BEST OF IRELAND, SCOTLAND, & WALES in 18 days 

DAY 1: Welcome to Dublin – Let’s plan to meet today at 2:00 p.m. in our hotel lobby for introductions and a tour overview. Then, join your Exploring Europe guide for a scenic overview tour of Dublin City. Enjoy a stop at the famous Guinness Brewery for a look at the production process and a visit to the panoramic Gravity Bar for your first taste of an authentic pint of the stout brewed here in Dublin. Later, you'll get a traditional dinner at a favorite Dublin pub. The remainder of the evening is free to enjoy more of Dublin or return to the hotel and settle in. Sleep for 2 nights in Dublin. Walking: light. Driving: 2 hours. Dinner.

DAY 2: Dublin City - After breakfast, enjoy a city walking tour of Dublin City and a visit to Trinity College, followed by a look at the “illuminated” Book of Kells. The afternoon and evening are scheduled to be event-free for you to experience more of Dublin on your own.  Walking: moderate.

 DAY 3: Glendalough and Kilkenny - After breakfast, we will leave the big city behind and begin a journey around the island.  The first stop is the ancient monastic site of Glendalough, located in the beautiful Wicklow Mountains.  We’ll take a peaceful walk along the lakes and through the forest while learning about the monastery and its role in history.  Then, travel to the medieval town of Kilkenny, where you will have some free time to experience the town, castle, cathedral, and shops. Tonight, experience a tastebud-tingling dinner at my favorite Italian restaurant this side of Tuscany.  Sleep 1 night in Kilkenny. Walking: moderate to strenuous; it’s your choice. Driving: 3 hours.  Dinner.

 DAY 4: A Bit of Blarney and Kerry – Today, we will travel across the Plain of Tipperary to the little village of Blarney. The castle, known for its famous “Blarney Stone,” is one of Ireland's most popular tourist destinations. After an opportunity to “kiss the Blarney Stone,” you will enjoy a visit to the Blarney Woolen Mills. This huge shopping complex is your one-stop spot for authentic Irish arts, crafts, textiles, and apparel. Later, we will make our way to Dingle at the far southwest tip of Ireland. Tonight’s menu features a selection of fresh and sumptuous locally sourced products.  After dinner, join the fun at a pub for a traditional music session or live folk music. Sleep for 2 nights in Dingle. Walking: light. Driving: 6 hours.  Dinner.  

 DAY 5: The Dingle Peninsula – Today, experience some of Ireland's wildest natural beauty and oldest pre-historic settlements on our driving tour of the Slea Head. Enjoy endless fields of "40 shades of green", rock-crashing waves, and all the sheep you'll ever want to count. Back in Dingle, you’ll have the afternoon and evening for shopping, dinner, and music. Walking: light. Driving: 3 hours. 

DAY 6: The Cliffs of Moher and Galway - After a drive through the coastal mountains of Kerry, we will take a ferry crossing the River Shannon over to County Clare. Here, you will experience the breathtaking Cliffs of Moher, where you’ll find yourself teetering on the edge of a series of 700-foot cliffs perched on the North Atlantic. These cliffs stretch for five miles along the Atlantic coast in County Clare.  On a clear day, one can see the distant Aran Islands and the soaring mountains in Connemara and the Dingle Peninsula.  We’ll take a scenic drive along the Atlantic coast around Galway Bay and through the rocky terrain known as the Burren. Once in Galway City, enjoy an overview driving tour of the region’s highlights. Then, you’ll have the remainder of the evening to explore on your own, spend your time shopping, wander the pedestrian area, listen to local busker musicians, and experience the “pulse” of this vibrant city. Sleep 2 nights in Galway. Walking: light to moderate, depending on your independent explorations in Galway.

DAY 7: The Aran Islands - Today, enjoy an excursion, by boat, to Inishmore, the largest of the Aran Islands (weather permitting). Once on the island, experience a driving tour of its natural and historical sites and an opportunity to look around in the craft shops.  Return in the late afternoon to Galway for a bit of free time.  Then let's gather for dinner at a favorite restaurant. Walking: moderate to strenuous, depending on your activity level in the Inishmor countryside. Boat: 3 hours roundtrip.

DAY 8: We will take a short flight across the Irish Sea to Edinburgh. – Enjoy an orientation walk around the famous Royal Mile. You will receive a Hop-On-Hop-Off Edinburgh Bus Pass providing a comprehensive open-top bus tour of Edinburgh. Later, we will meet for a group dinner. Walking: moderate. Sleep for 2 nights in Edinburgh. Dinner.

DAY 9: Edinburgh -Today, we will see the best of Edinburgh on foot by strolling the Royal Mile, featuring its historic buildings, narrow alleys, and hidden courtyards. We'll begin with a visit to the historic Edinburgh Castle, the "birthplace" of the city, and affording spectacular views and vistas. The remainder of the day is yours to explore more of Edinburgh on your own. Perhaps you'll want to visit the National Museum of Scotland, Holyrood Palace, hike up Calton Hill or Arthur's Seat, enjoy "high tea" in a cafe or do some shopping on the Royal Mile or in the new town. The possibilities are endless. Walking: moderate.

DAY 10: Culross, St. Andrews, and the Countryside —Today, cross the famous Firth of Forth and visit the tiny burg of Culross. Enjoy poking around the burg's gardens, shops, and a small "palace" manor house. Later, we'll travel through the Kingdom of Fife to St. Andrews, the home of golf and the famous Old Course. St. Andrews is equally important for its medieval town and cathedral. We'll set up for the evening in a little village where you can enjoy dinner and lots of peace. Driving: 4 hours. Walking: moderate. Sleep 1 night in the Scottish Highlands. Dinner.

DAY 11: The Highlands – We will begin the day with a visit to the haunting Culloden Battlefield, where in 1746, Bonnie Prince Charlie and his Jacobite supporters suffered a terrible defeat, ending years of rebellion against the British. Driving: 5 hours. Walking: moderate. Sleep 1 night in or near Inverness.

 DAY 12: The Highlands and Oban -Experience the wild, rugged beauty of Loch Ness on a panoramic boat cruise, followed by a visit to Urquhart Castle. Later, we will head to the western coastal town of Oban. Enjoy a group dinner featuring fresh-caught seafood and a quiet evening in the town. Driving: 5 hours. Walking: Light. Sleep for 2 nights in Oban. Dinner.

 DAY 13: The Hebrides Isles —Today, weather permitting, we will board the ferry to the Isle of Mull and eventually Iona, the birthplace of Christianity in Scotland. Here, you will have several hours to experience the 800-year-old abbey where the Book of Kells was written and fabricated by the local monks. Enjoy some time on your own to experience the island. Finally, return to Oban for an event-free evening and a chance to kick up your heels at a local pub. Boat: 3 hours. Driving: 2 hours. Walking: Moderate to Light. 

DAY 14: Loch Lomond and England —Following breakfast, we will take a drive down to Lake District National Park in England.  Here, enjoy a short orientation of our peaceful little village and plenty of time to wander, take a walk or relax. Sleep for 1 night in the Lake District. Driving: 5 hours. Walking: Light.

DAY 15:  Northern Wales – After breakfast, we will drive into Northern Wales and set up in our home village.  Enjoy an orientation walking tour and a visit to the local castle.  We will meet later for dinner at a favorite restaurant. Driving: 4 hours. Walking: Light. Sleep for 3 nights in North Wales. Dinner.

DAY 16: Sights and Attractions to the south of Conwy – We will begin by visiting the colorful Bodnant Gardens (weather permitting) where you can spend several hours enjoying flora and fauna, walking the miles of trails, and relaxing. Next, we will visit a working woolen mill in the village of Trefriw, where you’ll learn how raw wool is transformed into fabric.  We will end our day in the delightful village of Betws-y-Coed, a picture-perfect setting with lots of shops, waterfalls, wooded paths, and cafes. Then, it is back to our home base for a free evening.  Driving: 4 hours.  Walking: moderate.

DAY 17: Trains, Slate Mines, and Castles – This morning, we will hop on an old-fashioned train powered by a steam locomotive to explore Snowdonia National Park.  We will finish up our sightseeing with a visit to a slate mine near the village of Blaenau Ffestiniog.  After a busy day, you’ll enjoy our grand farewell dinner to cap off your Celtic tour experience.  Train: 2.5 hours. Driving:2 hours. Walking: Moderate. Dinner.

DAY 18: Heading Home – After breakfast, we will get you to the local train station or Manchester airport.  

Itinerary specifics are subject to change.

Transportation by coach and/or minibus from your Dublin hotel to Glasgow airport (Edinburgh may be possible).

A flight across the Irish Sea from Shannon or Dublin to Edinburgh.

17 nights’ accommodation in traditional hotels, guesthouses, and B&Bs.  All rooms have private en-suite baths.

All tips and gratuities to guides, drivers, restaurants, and hotel staff.

A guaranteed Small Group consisting of 6-18 participants.

All breakfasts and nine of your dinners.

Traditional dining experiences at some of David's personal favorite restaurants. Eating well is a priority and you’ll enjoy fine regional fare featuring the best the locale has to offer.

Water is included with all meals.  Soda, beer, wine, spirits, coffee, and tea are your responsibility. 

All tours and admissions at no extra cost: Comprehensive Dublin walking and driving tour covering all the essential sights in the city ▪ a visit to the Guinness Storehouse and Gravity Bar ▪ Entrance to The Book of Kells ▪ Glendalough Monastic site and the Wicklow mountains ▪ entrance to Blarney Castle and its famous kissing stone ▪ Dingle Peninsula Driving Tour ▪ The Blasket Centre ▪The Cliffs of Moher experience ▪ Galway City orientation tour ▪ Aran Island Excursion (weather permitting) ▪ Edinburgh walking tour ▪ Edinburgh Castle admission and tour ▪ Edinburgh Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus Tour ▪ walking tour of Culross and manor house entrance ▪ orientation walk at St. Andrews ▪ Culloden Battlefield admission ▪ Loch Ness panoramic cruise ▪ Oban orientation stroll ▪ Isle of Mull and Iona cruise and coach/walking tour ▪ orientation and driving tour in the Lake District ▪ North Wales village walking tour ▪ a North Wales castle entrance.▪ Bodnant Gardens (weather permitting).▪ Trefriw Woolen Mills.▪ Blaenau Ffestiniog Slate Mine (weather permitting). ▪ scenic steam train ride in Northern Wales.▪ and much more▪ and much more.

A full-time Exploring Europe guide and local experts dedicated to bringing to life the art, history, and culture of the tour destinations.

David’s tour handouts are delivered electronically and detail each day’s historical and cultural experiences.

Free luggage tags and David’s custom-designed drawstring backpacks.

Our Unconditional Tour Price Guarantee, once locked in, will never change.

$50 Tour Alumni discount for each David McGuffin tour you’ve taken prior to this travel year. 

Anything not listed above in the "inclusions" area is not included in the cost of your tour.

See our complete Terms and Conditions here.

See our complete Terms and Conditions here.