Scotland, England & Northern Ireland Travel Agent

Touring Victoria Street, Edinburgh, Scotland

You’ll love visiting Scotland, England and Northern Ireland especially if you love history, architecture, folklore, beautiful scenery and majestic coastlines. If you are a fan of “Game of Thrones” you’ll recognize many of the series locations in Northern Ireland including Belfast, Cushendun Caves, Castle Ward, and Inch Abbey to name a few. “Outlander” fans will love visiting many of that series locations as well including “Lallybroch” (Midhope Castle), and the charming village of Culross. I can help plan out an itinerary that has everything you want to do, see and eat! Check out more details below for each country. Don’t stop there. Give us a call and let us help you plan out the most magical adventure!

What to See and Do in Scotland. Scotland is one of my most favorite places to visit and has so many things that I love: history, diverse landscape, beauty and of course, Folklore! Scotland is best known for its historic castles nestled in dramatic landscapes, but did you know the official animal of Scotland is the Unicorn? Doesn’t that fact just make you want to go to Scotland and see if you can spot a Unicorn? Some must-visit spots in Scotland are Stirling Castle and Edinburgh Castle, offering a glimpse into the country’s storied past. My favorite was Edinburgh Castle where you feel like you’ve been transported back in time. The view from the castle over the city is spectacular and wandering around Victoria Street has everything you want including bag pipers and plenty of shops where you can purchase a wool scarf and a matching kilt. One of my favorite spots in Scotland is the Isle of Skye, which provides breathtaking scenery with its rugged cliffs and picturesque waterfalls. A drive and hike out to Neist Point Lighthouse was a highlight for us. The steep cliff and coastal views took our breath away and the sheep were also fun to watch. One of my favorite places was the tiny town of Ballantrae, Scotland which is a small fishing village on the west coast about an hour from Cairnryan-Larne Ferry where we took the ferry over to Northern Ireland.

What to See and Do in England. England, like Scotland, offers a wealth of iconic landmarks and a rich history. When in London, the best way to see everything is a city tour on a double-decker bus. They are usually hop-on, hop-ff so you can spend more time at the places that interest you the most including the Tower Bridge, Big Ben, Piccadilly Square, and the British Museum. A visit to Buckingham Palace is a must if you’re a Royal watcher. One of my favorite places to visit is the Tower of London to see the crown jewels - you have to see it to believe it! And you must see the actual tower cell where the poor souls who were about to be beheaded lived out their final hours. Seeing their final etched words still legible on the walls is an eerie feeling. Oh, and a trip to London isn’t complete without going to a show in London’s West End (see tips below about getting last-minute deals). Outside the city, Stonehenge remains a mysterious and majestic site worth visiting. Other favorites are the Cotswolds with charming villages, and Bath for a more relaxing atmosphere and amazing architecture. For those interested in literary history, a trip to Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare, can be a fun day trip. At Designer Travel, we like to customize our tours to fit what our clients want to do that aren’t the typical tourist traps! Last summer we planned a trip for a family of 4 that included among other things two West End plays in London, Harry Potter World and a Formula One race.

What to See and Do in Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland is a fascinating place with a mix of crumbling castles, majestic shorelines and legends of giants. Our first stop was Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. According to legend, the 40,000 interlocking basalt columns at the Giant's Causeway were formed when the Irish hunter-warrior Fionn mac Cumhaill attempted to construct a road to Scotland to confront a giant. In reality they are naturally-formed hexagon-shaped columns in various heights. At first glance it doesn’t look like anything that could be formed naturally, but something man made. It’s worth taking the guided tour to hear all of the giant stories that go with all of the different structures like “the Boot” and “the Organ”. We walked out along the coast as far as the path took us and back. There are some really beautiful views of the coast along the way.

A trip to Northern Ireland could also include the city of Belfast. If you are looking for more outdoor adventure and nature you’ll want to visit Lake Lough Neagh, according to legend, the lake was created when the hero Fionn mac Cumhaill, (remember him?) scooped up a chunk of earth to hurl at a Scottish rival, in the same battle that is said to have formed the Giant’s Causeway. This area is a wildlife paradise, ideal for water sports, fishing, boat trips, and cycling.