Unsupported browser
Fascinating Northern Ireland and Scotland
September 5, 2023 to
September 17, 2023
Carved out on the edge of the North Atlantic Ocean, Northern Ireland is a divine slice of the Emerald Isle. From the captivating cliffs of Donegal to the monumental steps of the Giant’s Causeway, the beauty of Northern Ireland is truly staggering. After Ireland was split in two in 1921, the northern partition became part of the United Kingdom, and our tour will help you gain a deeper understanding of the region. The dramatic landscapes are dotted with gorgeous villages, where ancient castles and fortifications stand in near perfect condition. The urban showpiece is the capital of Belfast, with a twinkling waterfront, regal Victorian architecture and affable locals with a quick-witted sense of humor.
A land of legend and heroes. Delve into Scotland’s bloody but fascinating history as you make your way through its lush green landscapes and spectacular mountain scenery. Walk in the steps of protagonists such as William Wallace and Rob Roy MacGregor and marvel at its mysterious lochs and colorful festivals. See iconic Edinburgh Castle and walk within its walls to view the Scottish Crown Jewels, Stone of Destiny and Mons Meg. Visit the home of golf, St. Andrews, and see where the famous beach scene in “Chariots of Fire” was filmed. And of course, no trip to Scotland would be complete without going in search of the legendary Loch Ness Monster.
Watch our recent virtual travel show
Itinerary
Your journey begins with an overnight flight from Chicago O’Hare to Dublin, Ireland.
On arrival at Dublin airport, take your group transfer to your hotel. Join your Travel Director at this evening for a warm and friendly Welcome Dinner, an opportunity to get to know each other over a meal with wine.
Hotel: Clayton Hotel Burlington Road Dublin (or similar)
Meal: Welcome Dinner with Wine
An orientation of Dublin with your Travel Director will take you past the Custom House and travel along the River Liffey. See the Guinness Storehouse, Christchurch Cathedral and St. Patrick's Cathedral. Enjoy your VIP priority entrance to the 9th century Book of Kells and a walk through the cobbled courtyards of Trinity College accompanied by a university insider, gaining their insight into modern life and the establishment's impressive history.
Hotel: Clayton Hotel Charlemont (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Travel to Galway to see the infamous Lynch Memorial and the Church of St. Nicholas, where Christopher Columbus reputedly prayed before his discovery of America. Also see the aged Spanish Arch and Eyre Square, dedicated to the late US President, John F. Kennedy. Tour the wild Connemara region, a scenic wonderland of rivers, lakes and silent hills. Drive along the scenic shores of Sligo Bay.
Hotel: Clayton Hotel Sligo (or similar)
Meal: Breakfast, Hotel Dinner with Wine
The day begins in Drumcliffe, with a visit to the final resting place of Ireland's famous poet, William Butler Yeats. Cross into Northern Ireland to visit Londonderry. What better way to experience sightseeing than with one of Northern Ireland's best storytellers, Ronan, as he walks with you inside the city walls, still topped with cannons (subject to availability). Walk down steep Shipquay Street, with its elegant Georgian houses, to the Gothic Guildhall. Continue around the coast to the amazing Giant's Causeway, then take a spectacular drive along the Antrim Coast to your hotel, overlooking the sea at the head of Ballygally Bay.
Hotel: Ballygally Castle Hotel (or similar)
Meal: Breakfast, Hotel Dinner with Wine
Continue around the Antrim Coast, past the huge Norman castle at Carrickfergus, to arrive in the Northern Ireland capital of Belfast. Availability permitting, meet Hilda, your Local Expert, for a passionate city tour including views of the City Hall, Queen's University, the Parliament Building at Stormont and murals in different locations indicating political sentiments of local residents.
Hotel: Europa Hotel (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
The day is free to explore Belfast at your own pace. This evening, join your Local Expert on a leisurely walk through the changing heart of Belfast. View street art inspired by the murals of the past and experience the renewal of this vibrant city through the history of its best-known pubs. Finish with supper in a Victorian pub, famed for its home-cooked fare.
Hotel: Europa Hotel (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Cross the Irish Sea by ferry and journey to Ardgowan. Sir Ludovic Shaw Stewart welcomes you to his family castle, set on a 10,000-acre coastal estate (subject to availability). Learn the history of the area, the Shaw Stewart family and the castle itself, followed by a traditional Scottish tea and scones. Continue to Glasgow where your Travel Director will show you the city's grand public buildings, including George Square and St. Mungo's Cathedral.
Hotel: Radisson Blu Hotel (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Afternoon Tea
A scenic drive takes you along the Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond. Absorb the dramatic landscape of Glencoe, still echoing with the cries of massacred clansmen. Pause at the Commando Memorial for a view of Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis before reaching the Great Glen. Continue to Loch Ness and embark on a cruise to soak up the scenery, historic monuments and intriguing tales of Nessie in the heart of Scotland's great glen.
Hotel: Kingsmills Hotel (or similar)
Meal: Breakfast, Hotel Dinner with Wine
In the morning, see the sights of Inverness, before traveling to the Culloden Moor Visitor Center, where Bonnie Prince Charlie's Jacobite army was finally defeated. Not much more than a cannon shot away lies the prehistoric Clava burial cairns, dating back to around 2,000 B.C. Then have a 'wee dram' during a visit to the Glen Ord Distillery, hear stories of the whiskey smugglers as you delve into the fascinating world of the single malt.
Hotel: Kingsmills Hotel (or similar)
Meal: Breakfast, Hotel Dinner with Wine
A scenic drive takes you through the Grampian Mountains past the Duke of Atholl's Blair Castle. Drive down and cross the Tay to visit St. Andrews. As you arrive, pass the Old Course, the home of golf since its invention in the 15th century. Enjoy free time to explore. Why not wander to St. Andrews University where the love story of Kate Middleton and Prince William began? Alternately, stroll to West Sands Beach where the famous 'Chariots of Fire' scene was filmed. Continue across the majestic Forth Road Bridge to the Scottish capital, Edinburgh. Enjoy a lively and memorable evening of traditional Scottish song, dance, tartan and bagpipes. In addition to wine and dinner, your kilted hosts will lead you through some of the best loved Scottish music and songs.
Hotel: Apex Waterloo Place Hotel (or similar)
Meal: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
In the morning, join a Local Expert to see the highlights of the city. Drive along Princes Street to the ornate Scott Memorial, then see the 18th century New Town with its neoclassical Georgian facades. In the Old Town see the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official Scottish residence of the Queen. Venture up the Royal Mile to visit Edinburgh Castle, home of Mons Meg, the Stone of Destiny and Scotland’s Crown Jewels, the Honors of Scotland.
Spend the afternoon at leisure to continue exploring as you wish, or perhaps go shopping. Join friends at the stylish Grazing by Mark Greenaway, located in the heart of Edinburgh's West End (subject to availability). Your grand finale Celebration Dinner is a mouthwatering meal of modern Scottish cuisine with a Parisian twist.
Hotel: Apex Waterloo Place Hotel (or similar)
Meal: Breakfast, Celebration Dinner with Wine
Your journey comes to an end after breakfast. Your group is transferred to the Edinburgh airport for your flight home.
Meal: Breakfast
Hotels and Itinerary are subject to change.
Inclusions
Air-Inclusive Package
- Round-trip air from Chicago O’Hare to Dublin, Ireland and return from Edinburgh, Scotland including current air taxes and fees
- Round-trip airport/hotel motorcoach transfers including baggage handling for one bag per person when purchasing the air-included package
Hotel Accommodations
11 Nights throughout the tour
- Six nights in Ireland
- Two nights Dublin
- One night Sligo
- One-night Ballygally
- Two nights Belfast
- Five nights in Scotland
- One night Glasgow
- Two nights Inverness
- Two nights Edinburgh
Includes hotel service charges, taxes and luggage handling
Included Meals
- Daily breakfast
- Afternoon tea
- Eight dinners with wine including the Scottish Highlands Dinner and Cabaret
Fox Flourish!
- Ballygally Castle hotel stay
- Two nights Belfast
- Belfast Victorian Pub dinner known for its home cooked fare
- A remarkable evening with a Scottish Dinner, and a Cabaret with bagpipes, song, and dance
- Professional tour manager from Fox World Travel*
- Premium Fox World Travel Gift given with your travel documents
Premium Tour Experiences
- Dublin tour to include Trinity College and VIP entrance to see the Book of Kells
- Orientation tour of Galway landmarks, Church of St Nicholas, Spanish Arch and Eyre Square
- View the Giants Causeway, the towering hexagonal basalt columns are a geographical wonder
- Belfast tour to view City Hall, Queen’s University, and the Parliament
- Ferry ride to cross the Irish Sea to Cairnryan, Scotland
- Inverness tour to include the River Ness and Inverness Castle
- Cruise on the Loch Ness with tales about Nessie
- St Andrews visit to include the famous beach and golf course where the sport was created
- Edinburgh city tour to include a view of the Scott Memorial, New Town and the Palace of Holyroodhouse
Tour Services
- Luxury air-conditioned 40-seat coach with extended leg room and on-board restroom for transportation and sightseeing
- Ferry to Scotland
- Headset for guided sightseeing visits and walking tours
- Professional driver and guide for transfers and included excursions
- Customized, informative travel documents containing trip details and helpful packing and planning information
Note: Daily Itinerary is subject to change. Order of sightseeing may change throughout the itinerary.
*A minimum of 20 travelers is required for this tour to operate.
Pricing
Tour Only
| Tour Only |
| Arrange your own airfare |
| Based on double occupancy |
Air Inclusive
| Tour and air included |
| Airfare from Chicago |
| Based on double occupancy |
Single occupancies are limited and based upon availability.
Pricing includes current air taxes of $399.75 per person and a Fox World Travel Professional Fee of $50 per reservation. Air package pricing is subject to change until contracted due to the volatility of airfare costs.
Special Offers
Available Discounts
Early Booking Discount: Book and deposit by February 1, 2023 and receive a $300.00 discount per person
Insight Vacations Past Passenger Discount: $100.00 per person*
*Must have traveled with Insight Vacations, Uniworld, Brendan Vacations, Trafalgar or Contiki within the last five years to qualify.
Discounts are subject to change at any time
Group Flights
Roundtrip flights from Chicago O’Hare
Flight schedules are subject to change and FWT has no control over flight changes, seat assignments, delays or cancellations. Tickets will be non-refundable once issued. Changes will be subject to a fee plus any fare difference. Additional restrictions may apply. Checked baggage fees may apply.
Pricing and flight options from other cities available upon request.
Notes
Optional Motorcoach:
$50.00 per person, each direction. Group motorcoach transfer to and from Chicago O’Hare from select pick-up points (Air & Tour Packages only unless air schedules fit the group air package).
Optional Insurance:
In these volatile times and for peace of mind, we recommend purchasing travel protection insurance. Your travel advisor can discuss options with you, including medical expense coverage, pre-existing medical condition exclusion waivers, trip cancellation, trip delay, lost, delayed or damaged baggage and more. To cover pre-existing conditions, most policies must be purchased within 14 days of making your initial deposit. Travel protection insurance prices are based on your age and the trip cost.
Cancellation Penalties:
- From date of deposit to June 1, 2023: Initial deposit of $200.00 per person
- June 2 – June 30, 2023: 50% package price cancellation fee + applicable airline fees
- July 1 – August 4, 2023: 75% package price cancellation fee + applicable airline fees
- August 5, 2023 – day of travel: No refunds
Airline tickets are non-refundable once ticketed.
Note: Daily Itinerary is subject to change. Order of sightseeing may change throughout the itinerary. Substitute visits to other sites may occur during your trip due to water levels or other uncontrollable factors.
Book Now
PLAN YOUR TRIP WITH A TRAVEL ADVISOR
CALL 888-369-8785
Schedule a Virtual Consultation
Submit Vacation Request
Unsuccessful
Your contact form submission was unsuccessful. Please try again later, or email Support@FoxWorldTravel.com
Success!
Thank you for contacting Fox World Travel, an agent will contact you shortly.
Do you have COVID-19 or destination related questions?
Start by exploring our "Ready, Set, Travel" Resources
RESPONSIBILITY: We and any sponsoring organizations act only as agent for the suppliers of travel services such as airlines, hotels, car rental companies, tour operators, restaurants, sightseeing companies, entertainment providers, and cruise lines (the "Suppliers"). We are not responsible for the acts or omissions of the Suppliers that cause losses or damages arising from physical or emotional injury, property or other economic damage, consequential damages, or monetary losses, or arising from any other causes beyond our control. We reserve the right to make any changes in the itinerary deemed necessary, and also the right to decline or retain any person as a member of the Trip. If you choose to arrange your own transportation for any portion of the Trip, we are not responsible for any arrangements or associated costs should there be a change in date that requires changes or cancellation to transportation arranged by you. We are not responsible should there be any changes with vacation hosts, tour managers, or entertainment. You grant to FWT and its designated agents the right to acquire and use the audio, photographic, video and other portrayals of your image, likeness, and voice in any medium of any nature whatsoever, including the Internet, for the purpose of trade, advertising, sales, publicity or otherwise, without compensation.
We will make reasonable attempts to accommodate the special needs of disabled travelers, but we are not responsible in the event we are unable to do so nor are we responsible for any denial of services by Suppliers. The American with Disabilities Act is only applicable within the United States and facilities for disabled individuals are limited outside its borders. Most transportation services, including a touring motor coach, are not equipped with wheelchair ramps. We regret we cannot provide individual assistance to a vacation participant for walking, dining, getting on and off motor coaches and other vehicles, or other personal needs. A qualified and physically able companion must accompany travelers who need such assistance and must assume full responsibility for their well-being. Motorized scooters are unsuitable for most vacations.
We have no special knowledge regarding the financial condition of the Suppliers, unsafe conditions, health hazards, weather hazards, or climate extremes at locations to which you may travel. For information concerning possible dangers at destinations, we recommend contacting the Travel Warnings Section of the U.S. State Department at (202) 647-5225 or www.travel.state.gov. For medical information, we recommend contacting the Centers for Disease Control at (877) FYI-TRIP or www.cdc.gov/travel. You assume full and complete responsibility for checking and verifying any and all passport, visa, vaccination, or other entry requirements of your destination(s), and all conditions regarding health, safety, security, political stability, and labor or civil unrest at such destination(s). You hereby release us from all claims arising out of any problem covered in this paragraph. You agree that the courts in Winnebago County, Wisconsin will be the exclusive jurisdiction for all claims brought by you or us, and you hereby submit to the personal jurisdiction of those courts.
We work vigilantly with the Suppliers to maintain integrity of the price you were originally quoted and placed on deposit. There may be certain circumstances where your vacation may be subject to a price increase prior to full payment due to a supplier or government issued surcharge. Prices will not increase after you make full payment, except for charges resulting from increases in government-imposed taxes or fees, fuel surcharges, exchange fluctuations or any combinations of these. Fox World Travel will make a reasonable attempt to contact you prior to issuing charges.