2023 Tour code: CEG23
About the tour
Experience three of the British Isles' most scenic countries on a holiday that showcases the best of these Celtic beauties. Beginning in Scotland, we explore the majestic Highlands before travelling to Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, nations with intertwined culture and history.
Highlights
What’s included
Itinerary
We begin our Celtic adventure in Edinburgh, meeting at our hotel where we spend the first night. The heart of this monumental city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its medieval Old Town, elegant Georgian New Town, and award-winning modern architecture. Until the late 18th century Edinburgh consisted mainly of what is known as the Old Town, including the Royal Mile and Grassmarket. The wide neoclassical streets, buildings and gardens of the New Town were designed in the Georgian period. Besides its fascinating history, the city offers incredible views, a wealth of museums and galleries, and a vibrant culture.
Additional information
Hotels
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Reviews
3.0 / 5 · 6 reviews
Derek Kershaw
Submitted 27/Sep
On our rail tour of Scotland and Ireland in September 2022 we experienced some sensational scenery as well visiting some iconic places all with great weather. However, on arrival in Edinburgh it became apparent that there was two small groups setting off on this same holiday together at the same time. Each group travelling on the trains at the same time but each group having a separate coach which travelled on the same itinerary as the train journeys which enabled us to travel by coach in between the rail journeys. I have to say that at times it would have been more comfortable to stay on the coach rather than travel on some of the trains which were overcrowded and uncomfortable. There was one occasion when the two groups came together on one coach when one of the coaches didn’t turn up. On another occasion one coach was used for the two groups when we went to Giants Causeway from Belfast. On this occasion this concerned us as at least two people on group 2 had tested positive for COVID. As Great Rail have no policy in dealing with Covid we did not go on the excursion as in our opinion they should not have been allowed to travel on a coach made up of the two groups. In addition at each of the hotels the two groups came together for meal times - breakfast and dinner. The passengers with Covid sat amongst the two groups at meal times. On two occasions we were in close proximity to them in the dining room and we had to remove ourselves to another part of the restaurant. As the Tour Managers did not separate the two groups in the dining room or even make provision for those with Covid we had a conversation with Great Rail regarding our concern and only on one night were the two groups separated. On the last night of the holiday a meal was planned in an Irish pub with typical Irish music. We informed the two groups would be together along with those who had Covid. We therefore did not attend this event. Whist we understand that we have to live with Covid we would not sit in close proximity with someone who we know has tested positive. On the penultimate day we became aware that an individual with Covid had been informed of our concerns and as a result we receive some verbal abuse from that individual along with three other members of his party. In conclusion, be careful when you book a small group tour as there may be another group on the same itinerary etc which in our case meant 40 plus people on this tour. In addition be aware that individuals with known Covid will be allowed to continue with the holiday and share coaches and dining rooms with you and sitting within short distances away from you.
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Dear Mr Sutton
Submitted 1/Aug
Good holiday but was to rushed. There was no free time to visit places and some hotels were over a mile and a half from the town. I do not consider arriviving in Cork at 6.30 pm and leaving before 9 am visiting the city. That overnight stop could have been anywhere. The whole holiday was rescued by the tour manager and the excellent coach drivers who each hitch as a problem to solve (which) they did.
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B Smith
Submitted 1/Jun
Two hotels were not up to standard, we had two train rides changed to coach, one of which was the Steam train. Not the tours fault but a disappointment none the less. Tour manager was brilliant. Didn't rate The Dark Hedges, would rather have gone to the Titanic Museum. Tours were excellent, well organised. Coach drivers were very experienced and well informed of local history. We thoroughly enjoyed our holiday.
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kjl
Submitted 31/May
Scotland was better than Ireland but we were disappointed overall. We had enjoyed our previous holiday with GRJ and looked forward to many more. Unfortunately some of the days were very long without the best choice of attractions together with very little free time in the cities. However, the main detractor was that we chose GRJ for a small group tour, maximum 25. In this case we were two tour groups put together, thus de facto, a tour group of 37 all staying in the same hotels with the concomitant crowding at mealtimes and check in. Our group was “number 2” and we always had to wait for the other group to go ahead at visit attractions and boarding trains. The Irish trains were very mediocre with no on board service; we could have stayed on our coaches for better comfort and less wasted time waiting at stations.
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T Wylie
Submitted 28 Sep 2021
An excellent trip, helped by a brilliant tour manager and two excellent coach drivers
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Trevor Aver
Submitted 28 Sep 2021
They delivered on the main highlights of this tour but all but two of the hotels were terrible and cheap. I never thought a company like this would use such poor quality budget hotels where the food was at times disgusting. An expensive tour this which in my view should have been cancelled.
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13/05/2020 · By Guest Author
Slow is no longer a bad thing in travel, and when it's combined with a Highland safari and a lodge with a conscience, Siobhán Norton luxuriates in it.
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08/01/2020 · By Rashmi Guha Ray
There’s something deeply romantic about train journeys. In a fast-paced world where the skies are dotted with aeroplanes and air traffic has become the norm, the nostalgic appeal of trains can hardly be denied.
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