10 Days in Ireland and Scotland

Arrive in Dublin at Wren Urban Nest, great location, eco-friendly and has the cutest tiny rooms. The hotel was tucked away and quiet in a busy Dublin City Centre. The location was so close to Temple Bar area and all the great restaurants.

The first thing we had to do was the Guinness Tour. My dad had us all there as soon as we could! The tour is self-guided, but the best part is the top-floor views in the lounge with a perfectly poured Guinness. Highly recommended even for non-beer connoisseurs for the view.

In the evening, we walked around Temple Bar and had dinner at The Bank on College Green. Great spot, accommodating for big groups.

First up was the tour of Trinity Library. Unfortunately, we didn’t realize the need to book tickets ahead of time (make sure to do this). Our rookie mistake turned into a great blessing. We did the full tour of Trinity College and our tour guide was very knowledgeable. Nothing better than a history PHD student nerding out and sharing his love for the school. Expert tip, get access to the Library and Book of Kells. The history in Dublin and the college was way richer than I expected.

On the trip we were celebrating my husband's birthday and we had a great dinner at the Vintage Cocktail Club. It's a speakeasy in the Temple Bar area and the hunt to find the door is fun for all and the cocktails were outstanding!

If you happen to be in Dublin on a Sunday, I highly recommend Sunday Roast at The Old Spot.

We rented a car to drive across Ireland to Doolin for the Cliffs. We stopped in Galway to wander around the city and have lunch/brunch. A must-stop is this cute cafe on the water’s edge, Ard Bia. The food was amazing and it's a cute little spot. They don’t take reservations, but the wait was not long.

Galway has a great farmer’s market and shopping. The culture in this small town is overwhelming, and I wish I had spent more time here.

Check in at the Doongalore Farmhouse. This part of the trip saved us some money on our stay as recommended by friends. This Airbnb was straight out of a postcard. Mary makes a mean Irish Breakfast and Pat does the local cliff walk. Each room was under $100 a night for a great budget option.

Dinner in Doolin at the pub with live music. Nothing can beat that!

Cliff walks with Pat. Best way to see the cliffs. You avoid all tourists until you reach the top. The hike allows for the views to be seen as you approach the hike. You cross through farmland, and it is picturesque. The hike is doable for most levels of adventurers, but it is steep so take that into consideration. If you are going to see the Cliffs of Moher, this is non-negotiable when booking the trip.

Edinburgh may be my new favorite city. The clash of old history and the modernness of the town is unmatched. The combination of ancient history and contemporary vibrancy in Edinburgh is unparalleled. The castle is right in the middle of the city. It makes for great walks through the city.

Food Recommendations:

Red Cockerel Cafe: We had great lattes and espresso on the terrace with breakfast. It was the perfect slow start to the morning with spectacular views.

For the Harry Potter fans, check out the Department of Magic where you can make your 'spells' aka Cocktails. This was great for our whole family and they even had butter beer!

A recommendation most travel advisors might skip is the one thing my husband sought out in Edinburgh. He went and got measured for a custom suit at Mr. James Taylor. The prices beat anything in the US and they have an eye for detail. It was a great experience and now he has a brand new suit.

The drive to Portree from Edinburgh through the highlands is absolutely gorgeous. Every twist and turn brought a new view that was breathtaking. There is no fast way to get there, but the Scottish Highlands are just beautiful. I would recommend multiple nights there for a future trip.

We stayed at the Bosville Hotel and it was very nice. The bed was so comfortable! It was such a relief after multiple travel stops. There is a restaurant in the hotel that has a great breakfast and a bar connected to it that we spent both nights in. Portree is a small town and full of tourists. During the high season, you must make dinner reservations in advance. I know it seems crazy, but if not you won’t be able to find much for food. The first night after traveling, we ordered ahead for pizza and it was perfect. An easy meal after a day of driving.

For those who love fine dining, my husband and I ate a Scorrybreac Restaurant and it was such a nice treat. It is a small place with only about 8 tables. I highly recommend this experience to break up the adventuring and pamper yourself with a nice multi-course dinner.

Activity Recommendations:

The first full day of exploring, we hiked Old Man of Storr. It was absolutely breathtaking. It is a steep hike but it is so worth it.

The Fairy Pools are a very easy hike for those who are not the adventurous type. My brothers and husband even took a dip in the cool mountain water and I would highly recommend that.