Arlington Row, Bibury, Cotswolds in summer

Highlights of Ireland, Scotland & England

London cityscape with Houses of Parliament and Big Ben tower, UK

Highlights of Ireland, Scotland & England

Edinburgh Old town in Scotland

Highlights of Ireland, Scotland & England

Beautiful sunset with dramatic sky at golden hour over the foothill of Carrauntoohil mountain, MacGillycuddys Reeks mountains, Ring of Kerry, Coomcallee, Ireland

Highlights of Ireland, Scotland & England

Celtic Legends, Highland Peaks, and Royal Traditions

Days: 14 | From: $25,030/per person

  • Enjoy accommodations at best-in-class boutique hotels.
  • Curated tours with outstanding private guides: you’ll have an instant local friend with insider access.
  • Journey through Ireland, Scotland, and England as you discover its history, stunning landscapes, fine food, and culture.

This highlights journey weaves together the best of Ireland, Scotland, and England, combining iconic cities with quaint countryside. Begin in Dublin before venturing west to Connemara and the Ring of Kerry, where ancient castles, wild coasts, and local traditions await. In Scotland, trace the legends of Loch Ness, hike the hills of Glencoe, and discover Edinburgh’s storied closes and castles. Conclude in England, wandering through the Cotswolds, exploring Oxford, and experiencing the icons of London.

Talk to a Vaya Travel Specialist

We tailor itineraries to your dates and interests, adjusting hotels, excursions and length as desired.

5-Star Reviews

We consistently receive 5 star reviews from our discerning clients.

At a Glance

  • Dublin
    1 night: begin your journey with a deep dive in Ireland's lively capital
  • Killarney
    3 nights: whiskey, castles, and Killarney National Park
  • Fort Augustus
    3 nights: Scottish highlands, Loch Ness, and the rolling mountains of Glencoe
  • Edinburgh
    2 nights: history comes to life in this classical Medieval city
  • Broadway
    2 nights: discover picturesque villages in the Cotswolds
  • London
    2 nights: end your trip in style as you tour the highlights of London

All itineraries are fully customizable. We will send you a personalized variation that reflects your interests and travel dates at no extra cost. Call to discuss your travel plans with one of our Specialists who know this region firsthand.

5-Star Reviews

Find out why our discerning travelers consistently rate us with 5-stars.

Sample Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Dublin

Céad míle fáilte—one hundred thousand welcomes—to Ireland’s capital. Upon arrival, a private transfer will take you smoothly into Dublin and on to your hotel. Begin your discovery of the city with a private walking tour focused on the extraordinary women who shaped Ireland’s past and future. From labor organizer Rosie Hackett to revolutionary leader Countess Markievicz, your guide will share stories of the women who transformed politics, art, and culture, leaving an indelible mark on the nation’s history.

Later, continue to Trinity College to explore its historic campus and hear about some of its most famous pupils. Conclude your visit in the Old Library, where an immersive digital experience brings the world-renowned Book of Kells vividly to life.

Accommodations: The Davenport Hotel

Located near Merrion Square in Dublin’s city center, The Davenport Hotel combines historic architecture with contemporary interiors. The property has 115 rooms and suites, each featuring modern amenities, marble bathrooms, and comfortable lounge spaces. Dining options include an all-day restaurant serving Irish and international cuisine, as well as a bar offering cocktails and afternoon tea. The hotel’s location places the National Gallery of Ireland, Trinity College, and Grafton Street all within easy walking distance.

Day 2: The Rock of Cashel & Ring of Kerry

This morning you will meet your private guide and begin the journey west, traveling at a relaxed pace through Ireland’s hidden heartlands. En route, stop at the Rock of Cashel, a dramatic limestone outcrop crowned with medieval ruins that have witnessed over a thousand years of history and folklore. Explore its ancient towers, chapels, and round tower before continuing to the Iveragh Peninsula, better known as the Ring of Kerry.

Arrive at your charming hotel, where you can unwind as the sun sets behind the hills, setting the tone for your time in this spectacular region.

Accommodations: Ard na Sidhe Country House , 3 nights

Set on the shores of Caragh Lake, Ard na Sidhe Country House is an early 20th-century manor built in the Arts and Crafts style. The property has 18 individually decorated rooms, furnished with antiques and period details, many overlooking the lake or gardens. Guests can enjoy a dining room that emphasizes local ingredients, a library, and landscaped grounds featuring walking paths and woodland areas. The house retains the atmosphere of a private estate while offering modern comforts in a secluded lakeside setting.

*Includes: Breakfast

Day 3: Whiskey, Storytelling, and Valentia Island

Beautiful view of Valentia Island Lighthouse at Cromwell Point. Locations worth visiting on the Wild Atlantic Way. Scenic Irish countyside on sunny summer day, County Kerry, Ireland.

Today your guide will lead you around the Iveragh Peninsula, often called the Ring of Kerry, a 175-kilometer circuit of dramatic coastline, mountains, and villages. Begin with a visit to the Skellig Six 18 Distillery, where a local storyteller will share the history and mythology of this ancient land alongside insights into the craft of Irish whiskey.

After a hearty lunch in a traditional pub, continue to Valentia Island. Here you’ll find rugged coastal scenery, a working lighthouse that has guided countless sailors, and even prehistoric fossilized footprints—reminders of Ireland’s deep natural history.

Accommodations: Ard na Sidhe Country House , 3 nights

*Includes: Breakfast

Day 4: Killarney National Park

Today you will explore Killarney National Park, the jewel of County Kerry. Begin at the stately Muckross House, where your guide will share stories of the estate’s remarkable history and the families who once lived here.

In the afternoon, enjoy an intimate visit to Muckross Creamery Farm. Start with a warm cup of tea in a traditional cottage before meeting your hosts, John and his wife, who come from generations of dairy farmers. Learn about both traditional methods and modern practices, meet the cows, and see the process behind their award-winning ice cream. Your visit concludes with a tasting in the family’s original 200-year-old farmhouse.

Accommodations: Ard na Sidhe Country House , 3 nights

*Includes: Breakfast

Day 5: From Ireland to the Scottish Highlands

This morning you will bid farewell to Ireland as you fly to Scotland to begin the next chapter of your journey. Upon arrival, meet your private driver-guide and head north toward the Highlands. Depending on flight times, there may be an opportunity to stop at Stirling Castle, once the seat of Scotland’s kings and queens and a stronghold of the nation’s history.

Continue on to the village of Fort Augustus, set at the southern tip of the legendary Loch Ness, where tomorrow’s adventures await.

Accommodations: The Lovat , 3 nights

Situated at the southern end of Loch Ness, The Lovat Hotel is a 19th-century property combining Highland heritage with modern comfort. The hotel has 28 rooms and suites, some retaining original period details and others styled with contemporary design. Its fine-dining restaurant, Station Road, emphasizes seasonal Scottish ingredients, while a casual brasserie and lounge provide additional dining spaces. Public rooms feature open fires and views of the Caledonian Canal and surrounding Highlands.

*Includes: Breakfast

Alternative lodging options:
Inverlochy Castle

Day 6: Urquhart Castle and Loch Ness Cruise

Today you’ll visit Urquhart Castle, a dramatic ruin perched on the banks of Loch Ness. Once one of Scotland’s largest castles, it has witnessed centuries of conflict and change, and today its crumbling walls frame sweeping views of the loch and surrounding hills.

After exploring the site, step aboard a boat for a scenic cruise on Loch Ness. From the water you’ll take in the full scale of the landscape: misty mountains, rugged shoreline, and, with luck, perhaps even a glimpse of the elusive Nessie.

Accommodations: The Lovat , 3 nights

*Includes: Breakfast

Day 7: Explore Glencoe

Today you will venture into Glencoe, one of Scotland’s most dramatic and storied landscapes. Its soaring mountains and ridges have featured in numerous films, but nothing compares to standing in the valley yourself, surrounded by rugged peaks. With your guide, set out on a walk suited to your preferred pace, whether a gentle ramble or a more challenging hike.

As evening falls, unwind with a drink while a local storyteller shares Glencoe’s rich and often turbulent history: tales of clans, battles, and survival.

Accommodations: The Lovat , 3 nights

*Includes: Breakfast

Day 8: Travel to Edinburgh

Say goodbye to the Highlands, leaving Loch Ness behind as you make your way south toward Edinburgh. En route, stop near the village of Pitlochry for a walk across the windswept Straloch moor, where a private bothy awaits with a luxury picnic. Warmth, comfort, and hearty fare combine in this unique setting, complete with the company of friendly labradors and grazing donkeys.

Afterward, continue your drive into the city, arriving to the lively streets and evening lights of Scotland’s capital. Here you will say farewell to your driver-guide and prepare for a full day tomorrow with an expert Edinburgh city guide.

Accommodations: The Bonham , 2 nights

Housed in a Victorian townhouse in Edinburgh’s West End, The Bonham is a boutique hotel with 49 rooms and suites. Interiors feature high ceilings, original period details, and contemporary Scottish décor. The restaurant serves modern Scottish cuisine with seasonal ingredients, complemented by a stylish bar and afternoon tea service. Its location provides a quieter setting within walking distance of Princes Street and the city’s main attractions.

*Includes: Breakfast

Alternative lodging options:
The Balmoral Hotel

Day 9: Explore and Tour Edinburgh

Set out on a private walking tour of Edinburgh’s Old Town with an expert guide. Stroll along the cobbled Royal Mile, visiting landmarks such as the Palace of Holyroodhouse and the mighty Edinburgh Castle. From the castle ramparts, learn about the famous One O’Clock Gun and hear stories that bring the city’s layered history to life.

After exploring the castle, descend beneath the streets for a private tour of preserved 17th-century alleyways hidden below the Royal Mile. In this atmospheric setting, your guide will share stories of the close’s former residents and the myths that have grown around them, offering an evocative glimpse into the city’s past.

Accommodations: The Bonham , 2 nights

*Includes: Breakfast

Day 10: From Scotland to the Cotswolds

Bid farewell to Scotland as a private transfer takes you to the airport for your flight to Bristol. On arrival, meet your new guide and journey into the Cotswolds, where rolling hills and storybook villages await.

Your destination is Broadway, a charming village lined with independent shops and honey-colored cottages. Depending on your arrival time, there may be an opportunity to visit Broadway Tower for a private tour of its Cold War–era nuclear bunker.

Accommodations: The Lygon Arms , 2 nights

Located in the village of Broadway, The Lygon Arms is a historic coaching inn with origins in the 14th century. The property offers 86 rooms and suites, ranging from period accommodations with exposed beams and stone fireplaces to contemporary spaces in the modern wing. Dining options include a grill restaurant showcasing locally sourced ingredients and a traditional bar. Facilities feature a spa with indoor pool, treatment rooms, and a fitness center, while interiors retain original Tudor and Stuart-era details that reflect the inn’s long history.

*Includes: Breakfast

Alternative lodging options:
Dormy House Hotel

Day 11: Exploring the Cotswolds

Today you will enjoy a full day discovering the charm of the Cotswolds. Begin in Broadway, with its lovely stone buildings and quaint streets, before continuing to Stow-on-the-Wold, a historic market town renowned for its antique shops.

From there, explore the idyllic villages of Upper and Lower Slaughter, linked by a gentle riverside walk through some of the region’s most tranquil scenery. Conclude the day in Bourton-on-the-Water, often called the “Venice of the Cotswolds,” where graceful stone bridges cross the River Windrush and create one of the most photographed settings in the region.

Accommodations: The Lygon Arms , 2 nights

*Includes: Breakfast

Day 12: Oxford and Arrival in London

Depart the Cotswolds and make your way to Oxford, the famed “City of Dreaming Spires.” With a local expert guide, stroll through cobbled streets lined with cafés and bookshops, and visit some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, including the Bodleian Library, the Radcliffe Camera, and Christ Church College. As you wander through atmospheric courtyards and historic halls, hear stories of Oxford’s illustrious alumni, from groundbreaking scientists to world-renowned writers.

Later, a private transfer will take you into the heart of London, where you will check in to your final hotel and prepare for the last chapter of your trip.

Accommodations: Henrietta Hotel , 2 nights

Located in Covent Garden, Henrietta Hotel is a boutique property housed in two restored townhouses. The hotel has 40 individually styled rooms and suites designed with bold colors, vintage-inspired furnishings, and modern amenities. Its restaurant and cocktail bar are central to the experience, with menus focused on seasonal British produce and creative drinks. The intimate scale and distinctive interiors give the hotel a residential feel.

*Includes: Breakfast

Alternative lodging options:
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park

Day 13: Icons of London

Head out on an immersive tour of London with your expert guide. Begin at Westminster Abbey, the site of royal coronations, weddings, and the resting place of monarchs, poets, and statesmen. Continue to the Palace of Westminster, home to the Houses of Parliament and the beating heart of British democracy.

Next, explore the Tower of London, a fortress steeped in centuries of intrigue, where tales of monarchs, traitors, and the legendary ravens come to life. Here you will also view the dazzling Crown Jewels, a symbol of enduring tradition. Conclude the day with a visit to Tower Bridge, where Victorian engineering and panoramic views of the Thames showcase one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks.

Accommodations: Henrietta Hotel , 2 nights

*Includes: Breakfast

Day 14: Departure

Bid farewell to London and head to the airport to catch your departing flight.

*Includes: Breakfast

Popular Ways to Customize This Itinerary

  • Spend time discovering Gaelic traditions, historic castles, and wild coastlines in the Aran Islands

  • Add time in Northern Ireland to explore Belfast, Donegal, and Slieve League Cliffs

  • Add on time in Wales to discover more of the United Kingdom

Contact us to learn about more options for designing and customizing your trip.
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