Ireland, Scotland and Wales

Come and Tour these lands so rich in history, with many activities to keep you entertained with the most beautiful countryside you will see in the world....

Golfers can play the classic courses such as Portmarnock and Lahinch in Ireland or St. Andrews and Muirfield in Scotland. Wales offers a wide variety of interesting courses such as Aberdovey, St. Pierre Golf and Country Club and Royal Porthcawl. Stay and Play programs can be arranged including the Kildare Club and Slieve Russell Country Club in Ireland or Gleneagles and Turnberry in Scotland. Another popular program is Hub and Spoke, which includes many lesser-know, but historic, challenging and lovely courses within easy traveling distance of your accommodation. Golf Tuition can be arranged at many courses, such as David Leadbetter Academy at Mount Juliet.

Fishermen are spoiled for choice as Game, Course and Sea fishing sites abound. Bank, river, lake or sea fishing is available and boats are easily arranged for many of the famous Irish and Scottish salmon and trout rivers and lakes. The services of a ghillie (a personal guide) can be obtained if required and most equipment can be hired locally. Itineraries can include fly-casting tuition and can range from a single day to an entire multi-site personalized fishing vacation.

Travelers interested in Equestrian activities have a wide range of options available. Residential schools teaching dressage, cross-country and show-jumping exist, as do post-to-post or based-trail treks over lovely, unspoiled countryside. Hunting is also available at a number of locations. A few days spent leisurely exploring Irish country lanes by horse-drawn caravan, can provide an effective antidote to modern day stress. In-season field sports, such as falconry, archery or clay pigeon shooting, are also available. Again, most activities can be arranged on a single-day or specialized vacation basis.

The mountains of Ireland, Scotland and Wales provide ideal terrain for mountaineering or hill walking. Guides and tuition can be provided as necessary and it is possible for one or two persons to be included in a larger group if so desired. The level of difficulty of any such excursion can be tailored to individual preference and fitness.

Scotland has two forms of luxury transportation, unique in the British Isles. The Royal Scotsman accommodates 32 guests in elegance and splendour as they travel over little-used railway lines through the mountains and glens of Scotland or between Edinburg and London. The Hebridean Princess, a small luxury cruise ship, majestically glides amongst the scenery of the Highlands and Islands of the West Coast of Scotland, Norway and Southwest Ireland, calling at fascinating and remote locations. Whether by rail or by sea, these experiences have been likened to staying at a first class country house with ever-changing views.

If you should be fortunate enough to have Irish, Scottish or Welsh Ancestry, a fascinating vacation spent exploring their history and visiting the places where they worked and lived can be very rewarding. We can arrange for a Genealogist to undertake the initial research concerning your family prior to your visit if you should so wish.

Accommodations

Many people enjoy the special charm of staying as a paying guest in a private county house, in some cases owned by a member of the British aristocracy. Not only do many have considerable historical significance and great architectural interest, but in an air of exclusivity and privacy, you will meet the people who actually live in the house. Over drinks and dinner, they can impart a wealth of local knowledge.

There are also a large number of fine country house and town house hotels providing the highest standards of accommodation, service and gourmet cuisine using only the freshest local ingredients.

We have personally visited and can recommend many inexpensive guest houses plus bed and breakfast establishments. For clients that prefer to enjoy the freedom of a self-catering vacation, we can offer a wide variety of establishments which can often be combined with the activities of your choice.