Scott Dunn USA - Vicki & Gary Wolf and Friends explore the UK and Ireland
Sunday 9th March – Thursday 27th March 2025
Sunday 9th March – Thursday 27th March 2025
Céad míle fáilte! One hundred thousand welcomes to Ireland’s ‘Wild West’, a region of immense beauty, ancient history, and Irish tradition. This morning, your guide will meet you at Shannon Airport and transfer you to the Burren – a rugged, limestone escarpment that comes alive in the spring and summer with wildflowers. Lunch will be held at a local tearoom with an option to visit to the adjoining Burren Perfumery where only natural and organic ingredients are used in production. It’s the oldest working perfumery in Ireland! Afterwards, it’s a short drive to your first hotel, Gregan’s Castle, a former retreat for poets and authors such as J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. You’ll be back in time for a cool pint of Guinness by the fire before a hosted dinner at its award-winning restaurant.
Overnight: Ballyvaughan | Gregans Castle
Room Type: x2 Superior Doubles
Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner
This morning transfer around 30 minutes to the Cliffs of Moher, one of Ireland’s most impressive natural sites. The area is teeming with wildlife, and 20 species of birds, including puffins, make it their home. You’ll hop on a zodiac for an up close and personal exploration of the Cliffs of Moher. Far from the tourist crowds, learn the mythology and wildlife of this iconic site. You’ll finish in the village of Doolin, which is famous for its traditional music scene. Stop for a fish n’ chips lunch in a historic stone cottage and a chance to browse the quaint shops, before returning to Gregans’ Castle via Black Head, a mesmerizing stretch of the Wild Atlantic Way. There will be plenty of opportunities to stop for photos en route. Later, head into the village of Ballyvaughan to join a local landlady with one of Ireland’s largest private whiskey collections for a unique tasting experience.
Overnight: Ballyvaughan | Gregans Castle
Room Type: x2 Superior Doubles
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
This morning your guide will take you further North to County Mayo, home to the historic Ashford Castle. Once owned by the Guinness family, Ashford dates back to the 12th century and has earned its place in Ireland’s history books. Today, Ashford is one of Ireland’s premier hotels offering an unforgettable experience to all who enter its gates. We have booked a tee time for you here on their picturesque 9-hole, 2996-yard, par 35 parkland course. Later today you’ll meet some feather friends on an exhilarating Hawk Walk. Watch as these magnificent birds of prey swoop and soar with breathtaking speed and learn all about their fascinating habits.
Overnight: Cong | Ashford Castle
Room Type: x2 Deluxe Queens
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Connemara is home to the largest Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking population) in Ireland, where an estimated 70% of the population speaks Irish as their first language on a daily basis. Oozing with culture and tradition, Connemara and the islands have a lot to offer. This morning you will meet local man and gaeilgeoir (Irish speaker) Padraic, to take a flight to Inis Oirr, the smallest of the three Aran Islands. Enjoy the commanding views of the islands, Galway Bay, and the Connemara coastline before stepping into the wilderness. You’ll visit the island Arts Centre where you will get a glimpse of the island’s history, culture, heritage, and traditions and do a craft workshop with Máirtín, a local islander and expert craftsman. A feast of local seafood will be served for lunch, including Aran Lobster, before you embark on a tour of the island visiting the Shipwreck, Underground Church, and the 15th century O Brien’s Castle perched on the highest point of the island. On your return to the mainland, your guide will take you back to Ashford to freshen up in time for dinner.
Overnight: Cong | Ashford Castle
Room Type: x2 Deluxe Queens
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
After a leisurely breakfast and perhaps one last walk around the estate this morning, your guide will drop you to Ireland’s Fair City and capital, Dublin! From here, they will say farewell but your adventure isn’t over yet! Arriving early afternoon there is time to check in and grab a bite to eat before your private walking tour with a local guide through the city’s vibrant streets. With its mix of 1,000 years of architecture from the mediaeval to Georgian to modern, Dublin is a beautiful blend of traditional and contemporary surroundings. Your guide is a historian who will bring the city to life with colourful tales of life in the city in times gone by. This evening, enjoy dinner at one of Dublin’s many award-winning restaurants before departing tomorrow.
Overnight: Dublin | The Westbury Hotel
Room Type: x2 Westbury Kings
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning, a private transfer will meet you at your hotel at transfer you to Scotland for the next leg of your journey.
On arrival in Scotland, you will be met by your experienced guide who will also be your driver for your time in Scotland and you will head off into the Highlands to start your adventure. Depending on your time of arrival, there may be options to stop off to explore some of the stunning scenery as you pass through the lush green fields of Perthshire into the rugged Highlands with its jagged peaks and far stretching views.
Your accommodation tonight is a beautiful Georgian Manor House on the North Coast, perfectly placed for your explorations for the next few days.
Overnight: Auldearn | Boath House
Room Type: 2 x Grand Rooms
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Set out with your guide today to explore the stunning north coast with its white sandy beaches, its incredible marine wildlife and its dark history.
Your first stop will be Culloden Battlefield, the site of the bloodiest battle ever fought on Scottish soil. Standing on the windswept moorland, let your guide bring the landscape to life with tales of the Jacobite uprising and the fate that became of many of the clansman that stood up to the English army.
After an immersive morning the rest of the day can be spent exploring the coastline – perhaps enjoy a walk at Findhorn along the river to the sea and see where, legend has it, a man jumped over the water and escaped back to his castle in the 1300s. Or head to Cawdor Castle, which is said to have inspired the Shakespearean play Macbeth. Whatever you decide, your guide will make sure you have the best day exploring the north coast.
Overnight: Auldearn | Boath House
Room Type: 2 x Grand Rooms
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
It is time for your first round of golf on Scottish soil today as you head to Cabot Highlands – one of the top 10 courses in the country.
Enjoy a round of golf on the stunning links course, drinking in the views as you aim for that elusive hole in one. Celebrate your victories with a drink at the 19th hole before your guide takes you back to the hotel for the evening.
As a special treat tonight before dinner, you will spend some time with a local storyteller who will regale you with tales of days gone by, weaving their magic bringing the past to life and immersing you in the very fabric of life here in Scotland. These tales will have been handed down from generations before, so sit back with a wee dram and let the stories wash over you.
Overnight: Auldearn | Boath House
Room Type: 2 x Grand Rooms
Meals Included: Breakfast
Leave the north coast this morning and start your journey south towards the sacred Home of Golf, St Andrews. On the way, you can stop off to see how the Highlanders used to live many years ago. This open air museum has recreated many buildings to give an insight into Highland life and you may even recognise the township from Outlander as some of the scenes in the first series were filmed here – a great way to end your time in the Highlands.
Heading into Highland Perthshire, you will stop off to explore Scone Palace, the crowning place of the Scottish Kings and Queens. Wander through the impressive rooms, admiring the stunning artwork and imagining what it would have been like for the royals of days gone by living here.
Arriving in St Andrews in the afternoon, you will have time to wander along the seafront to shake off the journey and perhaps eye up your course for tomorrow!
Overnight: St Andrews | Rusacks Hotel
Room Type: 2 x Rusacks King Rooms
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Step onto the hallowed greens of one of the famous St Andrews courses today as you enjoy tee off at the Home of Golf. Feel the sea breeze ripple through your hair as you train your gaze on the next fairway. Enjoy time together playing a sport you love before heading to the club house for a well deserved drink.
Later on, should time allow, meet up with an expert city guide to take a wander through the town and learn more about its history and what is is famous for (apart from Golf and The Prince and Princess of Wales of course)
Please note that golf tee times are subject to availability at the time of booking
Overnight: St Andrews | Rusacks Hotel
Room Type: 2 x Rusacks King Rooms
Meals Included: Breakfast
It’s a slightly early start this morning as you head out to explore all that the Kingdom of Fife has to offer. Your first stop is the pretty village of Anstruther where you will board a boat bound for the Isle of May, a national nature reserve and where huge colonies of seabirds nest in the summer. Spend some time ashore the island exploring as your guide tells you more about the incredible wildlife that call these waters and this island home. Hear more about why this island has been designated a Special Area of Conservation and enjoy the views back towards the mainland.
After an incredible morning, this afternoon will be slower paced, spend some time exploring the independent shops in the village and take a walk along the harbour with it’s traditional fisherman’s cottages and pretty coloured houses. You will then end the day with a tour of Kingsbarns Distillery where you will enjoy a taste of the “Uisge Beatha” or Water of Life as the Scots call it, before returning to your hotel in the late afternoon,
Overnight: St Andrews | Rusacks Hotel
Room Type: 2 x Rusacks King Rooms
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
After a leisurely morning, perhaps browsing in the golf shop or taking a walk along the famous Old Course, it is time to depart to the bright lights of the Capital City.
On arrival at your iconic city centre hotel, your guide will drop you off and bid you farewell. The rest of the day is free to head out to explore the city or perhaps enjoy a spa treatment or some time in the sauna after a busy few days.
Overnight: Edinburgh | The Balmoral Hotel
Room Type: 2 x Executive View Rooms
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
This morning immerse yourselves in the winding cobbled streets of historic Old Town Edinburgh as you enjoy a private walking tour with an expert local guide. Discover the highlights of this unique capital city from the Palace of Holyroodhouse all the way up the ‘Royal Mile’ to the mighty ancient fortress which is Edinburgh Castle itself. Walk the ramparts atop castle rock and hear the tales of the One O’Clock gun and the stories of locals of times past. Your guide will leave you here so that you can spend as much time in the castle as you wish.
You then have a free afternoon to continue explorations at your own pace, pick up souvenirs or relax as you prefer.
Overnight: Edinburgh | The Balmoral Hotel
Room Type: 2 x Executive View Rooms
Meals Included: Breakfast
It is time to leave the rugged mountains and glittering lochs of Scotland today and head south to the rolling hills and chocolate box villages of the Cotswolds. A private transfer will collect you from your hotel and take you to the airport to make the short flight to Bristol.
On arrival, you will be met by an experienced guide who will also be your driver while you are in the Cotswolds and you will head off to start exploring before arriving at your beautiful accommodation in the late afternoon, your base for the next three nights.
Overnight: Broadway | Dormy House Hotel & Spa
Room Type: 2 x Farmhouse Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Waking up in the English countryside, indulging in the tranquil feel of the surrounding vistas. A scenic walk along the banks of the River Coln awaits. Your route will take you through the old villages with babbling brooks, past the weavers’ and thatched roof cottages. A true immersion. Lunch will be found in the nook of a small village cafe before continuing on the circuit back to Moreton-In-Marsh for a Local cheese tasting. With over 120 different artisan and farmhouse cheeses, you will be spoilt for choice as to what to taste and will not want to leave when the tasting is over!
Overnight: Broadway | Dormy House Hotel & Spa
Room Type: 2 x Farmhouse Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Spend a leisurely morning exploring the quaint town of Broadway or enjoying a leg stretch up to Broadway Tower, which offer breathtaking views across the 5 counties and across to Wales on a good day.
Later on you will head to Sudeley Castle where you will meet a private guide and take a tour of the family apartments, castle and gardens where over 1000 years of history will be brought to life inside these ancient walls. Hear stories of Royalty, ruins and everything in between as you explore this ancient building – a fantastic way to end your time in the Cotswolds.
please note that the private tour is subject to availability at the time of booking
Overnight: Broadway | Dormy House Hotel & Spa
Room Type: 2 x Farmhouse Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
The time has come for your last transfer to the Capital City for the last two nights of this amazing trip. Your guide will take you to Oxford, where you will meet a local city guide for an immersive walking tour of the city. Take in the incredible architecture and the famous buildings such as Christchurch College and the Bodleian Library as well as hidden gems that are only known to the locals. Enjoy wandering through the streets before meeting up with a private transfer driver who will take you onwards to your hotel in London.
This evening is yours to relax, perhaps take in a show or simply reflect on a wonderful vacation through Ireland and the UK.
Overnight: London | Haymarket Hotel, London
Room Type: 2 x Deluxe Rooms
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
After breakfast, head out to explore the city. Your dapper drivers will be waiting for you with the classic British car – the Mini – so you can sit back and enjoy a tour of the city with a local at the wheel! Travelling in convoy, you will enjoy a highlights tour, from Buckingham Palace to Tower Bridge as well as some of the lesser known areas. Your guide will bring the sites to life with some lively commentary and of course, introduce you to some of the delicious eateries of the city.
After being dropped back off at your hotel, you will end your trip with a decadent afternoon tea – a quintessential experience – topped off with a glass of bubbly to celebrate your trip and the memories you will cherish for a lifetime.
Overnight: London | Haymarket Hotel, London
Room Type: 2 x Deluxe Rooms
Meals Included: Breakfast
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
The Ireland Pricing for this itinerary is €6,050 per person based on 4.
The UK pricing for this itinerary is £13,885 GBP per person based on 4.
Please see our booking terms here.