Ireland, Northern Ireland & Scotland

9 Days

Edinburgh Castle, Scotland, from Princes Street Gardens, with the Ross Fountain in the foreground

Experience the beauty of Northern Ireland alongside Ireland and Scotland. Despite the fact that all three countries share a common, Celtic base – you’ll see that they all in fact have unique geographies, cultural traditions and histories. Within the Republic, this tour will base your group in the cities of Galway and Letterkenny. In Northern Ireland, you’ll experience the capital city of Belfast, and in Scotland – you’ll be staying overnight in Glasgow and Edinburgh. These base cities will allow your group to experience the immense beauty and fascinating history of their surroundings areas.

Highlights

Visit to the Giant's Causeway
Old Bushmills Whiskey Distillery Tour
Panoramic sightseeing tours of Belfast and Glasgow
Guide tour of Edinburgh Castle

Itinerary Details

Day 1 - 2

1 Night

Galway

From the picturesque Atlantic coastline to Connemara National Park's rocky terrain, County Galway in western Ireland boasts breathtaking landscapes. Visitors can hike the Twelve Bens mountain range, cruise in pristine lakes, and witness picture-postcard farmlands. Discover cliffside castle ruins, fishermen cottages, and the romantic Kylemore Abbey. Irish festivities occur around the year in medieval towns and the symbolic Claddagh ring. Galway city, located on the River Corrib midway along the Wild Atlantic Way, is an ideal base for excursions. Its traditional music, vibrant nightlife, artisanal cafes and quaint pubs keep it lively. Offshore, the Aran Islands offer stunning natural beauty, heritage sites like Dún Aonghasa, and distinct Gaelic culture.

Included activities

DAY 1: Arrive in Galway

On arrival at Shannon Airport, you are met by your friendly Irish driver-guide and escorted to your waiting private coach, which will transfer you in style to Galway. Our route to Galway is via the old market town of Ennis and westward to the mighty Cliffs of Moher, rising sheer above the coast for almost five miles. We then continue along the coastline of County Clare, through the charming villages of Ballyvaughan and Kinvara on Galway Bay and arrive at our hotel in the early afternoon. The remainder of the afternoon is free to relax after your flight.

Day 2 - 4

2 Nights

Letterkenny

Included activities

DAY 2: Arrive in Letterkenny

This morning, we are leaving Galway and traveling northward to the rugged and beautiful county of Donegal! We travel through the market towns of County Mayo and the village of Knock, Ireland's place of pilgrimage, through Sligo, stopping at the shadow of Benbulben to visit Drumcliffe Churchyard where William Butler Yeats, one of Ireland's finest poets, lies buried. On then through the coastal town of Bundoran and Ballyshannon where we shall visit the Belleek China Factory, arriving in Letterkenny in the late afternoon.

DAY 3:

This morning experience the rich history of this famous walled city on a walking tour with a local guide. View the Diamond and St. Columb's Cathedral in the only European city with its walls still intact. This afternoon we will drive onto the Inishowen Peninsula, the most northerly point of Ireland, for some rugged and spectacular scenery.

Day 4 - 6

2 Nights

Belfast

Included activities

DAY 4: Arrive in Belfast

Today after a full Irish breakfast we shall set off along the Antrim coast to its best known feature: the Giant's Causeway. Often described as the "eighth wonder of the world," we shall take the circular walk around the spectacular rock formations. Whether the 40,000 hexagonal stone columns were formed by the cooling of molten lava, as the scientific community holds, or were actually the creation of legendary Irish giant Finn MacCool to reach his lady love in Scotland, remains a subject of debate, but whichever view you hold, it is impossible to be unmoved by the magnificent panorama. Staying on the coastal road to Bushmills, we shall stop off for a tipple at Old Bushmills Distillery, the site of the world's oldest legal whiskey distillery, established in 1608. Here we shall take a tour and follow the distilling process, with samples of its product and a gift shop. We continue into Belfast for our last two nights in Northern Ireland.

DAY 5:

After breakfast this morning we depart our hotel for a panoramic sightseeing tour of Belfast City. The birthplace of the Titanic and home to some of the world's most famous faces, Belfast is rich in history and steeped in culture. Today it is as famous for its stylish shops, gourmet restaurants and exciting nightlife as it is for its troubled past. Some of the notable sights we will see are Belfast City Hall, Linenhall Library, Stormont House, Grand Opera House; St. Anne's Cathedral, Ulster Museum and the Botanic Gardens. At the end of your tour you may wish to visit one of the city's fine art galleries or museums.

Day 6 - 7

1 Night

Glasgow

Included activities

DAY 6: Arrive in Glasgow

After breakfast this morning we will depart Belfast for the Ferry Port where we will catch the ferry to Stranraer in Scotland. Upon arrival we will have a short drive that will bring us through the countryside and into the vibrant city of Glasgow. After checking in we will commence on a panoramic tour of this vibrant city, seeing many of its wonderful sites.

Day 7 - 9

2 Nights

Edinburgh

Included activities

DAY 7: Arrive in Edinburgh

The "Bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond" is our first stop today. With views of the lake you will soon see for yourself what makes this song so famous. We continue on into the highland towns of the Trossachs where we will visit a Woolen Mill and perhaps even see a Highland Cow. Our drive continues past Stirling where there will be magnificent views of Wallace's Monument and Stirling Castle, before we continue into Edinburgh for our last two nights. This evening enjoy a traditional Scottish Banquet. You will sample some haggis and enjoy traditional bagpipe music, songs and dancing.

DAY 8:

This morning's tour takes us along Princes Street with its fine shops and through the lovely Georgian squares and terraces of the new town. We continue along the historic Royal Mile to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official Scottish residence of Her Majesty the Queen. Our tour concludes at Edinburgh Castle where we can view the Scottish Crown Jewels and take in the breathtaking views of the city from the castle ramparts. Tonight after dinner we will return to Edinburgh castle where we will enjoy the spectacle of the Edinburgh Tattoo (if occurring during the time of the visit).

DAY 9:

This morning after breakfast we will depart for the airport for the group to board its return flight to the US.

Inclusions

Includes

The Cliffs of Moher
Belleek China Factory Tour
Traditional Scottish Banquet College, Dublin
Accommodations: Letterkenny 2 nights, Belfast 2 nights, Edinburgh 2 nights, Galway 1 night, Glasgow 1 night
Meals: Continental breakfast daily. Lunch and dinner as noted in itinerary
Ground transportation via air conditioned luxury coach
English speaking assistants and guides
Admission tickets as outlined in itinerary