Day 1:
A coach bus will transfer you to the airport for your overnight flight to Dublin.
Day 2:
Arrive in Dublin in the morning, meet your guide and begin your tour of the city. Take a tour of the Kilmainham Gaol as you discover the stories of people who were imprisoned here as you journey through Irish history. Go to Trinity College to see the book of Kells, a famous work of art from the dark ages. Have a picnic lunch on St. Stephen’s Green. Take some free time to shop on Grafton Street. Visit Saint Patrick’s Cathedral before continuing on to Belfast where you will have dinner and check into your hotel.
Day 3:
Spend the day enjoying the amazing sites of Northern Ireland! Depart in the morning for the medieval ruins of Dunluce Castle, located on the Antrim Coast and dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries. Visit the seaside town of Portrush, where you will have lunch. Continue on to see the spectacular Giant’s Causeway. The surreal pillars were formed 60 million years ago as basalt lava oozed up through the chalk beds and cooled. Folklore will tell you a more interesting tale about its creation by the giant Finn MacCool and his Scottish rival Benandonner. Make your way back to Belfast, stopping along the way to see the Dark Hedges. This is a beautiful avenue of beech trees planted in the 18th century and used in the filming of Game of Thrones. Have dinner in Belfast and then enjoy a panoramic view of the city from Cave Hill Country Park.
Day 4:
As time allows, explore the city of Belfast and visit the Titanic Museum. Transfer to the ferry port for your ride to Cairnryan, Scotland. Make your way to Edinburgh and check into your hotel. Have dinner in Edinburgh and afterward have an underground walking ghost tour!
Day 5:
Have breakfast and then depart for your day trip to visit Stirling Castle and the seaside town of Saint Andrews. Arrive in the medieval city of Stirling and make your way up the hill to the castle. Meet actors in period costume, see the inner chambers, battlements, and kitchens, and learn the history of this famous landmark. Enjoy a group lunch in the town. Continue on to Saint Andrew's and explore the town. See the cathedral and discover the spectacular collections of the botanic gardens. Next, have a guided tour of the famous Old Course as you walk in the footsteps of golfing legends. Have dinner in Saint Andrews, and then spend some down time on West Sands Beach before heading back to Edinburgh.
Day 6:
Enjoy a morning visit to the 12th-century Edinburgh Castle atop Castle Rock. See the Crown Jewels, and Royal Apartments, and take in one of the best views of Edinburgh. Travel to Fort William at the foot of Ben Nevis Mountain and board the Jacobite Steam Railway, also known as the Hogwarts Express. On your journey to Mallaig, see the Glenfinnan Viaduct, the famous bridge featured in the Harry Potter movies. Have two hours to explore the small fishing town before catching your return train to Fort William. Spend the night in Fort William.
Day 7:
Travel to Inverness for a two-hour boat and castle tour. Cruise across the mysterious waters of Loch Ness, keeping an eye out for Nessie, the Loch Ness monster. Tour the historic Urquhart Castle, and learn about its turbulent history. Enjoy the scenic views of the green countryside. Spend the rest of the day in Inverness, returning to Fort William after dinner.
Day 8:
As time allows, spend your last morning exploring Edinburgh before heading to the airport for your flight home.
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