Fuel Your Travel Dreams: Travel Advice Blog

Spend the first two nights in extraordinary Edinburgh, the 1,000-year-old capital of Scotland.  Visit ancient Edinburgh Castle, perched on a dormant volcano, and walk the city’s medieval lanes and Victorian streets.  Head to Aberdeen, famous for its surf, sparkling granite, and the local language, Doric.  Next, you’ll fall under the spell of Inverness, the Highland capital of Scotland, both cosmopolitan and charming.

The enchanting Isle of Skye has bewitching natural beauty, crafts, and friendly locals—bring your sense of adventure. Heading south to Ft. William, you’ll glory in historic castles and distilleries. Your last two nights are in Glasgow, a vibrant city with pizzazz. There’s a diverse cultural scene, free museums, and some of the UK’s best music. Feel the joy!

PLAN AND BOOK

Included Unique Activities

  • Meet & Greet on Arrival
  • Secrets of the Royal Mile & Edinburgh Castle Tour
  • Culloden Battlefield Entrance
  • Loch Ness Cruise
  • Ben Nevis Distillery Tour
  • Mountain Gondola Nevis Range
  • Mackintosh at the Willow Afternoon Tea
Meet & Greet Private Airport Transfer - Edinburgh

Meet & Greet Private Airport Transfer - Edinburgh

Culloden Battlefield Visitor Center Admission

Culloden Battlefield Visitor Center Admission

Circular Loch Ness Cruise

Circular Loch Ness Cruise

Ben Nevis Distillery Failte Tour

Ben Nevis Distillery Failte Tour

Mackintosh At The Willow - Afternoon Tea

Mackintosh At The Willow - Afternoon Tea

Secrets of the Royal Mile & Edinburgh Castle

Secrets of the Royal Mile & Edinburgh Castle

Accommodations

2 Nights

Exclusive Peaceful Hotel

2 Nights

Charming Country Hotel

2 Nights

4-Star Landmark Luxury

2 Nights

Elegant Highland Lodging

2 Nights

Quiet Highland Luxury 4-Star Retreat

2 Nights

Modern, Centrally Located 4-Star Hotel

Transportation and Guides

  • Meet & Greet with Private Transfer on Arrival
  • Automatic Rental Car

Meals Included

  • 12 Full Scottish Breakfasts 

Points of Interest

  • Explore the Distinctive Silver-Grey Architecture of Aberdeen
  • Discover the Natural Beauty of Cairngorms National Park
  • Visit Balmoral Castle - the Queen's Official Scottish Residence
  • Stay in Inverness - The Capital of the Highlands
  • Travel the Length of Mysterious Loch Ness
  • Spend Two Nights on the Breathtaking Isle of Skye, known as 'Cloud Island'
  • Choose from more than 10 Famous Scottish Castles to Explore!
  • Enjoy a Gentle Hike to Picturesque Steall Waterfall
  • Get Lost in Stunning Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park
  • Enjoy Fantastic Shopping, Music & Nightlife in Glasgow

Camera Obscura, Edinburgh, Central Scotland

National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh, Central Scotland

Royal Yacht Britannia, Edinburgh, Central Scotland

Holyrood Palace, Edinburgh, Central Scotland

The Royal Mile, Edinburgh, Central Scotland

Edinburgh Castle, Central Scotland

Old Town Edinburgh, Central Scotland

Glamis Castle, Dundee, Central Scotland

UNESCO World Heritage sites

Old Town Edinburgh

Old Town Edinburgh

Forth Bridge, Queensferry

Forth Bridge, Queensferry

2025 LOW SEASON

Available Dates

Nov, Dec

From $3,999 per person

2025 MID SEASON

Available Dates

Oct

From $4,606 per person

2025 HIGH SEASON

Available Dates

Jul, Aug, Sep

From $5,356 per person

2026 LOW SEASON

Available Dates

Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec

From $4,399 per person

2026 MID SEASON

Available Dates

Apr, May, Oct

From $5,067 per person

2026 HIGH SEASON

Available Dates

Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

From $5,892 per person

Your Price Includes

ACCOMMODATION

  • 12 nights Accommodation
  • Spend Two Nights in Captivating Edinburgh

TRANSPORTATION

  • Meet & Greet with Private Transfer on Arrival
  • Automatic Rental Car

DINING OPTIONS INCLUDED

  • 12 Full Scottish Breakfasts 

UNIQUE EXPERIENCES

  • Meet & Greet on Arrival
  • Secrets of the Royal Mile & Edinburgh Castle Tour
  • Culloden Battlefield Entrance
  • Loch Ness Cruise
  • Ben Nevis Distillery Tour
  • Mountain Gondola Nevis Range
  • Mackintosh at the Willow Afternoon Tea

Prices Based On

  • Prices are per person based on 2 people traveling together and sharing 1 room.
  • All Taxes & Fees Included
  • Custom Priced Quote (Want to Add/Subtract Days? Let Us Know!)
  • Self-guided vacation package. Choose any date to begin your travels.
  • Traveling alone? No problem. Just ask us for a single supplement price.

"My clients were thrilled!"

Selma W.

Ireland

Lauren handled the booking for my clients. And they were thrilled ! Custom itinerary with the client's wishes and their budget.

"The trip was outstanding in every possible way"

Penny R.

Delaware

This was our first trip to Ireland to celebrate a milestone in our family. We had our sons (age 18 and 21) with us. The trip was outstanding in every possible way. It was the best mix of the big tourist attractions and off-the-beaten-path stops. It was the best mix of the cities and the remote country-sides. And I attribute so much of this perfect balance to the expertise of our tour guide, Joan. She was warm, funny, talented, and so knowledgeable. She was responsive to our interests and connected with each member of our tour group in individual ways. This trip was everything that we could have hoped for from beautiful hotels to fantastic memories throughout Ireland. I highly recommend that 8-night Enchanted Ireland tour - especially if Joan is your guide.

"Our Enchanted Ireland Guided Tour was fantastic!"

Peter G.

WI

My wife and I went on the "Enchanted Ireland" tour in June 2025. It was absolutely fantastic in every way! The hotels were first rate - each unique, most of them historic, with great rooms and bathrooms (including showers Americans will appreciate), and truly excellent, exceptional food. Tremendous value for the money compared to other small group tours we have taken. Itinerary was wonderful -- most days were just the right amount of included activities. Went to the iconic places (e.g., Blarney castle, Ring of Kerry) but also stopped at lesser known but really interesting sites along the way.


Most of all we had a truly awesome tour guide, Joan. She's the best! The entire tour group decided she needed a better biography than listed on the website. Here's a quote from what we wrote: "Storyteller, muse, hostess, chanteuse, chef, traveler, believer in magic, gentle shepherd, and connector of people, Joan embodies Ireland’s soul. She knows every inch of the isle and seemingly half its inhabitants. Joan will break into haunting and beautiful Irish songs, introduce you to the fairy world, give you ample (clean) bathroom breaks, and book you tickets to the best local shows. She’ll show you the iconic sights while sprinkling in enchanting places where the locals marvel to see a tour bus. With a ready laugh and good humor, Joan weaves together myth, history, and captivating tales of an Irish upbringing. With Joan as your guide, you won’t just see the sights but feel connected to Ireland’s culture. Being on her tour is like finding a four-leaf clover: a rare bit of exceptional good fortune."


Book this tour! We had a GREAT time. Authentic Vacations does it right and if you can get Joan as your guide it puts the whole experience at another level of excellence, fun, and fellowship.

"Father & daughter Private driver trip to Ireland"

Patricia L.

California

My client said there was absolutely nothing he would have changed on the trip. Seamus was their driver and he became family. They all had tears in their eyes when the tour was over. He stopped at unique off-the-beaten-path places that they would have never known about on their own. The hotels were all perfect in great locations and was especially wowed by their Dromoland Castle stay. He was so overjoyed and thankful and said it would be a vacation with his daughter that he would never forget.


Thank you to Jennifer, at Authentic Vacations, who collaborated with me to bring this incredible trip to my clients and they will never forget the experience.

"The experience was fantastic from start to finish"

Theresa D.

Maryland

I recently worked with Authentic Vacations to plan a trip to Italy for my clients, and the experience was absolutely fantastic from start to finish. My clients had an amazing time—the itinerary was thoughtfully crafted, the accommodations were wonderful, and everything went smoothly during their travels.


From a travel advisor’s perspective, I would absolutely use Authentic Vacations again in a heartbeat. They were incredibly responsive to all of my questions and emails, and I received my clients’ itinerary and travel documents quickly and efficiently. Having a partner like this makes such a difference in the planning process—reliable, organized, and easy to work with.


If you’re looking for a partner who can deliver a seamless, memorable experience for your clients, I highly recommend Authentic Vacations.

"Authentic Vacations is a pleasure to work with!"

Amber W.

Texas

Amber is always a pleasure to work with! She is knowledgeable, responsive, and always willing to go the extra mile!

"Exceptional Client Experiences in UK"

Niki P.

Dallas

Authentic Vacations has been a trusted partner with my client's vacations in Scotland, England, and Ireland with seamless experiences of a lifetime at a good value. Lauren is truly a pleasure to work with and able to make it exceptional with every client and every budget, looking forward to many more trips ahead together!

"Belated Honeymoon & Graduation Trip"

Kimberlyn G.

TX

Our recent trip to Ireland and Scotland was truly unforgettable. We were incredibly impressed with the exceptional service provided by our travel agent, Joleen. She took the time to carefully understand our interests—balancing iconic tourist attractions with more immersive experiences in the Irish and Scottish countryside—and curated a customized itinerary that perfectly matched both our preferences and budget.

When a minor issue arose during the trip, the UK-based support team responded promptly and resolved it efficiently, ensuring our travel experience remained smooth and enjoyable. We fell in love with Ireland and look forward to someday returning with our children to share the experience.

1. Click the “GET QUOTE” Button Above.

Complete our inquiry form by selecting your departure date, and all other relevant fields. Be sure to let us know if you're traveling for a special occasion! We can adjust most of our vacation packages to suit your needs, based on the details you provide.

2. Online Account & Quote Created

Your request will be forwarded to our team of Destination Experts, and a price quote will be prepared, based on your submitted preferences and criteria. A free Authentic Vacations online account will also be created, allowing you to view and request changes to your quote at any time. Log into your account via “LOGIN” at the top of any of our webpages.

3. Fine-Tune Your Tour Quote

Work with your assigned Destination Expert to tweak your quote in any way you wish. Our customers continually tell us that our flexibility in this regard is exceptional – your Destination Expert’s sole brief is to create the perfect tour for you!

4. Reserve & Pay Online

Once your quote is 100% to your liking, you can pay for your package with your credit card via your Authentic Vacations online account. We also accept payment by personal check and wire transfer. We only require a 20% deposit to secure your vacation, and our Risk-Free Cancellation Policy provides you with complete peace of mind.

5. Print Your Travel Documents & Go!

Once your vacation has been paid in full, you will be able to print your travel documents directly from your online account. You’re ready to embark on your ideal, authentic vacation!!

Questions?

If you would prefer to discuss your perfect vacation on the phone, we would be delighted to hear from you! Our Destination Experts are standing-by and looking forward to speaking with you at any time during our business hours listed below. We also operate a very responsive and efficient Live Chat service on our website…instant gratification awaits!

Toll-free from the US and Canada: 1-888-443-5259 Rest of World: +1-707-687-0191

Hours of Business:

Monday – Thursday: 7:00am – 5:00pm PST

Friday: 7:00am – 4:00pm PST

Saturday: 6:00am – 3:00pm PST

Sunday: 6:00am – 3:00pm PST

With offices in Scottsdale, San Francisco, London, Dublin, Copenhagen and Edinburgh, we can offer you unrivaled support while you are abroad. We truly believe all our clients deserve an extraordinary, authentic experience!