Day 1, Tuesday | Edinburgh

Arrive in Edinburgh and transfer (included) to your pre-booked accommodations (note: check-in time is generally from 2 pm). Spend your day independently exploring Edinburgh on your own. Overnight in Edinburgh.

Day 2, Wednesday | Isle of Skye

Departure point at Edinburgh Bus Station Pick Up, Gate J and Gate K, inside Edinburgh Bus Station, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, EH1 3DQ. Guests are requested to check in at least 15 minutes before departure. Depart Edinburgh at 8:30 am.

You depart Edinburgh and travel west. This part of your journey is a history lover’s dream. You pass Stirling Castle, the Wallace Monument, and Doune Castle, before stopping in Callander for refreshments.

Next, we venture north through the splendid scenery surrounding Loch Lubnaig and up to the wild desolation of Rannoch Moor.

You continue through the spectacular mountain pass of Glencoe, scene of the great massacre of the Clan MacDonald in 1692. And after lunch, we pass Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, and head into the Great Glen. Traveling west, you head past the Five Sisters of Kintail.

You then stop at the famous Eilean Donan Castle, one of Scotland’s most photographed castles. Crossing over the bridge to Skye, you follow the dramatic coastline, toward the island’s capital, Portree. And after all this breathtaking beauty, you’re dropped off at your accommodation in the early evening with enough time to go out and explore the town. (B)

Day 3, Thursday | A flexible day on Skye!

Today is a flexible day on Skye; and your driver-guide ensures you take a unique route that suits the weather, the local events, and your group’s interests.

You can travel north to the Trotternish Ridge and beyond. Here you find geological wonders like Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock, and the stunning mountain pass of the Quiraing. Or your guide may take you back in time and teach you about the legends and clan culture surrounding the 13th-century home of the Clan MacLeod, Dunvegan Castle.

You return to Portree in the evening. (B)

Day 4, Friday | End in Edinburgh

You travel south through the Cuillin Hills and back over to the mainland for stunning views over Loch Duich and the Five Sisters of Kintail.

You visit Loch Ness for lunch and the chance to spot “Nessie”!** Heading south through the Grampian mountains along Loch Laggan, famous now as “Monarch of the Glen Country” before passing Dalwhinnie and onwards past Blair Castle.

We stop for refreshments in one of the Perthshire villages before heading past Perth, over the Firth of Forth, and back to Edinburgh.

Arriving at approximately 7:00 pm in Edinburgh, where you will make your own way back to your pre-booked hotel. (B)**The optional Loch Ness boat cruise is weather dependent and may be canceled without notice.

Day 5, Saturday | Edinburgh – Dublin

After breakfast, transfer from your hotel to the Airport for your flight from Edinburgh to Dublin (the flight not included in the package price and needs to be booked independently). Arrive in Dublin, where a private transfer will be waiting to take you to your pre-booked hotel. Today is a free day to enjoy the capital of Ireland, which offers vast history, excellent cuisine, and good craic. Overnight in Dublin. (B)

Day 6, Sunday | Dublin – Galway

After breakfast, make your way independently to Dublin Airport (at the time designated with your documents). Here you will meet your driver/guide and the your fellow tour participants that will enjoy the next 6-nights in Ireland with you. In the afternoon, we enjoy a local panoramic sightseeing tour of Galway City. Dinner and overnight in Galway. (B,D)

Day 7, Monday | Galway- Connemara – Galway

Today we enjoy a scenic tour of Connemara. Travel along Galway Bay to Maam Cross and Clifden. Continue on via Kylemore Abbey and stop briefly for a photo opportunity. We continue via scenic countryside; keep an eye out for sheep en route to Moycullen. We stop to visit the Celtic Crystal Factory. Return to Galway. Our evening is free to enjoy Galway, with dinner on your own. Overnight in Galway. (B)

Day 8, Tuesday | Galway – Cliffs of Moher – Killarney

Morning departure from Galway. We make our way to the awe-inspiring and majestic Cliffs of Moher, which rise 700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. A spectacular day with great sea and cliff views, before making our way to Killarney for dinner and overnight. (B,D)

Day 9, Wednesday | Killarney – Dingle Peninsula

A delightful day takes us along the Kerry coast to the Dingle Peninsula, which offers magnificent coastal scenery. Beyond Slea Head, we see the Blasket Islands, the last outpost of Europe. A full-day tour returning to Killarney, where you enjoy dinner on your own this evening. Overnight in Killarney. (B)

Day 10, Thursday | Killarney – Cashel – Dublin

Leaving Killarney, we travel over the mountains to Blarney, where we pause for a visit to Blarney Woollen Mills. Here you have time to enjoy an optional visit to Blarney Castle and perhaps kiss the famed Blarney Stone. Leaving Blarney, we travel via Tipperary and Cashel, where we pause for a photo-op at the historic Rock of Cashel. Arrive in Dublin, where the evening is free to dine on your own tonight. Overnight at our castle hotel tonight in Killiney, Co. Dublin. (B)

Our castle hotel is situated at the brow of Killiney Hill, in the prestigious south Dublin suburb of Killiney and overlooking Dublin Bay.

Day 11, Friday | Dublin

Coming into the capital city this morning for sightseeing. We visit the Guinness Storehouse, enjoying panoramic views of the city from the Gravity Bar, followed by the EPIC Museum. Some free time then to enjoy the capital city independently. Dublin has plenty of shops, cafes, museums, and more for you to enjoy. This evening, we enjoy a farewell dinner at our castle hotel in Killiney, Co. Dublin. (B,D)

Day 12, Saturday | Dublin – U.S.

Early morning transfer to Dublin Airport for your return flight home. Flights to the U.S. arrive home the same day. (B)