Transport

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 Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport. Enjoy the comfort of Insight’s 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.

Others

1 Afternoon Tea (AT) Choose between two carefully selected activities Killarney: Explore the scenery of Killarney National Park on a horse-drawn jaunting car with the local jarveys. Killarney: Join a gentle hike with a nature guide in Killarney National Park and admire stunning mountains, lakes, woods and waterfalls. Stroll along the lake shore and past the impressive 15th Century Ross Castle and the famous Muckross Estate, a charming 19th Century mansion and grounds. Alternatively, enjoy a memorable ride on a horse-drawn jaunting car with the local jarveys. 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. Loch Ness: Soak up the scenery and hear intriguing tales of Nessie during a cruise on one of Scotland’s most famous lakes. 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. See the enchanting college campus 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 get a rare peek into it over 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. Giant’s Causeway: Visit the legendary Giant’s Causeway, site of wonders. At the visitor centre, learn about the efforts to protect biodiversity and ecosystems, participating in habitat restoration. The National Trust charity has been undertaking replanting activities in Innisfree Farm, adjacent to the Causeway. By sowing a field of Herbal Ley seed mixes containing up to 17 different species, they have prioritized biodiversity and quality food production leaving a low carbon footprint. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land. Ardgowan House: Join Sir Ludovic for a tour of his family home, Ardgowan Estate, and savour 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. Dublin: See Custom House and travel along the River Liffey. See the Guinness Storehouse, Christchurch Cathedral and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Blarney: It is said that those who kiss the Blarney Stone, the famous stone of eloquence, are bestowed with the power to persuade, flatter and coax. Take your turn at giving it a peck knowing that the stone was sourced from 330-million-year-old limestone. Killarney: Enjoy hearing of the history of Killarney during your city orientation. Ring of Kerry: Venture into a world of towering cliffs, lush lakelands, beaches, fields dotted with sheep, rocky coastline, remote villages and historical sites, as you journey the magical Ring of Kerry. This 111-mile circular route is the best place to admire Ireland’s scenic beauty and truly one of the most beautiful drives in the world. Galway: Fascinating stories and interesting locals take centre 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. 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. 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: At the exciting Culloden Visitor Centre, discover why the Battle of Culloden lasted only an hour yet changed the Highland way of life forever. 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 Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Edinburgh: Visit Edinburgh Castle to view the Scottish Crown Jewels, Mons Meg and other artefacts 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. Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.

Accommodation

13 nights in twin-share rooms at hand-picked hotels

Guide

From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination. Cork: Ireland’s second city - "Rebel Cork" dates back to the 7th century. Your Travel Director will show you the Grand Parade and South Mall, along with City Hall and the Opera House on an insightful orientation tour encompassing the development of the religious settlement of St. Finbarr, to Viking raiding and settlement, to the creation of the Norman city and Merchant Princes. You’ll love learning the tales and history of this port city and enjoy hearing the lilt of the Cork accent. Cliffs of Moher: Towering cliffs and the dramatic sea, the Cliffs of Moher has inspired countless travellers. Visit the Exhibition Centre 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. Sligo Bay: The area surrounding the town of Sligo was home to one of Ireland’s most famous literary figures, the poet William Butler Yeats. On your journey into town, you’ll quickly see why Yeats was inspired by the scenic beauty of the area. Explore its rich medieval history as well as its shops on an orientation with your Travel Director. Ballygally: Explore this seaside town with your Travel Director.

Hygieneprotocol

All guests travelling with Insight Vacations through December 31, 2022 are required to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19, which may include a booster shot to keep the vaccination status current and valid, depending on the travel destination. Children not eligible for vaccination and/or booster at the time of travel must provide a verifiable and negative Covid-19 test result, taken within 72 hours prior to the start of the tour (taking time zones into consideration) for all tours departing until December 31, 2022. While highly recommended, COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters are no longer required for guests traveling with us from January 1, 2023 onward. It is your client’s responsibly to comply with specific vaccine and/or booster requirements imposed by airlines and/or authorities in the destinations visited, as well as requirements for accessing restaurants and venues, which may be more restrictive than the above. No refunds will be given if they are unable to undertake some or all of their vacation due to failure to comply with these requirements.

Meals

7 Dinner (D) 13 Breakfast (B) Dublin: Join your Travel Director for a warm and friendly dinner, an opportunity to get to know each other over a meal. Scottish Highlands: Sample a ’wee dram’ and learn the fascinating process of whisky production at a local distillery. Edinburgh: An unforgettable Celebration Dinner sees you dining at the stylish Galvin Brasserie de Luxe, located in the heart of Edinburgh’s West End. Your grand finale Celebration Dinner is a mouthwatering meal of modern-Scottish cuisine with a Parisian twist, and is of course served with wine.

Not included:

Others

Other activities and services are not included

Flights

International flights are not included

Optional

Other activities and services are not included

Insurance

Insurance is not included

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Welcome To Dublin
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Welcome To Dublin

Relax at your hotel before joining your Travel Director for a warm and friendly dinner, an opportunity to get to know your fellow travellers.
Day 2 Day 2: In Dublin’S Fair City
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: In Dublin’S Fair City

An orientation with your Local Expert will take you past the Custom House and travel along the River Liffey. See the Guinness Storehouse, Christchurch Cathedral and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Enjoy entrance to the 9th century Book of Kells and a walk through the cobbled courtyards of Trinity College to gain insight into the establishment’s impressive history.
Day 3 Day 3: Kildare And Cork
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Kildare And Cork

Witness life behind the scenes of the National Stud Farm, where many legendary racehorses are bred. Then see the finest Japanese gardens in Europe, where the gardens portray the symbolism of life and trace the journey of a soul, designed by master horticulturists, Tassa and Minoru Eida. Continue on to Cork, Ireland’s second most populous city, built on the River Lee. Travel along Grand Parade to see Cork’s City Hall and Opera House.
Day 4 Day 4: Blarney Castle And Killarney Relaxed Start
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Blarney Castle And Killarney Relaxed Start

Visit the ruined 15th century Blarney Castle, home of the famous Stone of Eloquence - once kissed, never forgotten! Or enjoy a sensory walk in the extensive and varied estate gardens. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure.
Day 5 Day 5: Ring Of Kerry Experience Relaxed Start
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Ring Of Kerry Experience Relaxed Start

Explore Killarney with Insight Choice. Choose a memorable ride on a horse-drawn jaunting car with the local jarveys. Alternatively, join a gentle hike with a Local Expert along the lake shore and past the grounds of Ross Castle, admiring the incredible scenery of the National Park. While there aren’t any mountains to climb, walkers should be fit, have good walking shoes or boots, sunscreen and rain gear. Tour the superb seascapes, towering cliffs and spectacular mountains of the Ring of Kerry. Journey past lush lakelands and through delightful villages like Sneem. Cross the peat bogs of the Black Valley to Moll’s Gap and admire Queen Victoria’s Ladies View. Upon returning in the mid-afternoon, the rest of the day is at leisure.
Day 6 Day 6: The Cliffs Of Moher
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: The Cliffs Of Moher

Begin the day with a short ferry ride across the Shannon estuary. Enjoy magnificent views of the Clare coast, as you journey to the Visitors’ Centre at the 700-foot Cliffs of Moher.Continue on to your hotel, located at the heart of the Wild Atlantic Way. Join your Travel Director in Galway to see the infamous Lynch Memorial and the Church of St. Nicholas, where Christopher Columbus reputedly prayed before his discovery of America. Also see the aged Spanish Arch and Eyre Square, dedicated to the late US President, John F. Kennedy.
Day 7 Day 7: Glorious Galway To Sligo Bay Relaxed Start
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Glorious Galway To Sligo Bay Relaxed Start

Tour the wild Connemara region, a scenic wonderland of rivers, lakes and silent hills.Drive along the scenic shores of Sligo Bay.
Day 8 Day 8: Walk In The Giant’S Steps
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Walk In The Giant’S Steps

Cross into Northern Ireland to visit Londonderry. What better way to experience sightseeing than with one of Northern Ireland’s best storytellers, Ronan, as he walks with you inside the city walls, still topped with cannons. Walk down Shipquay Street, with its elegant Georgian houses, to the Gothic Guildhall. Journey to the iconic Giant’s Causeway for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. This geological masterpiece was created by the cooling of lava which burst through the earth’s crust millions of years ago. Learn how the National Trust is enabling farming and biodiversity to work together, supporting both wildlife and quality food production. Next, take a spectacular drive along the Antrim Coast to your hotel, overlooking the sea at the head of Ballygally Bay.
Day 9 Day 9: High Tea At Ardgowan Estate Relaxed Start
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: High Tea At Ardgowan Estate Relaxed Start

Cross the Irish Sea by ferry and journey to Ardgowan. Sir Ludovic Shaw Stewart welcomes you to his family castle, set on a 10,000-acre coastal estate. Explore the history of the area and learn the Shaw Stewart family’s conservation efforts to protect the land on this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, followed by delightful traditional Scottish tea and scones. Continue to Glasgow where your Travel Director will show you the city’s grand public buildings, including George Square and St. Mungo’s Cathedral.
Day 10 Day 10: Glencoe And Loch Ness
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Glencoe And Loch Ness

A scenic drive takes you along the Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond. Absorb the dramatic landscape of Glencoe, still echoing with the cries of massacred clansmen. Pause at the Commando Memorial for a view of Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis before reaching the Great Glen. Continue on to Loch Ness and embark on a cruise to soak up the scenery, historic monuments and intriguing tales of Nessie in the heart of Scotland’s great glen.
Day 11 Day 11: A Highlands Experience Relaxed Start
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: A Highlands Experience Relaxed Start

In the morning, see the sights of Inverness, before travelling to the Culloden Moor Visitor Centre, where Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Jacobite army was finally defeated. Then have a ’wee dram’ during a visit to a local distillery, hear stories of the whisky smugglers as you delve into the fascinating world of the single malt.
Day 12 Day 12: St. Andrews And Edinburgh
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 12: St. Andrews And Edinburgh

A scenic drive takes you through the Grampian Mountains past the Duke of Atholl’s Blair Castle. Drive down and cross the Tay to visit St. Andrews. As you arrive, pass the Old Course, the home of golf since its invention in the 15th century. Enjoy free time to explore. Why not wander to St. Andrews University where the love story of Kate Middleton and Prince William began? Alternately, stroll to West Sands Beach where the famous ’Chariots of Fire’ scene was filmed. Continue across the majestic Forth Road Bridge to the Scottish capital, Edinburgh. In the evening, select departures attend The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
Day 13 Day 13: Scotland’S Capital Of Culture
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 13: Scotland’S Capital Of Culture

In the morning, join a Local Expert to see the highlights of the city. Drive along Princes Street to the ornate Scott Memorial, then see the 18th century New Town with its neoclassical Georgian facades. In the Old Town see the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official Scottish residence of the King. Venture up the Royal Mile to visit Edinburgh Castle, home of Mons Meg and Scotland’s Crown Jewels, the Honours of Scotland. In the afternoon, you are at leisure to continue exploring as you wish, or perhaps go shopping. Join your friends in the heart of Edinburgh at a Celebration Dinner of modern Scottish cuisine served with wine.
Day 14 Day 14: Farewell Edinburgh
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 14: Farewell Edinburgh

Your journey comes to an end after breakfast with transfers arriving at Edinburgh airport.

+11

14 days tour

Best Of Ireland & Scotland (Small Groups, 14 Days)

This tour includes:

Not included:

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Itinerary of your trip Best Of Ireland & Scotland (Small Groups, 14 Days)

Day 1: Welcome To Dublin

Day 2: In Dublin’S Fair City

Day 3: Kildare And Cork

Day 4: Blarney Castle And Killarney Relaxed Start

Day 5: Ring Of Kerry Experience Relaxed Start

Day 6: The Cliffs Of Moher

Day 7: Glorious Galway To Sligo Bay Relaxed Start

Day 8: Walk In The Giant’S Steps

Day 9: High Tea At Ardgowan Estate Relaxed Start

Day 10: Glencoe And Loch Ness

Day 11: A Highlands Experience Relaxed Start

Day 12: St. Andrews And Edinburgh

Day 13: Scotland’S Capital Of Culture

Day 14: Farewell Edinburgh

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