When you stand at the tee, you look out over the historic fairway and find the sunlight glinting off of the layer of morning dew. Take a practice swing and feel the weight of the course itself, having challenged golfers like Palmer and Mickelson through bunkers and pars. The legends of the Scottish landscape fill more than the castles, embodied on the courses spread across the countryside. This handmade golf, castles, and gardens tour of Scotland through St Andrews, Gleneagles and Turnberry has...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
St. Andrews - Green Arrival
Arrive in Scotland where your private transfer meets you at the airport. The country is flush with greenery rolling into craggy foothills. The aroma of recent rainfall permeates the air. Old stone buildings add depth and texture to the verdant landscape. You wind through Edinburgh and arrive on the coast at St. Andrews. The city is known as the home of golf and has hundreds of years of history both on and off the course. Your five-star accommodations are situated on 580 acres of woodlands. Vivacious flowers blossom near the lobby entrance. The spiced aroma of bark blends into the sweet scent of budding flower pedals.
The Victorian architecture of your hotel embodies the power of history and the grace of contemporary luxuries. A fire crackles inside the lobby and carries comfortable sound and ambiance over the polished tiled floors. St. Andrews is home to Scotland’s first university dating back to 1418. The student halls contain Gothic elements and a strong stone façade. The outline of the 12th-century cathedral remains prominent in both stature and the skyline against the townscape. The North Sea rushes against the meandering coastal bluffs. The vast greenery outside is a reminder of the coming legendary courses you will soon experience.
What's Included:
Day 2
St. Andrews - Tee and Tea
Day 3
St. Andrews - Embracing the Old
Day 4
St. Andrews - Garden Beyond the Sea
Day 5
St. Andrews - Fit for Kings
Day 6
Turnberry - Castle Allure
Day 7
Turnberry - Broad Borders
Day 8
Glasgow - Garden Pathways
Trip Highlights
- Experience the challenge of playing a historic round at Old Course of St. Andrews, the birthplace of golf
- Visit celebrated castles and gardens that embody the spirit of historic Scotland
- Follow in the footsteps of champions when playing a number of British Open championship courses
- Relax in five-star accommodations nestled between seaside and lush valleys
- Discover the vast and diverse landscape across Scotland
Detailed Description
The splendor of Scotland rises with its mountains and crashing waves, rolling hills and blooming gardens. Stroll along soft manicured grass hundreds of yards to reach the green. Explore celebrated championship courses and relax in shady Victorian era estates. Your 8-day exploration of Scotland takes you through castles and golf courses, gardens and coastline, to witness the grandeur of the countryside: from the Old Course of St. Andrews to the newer Ailsa Course at Turnberry or Gleneagles, you will find beaches and valleys, vibrant forests and orchards on the fringe of your Scottish vacation.
Your excursion begins with your arrival in Scotland. Your private transfer greets you at the airport and takes you to the famous town of St. Andrews, located on the beaches of the North Sea. You find peaceful streets and a historic air in the shadows of a ruined 12th-century cathedral. Settle into your comfortable five-star resort style hotel and enjoy. The New Course of St. Andrews takes you across 18 holes that have been landscaped and designed for golf since 1885.
Continue on to Cambo Gardens to enjoy the serene estate and brimming with lilacs. On the Old Course of St. Andrews, you can feel the legends emanating from each hole. The challenge is not just in the landscape but also in keeping up with historic golf figures. Your private transfer escorts you to Perthshire where you find the Drummond Gardens. The castle grounds hold spectacular grace, from the design and construction of the family mansion to the stately gardens. King’s Course is located on the grounds of your luxurious five-star hotel.
Hills slope down into the valley that holds the course, offering another challenge you welcome with ardor. Continue to Firth of Clyde where you arrive at Turnberry. Culzean Castle boasts an incredible façade and 2.5 acres of stunning gardens. The comforts of your resort style accommodation are unparalleled. Enjoy the picturesque seaside scenery of Ailsa Course and the secluded charm of each hole. Your private transfer escorts you to Glasgow for your flight home luxury tour of Scotland for golf comes to an end, but there will always be more great gardens and gold to discover in Scotland.
Starting Price
$4,000 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.89 stars based on 377 reviews.
This trip was perfect! Zicasso's travel agent planned excellent sights for us. The accommodations and restaurants were all first class.
Reviewed By Irene R.
To Zicasso's tour operator,
I just wanted to take a moment to extend my heartfelt gratitude for the incredible experience we had during our recent travels abroad, all thanks to your outstanding service. Your attention to detail was evident in every aspect of our trip, making it truly exceptional.
The golf plan you crafted was nothing short of amazing! Each course was perfectly selected, providing unforgettable experiences and challenges that we thoroughly enjoyed. Your team's quick response to our inquiries ensured a smooth journey, allowing us to focus on making memories instead of worrying about logistics.
What truly stood out was your incredible hospitality. From the moment we arrived until the day we left, we felt like valued guests, not just clients. Your efforts to make every part of our trip enjoyable did not go unnoticed.
The tour operator truly pulled out all the stops and I can't thank you enough for making our journey so memorable. We will undoubtedly recommend your services to anyone looking for a fantastic travel experience!
Reviewed By Dustin F.
We had an absolutely magnificent trip to Ireland and Scotland, beautifully planned and organized by Zicasso's travel company. The communication with our agent was fantastic and she tailored a trip that perfectly fit everything we wanted. From personal tours with locals in each area to excellent recommendations for meals and other activities, we had a wonderful family trip!
Reviewed By Katherine P.
Zicasso's travel agency was very easy to work with. Our agent and the team listened to our preferences and planned a fantastic trip for us.
Reviewed By Ray M.
Our trip was lovely and we got to see so much of the country.
Reviewed By Heather T.
Zicasso's travel agents were so helpful and polite. They kept us continuously updated on changes to the itinerary or the day, and made some great suggestions for plans throughout the United Kingdom.
Reviewed By Robert+ M.