SAVE UP TO $1,000 PER PERSON: Book Your 2027 Expedition Cruise

This is a suggested itinerary for a private group with a minimum of 12 people traveling together. Some of these experiences are seasonal and may not be available. In those instances, we will source alternatives for your group.

The Scottish Highlands, Islands, standing stones, and glorious cities are yours with this chauffeur-driven, small group tour. Begin in Inverness, gateway to the Highlands. Stories fill the air at castles and Bronze Age ruins. A private cruise on Loch Ness is followed by a ride on the Jacobite Steam Train to the stunning Isle of Arran. Your lodgings are sumptuous, and your whisky tasting is stellar.

Discover authentic Glasgow and Edinburgh. Take afternoon tea in bustling Glasgow—an exciting city with a welcoming attitude. (There’s also a diverse culinary scene.) Edinburgh has held Scotland’s secrets for thousands of years. Explore Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, and finish your trip with a farewell dinner and tasting at the exclusive Scotch Malt Whisky Society.

Accommodations

2 Nights

Historic Shoreline Lodging

2 Nights

4-Star COzy Landmark Hotel

2 Nights

Elegant Spa Resort

1 Night

5-Star Elegant City Hotel

2 Nights

Stylish Traditional Garden Hotel

Transportation and Guides

  • Luxury Coach Transportation with Local Driver throughout

Meals Included

  • 9 Full Scottish Breakfasts
  • 8 Local Lunch's
  • 9 Unique Dinners

Included Unique Experiences

  • Local Driver Meet and Greet and Inverness City tour on arrival
  • Costumed Storyteller Tour of Culloden Battlefield
  • Private tour of Cawdor Castle
  • Visit Clava Cairns
  • Private Loch Ness Cruise
  • Soar in a Gondola High Above the Nevis Ranges
  • Iconic Jacobite Steam-train & Glenfinnan Viaduct
  • Visit off the beaten track Isle of Arran
  • Machrie Standing Stones
  • Island Distillery Visit with Lunch and Tasting
  • Visit locally produced Cheese and Aromatic Soap Companies
  • Glasgow Highlights Tour and Charles Rennie Mackintosh Related Visits
  • Experience the One-o-Clock gun at Edinburgh Castle
  • Explore the Royal Mile with a Tasting Tour
  • Sip Champagne as you tour the Royal Yacht Britannia
  • Visit the Palace of Holyrood and Scottish Parliament
  • Exclusive Farewell Dinner at the Scotch Malt Whisky Society with tasting
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Your Price Includes:

ACCOMMODATION

  • 2 nights 4 Star Bunchrew House Hotel, Inverness
  • 2 night 4 Star Kings House Hotel, Glencoe
  • 2 nights 4 Star Auchrannie Hotel, Isle of Arran
  • 1 night 5 Star Kimpton Blythswood, Glasgow
  • 2 nights 4 Star Kimpton Charlotte Square, Edinburgh

TRANSPORTATION

  • Luxury Coach Transportation with Local Driver throughout

DINING OPTIONS INCLUDED

  • 9 Full Scottish Breakfasts
  • 8 Local Lunch's
  • 9 Unique Dinners

INCLUDED UNIQUE EXPERIENCES

  • Local Driver Meet and Greet and Inverness City tour on arrival
  • Costumed Storyteller Tour of Culloden Battlefield
  • Private tour of Cawdor Castle
  • Visit Clava Cairns
  • Private Loch Ness Cruise
  • Soar in a gondola high above the Nevis Ranges
  • Iconic Jacobite Steam-train & Glenfinnan Viaduct
  • Visit off the beaten track Isle of Arran
  • Machrie Standing Stone
  • Island Distillery Visit with lunch and tasting
  • Visit locally produced cheese and aromatic soap companies
  • Glasgow Highlights Tour and Charles Rennie Mackintosh Related Visits
  • Experience the one-o-clock gun at Edinburgh Castle
  • Explore the Royal Mile with a Tasting Tour
  • Sip Champagne as you tour the Royal Yacht Britannia
  • Visit the Palace of Holyrood and Scottish Parliament
  • Exclusive Farewell Dinner at the Scotch Malt Whisky Society with tasting

Prices Based On

  • All Taxes & Fees Included
  • Prices are Per Person based on 12 people traveling together
  • Traveling Alone? No Problem. Just Ask Us for a Single Supplement Price.

"Italy Trip"

John Ambrose

Colorado

Jen set up everything and the trip was amazing. The hotels and places we visited were all awesome. Jen did a great job of selecting and creating our daily venues.

"Holiday break in Ireland"

Rodney Bates

Chum Creek, Vic. Australia

The trip to Ireland met every expectation and more. Everything happened as planned, fabulous hotels and locations, seamless arrangements for airport transfers and car hire, and made good use of the inclusions and itinerary suggestions. Our second trip with these guys, thoroughly recommend them for your next journey

"Birthday"

Karen Sanchez

NY

The clients had an amazing time. They even texted in destination to tell me how wonderful everything was. Adina was super knowledgeable and her planning was flawless.

"Best Friends Trip"

Kristin Reyes

AZ

My clients had a absolute dream trip to Italy! They loved their activities and excursions, and sent me plenty of pictures during their trip showing them having a fantastic time. Highlights for them were the private golf cart tour in Rome and the pasta making class. My clients and I have been thrilled with Authentic Vacations, and I can't wait to plan more trips!

"Family Vacation"

Katharine Allman

Texas

Lauren Leandro did an exceptional job of creating a seamless itinerary for discerning travelers on a repeat visit to the UK--especially at the nth minute when the travelers pivoted to a fully chauffeured itinerary in remote regions. Kudos to you, Lauren, and the operations dept....everyone had an amazing time and the trip exceeded expectations!

"Family Vacation"

Alison Evenson

KY

My client's loved their trip to England and Scotland. They were pleased with everything we planned for them and everything went perfectly. Ellie and Authentic Vacations made me look like a rock star. Thank you!

"Revisit to hike the 5 villages"

Brent Shick

Cinque Terre, Italy

What a wonderful visit we had in Cinque Terre. The driver was waiting for us at Florence airport and got us to Cinque Terre quickly and safely. Driver was very nice and spoke English well. He had cold water bottles for us to drink and the Mercedes van was very comfortable transportation.


The Hotel was very nice and the people there took very good care of us. We brought more than one suitcase each, because we had 19 days of travel planned, and found that to be a mistake. We would do that differently if we do it again, we would store most of it and take only one to the hotel or ship the rest ahead to the cruise line. The villages have a lot of steps, but the hotel manager had help for us so we didn't have to do much. Very good to us.


The all-day hiking with Andrea was absolutely fantastic. He was very accommodating and a wonderful guide and a wonderful person. He talked us through what we wanted to hike and when we want to use a shuttle or the train so that we could do all 5 villages. He recommended a couple of places for lunch and the restaurant we ate at was fantastic.


The food, especially the seafood, was so delicious and fresh, we really enjoyed everything we ate. The anchovies were so fresh and tasty we had the sampler twice, which is 3 or 4 pieces of anchovies, cooked 4 or 5 different ways. I also got a focaccia sandwich with mozzarella and anchovies and sundried tomatoes. I couldn't believe how good that was to eat.


The driver was picked us up after check-out and drove us to the port in Ravenna. This was a 4 hour trip and he got us there on time and safe. Driver was very nice and spoke English well for us. He also had cold water bottles for us to drink and the Mercedes van was very comfortable transportation.


So except for the fact that we probably over did it, hiking 8 or 9 miles up and down hills, it was exceptional.


Thank you for calling me a few days before and talking me through all the things we needed to know and helping with the train tickets. ItalyBeyond also was very responsive, any time I asked them questions.


Thank you very much for putting this together for us, so that we could experience this wonderful vacation with such wonderful memories. We always enjoy the itineraries you prepare for us. Look forward to the next one.

"Italy anniversary trip"

Jan Pepe

GA

Ellie did a fabulous job helping me put together the perfect trip for my clients. She paid such great attention to the details I sent her, and my clients said the trip was AMAZING! Thank you Ellie!!!

1. Click on the Green “Get Started” Button to the Right 

Submit your travel dates, number of people and type of transportation. We can adjust the length of our vacation packages to suit your needs.

2. Online Account & Quote Created

Our experts will create a custom quote & itinerary based on your requirements, and all details are posted to your Authentic Ireland online account (login info will be emailed to you!).

3. Make Changes / Ask Questions 

Your quote will have been created by your own personal Expert, who will be available to you at any stage of planning your vacation & even while you are in Ireland or Scotland. Call or email your dedicated Expert to discuss options, make changes or ask questions.

4. Reserve & Pay Online

Reserve your vacation package securely via your online account. 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 go!

Questions?

With offices in both Ireland & the U.S., we can offer you unrivaled support while you are in Ireland or Scotland. We truly believe all our clients deserve an extraordinary experience!

Call us toll-free, 1-888-443-5259 (US) or +353 01 293.3088 (international), and we will be delighted to answer all questions!