BRENDAN VACATIONS

Best of Ireland
​and Scotland

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Travel to see the very Best of Ireland and Scotland, from delicate Waterford Crystal to the golfing greats of St. Andrews. Kiss the Blarney Stone and you’ll be sharing tales from Giant’s Causeway, the Ring of Kerry and the Scottish Highlands for years to come.
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GUIDED VACATION
15 days  •  20 meals  •  18 highlights

Your Itinerary

DAY 1
Welcome to Dublin

Explore the Celtic heritage and hospitality of Ireland and Scotland on this grand adventure through beautiful landscapes and enchanting cities. Our first day sees us delve into the whimsy of the Irish capital, before joining our fellow travellers and Travel Director for a Welcome Reception.
Hotel: Mespil/Clayton Ballsbridge
Meals: Welcome Reception
DAY 2
Discover Diverse Dublin

Drive through the streets of Dublin, joining your Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour past the stately Georgian Squares and St. Patrick's Cathedral, the tallest church in Ireland. Enjoy a leisurely day exploring the city. Stop for a pint of 'the Black Stuff' in Temple Bar, admire the colourful performers on Grafton Street or consider joining an Optional Experience this evening to tap your feet to the lively sounds of Irish music at an Irish cabaret.
Meals: Breakfast
OPTIONAL EXPERIENCE
Dublin Dinner and Irish ShowEnjoy an evening of fine food and fun as Ireland’s history unfolds with comedy, song and dance. You’ll be tapping your toes and joining in the show, all in the spirit of Irish humour. And you’ll even be served an Irish coffee to round off your dinner.
Adult Price: €72.00*
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Experience the Ancient Monastic Site of Glendalough
Enjoy a visit to one of the most important monastic sites in Europe, which dates back to the 6th century. Your Local Specialist will tell tales and show you around this sacred area, famous for its tranquil beauty amidst the rolling countryside of County Wicklow, the garden of Ireland.
Adult Price: €25.00*

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* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change
DAY 3
Journey to Waterford

Dive Into Culture and gain insights into Ireland’s strong tradition of breeding world-class thoroughbreds at the Irish National Stud in Kildare. Enjoy a guided walk admiring the powerful steeds that have made racing history and stroll around the tranquil Japanese gardens. We travel to the House of Waterford Crystal this afternoon and Dive Into Culture yet again to witness this delicate craft, watching talented master craftsmen at work in their workshop.
Hotel: Dooley's

Meals: Breakfast
OPTIONAL EXPERIENCE
Irish Folk Fun
Join a magical entertainment experience, where you'll get the chance to see Irish hospitality in the best folk tradition. Enjoy a drink while locals sing and play music for you.
Adult Price: €29.00*

Explore Waterford's History and Local Pub
Join us in Waterford, where the history dates back as far as the Vikings. Your Local Specialist will bring the historic area to life through stories and anecdotes; one guest even described the trip as the "best history lesson ever". Afterwards, we stop off for a drink in one of the area's oldest pubs for a pint or drink of your choice.
Adult Price: €24.00*

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* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
DAY 4
Onwards to Blarney and Killarney

Travel to Cork and bend over backwards to kiss the Blarney Stone and acquire the 'gift of the gab' before crossing the Kerry Mountains to County Kerry. We journey to 1930s Ireland this evening for an unforgettable MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, visiting the working farms of Muckross, where we'll learn about traditional farming and meet the families who ply the land. Your visit will help to preserve the heritage of rural Ireland and you’ll Connect With Locals, savouring delicious local flavours during your Be My Guest visit to the Quilles Farmhouse against the scenic backdrop of the lakes of Killarney.
Hotel: Killarney Towers/Hotel Killarney
Meals: Breakfast, Be My Guest
OPTIONAL EXPERIENCE
Visit Muckross House and its Gardens
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Come with us to Muckross House and its beautiful gardens. With a backdrop of oak-clad mountains, enjoy taking in the towering azaleas and rhododendrons, alongside the shores of the lake. The 18th century house contains some wonderful examples of furniture and paintings, including a portrait of King James VI, for whom Shakespeare wrote Macbeth.
Adult Price: €21.00*
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​* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
DAY 5
A Day on the Ring of Kerry

The astounding beauty of Iveragh Peninsula accompanies us on this soul-stirring coastal journey around the Ring of Kerry – a dramatic landscape of mountains, loughs and lakes which have inspired writers and poets for centuries. See Daniel O'Connell's Cahirciveen, the fishing village of Waterville, the Black Valley and Moll's Gap with the Macgillycuddy's Reeks peaks in the distance.
Meals: Breakfast
OPTIONAL EXPERIENCE
Experience a Jaunting Cart Ride
Enjoy a traditional pony and trap ride through the beautiful Bourn-Vincent National Park. During your journey, your Local Specialist will share fascinating anecdotes about the area and Ireland.
Adult Price: €22.00*

Gaelic Roots
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A tour de force of traditional Irish song, music and dance, Gaelic Roots showcases Ireland at its best. Using traditional instruments, Irish dance and time-honoured folk songs, this energetic show will have you tapping your feet and singing along in no time.
Adult Price: €34.00*

​* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
DAY 6
Continue to Galway and Coastal Ballina

Drive to Adare, one of Ireland's prettiest villages, known for its thatched cottages. The imposing stone cathedral, built on the site of an old prison and Eyre Square on our next stop in Galway, where we'll enjoy some free time to explore the city before continuing our journey northward. This evening we dine in our hotel.
Hotel: Ballina/The Ellison
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
OPTIONAL EXPERIENCE
Belfast Walk with Fish and Chips
What better way to soak up the atmosphere of this lively city than to join a Local Specialist for a stroll through its hidden side streets? We'll have an included drink in a historic pub and continue to a local restaurant for a quintessentially traditional meal; fish and chips.
Adult Price: £41.00*
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* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
DAY 7
Off to Donegal and on to Londonderry

Head north to Donegal with its 'Diamond' centre before joining a Local Specialist in Londonderry to stroll along its 17th-century walls. See the 'Troubles' neighbourhood of Bogside, with its murals depicting the battles of that time.
Hotel: Everglades/City
Meals: Breakfast
OPTIONAL EXPERIENCE
Dinner and Drinks in Londonderry
Join us and the the rest of the group for a cosy and relaxing evening of dinner and a drink in a locally-loved restaurant.
Adult Price: £42.00*
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* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
DAY 8
Admire the Giant's Causeway and on to Belfast

Tread in the footsteps of Finn McCool and along the other-worldly Giant's Causeway 'steps' that descend into the sea during your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Your visit will help to conserve this iconic landmark. We arrive in Belfast later and visit the Titanic Belfast Experience where we’ll Dive Into Culture and gain insights into the tragic story of the famous ship that met its end in the Atlantic. The rest of the evening is yours to enjoy the vibrant nightlife of the capital of Northern Ireland.
Hotel: Stormont
Meals: Breakfast
OPTIONAL EXPERIENCE
Belfast Walk with Fish and Chips
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What better way to soak up the atmosphere of this lively city than to join a Local Specialist for a stroll through its hidden side streets? We'll have an included drink in a historic pub and continue to a local restaurant for a quintessentially traditional meal; fish and chips.
Adult Price: £41.00*
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* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
DAY 9
Cross the Irish Sea to Glasgow

Join your Local Specialist in Belfast this morning for an included city tour which will take you to Queen's University and the Baroque Revival-style City Hall. We board our ferry at Larne and cross to Cairnryan in Scotland, driving through the Ayrshire countryside bound for Glasgow, our home for the next two nights.
Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn City Centre/Maldron
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 10
Discover Glasgow's Rich Legacy

Delve into Scotland’s intriguing cultural capital and stroll through the toon to admire views of George Square and the River Clyde, once the heart of Scotland's shipbuilding industry. We head to whisky country next, visiting the Glengoyne whisky distillery where we’ll Dive Into Culture and learn how to make Scotland's favourite honey-coloured drink with a chance to sample a wee dram. We return to Glasgow for some free time to explore the city.
Meals: Breakfast
OPTIONAL EXPERIENCE
A Stirling Evening
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See Stirling Castle and the Wallace Memorial by night. A truly local experience, you'll be piped in to your evening meal in the historic Scottish city and enjoy an evening of Scottish delights.
Adult Price: £44.00*
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* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
DAY 11
Continue Over the Sea to Skye

Journey along the famous bonnie banks of Loch Lomond to the tragic site of the 1692 massacre of the MacDonalds at the 'Glen of Weeping'. Continue to Fort William at the foot of Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis. Then, cross to the Isle of Skye, where we'll spend this evening dining in our hotel.
Hotel: Dunollie
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
OPTIONAL EXPERIENCE
Loch Lomond Boat Trip
Discover the wild beauty of the 'Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond'. As we cruise across the loch, the skipper will share stories of the area and point out Rob Roy's cave as you relax and savour the stunning scenery.
Adult Price: £15.00*

Isle Of Skye Drive
An opportunity to travel around the Isle of Skye with your Local Specialist. You’ll hear about the way of life on this remote inner Hebridean Island and discover its dramatic scenery and rock formations.
Adult Price: £15.00*
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​* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
DAY 12
Venture to Loch Ness and Culloden in the Scottish Highlands

We leave the rugged beauty of Skye behind and venture to the site where three lochs meet. View Eilean Donan Castle before travelling along the banks of Loch Ness in search of the elusive monster that bears its name. The bloody battlefield of Culloden is our next stop, where we spend a poignant moment reflecting on the many men who lost their lives in the brief but brutal battle between the Redcoats and Bonnie Prince Charlie's Jacobites. This evening we spend the evening dining at our hotel in the Scottish Highlands.
Hotel: Highlander
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
OPTIONAL EXPERIENCE
Highland Farm Experience
Visit a real Highland sheep farm and meet Neil the Shepherd and his border collies. He’ll show you how he uses different whistles to command each dog to carry out different tasks. You’ll also have the opportunity to try your hand at feeding the lambs and discover his training techniques. Weather permitting.
Adult Price: £15.00*

​* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
DAY 13
Journey to Enchanting Edinburgh

Traversing the dramatic landscapes of the Scottish Highlands, we pass Pitlochry before arriving in St. Andrews to see its famous golf course on which golfing greats have clamoured to play for centuries. We cross the scenic Firth of Forth to enchanting Edinburgh, our home for the next two nights. Tickets to see the spectacular Edinburgh Tattoo are included on departures that coincide with performance dates.
Hotel: Novotel Centre/Apex Haymarket
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
OPTIONAL EXPERIENCE
Dinner And Drive To Historic Torphichen
Enjoy a scenic drive to the ancient village of Torphichen, associated with Scottish kings and Knights Templar. At the Torphichen Inn, your arrival will be toasted by our gracious host before enjoying an excellent dinner of local specialties and entertainment.
Adult Price: £56.00*

Scottish Show With Dinner
Tonight is your chance to put on that tartan and join us for an evening of singing, dancing and bagpipe playing at an internationally famous venue. You’ll enjoy delicious food and wine, join in the singing and watch a Highland dance or two. There's even a chance to sample Scotland’s national dish – haggis.
Adult Price: £62.00*

Pitlochry. Visit Of Blair Castle
Set in its own grounds against a backdrop of glorious scenery, we'll discover the ancient home of the Dukes of Atholl, home to Europe's last remaining private army. Unique amongst Scottish castles, Blair has hosted royalty from Mary Queen of Scots to Queen Victoria.
​Adult Price: £20.00*
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​* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
DAY 14
Journey to Enchanting Edinburgh Uncover Edinburgh's Treasures

Join your Local Specialist for a guided sightseeing tour which includes a visit to Edinburgh Castle, surveying the city from imposing Castle Rock. See the Royal Mile, the elegant Palace of Holyrood in the shadow of Arthur's Seat, and the new Scottish Parliament building. As our memorable holiday comes to an end, we join our Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Farewell Dinner to reminisce over shared experiences.
Meals: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner
OPTIONAL EXPERIENCE
Rosslyn Chapel
We’ll drive out of Edinburgh with our Local Specialist to the tiny village of Rosslyn, where we’ll hear the inside story of the famous Rosslyn Chapel. One of Scotland's most unusual 15th-century buildings, Rossyln is famed for its associations with the Knights Templar, the Masonic movement, and now 'The Da Vinci Code'.
Adult Price: £22.00*

​* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
DAY 15
Farewell Edinburgh

For now it’s time to say a fond farewell to Scotland and our newfound friends, at the end of an unforgettable Celtic sojourn. Find out more about your free airport transfer at trafalgar.com/freetransfers.
Meals: Breakfast
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AAA Palm Springs:
Best of Ireland and Scotland

Month Day, Year
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Dining Highlights
  • 14 breakfasts
  • 6 dinners (including Be My Guest)
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Sightseeing Highlights
  • Explore Dublin, Londonderry, Belfast and Edinburgh with a Local Specialist
  • Discover Waterford, Adare, Galway and Glasgow
  • Visit the Irish National Stud in Kildare, the Waterford Crystal showroom, Blarney Castle, Giant's Causeway, Titanic Experience in Belfast, Glengoyne whisky distillery in Glasgow, Pitlochry and Edinburgh Castle
  • View Eilean Donan Castle, the battlefield of Culloden and the 18th green at St. Andrews
  • See St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin, Galway Cathedral and Loch Lomond
  • Scenic Drive of the Ring of Kerry
  • Tickets for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo are included on departures that coincide with performance dates
  • Connect With Locals It's 1930s Ireland revisited. Visit the working farms of Muckross taking you back to a time of traditional farming. Learn how to churn butter and dine in the Quilles Farmhouse against the scenic backdrop of the lakes of Killarney.
  • Dive into Culture Learn how crystal is crafted at the House of Waterford Crystal during a workshop tour.
  • Dive into Culture Admire Ireland's finest thoroughbreds at the Irish National Stud Farm.
  • Dive Into Culture Discover the full story of the Titanic at the Titanic Belfast visitor attraction and monument in Belfast.
  • Dive Into Culture Visit Glengoyne, known as Scotland's most beautiful whisky distillery, for a tour and a tasting of their unique Highland single malt whisky.
  • MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® In Northern Ireland you'll discover the legend of the Giant's Causeway as you explore with an expert, who'll explain how your visit helps conserve this iconic natural landmark.
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Taking you personally is what we do and that’s why we’ve temporarily made our cancellation policy even more flexible.
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