Itinerary Dublin & Belfast, Ireland - Edinburgh, Scotland
EASY (click to see rating scale)
Day 1: Overnight Flight from BNA
Day 2: Dublin
After arriving in Dublin, a former Viking settlement at the mouth of the River Liffey, you’ll meet your ACIS Tour Manager. Then begin to explore Ireland’s capital, a vibrant cultural center with a rich literary history, as evidenced by former residents ranging from Oscar Wilde and James Joyce to Samuel Beckett and George Bernard Shaw.
Day 3: Dublin
Begin the day with a guided sightseeing tour that takes you past some of Dublin’s finest attractions, including the statue-filled O’Connell Street, and takes you inside majestic St. Patrick’s Cathedral, built in the 13th century. In the afternoon, enjoy free time to explore the Temple Bar section of Dublin. Situated near the Liffey and the Ha’penny Bridge, Temple Bar boasts cafés, galleries, and trendy shops. Or visit the quirky National Leprechaun Museum, which pays homage to Irish folklore and mythology. Or if you’re feeling competitive, participate in an optional Gaelic Games activity.
Day 4: Belfast
This morning, you’ll drive into Northern Ireland and head for Belfast, where a visit to the Titanic Exhibition Centre awaits. The RMS Titanic was built in Belfast’s shipyards, and the locals love to say about the ship, “She was fine when she left here.” An afternoon guided sightseeing tour showcases this bustling city marked by a divided past and a hopeful future.
Day 5: Belfast
Today’s activities center on a full-day excursion to the Giant’s Causeway, a natural wonder that features some 40,000 basalt columns created eons ago by a volcanic eruption, and the brooding ruins of Dunluce Castle, sitting atop a dramatic ocean-side cliff. On the way back to Belfast, you’ll stop for a great photo op: the heavily fortified Carrickfergus Castle.
Day 6: Edinburgh
A ferry ride from Larne to Cairnryan kicks off the morning, followed by a scenic drive through picturesque Robert Burns country towards Edinburgh. You’ll stop en route for another intriguing photo opportunity—the dramatic Forth Road Suspension Bridge—before checking in to your hotel in Edinburgh. Later, enjoy a traditional haggis tasting and dinner . Haggis is Scotland’s national dish—a savory pudding made from sheep’s “pluck” and spices—and it’s served with a side order of history that’s as interesting as the dish itself.
Day 7: Edinburgh
The morning kicks off with a guided sightseeing tour that shows you Princes Street and Charlotte Square before a visit to Edinburgh Castle, perched high up in the old town. In your final afternoon, you’re free to stroll the Royal Mile in search of woolens and tartans, visit J.K. Rowling’s sources of inspiration for the Harry Potter franchise, or snap pictures of the city and the Firth of Forth from atop Calton Hill.
Day 8: Departure
UNITED NATIONS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
Goal 4: Quality Education
The itinerary provides educational experiences, from exploring Dublin’s literary heritage to learning about Irish folklore and Scottish history. The guided tours, museum visits, and hands-on activities (like Gaelic Games) all contribute to lifelong learning and cultural understanding, enhancing education for travelers of all ages.
Goal 8: Decent Work & Economic Growth
By visiting cultural landmarks, museums, and engaging in local activities, the tour promotes tourism as a vital economic sector. Sustainable tourism fosters local economies, particularly in areas like Dublin, Belfast, and Edinburgh, which rely on tourism for employment and income. This helps contribute to decent work opportunities in hospitality, tourism, and local crafts.
Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
The visit to the Titanic Exhibition in Belfast, with its focus on shipbuilding innovation, showcases how industrial heritage shapes cities. The infrastructure seen throughout the tour, including historical sites, modern facilities, and transportation, also highlights the importance of sustainable and resilient infrastructure for economic development.
Goal 11: Sustainable Cities & Communities
The tour explores urban and cultural hubs like Dublin and Edinburgh, promoting responsible tourism that emphasizes the importance of preserving cultural landmarks and community traditions. Visiting historical sites like Edinburgh Castle and the Giant’s Causeway fosters a sense of community pride and the preservation of cultural heritage, while encouraging sustainable tourism practices.
Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
The itinerary encourages learning about traditional practices and local crafts, such as tartan weaving in Edinburgh. By supporting locally-owned businesses and engaging with sustainable tourism practices, the tour promotes responsible consumption, especially when exploring cultural goods and services. It encourages responsible travel that respects both the environment and local economies.
Goal 13: Climate Action
The exploration of natural wonders like the Giant’s Causeway reflects the importance of understanding and protecting the environment. The itinerary also includes visits to regions with strong conservation efforts, helping to raise awareness of climate change and the need for sustainable environmental practices, particularly in the context of tourism.
Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
The historical sites, such as Belfast’s Titanic Exhibition and the history surrounding the political divisions in Northern Ireland, help educate travelers about the importance of peace and the efforts to reconcile and build stronger institutions. The trip offers educational insights into complex historical and political contexts, fostering greater global understanding and tolerance.
Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals
This itinerary exemplifies the partnerships between local governments, tour operators, and communities to promote sustainable tourism. By supporting local businesses and cultural sites, this encourages cross-border collaboration between Ireland and Scotland, helping to advance the SDGs through shared experiences and mutual goals.
EDUCATIONAL & CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES
- Tourism & Hospitality – The entire tour is designed to showcase important tourist destinations, highlighting attractions, local culture, and experiences that are integral to the tourism industry.
- World History – The itinerary delves deeply into the history and culture of Ireland and Scotland, providing insight into their rich literary history, folklore, and national traditions (e.g., haggis, Gaelic games) Students studying history would benefit from visiting historic sites like St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the Titanic Exhibition, Dunluce Castle, and Edinburgh Castle, all of which provide lessons in European history, architecture, and cultural heritage.
- Conservation – The exploration of natural wonders like the Giant’s Causeway and scenic landscapes in Scotland involves studying geology, natural formations, and the impact of the environment on regional development.
- Visual & Theatre Arts – Literature and arts are woven into the experience through visits related to famous authors like Oscar Wilde and James Joyce, as well as art galleries and museums.
- Culinary Arts – The traditional haggis tasting offers an opportunity to study regional cuisine and culinary traditions as part of a broader understanding of cultural food practices.
Cultural CONNECTIONS
The unique, online, pre-departure global service-learning and citizenship course will prepare you to make the most of your time in Ireland & Scotland. In the course, you will learn the history and culture of the destination, the mission and vision of our partners, and UN Sustainable Development Goals. This GSLC experience is designed to foster the development of educated, compassionate, global citizens and leaders.
