Scotland and Ireland Adventure

Welcome to the regal city of Edinburgh! We’ll get acquainted with a walk down the famous Royal Mile, with the iconic Edinburgh Castle on one end and the official residence of Her Majesty the Queen (Holyrood Palace) on the other. Marvel at the impressive architecture towering above the city and sneak a peek down cobblestone passageways off the main road. We’ll visit the eclectic Grassmarket area, which during medieval times was a bustling marketplace and is now packed with lively restaurants and great shopping that makes for a truly dynamic atmosphere. Get the adrenaline pumping on our climb to the top of Arthur’s Seat, which legend holds could have been the site of Camelot, and sit back to enjoy the view of this beloved medieval city below. Once the sun sets, we’ll delve into Edinburgh’s spooky past with a local guide. Exploring the haunted closes and courtyards first, we’ll then go underground to unravel the city’s chilling history. In addition to getting to know Edinburgh like a local, we’ll take a trip out to Loch Ness to experience the stunning beauty of the Scottish Highlands, and cruise through the lake searching for Nessie before touring Urquhart Castle, the medieval fortress on the banks of the river.

Hop a flight from Scotland to Ireland and visit the vibrant city of Dublin for a quick tour and lunch. Then we’ll head west to our next destination, the charming and quaint Achill Island, Ireland’s largest island. Our local guides will provide all the fun needed for a true Irish experience at this hidden gem. Achill is full of natural beauty: from the pristine beaches to rolling hills and with the charm of frequent sheep appearances, you’ll never want to leave! We’ll throw on our wetsuits and hit the waves for some surfing, kayaking, and coasteering. In the evenings, we’ll grab a bow and arrow and shoot for the bullseye at the camp’s archery center or scale the rock climbing wall. The highlight of our time spent on the west coast of Ireland will be our ascent to the top of Croagh Patrick, a mountain named after St. Patrick, which one million pilgrims climb each year. Our local experts will tell lively accounts of Irish history and the great famine, lead a tour through historic abandoned villages, and take us on a sunset drive along the coast to end our magical island experience on Achill. We’ll leave all the tourists behind on this off-the-beaten-path getaway to a truly unique place and learn what it’s like to visit Ireland as a traveler.

We’ll bid farewell to our friends on Achill and head to the adorable, picturesque village of Cong. Here we will learn the ancient sport of falconry around the grounds of the beautiful Ashford Castle. With help from our expert instructors, we will watch in amazement as the birds fly from our very hands! Launch them into flight, watch them soar into the distance, landing on the trees, and marvel as they swoop back to your glove on command…A rare opportunity and one not likely repeated in a lifetime.

Next, we’ll continue on to our final destination of Galway. We will wander the charming streets of this coastal town, and enjoy the iconic pastel buildings along the buzzing harbor. We’ll spend a day on the Aran Islands, home to the warmest, softest genuine wool sweaters hand-knitted there since the 1800s! Hop on a bike and cruise around the island of Inishmore to discover this ancient fortress town. We’ll save the best for last and round out our time in Ireland with a visit to the iconic Cliffs of Moher, peering over the edge of the Atlantic at this mesmerizing view. Join us for an unforgettable adventure of emerald green landscapes, clear blue sea, and medieval treasures!