A fantastic 2-week road trip across Scotland and Ireland, from Edinburgh to Dublin to Belfast.
(feature photo: Chris148/iStock)
A spectacular almost 2-week road trip across Scotland and Ireland that hits almost every major attraction you could ever want to see of these two famed destinations.
The historic major cities, stunning coastal beauty and cliffs, mountains and highlands and rolling hills and verdant countryside, 16 sights in all. Even a ferry ride across the Irish Sea. And, according to Contiki, all of their Europe-bound trips — including this one — are now (as of July/Summer 2021) up to 20% off. Here’s an overview of this tour, keeping in mind there are also additional micro-adventure on offer for extra fees.
Itinerary | Active Scotland & Ireland | CONTIKI
Day 1 | Edinburgh, Scotland’s historic and architecturally stunning capital. Afternoon to explore before meeting up with your new travelling companions for evening dinner.
Day 2 | Explore in and around Edinburgh. This adventure begins with a morning hike through Holyrood Park to the spectacular volcano Arthur’s Seat. From here, you have the option of a guided historical tour of Edinburgh Castle or to explore the city on your own.
Edinburgh, Scotland. (Chris148/iStock)
Day 3 | Scottish Highlands. Road trip through verdant landscapes on route from Edinburgh to the famed Scottish Highlands. Day includes a hike in the Cairngorms Mountains, then later, dinner with the group.
Day 4 | West Highlands. Scottish Highlands to West Highlands. Includes a cruise around the famed Loch Ness, a hike in the spectacular West Highlands of Glencoe, and overnighting in Oban.
Day 5 | To Glasgow. Head from the West Highlands to Glasgow, via historic Stirling, where William Wallace famously took on the English! Includes a guided trek of the area. End in Scotland’s biggest city.
Day 6 | To Dublin, Ireland. Glasgow to Dublin, Ireland, via Larne … via ferry! Then road trip to historic Dublin, where you meet for dinner, then get a city night tour, and end on at quaint Temple Bar Lane for a pint or two.
Dublin’s famed Temple Bar Lane. (Leonhard Niederwimmer/Unsplash)
Day 7 | Head from Dublin to Cork, via Kilkenny. (FYI: You cycle back to Dublin later.) Stop at the quaint village of Kilkenny to check out its famed castle, cathedral and mountains, or to partake of a micro-adventure: bike tour, a game of hurling, whitewater rafting and ziplining are all on offer. Overnight in the county of Cork.
Days 8-9 | Explore Galway, Ireland. Explore Ireland’s famed Cork County, then head to Galway via Blarney, and to the Cliffs of Moher. Includes Blarney Castle, a trek along the Cliffs of Moher, ferry ride to Aran Islands, two nights in Galway, and time to explore the lively city, with dinners at pubs with pints and local music!
Day 10 | Head to Londonderry. Road trip from Galway to Londonderry, stopping for lunch in Omagh, where you also meet and tour the farm of James McCloy, a fourth-generation shepherd. Then it’s on to Londonderry, with its famed 17th-century walls! For evening fun, you head to a bowling alley for a pint and game or two!
Day 11 | Belfast, Northern Ireland. From Londonderry to Belfast, but stopping at Giant’s Causeway to explore this spectacular natural wonder, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Some great hiking here! Then it’s on to Belfast, capital of Northern Ireland, where you get a guided walking tour, and maybe head to the Titanic museum.
Days 12&13 | Belfast to Dublin. Head from Belfast back to Dublin for another round of sightseeing or kayaking or pub crawling, including to the renowned Merry Ploughboys Irish Music Pub! Tour ends after breakfast the next day.
Active Scotland & Ireland | CONTIKI
Trip description/details from operator. For more info about this trip, click here.
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