Duration: 13 Days
Knobby knees? Skinny calves? Thick ankles? No matter here. You can show them off with pride on this tartan-filled tour through the kilted and Celtic countries of Scotland, Ireland and Wales with the added bonus of England’s postcard-perfect Lake District. Whether you’re in search of heritage, haggis, rolling glens or smooth Guinness, there’s so much to discover on this Celtic tour of Britain and Ireland. Ancient castles? Check. Legendary lochs? Indeed. Sparkling seascapes and hallowed battlefields? You can bet your boots. Speaking of betting, you’ll visit the Irish National Stud at Kildare, a working stud farm and the beating heart of Ireland’s esteemed thoroughbred racehorse industry. From the storied cities to the tiny towns, you’ll feel your own heart beat as you savour the deep-rooted traditions and customs of the Emerald Isle and the Scottish Highlands and Lowlands.
Traveller Notes
We’ve packed everything you need for the perfect holiday—from hand-selected hotels and dining to the friendly expertise of Globus Tour Directors and Local Guides (with headsets to hear every word), to seamless transportation between destinations and VIP access to the world’s most iconic sites! Touring by private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi; Irish Sea ferry.
Please note: Itinerary is based on 2024, and is subject to change. Full details will be confirmed in 2024.
Welcome to Glasgow! Free time.
At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)
Secret Keys to Scottish Lochs
GLASGOW Orientation drive to see the 12th-century cathedral, university buildings, and Georgian squares.
HIGHLANDS Take a scenic drive along Loch Lomond and Loch Linnhe, and through Rannoch Moor and Glen Coe.
FORT WILLIAM See the gateway to Ben Nevis, UK's highest peak.
LOCH NESS Visit the legendary lake. (B)
178 mi / 286 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
EPIC RIDE They can take the low road, but we'll take the high road on a scenic ride through magic and mystery of the moors and glens of the Scottish Highlands. From lovely Loch Lomond and Loch Linnhe to the boggy expanses of Rannoch Moor and the dizzying beauty of Glen Coe and Ben Nevis, you'll discover the legends of Loch Ness and more across the beauty of Scotland's magnificent scenery.
A Red Moor & A White Castle
CULLODEN Visit the Culloden Moor battlefield site and visitor centre.
BLAIR ATHOLL Visit Blair Castle. (B)
178 mi / 286 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SPOT If these walls could talk, they would tell how the 19 generations of Stewarts and Murrays of Atholl have loved, won, and lost through seven centuries of history at Blair Castle, visited over time by Mary Queen of Scots, Bonnie Prince Charlie, and Queen Victoria.
Drummers, Pipers & Precious Jewels
EDINBURGH Morning city sightseeing with a Local Guide includes the New Town, the Old Town, and a visit to Edinburgh Castle to see Scotland's Crown Jewels. Free time in the afternoon.
EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO Attend the world-renowned Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo performance. (Departures August 5 through August 19 only). (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
MUSIC & MASTERPIECES Ascend to Castle Rock to explore Edinburgh Castle, one of the most important historical strongholds in the Kingdom of Scotland, with an 11,000-year history as "the most besieged place in Great Britain." Here, you'll find the royal regalia and Scotland's Crown Jewels. The Castle forms the background of the spectacular Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, an extravaganza of bagpipes and drums performed en masse in August each year.
Songs, Sonnets & Secret Vows
GRETNA GREEN See where the Scottish blacksmith performed weddings for eloping young couples.
LAKE DISTRICT Take a scenic drive.
GRASMERE Visit Wordsworth's beloved village and sample [LF] the original Grasmere gingerbread.
LIVERPOOL Visit The Beatles Story for a fascinating journey into the life and music of the Fab Four. (B)
235 mi / 378 km
LOCAL FAVOURITE
TIMELESS TRADITIONS Sweeten the day with classic Grasmere gingerbread and hear the story of Sarah Nelson, the Victorian cook who invented the world famous cross between cake and biscuit in 1854.
Forest Sprites & Ferry Sights
NORTH WALES Scenic drive through the forest village of Betws-y-Coed and Snowdonia National Park. Take a ferry to cross from Holyhead to Dublin. (B)
131 mi / 210 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
NATURAL WONDERS Pass through Snowdonia National Park's forests, rugged mountains and sweeping coastline, where Welsh and the language of nature are spoken in stunning style.
Ireland's Capital City
DUBLIN Take an orientation drive to see O'Connell Street, Georgian squares, St. Patrick's Cathedral, and Trinity College. Free time. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CITY SIGHTS "In Dublin's fair city where girls are so pretty" you'll also find great personality and charm. The charisma of Dubliners and the bounty of pubs here is matched only by the gorgeous Georgian Squares, 12th-century St. Patrick's Cathedral, and the legendary library of Trinity College.
The Winner's Circle
KILDARE [LF] Visit the world renowned Irish National Stud.
CASHEL See the Rock of Cashel, where St. Patrick preached.
BLARNEY Visit the village known for its magical Kissing Stone.
KILLARNEY Free time. (B,D)
231 mi / 372 km
LOCAL FAVOURITE
CULTURE & TRADITION The Irish National Stud is home to the long tradition of Ireland's love of horses. This horse breeding facility in County Kildare, considered the beating heart of Ireland's thoroughbred industry, continues to inspire all who visit, including Queen Elizabeth II. Hear about some of the world's most magnificent champion stallions that have made racing history since the turn of the 20th century.
Irish Eyes & Cheeky Rhymes
RING OF KERRY Panoramic drive around part of Ireland's southwestern peninsula.
ADARE Stop at the quaint village to see its pretty thatched cottages.
LIMERICK Free time. (B)
167 mi / 268 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
NATURAL WONDERS Explore the emerald tapestries of green fields and ocean views that make other coastlines green with envy. The Ring of Kerry begins and ends in Killarney, taking you on a trip along the southwest coast of Ireland. Discover a paradise of panoramic cliffs, lush landscapes, and breathtaking beaches of the Iveragh Peninsula.
Notes Above High Sea
CLIFFS OF MOHER Visit 668-foot-high cliffs above the Atlantic Ocean.
GALWAY Free time. (B,D)
188 mi / 302 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
PICTURE PERFECT Feast your eyes on a stunning spectacle of sea and sky at the Cliffs of Moher on the Wild Atlantic Way. Try to resist the inspiration that has moved artists, poets, and scientists throughout the ages as you stand on the edge of 320 million years of geologic perfection on the rugged coastline of County Clare.
Giant Steps in Northern Ireland
DERRY [LF] Walk on top of the city walls with a Local Guide.
GIANT'S CAUSEWAY See more than 40,000 interlocking basalt columns formed millions of years ago. (B,D)
187 mi / 301 km
LOCAL FAVOURITE
CULTURAL GEMS Ireland's only fully preserved historic walled city, Derry also took centre stage when Amelia Earhart landed her plane nearby having flown from Newfoundland in 1932. Walk on top of the 400-year-old city walls and hear the history of this vibrant place that links the Wild Atlantic Way to Causeway Coastal Route.
A Grand Ship & Great Scots
BELFAST Visit the Titanic Belfast experience. Take a ferry crossing to the maritime port of Cairnryan on Scotland's west coast en route to Glasgow. (B,D)
82 mi / 132 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SPOT Explore the fascinating Titanic Belfast experience for an in-depth look at the history and mystery of the legendary ocean liner. See artifacts and hear amazing accounts of Belfast's boom in shipping and those who built her. Learn about the courage and loss of all involved on a fateful night in April 1912. Get an immersive look at the launch, sinking, and final resting place of the doomed ship, with myths and reality revealed.
Safe travels until we meet again!
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
