Discover the Best of Ireland & Scotland - 15 Days

Highlights

• Enjoy a food and drink tour in Dublin and see the famous library at Trinity College
• Hike to your heart's content along the dramatic Cliffs of Moher in western Ireland
• Take two historical walking tours in Edinburgh, including one focused on music
• Cruise across Loch Ness and look for the legendary monster before touring a castle
• Paddle a canoe in the calm loch waters of Scotland's Trossachs National Park

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Dublin (Ireland), Visit the Trinity Long Room, Irish Dancing

Welcome to Ireland! You've landed in Dublin, an eclectic and lively city where traditional Irish charm meets a cosmopolitan energy. Take a taxi to your hotel, then set out to see the Book of Kells. Visit the grounds of Dublin's university, Trinity College, and see one of the oldest books in the world, dating back to 800 CE. It contains the four Gospels of the New Testament and was created by Irish monks using local organic paints and inks.

Walk through the library's wooden Long Room among 250,000 of Ireland's oldest books and documents and the original 15th-century Brian Boru Harp. You'll recognize this space from the "Harry Potter" movies! Return to your hotel, change into something nice, and venture out for an evening of Irish dancing and live music. The Irish House Party is a fun and intimate evening of authentic and traditional Irish food and fun put on by the talents of All Ireland champion musicians, dancers, and entertainers.

Day 2: Dublin Food & Drink Tour

The days of the potato famine are long gone—today, Dublin is a major food destination. On a 3.5-hour food tour, you'll discover how a country once known for its poor eating standards is now leveraging the locavore movement and digging into its traditions to create a rich and diverse culinary scene. Learn about Dublin's food evolution with a local expert as you taste fresh seafood and classic soda bread, and enjoy a good pint or dram for good measure.

The rest of the afternoon and evening are yours to enjoy as you wish. Venture to the vibrant Temple Bar district, where colorful streets beckon with galleries, pubs, and pints. Wander along the scenic River Liffey, admiring its iconic bridges, or take a cruise for a different perspective. Visit Dublin Castle to glimpse into the city's history, shop Grafton Street and watch lively street performers, or step through museums like the National Gallery and IMMA.

Day 3: Collect a Rental Car, Drive to Galway, Galway Culture Tour 

Collect a rental car this morning and make tracks 90 minutes west of Dublin. Your first stop is Athlone Town, which straddles the River Shannon midway between Dublin and Galway. At the heart of this charming town is Athlone Castle, where you can learn about The Williamite Wars that brought soldiers here from across Europe, culminating with the Great Siege of Athlone in 1691. Europe's oldest pub, Sean's Bar, sits in the shadow of the huge castle. Nearby you could visit the 6th-century monastic site of Clonmacnoise, or the abandoned medieval town of Rindoon, frozen in time since the 1330s.

After lunch, continue an hour west to Galway, one of Ireland's liveliest and most bohemian cities. You'll explore the artistic, musical, and culinary riches of the city this afternoon in your own time. Start with a stroll through the Latin Quarter, where you'll find boutique stores, restaurants, and some of Galway's most beloved pubs and live music venues. Walk under the Spanish Arch, once visited by Christopher Columbus, and check out the traditional Claddagh Village, renowned for its romantic Claddagh ring design. 

Day 4: Day Trip to Connemara National Park & Kylemore Abbey

Venture even farther west with today's self-guided adventure to Connemara National Park and Kylemore Abbey. The national park is just one of six in Ireland, and it's well known for its diversity of birdlife. Take the opportunity to hike to the summit of Diamond Hill, where you'll enjoy panoramic views of Tully Mountain (known locally as Letter Hill), Kylemore Abbey, and the Twelve Bens. The Upper Diamond Hill Trail is a tough climb of around three hours, so if that's too much opt for the shorter Lower Diamond Hill Walk, which still enjoys nice views over Connemara.

After, head to Kylemore Abbey for a bite to eat and time to explore its incredible history and picturesque gardens. Learn about stories of the many generations of people who have lived, worked, studied, and prayed inside Kylemore Abbey's solid granite walls through historical photographs, audio-visual presentations, displays of artifacts, historical costumes, and beautifully restored period rooms. Later, return to Galway for a second night.

Day 5: Drive to Doolin, Hike the Cliffs of Moher

After a delicious breakfast at your hotel, jump behind the wheel and journey south to find County Clare where fairy-tale landscapes are pitted with forts and settlements, pretty villages and towns, and the famous Cliffs of Moher. Stop at Burren National Park, a special landscape known for its distinct karst rock, limestone pavement, and rare wildflowers. Next, pull into Burren Perfumery for lunch. Drop into the tearooms for freshly baked goodies and thoughtful café fare, then join a perfume-making class or shop certified organic cosmetics.

In the afternoon it's time to see the majestic Cliffs of Moher. Feel the wind whip your hair as you hike along the rugged Irish coast, the spray of the Atlantic Ocean misting your face. Soon you'll have epic views of the Cliffs of Moher, their towering presence both humbling and awe-inspiring. After, continue onto the colorful village of Doolin, your base for the night. This village is the heart and soul of Irish traditional music, so check into your hotel and then venture out to find live Irish music at one of its many great pubs. 

Day 6: Fly to Edinburgh (Scotland), Afternoon Tea at Edinburgh Castle

Day 7: Musical Walking Tour of Edinburgh

This morning you'll set off on a musical journey, discovering the Old Town vibrant with life, music, and the occasional murder! Your host, an Edinburgh native, will perform traditional and modern songs that relate to real events and characters. Wander the Royal Mile, hearing the history and stories of the city as your guide breaks into the occasional song to recount key events. They say the small streets and courtyards of the Old Town have great acoustics!

Day 8: Drive to Pitlochry via Scone Palace & The Hermitage

After breakfast, pick up your rental car and make tracks toward the charming town of Pitlochry, a 90-minute drive north. On the way, detour via the sumptuous Scone Palace, one of Scotland's most important stately homes. Pause for a light lunch at the tea room and explore the palace and gardens. Scone has served as the capital of the Pictish Kingdom, the seat of Parliaments, and the crowning place of the King of Scots, including Macbeth and Robert the Bruce. See where the Stone of Scone, known as the Stone of Destiny, once stood, which is now in Edinburgh Castle.

After, continue north to The Hermitage at Dunkeld. This mystical stretch of Perthshire forest is an 18th-century park designed for the Dukes of Atholl. Here giant Douglas firs tower over you as you walk to the roaring Black Linn Waterfall. Deep in the woods, discover the picturesque 18th-century folly known as Ossian's Hall, which overlooks the cascade. After, arrive in Pitlochry. If you have time, follow a winding tree-lined road that hugs the River Tummel to Queen's View. This viewpoint overlooks one of Scotland's most famous panoramas.

Day 9: Drive to Inverness via Cairngorms National Park

Pitlochry is nestled on the edge of the Cairngorms National Park. With the scent of the Highlands in the air, enjoy a slow breakfast at the hotel, then make your way through the dramatic landscape as you travel through one of the best scenic drives in the UK. Admire scenery adorned with high mountainous peaks, waterfalls, sparkling streams, hidden lochs, and heather-bound forests.

This afternoon you'll discover Killiecrankie Gorge, once the site of one of the goriest battles in Jacobite history and now a rich conservation area. Soak up the views, marvel at the 18-foot-wide (5.5 m) Soldier's Leap, and learn about the history, geology, and wildlife at the visitor center. Admire ‘the best view in Scotland' and follow in the footsteps of Queen Victoria at the Queen's View, overlooking the picturesque Loch Tummel. Finally, continue onto Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, and your base for the next three nights.

Day 10: Loch Ness Cruise, Visit Urquhart Castle, Drive to Fort William

No one can resist the mythical Loch Ness: its beauty evokes a sense of wonder, while its monstrous depths are legendary. This morning, make your way to Dochgarroch, just outside of Inverness, for a two-hour cruise on the legendary waters of Loch Ness and Thomas Telford's famous Caledonian Canal. Aboard a catamaran, you'll set off, soaking in the views of Great Glen, Aldourie Castle, Bona Lighthouse, and the spectacular Urquhart Castle, following in the footsteps of Queen Victoria. Hear stories about the elusive Loch Ness Monster, and try to spot "Nessie."

After, unearth more than 1,000 years of history at the ruins of Urquhart Castle. Snap panoramic pictures with the loch from the Grant Tower, imagine the banquets that once took place in the Grand Hall, and peer into a gloomy prison cell said to have held legendary Gaelic bard Dòmhnall Donn. Back in the car, continue an hour southwest to Fort William, known as the "adventure capital of the UK." This loch-side town sits between crystal clear lakes and snowcapped mountains. Drop your bags and find a restaurant with local mussels for dinner.

Day 11: Guided Walk in Glen Coe, Drive to Oban

Day 12: Drive to Loch Lomond via Inveraray Castle, Canoe Experience

An hour's drive southeast of Oban you'll reach the romantic Inveraray Castle, built between 1746 and 1789 on the shores of Loch Fyne. Discover one of Scotland's finest stately homes and the ancestral seat of the Dukes of Argyll, Chiefs of the Clan Campbell whose family have resided here since the early 15th century. Enter the famous Armoury Hall to see some 1,300 pieces including Brown Bess muskets, Lochaber axes, and 18th-century Scottish broadswords. Visit the State Dining Room and Tapestry Drawing Room to view magnificent French tapestries, woven for the space.

After wandering the beautiful gardens, pop by the tearoom then continue to Scotland's first National Park, Loch Lomond and The Trossachs. This afternoon you'll join a leisurely canoeing adventure on the serene waters of Loch Lubnaig. Grab a paddle and set out to discover the scenic wonders along the shores. Besides the expansive views, you'll also play some fun water-based games, upskilling your talents on the water! Once you're done, drive to your next accommodation in the area and check in.

Day 13: Trossachs Adventure, Drive to Glasgow, Dinner & Folk Music Tour

Loch Lomond is an area of natural splendor. Its dramatic mountain ranges and lands have inspired, artists, poets, and songwriters for centuries. Trossachs National Park has unparalleled biodiversity—rivers are clear, ospreys still soar above ancient trees, and squirrels are bright flashes of red, not gray. This remarkable destination is brimming with intriguing corners waiting to be explored. After breakfast, take a stroll through the wide-open, lush landscapes, or hire mountain bikes and hit the trails. However you choose to explore, make the most of your day in nature.

In the afternoon, make the 50-minute drive to Glasgow, Scotland's largest and most buzzing city. This evening you'll experience the best of Scottish culture and food. Start with a folk-music-themed walking tour of the gritty city's oldest and most interesting streets. After, pile into a classic Scottish restaurant for a hearty, home-cooked meal. Then you'll experience the best contemporary and traditional folk music from a rotating line-up of Glasgow's up-and-coming talent. Slàinte Mhath!

Day 14: Free Time, Drive to Edinburgh, Secrets of Edinburgh's Royal Mile Tour

Glasgow is renowned for its world-class museums, galleries, and red sandstone Victorian buildings that line its squares and crescents. This morning, after breakfast, you could explore the Gallery of Modern Art and the People's Palace. Wander Kelvingrove Art Gallery and visit the famous Glasgow Cathedral, which took 350 years to finish. Shop the boutiques of West End, or go for a walk along the picturesque River Clyde. Just make sure you've finished the hour-long drive to Edinburgh in time for this afternoon's historical walking tour.

Meet a local guide and stroll through the cobbled streets, wynds, and closes around the Royal Mile, which connects Edinburgh Castle with the royal residence of Holyroodhouse. Over 90 minutes, you'll hear true stories and fascinating facts and learn about the city's rich heritage. Finally, enter Edinburgh Castle and discover the many battles and sieges fought over it. See the Great Hall of King James IV, lavish royal rooms, and the oldest crown jewels in Britain. After, find a charming traditional pub on the Royal Mile for your final night in Scotland.

Your grand Irish and Scottish adventure comes to an end today. If you have time this morning, take a gentle walk up Carlton Hill to experience your last views over the city. Then, with enough time before your flight home or to your next destination, make the half-hour drive to the airport and return your rental car. Safe travels!

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