From the enduring walls of Stirling Castle to the delicate stylings of the High Kirk of Edinburgh, from the wild beauty of the Highlands to the elegant grandeur of Europe’s best hotels, from the serene mornings to the nights of Scottish revelry: while this may be your first vacation to Scotland, you can be sure it won’t be the last.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Arriving in the “Athens of the North”
You touch down today in enchanting Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, the first member of the UNESCO Creative Cities initiative and home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You’ll be escorted by private car from the airport to your perfectly located hotel, that is as elegant as it is accommodating, with beautiful views over the capital and all the modern amenities that you’ve come to expect. After dropping off your luggage and maybe grabbing a quick nap, it’s off to explore the streets of this delightful metropolis.
Shoppers will certainly want to make for the Georgian terraces and wide sidewalks of the New Town, from the laid-back atmosphere at Princes Street to the high-end boutiques on George Street and Multrees Walk to the eclectic mix of shops, bars and restaurants on Broughton Street. Museum goers, meanwhile, will want to check out the many fine exhibition spaces in the city, from the formal halls of the National Gallery of Scotland to the unique interaction of art and audience at the Fruitmarket Gallery. You can dine this evening in the unforgettable ambience of The Witchery, a tiny and candle-lit restaurant that is located right next to Edinburgh Castle and which offers delicious food, friendly and attentive service, and an impressive wine list.
What's Included:
Day 2
A Tour of the Great Cities of the Lowlands
Day 3
Legendary Warriors and Wonderful Landscapes
Day 4
The Highlights of the Highlands
Day 5
Getting a Taste of Scotland’s Finest
Day 6
Back in Scotland’s Captivating Capital
Day 7
So Long, Scotland
Trip Highlights
- Explore Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland and a vibrant university town, where medieval relics, Georgian architecture and avant-garde culture, all combine to form one incredible city scene
- Take a half-day to visit Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city and the European City of Culture in 1990, home to gorgeous buildings, fascinating museums, and the most intense sports rivalry in the country
- Head north to the rugged and romantic Scottish Highlands, stopping by Stirling Castle and the National Wallace Monument before spending your evening at the Inverlochy Castle Hotel, voted best hotel in Europe by Travel + Leisure magazine
- Cruise the murky waters of Loch Ness, discover the ruins of Urquhart Castle, and sample some of the finest Scotch whiskeys before stopping in Perthshire
Detailed Description
From the great cities of the Lowlands to the grand scenery of the Highlands, from the culture of Glasgow to the legends of Loch Ness, Scotland is a country unlike any other, filled with stories from the past and hopes for the future and some of the friendliest people you could ever hope to meet. This seven-day tour offers the perfect introduction to this fascinating nation, giving you glimpses of the best that Scotland has to offer and a look into the lives of its singular citizens. If your dreams are filled with the sounds of pipes and the smell of smoking peat, this vacation will make all those dreams a reality.
Start in Edinburgh, where you can walk the Royal Mile between the elegant Palace of Holyroodhouse and the imposing perch of Edinburgh Castle and shop for the finest Scottish gifts, from tartans to whisky. Tour the lochs and heaths of the singular Scottish Highlands, reveling in the history of this ancient land and reveling in the characters that fill its stories. And stop by one of Scotland’s most famous attractions, as you board a boat that takes you deep into the waters of mysterious Loch Ness.
This is a tour for literature lovers and single malt aficionados, nature buffs and bookworms, those who long for the great outdoors and those who love to perambulate through scenes of urban splendor. Memories and magic awaits in this remarkable country, songs and stories fill the air while the spectacular scenery makes for a one-of-a-kind backdrop. So come on and visit: Scotland is waiting.
Starting Price
$3,500 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
4.94 stars based on 54 reviews.
Zicasso's trip coordinator had every detail covered for a smooth vacation. The driver was incredibly pleasant and fun to spend time with. We highly recommend Zicasso for anyone considering a trip to Scotland!
Reviewed By Suzanne T.
This was my first time planning an overseas trip for myself, plus a friend, and integrating a third person into the trip halfway! There were lots of moving parts. Thanks to Zicasso's tour company, I started out not knowing what I wanted to see, to having a perfect trip, with fantastic accommodations, wonderful drivers, and amazing adventures!
Reviewed By Laura T.
We had an awesome experience! There was impeccable attention to detail! The driver/guides were terrific to work with. I will definitely recommend Zicasso’s tour company to my friends.
Reviewed By Krishna S.
We had an exceptional experience with the team at Zicasso's travel company, particularly our agent. She listened to our hopes and needs for a very complex trip, and created a journey that exceeded our expectations in every way.
Reviewed By Lorraine M.
The trip was fantastic and the Zicasso travel agent was very attentive to our wants. We felt very well taken care of.
Reviewed By Christine S.
To celebrate our daughter’s graduation from the University of Glasgow, Julie and I decided to organize a family driving trip through the islands and Highlands of Scotland. We wanted to see everything in Scotland.
Zicasso's travel agent helped us refine our plans to fit our timeframe and budget. She planned an efficient route and found us memorable accommodations in each of our stops. She also suggested some places not on our original wish list, including a boat trip to Staffa, which turned out to be one of the most memorable parts of our trip.
Our driver truly made it feel like the family vacation we had envisioned. While on some days we had a definite timeline to meet (the ferries will leave without you!), most of the time we were able to decide what we were in the mood for and he would happily accommodate us. We even were able to have an unscheduled stop on the drive back to Glasgow to see where our daughter had spent time last summer on an archaeological dig.
Where we stayed and what we ate were not big factors in our vacation planning request, but our travel agent found us lovely accommodations that made our day trips and ferry trips convenient. The restaurant specialist made dinner suggestions that made sense for where we were staying and arranged reservations for us so that we did not have to worry about finding a place to eat at the end of a long day.
Reviewed By George C.