12 Day Scotland & Ireland

Welcome to Scotland. Welcome to Edinburgh. Upon arrival to Edinburgh International Airport you will be transfered to the hotel. At approximately 1pm, join a sightseeing tour with a local guide to the Scotland’s capital city and one of the most active cities in Northern Europe. Its monumental centre has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its castle overlooks the city, its steep streets and its parks.

Today is a free day for you to continue to enjoy the charm of this city, explore and discover memorable places.

After breakfast, we will visit Stirling and its amazing historic centre overlooked by its large castle which sits atop an intrusive crag. we will also stop at Wallace monument. We will trek the trail that goes to the foot of the tower (ticket not included) which was built in memory of William Wallace, a 13th century Scottish military hero who became famous thanks to the film Braveheart. Afterwards, we will continue north to pit ochry, a picturesque town where we know a traditional whisky distillery, Blair Athol, where Bell´s is produced. Later on we will visit Blair castle and its impressive gardens. We will continue north and arrive in Inverness, a seaside town quite close to loch ness, late in the afternoon.

Itinerary note. The hotel network in northern Scotland is quite limited and some tours (normally in the month of August), we may stay in towns around inverness.

Today we will enjoy a stage full of excitement amid quite beautiful landscapes, forests, lakes, deserted lands and fjords from northern Scotland. We will visit the fascinating Eileen Donan Castle, which is quite picturesque and is located over the fjord’s waters. Afterwards, we will travel to fort Augustus where we will visit its sluice gate system. We then resume our trip to loch ness in the afternoon. Enjoy a boat tour around the lake’s dark waters.

Today will make a brief stop in Spean Bridge to visit a monument that speaks about the Second World War. We will later stop in Fort William, a site at the foot of Ben Nevis, the highest summit in the United Kingdom. We then visit Kilchurn Castle before heading to Inveraray, a quite picturesque historic village by Loch Fyne with a large castle and quiet streets. Early in the afternoon we will return contouring Loch Lomond, one of the most popular lakes in Scotland where you will have time for a stroll around Balloch, the liveliest town on its banks. We arrive in Glasgow at mid-afternoon. Time for a stroll around the centre of this lively city.

Today we will leave Glasgow heading towards southern Scotland. We will board a ferry in Cairnryan. Our journey takes us towards Northern Ireland, arriving in Belfast, Northern Ireland’s capital city. This monumental city is overcoming its religious conflicts. We will resume our journey to Eire in Ireland. Last stop will be Dublin, arriving at the end of the day.

We start the day with a sightseeing tour of Dublin, Ireland’s peaceful capital city. We will enjoy a stroll on the banks of River Liffey, visiting its parks, old university and its lively downtown streets. We will stroll around Trinity College (depending on the duration of sunlight, this visit may take place the afternoon before, upon arrival in Dublin). The rest of the afternoon is at leisure.

This morning we will depart from Dublin heading to Powerscourt. We will visit its magnificent gardens, designed in the 18th century and considered the most beautiful gardens in Ireland. Admire its fountains, Japanese Gardens, and its pet cemetery. Afterwards, we will travel to Kilkenny, here we will have time for lunch and to stroll around this lively town. Further south, we will stop to visit the impressive Rock of Cashel, a medieval fortress that symbolizes the fight of Irish people against England. We will arrive in Cork around mid-afternoon. Time for a stroll in the centre of Ireland’s second largest city.

Today we depart for Kinsale. Making a stop by Charles Fort to admire its great views of the ocean right by the 17th century fortress. Time in the historic centre of Kinsale, a seaside town, considered by many as one of the most beautiful coastal towns in Ireland. Afterwards, we will travel to Killarney, a small town in the heart of Ireland. After lunch we enjoy a romantic horse and carriage tour, which will take us to Ross Castle for a short cruise to enjoy the beautiful views. Continuing, take a brief stop in Adare, a small village that preserves its picturesque traditional thatched-roof cottages and the ruins of the old abbey. Mid-afternoon we will arrive in Limerick and have tme to stroll around its centre, its castle or walk along the river.

Today we will visit Folk Park in Bunratty (ticket included), a wonderful park where we can learn about how life was in Ireland in the past with its typical cottages and old markets. Its castle stands, accurately reproducing how life was in the Middle Ages. We will continue to Caherconnell where the Poulnabrone dolmen is found. We may get the chance to see an exhibition of how dogs shepherd sheep. Afterwards, we will visit the impressive Cliffs of Moherwhich overlook the ocean, those who wish can walk to O'Brien’s Tower (entrance included). Our route continues through Burren National Park which displays amazing landscapes. Finally arriving in Galway.

We will depart for Cong, a small picturesque village located in a magnificent lake area. We will visit the ruins of the Royal Abbey and walk around Ashford Castle, a gorgeous medieval castle that has been turned into a hotel. We will travel to Clonmacnoise, where after lunch, we will visit its monastic ruins (ticket and visit included). We will resume our journey back to Dublin, where we will arrive in the late afternoon.

After breakfast and at the appropriate time, you will be transferred to the airport to catch your ongoing flight.