Highlights of Ireland & Scotland’s Capital

On a small guided group tour with Nordic Visitor, you can sit back and enjoy an immersive itinerary alongside a group of like-minded travellers. There will be no more than 15 in a group, so your guide can get to know you all personally.

You’ll have one guide to take you around both Scotland and Ireland. They will be an expert in Scottish and Irish history and culture. They’ll share their local knowledge and stories with you, and take you to hidden gems across each country.

Your guide will also act as the logistical organisers for the group. They’ll ensure everything is running smoothly and that you’re having a good time while in each country. They’ll also accompany you on the ferry crossing between both countries for a seamless transition.

You’ll also enjoy the service of experienced drivers, one in each country. They know the roads well and will make sure you’re comfortable in the vehicles.

You may notice that some of your days on this tour will be spent independently, outside of your small group. We’ve arranged this so that you’ve got the freedom to explore certain places at your own leisure, the way you want to! This way, you get the best of both worlds.

The points on your tour where this will happen will always be flagged in your itinerary document. On those days you’ll still have peace of mind knowing that someone is by your side with our 24/7 helpline. And your itinerary will always include suggestions on what to see and do.

But why not browse our Travel Guide for inspiration on how to fill your time? Or talk to your travel consultant about booking guided experiences on those days.

Due to the nature of this tour and activities included, it’s not recommended for families with young children. That said, it is suitable for well-travelled, active children of 13 years or older. If in doubt, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

Please note that the local legal drinking age is 18. It means that those aged 17 and under will not take part in distillery tours.

To make sure you and your fellow travellers have a comfortable journey, we need to limit the size and amount of luggage in the bus.

Each guest can bring one suitcase or large bag that can be stored in the back of the minibus. The guidance size for the larger luggage is that it should not exceed 158 cm (62 in) when adding the length, width and height. It should not weigh more than 20 kg.

You can also bring one smaller item (like a small backpack) inside the van for daily essentials like camera, wallet, medications and so forth. Unfortunately carry-on suitcases (cabin bags) are too large to store in the van’s overhead racks.

If you have more luggage, we ask that you please make arrangements to store it during the guided portion of the tour.

Please note that you should be able to carry your own suitcase at accommodation and between transport.

If you have any questions about luggage your Nordic Visitor travel consultant will be able to assist you.

During your Ireland tour, you’ll stay in accommodation hand-picked by our travel experts. We’ve partnered with local businesses and selected hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses based on excellent ratings, comfort and our personal experience.

You can view the detailed list of hotels for this trip under the accommodation tab.

In Ireland, you can choose from single or double rooms. Twin, triple and family rooms are not commonly available. Please contact your travel consultant if your group contains 3 or more people.

Please also note that in Ireland room types are based on European standard sizes, which means they are smaller than in North America. For example, a double room often consists of 2 single beds pushed together. And single rooms are often smaller than the standard double.

Due to the historic nature of the properties we usually select, most of the rooms are only accessible by stairs. Lifts are not common in Irish hotels. Please let us know as soon as possible if you are not able to walk up stairs.

This tour includes a few guided walks along the itinerary. This means you must be prepared and able to walk between 1-3 kilometres (0.6–2 miles) daily. You also need to be able to carry your own luggage when boarding the vehicle and at each accommodation.

While Ireland isn’t known for its heat, summers on the Emerald Isle usually feature plenty of warm days. It’s also the driest time of year to visit.

Between May and September, you can expect temperatures of around 13°C–18°C (55°F–65°F). Due to humidity, this can feel a lot warmer, especially in cities like Dublin.

That said, the weather is also very changeable, so you’ll want to come prepared for anything. Rain is always a possibility, and when the sun sets you might need a warm jumper or jacket. We’ve prepared a useful packing guide to help you decide what to bring with you.

Please note that sightseeing is dependent on weather and road conditions. This means that your itinerary might need to be altered if these conditions are not favourable during your visit. If something unexpected occurs, you can call our 24/7 helpline to speak directly with a Nordic Visitor staff member.

Whatever time of year you’re in Ireland and the UK, you’re likely to see lots of different types of weather. As you’ll be spending a lot of time outdoors it’s a good idea to come prepared for a combination of weather conditions.

Here is a recommended packing list for a summer trip:

• A warm jumper or fleece
• A waterproof jacket
• Good walking shoes or boots (especially if you intend to hike and go on nature walks)
• Light scarf or thin sweater
• Reusable water bottle
• Sunglasses, sunscreen and a sunhat

In some areas of Scotland, such as the Highlands and islands, you might notice small, pesky insects called midges. They’re most active on summer evenings and tend to swarm near still water. You can avoid bites by wearing long-sleeves and trousers and by packing an insect repellent.

For more information, check this packing list suggestion.

There are limited laundry facilities in Ireland’s countryside, but you will find some laundrettes in Dublin. Some hotels do offer dry cleaning for an additional cost.

On your tour of Ireland, breakfast at your accommodation is included each day. You will also enjoy some group dinners, included in your package. These meals will usually either be a set dinner menu or a dinner buffet with a good variety of local fresh ingredients (drinks not included).

Please notify your travel consultant at the time of booking of any dietary restrictions or allergies.

Other meals are not included and are at your own expense. Your driver and guide will make sure to stop along the way for you to pick up snacks, drinks and lunch.

Your breakfast is included at all your accommodation in Ireland. For the rest of your food, your spending money will depend on the standard of restaurants you decide to go to.

Budget between €15–€20 per person for each day’s lunch. Dinners at casual restaurants might cost between €20–€25. Meanwhile at upscale restaurants, you can expect to pay €50–€100 or more. This does not include the cost of alcoholic beverages.

If you feel you have received an outstanding tour experience, tips are very welcomed and appreciated.

By booking with Nordic Visitor, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that there’s always someone there for you throughout your trip.

For support and advice during the day, you can ask your guide or call our office. And if anything unexpected happens outside working hours, you can reach us on our 24/7 helpline.

The Edinburgh-based travel expert on call will handle any unforeseen situations for you, such as unusual weather or events.

If you’re arriving from the UK, Canada, the United States, Australia or the European Union, you won’t need a visa to visit Ireland.

Visiting from another country? You can find the complete list of countries whose nationals require a visa to enter Ireland on the website of Ireland’s Citizens Information Board.

If you are not an EU citizen, your passport will need to be valid for at least 6 months after the date of your departure from Ireland. It’s a good idea to check your passport expiry date early in case you need to renew it.

Please be aware that from 2025 the UK requires citizens from a majority of countries to hold an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter the country. Northern Ireland is part of the UK, so if your tour includes a stay there, you'll need to apply in advance. This ETA also applies for transfers via UK airports.

As you’ll be travelling as part of a guided group tour, your itinerary for this portion of your trip is set. But you can still customise other parts of your package.

For instance, you could add extra nights in Dublin before or after the guided portion of your trip. This will give you more time to explore the Irish capital city at your own pace. You can add these additional days while booking your package online.

It’s best to book as soon as you can to secure your preferred travel dates. Once you have picked your tour, check the guaranteed departure calendar to see the availability. Then, select the date you want and complete your booking.

Nordic Visitor offers 10–20% deposits to reserve your tour. The remaining balance is due 30 days before you travel.

Many tours are also open for the following year if you like to plan well in advance. And if you have any questions or need advice, you can always contact us.

After booking your tour package online, you will be contacted within 2 business days by your own dedicated travel consultant. They will be your point of contact for all your travel needs before, during and even after your trip. 

At that time, they’ll confirm the availability of your tour. Then the booking process starts, which may take a few weeks. Once this is done, your travel consultant will provide you with all the details of your trip. You will also receive more information about what to expect during your trip.

No need! Nordic Visitor is already working on offsetting the estimated carbon footprint of your package. We’ve partnered with an environmental fund in Iceland to carbon offset all our tours.

Carbon offsetting your international flights is not included, but we highly recommend you look into possibilities with your airline or directly through a local environment fund. 

You can get in touch with our UK and Ireland travel experts ahead of your trip if you have any questions. The live chat option is useful for getting a quick reply as someone answers live every day during office opening hours.

Once you’ve booked, we’ll provide you with travel guides packed full of local tips and top attractions for your visit. You can also check out our online regional Travel Guides where we’ve compiled useful information about topics, including:

• Which credit cards are widely accepted in the UK and Ireland
• What kind of electric adapters or converters you’ll need in the UK and Ireland
• The native languages of Ireland and Scotland that you might hear alongside English
• As well as tipping, local news sources and other useful information

After you have booked your tour, it will only take a few days to confirm its availability. But it may take a few weeks to create your itinerary and book everything. Once your trip details are finalised, we’ll send you e-copies of your travel documents.

Upon your arrival in Ireland, you’ll receive a welcome bag with hard copies of your itinerary, attraction and tour vouchers, the Nordic Visitor Ireland Travel Guide and more.

So when do you check in? And what can you expect upon landing in Ireland?

After picking up your luggage, make your way to your accommodation in the Dublin city centre. We recommend one of the airport buses or to hop in a taxi.

For a smooth and easy journey, we’ll be happy to arrange a private transfer to your accommodation for an additional fee. This means a driver will be waiting for you at the airport when you land to take you directly to your hotel. Just let your travel consultant know if you’d like to add this service.

Check-in times vary between hotels and guesthouses, but it normally starts between 2–4 PM.

You are welcome to request an early check-in for an additional fee. Although this isn’t always available, you’ll be able to store your luggage at the hotel if you have to wait. Please contact your travel consultant well in advance of your arrival if you’d like an early check-in.

When you depart may depend on the time of your return flight. Check out early if you’re heading to the airport for a morning flight. On the other hand, if you’re flying home later in the day, you might like to enjoy a leisurely day or visit one more attraction.

You will need to check out from your room, but will be able to store your luggage at the hotel reception. Simply return later to collect your bags before catching your transfer to the airport.

All bookings are billed in Euros (EUR), the local currency in Ireland.

Prices displayed in other currencies are indicative only and based on the daily exchange rate. This means conversions from EUR to other currencies will fluctuate from day to day.