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Highlights of Scotland & Ireland

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Highlights of Scotland & Ireland: Edinburgh to Dublin

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This tour itinerary varies by year.

Duration: 10 days
Group size: 15-38
Reviews: 10

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Book today and feel good about your decision. If you change your mind, you’ll receive a refund of your deposit through September 1.See terms

It doesn’t take long to fall in love with these landscapes.

In just a short time, this trip through Scotland and Ireland takes you from the medieval city of Edinburgh to the bustling capital of Dublin. Plus, you’ll make scenic stops along the way in interesting smaller cities like Glasgow and Galway and iconic natural wonders like the Burren and Cliffs of Moher.

Your tour package includes

8 nights in handpicked hotels
8 breakfasts
3 dinners with beer or wine
6 guided sightseeing tours
Expert Tour Director & local guides

Included highlights

Edinburgh Castle
Stirling Castle
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
Local pub culture
St. Patrick’s Cathedral

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Day-by-day itinerary

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Overnight Flight1 night

Day 1: Travel day

Board your overnight flight to Edinburgh today.

Edinburgh2 nights

Day 2: Arrival in Edinburgh

Included meal: Welcome dinner

Welcome to Scotland! Meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers at tonight’s welcome dinner.

Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Edinburgh

Included meal: Breakfast

Get to know Edinburgh in all its medieval beauty on a tour led by a local expert.

View the elegant Georgian-style New Town and the Royal Mile, two UNESCO World Heritage sites
Pass the Sir Walter Scott Monument, the largest monument to a writer in the world
Enter Edinburgh Castle to view the Scottish crown jewels and Stone of Scone

Spend a free afternoon exploring Edinburgh or add an excursion.

Abbotsford House & Melrose Abbey

Excursion (additional cost)

Glasgow2 nights

Day 4: Glasgow via Stirling Castle

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Travel through the picturesque Scottish countryside to explore Stirling Castle, where King James VI once lived. Then, continue on to Glasgow for a tour with a local guide.

Discover local highlights, including George Square and the River Clyde
Admire the city’s university and medieval cathedral
Visit the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, which features everything from medieval suits of armor to a collection of works by Scottish artists

Day 5: Free day in Glasgow

Included meal: Breakfast

Enjoy a free day in Glasgow or add an excursion.

Inveraray Castle & Trossachs National Park

Excursion (additional cost)

Dublin2 nights

Day 6: Flight to Dublin

Included meal: Breakfast

Make your way to the airport and fly to Dublin. Spend free time to explore the lively city or add an excursion.

Traditional Irish Dinner & Show

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 7: Sightseeing tour of Dublin

Included meal: Breakfast

Take a tour of Ireland’s charming capital city.

Stop in Phoenix Park, site of the presidential residence, and then pass by the Guinness Storehouse
Step inside the soaring St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Ireland’s largest church
Pass St Stephen’s Green and admire the Georgian architecture of Merrion Square as you go
See Trinity College and walk past the entrance of Grafton Street to the Molly Malone statue and the Temple Bar district

Enjoy a free afternoon in Dublin or add an excursion.

Glendalough

Excursion (additional cost)

County Galway2 nights

Day 8: Transfer to Galway & sightseeing tour

Included meal: Breakfast

Travel west to the Galway region. Upon arrival, get a feel for the local energy and living traditions of Galway, Ireland’s third-largest city.

Stroll past Lynch’s Castle, the Druid Theatre Company and the broad expanse of Eyre Square
View the city’s medieval walls and Spanish Arch
Peruse authentic Claddagh rings in a local shop

Enjoy a free evening in Galway or add an excursion.

Castle Banquet Dinner

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 9: The Burren & Cliffs of Moher

Included meals: Breakfast, Farewell dinner

This morning, explore two of the country’s most dramatic landscapes.

Travel through the limestone plateau called the Burren
Explore the Cliffs of Moher, which rise 700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean

After a free afternoon, gather together with your group for a final toast at your farewell dinner.

Flight Home

Day 10: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

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Reviews

4.8 average

Our reviews are authentic and unedited.

09/29/2019 by 2nd time traveler Diane B.

Ayesha made the tour awsome. She knows her history

Scotland/Ireland tour 2019

08/05/2019 by 2nd time traveler Tanya H.

Awesome Time met new friends and we had the best time ever. I was able to live out my fantasy as a Princess and the food was great and the entertainment delightful. I reccommend this tour to all I know and passed it on daily on my facebook page. I would do this tour again. The casltes were my favori...

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08/07/2019 by 2nd time traveler Frank S.

too much moving cut hotels to just 2. 1 for each country. the first 3 hotels were a 2 star at best but the last was good . Find another one like it in Scotland and use those as hubs for excursions. We really had a great time and over shadowed deficiency

Go Ahead Tours replied on 08/07/2019

Dear Frank, Thank you for leaving us an online rev...

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07/23/2019 by 3rd time traveler Kathleen B.

Just returned it was a great trip a few bumps but they were handled quickly with no disruption Kat was fantastic only downside transportation home would be nice if there were not so many connections paying a little more would be worth it

Bernie's Great Adventure!

07/02/2019 by 2nd time traveler Bernadette R.

Every time someone asks me what my favorite thing was on this trip. I tell them everything was my favorite thing. From the Kelpies to the Hazel Mountain Chocolate Factory, I loved everything. This was my first trip, but it won't be my last with Go Ahead Tours. Kat our tour director, was friendly...

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Hotels, flights & FAQ

Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.

Hotels

We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.

Novotel Glasgow City Centre

This contemporary hotel is located in the Glasgow city center. Guests enjoy a swimming pool and bar. Nearby, you'll find the Burrell Collection, Royal...

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Mercure Edinburgh Haymarket

This modern hotel is located in Edinburgh’s West End. Guests enjoy a restaurant, bar, and free Wi-Fi. Nearby, you'll find Edinburgh Castle, the Nation...

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Maldron Sandy Road

This comfortable hotel is located near the center of Galway. Guests enjoy free Wi-Fi, a hotel bar, and restaurant. Nearby, you'll find the Galway Shop...

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Cassidy's Hotel

This boutique hotel is located in Dublin's city center. Guests enjoy Wi-Fi, a fitness suite, and hotel bar. Nearby, you'll find Trinity College, Dubli...

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Flights

Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.

Add our airfare package and you'll get:

Round-trip flight for your tour
Airport transfers at your destination
A great price locked in today
24/7 support from our dedicated service team
Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes

Find out more about flights

FAQ

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Passport & visa requirements

In order to enter the United Kingdom and Ireland, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
We recommend having at least one blank passport page for entry stamps.
There is no visa required for U.S. or Canadian citizens.
If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.

Tour pace

You will walk for about 1.5 hours daily across mostly flat terrain, including paved roads and cobblestone streets, with few hills or stairs.
Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times.
If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.

Transportation & arrival information

Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Edinburgh and depart from Dublin. A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
A flight from Glasgow to Dublin is included in the price of your tour
All other included transportation is by private motor coach.

Baggage allowance

Airlines have varying weight restrictions on baggage. Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage; be advised that you are responsible for any such costs.
Contact your airline for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flight, but please note that our travelers are restricted to one checked bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
One carry-on bag of 45 total inches (length + width + height) is also permitted.
Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.

Clothing & packing tips

We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
It is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).

Health

There are no major health risks associated with traveling to any of the countries on this tour.
At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at [cdc.gov](https://www/cdc.gov).
If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.

Cuisine

Scottish cuisine relies on readily available ingredients like game, dairy, and fish, with little use of exotic spices. Pickled kippers and smoked salmon are popular as well as hearty dishes like Scotch broth (stew of meat and root vegetables) and haggis (a savory pudding of sheep innards). Scotch whisky is a legendary local spirit, and Scottish ales are world-famous.
Irish pubs serve up hearty lunches, such as the traditional stew of bacon and boiled cabbage. Soda bread is delicious, very filling, and served with many meals. Nibble a scone at afternoon tea with a pat of high-quality butter from County Kerry. Guinness stout is an international sensation, but locals might favor Murphy's, depending on where you are.
Dublin has seen something of a culinary revolution, and the city now boasts an impressive array of new restaurants offering exciting cuisine with continental Europe, Asian, and even American influences.

Electricity & air conditioning

The United Kingdom and Ireland operate within 230-240 volts and use a Type G plug with three large, flat pins.
We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
The strength of the air conditioning in European hotels is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.
Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.

Connectivity

Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.

Time zones

The United Kingdom and Ireland are on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), which is five hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET).
When it’s noon in New York, it’s 5pm in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Currency

You will use the Pound sterling in the United Kingdom and the euro in Ireland.
Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.

Tipping

At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
We recommend tipping the equivalent of $7USD to $10USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
Tips can only be paid in cash.

Purchasing excursions on tour

Most optional excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour.
Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in USD only), Visa, or MasterCard as payment for excursions.
Please be advised that if you pay for an excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for your card to be charged.
Some optional excursions may only be purchased in advance. See page four of your tour itinerary for more information.

Dates & prices

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202020212022

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2020

Highlights of Scotland & Ireland: Edinburgh to Dublin

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