Three to five days allows for a first exploration around Glencoe, Fort William, Inverness, or the Cairngorms. More time opens the door to the northwest coast and the islands.
From the Highlands to the Emerald Isle
Duration 15 days
Inspiration History & heritage
From €3,000 per person
Arrival in Edinburgh
Upon arrival at Edinburgh Airport, pick up your rental car and then proceed to your accommodation.
Spend your first few hours exploring the historic center.
Explore the Royal Mile, Victoria Street and Grassmarket. Depending on your arrival time, head up to Calton Hill for a stunning panoramic view.
Suggested restaurants: Howies / Makars Mash Bar / Whiski Rooms
Overnight in Edinburgh.
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Edinburgh, the historic capital
Spend the morning at Edinburgh Castle.
Then walk back down the Royal Mile, passing St Giles' Cathedral and the old town walls.
In the afternoon, explore Dean Village and Stockbridge or the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.
The "Secret Gardens of Scotland" program that you provided highlights the Royal Botanic Garden for its important plant collections.
Overnight in Edinburgh.
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Edinburgh → Pitlochry
Leave the capital and gradually enter the landscapes of Perthshire.
Make a stop in Dunkeld and then discover The Hermitage, ...between ancient forest and waterfalls. This stop also appears in your gardens itinerary as one of Perthshire's great natural sites.
Continue towards Pitlochry.
Depending on your preferences, end the day with a visit to a distillery.
Suggested restaurants: Fern Cottage / The Old Mill Inn
Overnight in Pitlochry.
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Pitlochry → Inverness
Cross through the Cairngorms National Park.
On the way, stop at Aviemore or around Loch an Eilein.
Then continue towards Clava Cairns then the Culloden battlefield.
Arrive in Inverness at the end of the day.
Suggested restaurants: The Mustard Seed / Rocpool
Overnight in Inverness.
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Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle
Set off along Loch Ness.
Explore the ruins of Urquhart Castle and then, if you wish, enjoy a cruise on the loch.
Then head to Fort Augustus and its locks.
Return to Inverness at the end of the day.
Overnight in Inverness.
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Inverness → Fort William
Take the road along the Great Glen.
Go through Fort Augustus and then proceed to Fort William.
Depending on your arrival time, explore Glen Nevis or head towards Glenfinnan to admire the famous viaduct.
Suggested restaurants: Crannog at Garrison West / The Geographer
Overnight in Fort William.
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Glencoe and Loch Lomond
Leave Fort William to join Glencoe.
Take the time to stop in the valley and go on a short hike according to your level.
Then cross Rannoch Moor before reaching Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park.
Loch Lomond and Glencoe are among the major destinations highlighted in existing Brightside programmes.
Overnight stay at Loch Lomond.
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Loch Lomond → Cairnryan → Belfast
Leave Loch Lomond and head southwest.
Join Cairnryan to embark with your vehicle to Belfast.
The Cairnryan – Belfast crossing takes approximately 2:15.
Upon arrival, check into your hotel and then enjoy your first evening in the Cathedral Quarter.
Suggested restaurants: The Muddlers Club / Home Restaurant
Night in Belfast.
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Belfast
Explore Belfast City Hall and then the historic centre.
Continue to the Titanic Quarter and visit Titanic Belfast.
In the late afternoon, discover the districts marked by the city's recent history during a tailored guided tour.
Night in Belfast.
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Belfast → Giant's Causeway
Take the road to the Antrim coast.
Discover Carrickfergus Castle and then continue towards the Glens of Antrim.
Next, join Giant's Causeway, one of the most famous natural landscapes in Northern Ireland.
Depending on your pace, also consider stopping around Dunluce Castle.
Overnight in Bushmills or Ballycastle.
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Antrim Coast → Galway
Day of transition towards the west of Ireland.
Travel across the interior of the island towards Galway.
Upon arrival, explore Eyre Square, the Latin Quarter and the Spanish Arch.
In the evening, enjoy the traditional music and the atmosphere of the pubs.
Suggested restaurants: Ard Bia at Nimmos / The Quay Street Kitchen
Night in Galway.
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Connemara
Embark on a full day trip to Connemara.
Go to Clifden and then take the Sky Road.
Continue on to Connemara National Park and Kylemore Abbey.
Depending on your fitness level, hike Diamond Hill.
Return to Galway in the evening.
Night in Galway.
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Galway → Dublin
Leave Galway to travel through the center of Ireland.
You might want to stop at Clonmacnoise, a former monastic site located on the banks of the Shannon.
Continue towards Dublin.
Possible return of the vehicle in Dublin according to the rental agreement.
Night in Dublin.
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Dublin
Discover Trinity College, the Book of Kells, St Patrick's Cathedral and Christ Church Cathedral.
In the afternoon, choose between the Guinness Storehouse, EPIC Museum or simply a stroll along the Liffey.
In the evening, enjoy a final pub visit with traditional music.
Suggested restaurants: The Winding Stair / The Bank on College Green
Night in Dublin.
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Departure from Dublin
Depending on your schedule, enjoy a few last moments in the capital.
Then proceed to Dublin Airport.
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Included
- 14 nights in carefully selected accommodations
- Breakfast is included depending on the accommodation.
- Rental car during the tour according to the chosen package
- Ferry crossing Cairnryan → Belfast with vehicle (depending on package)
- Personalized travel journal
- Detailed day-by-day itinerary
- Interactive map
- Restaurant and pub suggestions
- Brightside Travel assistance before and during your stay
Not included
- Outbound flight to Edinburgh and return flight from Dublin
- Fuel
- Parking and any road tolls
- Meals and drinks
- Site entrances
- Cruises and optional activities
- Potential costs related to the international transit of the vehicle
- Insurance not covered by the contract
- Personal expenditure