Best of Ireland & Scotland - Classic Group
This unforgettable Ireland and Scotland guided tour offers travelers a deep dive into the heart of Gaelic culture and history. Dublin impresses with the cobbled courtyards of Trinity College and the millennia old Book of Kells. Experience centuries of rich Gaelic history as you take High-Tea at the Ardgowan Estate near Glasgow and see the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. Glencoe offers a glimpse of Britain’s highest mountain Ben Nevis ahead of a cruise on Loch Ness and the chance to seek out Scotland’s most infamous bonnie monster. Up in the highlands, enjoy a whiskey tasting at a distillery, to uncork tales of smugglers before the vacation embarks on a grand tour of the Scottish capital. Edinburgh doesn’t disappoint with the Royal Mile, home to Edinburgh Castle, Scotland’s Crown Jewels and the Scottish Parliament.
Dining Summary
- 7 Dinner (D)
- 13 Breakfast (B)
- 1 Afternoon Tea (AT)
- Blarney: Your up close and personal encounter with the lush gardens of the Blarney Castle estate is brought to life on a guided tour with a senior gardener. On your stroll enhanced by your expert’s insights, learn about the arboretum’s rare trees, mystical Druid rock formations and the Bog Garden boasting three 600-year-old yew trees.
- Blarney: It is said that those who kiss the Blarney Stone are bestowed with the power to persuade, flatter and coax. But to do so, you must dangle from the ramparts. Visit Blarney Castle and see the famous Stone of Eloquence.
- Our highly-skilled Travel Director will ensure your journey is seamless, serving as your expert guide, consummate organiser, and friend overseas.
- Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
- Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
- We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
- Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
- If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with us, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
- Dublin: Join your Travel Director for a warm and friendly dinner, an opportunity to get to know each other over a meal.
- Edinburgh: Enjoy a memorable dinner, reflecting on your journey in the company of newfound friends.
- Blarney: Your up close and personal encounter with the lush gardens of the Blarney Castle estate is brought to life on a guided tour with a senior gardener. On your stroll enhanced by your expert’s insights, learn about the arboretum’s rare trees, mystical Druid rock formations and the Bog Garden boasting three 600-year-old yew trees.
- Blarney: It is said that those who kiss the Blarney Stone are bestowed with the power to persuade, flatter and coax. But to do so, you must dangle from the ramparts. Visit Blarney Castle and see the famous Stone of Eloquence.
- Dublin: A stunning combination of cobblestone walkways, emerald-green lawns and 18th-century architectural gems, Trinity College is one of Europe’s elite universities and counts poet Oscar Wilde among its alumni. Tour the enchanting college campus with a Local Expert and discover insights into its impressive history. Enjoy access to view the famous Book of Kells, an exquisite manuscript of the four gospels of the Christian New Testament, renowned for the intricacy, detail and majesty of the illustrations.
- Kildare: Horse racing is key part of Irish culture; and you'll gain a rare insight into it on your visit to the Irish National Stud. Set in Kildare at the breeding ground of champions and the birthplace of legends, explore the foaling unit, museum and the stallions that continue to make racing history. As the only stud farm in Ireland open to the public, learn the insights of horse-racing at a site whose former visitors include queens and presidents.
- Londonderry: There's no better way to experience sightseeing than with one of Northern Ireland's best storytellers, Ronan, as he takes you on a tour inside the city walls. See the Gothic Guildhall and the Georgian houses of Shipquay Street.
- Cliffs of Moher: Towering cliffs and the dramatic sea, the Cliffs of Moher has inspired countless travelers. Visit the Exhibition Center and look out over the Wild Atlantic Way from these majestic cliffs that rise over 700 feet high. Gain insights from your Travel Director into the cliffs’ geology, history and the species that find sanctuary in its nooks and crannies.
- Ardgowan House: Join Sir Ludovic for a tour of his family home, Ardgowan Estate, and savor a traditional Scottish tea made from local ingredients. Hear more about centuries of history onthe beautiful grounds during the Make Travel Matter experience. Your visit helps support the estate, helping keep Scottish history alive. The Estate educates its visitors and the local rural community about their sustainability initiatives, reducing food waste and sourcing all ingredients locally to support the local economy. Ardgowan Estate invests in renewable projects including a wood bio mass boiler, a gas plant and wind turbines, to create a greener, more sustainable future. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 7 & 12: Affordable and Clean Energy & Responsible Consumption and Production.
- Inverness: Step into the world of Uile-bheist, where age-old whisky and beer traditions meet modern craftsmanship. Discover how folklore inspires their brews, explore the art of distillation, and savor a tasting of their signature creations. Built with sustainability at its core, Uile-bheist is one of Scotland’s lowest-carbon distilleries, aiming for net zero by 2030. Your visit supports the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 13: Climate Action.
- Dublin: See Custom House and travel along the River Liffey. See the Guinness Storehouse, Christchurch Cathedral and St. Patrick's Cathedral.
- Cork: Your Travel Director will show you the Grand Parade and South Mall, along with City Hall and the Opera House.
- Killarney: Enjoy hearing of the history of Killarney during your city orientation.
- Killarney: Explore on a horse-drawn jaunting car with local jarveys.
- Dingle Peninsula: Follow the Slea Head route, a dramatic coastal drive around the Dingle Peninsula, where sheer cliffs, secluded beaches, and ancient ruins reflect centuries of settlement. Pass prehistoric ring forts, beehive huts and Ogham stones, evidence of early Gaelic communities. Offshore, see the Blasket Islands, once home to a resilient Irish-speaking population who, facing isolation and hardship, relocated to the mainland in 1953.
- Galway: Fascinating stories and interesting locals take center stage on your orientation of the historic heart of Galway. Visit the Lynch Memorial Window. Then make your way to the Church of St. Nicholas - the largest medieval parish church in Ireland in continuous use, Spanish Arch and Eyre Square.
- Sligo Bay: Explore this scenic town during an orientation with your Travel Director.
- Giant's Causeway: Visit Northern Ireland’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site, formed by volcanic activity over 60 million years ago. Walk across thousands of interlocking basalt columns, shaped by nature and renowned for their striking geometric appearance.
- Ballygally: Explore this seaside town with your Travel Director.
- Larne: Board your ferry to cross the Irish Sea to Cairnryan.
- Glasgow: See the grand public buildings, including George Square and St. Mungo's Cathedral.
- Loch Ness: Board your cruise on a loch stretching 37 kilometers through the Great Glen Fault, created by tectonic shifts millions of years ago. Its deepest point reaches 230 m (754 ft) and visibility is near zero due to peat content, conditions that have long inspired tales of Nessie, the elusive Loch Ness Monster. Pass Aldourie Castle and hear how this natural trench fuels both hydroelectric power and global fascination.
- Fort William: Enjoy an excellent view of Ben Nevis from the World War II Commando Memorial.
- Inverness: See the River Ness, Inverness Castle and beautiful scenery as you explore the history of this Highland city.
- Inverness: Visit the site of the final Jacobite Rising, where Bonnie Prince Charlie’s forces were defeated in 1746. Walk the battlefield and learn how this short but brutal conflict changed the course of Scottish history.
- St. Andrews: Visit the university town where the famous beach scene from 'Chariots of Fire' was filmed and see the golf course where the sport was created.
- Edinburgh: A hush descends and eyes turn to the castle. The skirl of the pipes rises and drums crack the night air as a tide of tunics and tartan flood from the drawbridge. For a limited time in August, witness the incredible spectacle of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
- Edinburgh: Visit Edinburgh Castle to view the Scottish Crown Jewels, Mons Meg and other artifacts with your Local Expert.
- Edinburgh: Explore the city with your Local Expert as you travel along Princes Street to see the Scott Memorial, the neoclassical Adam facades of New Town and the official Scottish residence of the King, Palace of Holyroodhouse.
- Enjoy the comfort of the luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
- Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
- Brews and Spirits
| Additional Offers |
ID: 8911927
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ID: 8911929
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ID: 8911931
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ID: 9024245
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ID: 8911935
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ID: 8911937
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ID: 8911939
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ID: 8912054
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ID: 8912057
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ID: 8911927
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ID: 8911929
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ID: 8911931
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ID: 9024245
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ID: 8911935
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ID: 8911937
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ID: 8911939
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ID: 8911941
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ID: 8912054
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ID: 8912057
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About Brendan Vacations
In our Celtic world when we say Cead Mile Failte, every one of those one hundred thousand welcomes means something. That’s why when you travel with Brendan Vacations, you’ll experience a uniquely tailored trip that is planned, managed and personally delivered by our passionate team of Celtic Experts. With more than 55 years of experience, no one knows Ireland and Scotland quite like Brendan Vacations. We are your personal connection to our Celtic homelands.
Guided Vacations
On our Guided Vacations, we handle all the driving, organization and everything else, taking away the hassles of trip planning and igniting the wonder of travel in Ireland and Scotland. You get escorted travel, iconic sightseeing and frequent VIP access, making Guided Vacations the perfect choice for families, groups, couples or when you’re flying solo. Your Travel Director is there every step of the way, connecting you with locals and Celtic culture at every turn through exclusive activities and stays in the best hotels, castles and manors.
Private Chauffeur
Combining their navigation with your relaxation, our Private Chauffeur Vacations in Ireland and Scotland are fully customizable and include exclusive access to experiences and activities, as well as stays at incredible accommodations. Enjoy your ride at your own pace, while in the comfort of a luxurious, private car. This is the ideal way to explore the Celtic Isles, learning the history, legends and local culture that defines every stretch, bend and turn on the way.
Rail Vacations
Rail Vacations blends an independent travel style with local support. We’ll help you select your must-see cities in Ireland and Scotland, favorite accommodations and incredible experiences, and when you arrive at your destination, an expert Local Host will greet you with a treasure trove of ideas on what to do, where to eat, drink, shop and what not-to-miss.
Self-Drive
Your Celtic road trip, our Celtic expertise. If you want total independence (but still need support from the experts), look no further than a custom Self-Drive trip. With Brendan’s local connections and expertise, you get access to the best places to stay, the right activities and the top experiences that will make the road to your Self-Drive vacation in Ireland and Scotland smooth, seamless and tailored specifically for you. Just bring your driver’s license…your Celtic roadtrip starts here.
Lux Self Drive
Privacy, luxury and freedom are top of the list on our Lux Self-Drive trips in Ireland. All you need to do is pick up the keys to your pre-reserved luxury vehicle and go. Start with an existing itinerary to build on or craft a trip entirely unique to you. Our Celtic Experts will guide you and help arrange exclusive activities like private tastings, connoisseur tours, ancestry tracing, outdoor activities and more. The best part? You have complete independence to travel at your own pace.
About Brendan Vacations
In our Celtic world when we say Cead Mile Failte, every one of those one hundred thousand welcomes means something. That’s why when you travel with Brendan Vacations, you’ll experience a uniquely tailored trip that is planned, managed and personally delivered by our passionate team of Celtic Experts. With more than 55 years of experience, no one knows Ireland and Scotland quite like Brendan Vacations. We are your personal connection to our Celtic homelands.
Guided Vacations
On our Guided Vacations, we handle all the driving, organization and everything else, taking away the hassles of trip planning and igniting the wonder of travel in Ireland and Scotland. You get escorted travel, iconic sightseeing and frequent VIP access, making Guided Vacations the perfect choice for families, groups, couples or when you’re flying solo. Your Travel Director is there every step of the way, connecting you with locals and Celtic culture at every turn through exclusive activities and stays in the best hotels, castles and manors.
Private Chauffeur
Combining their navigation with your relaxation, our Private Chauffeur Vacations in Ireland and Scotland are fully customizable and include exclusive access to experiences and activities, as well as stays at incredible accommodations. Enjoy your ride at your own pace, while in the comfort of a luxurious, private car. This is the ideal way to explore the Celtic Isles, learning the history, legends and local culture that defines every stretch, bend and turn on the way.
Rail Vacations
Rail Vacations blends an independent travel style with local support. We’ll help you select your must-see cities in Ireland and Scotland, favorite accommodations and incredible experiences, and when you arrive at your destination, an expert Local Host will greet you with a treasure trove of ideas on what to do, where to eat, drink, shop and what not-to-miss.
Self-Drive
Your Celtic road trip, our Celtic expertise. If you want total independence (but still need support from the experts), look no further than a custom Self-Drive trip. With Brendan’s local connections and expertise, you get access to the best places to stay, the right activities and the top experiences that will make the road to your Self-Drive vacation in Ireland and Scotland smooth, seamless and tailored specifically for you. Just bring your driver’s license…your Celtic roadtrip starts here.
Lux Self Drive
Privacy, luxury and freedom are top of the list on our Lux Self-Drive trips in Ireland. All you need to do is pick up the keys to your pre-reserved luxury vehicle and go. Start with an existing itinerary to build on or craft a trip entirely unique to you. Our Celtic Experts will guide you and help arrange exclusive activities like private tastings, connoisseur tours, ancestry tracing, outdoor activities and more. The best part? You have complete independence to travel at your own pace.
