Our Epic 2 Week Itinerary of England, Scotland, and Ireland (With a Paris Bonus)!

When one pictures a truly bucket list-worthy trip, a lot of people (ourselves included) would say that a 2 week itinerary of England, Scotland, and Ireland fits the bill! Sure, more than 2 weeks would be ideal, but for those of us with limited time off, this is a trip that is definitely doable!

So when Chris and I asked our in-laws where they wanted to travel with us next (our first trip with them was to the Christmas markets several years ago!), this is exactly what they said! Knowing we could only get 2 weeks because of Chris’s work schedule, we were going to optimize a visit to England, Ireland, and Scotland in just 14 days. 

I thought to myself, “No worries! I’ve got this!” And I got straight to work whipping up a perfect itinerary for 2 weeks in these 3 destinations.

But then, Chris’s father said something a lot of people say while planning a trip to Europe where a lot of things are close by, “Well, is it possible to squeeze in Paris too?”

I couldn’t blame him. They had never been and it truly is my favorite city in the world. How could we say no? So, I had to whittle on a trip to Paris along with the rest.

And I think I nailed it. 

How do I know? Well, we took the trip and had the BEST time!

So now, I’m sharing with you all the details of this itinerary of England, Scotland, and Ireland…plus Paris for your ultimate bucket list trip!

Don’t have time to read this now? Save it for later here:

Summary of the Best Itinerary For England, Scotland, and Ireland…With a Paris Side Car!

England, Scotland, Ireland 2 Week Itinerary (With Paris!) Details

I know, that was a long summary of each day. But here are all the details of what we did, ate, where we stayed, and more!

Day 1: Land in Paris

We opted to land in Paris and fly home from Dublin for this trip. This is because we could take the Eurostar from there to London, then a train to Edinburgh, and the only other flight we had to take during the trip was to Dublin. 

But first of all, we had to land in my favorite city in the world. And we arrived in the morning, which was great, because we were able to drop off our bags and get right to exploring! 

And we began with lunch at Les Deux Magots. I’ve mentioned this in a lot of my Paris articles on France Voyager and even in my 4 days in Paris itinerary on this blog. 

Honestly, the sandwiches were good. But that is not why we came to Les Deux Magots. We came for the ancient hot chocolate. Easily one of the best hot chocolates in Paris, Les Deux Magots is a creamy, melted chocolate kind of hot chocolate of your dreams.

And we had to have Chris’s parents try it for themselves. As Chris’s dad is quite the sweet-treat fan, he absolutely loved it. 

Afterward, we wandered over across the street to the Abbaye de Saint-Germain-des-Prés. This is my favorite church in Paris and usually pretty empty! With its fresco-covered walls and starry ceiling, this church is stunning.

And, it happens to be Paris’s oldest church! 

Up next, we had prebooked tickets that afternoon to see Sainte-Chapelle. I highly recommend prebooking tickets ahead of time to save time waiting in line and to make sure you have a spot. 

Book tickets here!

While not a working church, this place has the most stunning stained glass windows. My in-laws were in awe of it! It is definitely worth visiting in Paris while on the Ile de la Cite.

While we’re on our run of church visiting in Paris, and there are many stunning churches, we stopped by Notre Dame.

Now when we were there, it hadn’t reopened yet. But even seeing the outside is a treat! If you want to go inside now, it may be a bit of a wait, but it is lovely to see with its fresh interior. You can also check out the treasury for a fee.

Then, we ended up at my favorite neighborhood in Paris for dinner: Le Marais. I love this neighborhood for its great food options, beautiful Place des Vosges, lovely museums, and vintage shopping.

But this time around, we were getting dinner at Chez Janou. I know, this place is super popular, so be sure to make reservations in advance! But it is actually worth it. 

We loved the avocado tartare and haddock brandade. However, the best thing to get there is the chocolate mousse. It truly is the best, fluffiest, richest, and thickest chocolate mousse I’ve ever had. 

But after that heavy meal, we ended up walking back to our hotel in the 5th. It was a long walk, but Paris at night is so beautiful. 

Where to Stay in Paris:

Isn’t that a loaded question? I’ve visited Paris countless times at this point and purposely stay in different areas and hotels to get a feel of different neighborhoods and find the best hotels for you. I have a whole guide on where to stay in Paris here to help you out!

But here are a few spots to stay in if you only have 2 days in Paris:

Hotel Atmospheres: I’ve stayed here a couple of times at this point, and this is my preferred hotel when traveling with my parents and in-laws. This place is in the amazing 5th arrondissement, in the Latin Quarter. It is a fun area, with a great bakery nearby (Maison d’Isabelle), and this hotel has large elevators and walk-in showers (great for those with bad knees). In a city where that isn’t a guarantee by any means, having these things is a true luxury. Plus, the hotel is cute and many rooms overlook the Rue des Ecoles below. 

Book it here!

Hotel Relais du Vieux: This is such a cute hotel with its wooden beams and cute decor. It’s on a tucked away street in the 6th arrondissement just next to the Latin Quarter and near the Seine. It is also within walking distance to the RER B stop Saint-Michel-Notre Dame. This is SUPER convenient as that is a direct line to the Charles de Gaulle Airport. So you can land, hop on the RER B and be at your hotel without switching trains. I stayed here in the fall and it was super convenient.

Book it here!

Le Temple de Jeanne: I couldn’t leave out my personal favorite neighborhood! Located right next to a metro stop, it is super convenient. Plus, it is in the great Le Marais neighborhood full of amazing museums, bars, restaurants, and great people-watching. You can also walk to other places like the Louvre, Notre Dame, etc. from here. I have stayed here before, and it’s great!

Book it here!

Day 2: Paris

Okay, so yesterday we tried what is actually one of favorite hot chocolates, but today, we’re grabbing breakfast at another of my favorite places for hot chocolate: Carette.

I know, I know. I wanted to hate it because it’s a viral place and crowded now, but the hot chocolate is really that good. 

But, rather than going to the Trocadero spot that is jam-packed, go early and go to the Place des Vosges location. It’s in a cute spot next to dreamy Place des Vosges, and it isn’t as busy.

That being said, go early to be safe.

I also love that Carette has delicious breakfasts. Their eggs, viennoiseries (croissants, pain aux chocolats, pain aux raisins, etc.), and pastries are SO good. 

And their hot chocolate is perfection. Plus, they serve it with a huge platter of whipped cream. 

While this is one of my faves, Chris’s parents had a tough time choosing their favorite. So I say be sure to visit Carette and Les Deux Magots on your trip to decide for yourself.

After a delectable breakfast, it is time to go to the most famous art museum in the world: The Louvre. 

I couldn’t show my in-laws Paris and not take them here! But if you’re coming to the Louvre, you absolutely want to book timed entry tickets in advance. 

That makes things a lot quicker, especially with such a short trip. So we explored the highlights of the Louvre, including the Mona Lisa, Liberty Leading the People, Venus de Milo, Winged Victory, The Wedding Feast at Cana, and we even got the chance to see the newly restored Anne of Cleves Portrait by Hans Holbien. 

We spent a few hours here and then grabbed a quick lunch nearby before wandering up to the Palais Royal and visited the Colonnes de Buren. These are the famous black and white columns people take photos on.

We snapped some goofy shots before wandering over to the Eiffel Tower. We just took photos by it and enjoyed the views, but if you want to go up, I recommend getting tickets in advance as well. 

Afterward, we saw the Arc de Triomphe. We didn’t go up this time, but I have been to the top before and it offers incredible views of the city! 

Then, we just kind of enjoyed Paris. We wandered around and made our way back to the hotel for a bit before grabbing dinner at a vegan restaurant: Faubourg Daimant. 

This place has incredible vegan food! I loved their stuffed cabbage and their desserts were top-notch. They had a Snickers dessert with ice cream that I still dream about. 

After that, it is time for bed, as you’ve got to catch the train to London in the morning.

Day 3: Train to London

So we started with a quick little jaunt in Paris, and now it is time to get into the London, Scotland, and Ireland itinerary! 

Make your way to Gare de Nord to take the Eurostar to London. 

Yes, you’ll be passing through the “chunnel,” and no, it isn’t like taking a train through an aquarium. It’s dark those 20 minutes under the English Channel. You’re just in a black tunnel.

But you go from the heart of Paris to the heart of London in under 2.5 hours, plus you gain and hour going to London so you’re really only losing 1.5 hours. 

We ended up getting to our hotel, dropping off our bags, and then walked along the Thames. We spotted the Uber boats and the Egyptian Obelisk (named Cleopatra’s Needle). 

Then, we ended up at Big Ben & the Houses of Parliament. This is always a must-see while in London, especially for your first time! 

We wandered around here, took photos, and even grabbed a quick lunch at St Stephen’s Tavern here. Was it touristy? Yes. But it was a quick place to grab lunch, and I got a photo of my father-in-law with a beer happily in front of Big Ben. You can’t beat that.

Then, we walked around and took photos in front of Westminster Abbey. 

We walked over to Buckingham Palace to take a photo, and then took a double decker bus (of course we rode at the top) over to the Natural History Museum.

I’ve never been here, and I’ll be honest, when Chris’s dad said this was what he really wanted to see in London, I was skeptical. I mean, there are natural history museums everywhere (in fact, we actually got married at the Cleveland Natural History Museum!)…what makes this so special?

Boy, was I wrong! 

First of all, the architecture alone is impressive. It is truly a stunning brick building. 

But it has the SO many collections of prehistoric and current animals! I mean the blue whale skeleton alone is impressive!

It is honestly well worth a visit. 

And then afterward, you’ll want to grab dinner at the Two Chairmen Pub. 

This is where I fell in love with British pub culture. People just go to a casual spot for a pint or two after work with friends. 

Plus, a lot of pubs have really good food. Two Chairmen Pub was no exception. Named for the two men who would carry people in chairs from the Royal Cockpit Theatre, this place has some of the best food I’ve ever had in the UK. 

I mean the beers were great and we sipped one while waiting for our table, and then when we sat down at a cozy table, we were continually impressed by the food. I got the steak and ale pie and between the buttery crust, juicy and tender steak, and succulent gravy, I was in love.

I even added on a sweet treat in the form of a sticky toffee pudding. Delish. 

That wraps up your first day in London. 

Where to Stay in London:

Again, just like Paris, this can be a tough one because it’s a large city! But here are some suggestions based on where we stayed and other great spots.

Apex Temple Court Hotel: This is where we stayed on our visit. It’s right next to Fleet Street and near St Paul’s Cathedral as well as the Thames. It was a great spot and is centrally located, which is perfect for a shorter trip to London. The rooms were also great for our stay! 

Book it here!

The Resident Covent Garden: Also pretty centrally located in London, this place isn’t far from Trafalgar Square. Plus, it is highly ranked, and all rooms have a mini kitchen. 

Book it here!

The Lanesborough: If you want to splurge on your trip, you could opt for a stay at this 5-star hotel. Nestled between Hyde Park and Buckingham Palace Garden, you’re close to a lot of green space. Plus, this place has a Champagne bar, a restaurant, a spa, and one of the best afternoon teas in London. Currently, they are offering a Bridgerton-themed tea. Oh, and they have a resident cat named Lilibet. 

Book it here!

Day 4: London

It’s time to get out and explore for a full day in London! 

We ended up grabbing a cup of coffee at Black Sheep Coffee across the street from our hotel. It’s a chain coffee shop, but it’s really good and it was easy to grab a cup to go and wander around London.

For your morning, you’ll want to head to St Paul’s Cathedral. This place is less crowded than Westminster (don’t worry, we’ll make a stop there later), and is where Princess Diana got married.

We were traveling with Chris’s mom, and just like my mom, she was obsessed with Princess Diana in the 80s and 90s and even got up early to watch the royal wedding. So it was a real treat for her to see this place.

But this cathedral is so peaceful and we even heard the organist playing. 

You can also go to the top of the cathedral and see a phenomenal view of the city below. Be careful though! It is windy!

But spend some time enjoying the beauty of this cathedral, and then you can wander across Millennium Bridge (I’m sure every Harry Potter fan can recognize this!) and over to Borough Market for lunch.

Come hungry, as there are SO many stands selling super delicious things. 

Yes, there are the viral places like the strawberry stand (you can’t miss it as it’s easy to spot-but I’ve heard the chocolate hardens almost immediately), the paella, and the famous sandwich from The Black Pig.

BUT…some of us don’t have the time (or patience) to wait in long lines for viral food. You do you, but I wasn’t in the mood for any of those things. Although, I’ve heard the sandwich is great.

I ended up going to a cheese stand and purchasing the “Battle of the Blues” between a Stilton and I think a Shropshire blue at Heritage Cheese, which specializes in cheeses from the UK and Ireland. 

I also grabbed a sandwich from Gastronomica Market with some cannolis (I’m pretty sure this was the spot-it’s hard to tell). These were great places too! 

Honestly, go wherever looks delicious- there is so much good stuff here!

If you’ve got time and really want to dive into this market, you could book a guided tour of the market which also goes to Leadenhall Market.

After Borough Market, it is time to head back across the river to the Tower of London.

Of all the tourist attractions in London, this is my favorite. Mostly because I’m a huge fan of Tudor History and King Henry VIII’s wives are literally my Roman Empire equivalent. 

We prebooked our tickets to the Tower of London, and it does come with a Yeoman Warder tour. So we hopped on the  tour to gain some context as we wandered around the grounds, saw the ravens, and went inside Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula, where Anne Boleyn, Catherine Howard, and Lady Jane Grey were buried.

There is even a glass pillow memorial to those who were executed here.

We went inside the White Tower, wandered the grounds, and took in the history and sights while here.

After we wrapped up at the Tower of London, it was approaching the end of the day.

And, as we still hadn’t visited inside of Westminster Abbey, we opted to go for their Evensong Service. This takes place in the evenings and involves choral singing, prayers, and scripture readings. 

Westminster Abbey closes pretty early (last entry is between 3-3:30 pm depending on the day). So another alternative to be able to go inside, hear some lovely music, and worship (if you’re a Christian) is to go to their Evensong Service.

And it was lovely! No, we didn’t get to see all the nooks and crannies of the abbey as you would on a traditional visit, but it was a lovely way to see the inside and hear the service!

Then, we made reservations for dinner at Brigadier’s. London is definitely known for its Indian food, and we had to try some at Brigadiers.

This place was delicious! We got a lot of things to try like the punjabi vegetable samosas, biryani, naan, vegetarian sizzler, and even some lettuce wraps.

Plus, they had fun cocktails to go with it!

After that, you can wind down the evening for your adventurous day tomorrow!

Day 5: Day Trip to Highclere Castle

I have a whole post about how to visit Highclere Castle from London, but today is the day we’re taking a day trip!

Now you could book a guided day trip from London to Highclere Castle. But we ended up just booking a train to Newbury from London Paddington Station. Then, we got a taxi to the castle and took a tour.

Just be sure to get the taxi’s phone number/agree on a time to get picked up so you can get back to the station!

But we ended up prebooking their spring visit to Highclere Castle which included a self-guided tour of the castle and a visit to the Egyptian exhibition in the basement (because the 5th Earl of Carnarvon funded the discovery of King Tutankhamun’s tomb).

We also prebooked both a regular and vegan afternoon tea picnic basket, which you can either take in the grounds or in their tea room area. 

We had a fabulous day exploring the castle, walking on the grounds, and even having tea here!

The food was great, and it came with their own cuvee of Champagne! We even met the butler and Lady Carnarvon herself!

After that, we got the taxi and train back to London. 

Chris and I then wandered over to the Old Bell Tavern for a pint and to observe the locals rolling in for a pint after work. I loved watching this while in London!

And then, we grabbed dinner at Smiths of Smithfield. If you’re looking for a delicious steak and tasty cocktails, this is a great place to eat!

Day 6: Train to Edinburgh

Today, we’re departing London and catching a train north to Edinburgh!

You’ll want to head to King’s Cross Station in London, and then you’ll board your train to Edinburgh (prebook tickets ahead of time). This is about a 5-hour train journey, so we went earlier in the morning so that we could get to Edinburgh around early afternoon. 

Now I have both a 1 day guide to Edinburgh as well as a 5-day Scotland itinerary that details a lot of what you’ll see here, so I’ll try to keep each day in Scotland brief.

But, after arriving and going both up a steep close (that is an alleyway in Scotland) and down a steep road, we made it to our hotel. We dropped off our bags and went out to explore!

From our hotel, we wandered back up Victoria Street to the Royal Mile and explored St Giles Cathedral, which houses a copy of the National Covenant, and has stunning stained glass windows.

From there, we walked along the Royal Mile for a bit and then over to the Palm Court at The Balmoral hotel for afternoon tea.

There is no shortage of afternoon tea while traveling to England, Scotland, and Ireland! This was certainly a more upscale tea, so dress appropriately (nothing fancy, but no shorts or ripped jeans).

This place offers 88 teas to choose from and gives you a tray of delicious treats including finger sandwiches, scones (are you team clotted cream or jam first?), and mini desserts.

Come hungry, because it was super filling! They also have a harpist playing during tea, making it a classy, tranquil experience.

Once you’ve finished with your leisurely afternoon tea/late lunch, you can walk off the finger sandwiches and treats by wandering over to the Scott Monument and walking through Prince’s Street Gardens.

You can climb to the top of the Scott Monument, but it was closed by the time we arrived. So we just admired the views.

Then, you’ll wander back to Victoria Street to stop into an Edinburgh staple: Islander. Known for their Scottish wool accessories, and the chance to make your own purse, this place has gorgeous Harris Tweed items.

If you’ve got the time, you could book a class to make your own purse, but we just purchased goodies like a scarf, coin purse, and purse. I love all of them and use them frequently. 

To start winding down your day in Edinburgh, you can head over to a local watering hole called the Oxford Bar. You’ll likely want to take a taxi (ask your hotel for a recommendation and use WhatApp). 

We had started reading a book series about a detective called Inspector Rebus by famed Scottish author, Ian Rankin. He actually frequented the bar and writes about it in his books. 

But the place has a fun, local feel, and the bartenders are super friendly. We had a great pint here before going to dinner at The Scran and Scallie.

This place was where I had the best haggis of my life as an appetizer! They also made a fantastic fish pie! Paired with a beer, and it was a delicious meal in the Stockbridge area of Edinburgh.

Where to Stay in Edinburgh:

There are a lot of great options in Edinburgh. Here are a few suggestions (including where we stayed)!

Hub by Premier Inn Edinburgh Haymarket Hotel: It isn’t right in the heart of the city, but it isn’t far of a walk. It has everything you need for a comfortable stay on a budget.

Book it here!

Apex City of Edinburgh: This is where we stayed, and I really liked the Apex hotels both in London and Edinburgh. It’s right next to Victoria Street and in a great spot for exploring. The hotel even has great views (depending on your room, of course)!

Book it here!

The Witchery by the Castle: For a luxury 5-star experience, this is the place. This place feels like you’re stepping into a castle, with its moody rooms and opulence. 

Book it here!

Day 7: Edinburgh

Today, you’ve got a full day in Edinburgh! And you’re going to start with Greyfriars Kirkyard and Greyfriars Bobby (the statue above). 

This is a graveyard, but a very special one. For starters, you’ll spot the famous Greyfriars Bobby dog statue just outside. I detail the story of this pup in my Scotland itinerary and 1-day Edinburgh itinerary.

But the tale is one of loyalty to his owner, who only lived until the dog was 2 years old. Afterward, he slept by his grave every night until he passed away at 16. 

We really don’t deserve pets. 

But go inside the graveyard afterward to spot his owner’s grave and see a lot of familiar names. Potter, Moodie, McGonagall, Black, and even Thomas Riddell. 

If you’re a Harry Potter fan, then they definitely are familiar! That is because JK Rowling got a lot of inspiration for her character names from this graveyard.

Most of these graves are located along the Flodden Wall and the Potters are near the entrance to the kirkyard.

Afterward, we booked an Edinburgh Castle tour and admission ticket. The tour was only 30 minutes, but then you learn more about the history here. Afterward, you can wander around the place, visit the Honours of Scotland (their royal jewells), the National War Museum, Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Regimental Museum, the Scottish National War Memorial, plus many incredible rooms.

Once you’ve explored Edinburgh Castle, you can grab sandwiches and snacks (there are a handful of grocery stores nearby) and head to Calton Hill. 

This place has many monuments to explore like the National Monument, Nelson Monument, Robert Burns Monument, and even the Instgram-famous Dugald Steward Monument. Plus, it offers phenomenal views of the city and nearby Arthur’s Seat.

So have lunch up here, enjoy the views, and explore the monuments before climbing back down.

Because you don’t have a lot of time to explore the delights of Speyside whisky or the smoky whisky of Islay, you’re going to taste a bunch and learn more about Scottish whisky on a tour of the Scotch Whisky Experience.

We booked the Gold Tour which includes a dram during the tour and then a guided tasting of 4 whiskies throughout Scotland. It’s honestly incredible to see how much they vary from one another!

To wrap up your day in Edinburgh, you’ll want to get a scrumptious dinner at Hendersons, which is a restaurant specialising in vegan and vegetarian cuisine.

Day 8: Drive to the Isle of Skye

I know this is a faster-paced itinerary, but it truly is the best way to see the best of England, Ireland, and Scotland in a short amount of time (plus Paris too). 

So, you’re picking up a rental car this morning (compare prices on Skyscanner here!) and driving out to the Isle of Skye.

But, as this is the road trip portion of your trip, you may as well make some stops along the way!

We drove past the famous Kelpies statues (which you can see from the highway). They are a mythical shape-shifting creature that lures children and eats them. 

Then, we made a stop to Stirling Castle. It’s not too far from Edinburgh and this place was one of the most important Royal residences in Scotland.

Many battles occurred nearby including the battle at Stirling Bridge where William Wallace was victorious and even the defeat of Robert the Bruce in nearby Bannockburn.

This castle is also where Mary Queen of Scots was crowned. 

After exploring the castle, you can grab lunch at their cafe before continuing on your road trip.

We stopped again at Blair Castle and Gardens in Cairngorms National Park to explore this 750-year-old castle and walk a little bit through the gardens.

Then, as we approached the Isle of Skye, we saw Eilean Donan Castle. We stopped here briefly (although it was closed) to get some photos and wander around the outside. 

Being located where 3 lochs meet, it is a thing of beauty to behold, especially when we were there later in the day.

After all of those castles, you’ll finally make your way to Isle of Skye and Portree for the night and check into your hotel. We had dinner at our hotel and went to bed.

Note: If this is too much or you are running out of time, I’d skip Blair Castle. You’ll want to make sure that you at least get to your hotel in time to eat dinner!

Where to Stay on the Isle of Skye:

I recommend staying in/around Portree as you’ll mostly be in the area the following day. Here are places we considered and where we ultimately booked.

Skeabost House Hotel: We almost booked this place, as it is right on a loch, has cute rooms, and even has a restaurant. It is a little outside of Portree, and while we could drive into town for a meal if we wanted to, we wanted something a little more walkable. 

Book it here!

Marmalade Hotel: We also considered this hotel, which is more walkable to Portree. Rooms here also have great views, and they have a restaurant on site.

Book it here!

Cuillin Hills Hotel: This is where we ended up staying and loved it! Once we saw this option, we knew we had to book. It is perched on a hill overlooking the colorful buildings in Portree as well as Loch Portree. They had luxurious rooms, a restaurant, a bar serving great whisky, and even a cozy salon.

Book it here!

Day 9: Isle of Skye

Again, I have everything detailed so nicely in my Scotland itinerary here that I’ll abbreviate this one a little bit. 

As we were a little tired from all the driving and exploring yesterday (and tbh this whole trip) we slept in a little, got a full Scottish breakfast at our hotel, and then opted to check out just the Trotternish Loop (an easy loop with hiking and viewpoints not too far from Portree in the Trotternish Peninsula).

However, if you want to get up earlier or explore further this day, you could also add on places like Neist Point and Dunvegan Castle.

You could also opt to spend a full day hiking many places on the Trotternish Loop and that would be exciting too!

Here is where we stopped on the Trotternish Loop this day: 

• Fairy Glen: We did the 1-mile (1.61 km) hike here.
• Quirang: We were going to hike this 4.2 mile (6.76 km) trail. However, it rained and we got absolutely soaked (wear waterproof EVERYTHING!). So we hiked to a small viewpoint off the parking lot and moved on.
• Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls: You can see this right off the parking lot. Of course the sun came out at this time. 
• Lealt Falls: This is just a short walk from the parking lot too.
• The Old Man of Storr: We were going to hike this. It’s 3.4 miles long (5.47 km). However, it started raining and was so cloudy, so we likely wouldn’t have seen much. 

Note: Most stops along the Trotternish Loop require payment for parking. However, they do take credit cards. Also, most stops do NOT have toilets. The only one we saw was at the Old Man of Storr. There are, however, toilets in the town of Uig. 

Look, that’s the thing about Scotland. It’s wet. It rains a lot. And the weather switches it up so much you may get metaphorical whiplash from it.

If you’re going and intend to hike rain or shine, be sure to pack waterproof pants, hiking boots, gaiters, waterproof jackets, everything. Layers are everything because it can be sunny and warm one minute and a torrential downpour the next.

Sadly, we were not prepared for that kind of weather and didn’t pack the right gear for these hikes. So next time, we’ll make sure we’re prepared, because the Isle of Skye is a place I definitely want to go back to and hike more!

We ended up exploring these places before grabbing a drink at our hotel bar, enjoying the salon, and taking in the views from the outdoor seating area of the hotel. 

Then, we walked to Dulse and Brose for dinner, where I had a delightful cheese platter and BBQ-glazed cod. 

Day 10: Back to Edinburgh

What I love about Scotland is that even a simple thing like driving back to Edinburgh can (and should) be an adventure!

We opted for a different route on the way back which included stops like:

• Nevis Range Mountain Gondola: This place has epic views of the mountains and land below! We caught a peak between the snow and clouds when we went (early April is a little crazy when it comes to weather!).
• Lochlevean Seafood Cafe: Grab a delicious seafood lunch here.
• Glencoe and the Three Sisters Viewpoint: You’ll be driving through the mountains, and it is so pretty! Be sure to stop at the Three Sisters Viewpoint to take in the mountain views!
• Falls of Falloch: Highly recommend going on the quarter-mile (0.4 km) hike to the falls from the parking lot. There is a tiny waterfall on the way, but the real one is just a little further along.
• Firkin Point: You’re on the shores of Loch Lomond, so stop here and take in the views and snap some photos!

After these exciting stops, you’ll drop off your rental car as you’ll fly to Dublin tomorrow!

If you plan to stay at the airport, you can stay at the Hampton by Hilton Edinburgh Airport for the night and fly to your next destination the following day.

Day 11: Dublin

Today, you’re leaving Scotland and going to your last destination of your London, Scotland, and Ireland itinerary: Ireland!

So you’ll be flying from Edinburgh to Dublin. It’s a short, nonstop flight that is a little over an hour long. Then, you’re on the ground running by late morning!

Dublin is a smaller city, so it really is easy to see the highlights in only a day. I even have a whole blog post about spending 1 day in Dublin here.

So you’ll get checked in to your hotel, drop off your luggage, and then head to Temple Bar. 

Yes, I know. The locals aren’t at Temple Bar. The taxi driver on the way even said to avoid Temple Bar.

Temple Bar is touristy. BUT IT’S FUN!

There is a reason a place is popular. And Temple Bar is so much fun! Plus, where else can you get live music during lunch in the middle of the week? 

Plus, they have pretty good food and great beers to try! I got a Kilkenny Smooth Ale and we enjoyed live music with our toasties.

You can wander around the Temple Bar area too (because it isn’t just the bar). 

Afterward, we prebooked the Book of Kells Experience. 

This is at Trinity College, and you can enjoy an interactive experience as well as get to visit the Old Library and Long Room at Trinity College. Plus, you’ll see the Book of Kells on display! 

The Book of Kells is a 1,200-year-old illuminated manuscript that contains the 4 Gospels of the New Testament.

So spend time here both in the Old Library and seeing the Book of Kells and then also in the immersive experience. 

Then, you’re going to walk around Dublin, perhaps spot places like Molly Malone Statue, Dublin Castle, and Christ Church Cathedral before ending at the Guinness Storehouse.

We ended up prebooking a tour and Pour Your Perfect Pint experience at the Guinness Storehouse. This place is a ton of fun to explore, learn how to pour the perfect pint, and see old Guinness ads featuring the toucan.

It all ends at the glass bar at the top with 360º views of Dublin and  the surrounding area! It also comes with a pint at the top.

This is a must-do while in Dublin even if only for the bar at the top with the views!

Then, you’ll wrap up your day at Gallagher’s Boxty House where you can enjoy a tasty stuffed boxty (aka a potato pancake) before calling it a day. 

Where to Stay in Dublin:

Here are some places to stay in Dublin, including where we stayed!

The Address Connolly: Located not far from Trinity College and the Temple Bar District, this is a great spot to stay on a budget.

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Zanzibar Locke Ha’Penny Bridge: This is where we stayed and it is near Ha’Penny Bridge. Plus, this place has cute rooms, is walkable to a lot of stuff, and has a little coffee shop.

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The Shelbourne Dublin: For a more luxurious stay, you could opt for this place next to St. Stephen’s Green.

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Day 12: Cliffs of Moher

I have a whole guide all about this 4-day mini road trip through Ireland, so I won’t blather on too much here, but today you’re picking up your rental car again from the airport (check Skyscanner for deals!). 

Note: Getting taxis to/from anywhere near River Liffey is a challenge. So order a cab ahead of time with your hotel and figure out where to meet or head to Clerys on the busy street and flag down a taxi.

Then, you’re off to the Cliffs of Moher! Book tickets in advance, as this can sell out especially during the summertime.

It is about a 3-hour drive as you’re heading from the eastern part of Ireland to the western part. 

So spend some time here, wandering around, hiking on the trails a little (be super careful!), climb up O’Brien’s Tower, and perhaps spot puffins if you’re there during the season (late May through mid-July). 

Now, if you want to hike, the main area has barricades so you don’t blow away (for real-it’s super windy).

If you choose to keep hiking past that, it isn’t barricaded so you have to be careful. 

After that, you’ll drive a little bit of the Wild Atlantic Way onto your final destination that evening, which is a castle hotel: Ballyseede Castle.

Alternatively: You could opt to visit Galway beforehand and maybe have lunch there before going to the Cliffs of Moher. 

Either way, you’ll end your day at Ballyseede Castle. This castle hotel is one of the less expensive castle hotels in Ireland and it is close to Killarney National Park-perfect as you’ll be exploring there tomorrow!

This place has luxurious rooms, sprawling gardens, several adorable dogs, and a bar and restaurant. 

We didn’t love the food here, but the castle itself is phenomenal. So perhaps grab dinner in nearby Tralee for the night. 

Day 13: Killarney National Park

This is a great day to explore Killarney National Park! But first, treat yourself to a full Irish breakfast at Ballyseede Castle before embarking on your day.

Start off driving to the Gap of Dunloe! Here, you’ll be treated to stunning views! 

Now to explore the Gap of Dunloe, you can either hike, bike, or take a jaunting car ride (it’s a horse and buggy ride). 

To walk it, there is a shorter walk that is about 2 km or 40 minutes to walk or a longer walk of 10 km or a 4-5 hour walk. Check out more details here.

We didn’t end up visiting it, but we caught some great views from the parking area before we left to check out Killarney National Park.

I have details on all of this in my Ireland itinerary (I rearranged it to adjust for if you plan to also check out the Gap of Dunloe, but it has all the same stuff), so here is a list of what we saw in Killarney National Park:

• Ross Castle on the shores of Lough Leane: Dating back to the 15th century, this castle was the home of the Chiefs of the O’Donoghue clan.
• Muckross Abbey: This was founded in 1448 and was a Franciscan friary.
• Muckross House and Gardens: Enjoy lunch here and walk through the gardens.
• Torc Waterfall: The waterfall is about 20 m (66 feet) high. It is a great hike that takes around 2-2.5 hours depending on where you park. 

After exploring Killarney National Park, you can then drive into the town of Killarney and explore.

We ended up going to the Aran Sweater Market and picking up some Irish wool sweaters (we couldn’t resist). 

You can also choose to grab dinner here or back near the hotel in Tralee before wrapping up your time in the area.

Day 14: Kilkenny

Today you’re traveling back to Dublin as it is the final day of your 2 week itinerary of England, Scotland, and Ireland. 

And today, you’ll be stopping by Kilkenny on the way.

Now you could explore the town and perhaps even visit the Smithwick’s Experience while you’re here. It is an interactive museum that includes a tasting of this beer.

You could also choose to check out Kilkenny Castle as we did. 

This place was built in 1260 and sold to the Butler family in 1391 who had the castle until 1967 when it was sold for £50 to the Castle Restoration Committee. Now it has been restored and is open for visitors.

You could explore the gardens afterward before grabbing lunch in Kilkenny and heading back to Dublin for the night.

We chose to stay near the Dublin airport so we could have an easier time getting to the airport for our flight the next day, but you could also enjoy time in the city before leaving tomorrow too. 

You could check out John Kavanagh’s The Gravediggers for dinner. This is a pub dating back to 1833 with delicious food and great drinks. Or perhaps you can visit Ireland’s oldest pub: The Brazen Head.

If you choose to stay near the airport, we recommend Crowne Plaza Dublin Airport, where we stayed our final night. 

That wraps up your England, Ireland, and Scotland itinerary complete with time in Paris, London, Highclere Castle, Edinburgh, the Isle of Skye and the Scottish Highlands, Dublin, Cliffs of Moher, Killarney National Park, and Kilkenny! 

England, Scotland, and Ireland Itinerary Map

How to Get Around England, Scotland, and Ireland

Guys, this was the trip of taking planes, trains, and automobiles- literally! 

The best way to start this trip is to fly into Paris and fly home from Dublin. I like checking for flight deals on Skyscanner. If you’ve got points, even better! Then, you can book going into Paris and home from Dublin. 

Then, from Paris to London, you’ll take the Eurostar train. 

To get around Paris and London, there are ample public transport options including the metro/underground, buses, and even trams. There are also ride share services like Uber and Bolt. 

For public transport in London, you can just tap your credit card or mobile device to pay! 

For public transport in Paris, you’ll want to download the Bonjour RATP app beforehand and purchase tickets there. Then, your phone is your ticket that you tap. It makes it a lot easier and you no longer have to worry about those paper tickets that don’t work half the time.

And then, you’re going to take a train from London to Edinburgh. 

From there, the best way to get around both Ireland and Scotland is by having a car. Yes, there are trains and buses, but having a car allows you to truly see the countryside and be on your own time. 

Check Skyscanner for deals on rental cars!

And to get from Edinburgh to Dublin, again, flying is the way to go. 

When to Visit England, Scotland, and Ireland

For better weather (although these places are notoriously known for having crazy changes in weather and being unpredictable), you’ll likely want to opt for May through September/October.

That being said, we ended up going in April and it turned out well! We did run into snow in the Highlands a little in Scotland, but it really only stuck in the mountains. The roads were fine. And it was lambing season!

However, the weather was pretty temperamental both in the Highlands and on the Isle of Skye. 

But in Ireland, we had clear skies and sunny days! It really does depend! 

London and Paris were also nice. Either way, I’d pack a sturdy umbrella (guys, I rave about this one because it held up even during torrential downpour and wind on the Isle of Skye). 

And pack layers. Not just for hiking (as mentioned above), but also for exploring. I wore my The Northface Triclimate jacket under layer which was a thermal. 

Other Tips For Visiting England, Ireland, and Scotland

Before you hit “book” here are some more important things to know before you go! 

1. English is (mostly) spoken. 

I say mostly because 1) you’re going to Paris first. Yes, many people do speak English in Paris. But you’re going to want to at least say “Bonjour” or “Bonsoir” first. It is rude not to say this. I typically switch to “bonsoir” around sunset (it means good evening). 

Also, in Ireland, there are people that speak Irish and in Scotland, there are people that speak Gaelic. You could try to learn a few words to impress the locals! But if you don’t speak those, no worries! Pretty much everyone in England, Ireland, and Scotland speaks English.

2. You’ll be changing currencies a bit. 

Yes, you’ll be arriving in France, which is on the euro, and then you’ll be going to England and Scotland, which is on the Pound Sterling, and then you’ll end in Ireland (also on the Euro). 

No need to get cash out ahead of time, just get some at an ATM (preferably at the airport or bank) when you arrive. Just make sure it is a card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees and check any bank fees you may incur while withdrawing cash abroad.

But also know that you won’t need much cash. In the cities, you likely won’t need cash as most places take card. However, in Dublin, for buses, they want exact change! 

And in the countryside, it never hurts to have some cash on hand. 

But yes, know that as you change countries, you’ll also change currencies. Check out XE for the latest currency conversions.

Pro-tip: Always turn down conversions when asked on the credit card machine. Your bank will do this for you regardless. If you accept the conversion, it is usually at a markup and you lose money!

3. Book Popular Things in Advance!

Hotels, restaurants, attractions, etc., you’ll want to book these in advance, especially if you’re going during a busier time of year.

And anything in regards to the Isle of Skye (restaurants, hotels, etc.) you’ll want to book pretty far in advance as they do book up. 

4. Factor in drive time.

Yes, sometimes Google Maps will say it’ll only be a 2-hour drive, and sometimes that is true. But sometimes, you’re in the Highlands of Scotland and it downpours… or sometimes you’re in Ireland and sheep are crossing the roads.

It happens. So just know things may take a little longer than you expect, especially if you’re driving on the smaller roads in Scotland and Ireland.

5. Speaking of driving, we have tips for that! 

We have a whole podcast episode with great tips for driving in Ireland and Scotland! We preferred Scotland for driving because at least they have pullovers for people to pass (don’t park here! It is just for passing).

Ireland was terrifying with the stone walls on either side! 

To review driving rules ahead of time, I like this website.

That wraps up our epic London, Scotland, and Ireland itinerary (plus a little Paris sidecar). I hope you enjoyed it and let us know your thoughts as you embark on this adventure! 

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