Active Scotland & Ireland

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. We'll get to bond over an included dinner tonight, swapping stories and talking about the adventures ahead. Stay: Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh City West (or similar)

Rise and shine - it's time for a morning hike to Arthur's Seat, a spectacular extinct volcano forming most of Holyrood Park. After, 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? 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 whisky experience this afternoon, where we'll sip single malt while locals tell us folkloric Scottish stories. The things we do for cultural immersion... (B)

It's time to blaze a trail out of Edinburgh & head for the Scottish Highlands. Already blown away the rugged mountain scenery en route, we'll arrive in the Scottish Highlands amped up for some spectacular natural beauty. We'll take a half day guided hike today in the Cairngorms, a sprawling national park that's home to Britain's most loved, endangered creatures such as red squirrels and wildcats. After soaking up all of that incredible scenery, it's time to enjoy an included dinner. (B) Stay: Loch Ness Lodge Hotel Drumnadrochit (or similar)

Departing Drumnadrochit this morning we'll get to enjoy an included cruise around the iconic Loch Ness. Don't be disappointed if you don't spot the mythical monster - the scenery more than makes up for it. Arriving in Glencoe we'll refuel with lunch before a glorious guided hike. Then we'll arrive in Oban where we'll grab dinner and settle in for the night. (B) Stay: Bay Great Western Hotel (or similar)

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 its famous Castle nestled right on a hill, and the town where William Wallace took on the English and yelled "Freeeedom! " We'll take another epic guided hike to explore the local scenery.

Get involved with everything great about Glasgow. Live music on every corner, a gothic cathedral & plenty of quirky characters make this city unique. An optional this evening could see you dining in the home of a local as they cook you regional delicacies. (B) Stay: Ibis Budget Glasgow (or similar)

Scotland, you've been unreal. If Ireland puts on half the show you did, we have many happy days ahead of us. After breakfast we're hopping on a ferry... 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. We'll kick things off with an included dinner before taking a city tour, with a lively night ahead of us on the cobbled lanes of Temple Bar. (B) Stay: Travelodge Plus Dublin City Centre (or similar)

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. We'll stop in Kilkenny with an optional bike tour in this gorgeous village, with the chance to try out some hurling, too. We'll also have a chance to go White Water Rafting or Ziplining today, if you want to spike your adrenaline.

After admiring Kilkenny's castle, cathedral & mountains of medieval charm before we hit the road again for Cork. Welcome to vibrant Cork! Even when the skies are grey, Cork is covered in colour and good vibes. Stroll the River Lee or grab a Guinness as we enjoy a local dinner in a cute pub. (B/D) Stay: Travelodge Cork Airport (or similar)

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 tea, 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. (B) Stay: Travelodge Galway City Hotel (or similar)

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! Back in Galway we'll enjoy another included dinner in a local pub (is there anything better? ) before a free evening to chill and explore the local sights. (B/D)

Goodbye Galway, hello more Irish eye-candy. Stopping in Omagh for lunch, we'll also get to meet James McCloy, a fourth-generation shepherd who demonstrates sheep farming and particularly his highly trained team of working sheepdogs. We'll visit his farm to learn about his family's rich history of traditional shepherding practices. We'll have an optional Bog Side walking tour to take - otherwise we'll just admire the 17th century walls, towering high over the city.

Tonight we'll get our bowling shoes on and try and hit some pins at a local alley. (B) Stay: Holiday Inn Express Derry (or similar)

We've got a one way ticket to Belfast and a whole lot more exploration to do. Welcome to the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Giant's Causeway - also known as those giant rock columns you've probably drooled over on Instagram. We've got plenty of time to follow the dramatic walking trails today, so pick one and get hiking.

Next up - we'll arrive in Belfast. We'll kick things off with a guided walking tour, before enjoying a free evening - maybe take a trip to the Titanic museum where parts of the world's most famous ship can be seen? (B) Stay: Holiday Inn Express Belfast City (or similar)

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. Another active optional today is kayaking on the Liffey, before heading to the Merry Ploughboys Irish music pub. (B) Stay: Travelodge Plus Dublin City Centre (or similar)

After breakfast we'll leave Ireland today with coastal beauty and pints of guinness in our hearts and memories. Say goodbye at breakfast as it will be the last bite our crew has together - until the next adventure that is. Make sure to swap details and start planning your next trip! (B)