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Touring Ireland: Celtic Contrasts, Scotland & Ireland from £565pp for 6nts

There have been links across the Irish Sea for centuries, and this new holiday helps you experience the contrasts and explore the connections between Scotland's Dumfries & Galloway and counties Antrim & Down of Northern Ireland.

Day One

Your first hotel is in the Galloway around two hours' drive from Carlisle.

Your Hotel

This historic inn, in the peaceful and attractive conservation village of Gatehouse of Fleet, is a perfect base from which to explore Galloway. It dates back over 100 years, and boasts connections to writer Dorothy L Sayers. Now the new owners have provided comfortable modernised rooms. Good food makes the restaurant a popular local destination for dinner, as does the friendly, personal service.

Day Two - Exploring Galloway

The area offers plenty of coastal walks and some lovely sandy beaches, particularly at nearby Sandhead, Port Logan and Port William. Places to visit include Portpatrick and the Mull of Galloway (with its working lighthouse); Logan Botanic Gardens with its amazing collection of exotic plants; Castle Kennedy Gardens, with its unique Monkey Puzzle Avenue; the unusual Gem Museum at Creetown and Scotland’s book capital, Wigtown, which boasts more than 20 bookshops, great for an afternoon’s browsing, whilst Kirkcudbright is home to several galleries and craft shops. There is also a wide choice of golf courses throughout Galloway, each with its own character and test of skill - from Creachmore, Stranraer, designed by James Braid, to the "links" style of Wigtown County, to the championship test of Southerness.

Day Three - across the Irish Sea

A short drive to the ferry port of Cairnryan for the crossing direct to Larne or Belfast. Its just 90 minutes to your next base, in the heart of County Down, and the historic village of Killyleagh. Time to explore the city of Belfast or the gently rolling fields of the Ards peninsula and the magical Strangford Lough.

Your Hotel

Relax in this beautiful and stylish Guesthouse built in 1803, formerly the Ulster Bank and retaining many of its original features. It is situated at the top of the High Street in Killyleagh in the shadows of Killyleagh Castle, one of the oldest inhabited castles in Ireland, on the shores of Strangford Lough This is a very peaceful spot, yet just a short drive from Belfast and all its attractions. Next door is one of the county's most popular country pubs, which offers regular live music, and within a short drive are several excellent restaurants.

Day Four - Belfast and County Down.

You can choose whether to explore Belfast, visit the Ulster Folk & Transport Museum or tour County Down, with key recommendations the gardens at Mount Stewart, the Castle Ward estate, perhaps combined with the short ferry crossing at Portaferry across Strangford Lough. The whole area is forever connected with St Patrick, with his remains reputedly at Down Cathedral. There are numerous other monastic sites well worth visiting, especially Nendrum, Greyabbey and Inch Abbey.

Day Five - the Antrim coast road

Your final base is on the Antrim coast, close to the Giants' Causeway, just over two hours' drive so spend the day touring the dramatic coast road, enjoying views back to Kintyre and Scotland, a mere 12 miles away.

Your Hotel

Centuries of history exude from the old timber beams and rough plaster walls of this landmark inn. At its heart is the gaslit sixteenth century snug, with soot-stained walls and ceilings and a pulley suspended above the fireplace. You could spend hours here over a Guinness or a dram, dreaming up romantic notions of encounters goneby. The snug is encased by a mere two-hundred year old inn, with an even more modern, yet sympathetically designed, outer shell. Guest rooms are spacious and atmospheric, with individual character and attention to detail to keep design in-keeping with the building's charm. This place is a genuine meeting point for travellers and locals alike, buzzing with conviviality and conversation throughout a jigsaw puzzle of interconnecting public rooms and cosy corners. The outdoor courtyard and terrace come into their own in the summer months, while open peat fires provide the perfect ambience in other seasons. Service is attentive and friendly, many staff being young, local and very proud of the area. The menu offered throughout the restaurant and conservatory fuses local produce with a touch of creativity to make this one of the most renowned dining destinations in the North of Ireland.

Day Six - Exploring the Antrim Coast

The famous sights of this, one of our favourite coastlines, including the geological phenomenon of the the Giants' Causeway, and the much-photographed clifftop ruins of haunting Dunluce Castle, are just a short drive away. For the more adventurous, test your nerve and head for heights by venturing across the suspended rope bridge at Carrick-a-Rede. You could also take a day trip to the wildlife haven of Rathlin Island. Why not end the day with a visit to the famous Bushmills distillery.

Day Seven - Return Home

Return to Scotland by ferry from Larne or Belfast.

Prices & Dates

This holiday can be arranged from February to November 2012.

The price is £495 per person for February, March and November, £525 per person for April & October, £595 per person for May to September, for six nights on a bed & breakfast basis, which includes return ferry travel for car and passengers from Scotland to Larne.

Travel to Ireland

Travel to Ireland by ferry from and back to Scotland is included in this holiday.

If you prefer we can also arrange the return ferry back to Holyhead in Wales.

This holiday includes maps of Scotland & Ireland with recommended routes from your specified starting point, suggestions on places to see and visit depending on your personal interests and our expertise to help you get the most from your holiday.

All itineraries and room types are presented subject to availability at specific hotels.

The McKinlay Kidd Guarantee

All our holiday prices include a service charge of £8 per person per night towards the costs we incur in researching, planning and designing your holiday.

We guarantee to refund this service charge if you believe that arranging your holiday through McKinlay Kidd has not met your expectations for value. All we ask is that you write to us within 7 days of your return and explain your reason for claiming the refund. This will ensure that we can improve the experience for all our future guests.