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Emily Reilly

Hello! I am Emily, and I grew up in Northern Ireland. At 12 years old I moved to Dumfries and Galloway in South-West Scotland with my family where we lived by the sea and made the most of the beautiful coastal landscape around us! The rural area enabled me to develop a passion for trail running and cycling in the stunning rugged surroundings. Dumfries and Galloway is home to 5 of the 7 World Class Mountain Bike trail centres known as the 7 Stanes and therefore very popular with bikers. I have benefited from an active upbringing, with many family holidays spent in the stunning Cairngorms National Park in the Highlands, and skiing in Switzerland - (although I also love skiing in Scotland). I studied at Edinburgh University and have a deep love for the beautiful, historic city, with the Pentland Hills just a short drive or bus ride from the city. In 2023 I relocated to Morzine in the French Alps where I cycle, run and hike in the summer, and ski all winter.

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"I have lived in the lowlands of Scotland, studied and lived in Edinburgh, and holidayed extensively in the Highlands in the Cairngorms National Park. Scotland is an extraordinary country, offering sea, cities, castles, history, hills and of course, lots of distilleries. Whether you are looking for an active holiday, exploring the hills by foot, bike or 4x4 tour, or perhaps sea kayaking around Scottish Islands, or whether you want to explore Glasgow and Edinburgh, visit the famous castles, and explore local distilleries, or even a bit of both! I would love to assist you in creating the trip of your dreams. I also specialise in Ireland and Northern Ireland, having lived there and spent childhood holidays in the South, there are so many amazing places to explore!"

How did you get involved in travel?

"I have been lucky enough to have travelled from a young age. My parents had a property in Switzerland and I first skied aged 3 years old. Spending so much time outside has resulted in me developing a passion for exploring new parts of the world and trying new activities. Whether visiting an underground salt mine in Romania, horse-riding in Canada, or road cycling in Spain, I have a true love of absorbing new cultures, trying different things, and finding the best local coffee shop! "

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"In 2013 my family was on holiday in Canada. We were driving on the outskirts of Banff, and some cars had stopped on the road. We got out to have a look and a beautiful black bear crossing the road in front of us! Later in the trip, we went on a boat trip to see some killer whales - often people never actually see them on this trip but we took a chance. We were treated to a show of them jumping out of the water by the boat, it was incredible. I even managed to take a photo of one in mid-air! My favourite stop on that trip was definitely Lake Louise."

Top itineraries and travel advice

Recent trip reviews for Emily

A beautiful and memorable trip to Ireland!
Ireland | Sep 3 - Sep 9, 2024

Sullivan
Sullivan S.
Broomfield, CO | Reviewed on Sep 15, 2024
We had the best time exploring Ireland, thanks to Emily and the KimKim team. The entire process made trip planning so much easier and saved us countless hours of research. One of the highlights was spending our last night in a restored castle—a truly unique experience! We felt there was a perfect balance between planned activities and free time, which made the trip enjoyable and flexible. KimKim added estimated driving times for all our activities, which was incredibly helpful in planning... Read more

We had the best time exploring Ireland, thanks to Emily and the KimKim team. The entire process made trip planning so much easier and saved us countless hours of research. One of the highlights was spending our last night in a restored castle—a truly unique experience! We felt there was a perfect balance between planned activities and free time, which made the trip enjoyable and flexible.

KimKim added estimated driving times for all our activities, which was incredibly helpful in planning our days. When our flight into Dublin was delayed, the support team was quick to rearrange our first activity, making what could have been a stressful situation feel seamless. For future trips, we would suggest keeping the first day more fluid with flexible plans rather than scheduled tours, especially for long-distance travelers in the circumstance of all too often delays.

One area for improvement would be an initial call during the planning phase. Although the quiz was a good starting point, it took a bit of back-and-forth to finalize our itinerary. A conversation could have streamlined this process. The initial recommendations did not quite match up with the quiz, either.

We also hope to see more price transparency and competitiveness. Initially, we planned to add our rental car to KimKim's services, but after removing it, we realized it would have been significantly more expensive ($600). While we’re happy to pay for the excellent services provided, it’s hard to justify this particular cost when we used expedia for a measly $167 for the entire grip. Additionally, having a better sense of costs for individual activities would help us weigh the value of each option for ourselves. Potentially overpaying so much for rental car services reduces our trust in KimKim’s price competitiveness.

Despite these suggestions, the local insight provided by KimKim was invaluable. We especially loved discovering the Fiddle + Bow Hotel in Doolin—a gem we might have missed on our own!

Local specialist: Emily Reilly
Emily
Emily Reilly
Local specialist in Scotland / France | Replied on Oct 13, 2024

Hi Sullivan,

I am so glad you enjoyed your time in Ireland! Thank you for this feedback, and great to hear you enjoyed the Clontarf Castle!

You and Jade were a delight to work with, and I do hope you consider us again for your next trip!

Best wishes,

Emily & the team

First Trip to Scotland
Scotland | Jun 17 - Jun 26, 2024

Calli
Calli T.
Newburyport, MA | Reviewed on Jul 03, 2024
Emily and Romane planned a terrific trip for our family to beautiful Scotland. This was our first major family trip and we wanted it to be special. They delivered! The activities planned were exactly what we wanted. Highlights for us included making it for two nights on the incredible Isle of Skye at the Bracken Hide hotel. So magical! Cain was our local guide there and did a terrific job even in classic Scottish rain. Our days in Fort William were filled with outdoor adventures tailored to... Read more

Emily and Romane planned a terrific trip for our family to beautiful Scotland. This was our first major family trip and we wanted it to be special. They delivered! The activities planned were exactly what we wanted. Highlights for us included making it for two nights on the incredible Isle of Skye at the Bracken Hide hotel. So magical! Cain was our local guide there and did a terrific job even in classic Scottish rain. Our days in Fort William were filled with outdoor adventures tailored to each person.
We hope to go back very soon and can't thank Emily and Romane enough.

Hotel Reviews
The Bracken Hide
Portree

This place was stunning inside and out. Absolutely worth visiting. The staff was also incredibly warm and wonderful.

Authenticity & Character
You stay in your own little hut - like a Hobbit hole!
Location
Just outside of Portree, but about a 20 minute walk.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Eden Locke
Edinburgh

Modern and well appointed rooms with small kitchens. The beds were very comfortable and the cafe was amazing.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Corriegarth Hotel
Inverness

Good location in INverness, but older building. Be prepared to bring your luggage up a few flights of stairs. The neds are older and not very comfortable.

Authenticity & Character
If you like older buildings this might be for you.
Location
Staff
It was understaffed with just one over worked person to deal with everything.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The stove broke so no hot breakfast was offered. Beds are not comfortable.
Garrison Apartments
Fort William

Excellent space and amenities for a short or longer stay. Full kitchen and space for a family to spread out.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Gorgeous view of the river from the balcony!
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Colessio
Stirling

Incredibly beautiful building. It looks like a museum from the outside.

Authenticity & Character
It has excellent rooms and a very nice bar.
Location
Right near everything in Stirling. Walk to the Castle and to shops and restaurants.
Staff
Very thoughful, friendly and helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Apex City of Glasgow Hotel
Glasgow
Authenticity & Character
Location
Right on a central street making sight seeing easy.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Two hour cruise on the Canal and Loch - Loch Ness
Two hour cruise on the Canal and Loch - Loch Ness
Inverness

This was a relaxing fun way to see the Locke

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Funny and insiteful
Transport
Private guided tour with driver/guide in Skye
Private guided tour with driver/guide in Skye
Scotland

Cain was a wonderful driver. He was helpful in planning our day and was very kind as the day turned quite rainy. He helped us make the best of it!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Guided Hike of Ben Nevis
Private Guided Hike of Ben Nevis
Scotland

Peter was a super experienced climber and wonderful guide. He climbs this mountain 3-4 times a week so he knows it well. He helped me with aprehensions I had as this was the first major hike I'd done since major ACL surgery. I could not have done it without his encouragement!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit the Kelpies
Visit the Kelpies
Scotland

This was a bucket list item for me on this trip and my whole family enjoyed it. You can spend about 45 minutes and these sculptures are an engineering marvel! What a treasure!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Emily Reilly
Emily
Emily Reilly
Local specialist in Scotland / France | Replied on Jul 03, 2024

Hi Calli!

We are SO glad you enjoyed your time in Scotland. Thank you for this review and feedback - we agree the Bracken Hide cabins are so special and unique!

Thank you for the feedback on the Inverness hotel too, we have noted that.

So glad you made it to the top of Ben Nevis! It was a pleasure to work with you!

Best wishes,

Emily & Romane

Excellent experience with Emily and Kimkim
Scotland | Apr 27 - May 12, 2024

Lesley
Lesley H.
North Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Jun 29, 2024
We really appreciate Emily and all she did for us - we had a wonderful trip that we wouldn't have been able to plan on our own so her expertise was very much appreciated. The Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel in Edinburgh was a beautiful hotel with great breakfasts; Calton Hill and snacks and cocktails at the Dome were a wonderful way to start our trip. Highly recommend all three. The Palace of Holyroodhouse was awesome, the Afternoon Tea was nice (food was amazing, but we probably... Read more

We really appreciate Emily and all she did for us - we had a wonderful trip that we wouldn't have been able to plan on our own so her expertise was very much appreciated.

The Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel in Edinburgh was a beautiful hotel with great breakfasts; Calton Hill and snacks and cocktails at the Dome were a wonderful way to start our trip. Highly recommend all three. The Palace of Holyroodhouse was awesome, the Afternoon Tea was nice (food was amazing, but we probably wouldn't do it again - we ended up with a table right by the door and had to squeeze in to not be in the way) and the History Lovers walking tour was awesome - we can't remember her name but our guide was excellent. The Underground Graveyard tour was not something we would recommend; the guide was nice but it wasn't anything special.

Our rental car experience went perfectly, all the way through, although our GPS took us to the wrong drop off location at the airport in Inverness (apparently drop off used to be just off-airport; now it is at the drop-off area at the entrance to the airport).

The Knockinaam Lodge Hotel was a reason itself to come back to Scotland - what a wonderful place, people and service. We can't say enough good things about it; suffice it to say we might plan another trip back just to spend more time there. Our only request would have been for a better room. We should probably have asked to move, but we didn't think about it until we were already unpacked and had used the bathroom to clean up. Small issue that did not take away from the absolute enjoyment of staying there.

The Mull of Galloway Lighthouse was awesome, as was all the other sights we visited while in the area.

The Hotel du Vin in Glasgow was another excellent place to stay - we very much enjoyed it as well as dinner at Cail Bruich. The walking around Glasgow and the Kellingrove museum was very nice.

Victoria Square hotel in Stirling would not be somewhere we would stay again; it was nice and quiet for the room, but nothing special, nor was breakfast. It was a great location, but not the nicest place for our tastes. The tours and everything about Stirling was very nice though - we enjoyed everything with only one exception. Our PHD level guided tour of Bonnockburn did not live up to our expectations. The tour guide was nice, and he obviously knew his history, but as we had read books on the battle, and knew a lot about it, we expected to be able to walk through the battlefield and have pretty good descriptions of how it progressed, but he wasn't very good at really getting the vibe across and we didn't really get to see what we thought we would be able to.

Our private transfers and train ride, the recommendations (House of Bruar was awesome; Aran Bakery was closed on Sunday; Brodie's Tea Room in Moffat was amazing, plus we bought something nice in one of the shops there) were spot on and everything went smoothly. Again, we can't thank you enough Emily for helping us out and getting everything organized to make our trip go seamlessly. We appreciate the work and will look back to Kimkim next time we are traveling!

Tom & Lesley Hall

Hotel Reviews
Knockinaam Lodge Hotel
Portpatrick, Stranraer

Excellent. Amazing. Stay here if you can, we will probably come back to Scotland just to stay here again. Awesome service, unbelievable location and amenities, excellent food.

Authenticity & Character
Drinks and snacks by the fire in the lounge while you read or chat is a must do - beautiful lounge.
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel, an IHG Hotel
Edinburgh

Beautiful place, amazing breakfasts, wonderful staff.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
One Devonshire Gardens - Hotel du Vin
Glasgow

Excellent hotel - amazing room that we could have spent two weeks in. Highly recommend.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Afternoon Tea at the Edinburgh Castle
Afternoon Tea at the Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh

Having afternoon tea at Edinburgh Castle was a delightful experience! The tea itself was excellent, and the food was top-notch. It's one of those things that I'm really happy we did once, even though we probably wouldn't do it again. The atmosphere and the setting made it feel quite special, and it's definitely worth trying at least once.

History Lovers Old Town Walking Tour
History Lovers Old Town Walking Tour
Edinburgh

The History Lovers Old Town Walking Tour in Edinburgh was fantastic. Our guide was super energetic and knowledgeable, taking us through little corners and showing us special spots around the town. She was still a student in her senior year but did an amazing job. This tour was definitely one of the highlights of our trip, and I'd highly recommend it to anyone visiting Edinburgh.

Underground Vaults and Graveyard Ghost Tour
Underground Vaults and Graveyard Ghost Tour
Edinburgh

The Underground Vaults and Graveyard Ghost Tour was a bit of a letdown. It felt pretty touristy and gimmicky, with not much to see. The tour guide was great and the people were nice, but the tour itself just didn't have much substance and felt a bit disjointed. Maybe families or kids would enjoy it more, but it wasn't really for us.

Cail Bruich Fine Dining
Cail Bruich Fine Dining
Glasgow

Dining at Cail Bruich in Glasgow was an excellent experience. The food was phenomenal, and the ambiance was just perfect for a fine dining experience. It's definitely a place I'd recommend to anyone looking for a special meal in Glasgow.

Visit the Kelpies
Visit the Kelpies
Scotland

Visiting the Kelpies was really cool. The history behind them was quite interesting, and the tour was well worth it. It was a unique and fascinating experience.

Stirling Castle Tickets
Stirling Castle Tickets
Scotland

The Stirling Castle tour was another highlight. The castle itself is beautiful and rich in history. We really enjoyed exploring it and learning about its significance.

Phd level guided tour of Bannockburn
Phd level guided tour of Bannockburn
Stirling

The PhD level guided tour of Bannockburn was disappointing. Although the guide was knowledgeable and a great guy, the tour felt disjointed and didn't meet our expectations. We were hoping for a more detailed walk around the battlefield with specific insights into where events took place, but it didn't quite come together.

Stirling Old Town Jail
Stirling Old Town Jail
Stirling

The Stirling Old Town Jail tour was very enjoyable. It was really cool to be able to walk around on our own and explore the jail. The tour was well put together and informative.

Local specialist: Emily Reilly
Emily
Emily Reilly
Local specialist in Scotland / France | Replied on Jul 16, 2024

Hi Lesley and Tom!

Thank you for your review! I am so glad you had a fantastic trip!

Thank you for your feedback, we will take it all into account! Great to hear that you enjoyed Knockinaam Lodge! It really is a special place, and often overlooked area of Scotland, making it such a wonderful, quiet and untouched spot to spend some time!

If you do wish to plan another trip, you know where to find me!

Hope to work with you again in the future!

Best wishes,

Emily

Everyone was super nice in St Andrews!
Scotland | Jun 18 - Jun 24, 2024

margaret
margaret a.
Flagami, FL | Reviewed on Jun 25, 2024

Everyone was super nice in St Andrews! Stevie was a cab driver that picked us up at the airport and took us back. He also ended up driving us on Sunday for our day trip because the guide was sick. Stevie is the best!!!!!! So nice and very accommodating and sweet to my 83 yr old mom who went with us. We had a couple of issues but the Kim Kim team was on it and fixed them fast! It was a great trip and I highly recommend using them.

Thank you for everything!

Margaret

Local specialist: Emily Reilly
Emily
Emily Reilly
Local specialist in Scotland / France | Replied on Jul 16, 2024

Hi Margaret!

So glad you enjoyed your trip and met the friendly locals!

Hope you are enjoying re-living the memories of your happy time in Scotland!

Thanks again for travelling with us :)

Best wishes,

Emily

The food tour in Galway was fantastic as well...
Ireland | May 22 - May 29, 2024

D
Deanna B.
Boston, MA | Reviewed on Jun 21, 2024
The food tour in Galway was fantastic as well as our guide! Read more

The food tour in Galway was fantastic as well as our guide!

Hotel Reviews
Zanzibar Locke - Dublin
Dublin
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Glenlo Abbey
Authenticity & Character
Location
It was nice to park at location
Staff
Very nice
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Emily Reilly
Emily
Emily Reilly
Local specialist in Scotland / France | Replied on Jun 26, 2024

Hi Deanna!

Thank you for the lovely review, I am so glad you enjoyed your time in Ireland! The food tour never disappoints!

It was a pleasure to work with you, thanks again to choosing to travel with us!

Best wishes,

Emily

The Ireland Trip of our Dreams Came True!
Ireland | May 15 - May 22, 2024

Will
Will H.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Jun 06, 2024
Our recent trip to Ireland, arranged by kimkim, was nothing short of extraordinary! From the moment we contacted kimkim, our agent Emily made the entire process seamless and enjoyable. Her expertise and dedication to crafting the perfect itinerary for us were evident in every detail of our trip. The accommodations were superb, with highlights including the luxurious Aghadoe Heights Hotel and the charming Renvyle House Hotel. Each stay was characterized by exceptional comfort, stunning... Read more

Our recent trip to Ireland, arranged by kimkim, was nothing short of extraordinary! From the moment we contacted kimkim, our agent Emily made the entire process seamless and enjoyable. Her expertise and dedication to crafting the perfect itinerary for us were evident in every detail of our trip.

The accommodations were superb, with highlights including the luxurious Aghadoe Heights Hotel and the charming Renvyle House Hotel. Each stay was characterized by exceptional comfort, stunning views, and outstanding hospitality.

The culinary experiences were equally impressive. We indulged in delicious local cuisine that truly highlighted the rich flavors of Ireland. Each meal was a delightful adventure in itself, further enhancing our travel experience.

The excursions planned by Emily were top-notch. Our visit to the Cliffs of Moher was breathtaking, with views that left us in awe. Exploring Killarney National Park allowed us to immerse ourselves in the natural beauty of Ireland, and our tour of Kylemore Abbey was both enlightening and inspiring.

Throughout our journey, Emily's attention to detail and responsiveness made us feel well taken care of. Her recommendations and arrangements ensured that every aspect of our trip was perfect.

We highly recommend kimkim and especially Emily for anyone looking to explore Ireland or any other destination. Their commitment to providing exceptional service and creating memorable travel experiences is unparalleled. We can't wait to plan our next adventure with them!

Local specialist: Emily Reilly
Emily
Emily Reilly
Local specialist in Scotland / France | Replied on Jun 11, 2024

Thank you for the lovely review, Will and Courtney! So glad you enjoyed your time in Ireland - it was a pleasure to work with you on your trip! Hope to work with you again in the future!

Not quite a five-star experience
Scotland | May 19 - May 27, 2024

S
Shelley B.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Jun 03, 2024
In almost all ways working with Emily was an extremely positive experience: she is knowledgeable, responsive, and very gracious. All the aspects of planning the itinerary were handled thoughtfully and in a timely fashion. There were two hiccups that kept me from giving five stars both for the experience and Emily herself: the tour and hotel bookings were handled by another specialist, who put them in her (or possibly a third sub-contractor's) name, so we didn't receive important... Read more

In almost all ways working with Emily was an extremely positive experience: she is knowledgeable, responsive, and very gracious. All the aspects of planning the itinerary were handled thoughtfully and in a timely fashion. There were two hiccups that kept me from giving five stars both for the experience and Emily herself: the tour and hotel bookings were handled by another specialist, who put them in her (or possibly a third sub-contractor's) name, so we didn't receive important communication from the hotel (like the number of the apartment) and the tours didn't have our names when we arrived to register. Everyone was extremely responsive and resolved the issues quickly, but they shouldn't have happened in the first place. Second--and this relates to the KimKim experience--there's no transparency around the charges. I don't know what the upcharges were on your end--but once we found out the price of the individual tours and the cost of the hotel (by looking online) we realized that they are probably significant. I realize we are paying for the service--but I want to know what % of my costs were service charges. If it was any more than 20%, then I will look elsewhere before booking with KimKim again.

Local specialist: Emily Reilly

Everything was spot on! Great job KimKim. No...
England | May 14 - May 17, 2024

G
Glenda J.
Aurora, CO | Reviewed on May 25, 2024
Everything was spot on! Great job KimKim. No problems. Hotels good. Guides were Great! Read more

Everything was spot on! Great job KimKim. No problems. Hotels good. Guides were Great!

Hotel Reviews
The Old Parsonage Hotel
Oxford

Great hotel. Only problem, they were doing renovations.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Easy to walk to sights!
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Bird, Bath
Bath

Nice hotel in good location!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Entry into the Roman Baths
Entry into the Roman Baths
Bath
Quality of Experience
Cotswolds and Shakesphere Tour
Cotswolds and Shakesphere Tour
Oxford

Best guide on this and she was our driver. Diane Clark was a great guide and let us determine what to do if we wanted.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Half Day Stonehenge Tour from Bath
Private Half Day Stonehenge Tour from Bath
Bath

The guide was great and very knowledgeable.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Emily Reilly
Emily
Emily Reilly
Local specialist in Scotland / France | Replied on Jun 12, 2024

Hi Glenda!

So glad you enjoyed your trip to England with us! It was an absolute pleasure to work with you :)

Thanks again for choosing us for your trip planning, I hope to work with you again in the future!

Best wishes,

Emily

Ireland by All the Modes of Transportation
Ireland | Apr 27 - May 3, 2024

Heather
Heather G.
Canada | Reviewed on May 04, 2024
We wanted to experience multiple areas of Ireland as a family but didn't want to drive. Emily set us up with stays in 3 cities and got us to each by train. We started in Killarney with stunning scenery and a charming, vibrant downtown. Our Ring of Kerry Tour was the perfect length and Michael was an informative guide but didn't dominate the trip. Cannot recommend the Kells Sheep Dogs demonstration enough. Highlight of the trip. We took a carriage tour of the Killarney National Park... Read more

We wanted to experience multiple areas of Ireland as a family but didn't want to drive. Emily set us up with stays in 3 cities and got us to each by train.

We started in Killarney with stunning scenery and a charming, vibrant downtown. Our Ring of Kerry Tour was the perfect length and Michael was an informative guide but didn't dominate the trip. Cannot recommend the Kells Sheep Dogs demonstration enough. Highlight of the trip. We took a carriage tour of the Killarney National Park - Mikey, our guide, was a hoot and turned us on to the local pubs to try.

Cork was a quick stop and a colorful city with people who are very proud of their heritage. Blarney Castle is impressive but don't miss out on the gardens. We wanted Irish Session Music and we got it at Sin e'. Our cab driver also recommended the Corner House and those two both had tremendous atmosphere and music.

Dublin has yet another vibe than the other areas. We went on several tours - Molly was great at the Jameson experience. You can't go wrong in Temple Bar but hit THE Temple Bar early. We really enjoyed the Palace Bar and its adjoining Whiskey Bar. JR Mahon's also had great session music. The EPIC museum felt like the best way to end the trip.

We took a 13-hour bus trip from Dublin out to the west coast for the Cliffs of Moher, the Burren and Galway. Barry, our driver, gave us enough breaks and a lot of interesting history along the way. You cannot beat the majesty of views. It's long day to cross the country and back so we were glad we scheduled it in between Dublin days.

Cannot thank Emily enough for building a trip that was exactly what we wanted while making it seem effortless.

Hotel Reviews
Castle Lodge
Killarney

Friendly staff, great location, good food charming decor. Just a little trouble regulating the heater in the room. Wonderful for walkability to the part and the downtown pubs, restaurants, shopping and the train station.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Maldron Hotel Shandon
Co. Cork

Bit of a hike from the training but we had a lovely turret room. Room was very clean and the views were expansive. Bathroom was very updated.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Academy Plaza Hotel
Dublin

Great value in Dublin right off O'Connell street. Quick walk to the river and pubs. Lovely staff. We found our normal double room spacious and updated. Others in our party had a small double and a single that were very tight, so understand what you're booking. Would stay there again for sure.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Leon at the desk could not have been more welcoming. The bartenders were very helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Guided tour to the Ring of Kerry
Guided tour to the Ring of Kerry
Killarney

Michael as an excellent guide. The Kells sheep dog demonstration was a highlight of our whole trip. The tour was paced well with enough time to enjoy multiple areas.

Quality of Experience
Kells Sheep Dog Show, View from lunch in Waterville
Guides, Drivers and Staff
We were stopped for quite a while by and accident on the road. Michael somehow made up the time so we didn't miss anything. He was very informative without distracting from us taking in the views.
Transport
Very nice bus
Visit Blarney castle and kiss the stone
Visit Blarney castle and kiss the stone
Scotland

We were lucky to visit in the afternoon when it wasn't so busy with tour buses and cruise excursions. Got right through the VERY steep climb to the top of the castle to kiss the stone. Had a great time learning about the castle and touring the amazing gardens.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Dublin Castle
Dublin Castle
Dublin

State rooms are nice but you don't get to see much as it's not large. It's not an expensive ticket, but if you're expecting Windsor Castle, this isn't it.

Quality of Experience
Cliff of Moher tour from Dublin
Cliff of Moher tour from Dublin
Dublin

The Cliffs are stunning and worth the long drive from Dublin. We enjoyed our lunch in Doolin - the staff at McGann's was ready and waiting for us. Doolin itself is a lovely village. The Burren is like nothing we've seen before. Wish we could have spend more time in Galway but we did get to spend time in the quaint shopping area and hear busker and see murals. The people could not have been nicer. Barry, our driver, was very accommodating and kept us informed of the schedule. But it was a long day.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Bus didn't have charging ports. The pocket in the seat in front of us was ripped.
Trinity College Library : The Book of Kells Experience
Trinity College Library : The Book of Kells Experience
Dublin

Really well done tour of the facilities even though the books have been decanted. Enjoyed the interactive presentations

Quality of Experience
Free time in Dublin
Free time in Dublin
Dublin

The Temple Bar area was colorful and fun with the pubs and restaurants. We sampled many and saw Irish music sessions in some places along with modern performers at others. The city center is every walkable. We found that cab drivers and bar tenders were great sources of intel on places to try.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Jameson Distillery Dublin - Bow St. Experience
Jameson Distillery Dublin - Bow St. Experience
Dublin

This was so much more than we expected. The facility itself is very cool with shops and a unique bar. Even though Jameson isn't distilled here, they celebrate the heritage so well and so a great job of interactively demonstrating how the distillation process works. The tasting room was so well done and our tour group was so friendly thanks to our excellent guide, Molly. Will recommend to everyone to gets to Dublin.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Molly was great!
Local specialist: Emily Reilly

Great trip. A big thanks to Emily and Cathy a...
Scotland | Mar 17 - Apr 6, 2024

K
Kevin S.
Canada | Reviewed on Apr 09, 2024
Great trip. A big thanks to Emily and Cathy and the High Point Holidays team for all their help planning the trip to Scotland and Ireland and for there assistance when we were there. Everything went off quite smoothly and we had a great time. I’d also like to thank Safari Steve for a great day driving around Aviemore and to Maura in Killarney for all her selfless help and guidance with our driving route along the Slea Head trail. Read more

Great trip. A big thanks to Emily and Cathy and the High Point Holidays team for all their help planning the trip to Scotland and Ireland and for there assistance when we were there. Everything went off quite smoothly and we had a great time. I’d also like to thank Safari Steve for a great day driving around Aviemore and to Maura in Killarney for all her selfless help and guidance with our driving route along the Slea Head trail.

Hotel Reviews
Mercure Edinburgh City Princes Street Hotel
Edinburgh

The room was a little outdated and cramped but the location was great. You can walk to all the main sights with ease and close to numerous restaurants and pubs. The trams, buses and trains are also directly in front of you so getting around was a breeze. Great breakfast too.

Authenticity & Character
Quaint, friendly service, good food.
Location
Close to everything you’ll need and want. Perfect location for everything.
Staff
Everyone was friendly and quite helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The hotel has everything you need but it could use a little updating. Rooms are quite small.
The Stirling Highland Hotel
Stirling

Very nice hotel. Large rooms and walking distance to the castle and town. Would recommend for a night or possibly two.

Authenticity & Character
Nice place to stay and very quiet for being close to a main street.
Location
Close to everything you’ll need in Stirling.
Staff
Staff were quite nice and helpful with directions.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Good size rooms for Europe and very clean. Well done.
Cairngorm Hotel
Aviemore

This is the place to stay in Aviemore! This hotel has character, very good food and friendly staff. The restaurant and pub are frequented by guests and locals alike so even though this is a smallish inn this is literally the centre of town. Highly recommend staying here, eating here and going to the pub for a drink and some live music. The hotel is also very close to the mountains and lots of activities so the location is right on point.This hotel was one of the highlights of the trip for sure.

Authenticity & Character
This place has authenticity and character in spades. Just spend a couple nights and you’ll see what I mean.
Location
You’re walking distance or a short drive to everything you’ll need or want to do in or around Aviemore.
Staff
Staff were very friendly and helpful with advice. These people like where they work and it shows.
Cleanliness & Comfort
View of the mountains from your room and very comfortable bed. The only thing I could complain about was the very cramped shower in our particular room but the rest of the experience more than made up for that.
Skeabost House Hotel
Portree

This hotel was a bit of a drive but well worth it. The garden room was quite large with a nice view of the water. Great vibe to this place and friendly staff.

Authenticity & Character
Nice rooms, cozy bar and restaurant and pretty good food.
Location
As noted this hotel is a farther drive than many others but very peaceful place to spend a couple nights.
Staff
Everyone was quite friendly and helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
This place is very comfy and well maintained. Large rooms, nice view, comfy beds, heated floor in the bathroom and huge shower and tub. Couldn’t ask for more.
Perle
Oban

Perfect location, large room and view of the town and ocean. Staff were very friendly and breakfast was top notch. Highly recommend this hotel and a visit to Oban.

Authenticity & Character
Old building but very well maintained. Place has a great vibe.
Location
Town and the ocean are right outside your front door and you can walk to everything. Location can’t be beat.
Staff
The staff were all great. Very friendly vibe and service was quite good.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Motel One Glasgow
Glasgow

The location is great, you’re walking distance to everything and the train/tram is right outside your front door if you need them. Room and bar were nothing special but the location can’t be beat.

Authenticity & Character
Not a ton of character like many other spots in Europe but a fine place to stay.
Location
Right in the centre of town close to everything.
Staff
Staff were all pretty nice and helpful with directions.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Room was a bit cramped and not that comfortable but it did the trick. Very busy lobby, small and hectic breakfast area and the unfriendly pub would certainly make me pause before going back.
Ashling Hotel Dublin
Dublin

Almost gets 5 stars but it’s about a 15 minute walk to the action so I’m giving it 4 for that reason alone. Rooms, staff and the hotel were great otherwise despite the renovations that were being done to the bar area.

Authenticity & Character
Friendly staff, nice rooms, cozy dining area. Very good breakfast and dinner also.
Location
A bit further walk to the Temple Bar area than some other places but close to the Jameson distillery and the Guinness plant if those two things are on your list (and they should be).
Staff
Staff were all friendly and helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The room was quite large with a view of the city and countryside. Huge bathroom too. Very clean and comfortable.
Clayton Hotel Cork City
cork

Nice clean modern hotel with a great location. Walking distance to everything.

Authenticity & Character
Nice place but quite modern so no big points for character.
Location
Location was perfect. Downtown is 2 blocks away and you have the river across the street.
Staff
Staff were mixed. Some were great, some weren’t. To be fair it was Easter weekend so I don’t think anyone really wanted to be be working.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Room was large enough and very clean. We did tell someone that the bathroom sink was plugged when we arrived and they noted it but it didn’t get fixed while we were there. Not a big deal and I chalk it up to reduced staff over the Easter weekend but would have been nice to have sink that didn’t take 30 minutes to drain. Good breakfast though.
The Victoria Hotel
Killarney

Best hotel experience in Ireland! Great staff, good food, fun pub, nice rooms and the place has character. Huge thank you to Maura for her help mapping out our driving route to the Slea Head trail and to Clifdon. Maura you are truly awesome and a wonderful person, very glad to have met you.

Authenticity & Character
Just stay here. This place and the people are pretty special.
Location
Only small negative about this hotel is that it’s a 25 minute walk to town. Many hotels are closer…but I’d still stay here again in a heartbeat.
Staff
The staff were amazing. Fun but professional. They make you feel like you’re at home.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean and comfortable. Good size room and bathroom also.
Renvyle House Hotel
Renvyle

This hotel is hard to describe. Definitely more suited to families with younger children than a couple in my opinion. Lots of history to this hotel and a nice view of the ocean but I didn’t love the overall vibe of this place. Some guests were a little snooty for my liking and although the staff were helpful and professional they were very serious. You could feel the tension, almost felt like everyone was afraid they’d lose their job. I think this is a hotel you’ll either like or not like, depending on who you are.

Authenticity & Character
This place has character, just not the character for me.
Location
Nice location right on the ocean and close drive to Kylemore Abbey and National Park. Unfortunately, a half hour drive from Clifdon
Staff
Good professional service but you guys really need to lighten up a little.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Rooms were large and comfortable enough. No complaints.
King Sitric Guesthouse
Howth

Very good location. Right at the end of the main street and close to everything. Room was pretty small and nothing special but the sound of the ocean was nice. Staff at the restaurant were nice but we felt the food was highly overpriced for what we got and not that great. Expected a full crab dinner for the inflated price but received a few small leg pieces and a minced crab salad of some kind. Guesthouse is okay but wouldn’t recommend the restaurant. I’d try the busy pub next door instead.

Authenticity & Character
It has character for sure.
Location
Very good location. Close to the water and on the main street.
Staff
Staff were nice enough. The place is small though so don’t expect someone at the front desk after core working hours.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Place was clean but a little cramped.
Activity Reviews
Walk up Calton Hill
Walk up Calton Hill
Edinburgh

Definitely worth the trip and it’s only a short walk from downtown. Great view of the city and a great thing to do before everything starts opening up.

Quality of Experience
Very nice walk and great views of the city.
Edinburgh Castle Tickets
Edinburgh Castle Tickets
Edinburgh

It’s a pretty impressive castle. Would definitely recommend going.

Quality of Experience
Nice castle with interesting history.
Stirling Castle Tickets
Stirling Castle Tickets
Scotland

Very nice castle with interesting and important history. Nice views of the town and countryside too.

Quality of Experience
Very nice castle and interesting history.
Hill Trips Cairngorm Reindeer Herd
Hill Trips Cairngorm Reindeer Herd
Scotland

The reindeer were pretty amazing. Unfortunately, the weather was not in the last week of March. Would recommend this trip for sure but try not to go when it’s too windy. The winds were around 75 km/h which made it quite cold and hard to stand up at times. You’ll be on the mountain and will have to walk through boggy peat so make sure you are sure on your feet. All that said, I’m glad I made the trip.

Quality of Experience
Reindeer were very cool.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Couldn’t hear the staff due to the high winds. Was a little surprised they didn’t cancel the tour due to the weather conditions. You’re very exposed on the mountain so safety should be a little more of a priority I think. That said, I still went on the hike.
Cairngorms National Park Wildlife Tour with a Specialist
Cairngorms National Park Wildlife Tour with a Specialist
Scotland

Safari Steve was awesome! Just book the trip. Great guy in every way, very fun tour and you couldn’t ask for a nicer ride. If you like birds, animals, learning about just about everything by an expert guide and naturalist and you want to see four very different and very stunning ecosystems all in one day then this trip is for you. One of the highlights of our trip to Scotland for sure.

Quality of Experience
Pretty darn good day.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Would give 6 stars if I could.
Transport
I want a Land Rover (and a highland coo) now.
Oban Distillery Tour
Oban Distillery Tour
Oban

Decent experience. Definitely worth a stop in Oban if you want to learn about the history of the brand and the distilling process. You get to sample 3 whiskeys too which isn’t so bad.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The guide was just okay. Seemed a little bored but not sure I blame him if he has to repeat the same info to a new group every hour.
Boat tour from Oban - see the coast of Mull
Boat tour from Oban - see the coast of Mull
Oban

Nice comfy boat ride. Friendly staff and good views of Oban, the islands and a few castles along the way. Lots of birds and some seals too. Good way to spend 2 hours if the weather is nice.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Friendly staff.
Transport
Nice boat.
Guinness & Jameson Irish Experience Tour
Guinness & Jameson Irish Experience Tour
Dublin

Very touristy but also a very fun day. If you’re in Dublin you kinda have to visit these two places. The Jameson tour was fine, educational and the right length at 1 hour. Guinness, you just have to go and experience. Both activities are recommended and the 4 hour tour allows you to skip lines at both spots.

Quality of Experience
Just a fun day.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide was pretty good, no complaints. The tour guide at Jameson (forget his name) was really good - made it fun and he was a very charismatic speaker/presenter.
Transport
It’s a walking tour. My feet did a great job.
Visit Blarney castle and kiss the stone
Visit Blarney castle and kiss the stone
Scotland

Definitely worth a visit. The castle is great, and well you just gotta kiss the stone if you’re there. The grounds are quite nice for walking also.

Quality of Experience
Kylemore Abbey
Kylemore Abbey
Scotland

I thought this would be on the boring side but the Abbey and its history was quite impressive. Spent 2 1/2 hours walking the grounds and the garden also. Nice place to go just for the scenery alone. Recommended.

Quality of Experience
Very nice place to visit.
Local specialist: Emily Reilly