Best of Ireland & Scotland

(13 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Ashford Castle, Dublin, Edinburgh, Perthshire (Gleneagles)

This private luxury tour visits the highlights of Ireland and Scotland, including exclusive castle hotels and touring with expert private guides.

Arrive in Shannon and transfer to Ashford Castle, a historic lakefront castle hotel and resort that's a wonderful place to experience Irish culture and cuisine. En route, see the Cliffs of Moher, which rise hundreds of feet above the sea. Also explore the eerie Burren, a rocky karst landscape punctuated by ancient forts, tombs and other archaeological sites. Spend one day at leisure at the hotel to enjoy activities on the surrounding estate, such as golf, fishing, horseback riding, falconry, kayaking, family activities, and more. One day, enjoy a beautiful scenic excursion to Connemara National Park, a rugged landscape of mountains, moors and bogs. Along the way, pass through tiny villages, admire views of the sea, drive along the coast of Ireland's only fjord, and visit Kylemore Abbey, a beautiful stone building and gardens set on the edge of a lake.

Continue to Dublin, the capital of Ireland and the perfect place for an overview of the country's long and storied history. During touring with your private guide and driver, marvel at the iconic Book of Kells and the Long Room in the Old Library at Trinity College, and tour St. Patrick's Cathedral, one of the most important churches in Ireland. Enjoy a tour of the Old Jameson Distillery, followed by a private tasting of the distillery's finest products. Walk in the footsteps of Irish literary giants such as James Joyce and Oscar Wilde in Georgian Dublin, a neighborhood of well-preserved architecture set around leafy St. Stephen's Green. Depending on interests, stroll through the Temple Bar entertainment district, browse the upscale shops on Grafton Street, perhaps cross the River Liffey to walk along historic O'Connell Street, or stop by the Guinness Storehouse and opt for a pint in the on-site bar, which has views over the rooftops of Dublin. Additional touring options in Dublin include the National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology, Kilmainham Gaol and Chester Beatty Library. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can also arrange theater tickets and reservations at Dublin's best restaurants for contemporary Irish cuisine. One day, enjoy a private excursion to idyllic County Wicklow. Tour the stunning gardens at Powerscourt House and Gardens. Pass through verdant farmland and rolling hills to Glendalough, a beautiful glacial valley with the ruins of an ancient monastery set among lakes. Also tour historic Avoca Mill, where some of Ireland's finest and most colorful textiles have been produced for centuries.

Next, fly to Edinburgh, the stunning capital of Scotland, with a stay in a sophisticated city hotel. During flexible touring with your private guide, tour the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See iconic Edinburgh Castle and walk along the Royal Mile, the road leading from the castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Explore historic buildings, as well as the narrow closes (alleys) and stairways that connect different levels of the city. Visit shops specializing in wool tweed and other distinctive Scottish products. Depending on your interests, you might like to tour the Royal Yacht Britannia, the former royal yacht of the British monarch; visit the Royal Botanic Garden or National Gallery; tour the unusual architecture of the Scottish Parliament Building and other contemporary design highlights in the city; or hike up an extinct volcano for panoramic views of Edinburgh and the nearby Firth of Forth tidal bay. In August, Artisans of Leisure can assist with tickets to the Edinburgh Tattoo or performances at the Edinburgh International Festival and Fringe. One day, take a private excursion to Glasgow to tour cultural highlights such as renowned art collections and Charles Rennie Mackintosh architecture.

Next, you will be transferred to Perthshire with touring en route. Visit Stirling, a strategic town on the edge of the Highlands that played an important role in the battles for Scottish independence. Tour Stirling Castle, which perches on a rocky outcrop and has panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes. Also visit a distillery to learn the process of creating world-renowned Scotch whisky. Continue to Gleneagles, a luxury resort on 850 acres in the rolling hills of the idyllic Perthshire countryside. One day, enjoy a private excursion to nearby St. Andrews, a charming seaside university town and the birthplace of golf, or opt for flexible private touring of nearby castles, distilleries, or historic homes and gardens. During leisure time, enjoy the resort's extensive activities, including options such as countryside walks, golf, fishing, horseback riding, biking, 4WD tours, shooting, gundog training, falconry and afternoon tea. Additional facilities include a spa, a kids club and exclusive Scottish boutiques.

Booking Information >

All Artisans of Leisure tours are private and depart daily.

Please Contact Us for more information regarding the above tour, or to begin customizing your own itinerary.

The Artisans of Leisure Style of Travel:

• Private touring with your own personal guides and drivers
• Preferred rooms in the very best luxury hotels
• Firsthand, sophisticated destination knowledge and recommendations from our travel specialists
• Itineraries that are customized according to your interests and schedule
• Artisans of Leisure upgrades and amenities
• A seamless travel experience, including all logistics, skipping lines during touring whenever possible, restaurant and spa reservations, performance tickets, private airport transfers, internal transportation, VIP and fast-track airport assistance in many destinations
• Around-the-clock support in each destination during your trip
• Unique, insider travel experiences and access to the Artisans of Leisure network of experts around the world