Ireland & Scotland

Meet at Thessaloniki Makedonia airport at 04:00 and fly with Aegean to the impressive Irish capital via Athens. Arrival in Dublin at 10:00 local time, baggage collection, and we board our coach for a panoramic tour of Dublin without wasting time. North of the Liffey we see Parnell Square, the Hugh Lane Gallery of modern art, the Garden of Remembrance, O'Connell Street with the General Post Office, the Spire of Dublin (Monument of Light), the Custom House, the Four Courts and the interesting bridges over the Liffey. South of the river we see the two Protestant cathedrals of St Patrick and Christ Church, Dublin Castle, the famous Guinness brewery, Phoenix Park with the presidential residence, the 18th-century Georgian districts with their elegant squares and the famous Trinity College. Transfer to the hotel and check-in. In the afternoon we stroll through Dublin's liveliest and most authentic district, Temple Bar, with its picturesque cobbled lanes, colourful buildings and traditional pubs full of life. We have time to enjoy its special atmosphere, the street music and, optionally, an authentic Irish beer. Overnight in Dublin.

Today is devoted to one of Ireland's most iconic and spectacular natural landscapes. The Cliffs of Moher rise up to 214 metres above the Atlantic and stretch for almost 10 km along the coast, with incredible panoramic views. We leave Dublin early and, after a fascinating drive of about 3.5 hours through the green Irish countryside, reach Ireland's west coast, the natural edge of Western Europe. We visit the Visitor Centre with its modern interactive exhibition on the geology, ecology and culture of the area, explore the cliff paths and enjoy the indescribable view of the Atlantic, the Aran Islands, Galway Bay and the Connemara coast.
We then visit the seaside village of Doolin, known for its musical tradition and hospitality, with free time for lunch at a local pub or café. Leaving Doolin and its green hills behind, we admire the stone kingdom of the Burren, an almost otherworldly region of huge grey limestone slabs spread out like natural puzzles. We return to Dublin in the afternoon, full of images, Atlantic air and the feeling that we have got to know Ireland… a little more deeply.

After breakfast we leave for Belfast, the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland, part of the United Kingdom. We immediately start getting to know this turbulent city, which after 30 years of unrest has transformed itself into a real surprise. We tour the centre and its sights, such as City Hall, the Linen Hall Library, the famous Grand Opera House, Queen's University, St Anne's Cathedral, the leaning Albert Memorial Clock and the harbour where the Titanic was built. Transfer to the port and ferry to Cairnryan. After crossing the Irish Sea we board our coach and leave for Glasgow, once Scotland's great shipbuilding centre. Transfer to the hotel, check-in and overnight in Glasgow.

After breakfast we learn about the history of Scotland's largest city through its main sights, such as George Square with its imposing Victorian buildings, the City Chambers and statues of important figures. Our journey then climbs into the heart of Scottish mythology. The Highlands spread before us like a scene of wild beauty, where mountains vanish into the mist, lakes reflect the changing sky and every bend in the road seems to tell a story of clans, warriors and legends. Our first stop is the village of Luss on the shores of Scotland's most beautiful lake, Loch Lomond. Passing through the spectacular Glencoe valley, we admire the wild nature of the Highlands and reach the picturesque village of Fort Augustus. Following the Caledonian Canal, where we see how its locks work, we head north to the world-famous Loch Ness. After forming our own opinion about its legendary "monster", we continue to Inverness, the unofficial capital of the Highlands and one of the most charming towns in northern Scotland. Built on the banks of the River Ness, it combines the feel of a historic Celtic settlement with the liveliness of a modern town. We walk along the river, enjoying its calm atmosphere, cross its picturesque bridges and admire its well-preserved buildings, then head to the historic centre to see daily life in its pedestrian streets, traditional shops and friendly cafés. Check-in at our central hotel and free time. An evening in Inverness is an experience in itself: traditional pubs with live Scottish music, welcoming restaurants with local food and of course whisky bars invite you to discover the food and social side of the Highlands. A dinner of local salmon or lamb with a glass of Scotch whisky is the perfect end to the day. Overnight in Inverness, the perfect gateway to the myths and landscapes of northern Scotland.

After breakfast we leave for the picturesque village of Pitlochry, known for its Victorian architecture and its brown trout. After a short walk we have free time to explore the village's shops with local products such as Scottish textiles and handmade sweets. We then (optionally) visit a traditional Scotch whisky distillery to see how it is made, learn the secrets of ageing and taste an excellent dram, an authentic Scottish experience. Our next stop is the historic town of St Andrews, once the ecclesiastical capital of Scotland and home of the country's oldest university. Traces of the church's power remain in the town's ruined churches and Gothic monuments. But St Andrews is known worldwide as "the home of golf", as the sport that has become synonymous with Scottish identity began here. We stroll its picturesque cobbled lanes, with arched facades, imposing university buildings and medieval churches, to the impressive ruins of the 12th-century cathedral. We then leave for our final stop, the Scottish capital, Edinburgh. Transfer to the hotel, check-in and overnight in Edinburgh.

After breakfast we tour Edinburgh, the "Athens of the North" as it is known. We start in the Georgian New Town, crossing its elegant streets with their characteristic crescents, admiring the wonderful architecture and hearing the stories of those who lived and reigned there. We then go up Calton Hill for a panoramic view of the city, and down to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official royal residence in Scotland. We continue along the historic Royal Mile of the Old Town, with sights such as the Tolbooth, John Knox House, St Giles' Cathedral and many more. The programme culminates with Edinburgh Castle, where we see the Crown Jewels and soak up the atmosphere of the historic fortress (entrance not included). Afterwards we return to the hotel with free time for walks or coffee at our own pace. In the evening the Royal Mile and the Grassmarket light up and come alive with traditional music and a warm atmosphere. Enjoy dinner with local specialities or an authentic Scotch whisky. Overnight in Edinburgh.

Breakfast and a free day. Walk the Royal Mile and discover underground pubs and little souvenir shops, or visit some of the city's many museums and sights, such as the National Gallery, the National Museum of Scotland, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Royal Yacht Britannia and the Royal Botanic Garden. Alternatively, join us on an optional visit to Stirling Castle, one of the largest and most important castles in Scotland, both historically and architecturally. It stands on top of Castle Hill, a steep crag on the Stirling plateau, a strategic position that has made it an important fortress since ancient times, while most of its main buildings date from the 15th and 16th centuries. Several Scottish kings and queens were crowned at Stirling, including Mary Queen of Scots in 1542, and others were born or died there. The castle was besieged at least eight times, and many battles for Scottish independence were fought here, the most famous being the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297, when William Wallace (Braveheart) led the Scots against the English.

After breakfast, transfer to Edinburgh airport for our return flight to Thessaloniki via Athens.