Overview
The Celtic connection sails across the seas read more to Scotland with visits to castles in Inveraray, Stirling and Edinburgh, a whisky distillery and even a remote village community that supplied roof slate to thousands of houses. Along the way the scenery will astound you as you glide through lochs and glens to the capital of Edinburgh, known as “Auld Reekie” from days gone by when the city was filled with smoke from coal and wood fires. This trip will warm the cockles of your Celtic heart! PLUS, your tour includes your choice of excursions in Belfast so you can play your day your way.
9 Days
Dublin
Edinburgh
Classic
4 - 4.5 Star
Premium
5-99 Years
45
Fully Guided
GL
Itinerary
Céad mile fáilte—a hundred-thousand welcomes!
Enjoy free time upon arrival before meeting your Tour Director and travel companions at 6 pm for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)
Ireland's Capital City
The morning's orientation drive in the “Fair City” includes statue-lined O'Connell Street, elegant Georgian squares, St. Patrick's Cathedral, and Oscar Wilde's Trinity College. The afternoon is at leisure to enjoy this vibrant city. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT - CITY SIGHTS: “In Dublin's fair city where girls are so pretty” you'll also find great personality and charm. The charisma of Dubliners and the bounty of pubs here is matched only by the gorgeous Georgian Squares, 12th-century St. Patrick's Cathedral, and Trinity College.
Scones and Cities
First stop today is the pretty town of Athlone, located on the banks of the River Shannon. At Rathbaun Farm, try your hand at scone baking and learn about sheep shearing and herding from the farmer before enjoying coffee and your homemade scones. Continue to Galway, a popular seaside destination with a buzzing center of colorful shops and a busy café and bar culture. Enjoy some free time before heading to Castlebar for your overnight stay. (B/D). 206 mi / 331 kim
LOCAL FAVORITE - LOCAL TASTES: Someone's in the kitchen in Rathbaun Farm, just outside of Galway. You can don an apron and whip up your own delicious home-made scones, served with fresh preserves and whipped cream. Learn about the long-time tradition of sheep farming in this beautiful Irish landscape.
Spend your day your way in Belfast
Start your day with a stop in Bundoran before crossing into Northern Ireland. Explore Belfast with your choice of an included Globus Choice Excursion. (B) 186 mi / 300 km
- TROUBLES & TRIUMPHS - Take an inspiring journey through war and peace with a walking tour of Belfast's city center to learn the history of Northern Ireland's political conflicts, "The Troubles," Hear the personal stories, struggles, and ultimate path to peace.
- THE BEST OF BELFAST- Discover the essential Belfast on a walking tour with your expert Local Guide. Explore its beautiful architecture, stunning street are, unique heritage, and the amazing stories spanning centuries of Scottish history.
Strait to Scotland
This morning, visit the fascinating Titanic Experience and learn about the building of the largest passenger steam ship, its maiden voyage, and the tragic night of April 14, 1912. Board your ferry for the maritime port of Cairnryan on Scotland's west coast. Continue on to Glasgow, Scotland's largest city. (B) 84 mi / 135 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT - EPIC RIDE: The North Channel (also called the Irish Channel) connects northeast Ireland to the southwestern coast of Scotland. The North Channel is part of the Ocean's Seven, a set of seven long-distance open-water swims, although most who cross rely on the many ferries that run between Belfast and Cairnryan, the Scottish village with a proud maritime history, including building sections of the floating Mulberry Harbors built to support the D-Day invasion of Normandy.
Clans and Slate
Enjoy an opportunity for a photo stop on the Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond before a visit to the stunning Inveraray Castle. Continue to the pretty conservation village of Ellenabeich, a remote former slate-mining village and the largest village on the island of Seil. Oban is your overnight destination. (B/D) 130 mi / 209 km.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT - THE: CLAN'S CASTLE Inveraray Castle is the ancestral home of the Duke of Argyll, the chief of Clan Campbell, one of Scotland's most powerful and influential clans. The castle's conical roofs and turrets give it a fairy-tale appearance, while its interior features stunning rooms with opulent decorations. Located with stunning views over Loch Fyne, it's no wonder it has been used for location filming on many occasions, including the popular Downton Abbey.
Castle and Tipples
A scenic drive through the Trossachs National Park takes you to the historic city of Stirling. Explore its imposing castle, a favored residence of the Stewart kings and queens before a visit to a whisky distillery. Enjoy some free time in Edinburgh this evening. (B) 126 / 203 km
LOCAL FAVORITE - LOCAL TASTES: We'll raise a wee dram of malt whisky at a local distillery, distilling in slow Scottish style in the highlands for many years. Slàinte Mhath!
Drummers, Pipers & Precious Jewels
Morning city sightseeing with a Local Guide introduces you to the 200-year-old “New Town,” and the famous scientists, inventors, and novelists who lived there. In the “Old Town,” visit Edinburgh Castle to admire Scotland's Crown Jewels. Enjoy some free time this afternoon and evening. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT - EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO: Unpack your plaid! Edinburgh Military Tattoo performances included on select departures.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT - MUSIC & MASTERPIECES: Ascend to Castle Rock to explore Edinburgh Castle, one of the most important historical strongholds in the Kingdom of Scotland, with an 11,000-year history as “the most besieged place in Great Britain.” Here, you'll find the royal regalia and Scotland's Crown Jewels. The Castle forms the background of the spectacular Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, an extravaganza of bagpipes and drums performed en masse in August each year.
Safe travels until we meet again!
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Trip Inclusions
- Orientation drive in Dublin
- Rathbaun Farm visit with scone baking, coffee and sheep herding demonstration
- Globus Choice Excursion in Belfast – included in your tour with your choice of a walking tours
- Visit to the Titanic Experience
- Guided sightseeing in Edinburgh with visit to Edinburgh Castle and the Scottish Crown Jewels
- Admission to The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo (2026: August 1, 8, 15 and 22 departures)
- Visit to Inveraray Castle
- Visit to the village of Ellenabeich
- Visit to Stirling Castle
- Visit to a Whisky Distillery
- 8 Breakfasts, 3 Dinners
- Dublin: The Gibson (Superior First-Class):
The Gibson does sleeping, dining, imbibing, and relaxing really well. The chic restaurant and bar offers pan-Asian cuisine; or choose the sleek outdoor terrace lined with bamboo to enjoy wicked cocktails and a great choice of beers and wines. The gym and a relaxation area with outdoor baths invite you to relax after a day out in town. - Castlebar: Breaffy House Hotel (Superior First-Class):
Breaffy House Resort is located in the heart of County Mayo and is the perfect destination if you are looking for an extraordinary experience in the West of Ireland. This Resort is spread across 101 acres of Irish countryside, complete with forest trials & looped walks. The resort consists of 4* Breaffy House Hotel, The Spa Breaffy & Health Club Breaffy. Breaffy House Hotel offers traditional old world Irish charm and hospitality complimented by magnificent grounds for rambling. Retaining some of its original country house atmosphere, the house dates back to 1890 and is an excellent base for a relaxing break in the West of Ireland. - Belfast: Europa (Superior First-Class):
The world-famous Europa hotel Belfast is home to some pretty important people when they visit Belfast. It's no surprise, really, loved for its laid-back look and feel, The Causerie is perfect for lunch or dinner; the Piano Lounge serves traditional Afternoon Tea, cocktails, and hot and cold dishes; and the Lobby Bar offers a casual ambience for relaxing with a drink. Complimentary Wi-Fi access is provided throughout the hotel. - Glasgow: AC Hotel by Marriott Glasgow (Superior First-Class):
Welcome to AC Hotel by Marriott Glasgow! New 4-star hotel in the heart of Glasgow City Centre that combines heritage architecture, contemporary design and discerning service to create a seamless experience allowing you to focus, be present and connect , only a five-minute walk from Merchant City and George Square. You can relax with a drink at the bar/lounge or visit our elegant restaurant to indulge your palette with locally sourced cuisine, paired perfectly with our signature AC G&T enjoyed in our hotel bar or library for a moment of tranquility. - Oban: Oban Bay Hotel (Superior First-Class):
On the edge of Oban's picturesque esplanade in the heart of Argyll, Oban Bay Hotel is an ideal base for exploring Scotland's west coast and the Highlands. Following a multi-million pound investment the hotel and its restaurant have a fresh modern look. The remodelled spa area features a sauna, steam room, hydropool and treatments from organic Scottish skincare brand ishga. All rooms are en-suite and include a hospitality tray, Scottish toiletries and hairdryer, with front-facing rooms and the hotel's spacious sun lounge offering panoramic views of incredible sunsets over the bay. - Edinburgh: Marriott Courtyard (Superior First-Class):
Courtyard by Marriott Edinburgh is the newest edition to the Scottish capital, combining heritage and style with an innovative design and locally inspired furnishings. The hotel has a prime location, just a five-minute walk from Princes Street and Waverley Station. Spacious, modern hotel rooms include quality amenities, such as a selection of in-room entertainment, plush bedding, and a work desk. Meals are served in The Lantern Room and the lobby offers an innovative and sophisticated space for working and relaxing.
- 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. Some walking involved back to the hotel after the Edinburgh Tattoofor departures that include the Tattoo.
- We encourage all guests to prebook their preferred included Globus Choice Excursions to ensure your selection is available. If your preference is not selected 35 days prior to departure, we will select a Choice excursion on your behalf based on availability.
- Headsets available on tour except for London.
Operator
At Globus, we understand that your holiday is your treat – a gift from you to you. Let us connect you with a new world of people, places and experiences that will ignite your imagination.
Don't waste your precious time qeuing up, skip the lines with special VIP access at the must-see sites. Read more
Globus has the recipe for a great vacation. Savour the flavours of the UK & Ireland through its regional cuisine. Read more
Travel with expert Tour Directors and Local Guides who share their vast knowledge of the destination. Read more
Globus picks hotels picked on their centralised location, so you'll stay right in the heart of the destination. Read more
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Do as the locals do and enjoy unique experiences that you wouldn't find touring on your own. Read more
Trip Reviews (10)
People are lovely and the landscape perfectly green... amazing! Really enjoyed Cornwall and Dartmoor and Looe and lots lots more. One suggestion would be to spend less read more time in Stratford-upon-Avon and more time in Oxford and York.
Our group was a good mix of nationalities and personalities and the tour manager really knowledgeable, there wasn't anything he didn't explain and relate to us perfectly. Kevin our driver was very friendly and obliging and a great driver. I think we were over the coach after 20 days on it but the commentary and scenery on the way helped to make it more comfortable.
Accommodation was perfect, comfortable beds, large rooms and bathrooms and hotel meals were great. Overall a fantastic holiday.
The group was large - possibly too large at 44 for a top quality tour, so that it was difficult to get to know everyone, and to easily move around. The first coach we had was quite good, but when it went in for servicing in Ireland, the replacement had quite a noisy engine etc. which made sitting near the rear a bit 'tiring', and the next coach we got had many seats that would not recline which was annoying. We saw a huge amount of fantastic places in the 17 days, but it was extremely 'busy' (as I expected), so that the duration of 17 days was definitely a maximum to do before exhaustion set in. It was more enjoyable when we had two nights in the one spot, so that packing up was reduced (and the washing could be completed). There were a few days where we had to travel long distances, but these needed a stop at something of interest to break up the journeys rather than the uninspiring truckstops. The first of these was between York and Hadrians Wall, the second was from Pembrooke to Newport (a very boring day following the very long ferry ride), the third was from Plymouth to Stonehenge, and the fourth was from Salisbury to London.
We were lucky with the weather, and all the spots we toured/visited were very interesting and great value, and should not be missed. Perhaps the only let-down was the entertainment in Edinbrough, and the hotel there. Otherwise the accomodation and included meals were generally top value - except for the Glascow hotel where the buffet kept running out of food courses. There were so many excellent highlights of this tour it is difficult to list them all, suffice to say that none should be missed. Overall, these minor negatives were overcome by the excellent service and amazing and historic places we were guided through with some fantastic detailed commentary. The detailed tour information, patient guidance and help from Yvonne Brooks from Global Journeys was fantastic, and she made our first time overseas trip a hassle-free experience. (GJ: Review split over the two tours taken.)
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