TouringForLess

Brendan - Best of Ireland and Scotland Summer 2023 (04/2023 - 10/2023) (BIASZN18)

15 Days From Dublin to Edinburgh 
Tour Style: Regional Explorer
Brendan Brochure Price from $4,046.00
Brochures: Ireland and Scotland Tours 2023 v2, Ireland and Scotland Tours 2024 v1
Visits: Ireland, Northern Ireland

Travel to see the very Best of Ireland and Scotland, from delicate Waterford Crystal to the golfing greats of St. Andrews. Kiss the Blarney Stone and you’ll be sharing tales from Giant’s Causeway, the Ring of Kerry and the Scottish Highlands for years to come.
Choice Highlights

Must-see Highlights
  • : Explore Dublin, Londonderry, Belfast and Edinburgh with a Local Specialist
  • : Discover Waterford, Adare, Galway and Glasgow
  • : Visit the Irish National Stud in Kildare, the Waterford Crystal Showroom, Blarney Castle, Giant's Causeway, Titanic Experience in Belfast, a whisky distillery, Pitlochry and Edinburgh Castle
  • : View Eilean Donan Castle, the battlefield of Culloden and the 18th green at St. Andrews
  • : See St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin, Galway Cathedral and Loch Lomond
  • : Scenic Drive of the Ring of Kerry
  • : Tickets for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo are included on departures that coincide with performance dates

Iconic Experience
  • Dublin: A Local Specialist will show you Dublin's elegant Georgian squares, O'Connell Street and the Custom House.
  • Blarney: It is said that those who kiss the Blarney Stone are bestowed with the power to persuade, flatter and coax. But to do so, you must dangle from the ramparts! Visit Blarney Castle and see the famous Stone of Eloquence.
  • Cork: Your Travel Director will show you the Grand Parade and South Mall, along with City Hall and the Opera House.
  • Adare: Experience a village walk through the main street lined with thatched cottages.
  • Galway: Explore the historic heart of Galway. See landmarks such as the Spanish Arch and the cathedral, or perhaps admire the distinctive Claddagh rings.
  • Donegal: Stop in Donegal and see The Diamond, a hub for music and cultural gatherings in the town.
  • Londonderry: With a Local Specialist explore inside the city walls. See the Gothic Guildhall and the Georgian houses of Shipquay Street.
  • Belfast: Join a Local Specialist to hear about the history of the city and learn of its progress and current prosperity. See the murals in different locations indicating the political sentiments of local residents.
  • Glencoe: Visit this Highland village on Loch Leven.
  • Fort William: Near the foothills of Ben Nevis, stop in Fort William for a stroll along the charming High Street.
  • Eilean Donan: Stop for a photo of this gorgeous castle.
  • 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.
  • Scottish Highlands: Admire picturesque lochs and glens as you travel through the Scottish Highlands.
  • 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: Explore the city with your Local Specialist 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.

Dive Into Culture
  • Kildare: Admire Ireland's finest thoroughbreds at the Irish National Stud Farm.
  • Waterford: Learn how crystal is crafted at the House of Waterford Crystal during a workshop tour.
  • Belfast: Discover the full story of the Titanic at the Titanic Belfast visitor attraction and monument in Belfast.
  • Pitlochry: Warm your heart with a little Scottish whisky at a traditional distillery in the Scottish Highlands.

Be My Guest
  • Killarney: It's 1930s Ireland revisited. Visit the working farms of Muckross taking you back to a time of traditional farming. Learn how to churn butter and dine in the Quilles Farmhouse against the scenic backdrop of the lakes of Killarney.

MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®
  • Bushmills: In Northern Ireland you'll discover the legend of the Giant's Causeway as you explore with an expert, who'll explain how your visit helps conserve this iconic natural landmark.

Brendan Tour Itinerary

Day 1Welcome to Dublin
Explore the Celtic heritage and hospitality of Ireland and Scotland on this grand adventure through beautiful landscapes and enchanting cities. Our first day sees us delve into the whimsy of the Irish capital, before joining our fellow travellers and Travel Director for a Welcome Reception.
Visits: Dublin
Meals: Welcome Reception
Accommodation: Mespil
Day 2Discover Diverse 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.
Visits: Dublin
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Mespil
Day 3Journey to Waterford Dive Into Culture
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. We travel to the House of Waterford Crystal this afternoon and Dive Into Culture yet again to witness this delicate craft, watching talented master craftsmen at work in their workshop.
Visits: Dublin, Kildare, Waterford
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Fitzwilton
Day 4Onwards to Blarney and Killarney Connect with Locals
Travel to Cork and bend over backwards to kiss the Blarney Stone and acquire the 'gift of the gab' before crossing the Kerry Mountains to County Kerry. We journey to 1930s Ireland this evening for an unforgettable experience, visiting the working farms of Muckross, where we'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.
Visits: Waterford, Blarney, Killarney
Meals: Breakfast, Be My Guest
Accommodation: Killarney Towers, Hotel Killarney
Day 5A Day on the Ring of Kerry
The astounding beauty of Iveragh Peninsula accompanies us 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.
Visits: Killarney, Ring of Kerry, Killarney
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Killarney Towers, Hotel Killarney
Day 6Continue to Galway and Ballina
Drive to Adare, one of Ireland's prettiest villages, known for its thatched cottages. The imposing stone cathedral, built on the site of an old prison and Eyre Square on our next stop in Galway, where we'll enjoy some free time to explore the city before continuing our journey northward. This evening we dine in our hotel.
Visits: Killarney, Adare, Galway, Ballina
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Ballina
Day 7Off to Donegal and on to Londonderry
Head north to Donegal with its 'Diamond' centre before joining a Local Specialist in Londonderry to stroll along its 17th-century walls. See the 'Troubles' neighbourhood of Bogside, with its murals depicting the battles of that time.
Visits: Ballina, Donegal, Londonderry
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: City
Day 8Admire the Giant’s Causeway and on to Belfast Make Travel Matter Dive Into Culture
Tread in the footsteps of Finn McCool and along the other-worldly Giant's Causeway 'steps' that descend into the sea during your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Your visit will help to conserve this iconic landmark. We arrive in Belfast later and visit the Titanic Belfast Experience where we’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.
Visits: Londonderry, Giant's Causeway, Belfast
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: AC by Marriott , Stormont
Day 9Cross the Irish Sea to Glasgow
Join your Local Specialist in Belfast this morning for an included city tour which will take you to Queen's University and the Baroque Revival-style City Hall. We board our ferry in Belfast and cross to Cairnryan in Scotland, driving through the Ayrshire countryside bound for Glasgow, our home for the next two nights.
Visits: Belfast, Glasgow
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hilton Garden Inn City Centre
Day 10Discover Glasgow’s Rich Legacy Dive Into Culture
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. We head to whisky country next, visiting a whisky distillery where we’ll Dive Into Culture and learn how to make Scotland's favourite honey-coloured drink with a chance to sample a wee dram. We return to Glasgow for some free time to explore the city.
Visits: Glasgow
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hilton Garden Inn City Centre
Day 11Continue Over the Sea to Skye
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 we'll spend this evening dining in our hotel.
Visits: Glasgow, Glencoe, Fort William, Isle of Skye
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Dunollie
Day 12Venture to Loch Ness and Culloden in the Scottish Highlands
We 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 our next stop, where we 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 we spend the evening dining at our hotel in the Scottish Highlands.
Visits: Isle of Skye, Culloden, Scottish Highlands
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Highlander
Day 13Journey to Enchanting Edinburgh
Traversing the dramatic landscapes of the Scottish Highlands, we pass Pitlochry before arriving in St. Andrews to see its famous golf course on which golfing greats have clamoured to play for centuries. We cross the scenic Firth of Forth to enchanting Edinburgh, our home for the next two nights. Tickets to see the spectacular Edinburgh Tattoo are included on departures that coincide with performance dates.
Visits: Scottish Highlands, St. Andrews, Edinburgh
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Novotel Centre, Marriott
Day 14Uncover Edinburgh’s Treasures
Join your Local Specialist for a guided sightseeing tour which includes a visit to Edinburgh Castle, surveying the city from 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 our memorable holiday comes to an end, we join our Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Farewell Dinner to reminisce over shared experiences.
Visits: Edinburgh
Meals: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner
Accommodation: Novotel Centre, Marriott
Day 15Farewell Edinburgh
For now it’s time to say a fond farewell to Scotland and our newfound friends, at the end of an unforgettable Celtic sojourn. Find out more about your free airport transfer at trafalgar.com/freetransfers.
Visits: Edinburgh
Meals: Breakfast


Available Room Types: Single, Triple, Twin, Twinshare
Child: ages 5 to 17

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