Overview
On your way to Killarney, stop for spectacular photo opportunities along the Ring of Kerry. You’ll travel to the breathtaking Cliffs of Moher, and the cosmopolitan seaside city of Galway. Drive along Donegal Bay, with its small fishing ports and hidden beaches, to Derry. Continue to the north coast’s awe-inspiring Giant’s Causeway—40,000 interlocking basalt columns that were formed by volcanic eruptions some 60 million years ago. An amazing sight!
Next, to Belfast, where the Titanic was built. You’ll board a ferry for an Irish Sea crossing to Cairnryan, then on to Glasgow. Your budget-minded travel through Ireland and Scotland delves into the lush and rugged country of Scotland with magical scenes such as the “Bonnie Banks” of Loch Lomond, wild landscapes of Rannoch Moor, Loch Ness, and Scotland’s famed whisky region.
From the spectacular Cairngorms National Park to the beautiful Victorian resort of Pitlochry, and the home of golf, St. Andrews, you’ll cross the elegant Forth Road Bridge to Edinburgh for royal Scottish history in the home of historic scientists, inventors, and novelists. Your value-minded tour of Ireland and Scotland is chock-full of priceless experiences, sights, and memories brave and true!
12 Days
Dublin
Edinburgh
Classic
3 - 3.5 Star
Affordable
5-99 Years
47
Fully Guided
9030
Itinerary
Check into your hotel. In the afternoon, there's time to rest or discover the vibrant Irish capital. Why not end the day with an optional dinner evening at the legendary Taylors Irish Cabaret? Enjoy a bit of craic (conversation) with this popular optional outing featuring a delicious dinner, drinks, and outstanding Irish music, dance, and comedy.
Meet your Tour Director and traveling companions to start your day in the “Fair City” with an orientation drive along statue-lined O'Connell Street; elegant Georgian squares with their tall red brick townhouses, multi-hued doors, and wrought-iron decorated windows; Oscar Wilde's Trinity College; and St. Patrick's Cathedral.
The afternoon is free for you to explore at your leisure. Toast Ireland with an optional excursion to learn about the history, traditions, and brewing techniques behind one of the world's most popular beers on this fascinating tour, tasting and dinner at Dublin's legendary Guinness Storehouse. (B)
Kilkenny, with its medieval cobblestone streets and Old-World charm, is your first destination today. There is time to stroll through pretty lanes with vibrantly painted houses and enjoy a morning coffee.
Continue on to Waterford, famous for its exquisite crystal, before arriving at the seaside resort of Tramore. Enjoy a bit of craic (conversation) with an early evening optional of authentic Irish local flavor. Take a scenic drive to a traditional pub with a local musician ready to entertain you and give you wonderful memories of this beautiful country. Two drinks of your choice are included. Today's Distance: 128 mi/ 205 km (B/D)
The first of today's highlights is Blarney, famous for its Stone of Eloquence, with time at leisure to see the castle and shop for Irish handicrafts and handmade crystal. At Kenmare, join part of the Ring of Kerry, and stop for spectacular photos of the Lakes of Killarney from Ladies View before arriving in the popular resort town of Killarney. Today's Distance: 165 mi/ 265 km (B)
In Killarney this morning, there is time for an optional horse-drawn jaunting car ride along the National Park lakeshore for pictures of Ross Castle. Then to Adare, renowned as one of Ireland's prettiest towns. Its main street is punctuated with beautiful stone buildings and thatched cottages, medieval monasteries, ruins, and a picturesque village park. Go medieval with an original Irish castle medieval banquet optional. Enjoy a 4-course feast with wine, then relax as your medieval hosts dazzle you with unforgettable music and storytelling. Today's Distance: 58 mi/ 92 km (B)
Breathtaking scenery awaits you today. Start with a visit to the spectacular 668-foot Cliffs of Moher and fantastic views over the Atlantic and Clare coast. Then, cross the limestone plateau of The Burren and stop in Galway, a popular seaside destination and a buzzing cosmopolitan district with vibrant shops, and a busy café and bar culture. Your destination for tonight is Sligo. Today's Distance: 194 mi/ 309 km (B/D)
Drive along Donegal Bay with its small fishing ports and hidden beaches to Derry, the walled city on the banks of the Foyle River. Continue on to awe-inspiring Giant's Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hear how millions of years ago, the more than 40,000 interlocking basalt columns were formed. Overnight in the vibrant city of Belfast, where the Titanic was built. Today's Distance: 197 mi/ 317 km (B)
Enjoy a leisurely morning in the capital city of Northern Ireland before boarding the ferry for the Irish Sea crossing to Cairnryan. On your way to Glasgow, stop in Alloway, the birthplace of Scottish poet Robert Burns. Today's Distance: 87 mi/ 140 km (B)
Follow the “Bonnie Banks” of Loch Lomond, and proceed via wild Rannoch Moor, Glen Coe, Fort William, beneath Ben Nevis and Fort Augustus. In the afternoon, look out for signs of the mysterious Loch Ness monster, on the way to Culloden Moor where the Jacobite Rising, with Bonnie Prince Charlie at its helm, came to a tragic end at the hands of the Hanoverians. Today's Distance: 202 mi/ 325 km (B/D)
Travel through the spectacular Cairngorms National Park to Pitlochry, the Victorian mountain resort set amid beautiful scenery. Then, head to St. Andrews, whose Royal and Ancient Golf Club has given us the rules of golfing. Finally, cross the elegant Forth Road Bridge to Edinburgh. Our optional suggestion for this evening - no trip to Scotland is complete without an authentic Scottish evening filled with traditional food, drinks, singers, dancers, bagpipes, and, of course, the unforgettable Ceremony of the Haggis! Today's Distance: 176 mi/ 284 km (B)
A full day to enjoy the Scottish capital. Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide introduces you to the 200-year-old “New Town,” home to famous scientists, inventors, and novelists. In the “Old Town,” visit Edinburgh Castle to admire Scotland's Crown Jewels.
Afternoon at leisure. Join an optional excursion this afternoon and get the royal treatment! Discover what life was like on board Queen Elizabeth II's floating residence during an exciting visit to the Royal Yacht Britannia, followed by dinner with wine at an excellent local restaurant! For select departures, tickets are included for tonight's performance of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. (B)
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Trip Inclusions
- Orientation drive in Dublin
- Scenic drives across the Ring of Kerry and through the Cairngorms National Park
- Admission to the Cliffs of Moher
- Visit to the seaside resort of Galway
- Admission to the Giant's Causeway
- Visit to St. Andrews, the home of golf
- Guided city sightseeing tour of Edinburgh with admission to Edinburgh Castle and Scotland's Crown Jewels.
- Admission to The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo performance (2026: July 31; August 1,2, 7, 8, 9, 14 15 and 16 departures)
- The world is within reach with everything you need for perfectly affordable touring. Cosmos includes hand-selected accommodations, guided sightseeing, and seamless transportation between destinations—with value-minded travel lovers in mind. Explore with expert Cosmos Tour Directors and Local Guides, complimentary headsets, and private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi.
- Full English breakfast daily, 3 Dinners
- Dublin: Clayton Leopardstown (First-Class)
- Dublin: The Bonnington Dublin Hotel (First-Class)
- Tramore: Majestic Hotel (First-Class)
- Killarney: Killarney Court Hotel (First-Class)
- Adare: Woodlands House Hotel & Spa (Superior First-Class)
- Adare: Greenhills Hotel (First-Class)
- Sligo: Southern Hotel Sligo (First-Class)
- Belfast: Leonardo Hotel Belfast (First-Class)
- Belfast: AC Hotel Belfast (First-Class)
- Glasgow: Moxy Glasgow Merchant City (First-Class)
- Highlands: MacDonald Aviemore Resort (First-Class)
- Edinburgh: Leonardo Hotel Edinburgh Murrayfield (First-Class)
- Edinburgh: Novotel Edinburgh Park (First-Class)
- Airport transfers at your arrival and departure destination are not included in the price of the tour.
- Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
- This tour requires some uphill walking on rough terrain at Edinburgh Castle which may pose a challenge to guests with physical limitations or reliant on mobility devices such as wheelchairs.
Operator
Enjoy inside visits to the UK's must-see sites with a great mix of included excursions, free time and affordable value. Read more
Cosmos build free time into every one of their vacations, so you can eat, shop, and explore the way you want. Read more
Cosmos' easy going, fun-filled and multilingual Tour Directors and Local Guides love exploring as much as you do. Read more
Trip Reviews (5)
Thanks 😀
The only downside is I don't like our tour guide Kathryn Dolan because she accused me of taking one token (1 pound) from her for the bus ride(at Giant of the Causeway), which I didn't because I was waiting for her to buy the return tickets for me. For this incident she didn't apologize to me. More than 19 people from our group were on the bus. They must have all heard the conversation. I think I have travelled more than 15 tours with Cosmos. I think this is the last tour with Cosmos. She is the second tour guide that I didn't give her tips to in my more than 15 years of travel time. Her 1 pound mistake made her lose 72 pounds tips from me and I wonder how many of my tour mates will give her tips and I purposely gave the tips to the driver in front of her face, and she didn't give me the after tour feedback form that I normally get. (GJ: Ouch!)
The itinerary for Ireland was great, really felt like we got to see the country, and I highly recommend the optional excursions there. Even though it was misty when we went to visit the Cliffs of Moher, we were lucky with the weather through the Ring of Kerry. Scotland felt a bit more rushed, and I think one extra night in the country would have been ideal. The Highlands were a real highlight. Accommodation overall was what you would expect. Standard 3 stars and included meals to match. There was only two places in Scotland that were subpar, particularly the one in Glasgow that was so removed from the city, that it did not feel like a Glasgow stop. Recommend the tour if you're limited for time and want to feel like you've seen Ireland and Scotland. Overall, would absolutely tour with Cosmos again. Global Journeys made the booking very smooth.
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Cosmos Worldwide (2025-26)
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A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Inquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Cosmos. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
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