Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival
You'll arrive at your hotel and have time to settle in before meeting your Travel Director and the other travelers at a warm welcome dinner. This is your first evening to get oriented and connect with the group.
- Meals
- Dinner (Warm and friendly dinner with Travel Director and fellow travelers)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Clayton Charlemont, Dublin)
Included Activities
- Welcome dinner with Travel Director and fellow travelers
- Day 2
Dublin
A Local Expert guides you through Dublin's landmarks along the River Liffey, showing you the Guinness Storehouse and historic cathedrals. You'll see Trinity College's Book of Kells and walk through the cobbled courtyards. The morning and afternoon let you soak in the city's character at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Clayton Charlemont, Dublin)
Included Activities
- Orientation with Local Expert past Custom House and along River Liffey
- See Guinness Storehouse, Christchurch Cathedral and St. Patrick's Cathedral
- Entrance to Book of Kells (9th-century)
- Walking tour of Trinity College courtyards
Landmarks Custom House River Liffey Guinness Storehouse Christchurch Cathedral St. Patrick's Cathedral Book of Kells Trinity College - Day 3
Cork
You'll head to the National Stud Farm to see legendary racehorses, then check out the Japanese gardens that represent a soul's journey. From there it's on to Cork, Ireland's second city, where you get an orientation along the River Lee before settling in for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (The Kingsley, Cork, Maldron South Mall, Cork)
Included Activities
- Visit National Stud Farm
- Japanese gardens tour
- Cork city orientation including Grand Parade, City Hall and Opera House
Landmarks National Stud Farm Japanese Gardens Cork City Hall Cork Opera House Grand Parade River Lee 
- Day 4
Blarney Castle
This is a Brendan Choice day, so you pick what appeals to you. Climb Blarney Castle's medieval tower and kiss the famous Blarney Stone, or explore the 1,500-acre estate with its themed gardens and distinctive features. Either way, you're looking at a full day in the Cork area.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Skellig Hotel, Dingle)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Blarney Castle estate gardens with senior gardener
- Option 1: Climb tower and kiss the Blarney Stone
- Option 2: Explore Wishing Steps, Witch's Kitchen and themed gardens including Water Garden and Fern Garden
Landmarks Blarney Castle Blarney Stone 
- Day 5
Dingle Peninsula
After a relaxed morning, you'll head to the Dingle Peninsula. The scenic Slea Head route takes you past dramatic cliffs, ancient stone huts, and views of the Blasket Islands. You'll learn about this Irish-speaking region's Christian heritage as you drive through one of Ireland's most remote areas.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Skellig Hotel, Dingle)
Included Activities
- Drive Slea Head route around Dingle Peninsula
- Pass rugged cliffs, ancient stone huts and prehistoric ring forts
- Views of Blasket Islands
- Learn about early Christian heritage and Irish-speaking culture
Landmarks Dingle Peninsula Slea Head Blasket Islands 
- Day 6
Cliffs of Moher - Galway
A ferry crossing over the Shannon Estuary gives you magnificent views of the Clare coast. You'll visit the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre, then continue to Galway where your Travel Director shows you the Lynch Memorial, Church of St. Nicholas, Spanish Arch, and Eyre Square during an orientation walk.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Connemara Coast, Galway)
Included Activities
- Ferry ride across Shannon Estuary
- Visit Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre
- City orientation in Galway including Lynch Memorial, Church of St. Nicholas, Spanish Arch and Eyre Square
Landmarks Shannon Estuary Cliffs of Moher Lynch Memorial Church of St. Nicholas Spanish Arch Eyre Square 
- Day 7
Sligo
Leaving Galway, you venture into Connemara, a region with rivers, lakes, and silent hills. The drive takes you along the scenic shores of Sligo Bay before you reach your hotel. Dinner features local specialties, giving you a taste of the area's food.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Local specialties)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Clayton, Sligo), Hotel (Clayton Hotel, Sligo)
Included Activities
- Tour of Connemara region
- Scenic drive along Sligo Bay shores
Landmarks Connemara Sligo Bay - Day 8
Londonderry - Giant's Causeway - Ballygally
You'll cross into Northern Ireland for a walking tour of Londonderry with storyteller Ronan, exploring the 17th-century city walls and Georgian architecture. After that, you head to the Giant's Causeway with its 40,000 basalt columns, then continue along the Antrim Coast to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ballygally Castle, Co. Antrim)
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Londonderry with storyteller Ronan
- Explore 17th-century city walls and cannons
- Shipquay Street with Georgian townhouses
- Gothic Guildhall
- Visit Giant's Causeway UNESCO site with basalt columns
- Scenic drive along Antrim Coast
Landmarks Londonderry Guildhall Shipquay Street Giant's Causeway Antrim Coast Ballygally Bay - Day 9
Irish Sea Ferry
A ferry takes you across the Irish Sea from Ballygally to Scotland. On clear days you might spot Ailsa Craig rising from the water. You'll then head to Glasgow, a city known for its 19th-century shipyards and distinctive architecture.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Radisson Blu, Glasgow)
Included Activities
- Ferry crossing across Irish Sea
- Travel to Glasgow
Landmarks Ailsa Craig Glasgow - Day 10
Loch Lomond - Glencoe - Loch Ness
You'll drive along Loch Lomond's scenic banks and through dramatic Glencoe. A pause at the Commando Memorial offers views of Ben Nevis, and then you take a cruise on Loch Ness to experience Scotland's famous glen and its intriguing legends.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Kingsmills, Inverness)
Included Activities
- Scenic drive along Loch Lomond
- Drive through Glencoe
- Stop at Commando Memorial with views of Ben Nevis
- Cruise on Loch Ness
Landmarks Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond Glencoe Commando Memorial Ben Nevis Loch Ness 
- Day 11
Culloden Moor - Uile-bheist Distillery
Inverness in the morning comes first, where you explore the city briefly. Then it's to Culloden Moor Visitor Center to learn about the Jacobite Rising. Later you'll experience a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER activity at Uile-bheist distillery, blending traditional whisky techniques with modern sustainability, and taste their signature creations.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Kingsmills, Inverness)
Included Activities
- Sightseeing in Inverness including River Ness, Inverness Castle and scenery
- Visit Culloden Moor Visitor Center and battlefield
- MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience at Uile-bheist distillery
- Whisky and beer tasting at Uile-bheist
- Learn about distillery traditions and craft
Landmarks Inverness Castle River Ness Culloden Moor - Day 12
Grampian Mountains - St. Andrews - Edinburgh
You'll drive through the Grampian Mountains past Blair Castle, then arrive in St. Andrews. See the historic Old Course and spend your leisure time wandering St. Andrews University or West Sands Beach where 'Chariots of Fire' was filmed. By evening you cross the Forth Road Bridge to Edinburgh, and selected departures may attend The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa, Edinburgh)
Included Activities
- Scenic drive through Grampian Mountains
- Visit St. Andrews and Old Course
- Free time in St. Andrews
- Cross Forth Road Bridge to Edinburgh
Optional Activities
- The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo (select departures)
Landmarks Blair Castle St. Andrews Old Course St. Andrews University West Sands Beach Forth Road Bridge 
- Day 13
Edinburgh
A Local Expert leads you through Edinburgh's major sites, driving along Princes Street to the Scott Memorial and exploring the neoclassical New Town. You'll visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse and climb the Royal Mile to Edinburgh Castle to see Mons Meg and Scotland's Crown Jewels. The afternoon is yours for shopping or further exploration, and dinner features modern Scottish cuisine.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Modern Scottish cuisine served with wine, celebration dinner reflecting on journey with newfound friends)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa, Edinburgh)
Included Activities
- Guided tour with Local Expert
- Drive along Princes Street to Scott Memorial
- Tour of 18th-century New Town with Georgian facades
- Visit Palace of Holyroodhouse
- Climb Royal Mile to Edinburgh Castle
- View Edinburgh Castle and Scotland's Crown Jewels (Honours of Scotland)
- View Mons Meg
- Celebration Dinner of modern Scottish cuisine with wine
Optional Activities
- Shopping in Edinburgh
- Further exploration of city during afternoon leisure time
Landmarks Princes Street Scott Memorial New Town Palace of Holyroodhouse Royal Mile Edinburgh Castle - Day 14
Departure
Your 14-day journey concludes with breakfast at the hotel. From there you'll transfer to Edinburgh airport for your departure, bringing an end to your trip through Ireland and Scotland.
- Meals
- Breakfast
