Compare Distilleries of Scotland & Ireland by Audley Travel vs Ireland & Scotland in 15 days - Stunning Ireland & The Highlands - Charm by Exoticca
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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4.5 | Great
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| Duration | 10 days | 15 days |
| Price From | $ 3,555 | $ 2,699 |
| Price Per Day | $ 356 | $ 180 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Private guided tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Airfare included |
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| Meals Included | N/A | 14 breakfasts. |
| Description |
Renowned for its warm welcome, literary genius, live music and green fields, Ireland is a small isle with enormous character. It's compact enough to explore easily, yet also incredibly diverse. Our Ireland specialists have a deep affinity with the island — north and south — and can bring you closer to the landscapes and the Irish people even at its most famous attractions. |
Discover the city of Dublin and the traditional music in Galway. Admire the beauty of Connemara and the scenery of Killarney. Stop in Limerick and enjoy Ring of Kerry. Admire the beauty of Edinburgh and explore the castles in Stirling and St. Andrews. Enjoy a tour in Aberdeen. Taste whiskeys in Speyside. Admire the nature on the way to Inverness and Glasgow. |
Day 1 Glasgow
Glasgow
On arrival into Glasgow collect your rental car and make your way to your centrally located hotel. This afternoon embark on an orientation tour of the city with your private guide before topping off the day with a tour of Auchentoshan Distillery.
Day 2 Bowmore, Islay
Glasgow , Isle of Islay , Bowmore, Islay
Leave Glasgow and drive to the west coast today, where you board your ferry across to the island of Islay. En route to the coast, drive via Loch Fyne, known for its excellent salmon. The ferry will take you across to Islay, then drive to your waterside hotel. In the afternoon, visit Bruichladdich Distillery.
Day 3 Bowmore, Islay
Isle of Islay , Bowmore, Islay
Today visit Bowmore Distillery for a shared tour and tasting. In the afternoon, drive to the south coast and visit Lagavulin Distillery for another shared tour and tasting, to compare the two distinctive Islay malts.
Day 4 Oban
Isle of Islay , Oban
Take the ferry back to the mainland, then drive toward Oban, exploring the ancient stone circles of Kilmartin Glen en route. Continue toward Oban, visiting the ruins of two MacDougall strongholds. Dunollie Castle overlooks Oban Bay and the Heritage Scotland property, Dunstaffnage Castle, has a small museum.
Day 5 Aberlour, Speyside
Oban , Speyside , Aberlour, Speyside
Head north to Speyside today, better known as whisky country. Visit both the Macallan Distillery and Glenfiddich Distillery for tours and tastings.
Day 6 Belfast
Speyside , Belfast
Make your way to Inverness airport today to drop off your rental car and board your quick flight to Belfast. On arrival in Belfast, make your own way to your historic hotel. Tickets are included to the Titanic Exhibition at your own leisure.
Day 7 Belfast
Belfast
Spend the day exploring the scenic Antrim Coast today with a local, private driver-guide. Visit the bizarre basalt formed columns of Giant's Causeway and learn about the tale of Finn MacCool. After, visit Bushmills Distillery for a tour and tastings before returning to Belfast.
Day 8 Dublin
Belfast , Dublin
Make your way to the train station today for your unaccompanied train journey to Dublin. In Dublin, visit the Old Jameson Distillery for a shared tour and tasting before exploring the city at your leisure.
Day 9
Dublin
Round out the trip with a unique distillery tour located within a 12th-century church. While hearing stories of the people buried in the adjacent graveyard, you will embark on a sensory experience tasting.
Day 10 Return home
Dublin
Today you are transferred by private driver to Dublin airport for your flight home.
Day 1: US - Night on board
Arrive at your US departure airport ready to board a flight to Dublin, the Irish capital. Night on board.* * If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.
Day 2: Dublin
Arrive at Dublin airport, meet your driver and transfer to the hotel. Once settled, spend the rest of the day exploring the Irish capital at your leisure. Why not take a stroll along the banks of the River Liffey to admire the city's diverse architecture or head straight to the vibrant Temple Bar area to enjoy the cosy atmosphere of Dublin's best pubs and eateries. A number of venues in the area hold regular live music performances so be sure to catch one of these for an unforgettable start to your journey through Ireland. Overnight stay in Dublin.
Day 3: Dublin
Breakfast at the hotel. Today, enjoy a walking tour of Dublin. Explore the most emblematic sights and get to know the history of this wonderful capital. Pass by famous Trinity College, the oldest university in Ireland and whose library is home to the legendary Book of Kells. Continue to the Temple Bar area, the cultural center of Dublin and home to colorful pubs which host live Irish music and dance performances. Learn the legend of the Ha’Penny Bridge over the River Liffey and stroll past Dublin Castle, the seat of British Rule in Ireland for over 700 years. Continue past Christchurch Cathedral and St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Ireland's largest church and named after the beloved patron Saint of Ireland. The remainder of the day is free to enjoy your last moments in Dublin at your leisure. Why not pay a visit to the Jameson Whiskey Distillery, or the famous Guinness Storehouse to learn all about the "black stuff". Overnight stay in Dublin.
Day 4: Dublin - Athlone - Galway
Breakfast at the hotel. Leave the capital behind today as you travel to the town of Athlone, which sits on the River Shannon in the center of the county. Take a panoramic tour of Athlone to see its impressive 13th-century castle and historic streets. After some time at your leisure, continue to Galway a port city on Ireland’s west coast, where the River Corrib meets the Atlantic Ocean. Visit the city center, learn about its history and explore Eyre Square, a popular meeting spot surrounded by shops and traditional pubs, many of which still offer traditional Irish folk music shows. Overnight stay in Galway.
Day 5: Galway - Connemmara - Galway
Breakfast at the hotel. Depart towards Connemara National Park, a beautiful cultural region, situated in County Galway. Connemara is known for its strong connection to traditional Irish culture and immaculate landscapes. Admire the rolling countryside, home to wild Connemara ponies. After a day of exploring the rich landscapes of rural Ireland, return to your hotel in Galway and enjoy the evening at your leisure. Overnight stay in Galway.
Day 6: Galway - Limerick - Killarney
Breakfast at the hotel. Discover one of the most iconic landscapes in Ireland: the stunning Cliffs of Moher! Stretching along the coastline for around 14-kilometers, these dramatic sea cliffs overlook the wild waters of the Atlantic. Set off towards Country Kerry, stopping along the way in Limerick, one of the oldest and most important cities in Ireland, dating back to the 12th-century. Afterwards, continue to the southwest of Ireland and into County Kerry, home to the beautiful scenery of the Killarney National Park. Transfer to the hotel and overnight stay in Kerry.
Day 7: Killarney - Ring of Kerry - County Cork
Breakfast at the hotel. Explore the Ring of Kerry today, an area of immense natural beauty, glistening lakes and dramatic coastlines, home to incredible beaches and charming seaside villages. In the afternoon, head towards Cork, known as the culinary capital of Ireland and famed for its fantastic food market. It's also home to brilliant museums and art galleries and the legendary Shandon Bells. Overnight stay in County Cork.
Day 8: Cork - Kilkenny - Dublin
Breakfast at the hotel. Begin the journey back to Dublin, stopping along the way at the medieval town of Kilkenny with its cobblestoned streets and imposing St. Canices Cathedral. After some time at your leisure, continue towards the capital. Arrive in Dublin and enjoy the evening at your leisure, hitting the bars or revisiting your favorite sights. Overnight stay in Dublin.
Day 9: Dublin - Edinburgh
Breakfast at the hotel. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for a flight to Edinburgh. Arrive in Edinburgh and self-transfer* to the hotel. The capital of Scotland, Edinburgh is famed for its charming medieval Old Town and elegant Georgian New Town with neoclassical gardens and buildings. The rest of the day is free at your leisure to explore the city. Overnight stay in Edinburgh. Please note: During the winter season, the itinerary may be affected. In this case, it is important to review the notes section before your departure. * You will have the option to add a transfer from the airport to your hotel in the next step of the booking process.
Day 10: Edinburgh
Breakfast at the hotel. Discover the city’s most famous tourist sights and monuments on a panoramic walking tour of Edinburgh with a professional English-speaking guide, visiting the Grassmarket area of the city, the elegant Georgian New Town and the historic Old Town. Among its main attractions, there is the Palace of Holyroodhouse, St Giles Cathedral and The National Gallery of Scotland. Stroll along the majestic Royal Mile and visit Canongate. Take some free time in the afternoon to wander through the city's atmospheric streets at your leisure, browsing the shops or stopping for a warming 'dram' of whiskey in one of the local bars. Overnight stay in Edinburgh.
Day 11: Edinburgh
Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a full day at your leisure to continue discovering this amazing city. Why not take in the views from Carlton Hill or, if the weather is good, take a hike up Arthur's Seat for an unforgettable panorama of Edinburgh and beyond. Alternatively, Edinburgh is a paradise for shoppers, with plenty of quirky boutiques to explore. Overnight stay in Edinburgh.
Day 12: Edinburgh - Stirling - St Andrews - Aberdeen
After breakfast, meet your guide and depart towards Stirling. The castle played an important role during the Scottish independence wars and many will recognise it as it is featured in the 1995 film, Braveheart. Continue to St Andrews where to visit this picturesque town, known as the home of golf. Enjoy some free time to take in the sea views before continuing towards Aberdeen, stopping on the way to take pictures of beautiful Dunnottar Castle. Overnight stay in Aberdeen.
Day 13: Aberdeen - Castle Fraser - Cairngorms National Park - Aberdeen
Breakfast at the hotel. Explore the city of Aberdeen on a guided Panoramic coach tour. Visit the area surrounding the Cairngorm Mountains, home to breathtaking scenery, typical of the Scottish Highlands. Enjoy some free time at your disposal at lunchtime. In the afternoon, head to Speyside, famous for the whisky distilleries. Here, pay a visit to a local whisky distillery for a fascinating tour and tasting session. Afterwards, return to Aberdeen for an overnight stay.
Day 14: Aberdeen - Inverness - Aviemore
Breakfast at the hotel. Head west today as you depart on a guided coach journey towards Inverness. Along the route, admire the wild nature of the Highlands as you pass by spectacular landscapes of moorlands and glens. Arrive in Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, and enjoy a city tour. Afterwards, leave the city behind as you head to your hotel in the beautiful area of Aviemore, within the Cairngorms National Park. Overnight stay in the Aviemore area.
Day 15: Aviemore - Trossachs - Glasgow - Edinburgh
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, depart south towards Glasgow via the beautiful Trossachs where you can admire the scenery and see the largest Loch in Scotland, Loch Lomond. On arrival in Glasgow, the second most important and largest city in Scotland, enjoy a panoramic tour and some free time to explore the city at your leisure. In the evening, return to Edinburgh to enjoy your final night in Scotland at your leisure. Overnight stay in Edinburgh.
Day 16: Edinburgh - US
Breakfast* at the hotel. At the indicated time, self-transfer** to the airport for a flight back to the US. Arrive in the US and end your trip. * Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day. ** You will have the option to add a transfer to the airport in the next step of the booking process.
