elevated view of ballydonegan bay off of beara peninsula in ireland

Overview Itinerary Dates & prices Reviews Hotels, flights & FAQ

Landscapes of Scotland & Ireland

with London extension

Duration: 15 or 18 days
Group size: 15-38
Reviews: 93

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Traverse small villages, beautiful country and seaside cliffs.

Travel through the landscapes of Scotland and Ireland, where hundreds of years of history spring suddenly to life. Start your journey in Edinburgh with the city’s Georgian architecture, then head to Glasgow before crossing the Irish Sea to visit historic Belfast. Turn south through charming Galway and County Kerry’s coastal landscapes before ending your adventure amid Dublin’s bustling streets.

Your tour package includes

13 nights in handpicked hotels
13 breakfasts
5 dinners with beer or wine
7 guided sightseeing tours
Expert Tour Director & local guides

Included highlights

Edinburgh Castle
Stirling Castle
Titanic Belfast museum
Causey Farm
Cliffs of Moher

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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.

Edinburgh3 nights

Day 2: Arrival in Edinburgh

Included meal: Welcome dinner

Welcome to Scotland! Meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers at a welcome dinner.

Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Edinburgh

Included meal: Breakfast

Follow a Scottish local on a sightseeing tour of the city.

View the Georgian New Town and the Royal Mile, two UNESCO World Heritage sites
Pass the Sir Walter Scott monument
Enter Edinburgh Castle to view the Scottish crown jewels and Stone of Scone

Enjoy a free afternoon in Edinburgh or add an excursion.

Abbotsford House & Melrose Abbey

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 4: Free day in Edinburgh

Included meal: Breakfast

Spend a free day in Edinburgh or add an excursion.

Coastal Scotland & St Andrews Pub Lunch

Excursion (additional cost)

Glasgow2 nights

Day 5: 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

Sit down for an included dinner this evening.

Day 6: 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)

Belfast2 nights

Day 7: Ferry to Belfast

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Make your way to the village of Cairnryan where you’ll board a ferry for your voyage across the Irish Sea to Belfast.

Sit down for an included dinner this evening.

Day 8: Sightseeing tour of Belfast

Included meal: Breakfast

Get to know Belfast, the cultural heart of Northern Ireland, from a local’s perspective on a guided tour.

Glimpse the copper-domed City Hall and the recently restored Grand Opera House
Learn all about Belfast’s long history, from its origins in the Bronze Age and rise as an international seaport to its role in the conflict known as “the Troubles”
Enter the Titanic Belfast Museum for a look at the vessel’s infamous history

Spend a free afternoon in Belfast or add an excursion.

Giant's Causeway

Excursion (additional cost)

Galway2 nights

Day 9: Galway via County Meath

Included meal: Breakfast

En route to Galway, stop in County Meath to pay a visit to Causey Farm.

Learn about daily life on a working Irish farm
Watch a demonstration of traditional games and dance

Then, continue on to Galway for a sightseeing tour of the city led by your Tour Director.

Stroll past Lynch’s Castle, Galway Cathedral, the Druid Theater 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 10: Free day in Galway

Included meal: Breakfast

Spend a free day in Galway or add excursions.

Kylemore Abbey & Connemara National Park

Excursion (additional cost)

Traditional Irish Music & Dance Show with Dinner

Excursion (additional cost)

County Kerry2 nights

Day 11: County Kerry via the Burren, Cliffs of Moher & Bunratty

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Travel through the Irish countryside to County Kerry today, taking time to view spectacular scenery en route.

Pass through the Burren, a unique limestone plateau where fields of rock are dotted with wildflowers
Walk along the mesmerizing coastline of the majestic Cliffs of Moher
Take a guided tour of the 13th-century Bunratty Castle

Sit down for an included dinner this evening.

Day 12: Dingle Peninsula & Killarney National Park

Included meal: Breakfast

Make your way along the dramatically rugged terrain of the Dingle Peninsula.

Take a scenic drive along the Slea Head Drive, enjoying impressive coastal views as you go
Enter the Gallarus Oratory, an early Christian church overlooking the harbor at Ard na Caithne
Enjoy photo stops at Coumeenole Beach, Slea Head and Dunbeg Fort

After free time for lunch in the town of Dingle, head to Killarney National Park for photos at Ross Castle on Lough Leane.

Dublin2 nights

Day 13: Dublin via Blarney Castle

Included meal: Breakfast

Make your way to Dublin this morning, stopping to explore Blarney Castle along the way.

Explore the castle's dungeon, court, and battlements
Kiss the legendary Blarney Stone

Day 14: Sightseeing tour of Dublin

Included meals: Breakfast, Farewell dinner

Take a comprehensive tour of Ireland’s capital city with a local expert leading the way.

Stop in Phoenix Park, site of the presidential residence, and 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 Grafton Street to the Molly Malone statue, ending in the Temple Bar district

Enjoy a free afternoon in Dublin or add an excursion.

This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner in Dublin with your group.

Glendalough

Excursion (additional cost)

Flight Home

Day 15: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home or extend your stay to visit London, England.

Extension to London

Mind the gap, get in the queue, ask for bangers with your mash—now you’re ready for London! Arrive early and start your journey with extra time in the bustling English capital, taking in the sights alongside a local expert.

Overnight Flight1 night

Day 1: Travel day

Board your overnight flight to London today.

London3 nights

Day 2: Arrival in London

Welcome to England! Meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers as you enjoy a welcome drink this evening.

Day 3: Sightseeing tour of London

Included meal: Breakfast

View the regal landmarks of England’s vibrant and cosmopolitan capital on a guided sightseeing tour.

Pass the grand Trafalgar Square and Baroque-style St. Paul’s Cathedral, perched atop Ludgate Hill
See Westminster Abbey, the setting for royal coronations, weddings, and funerals
View icons like Big Ben, the London Eye, Tower Bridge, and the Tower of London
Stop by Buckingham Palace, where you may catch the Changing of the Guard

Spend a free afternoon in London or add an excursion.

Windsor Castle

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 4: Free day in London

Included meal: Breakfast

Enjoy a free day in London or add an excursion.

Stonehenge & Oxford

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 5: Train ride to Edinburgh

Included meal: Breakfast

Take a train to Edinburgh, Scotland and meet up with the rest of your tour group today (day 2 of the regular itinerary).

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Reviews

4.4 average

Our reviews are authentic and unedited.

First of MANY!!!!

02/03/2020 by 2nd time traveler Jodi M.

This was our first GoAhead tour, and what a memory-making adventure it was! We arrived in London with our best friends, not knowing that we were going to leave Dublin 17 days later with a bus-load of new friends! Our tour guide, Nick Jones, and our local guides were incredible! I feel like I took...

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Good trip, amazing experience!

11/06/2019 by 2nd time traveler Anonymous

So much to see and absorb. It goes beyond the structures when you have a guide so well versed in the countries and their history along with two of the greatest drivers. I can't even say what I liked best because all was so amazing. One of my favorite things was cruising the Dingle Peninsula. The...

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Bill's Bucket List Trip

11/06/2019 by 2nd time traveler Judy W.

The trip was amazing. We traveled and covered so much countryside. Our tour director Cathal Healy was great. He is so knowledgeable and interesting. He was able to keep all of us on schedule. The driver Sean was amazing.. Great trip! Thanks, Judy, Bill and Chris

First timer

01/29/2020 by 2nd time traveler Laura L.

This was my first experience traveling outside the USA except for Canada and Mexico. To that end I have very little for comparison. The organization of everything was superb. Our Tour Director Cathal had an outstanding knowledge of everyplace we visited. It was amazing. We also had two exceptio...

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10/28/2019 by 2nd time traveler Gina F.

Hotels, meals, bus transportation, excursions, and details were as described and very good. The best part of this trip were the new friends that were on the bus with us. 18 is a great number so we bonded quickly. But what really truly made the trip great was our tour guide, David Hoole. David w...

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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.

Copthorne Tara Hotel London Kensington

Take some time for rest and relaxation in the comfortable, spacious, and elegantly furnished rooms at the Copthorne Tara Hotel, located in the residen...

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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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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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Sneem Hotel

This colonial hotel is located in the Golden Heights neighborhood. Guests enjoy outdoor dining, a restaurant, and a bar. Nearby, you’ll find the River...

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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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Waterford Marina Hotel

This traditional hotel is located adjacent to the popular Viking Triangle area on the bank of the River Suir. Guests enjoy a waterfront bar, restauran...

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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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Maldron Belfast City

This modern hotel is centrally located in Belfast. Guests enjoy free Wi-Fi, a restaurant, and a bar. Nearby, you’ll find Belfast City Hall, the Grand ...

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Clayton Hotel Belfast

This modern hotel is located in the Linen Quarter. Guests enjoy an indoor pool, fitness center, and Wi-Fi. Nearby, you'll find Albert Memorial Clock, ...

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Arbutus Hotel

This charming hotel is located in Killarney town centre. Guests enjoy free WiFi and Buckley's Bar, as well as complimentary ginger cake and tea on arr...

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The Granville Hotel

A charming and elegant 4-star hotel, the Granville Hotel overlooks the waterfront and is just a short distance from the business & shopping center...

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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

Local weather

Glasgow, Scotland

Weather averages

Today
High 53°F Low 38°F

Galway, Ireland

Weather averages

Today
High 55°F Low 41°F

Edinburgh, Scotland

Weather averages

Today
High 55°F Low 42°F

Dublin, Ireland

Weather averages

Today
High 55°F Low 40°F

Killarney, Ireland

Weather averages

Today
High 55°F Low 35°F

Belfast, Ireland

Weather averages

Today
High 54°F Low 36°F

London, England

Weather averages

Today
High 64°F Low 54°F

FAQ

Print FAQ

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 at least 1 hour 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, as well as getting in and out of trains and ferries.
Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special, individual mobility assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group as a whole enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing, individualized assistance to any one traveler.
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 (or London on the pre-tour extension) 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 ferry ride from Cairnryan to Belfast is included in the price of your tour. (The tour extension also includes a train ride from London to Edinburgh.)
All other included transportation is by private motor coach.

Baggage allowance

Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights, which may include on-tour flights in addition to your round-trip flights to and from tour. Please note that your included on-tour flights may have more restrictive baggage limits.
Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
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.
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.
For traditional English fare at a reasonable price on the pre-tour extension, try a pub meal of fish and chips or bangers and mash. Stilton cheese, steak and kidney pie, and Cumberland sausages are also worth a try.
Modern-day London, on the pre-tour extension, boasts an array of diverse international restaurants. Popular options for the adventurous palate include Indian, Thai, Chinese, Indonesian, Greek, and West African cuisines. Sip afternoon tea with delicious finger sandwiches and scones at Harrods for the ultimate in English tradition.

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 electrical 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.
Hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances, but these amenities cannot be guaranteed.

Connectivity

Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though charges may apply.
There is no internet access on the motor coach.
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 on tour.

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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20202021

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2020

Landscapes of Scotland & Ireland

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