Best of Scotland and Ireland
Best of Scotland and Ireland
$2201
Best of Scotland and Ireland
9 Days Starting in Edinburgh, Scotland and ending in Dublin, Ireland
Visiting: Edinburgh, Highlands, Glasgow, Belfast, Dublin
Tour operator:
Tour code:
9020-2025
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Cultural, Festive and New Year, History, Special Guest Tours
Activities:
Tour Overview
Discover the treasures Scotland and Ireland on your affordable tour from Dublin to Edinburgh. In 9 days, you’ll visit Highlands and Lowlands and three capital cities. Starting in Scotland, a city tour of Edinburgh introduces you to the home of scientists, inventors, and novelists, not to mention the imposing castle. The home of golf, St Andrews, and the beautiful Victorian resort town of Pitlochry are on the way to the Cairngorms National Park and Highlands of Scotland. Look out for Nessie as you drive along the shores of Loch Ness, and through the lush and rugged countryside to the “Bonnie Banks” of Loch Lomond to Glasgow. Your budget-minded travel through Scotland ends with the ferry across the Irish Sea to Belfast, where the Titanic was built. Plenty of time to immerse yourself in this unique city before moving south to Dublin, Ireland’s capital city. Here you’ll drive along the statue-lined O’Connell Street and see the elegant Georgian squares with their red-brick townhouses, Trinity College, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Your value-minded tour of Scotland and Ireland is chock-full of priceless experiences, sights, and memories brave and true!
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive In Edinburgh,Scotland
Location: Edinburgh
Accommodation Name: Novotel Edinburgh Park
Meals Included: Dinner
Check into your hotel. In the afternoon, there’s time to rest or discover Scotland’s great capital city. This evening, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for dinner at the hotel.
Day 2: Edinburgh
Location: Edinburgh
Accommodation Name: Novotel Edinburgh Park
Meals Included: Breakfast
A full day to enjoy the Scottish capital. Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide introduces you to the 200-year-old “New Town”, home to famous scientists, inventors, and novelists. In the “Old Town,” visit Edinburgh Castle to admire Scotland’s Crown Jewels. Afternoon at leisure. No trip to Scotland is complete without an authentic Scottish night out! Join an optional evening filled with traditional food, drinks, singers, dancers, bagpipes and of course the unforgettable Ceremony of the Haggis! For departures August 3, 10 and 17, tickets are included for tonight’s performance of the world-renowned Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, a vast spectacle of amassed Scottish pipe bands that takes place in an arena on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle.
Day 3: Edinburgh-St. Andrews-Pitlochry-Culloden Moor-Inverness-Highlands
Location: Highlands
Accommodation Name: Ben Wyvis Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
A day of memorable sightseeing: cross the Firth of Forth and head to St. Andrews, whose Royal and Ancient Golf Club has given us the rules of golfing; then cross the Firth of Tay and, via Dundee and Perth, head into the Highlands with a stop in the Victorian mountain resort of Pitlochry. Cross the battlefield of Culloden Moor with its memories of Bonnie Prince Charlie before reaching your Highland destination. Today’s Distance: 225 mi/ 260 km
Day 4: Highlands-Fort William-Glasgow
Location: Glasgow
Accommodation Name: Moxy Glasgow Merchant City
Meals Included: Breakfast
Look out for signs of the mysterious Loch Ness monster and proceed via Fort William, beneath Ben Nevis. Glen Coe, where the MacDonald Clan was massacred in 1692, and a drive along the “Bonnie Banks” of Loch Lomond are scenic highlights on the way to Glasgow. Today’s Distance: 183 mi/ 293 km
Day 5: Glasgow,Alloway,Belfast,Northern Ireland
Location: Belfast
Accommodation Name: Leonardo Hotel Belfast
Meals Included: Breakfast
On this morning’s orientation drive through Scotland’s largest city, see the fine 12th-century cathedral, imposing university buildings, and elegant Georgian squares, built by wealthy tobacco barons. Stop at Alloway, the birthplace of Robert Burns, before boarding the ferry for the Irish Sea crossing to Belfast.Today’s Distance: 143 mi/ 229 km
Day 6: Belfast
Location: Belfast
Accommodation Name: Leonardo Hotel Belfast
Meals Included: Breakfast
A full day to enjoy Belfast on your own or experience the legend and legacy of the ill-fated ocean liner, Titanic, on a morning optional city tour that includes a visit to Titanic Belfast. Be moved by the compelling story of the Titanic from conception to construction and launch and its subsequent place in history. This afternoon, why not join an optional to the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Giant’s Causeway. Taking its name from the legendary Irish giant Finn McCool, 40,000 basalt columns were formed around 60 million years ago to create a unique rock formation that is a sight to behold.
Day 7: Belfast,Dublin,Ireland
Location: Dublin
Accommodation Name: Clayton Leopardstown
Meals Included: Breakfast
Head south this morning for arrival in Dublin before lunchtime. Your orientation drive through Ireland’s capital includes statue-lined O’Connell Street, elegant Georgian squares, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. This evening’s optional excursion toasts Irish tradition with a visit to the Guinness Storehouse where Ireland’s most famous export has been brewed since 1759. A guided tour is followed by a “pint of the black stuff” and dinner. Today’s Distance: 105 mi/ 168 km
Day 8: Dublin
Location: Dublin
Accommodation Name: Clayton Leopardstown
Meals Included: Breakfast
A day to explore the “Fair City” of Dublin on your own. Your Tour Director will have suggestions. Everyone’s Irish on tonight’s popular optional outing to the legendary Taylors Irish Cabaret, featuring a delicious dinner, drinks, and outstanding Irish music, dance, and comedy.
Day 9: Dublin
Location: Dublin
Accommodation Name: Clayton Leopardstown
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Stay at the following hotels: Novotel Edinburgh Park in Edinburgh, Ben Wyvis Hotel in the Highlands, Moxy Glasgow Merchant City in Glasgow, Leonardo Hotel Belfast in Belfast, and Clayton Leopardstown in Dublin.
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Meals
Daily breakfast and selected dinners are included.
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Sightseeing
Guided tours and sightseeing in Edinburgh, St. Andrews, Pitlochry, Culloden Moor, Inverness, Highlands, Fort William, Glasgow, Alloway, Belfast, and Dublin.
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Transportation
Transportation between destinations, including a ferry crossing from Scotland to Northern Ireland.
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Tour Director
Services of a professional Tour Director throughout the trip.
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Local Guides
Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide in Edinburgh.
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Special Events
Tickets to the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo for departures on August 3, 10, and 17.
What's Not Included
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Optional Excursions
Optional evening events such as the Scottish night out in Edinburgh, the visit to Titanic Belfast, the tour to the Giant’s Causeway, the visit to the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin, and the Taylors Irish Cabaret in Dublin.
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Personal Expenses
Any personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks not included in the itinerary.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and should be purchased separately.
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Flights
International and domestic flights to and from the starting and ending points of the tour are not included.
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Gratuities
Gratuities for the Tour Director, local guides, and drivers are not included.
UNESCO Sites
Forth Road Bridge|Old and New Towns of Edinburgh
Accommodation
Edinburgh:Novotel Edinburgh ParkHighlands:Ben Wyvis HotelGlasgow:Moxy Glasgow Merchant CityBelfast:Leonardo Hotel BelfastDublin:Clayton Leopardstown
Notes
This tour requires some uphill walking on rough terraine at Edinburgh Castle which may pose a challenge to guests with physical limitations or reliant on mobility devices such as wheelchairs.
Meals
8 Breakfasts, 2 Dinners
Check out our Q&As
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What can I expect on the first day of the tour?
On the first day, you will arrive in Edinburgh, Scotland, and check into your hotel. In the afternoon, you have time to rest or explore Scotland's capital city. In the evening, you will meet your Tour Director and travel companions for dinner at the hotel.
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What activities are planned for the second day in Edinburgh?
The second day includes a full day to enjoy Edinburgh. Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide will introduce you to the 200-year-old 'New Town' and the 'Old Town,' where you will visit Edinburgh Castle to admire Scotland's Crown Jewels. The afternoon is at your leisure. There is also an optional evening event featuring traditional Scottish food, drinks, singers, dancers, bagpipes, and the Ceremony of the Haggis. For departures on August 3, 10, and 17, tickets are included for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
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What are the highlights of the third day of the tour?
On the third day, you will cross the Firth of Forth and head to St. Andrews, known for its Royal and Ancient Golf Club. You will then travel through Dundee and Perth into the Highlands, stopping at the Victorian mountain resort of Pitlochry. You will also visit the battlefield of Culloden Moor before reaching your Highland destination.
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Will we visit Loch Ness during the tour?
Yes, on the fourth day, you will look out for signs of the mysterious Loch Ness monster as you proceed via Fort William, beneath Ben Nevis. You will also visit Glen Coe and drive along the 'Bonnie Banks' of Loch Lomond on your way to Glasgow.
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What can I do during the free day in Belfast?
In Belfast, you have the option to explore the city on your own or join an optional morning city tour that includes a visit to Titanic Belfast. In the afternoon, you can opt for a tour to the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Giant's Causeway.
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What is included in the optional evening excursion in Dublin?
The optional evening excursion in Dublin includes a visit to the Guinness Storehouse, where you will have a guided tour followed by a pint of Guinness and dinner.
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What is the final day of the tour like?
The final day of the tour includes breakfast in Dublin, after which your vacation ends.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1961
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Cosmos is committed to minimizing our impact on the environment and to reducing dependence on non-renewable resources. In this endeavor, we have implemented policies to support this mission and are working carefully to enhance our products with this mission and our values combined. We are committed to complying with all relevant legislation and/or regulations.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Travel documents, including any air tickets, itineraries, and other information, are available approximately two to three weeks prior to departure provided full payment has been received.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
All guests are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 for travel through February, 2023. Beginning March 1, 2023, while we highly recommend vaccination, we will no longer require it. We ask all guests to comply with airline and destination requirements, which still may apply. To check your destination requirements for your travel dates, view the Latest Travel & Health Restrictions for Travel.
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Low Deposit
Cosmos requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of cosmos charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.