Holiday Inn Edinburgh, an IHG Hotel with Breakfast As we journey through picturesque countryside and quaint cobbled cities, you'll be resting your head for 12 nights in twin-share hotel rooms. A highly trained Trip Manager who brings your adventure to life. An expert driver who knows foreign roads better than Google Maps. Local Guides who make tourist traps a thing of the past. This is your team. Smart, friendly, fun, and integral to everything we do.Columba Hotel Inverness by Compass Hospitality with Breakfast and DinnerMuthu Oban Hotel with BreakfastIbis Budget Glasgow with BreakfastTravelodge PLUS Dublin City Centre with BreakfastOriel House Hotel with Breakfast and DinnerTravelodge Galway City with BreakfastHoliday Inn Express Derry - Londonderry, an IHG Hotel with Breakfast and DinnerHoliday Inn Express Belfast City, an IHG Hotel with BreakfastTravelodge PLUS Dublin City Centre with Breakfast
2 nights in Edinburgh
1 nights in Scottish Highlands
1 nights in Oban
1 nights in Glasgow
1 nights in Dublin
1 nights in Cork
2 nights in Galway
1 nights in Londonderry
1 nights in Belfast
1 nights in Dublin
Day 1: Arrive Edinburgh
Royal mile, old Castle, home of the brave, Edinburgh is going to turn it on from start to end. With days of good time ahead, go out in search of haggis, a whisky bar and join the jolly locals before meeting up with the crew tonight, in anticipation of the good times that are yet to come.
Day 2: Edinburgh
Today is yours to roam free - but if you want to get the low down on the history of this city why not join our local guide for an optional tour of Edinburgh Castle (which is resting on an extinct volcano!!) to kickstart your love affair with this city. Or maybe you'll do a spot of tartan shopping on Princes Street. Strictly for the purpose of being cultural, you should probably make time for a traditional deep fried chocolate bar during your day. The things we do for cultural immersion...
Day 3: Edinburgh To Scottish Highlands Via St Andrews
Wake from your fried chocolate food coma crazy travellers, it's time to blaze a trail out of Edinburgh & head for the Scottish Highlands.On the way to the main affair of the day we'll stop by St. Andrews, the birthplace of golf, would you believe? As well as Scotland’s oldest university town.Already blown away by the beauty of the rugged mountain scenery en route, we'll arrive in the Scottish Highlands amped up for mystical tales and a lake cruise on Loch Ness.
Day 4: Scottish Highlands To West Highlands Via Glenfinnan Viaduct
We might be coming down from a high (geographically speaking) this morning, but as we seek out the stunning Glenfinnan Viaduct, the mood will only be rising. Feast your eyes on the railway viaduct – once a calling stop for the magical Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter films and the breathtaking waters of Loch Shiel, which seems to stretch on endlessly.Before the day's out we'll set our eyes on Britain's highest mountain. Whether capped by snow or overflowing with green, it's sure to take your breath away & leave you more than content with your day's discoveries.
Day 5: West Highlands To Glasgow Via Stirling
After a few days of remote and rugged goodness, a change of pace in Scotland's biggest city is sure to fire things up a notch.We make a stop in Stirling, known for it's famous Castle nestled right on a hill, and the town where William Wallace took on the English and yelled "Freeeedom!"Get involved with everything great about Glasgow. Live music on every corner, a gothic cathedral & plenty of quirky characters make this city unique.
Day 6: Glasgow To Dublin Via Larne
Scotland, you've been unreal. If Ireland puts on half the show you did, we have many happy days ahead of us.We arrive in the port town of Larne, your first steps on Northern Irish soil, but not for long...So much more than the capital city, Dublin is a place of heritage, character, and more cute pubs than you could crawl in a week. End the day with a lively night of festivities at the cobbled lanes of Temple Bar.
Day 7: Dublin To Cork Via Kilkenny
That's us done with Dublin…for now. But fear not Dub-lovers, we'll get another taste of this fine place before our trip comes to an end.Break up your coach hangs with some bicycle time in a village sure to leave you wanting Irish in your blood. It's a castle, a cathedral & mountains of medieval charm before we hit the road again for Cork.Welcome to vibrant Cork! But not before the chance to sample some of Ireland's famous whiskey at the Jameson's Distillery in Middleton. Yum! Even when the skies are grey, Cork is covered in colour and good vibes. Stroll the River Lee or grab your first Guinness in the comfort of a pub, if you didn't get your hands on one in Dublin.
Day 8: Cork To Galway Via Blarney And Cliffs Of Moher
Hopefully you exhausted all of your cork puns yesterday, as today we are moving on, sightseeing our way to 2-nights in Galway.Irish folklore tells us there's a chunk of limestone built into a castle that grants its kissers the gift of the gab. Pucker up kids, we're paying her a visit!If heights aren't your cup of English Breakfast, you best sit this one out. Spine tingling, nail biting cliff faces are there to tremble at for those without fear.From the moment we arrive in Galway, you'll understand why 2-nights were needed here. Everything you've dreamed Ireland to be is tucked into this small, atmospheric city. Step into a local pub and down Irish stew over live music and chats with locals. Outside will be just as lively, with buskers & colourful buildings lining the streets.
Day 9: Galway
Try your tongue at some Gaelic and carry on exploring gorgeous Galway. Or, if you hear the call of the wild, you can sign yourself up to a ferry ride to Aran Islands (summer departures only) where you can dance around with horses and take a bike ride around the picturesque farms, or head up to Dún Aonghasa (the ruins of a prehistoric fortress) - make sure you take photos, this area is not for the faint-hearted! Irish life, you so sweet.
Day 10: Galway To Londonderry
Goodbye Galway, hello more Irish eye-candy. Today we continue on towards to Londonderry.Here in Londonderry, 17th century walls stand at 8 metres high speaking of times gone by when this area was in battle. Times may have changed, but we're still keen to soak up the history and learn a thing or two from our wise Local Guide.
Day 11: Londonderry To Belfast Via Giants Causeway
Laters Londonderry, we've got a one way ticket to Belfast and a whole lot more exploration to do.UNESCO World Heritage site of the Giant’s Causeway - also known as those giant rock columns you've probably drooled over on Pinterest needs to be seen to be believed. Get those hashtags ready, a snap with the group is essential on the mind-blowing natural formation.Next up - we'll arrive in Belfast. Concluding the day will be a driving tour and a trip to the Titanic museum where parts of the world's most famous ship can be seen.
Day 12: Belfast To Dublin
With one night left in Ireland and on tour, we're on the fast track to Dublin where our Irish fairytale first began.A promise is a promise. Here we are back in the city that started our Ireland infatuations. Use this second stint to do your missed critical activities such as visiting the Guinness Storehouse where you can learn how to pull a pint the Irish way.
Day 13: Depart Dublin
We leave Ireland today with leprechauns in our hearts and memories in our souls. Say goodbye at breakfast as it will be the last bite our crew has together.