The
IRELAND
& Scotland
TRIP
FOR THE LOVE OF
GUINNESS
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STORYTELLING
LIVE LOCAL MUSIC
MEDIEVAL CASTLES
MAJESTIC LANDSCAPES
PUB SONGS​
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WHISKEY
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HISTORY​
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GAELIC GAMES​
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IRELAND & Scotland
WHAT TO EXPECT
Our small group trip to Ireland and Scotland caters to solo travelers in their 20s and 30s looking for Guinness in Dublin barrooms, pastoral beauty in the Scottish Highlands, and sea views from high atop the Cliffs of Moher.
On this action-packed trip for fans of rich culture, welcoming locals, and rolling hillsides, we’ll kick things off the right way—over welcome pints with new friends. From there, it’s a week of excitement as you traverse a region brimming with culture and character.
We’ll explore Scotland’s greatest cities, Edinburgh and Glasgow, and ride through the endless Scottish Highlands. Then, we’ll head west to pub crawl through thousand-year streets, dabble in a national sport, and trek out into Martian landscapes. If you’re into timeless architecture, whisky, bagpipes, and haggis, this is the trip for you.
upcoming dates
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​Dec 28 - Jan 5, 2025
New Year's Eve Trip - likely to sell out
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9 days/8 nights
starting at $4,999 USD
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Limited single room upgrades starting from $1299 are available and can be added during booking, subject to availability.
Payment can be broken down into a $975 deposit + 3 additional installments.
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included
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All accommodations in a shared room with one other person with the option to upgrade to a private room (limited availability)
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Flight from Edinburgh to Dublin
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8 breakfasts
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4 lunches
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4 dinners (including welcome dinner and farewell)
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Welcome drinks
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Local Edinburgh bagpiping experience
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​Traditional Scottish food tour in Glasgow
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Ireland’s national sport experience
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Underground Scotch whisky tasting
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Pub crawl through the streets of Dublin
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Archaeological site visit in the Scottish Highlands
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Guided tour of Old Town Edinburgh
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Sheepdog experience in the Irish countryside
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Day trip to Cliffs of Moher and the Burren
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In-country transfers
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FTLO Trip Leader
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Archaeological site visit in the Scottish Highlands
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*All activities are weather dependent; in the unlikely event that we are unable to run an activity, we will have a suitable alternative in place.
not included
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Flights (to Scotland and from Ireland)
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Mandatory trip insurance
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Meals not mentioned (budget around $200)
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Incidental expenses
Day 1 - Edinburgh
Old Smoky
After landing in Edinburgh, head to the hotel to meet up with your new travel crew. With Medieval stone architecture around every bend, this gorgeous city is a surreal window into the past.
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We’ll have a quick orientation; then we're heading back in time to check out the Royal Mile. Our local guide will lead us through the Old Town's cobbled streets, past neoclassical landmarks (keep a look out for the imposing fortress of Edinburgh Castle overhead).
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If you've got an eye for history, architecture, or culture, this is one tough neighborhood to beat. After a day of exploration, it’s time for a welcome dinner with the crew.
ARRIVE
Day 2 - Edinburgh
Scots& Scotch
After breakfast at your hotel, step out into the city for a day of Scottish adventure with the crew and get ready to groove, because, in this rocky old town, the pipes, the pipes are calling.
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That's right; it's bagpipe time. And you're not just listening; you're giving it a go. While we cannot guarantee you'll be any good, we can guarantee the entire experience will make for some fantastic videos. After that, your afternoon’s free, so consider checking out the city's literary legacy at the Writers' Museum, strolling up through imposing Edinburgh Castle, or venturing to the top of Arthur's Seat for panoramic views.
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Then, it's time to get local and hit up a historic underground drinking hole for an intro lesson into all things whisky. In the evening, find a pub and some grub with the rest of the crew.
DAY BY DAY
Trip itineraries are subject to change. For more information, check out our FAQs [LINK].
SLAíNTE
Day 3 - Scottish Highlands
Open Country
The Scottish Highlands are still relatively untouched by tourism and today, we’ll be hitting the road for a chance to see some of the most dramatic scenery that you’ll find in the UK.
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Our first stop is at a Scottish archaeological site, where we'll explore a reconstructed Iron Age crannog village. These wooden houses, perched on artificial islands in lakes, served as homes and status symbols for ancient communities. We'll have the chance to participate in hands-on activities, such as making bread from scratch, and learn about Scottish history through engaging demonstrations, including lessons from skilled blacksmiths and woodworkers.
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We'll spend that night in one incredible setting, so grab dinner together, and then you can kick back with a few drinks with friends.
play
Day 4 - Glasgow
Yummy in my tummy
Today, ​we’re headed on the road to Glasgow but we’ll be making a few pitstops along the way (if you’re lucky, you might see an adorable Highland cow)! Between countryside walks in Glencoe to the iconic Three Sisters peak, we'll soon be trading green landscapes for Scotland’s most populated (and friendliest) city!​
Glasglow is a hub for all types of art. Music artists like Chvrches and Franz Ferdinand had their start here, while celebrities like Orlando Bloom have come for the diverse food scene. Today, you’ll get to have a taste of (no pun intended) this unexpected foodie city.
We'll walk the town and try fusion dishes like haggis samosas as well as steak cut from a local farm just down the road. You'll likely be in a food coma, which is perfect because we have an early morning tomorrow.
DISCOVER
Day 5 - Galway
Galway Girls & Guys
Say goodbye to Scotland and hello to the Emerald Isle; today we’re hopping on a flight to Dublin to get a glimpse of the other side that the UK has to offer.
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After touching down, we’re heading to Galway, one of the true beauties of Ireland. It’s a bit of a ride, so we’ll stop for our first Irish bite along the way.
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That night, head out with the crew and explore Ireland’s most colorful and charismatic little city. We recommend hitting up Quay Street for dinner, drinks, and some Irish tunes.
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explore
Day 6 - Galway
cliffs & country
Have a bite with the group at the hotel before heading south for a day exploring Ireland’s staggering coastline. We’ll meet up with our guide and hit the Burren, the otherworldly rock formation that stretches for 100s of square kilometers across rolling terrain.
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Grab lunch and a little Irish coffee pick-me-up before heading over toward the Cliffs of Moher. Formed some 300 million years ago, the towering ledges hang 500 feet over the windswept Atlantic. This is, without a doubt, one of the country’s most incredible sites.
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After checking it out, head back to Galway, where the night is yours to grab dinner with friends, explore the lovely streets, and decide for yourself whether the Scots or the Irish have the more difficult accent to get a hold of.
adventure
Day 7 - Dublin
Fair City
Catch up with the crew over breakfast, and then we’ll start winding our way to the capital.
It’s a bit of a ride, so before we pull in for Guinness fresh from the source, we’ll keep the good times rolling at a farm along the way to check out one epic sheepdog experience as we get the low down on how to herd with the best of them.
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After getting to Dublin, grab a bite and then meet back up with the group in the city center for a night on the town—it’s time to go pub crawling through the famous streets of the capital. Pull up a seat and chat it up with gregarious Dubliners whose stories flow faster than the pints.
taste
Day 8 - Dublin
Gaelic Games
Get a good breakfast at the hotel; you’re going to need your energy today. We’re hitting the pitch and taking a shot at some Gaelic games.
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From hurling to handball and football, sports are an integral part of the Irish experience. Of course, there’s no better way to learn than to dive in yourself, so get ready for some good old-fashioned fun with your new friends and teammates.
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After a day at the field, explore the city before meeting up for a final meal. Then, the evening is yours to soak up the sights, sounds, and suds of the Irish capital.
wander
Day 9 - Dublin
Mar Sin Leat
Smile because it happened, don’t cry because it’s over.
Unfortunately, the end is here, so eat up with your friends before saying goodbye and heading home or onward to your next adventure. If you’ve got a later flight, hit the streets for one last bit of sightseeing if you can.
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If you're in the mood for more European fun, consider popping over to Sardinia for one beachy good time.
behold
FAST FACTS
About Ireland & Scotland
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​Ireland & Scotland are known for their breathtaking natural beauty, fun and welcoming environments and fascinating histories. Both countries are home to some of the most photogenic places on earth.
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The Irish diaspora is an incredible thing. More than 80 million people worldwide claim some Irish heritage, while the country itself only has a population of 6 million. Scotland’s population comes in just a hair lower at 5.5 million, a figure overshadowed by the local sheep population by more than a million.
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Good to know
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Ireland’s official languages are Irish and English while Scotland’s is English. Accents in both countries can take quite a bit of getting used to.
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Ireland uses the Euro while Scotland is on the Pound sterling.
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Irish surnames that start in “Mac” mean “son of” while those that start in “O” mean “grandson of.”
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Weather (especially on the Atlantic coast) can be predictably unpredictable, so make sure to pack a waterproof jacket and some warm clothes.
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Though it rains a lot, it's also windy, so not many people carry around umbrellas. You are welcome to bring one, but a good jacket and covers for your backpack or luggage might be more practical.
Trip notes
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​While we can’t guarantee private rooms, you should book your trip earlier if you prefer one, as they usually fill up.
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The weather in Ireland and Scotland can be unpredictable, so make sure you pack some warm clothes and a rain jacket.
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Pub culture is a big part of life in Ireland and Scotland, but you’ll never feel pressured to drink if you don’t want to. There are always non-alcoholic choices.
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Ireland uses the Euro while Scotland is on the Pound sterling.
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On European trips, we stay as close to historic city centers as possible. This means your accommodations will often be on the small side, quirky, and unique (we love this!).
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All activities are weather dependent; in the unlikely event that we are unable to run an activity, we will have a suitable alternative in place.
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More information regarding visa requirements and Covid restrictions can be found here.
flight information
Fly into Edinburgh (EDI)
You'll need to be in Edinburgh Airport by 12pm and be at the hotel at 2:30pm on Day 1; however, we do recommend flying in earlier to have some time to explore the city on your own!
Fly out of Dublin (DUB)
We recommend flying out of Dublin on the last day of your trip.
alumni reviews
We know how much you'll love the Ireland & Scotland trip...
but don't take our word for it! Check out some of our alumni reviews.
LEARN MORE
Interested in learning more about our Ireland & Scotland trip?
Have a question? We're here to help! Whether you're curious about accommodations, accessibility, group vibe, or dietary needs, fill out the form below, and we'll get back to you ASAP.