The Best of Scotland and Ireland

We begin our Celtic adventure in Edinburgh. This evening, we enjoy dinner at our hotel. On Day 2, we take the train from Edinburgh to Inverness. On arrival, we visit the Glen Ord Distillery for a tour and whisky tasting. Day 3 includes a journey up to Kyle of Lochalsh on the Kyle Line, where we visit Eilean Donan Castle. After exploring, we return to our hotel via scenic Loch Ness.

• Day 1 - Dinner
• Day 2 - Breakfast, Dinner
• Day 3 - Breakfast

After breakfast, we transfer by coach to Mallaig, stopping off en-route at the Glenfinnan Visitor Centre. There is some free time in Mallaig before we board the Jacobite Steam Train and travel to Fort William. On Day 5, we rejoin the West Highland Line, journeying from Fort William to Glasgow.

• Day 4 - Breakfast, Dinner
• Day 5 - Breakfast

We travel to Cairnryan to join the ferry* over to Belfast, where we immediately embark on a guided coach tour of the city. After the tour, we check into our hotel. Our excursion on Day 7 is to the Giant's Causeway, stopping off at Carrickfergus Castle for some free time en-route. We also enjoy lunch in Ballycastle. Our time at the Giant's Causeway is at leisure to explore before we return to our hotel.

* Please note: your luggage will travel on the ferry with you, rather than via our luggage service.

• Day 6 - Breakfast, Dinner
• Day 7 - Breakfast, Dinner

Today we visit Hillsborough Castle, where the Queen resides while visiting Northern Ireland. After time to look around, we coach to Dublin where we board the train to Cork. On Day 9, we explore Ireland's most famous castle, Blarney Castle. First built in 1446, the most famous attraction here is the Blarney Stone. Also known as the Stone of Eloquence, kissing the stone is said to give a person the 'gift of the gab'. This evening, we're treated to a holiday highlight as we're whisked off to watch a Celtic Steps show, enjoying an evening of traditional Irish dance and music.

• Day 8 - Breakfast, Dinner
• Day 9 - Breakfast, Dinner

We take a full-day coach trip around the stunning Ring of Kerry today, enjoying views of some of the most dramatic mountain and coastal scenery in the whole of Europe. We visit the Kerry Bog Village Museum to learn more about Ireland's rural heritage, before a ride on the Jaunting Cars. The Jaunting Cars have been a traditional mode of transport here since the early 19th century, and a trip on them is like stepping back in time.

On Day 11 we transfer to Tarbet, crossing to Killimer by ferry. Here, we visit the striking Cliffs of Moher, a beautiful stretch of cliffs which tower over the crashing waves below, and are home to some fascinating, rare seabirds. We then travel to the Burren Centre to learn more about the local history of the area.

• Day 10 - Breakfast, Dinner
• Day 11 - Breakfast, Dinner

After a relaxed morning on Day 12, we travel by rail to Dublin, where there's some free time to discover the city. This evening, we enjoy dinner at the famous Merry Ploughboys Pub. On Day 13, we take the ferry from Dublin to Holyhead, where our tour ends.

*Please note: your luggage will travel on the ferry with you, rather than via our luggage service.

• Day 12 - Breakfast, Dinner
• Day 13 - Breakfast