Best of Ireland and Scotland

15 days
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4.6/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
96%
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USTOA

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.

Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full 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, Stirling 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
    • Connect With Locals
    • Dive into Culture
    • Dive into Culture

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 focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeIntimate group - 12 max
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportAll internal transport included (including local flights)
Start CityDublin
End CityEdinburgh

Travel Themes

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

Destinations

  • Europe
  • United Kingdom
  • Ireland

Attractions

  • Dublin
  • Edinburgh
  • Glasgow
  • Ring of Kerry
  • Scottish Highlands

Activities

  • Culture
  • Historic sightseeing

Popular Trips

Itinerary

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 travellers and Travel Director for a Welcome Reception.

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 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

Travel to Cork and bend over backwards to 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 MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, visiting the working f...

Day 5: A Day on the Ring of Kerry

The astounding beauty of 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, the fishing village of Waterville, the Black Valley and Moll's Gap with the Macgillycuddy's Reeks peaks in the distance.

Day 6: Continue to Galway and Coastal 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.

Day 7: Off to Donegal and on to Londonderry

Head north to Donegal with its 'Diamond' centre before joining a Local Specialist in Londonderry to stroll along its 17th-century walls. See the 'Troubles' neighbourhood of Bogside, with its murals depicting the battles of that time.

Day 8: Admire the Giant’s Causeway and on to Belfast

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 Bel...

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 at Larne and cross to Cairnryan in Scotland, driving through the Ayrshire countryside bound for Glasgow, our home for the next two nights.

Day 10: Discover Glasgow’s Rich Legacy and on to Stirling

Delve into Scotland’s intriguing cultural capital and stroll through the toon to admire views of George Square and the River Clyde, once the heart of Scotland's shipbuilding industry. We head to Stirling, visiting Stirling Distillery where we’ll Dive Into Culture and ...

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.

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 travelling 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 imposing Castle Rock. See the Royal Mile, the elegant Palace of Holyrood in the shadow of Arthur's Seat, and the new Scottish Parliament buildi...

Day 15: Farewell Edinburgh

For now it’s time to say a fond farewell to Scotland and our newfound friends, at the end of an unforgettable Celtic sojourn. Find out more about your free airport transfer at trafalgar.com/freetransfers.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $4,425
Price per day$295
Last Updated: 10/14/2024

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

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.

Trafalgar Reviews & Ratings

4.6/5  Excellent
Excellent
34,361
Great
9,165
Average
2,741
Disappointing
838
Terrible
541
D

David Edgar Guthrie

Oct 2023

Written on

Best of Ireland and Scotland

Most hotels were excellent but others were marginal. We were disappointed changes to the hotel list was made after our reservation. For instance, Novatel was repla...

S

Susan Weston

Oct 2023

Written on

Best of Ireland and Scotland

It is excellent if you are not sick!

M

Mary Savage

Oct 2023

Written on

Best of Ireland and Scotland

This itinerary showed us a great mix of big cities and smaller villages. We traveled over much of the country, and really got a beautiful look at the natural beauty...

T

Trusted Customer

Sep 2023

Written on

Best of Ireland and Scotland

A great overall view of Ireland and Scotland with a variety of experiences. There are several additional excursions that are reasonably priced to add to your advent...

S

Sharon Henderson

Sep 2023

Written on

Best of Ireland and Scotland

The coach was comfortable and the hotels were placed so that we could make th...

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Tour Operator

Trafalgar

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At Trafalgar, we passionately believe in the power of travel to broaden the mind and build bridges between people. By sharing with you the hidden places not mentioned in guidebooks, the local people you wouldn’t otherwise meet, and the traditions you may not have experienced by yourself, we ensure that you get the ‘insider’ view, an authentic and enhanced experience you simply could not have had on your own.

It is this dedication to taking our guests beyond the obvious sights that has helped us grow over the past 65 years into one of the most trusted and successful international guided vacation/holiday companies in the world. From Europe to the United States, South America to South Africa, and with the recent addition of Asia, we pride ourselves on uncovering the hidden gems, cultural highlights and not-to-be-missed attractions of the places you visit. We’ll help you delve deep into the heart of each city and capture the true essence of each new destination.

We are committed to establishing lasting relationships with our guests by exceeding their expectations the first time and every time, through consistently outstanding quality of service, experience and value.

We're proud to be the most globally awarded guided travel company. Every year, we win some of the most prestigious travel accolades around the world – from the Travel Globes to the Agents' Choice Awards. We've collected 46 major travel awards over the last five years alone, as well as the Gold Trusted Merchant Award from independent reviews provider Feefo.

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About the company:

As the world’s most awarded and loved travel company, Trafalgar unlocks the best of the world for every traveller. From the iconic sites to breaking bread with locals at private Be My Guest experiences, guests can be assured of a dream holiday without the stress of 'what ifs'. Committed to Make Travel Matter, Trafalgar aims to make a positive impact on locals, communities and wildlife visited, and the planet we call home. With tried and tested tours, created by local travel experts in destination and enjoyed by more than 5million happy guests, Trafalgar’s proud to be recognised by its Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award.

Trafalgar is part of the family-owned and run The Travel Corporation (TTC), driven by service for over one hundred years.

 

Why we love this operator
Their travelers enjoy 24/7 travel expertise and dedicated service throughout the trips - everything is taken care of.
What they’re known for
Tours and experiences that include everything from the iconic sites to breaking bread with locals, guided by expert travel directors.

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Logistics

Accommodation

  • Novotel Centre/Apex Haymarket
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
  • 1 Be My Guest
  • 1 Farewell Dinner
  • 1 Welcome Reception
  • 14 Breakfasts
  • 3 Dinners
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
  • All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
  • All porterage and restaurant gratuities
  • An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
  • Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
  • Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
  • Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
  • Ferry from Northern Ireland to Scotland
  • Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
  • Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
  • Optional Experiences and free time
Trip ID
trafalgar-BIASN18

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