Overview
Our program brings you the best of both worlds: the consistency you rely on and the flexibility your group needs.
Bring your students to discover Celtic culture on tours through Edinburgh, Glasgow, Belfast, and Dublin. Students can look forward to discovering the Royal Mile, taking a walk on the spooky side with a ghost tour, and exploring Edinburgh Castle. You’ll also enjoy the scenery of Scotland’s Highlands and visit world-famous Loch Ness. In Ireland, students will visit the Titanic Belfast Museum, tour Trinity College, and learn about Irish history at EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum.
Itinerary
Day 1
Overnight flight to Scotland (Edinburgh)
Day 2
Arrive in Edinburgh
Meet your Tour Director
Your 24-hour Tour Director will meet you at the airport and remain with your group until your final airport departure.
Edinburgh city walk
The capital of Scotland, Edinburgh is a city of steep streets, stone buildings, and dramatic views, all watched over by the imposing Edinburgh Castle. Follow your Tour Director along the Royal Mile, which runs from Holyrood Palace to the castle, passing St. Giles’ Cathedral, long a centre of learning and civic life in the city’s Old Town.
Day 3
Edinburgh guided sightseeing tour
Explore Edinburgh, the historic and cultural heart of Scotland. Led by a licensed guide, walk the Royal Mile through the city’s Old Town, from Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Admire the elegant Georgian New Town, known for its neoclassical design, and gaze up at the 200-foot Sir Walter Scott Monument in East Princes Street Gardens, a tribute to one of Scotland’s greatest literary figures—and his loyal dog, Maida, immortalized below.
Edinburgh Castle visit
Perched atop an ancient volcanic rock, Edinburgh Castle commands the skyline with its imposing presence. Explore this medieval fortress, uncover its role in Scottish history, and take in sweeping views of the city below.
Edinburgh guided ghost tour
Stunning Edinburgh hides a horrific past. Witch burnings. Plague. Murder. Ghosts. Everyone in Scotland has a ghost story to tell. Hear a handful on this guided tour through some of Edinburgh's most infamous spots. Be prepared to be spooked by tales of the ghouls and apparitions that are said to haunt this old city still.
Day 4
Travel to Highlands via the Trossachs
Dramatic peaks. Small lochs. Peaceful glens. Sheep. Pass through the heart of the Scottish countryside. Renowned for its natural beauty, the area was a favourite spot of poet William Wordsworth. Stirling Castle. The site of the battles in Braveheart, this huge gray stone castle towers over the countryside from its position up high on a cliff, enabling its inhabitants to survey the main north-south and east-west routes across Scotland. The castle has been strategically important to Scotland for centuries and has passed back and forth between Scottish and English control innumerable times. Mary, Queen of Scots was crowned in the castle, but she's not among the many ghosts said to make their homes here. The castle is architecturally and artistically beautiful, with Renaissance and medieval elements and breathtaking views.
Stirling Castle visit
Tour Stirling Castle, a grand medieval fortress and former seat of Kings James IV and James V. Explore the Museum of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, featuring regimental colours, pipe banners, and silver. From the castle walls, take in sweeping views of the Wallace Monument.
Day 5
Glencoe and Loch Ness excursion
Explore the breathtaking Highlands of Glencoe, surrounded by misty peaks and rich history. Visit the legendary Loch Ness, where a boat cruise offers views of the deep waters said to hide the elusive Nessie, and see Culloden Moor, site of the final Jacobite battle in 1746.
Day 6
Travel to Glasgow via Loch Lomond
Head for Glasgow. On the way, you'll pass the largest expanse of fresh water in Britain. Loch Lomond is five miles wide at its broadest point and has more than 30 islands in the middle of it, three of which are inhabited. It's a favourite recreational spot for the Scots and is full of native wildlife.
Glasgow city walk
Explore Glasgow on a city walk with your Tour Director. See the Venetian-style façade of the City Chambers, the statues and monuments of George Square, and the campus of Strathclyde University while discovering the city’s blend of historic architecture, modern culture, and vibrant urban life.
Day 7
Ferry to Belfast
Travel along the Antrim Coast
Giant's Causeway excursion
For centuries countless visitors have marveled at the majesty and mystery of the Giants Causeway. At the heart of one of Europe's most magnificent coastlines its unique rock formations have, for millions of years, stood as a natural rampart against the unbridled ferocity of Atlantic storms. The rugged symmetry of the columns never fails to intrigue and inspire our visitors. The result of an ancient volcanic eruption, to stroll on the Giants Causeway is to voyage back in time.
Day 8
Belfast guided sightseeing tour
A professional licensed guide will lead you through Belfast, the historic capital of Northern Ireland. Explore the city’s shipbuilding heritage and its connection to the RMS Titanic, built here before its fateful 1912 voyage. Visit the Titanic Quarter, where the striking Titanic Belfast museum, Harland & Wolff Drawing Offices, and the Titanic Slipways now stand. Continue through the city’s storied neighborhoods, including the Lower Falls and Shankill Road, where powerful murals reflect Belfast’s complex political and cultural history.
Titanic Belfast Museum visit
Rediscover the story of the legendary RMS Titanic through the interactive Titanic Experience. Built on the original construction site of the Titanic, the Titanic Belfast recreates the shipyard, historic launch day, ship docks and untimely demise through nine interactive galleries.
Travel to Dublin
Dublin city walk
Get a friendly introduction to Dublin with your Tour Director. Cross the Ha’Penny Bridge, stroll through the lively Temple Bar district, and stop at the Molly Malone statue. Along the way, see Georgian squares, castles, and cathedrals that showcase the character of Ireland’s capital.
Day 9
Dublin guided sightseeing tour
Join a licensed guide to explore Dublin’s finest sights. Walk through Phoenix Park, Europe’s largest walled city park, home to red deer and the Phoenix Column. Visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral, where Ireland’s patron saint once baptized converts, and see O’Connell Street and Parnell Square. At Trinity College, Ireland’s oldest university, enter the Old Library’s Long Room to view the Book of Kells, an illuminated 9th-century manuscript of the four Gospels, famed for its intricate Celtic designs.
EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum visit
Explore EPIC, the Irish Emigration Museum in Dublin’s Docklands, the original departure point for countless Irish emigrants. This interactive museum guides you through their reasons for leaving, the impact they made worldwide, and the enduring connections among Irish communities across the globe.
LEAP Out of Ireland
Walk a mile in the shoes of an Irish emigrant. Uncover personal accounts of the circumstances that forced these inhabitants out of the country. Reflect on the feelings you would have felt in their shoes and discover how their departure shaped the history of Ireland.
Irish folklore evening (optional)
Watch as dancers leap, skip, and slide their way through lively Irish jigs. Hear musicians on fiddles, flutes, and pipes bring traditional Gaelic music to life. Experience the best of Irish culture and heritage during this unforgettable Irish folklore evening.
Traditional public house dinner
Day 10
Return home
Optional Extension
Add 5 Days to the Ring of Kerry
Begin in Galway with a guided city walk to landmarks like the Spanish Arch and Eyre Square. Experience the wild beauty of Connemara and the serenity of Kylemore Abbey. Travel to Killarney via the dramatic Cliffs of Moher, stopping to explore Limerick’s medieval charm. Take in the breathtaking Ring of Kerry and visit a traditional sheep farm (March–October). Conclude with a visit to Blarney Castle before heading to Dublin for your flight home.
TourFlex: Your Experience, Your Way
With TourFlex, available for tours departing October 2027 or later, you get the flexibility to shape an itinerary that's as unique as your group. Dial your trip up or down for more choice, more control, and more unforgettable hands-on moments, all while getting the right experience at the right value. Available options vary by program and destination.
Explore Your Way
- Add experiences like theatre tickets or unique excursions
- Swap activities for ones that better serve your group
- Extend the learning through go-aheads or stay-behinds
Go Your Way
- Choose the most accessible departure airport for your group
- Opt for 2-, 3-, or 4-star hotels that are centrally located or a convenient ride to major itinerary attractions
Dine Your Way
- Opt for pre-selected meals or encourage exploration by dining on your own
- Enjoy 2-3 course, culturally representative meals or opt for 3-course, authentic dinners at local restaurants
Already Included
WorldStrides Tour Director: A dynamic destination expert who makes learning come to life by leading your group's activities and discussions.
Transportation to & from your destination
Hotel accommodations
Daily meals, with options varying by program (ask your Program Consultant for details)
Admissions to top attractions (details in itinerary)
Guided sightseeing tours & city walks (details in itinerary)
Tips for local guides and drivers (excluding full-day bus drivers and Tour Director)
WorldAssist staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help
Professional development credits (CEUs) for educators
Scenes from Scotland and Ireland
Health & Safety
Additional health and safety measures may be available within your respective destination. Refer to your program-specific materials for complete details.
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance
Through the WorldStrides Canada Financial Assistance Program (FAP), we provide travel grants to elementary and secondary school facing financial hardship. These grants, which can be up to $250 for coach tours and up to $1,000 for flight tours, are designed to make our programs more accessible to students from all backgrounds. Interested families are encouraged to speak with their school to learn more about our confidential application process.
Payment Plans
Monthly Automated Plan
Enroll with a deposit of $99 plus the cost of your travel protection plan (if included). We’ll automatically debit the rest of your tour fee from your chequing account in equal monthly payments, with the final payment due 35 days before you travel.
Please note: If two consecutive payments are declined, your account will be moved to the 4-Step Manual Plan.
4-Step Manual Plan
Manage your payments manually with a $249 initial payment plus your travel protection plan costs (if included). You’ll then make three more payments at key milestones as your departure date approaches. The final balance is due 65 days before your trip.
Please note: Payments on this plan are not automatically deducted and must be made manually.
Fundraising Tools
We are committed to helping you make your educational travel dreams a reality. We offer a comprehensive Fundraising Guide packed with creative ideas, tips, and resources to help you and your students reach your fundraising goals. From setting a timeline to brainstorming innovative campaigns, our guide provides a structured approach to make fundraising a fun and engaging experience for everyone involved.
