Explore the Celtic heritage and hospitality of Ireland and Scotland on this grand adventure through beautiful landscapes and enchanting cities. Our first day sees us delve into the whimsy of the Irish capital, before joining our fellow travellers and Travel Director for a Welcome Reception.
Drive through the streets of Dublin, joining your Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour past the stately Georgian Squares and St. Patrick's Cathedral, the tallest church in Ireland. Enjoy a leisurely day exploring the city. Stop for a pint of 'the Black Stuff' in Temple Bar, admire the colourful performers on Grafton Street or consider joining an Optional Experience this evening to tap your feet to the lively sounds of Irish music at an Irish cabaret.
Dive Into Culture and gain insights into Ireland’s strong tradition of breeding world-class thoroughbreds at the Irish National Stud in Kildare. Enjoy a guided walk admiring the powerful steeds that have made racing history and stroll around the tranquil Japanese gardens. We travel to the House of Waterford Crystal this afternoon and Dive Into Culture yet again to witness this delicate craft, watching talented master craftsmen at work in their workshop.
Travel to Cork and bend over backwards to kiss the Blarney Stone and acquire the 'gift of the gab' before crossing the Kerry Mountains to County Kerry. We journey to 1930s Ireland this evening for an unforgettable experience, visiting the working farms of Muckross, where we'll learn about traditional farming and meet the families who ply the land. Your visit will help to preserve the heritage of rural Ireland and you’ll Connect With Locals, savouring delicious local flavours during your Be My Guest visit to the Quilles Farmhouse against the scenic backdrop of the lakes of Killarney.
The astounding beauty of Iveragh Peninsula accompanies us on this soul-stirring coastal journey around the Ring of Kerry – a dramatic landscape of mountains, loughs and lakes which have inspired writers and poets for centuries. See Daniel O'Connell's Cahirciveen, the fishing village of Waterville, the Black Valley and Moll's Gap with the Macgillycuddy's Reeks peaks in the distance.
Drive to Adare, one of Ireland's prettiest villages, known for its thatched cottages. The imposing stone cathedral, built on the site of an old prison and Eyre Square on our next stop in Galway, where we'll enjoy some free time to explore the city before continuing our journey northward. This evening we dine in our hotel.
Head north to Donegal with its 'Diamond' centre before joining a Local Specialist in Londonderry to stroll along its 17th-century walls. See the 'Troubles' neighbourhood of Bogside, with its murals depicting the battles of that time.
Tread in the footsteps of Finn McCool and along the other-worldly Giant's Causeway 'steps' that descend into the sea during your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Your visit will help to conserve this iconic landmark. We arrive in Belfast later and visit the Titanic Belfast Experience where we’ll Dive Into Culture and gain insights into the tragic story of the famous ship that met its end in the Atlantic. The rest of the evening is yours to enjoy the vibrant nightlife of the capital of Northern Ireland.
Join your Local Specialist in Belfast this morning for an included city tour which will take you to Queen's University and the Baroque Revival-style City Hall. We board our ferry in Belfast and cross to Cairnryan in Scotland, driving through the Ayrshire countryside bound for Glasgow, our home for the next two nights.
Delve into Scotland’s intriguing cultural capital and stroll through the town to admire views of George Square and the River Clyde, once the heart of Scotland's shipbuilding industry. We head to whisky country next, visiting a whisky distillery where we’ll Dive Into Culture and learn how to make Scotland's favourite honey-coloured drink with a chance to sample a wee dram. We return to Glasgow for some free time to explore the city.
Journey along the famous bonnie banks of Loch Lomond to the tragic site of the 1692 massacre of the MacDonalds at the 'Glen of Weeping'. Continue to Fort William at the foot of Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis. Then, cross to the Isle of Skye, where we'll spend this evening dining in our hotel.
We leave the rugged beauty of Skye behind and venture to the site where three lochs meet. View Eilean Donan Castle before travelling along the banks of Loch Ness in search of the elusive monster that bears its name. The bloody battlefield of Culloden is our next stop, where we spend a poignant moment reflecting on the many men who lost their lives in the brief but brutal battle between the Redcoats and Bonnie Prince Charlie's Jacobites. This evening we spend the evening dining at our hotel in the Scottish Highlands.
Traversing the dramatic landscapes of the Scottish Highlands, we pass Pitlochry before arriving in St. Andrews to see its famous golf course on which golfing greats have clamoured to play for centuries. We cross the scenic Firth of Forth to enchanting Edinburgh, our home for the next two nights. Tickets to see the spectacular Edinburgh Tattoo are included on departures that coincide with performance dates.
Join your Local Specialist for a guided sightseeing tour which includes a visit to Edinburgh Castle, surveying the city from imposing Castle Rock. See the Royal Mile, the elegant Palace of Holyrood in the shadow of Arthur's Seat, and the new Scottish Parliament building. As our memorable holiday comes to an end, we join our Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Farewell Dinner to reminisce over shared experiences.
For now it’s time to say a fond farewell to Scotland and our newfound friends, at the end of an unforgettable Celtic sojourn. Find out more about your free airport transfer at trafalgar.com/freetransfers.
Prices shown are per person based on two people sharing a twin room. To request a personalized travel quote, click "Request Quote" and a Travel Specialist will send your custom quote including airfare if requested.
Optional Experiences are subject to change. Your Travel Director will supply you with a final list of Optional Experiences available on your trip. Optional Experiences cannot be booked online; they can be purchased during your trip through your Travel Director.
Available on Day 2
Enjoy an evening of fine food and fun as Ireland’s history unfolds with comedy, song and dance. You’ll be tapping your toes and joining in the show, all in the spirit of Irish humor. And you’ll even be served an Irish coffee to round off your dinner.
Adult Price: € 72
Enjoy a visit to one of the most important monastic sites in Europe, which dates back to the 6th century. Your Local Specialist will tell tales and show you around this sacred area, famous for its tranquil beauty amidst the rolling countryside of County Wicklow, the garden of Ireland.
Adult Price: € 25
Available on Day 3
Join a magical entertainment experience, where you'll get the chance to see Irish hospitality in the best folk tradition. Enjoy a drink while locals sing and play music for you.
Adult Price: € 29
Join us in Waterford, where the history dates back as far as the Vikings. Your Local Specialist will bring the historic area to life through stories and anecdotes; one guest even described the trip as the "best history lesson ever." Afterward, we stop off for a drink in one of the area's oldest pubs for a pint or drink of your choice.
Adult Price: € 24
Available on Day 4
Come with us to Muckross House and its beautiful gardens. With a backdrop of oak-clad mountains, enjoy taking in the towering azaleas and rhododendrons, alongside the shores of the lake. The 19th-century house contains some wonderful examples of furniture and paintings, including a portrait of King James VI, for whom Shakespeare wrote Macbeth.
Adult Price: € 21
Available on Day 5
A tour de force of traditional Irish song, music and dance, Gaelic Roots showcases Ireland at its best. Using traditional instruments, Irish dance and time-honored folk songs, this energetic show will have you tapping your feet and singing along in no time.
Adult Price: € 34
Enjoy a traditional pony and trap ride through the beautiful Bourn-Vincent National Park. During your journey, your Local Specialist will share fascinating anecdotes about the area and Ireland.
Adult Price: € 22
Available on Day 7
Join us and the rest of the group for a cozy and relaxing evening of dinner and a drink in a locally-loved restaurant.
Adult Price: £42
Available on Day 8
What better way to soak up the atmosphere of this lively city than to join a Local Specialist for a stroll through its hidden side streets? We'll have an included drink in a historic pub and continue to a local restaurant for a quintessentially traditional meal: fish and chips.
Adult Price: £41
Available on Day 10
See Stirling Castle and the Wallace Memorial by night. A truly wonderful experience, you'll be piped in to your evening meal in the historic Scottish city and enjoy an evening of Scottish delights.
Adult Price: £44
Available on Day 11
Discover the wild beauty of the 'Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond.' As we cruise across the loch, the skipper will share stories of the area and point out Rob Roy's cave as you relax and savor the stunning scenery.
Adult Price: £17
Available on Day 11
An opportunity to travel around the Isle of Skye with your Local Specialist. You’ll hear about the way of life on this remote inner Hebridean Island and discover its dramatic scenery and rock formations.
Adult Price: £15
Available on Day 12
Visit a real Highland sheep farm and meet Neil the Shepherd and his border collies. He’ll show you how he uses different whistles to command each dog to carry out different tasks. You’ll also have the opportunity to try your hand at feeding the lambs and discover his training techniques. Weather permitting.
Adult Price: £15
Available on Day 13
Set in its own grounds against a backdrop of glorious scenery, we'll discover the ancient home of the Dukes of Atholl, home to Europe's last remaining private army. Unique amongst Scottish castles, Blair has hosted royalty from Mary, Queen of Scots to Queen Victoria.
Adult Price: £20
Available on Day 13
Enjoy a scenic drive to the ancient village of Torphichen, associated with Scottish kings and Knights Templar. At the Torphichen Inn, your arrival will be toasted by our gracious host before enjoying an excellent dinner of local specialties and entertainment.
Adult Price: £56
Tonight is your chance to put on that tartan and join us for an evening of singing, dancing and bagpipe playing at an internationally famous venue. You’ll enjoy Scottish food and wine, join in the singing and watch a Highland dance or two. There's even a chance to sample Scotland’s national dish – haggis.
Adult Price: £62
Available on Day 14
We’ll drive out of Edinburgh to the tiny village of Rosslyn, where we’ll hear the inside story of the famous Rosslyn Chapel from a Local Specialist. One of Scotland's most unusual 15th-century buildings, Rossyln is famed for its associations with the Knights Templar, the Masonic movement, and now 'The Da Vinci Code.'
Adult Price: £22