B&Bs, explore the iconic landscapes of Scotland and Ireland, and meet local people passionate about sharing their stories. Brendan Vacations is a proud member of The Travel Corporation family of brands.

Why we love this operator
They have a high level of personalized attention and curated itineraries for Ireland & Scotland.
What they’re known for
Experience the best of Ireland & Scotland travel handcrafted by local experts.

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Logistics

Accommodation

The Address Hotel Connolly, Clayton Ballsbridge Fitzwilton Hotel Killarney Great National Ballina City Hotel Derry AC by Marriott , Stormont Hilton Garden Inn City Center, Maldron Dunollie Highlander Novotel Center, Delta Hotels by Marriott.,
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included
  • 6 Dinner (D)
  • 14 Breakfast (B)
Age Requirements
6 years and up
Additional Information
Trip ID
brendanvacations-BIASZN19

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