Best of Ireland and Scotland

Explore the Celtic heritage and hospitality of Ireland and Scotland on this grand adventure through beautiful landscapes and enchanting cities. Your first day sees you delve into the Irish capital, before joining your fellow travellers and Travel Director for dinner. (D) Stay: Clayton Ballsbridge, Maldron Croke Park, Dublin

Drive through the streets of Dublin, joining your Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour past the stately Georgian Squares and St. Patrick's Cathedral, the tallest church in Ireland. Enjoy a leisurely day exploring the city. Stop for a pint of 'the Black Stuff' in Temple Bar, admire the colourful performers on Grafton Street or consider joining an Optional Experience this evening to tap your feet to the lively sounds of Irish music at an Irish cabaret. (B)

Dive Into Culture and gain insights into Ireland's strong tradition of breeding world-class thoroughbreds at the Irish National Stud in Kildare. Enjoy a guided walk admiring the powerful steeds that have made racing history and stroll around the tranquil Japanese gardens. Travel to the House of Waterford Crystal this afternoon and Dive Into Culture yet again to witness this delicate craft, watching talented master crafters at work in their workshop. (B) Stay: Fitzwilton

Bend over backwards and kiss the Blarney Stone and acquire the 'gift of the gab' before crossing the Kerry Mountains to Killarney. Tonight, why not join an Optional Experience for some lively entertainment. (B) Stay: Killarney

The astounding beauty of the Iveragh Peninsula accompanies you on this soul-stirring coastal journey around the Ring of Kerry – a dramatic landscape of mountains, loughs and lakes which have inspired writers and poets for centuries. See Daniel O'Connell's Cahirciveen, the fishing village of Waterville, the Black Valley and Moll's Gap with the Macgillycuddy's Reeks peaks in the distance.

Journey to 1930s Ireland this evening for an unforgettable experience, visiting the working farms of Muckross, where you'll learn about traditional farming and meet the families who ply the land. Your visit will help to preserve the heritage of rural Ireland and you'll Connect With Locals, savouring delicious local flavours during your Be My Guest visit to the Quilles Farmhouse against the scenic backdrop of the lakes of Killarney. (B/D)

Drive to Adare, one of Ireland's prettiest villages, known for its thatched cottages. See the imposing stone cathedral, built on the site of an old prison and Eyre Square on your next stop in Galway, where you'll enjoy some free time to explore the city before continuing your journey northward. This evening, dine in your hotel. (B/D) Stay: Great National Ballina

Head north to Donegal with its 'Diamond' centre before joining a Local Specialist in Derry/Londonderry to stroll along its 17th-century walls. See the neighbourhood of the Bogside, known for its murals that depict events of the 'Troubles' like the Battle of the Bogside, which sparked the conflict. (B) Stay: City Hotel Derry

Tread in the footsteps of Finn McCool along the otherworldly Giant's Causeway 'steps' that descend into the sea. Later, arrive in Belfast later and visit the Titanic Belfast Experience where you'll Dive into Culture and gain insights into the tragic story of the famous ship that met its end in the Atlantic. The rest of the evening is yours to enjoy the vibrant nightlife of the capital of Northern Ireland. (B) Stay: AC by Marriott Belfast, Stormont

Join your Local Specialist in Belfast this morning for an included city tour of the Big Fish at Donegall Quay, the Titanic Quarter, the Samson and Goliath cranes and City Hall. Board your ferry in Belfast and cross to Cairnryan in Scotland, driving through the Ayrshire countryside bound for Glasgow, your home for the next two nights. (B) Stay: Hilton Garden Inn City Centre, Maldron

Delve into Scotland's intriguing cultural capital and stroll through the town to admire views of George Square and the River Clyde, once the heart of Scotland's shipbuilding industry. You'll head to a whisky distillery next where you'll Dive Into Culture and learn how to make Scotland's favourite honey-coloured drink with a chance to sample a wee dram. You'll then have some free time to explore the city. (B)

Journey along the famous bonnie banks of Loch Lomond to the tragic site of the 1692 massacre of the MacDonalds at the 'Glen of Weeping'. Continue to Fort William at the foot of Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis. Then, cross to the Isle of Skye, where you'll spend this evening dining in your hotel. (B/D) Stay: Dunollie

Leave the rugged beauty of Skye behind and venture to the site where three lochs meet. View Eilean Donan Castle before travelling along the banks of Loch Ness in search of the elusive monster that bears its name. The bloody battlefield of Culloden is your next stop, where you'll spend a poignant moment reflecting on the many men who lost their lives in the brief but brutal battle between the Redcoats and Bonnie Prince Charlie's Jacobites. This evening you spend the evening dining at your hotel in the Scottish Highlands. (B/D) Stay: Highlander

Traversing the dramatic landscapes of the Scottish Highlands, you'll pass Pitlochry before arriving in St. Andrews to see its famous golf course on which golfing greats have clamoured to play for centuries. Cross the scenic Firth of Forth to enchanting Edinburgh, your home for the next two nights. Tickets to The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo are included on departures that align with performance dates. (B) Stay: Novotel Centre, Delta by Marriott

Your Ireland and Scotland tour is not over yet. Join your Local Specialist for a guided sightseeing tour which includes a visit to Edinburgh Castle, surveying the city from the imposing Castle Rock. See the Royal Mile, the elegant Palace of Holyrood in the shadow of Arthur's Seat and the new Scottish Parliament building. As your memorable holiday comes to an end, join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for dinner to reminisce over shared experiences. (B/D)

For now it's time to say a fond farewell to Scotland and your newfound friends, after your unforgettable Celtic sojourn. (B)