YOUR ITINERARY:

Thursday (day 1) is the start date in Scotland. Note: with overnight flights, a Wednesday flight would be needed.

Day 1, Thursday | Edinburgh

Arrive in Edinburgh. Transfer included to your pre-booked hotel accommodations. On arrival in Edinburgh, your room may not be available, as check-in time is generally between 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm. Have the hotel hold your luggage, and step out and begin exploring Edinburgh to brush off your jet lag. The day is free for you to enjoy the city. Overnight in Edinburgh.

Day 2, Friday | Glencoe - Rannoch Moor - Fort William

Depart Edinburgh and travel northwest to admire the magnificent Kelpies before continuing through the Lowlands to historic Stirling for views of its iconic castle. Crossing the Highland Fault Line, the scenery transforms into shimmering lochs, rugged mountains, and forested glens within Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. Stop in the charming village of Killin for lunch before crossing the wild expanse of Rannoch Moor to dramatic Glencoe, one of Scotland's most breathtaking landscapes and the setting for many famous films. Continue along the shores of Loch Linnhe to Fort William, where the evening is free to explore beneath the towering peak of Ben Nevis. Overnight in Fort William. (B)

Day 3, Saturday | Glenfinnan & The Isle of Skye

Travel through spectacular Highland scenery to Glenfinnan, where the famous viaduct featured in the Harry Potter films spans the glen above Loch Shiel. Visit the Jacobite Monument and, if timing allows, watch the Jacobite Steam Train cross the viaduct before continuing to Mallaig. From April through mid-October, board the ferry to Skye; during the winter months, travel via the scenic Skye Bridge. Spend the afternoon exploring the beautiful Sleat Peninsula, known as the "Garden of Skye," with opportunities to visit dramatic coastal landscapes, waterfalls, or the Cuillin Mountains, depending on the weather. Overnight in the Skye or Lochalsh area. (B)

Day 4, Sunday | Isle of Skye

Spend the day discovering the Isle of Skye's unforgettable scenery. Your driver-guide will tailor the route to showcase the island at its very best, with possible visits to the Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock, the Quiraing, or Dunvegan Castle. Enjoy time for lunch in one of Skye's charming villages before returning to your hotel to relax or continue exploring at your own pace. (B)

Day 5, Monday | Eilean Donan Castle, Loch Ness & Edinburgh

YBegin with a visit to picturesque Eilean Donan Castle, one of Scotland's most photographed landmarks. Continue past the Five Sisters of Kintail to Fort Augustus on the shores of legendary Loch Ness, where you'll have free time for lunch and to stroll along the Caledonian Canal or search for the elusive Nessie. Journey south through Cairngorms National Park and the scenic woodlands of Perthshire, stopping in the charming town of Dunkeld before crossing the UNESCO-listed Forth Rail Bridge en route back to Edinburgh. Arrive back in Edinburgh approximately 6:30 pm, where you will make your own way to your pre-booked hotel. Overnight in Edinburgh. (B)

Day 6, Tuesday | Edinburgh - Dublin

After breakfast, transfer (included and will be pre-booked) from your hotel to the Airport for your flight from Edinburgh to Dublin (Note: the flight NOT included in the package price and needs to be booked independently). Arrive in Dublin, where a private transfer awaits 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 7, Wednesday | Dublin - Waterford

After breakfast, make your way independently to Dublin Airport (at the time designated with your documents). Here you will meet your driver/guide and your fellow tour participants who will enjoy the next 6-nights in Ireland with you. We head southwest through the gentle countryside of County Kildare. Stop in Newbridge for a visit to the Newbridge Silverware Visitor Centre and showroom, where you can browse Irish-designed tableware, jewelry, and gifts, and, if time allows, step into their small style or fashion exhibits. This makes a nice first pause after the flight, with a café on-site, where you can grab a refreshment before we depart. We continue on to Waterford, Ireland’s oldest city, following the River Suir as you approach. Once checked into your hotel, stretch your legs with a walk around the Viking Triangle, where narrow streets, medieval walls, and restored buildings give a sense of the city’s 1,000-plus years of history. In the evening, we enjoy dinner at our hotel. Overnight in Waterford. (D)

(*Flights arriving after transfer time will not be able to avail of the group transfer. In these instances, it is advised to book a pre-night stay so that you can avail of the group transfer.)

Day 8, Thursday | Waterford - Blarney - Killarney

After breakfast, check out of our hotel, but before leaving Waterford, we visit the House of Waterford, where we watch the master craftspeople mouth-blow and hand-cut the famous crystal. The visitor centre also houses an impressive showroom displaying intricate chandeliers, vases, and stemware that sparkle under the lights, which you can browse. We leave, traveling west, towards County Cork, where we have a stop in Blarney. Time allowed to shop the Blarney Woollen Mills or optionally, visit Blarney Castle and grounds, where you too can gain the gift of eloquence should you decide to kiss the famous stone. Continue onto Killarney and check into our hotel, located right in the town center. We enjoy dinner on arrival in Killarney at our hotel. Overnight in Killarney. Tonight, optional opportunity to attend the Gaelic Roots show in Killarney. Overnight in Killarney. (B,D)

Day 9, Friday | Killarney - Dingle Peninsula

Today is devoted to the wild beauty of the 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. Time is enjoyed in Dingle town, where colorful shopfronts and fishing boats create a postcard-worthy harbor scene. A full-day tour returning to Killarney, where you enjoy dinner on your own this evening. Overnight in Killarney. (B)

Day 10, Saturday | Killarney - Cliffs of Moher - Ennis

Depart Killarney after breakfast and head north through County Limerick and into County Clare. The landscape gradually opens into a patchwork of farms and low hills, with glimpses of the River Shannon along the way. Your main destination today is the Cliffs of Moher, rising dramatically to heights of over 700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. On a clear day, the Aran Islands are visible in the distance. After our visit, we depart for nearby Ennis, a compact market town with a medieval core. Check into our hotel. Enjoy dinner at our hotel. After wandering its narrow streets, perhaps visiting a cozy pub for live traditional music. Overnight in Ennis. (B,D)

Day 11, Sunday | Ennis - Dublin

Morning departure from Ennis after breakfast and take an eastbound route across the heart of Ireland toward County Tipperary. The drive takes you through a mix of farmland and small villages before the Rock of Cashel appears ahead, rising dramatically on a limestone outcrop above the town. We park nearby for a photo stop before continuing on to Dublin, Ireland's capital. We enjoy a panoramic tour of the Capital city via our coach, before making our way to the hotel for check-in. Enjoy the balance of the day on your own. Tonight, an optional opportunity to enjoy dinner and a show at a famed Dublin pub. Overnight in Dublin. (B)

Day 12, Monday | Dublin

On our morning sightseeing tour we visit EPIC, The Irish Emigration Museum. A fantastic interactive experience, which uncovers the dramatic and inspiring stories of the Irish who traveled the world, from early times to the modern day. Following our EPIC visit, we make our way to the Guinness Storehouse for a visit. Our afternoon is free to enjoy the capital city. Tonight, enjoy dinner on your own before the final overnight in Dublin. (B)

Day 13, Tuesday: Dublin - Tour ends

An early morning transfer takes you to Dublin Airport for the return flight home. Pick up your last-minute gifts at the duty-free shops before boarding your flight. You arrive home the same day. (B)