V.2 Willing Foot - Andy & Ace Andonov

Day 1 - Thursday 22^nd August - Welcome to Dublin

Arriving in Ireland today, a private transfer will pick you up from the airport and whisk you into the city to your 5 star hotel in the city centre. Check-in may not be till later, however feel free to leave your bags, freshen up, or have a bite to eat.

This afternoon we recommend getting out and starting to explore the city. Dublin is easily navigated on foot and we have some great experiences, tours, pubs and restaurant suggestions for you to check out. If energy levels don’t fail you, we would love for you to meet some local guides tonight for a Literary Pub Crawl exploring Dublins streets and pubs with professional actors quoting live from the works of Joyce, Behan, Wilde and many more. The tour is a form of street theatre, allowing the audience to stand beside the actors and experience the language live on the streets of the city where it was born.

Overnight: Dublin | The Maker
Room Type: Premium Room View
Meals Included: None

Day 2 - Friday 23^rd August - Golf & Guinness

Your Wilderness Ireland Guide will meet you at your city hotel this morning and together you will set out for the royal Dublin Golf Club and course on North Bull Island in Dublin Bay. Leave the city behind as you cross a wooden bridge to be greeted with lush green fairways and yellow sandy banks. The Royal is one of the oldest golf clubs in Dublin dating back to the 19th century and is the home club of the Irish legend Christy O’Connor.

After your morning on the greens, your afternoon will be spent with an altogether different activity. Become a Guinness aficionado on your private Guinness Experience. Meeting a local guide you will start at the Guinness Storehouse to experience the history, heart and soul of Ireland’s most iconic beer. From there you will be brought to three of Dublin’s most iconic traditional pubs & the best pints of Guinness the city has to offer in luxury transport! Taking in the sights, sounds and smells of the city along the way.

To round out your evening we have some excellent fine dining options in Dublin too recommend.

Overnight: Dublin | The Marker
Room Type: Premium Room View
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3 - Saturday 24^th August - The Big Game Day

A morning of sightseeing in Dublin Head out in the afternoon to enjoy a walking tour with a local private guide through this vibrant capital city, with its mix of 1,000 years of architecture from the mediaeval to Georgian to modern. See the Georgian style Merrion Square, lush St. Stephen’s Green and Fitzwilliam Square, as well as O’Connell Street, the site of the ‘1916 Uprising’ that led to Ireland’s independence in 1922. Your guide is also a historian who will bring the city to life with colourful tales of life in the city in times gone by.

This afternoon, don your team jersey and enjoy the game with locals and visitors alike.

Overnight: Dublin | The Marker
Room Type: Premium Room View
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4 - Sunday 25^th August - Dublin to Connemara

Leaving Dublin, head to the west coast, to the County of Galway and the Irish speaking Connemara region. On route we stop in Galway, the capital of Ireland’s west. Known as the ‘town of the tribes’ the small centre of cobblestone streets and colourful store fronts is vibrant, fun and cosmopolitan. A local military historian will meet you at the city’s main square to guide you through the bustling alleys sharing Galway City’s important roles in the clash of the French, Spanish, Russian and British Empires from 1700 to 1922, including in Ireland’s revolution for independence.

Your accommodation this evening is a fitting introduction to your time on the Wild Atlantic Way. Ballynahinch Castle is one of Ireland’s finest luxury castle hotels, set in a private 700 acre estate of woodland, rivers and walks in the heart of Connemara, Co. Galway. This authentic and unpretentious Castle Hotel stands proudly overlooking its famous salmon fishery, with a backdrop of the beautiful Twelve Bens Mountain range.

Overnight: Connemara | Ballynahinch Castle Hotel
Room Type: Luxury Twin
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 - Monday 26^th August - Hiking and Fishing in Connemara

Windswept and austere, the exceptional barren beauty of Connemara has captured the imagination of writers and artists for centuries. Visit the soaring hills of the Connemara National Park with its wild and unpopulated landscape this morning for a hike on the slopes of Diamond Hill- perhaps heading to the quartzite scattered summit. After a well earned hardy lunch in the nearby village of Clifden return to you hotel for an afternoon Fly Fishing with a local gilley. Cast a rod, tie flies, and immerse yourself in the sounds of nature all around you.

This evening, we have arrange some local traditional musician’s to play in the hotels Fishermans Pub for some after dinner entertainment.

Overnight: Connemara | Ballynahiinch Castle
Room Type: Luxury Twin
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6 - Tuesday 27^th August - Dromoland Castle

From the wilds of Connemara we make our way further south into Co Clare this morning, stopping on route to see the famed Cliffs of Moher and grabbing a bite to eat in a local pub. This afternoon, you check into one of Ireland’s most magical addresses, Dromoland Castle. Dating back tot he 16th century the castle was the ancestral home of the O’Briens of Dromoland who’s linage dates back to Brian Boru.
The perfect introduction to country life awaits you this afternoon with an onsite Falconry Experience where you’ll get up close and personal with mesmerising falcons, hawks and owls in the Castle grounds

Overnight: Clare | Dromoland Castle
Room Type: Viscount Stateroom Twinned
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 7 - Wednesday 28^th August - Golf at Dromoland

Every golfer dreams of playing at Dromoland Castle Golf & Country Club. Designed by Ron Kirby and JB Carr, the impressive 18-hole 6,824 yards par 72 championship course is set on the magnificent 450-acre estate combining gentle hills, ancient trees and unexpected water hazards.

Following a morning on the course, this afternoon is open to you to enjoy. You can explore further afield with your guide or take advantage of the onsite activities including Clay Shooting for some more of that country good life.

Overnight: Clare | Dromoland Castle
Room Type: Viscount Stateroom Twinned
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 8 - Thursday 29^th August - Depart Ireland for Scotland

Departing Dublin this morning, your guide will drop you to the airport where you will be met on the other side by your Scottish guide/ driver. You will head north to the beautiful area of Royal Deeside.  On the way stop to enjoy the historic Scone Palace, once the crowing place of Scottish Kings and Queens. Stroll the beautiful gardens and explore the unique Murray Star Maze. Later, arrive at your home for the next few nights, the unique 5* Fife Arms Hotel, created by the acclaimed gallery owners Hauser & Wurth. Once you are settled into your room, why not head out to enjoy the numerous artworks and antiques around the hotel or explore the spectacular scenery in the local area.

Overnight: Braemar | The Fife Arms Hotel
Room Type: Victoriana Suite
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 9 - Friday 30^th August - Golf and exploring Royal Deeside

Enjoy a classic links golf experience this morning, as you play one of Scotland’s most iconic coastal courses. Carnoustie will test your skills as you take on one of Scotlands ‘greatest tests in golf’. Once you have completed your morning on the green, head back to you hotel to get ready for further explorations this afternoon.

You can choose to head out on a beautiful walk amongst the ancient pinewood forests that cover this area. Delight in the tranquility and nature as you wander along the riverside with the sound of the water always close by.  If you feel more energised, perhaps head out to explore this stunning place on two wheels. A local biking guide will be on on hand to help you pick the best hidden gems to explore depending on the weather and your energy levels. Head back to your luxurious hotel to rest and relax for the evening, perhaps sip at a warming dram in the drawing room.

Overnight: Braemar | The Fife Arms Hotel
Room Type: Victoriana Suite
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 10 - Saturday 31^st August - A Whisky Safari

Have a leisurely breakfast this morning and a little time to make the most of your luxury of your hotel.  This afternoon, head over the hills of Glenlivet to the private home and kitchen of the charismatic writer, broadcaster and ‘food anthropologist’ Ghillie Basan, who has been called a ‘World Food Expert’. Set in an idyllic and remote location you will discover a colourful and well stocked kitchen with inspiring views over the hills. Ghillie will guide you in a cooking feast of traditional Turkish and Middle Eastern mezze dishes while you share stories and learn about the spices and culture of the dishes you are creating. Later this evening head back to your hotel to rest and relax.

Overnight: Braemar | The Fife Arms
Room Type: Victoriana Suite
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 11 - Sunday 1^st September - Chocolate and Edinburgh's hidden secrets

Today you will head to the historic city of Edinburgh. Before you leave though, you will enjoy one last round of golf at the Highest 18 hole Golf Course in the UK!  What a great way to end your time in the Cairngorms.

Arriving at your luxurious hotel in the centre of Edinburgh have some time to get settled in and refreshed before setting out to explore this afternoon. Discover a secret side of Edinburgh as you adventure down underneath the cobbled streets on a private underground tour of a warren of tiny fascinating alleyways dating from the 17th century.

For your final evening in Scotland, head to the iconic Princess Street and experience a special tutored tasting of four iconic Johnnie Walker whiskies, each accompanied by a luxury chocolate truffle. Guided by whisky experts, you are sure to enjoy this special pairing. What better way to end your Scottish adventure.

Overnight: Edinburgh | The Balmoral
Room Type: Junior Suite with Castle View
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 12 - Monday 2^nd September - Depart - Farewell Scotland

After breakfast your guide will drive you to the airport to catch your flight home, taking with you memories of an adventure of a lifetime and a longing to return.

Meals Included: Breakfast