Your journey
Connect Dublin, Ireland’s Atlantic coast and Belfast with Glasgow, the Highlands and Edinburgh, combining private road travel with selected shared tours and a ferry crossing.
19 days / 18 hotel nights. Day 1 is arrival in Europe, with international travel before arrival separate.
Tour reference: T4R-12248. Custom dates. Pricing on request.
Private road travel, selected shared tours and ferry. We tailor the confirmed hotels, ground transportation and sightseeing to your party. Your written proposal lists the included services before booking.
- Dublin: 2 nights
- Cork: 1 night
- Killarney: 1 night
- Galway: 2 nights
- Donegal: 2 nights
- Derry: 1 night
- Belfast: 2 nights
- Glasgow: 2 nights
- Inverness: 3 nights
- Edinburgh: 2 nights
Your route at a glance
Your day-by-day itinerary
This sample route is customized for your dates and interests. Optional experiences and independent time are identified below. Your quote confirms admissions, guiding, meals and transport.
DAY 1
Arrive in Dublin
Meet your chauffeur at Dublin Airport and travel into the city to settle into your hotel. Keep the first afternoon flexible, with time to rest or follow the River Liffey past bridges and riverside streets.
A short independent walk into Temple Bar offers an introduction to Dublin’s pubs and street life. Your arrival transfer follows your confirmed flight, with meeting details supplied in your final documents.
Overnight: Dublin.
DAY 2
Dublin at your own pace
Spend a full day in Dublin without changing hotels. Browse the city center, pause in the Georgian squares or follow a walking route linking the river with Trinity College and the surrounding streets.
Today is yours to explore independently. Book of Kells tickets, museum visits and additional guiding are optional additions, arranged ahead when requested. Leave time for lunch and a relaxed evening before tomorrow’s road journey.
Overnight: Dublin.
DAY 3
Dublin to Cork through Ireland’s heritage
Leave Dublin with your private driver and head south through the Irish countryside. The proposed route includes Kilkenny and a visit to the Rock of Cashel, with its medieval buildings set above the surrounding farmland.
Continue to Cork for your overnight stay. Depending on arrival time, walk beside the River Lee or browse the center independently. Your final route balances travel time with the heritage stops you most want to see.
Overnight: Cork.
DAY 4
Blarney, Kinsale and Killarney
Travel from Cork to Blarney Castle and Gardens, allowing time for the grounds as well as the castle. Continue toward Kinsale for harbor views, colorful streets and a lunch stop before heading west.
Reach Killarney for the night beside the lakes and national park. Any additional Ring of Kerry driving depends on the agreed pace and available daylight. Castle steps and uneven surfaces warrant discussion during planning.
Overnight: Killarney.
DAY 5
From Killarney to Galway along the west coast
Journey north toward Galway with your driver. Possible stops include Dingle, Adare, Bunratty Castle and the Cliffs of Moher, offering coastal scenery, village streets and a look at Ireland’s rural heritage.
This is a long road day. We agree a practical selection of stops and realistic visit times before booking, rather than promise every detour. Arrive in Galway for two nights and an evening at your own pace.
Overnight: Galway.
DAY 6
Connemara and Kylemore Abbey
Set out from Galway for Connemara, where lakes, open moorland and mountain views shape the drive. Visit Kylemore Abbey and its grounds, with time allocated for the gardens and the parts of the property open during your visit.
Return to Galway for a second night. Browse the Latin Quarter or choose a restaurant near the waterfront independently. The day combines a planned heritage visit with scenic stops along the agreed road route.
Overnight: Galway.
DAY 7
Knock, Sligo and the road to Donegal
Travel north from Galway through Knock and the Sligo region. Your driver helps pace the journey around a shrine stop, views toward Benbulben or time in Sligo, according to your interests.
Continue into Donegal and settle into your hotel for two nights. The county’s coastal scenery and town streets introduce a quieter part of the route. The photograph shows County Donegal scenery, rather than a guaranteed stop.
Overnight: Donegal.
DAY 8
Slieve League and Donegal
Head toward the Slieve League cliffs for a guided introduction to the coast. Agree the walking distance with your travel expert, since exposed paths, weather and uneven ground affect the experience.
Return toward Donegal Town for independent time, perhaps browsing tweed shops or walking near the harbor. The final proposal confirms the local guide, duration and access arrangements. Enjoy a second evening in the same hotel.
Overnight: Donegal.
DAY 9
Ulster’s emigration story and Derry
Travel from Donegal to the Ulster American Folk Park, where exhibits and reconstructed buildings follow the story of emigration to North America. Allow enough time for the museum before continuing toward Derry.
After arrival, explore the city walls and River Foyle surroundings independently as time allows. Your driver confirms the day’s meeting and travel arrangements. Overnight in Derry before tomorrow’s journey along the north coast.
Overnight: Derry.
DAY 10
The Giant’s Causeway and Belfast
Follow the north coast toward the Giant’s Causeway for a visit to its basalt shoreline. Walking conditions vary between visitor paths and the uneven rocks, so discuss access needs during planning.
Other coastal stops, such as Dunluce Castle or Ballintoy, depend on your agreed route and timing. Continue to Belfast and settle into your hotel. Additional admissions remain separate unless included in your written quote.
Overnight: Belfast.
DAY 11
Belfast’s neighborhoods and Titanic heritage
Meet a local guide for a private black cab tour introducing Belfast’s neighborhoods, murals and political history. The visit offers local context and time to discuss the city’s past and present.
Continue to Titanic Belfast for the planned museum visit, then spend the evening independently. Your proposal confirms guide coverage, admission and the transfer between the two experiences. A second Belfast night avoids repacking during the day.
Overnight: Belfast.
DAY 12
Ferry to Scotland and onward to Glasgow
Travel to Belfast’s ferry port for the crossing to Cairnryan as a foot passenger. On arrival in Scotland, meet your chauffeur and continue through the southwest countryside to Glasgow.
After check-in, use the proposed sightseeing bus ticket if your arrival time permits, or keep the afternoon light. Sailing times, baggage handling and both port connections require confirmation for your dates. Your final itinerary lists the booked sailing time.
Overnight: Glasgow.
DAY 13
Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond and whisky
Travel with your driver to Stirling Castle for an introduction to Scotland’s royal history. Continue toward Loch Lomond, allowing time in the lochside village of Luss before returning to Glasgow.
The proposed day finishes with a Clydeside Distillery tour and tasting. Distillery access and age restrictions depend on the selected visit. Non-tasting preferences are discussed during planning, with the final sequence confirmed around opening times.
Overnight: Glasgow.
DAY 14
Glencoe and Glenfinnan on the way to Inverness
Leave Glasgow for a full road day through Glencoe and Fort William toward Glenfinnan. Mountain scenery, lochs and the viaduct area provide opportunities to stop along the way.
Continue to Inverness and check into your hotel for three nights. The exact stops depend on daylight, road conditions and your preferred pace. Views of the viaduct do not include a promise of seeing a passing steam train.
Overnight: Inverness.
DAY 15
A shared tour to Skye and Eilean Donan
Join the proposed small-group excursion from Inverness toward Eilean Donan Castle and the Isle of Skye. Your local guide introduces the landscapes and history along a full-day road route.
Return to Inverness in the evening. This day uses a shared tour rather than an exclusive vehicle for your party. Your quote confirms the operator’s route, castle admission and central meeting arrangements before booking.
Overnight: Inverness.
DAY 16
Loch Ness and an afternoon in Inverness
Join the planned Loch Ness excursion for views across the water and toward Urquhart Castle. The final proposal identifies the coach connection, cruise and any castle landing or admission included.
Return to Inverness for independent time along the River Ness, in the Victorian Market or at a café. Keep the afternoon flexible after the morning outing. Weather and operating schedules determine the confirmed cruise arrangements.
Overnight: Inverness.
DAY 17
The Cairngorms, Glamis and St Andrews
Meet your driver for the journey south through the Cairngorms toward Glamis and St Andrews. Allow time for the castle grounds or selected visit confirmed in your proposal, then continue toward the coast.
A stop in St Andrews introduces its streets and seaside setting before arrival in Edinburgh. This is a substantial travel day, with stops paced accordingly. Glamis interior admission is separate unless expressly confirmed.
Overnight: Edinburgh.
DAY 18
Edinburgh’s Royal Mile and castle
Join the proposed small-group walking tour of the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle. Explore the city’s closes and historic streets with a local guide, with castle admission included only as specified in your quote.
Spend the rest of the day independently in the Old Town or New Town. Cobbles, hills and castle approaches affect the walking effort. Tell us your preferred pace so the selected tour suits your party.
Overnight: Edinburgh.
DAY 19
Depart from Edinburgh
Enjoy breakfast as departure timing permits, then meet your chauffeur for the transfer to Edinburgh Airport or the onward point agreed in your proposal.
Your final documents confirm the pickup location and time around your flight. No additional hotel night follows this departure day. Discuss any extra Edinburgh stay or onward extension during planning so all arrangements fit together.
Departure day. No additional hotel night.
Your complete package
Planned arrangements
- 18 hotel nights in selected four-star or higher accommodation, with final properties and room categories agreed before booking.
- Private road travel, selected shared tours and ferry, on the days and routes listed in your confirmed proposal.
- Selected sightseeing, admissions and guided visits, with private and shared arrangements identified in writing.
- Arrival, departure and station or port transfers only where listed in the quote.
- Travel4Real planning and coordination of your confirmed itinerary.
- Meals, tastings, ferries, rail class and rental cover only as expressly confirmed.
Separate unless listed
- International flights and travel insurance.
- Local visitor taxes, gratuities and personal expenses.
- Unlisted meals, drinks, admissions, guiding and transfers.
- Optional experiences and leisure-day suggestions.
Hotels, access and pace
We select four-star or higher hotels around your route and preferences. Your proposal confirms the properties, rooms and availability before booking. Tell us about mobility, walking distances, luggage and dietary needs. Castle stairs, cobbled streets and rural paths affect access.
Opening days, royal closures, weather and seasonal transport affect the final sequence. We agree suitable alternatives where needed. Your proposal confirms the arrangements available for your travel dates.
Planning your trip
Is this a fixed group departure?
No. This is a customized itinerary. Your written proposal identifies private services, shared activities and independent time. Party size and guiding depend on your selected arrangements.
How do we receive a price?
Share your travel dates, number of travelers and room needs. We confirm current availability and quote the complete package. Your price depends on your dates, party size and selected services.
When should we start planning?
Contact us at least two months before departure. Six to eight months gives more choice for popular hotels and experiences. We arrange complete packages of at least seven nights with accommodation, ground transportation and sightseeing.
Do you charge for an initial conversation or sample itinerary?
No. Initial conversations and sample itineraries for a trip you plan to book through us have no planning fee. A separate planning-only service applies only when you want a trip planned without booking travel services through us. Any fee is agreed before that work begins.
Where do we meet drivers and guides?
At your hotel lobby, arrival terminal, station or a central location confirmed in your final travel documents. Exact meeting points follow your booked arrangements.
Read our trip-planning FAQs for payment, insurance, cancellation and planning information. Read our booking terms.
Plan your 19-Day Ireland & Scotland: Coastlines, Castles & Highland Journeys
Share your preferred dates, travelers, rooms and any changes to the route. Please include T4R-12248 with your request.