The Best of Ireland and Scotland
Patrick McGill
High Point, NC
Europe and United Kingdom Travel Specialist
I am your travel expert travel agent specializing in memorable journeys through Europe and the United Kingdom. I have an unwavering passion for exploration and a deep appreciation for these magnificent destinations' diverse cultures and rich histo...
I am your travel expert travel agent specializing in memorable journeys through Europe and the United Kingdom. I have an unwavering passion for exploration and a deep appreciation for these magnificent destinations' diverse cultures and rich histories.
My perspective on European Travel is this: When you travel to Europe, it's more than just "getting away", it's about "getting in touch" - with the world we live in and the people in it. And by connecting with our world, we connect with ourselves.
I am here to help you make that connection.
My love for travel began when I first went to Germany on a 3-year military assignment. It continued in my business career, working for international companies. Over a lifetime, I have lived, worked and traveled extensively throughout Europe and the United Kingdom.
Whether you dream of strolling through the picturesque streets of Paris, marveling at the ancient wonders of Rome, or discovering the mystical landscapes of the Scottish Highlands, I have done all of these and more.
I understand that every traveler has their own vision of the perfect European getaway. My concept to travel is that when we travel, we make connections with the places we visit. And when we experience the places we visit, we enrich ourselves.
Whether you seek a trip focused on art, history, cuisine, ancestry, or just a stroll through historic towns and beautiful landscapes, I will work closely with you to understand your desires, preferences, and budget. With my in-depth knowledge of the region's vibrant culture, art, architecture, and cuisine, I will craft an itinerary allowing you to create lifelong memories and cherished moments.
Can Be Reached At
1-336-681-2970
Ireland's Cliffs of Moher
A Coach Tour of Ireland and Scotland made a lot of sense. First, I had never taken a motorcoach escorted tour, so I wanted to experience it firsthand. Second, we wanted to go to Ireland, having never been there, but we were concerned about the narrow roads and left-hand driving. And, we love Scotland and wanted a mix of old and new experiences there. So, after doing some research, we settled on Insight Vacation's "Best of Ireland and Scotland" tour. This tour was enticing for several reasons. First, it covered the major sights in Ireland. Second, it is a smaller group. We had a full-size coach, but only 28 guests, so essentially everyone could have a seat to themselves.
This trip did a great job. We arrived a day early in Dublin, and explored on our own, visiting St. Patrick's Cathedral, Christchurch, Temple Bar and St Stephen's Green. While we had the chance, we also stopped in at the Irish Whiskey Museum and enjoyed a sample of the local drink. On the first day of the tour, we visited Trinity College in Dublin, and saw the Book of Kells. In the afternoon, we visited Glendalough and the monastery ruins there.
The next day, we visited the Irish National Stud Farm in Kildare. The horses at the Stud Farm are impressive, as are the Japanese Gardens there. In the afternoon, we stopped in Kilkenny before returning to Dublin.
The next day we started our road trip, with a stop in Cobh (pronounced "cove"), the starting point for many ships going to the US, including the Titanic. In the afternoon, we visited Blarney Castle before continuing on to our overnight stop in Killarney. While in Killarney, we were treated to an evening of traditional Irish music and dancing.
The next day we spent the morning exploring Killarney before heading out to drive the Ring of Kerry. The landscapes in this area were beautiful.
One of the highlights of this trip was the next day at the Cliffs of Moher. We were blessed with excellent weather and the views were beautiful. That evening, we went on to Galway.
The next day, after tour of Galway, we moved on to the town of Cong. Cong's claim to fame is that it was used as the setting for a John Wayne movie called "The Quiet Man". But, there is much more to it, including Ashford Castle, which is now a luxury hotel. After spending the morning in Cong, we moved on to Connemara, Sligo Bay, and the town of Leenaun.
After a night in Leenaun, we moved on to Northern Ireland and the city of Derry/Londonderry. We were given a tour of the more infamous spots of the city, related to "The Troubles" of the 70's, by a resident of the city. It was remarkable to see how the city has moved past those turbulent times.
That afternoon, we went to another one of my favorite places - the Giant's Causeway. The geometric rock structures in this location are amazing.
That night, we stayed in a neat little town called Ballygally, on the northern coast. The sunsets that night were incredible.
The next day, we started with a ferry ride across the North Channel of the Irish Sea to Scotland and the town of Largs. This was a personal treat for me, because I have traced my ancestors back to this area. We stopped for Tea at Ardgowan Estate, where the current generation of the Stewart family is restoring it.
After a night stopover in Glasgow, we traveled the next day through the Highlands, stopping at Loch Lomond and Loch Ness. We then continued on to Inverness, where we were able to visit Culloden Battlefield, again, memorable to me because of my ancestry.
The next day, we continued on to Blair Castle, a 700 year old castle belonging to the Atholl family. Afterward, we went to St Andrews, where we spent the afternoon before moving on to Edinburgh for our last stop.
Our first stop was at Edinburgh Castle. As we had been to Edinburgh before, Dell and I took advantage of this time to explore on our own. This included visiting the "Real Mary Kings Close", that gives you an idea of what life was like there in the 1600's. The rest of the tour went on to visit Holyrood Palace.
The next treat from this trip was, since we were there in August, that we were able to go to the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. If you are in Edinburgh in August, you cannot miss this.
Reading through this, you can see that we covered a lot of ground in a very short amount of time (2 weeks). But to me, this is what is intended from a motorcoach tour: You get a broad overview so that you can identify the places you want to revisit in more depth. And we got to do this with a great group of people.