V3- Hyman's Irish & Scottish Adventure

Day 1 - Saturday 21^st September - Welcome to Dublin

Arriving in Ireland today, a private transfer will pick you up from the airport and whisk you to your 5 star hotel in the city centre. Check-in is at 3pm however feel free to leave your bags, freshen up, or have a bite to eat. 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.

Overnight: Dublin | The Merrion
Room Type: x1 superior king
Meals Included: None

Day 2 - Sunday 22^nd September - To the West - Connemara

This morning your guide will meet you in the lobby of your hotel and after a few introductions you will leave the city behind and make your way West. The Wild Atlantic Way is a spectacular coastal driving route that stretches along the rugged and untamed coastline of Ireland’s west coast – and you get to explore the best of it! Feast your eyes upon the breathtaking shores of one of Ireland’s only three fjords before heading to the expanses of Connemara. Once described as “a savage beauty” by author Oscar Wilde, explore the wild, windswept region with your guide. You’ll visit Kylemore Abbey, a haven of history, beauty and serenity and home to a Benedictine order of Nuns for the past 100 years. Tonight you’re staying just outside the small town of Clifden and you’ll have plenty of time to explore this evening before dinner, where your guide will join you for a welcome meal.

Overnight: Connemara | Abbeyglen Castle
Room Type: x1 Superior Double
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 3 - Monday 23^rd September - The Cliffs of Moher & Dunguaire Castle

This morning you will transfer 1.5 hours to Dunguaire Castle, built in 1520 by the O’Hynes clan on the picturesque shores of Galway Bay. You’ll stop to take a tour of the castle before continuing on for 1hr to the Cliffs of Moher, one of Ireland’s most impressive natural sites. We recommend a walk following the coastal route along the cliffs, passing through dramatic hinterland with inspiring views offshore to the Aran Islands. The area is teeming with wildlife and 20 different species of birds, including puffins, make this area their home. Stop by the visitors centre before having a browse in the village of Doolin, famous for its traditional music scene. Continue on to Dromoland Castle, welcoming guests since the 16^th century and ancestral home of the O’Briens of Dromoland, whose lineage dates back 1,000 years to Brian Boru, one of the last High Kings of Ireland.

Overnight: Clare | Dromoland Castle
Room Type: x1 Deluxe Double
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 4 - Tuesday 24^th September - The Dingle Peninsula

You have a 2.5 hour scenic drive ahead of you this morning as you make your way through southern Ireland. Departing from Dromoland Castle, the journey unfolds with winding roads bordered by ancient stone walls and rolling green hills. You’ll stop in Adare, voted the “prettiest village in Ireland”. The village is beloved for its delightful thatched roof cottages, lively pubs, and antique shops. You’ll continue on to the town of Dingle, famous for its buzzing traditional music scene, delicious seafood, and array of classic Irish pubs. The Dingle Peninsula hosts some of the richest collection of archaeological sites in Europe, ranging from standing stones and prehistoric monuments, as well as the peninsula’s renowned ancient clochains or beehive huts, which may be as much as 2,000 years old. Explore the peninsula today with your guide, stopping as you please for strolls along some of the longest stretching beaches and coastline trails Ireland has to offer. Continue on to Sheen Falls, situated amidst the majestic landscapes of the Ring of Kerry.

Overnight: Kenmare | Sheen Falls Lodge
Room Type: x1 Classic Room
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 5 - Wednesday 25^th September - The Ring of Kerry

Today your guide will take you to some of the best known spots along the Ring of Kerry, a route which covers the perimeter of the Iveragh Peninsula’s stunning coastline, beaches, mountains, and hidden lakes.  See the highlights but also the hidden gems that make this scenic route truly unforgettable. This afternoon you are free to spend time onsite and partake in the many activities Sheen Falls has to offer. We have booked the ultimate country pursuit for you, Clay Pigeon Shooting! You’ll meet your skilled instructor on the grounds and they will introduce you to the many aspects of this fun sport. Tonight your guide will join you for a farewell dinner.

Overnight: Kenmare | Sheen Falls Lodge
Room Type: x1 Classic Double
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 6 - Thursday 26^th September - Fly to Edinburgh

This morning, your guide will drop you to Cork airport in time for your flight to Edinburgh. Your private transfer will meet you on arrival and whisk you to your city centre hotel, where you can refresh and relax before your afternoon explorations.

Depending on your arrival time, spend the afternoon immersing yourselves in the winding cobbled streets of historic Old Town Edinburgh. Meet your expert local guide for a private walking tour of the city. Discover the highlights of this unique capital from the Palace of Holyroodhouse all the way up the ‘Royal Mile’ to the mighty ancient fortress which is Edinburgh Castle itself. Your guide will leave you here so that you can spend as much time in the castle as you wish.

Overnight: Edinburgh | The Balmoral Hotel
Room Type: x1 Executive Old Town Room
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 7 - Friday 27^th September - Explore Glencoe

Today you will meet your private guide/driver and together make your way into the heart of the Scottish Highlands. Your first stop en-route is the historic Stirling Castle, perched atop a craggy hill, this magnificent fortress is steeped in history. As you explore this incredible place, enjoying views over the city of Stirling, you will learn about its role in pivotal conflicts and as a royal residence.

Bid farewell to the city as you make your way northwards to the stunning scenery of Glencoe. These dramatic mountains and ridges have featured as the backdrop in many films. You will have the chance to stop and explore some of this famous valley with your guide, there are plenty of short walks and viewpoints that allow you to enjoy the best of this stunning place. Continue on to your Castle retreat for the evening.

Overnight: Near Fort William | Inverlochy Castle Hotel
Room Type: x1 Large Double Room
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 8 - Saturday 28^th September - Road to the Isles

Today you’ll travel along the stunning Road to the Isles. This is frequently listed as one of the most beautiful drives in the world and it is easy to see why. You may wish to stop at the historic the Glenfinnan Viaduct, which you may well recognise from the Harry Potter films. Hear the tales of the Glenfinnan Monument and see if you can spot the Jacobite Steam Train puffing its way over the graceful arches of the viaduct. Later, admire the silver sand beaches of Arisaig as you stroll along and soak in the views of the Small Isles before continuing your journey, boarding the ferry to the iconic ‘Misty Isle’.

Overnight: Portree | Marmalade Hotel
Room Type: x1 Superior Double
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 9 - Sunday 29^th September - Dunvegan Castle & Skye Explorations

You will set out to explore Skye today, visiting the nearby Dunvegan Castle, seat of the Clan McCleod and the only Highland fortress that has been occupied by the same family for 800 years. Discover the history as you explore the corridors. 

This afternoon visit a local tannery where they still make luxurious sheep skin rugs using the traditional methods, a fascinating insight into local life. Perhaps enjoy a coffee stop in a local traditional yurt overlooking the bay. Later, your gudie will take you back to Portree, where the evening is at your leisure.

Overnight: Portree | Marmalade Hotel
Room Type: x1 Superior Double
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 10 - Monday 30^th September - Castles, Battlefields & Inverness

Returning to the mainland this morning, by way of the graceful Skye bridge, it is not long before you see one of the prettiest castles in Scotland. Eilean Donan occupies an island at the confluence of three sea lochs and stands in defiance of the towering peaks surrounding it. Take your time here to enjoy the iconic view before continuing onwards through mountain glens and to the moody waters of Loch Ness. 

Perched on the edge of Loch Ness are the dramatic ruins of Urquhart Castle, make a stop here to explore the centuries of Scottish history and forklore. As you make your way with your guide to the capital of the Highlands you can choose to make a stop at the iconic Culloden Battlefield, the site of the last battle of the Jacobite rising in 1746, before heading to your hotel for the evening.

Overnight: Inverness | Ness Walk
Room Type: x1 Laurel King Room
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 11 - Tuesday 1^st October - Depart

A private transfer will collect you from your accommodation and take you to the airport to make your onward connections. Waving farewell for now but taking with you special memories and wonderful stories of your explorations.

Meals Included: Breakfast