Travels to Ireland and Scotland
Ireland | Apr 14 - Apr 25, 2024

George
George B.
St. Marys, GA | Reviewed on May 03, 2024

Wolfgang, our KimKim guide planner did an excellent job planning our trip to Dublin and Galway, Ireland. Then on to Edinburgh, Iverness, Isle of Syke, Ft Williams, and Stirling Scotland. He listened to our wish list and provided activities accordingly. In Ireland we enjoyed the ferry ride to Inis Mor and met our guide Thomas for a horse drawn carriage tour of the island. Back to Galway for an entertaining Celtic dinner show. Next up, Scotland whose beauty was remarkable (we said "wow" a lot). In Edinburg we toured the city and the castle with our private tour guide Kieran of Local Eyes Tour. All of the accommodations planned were spot on. A little less driving time would have been appreciated, but we were able to see so much of the country, I shouldn't complain. Kudos to Wolfgang

Hotel Reviews
Residence Inn by Marriott
EDINBURGH

Parking next door, rooms were clean and efficient. Breakfast was good. Staff was friendly.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Good for business trip, ok for family on those on vacation.
Staff
Could have been a little more helpful with parking arrangements and information.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Sheraton Athlone Hotel
Athlone

Parking close, rooms clean, and staff was great. Restaurant was good.

Authenticity & Character
Location
In middle of town.
Staff
The staff was outstanding took very good care of us.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Western Hotel
galway

Parking provided a big plus. Staff was very helpful, room was clean and the breakfast was very good. In the heart of the city easy walk to city square, with pubs, shops, and restaurants.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Iveagh Gardens Hotel
Dublin

No where to check in to start, city tram tracks in front could not stop to unload luggage. parked a block away had to unload on curb wait for wife to take half our luggage to Hotel where someone was suppose to meet her and take in while she returned to get the rest. No one helped. I had to park the car 7 or 8 blocks away in a massive parking garage. then walk to hotel. Staff not concerned at all with all this. Hotel was fine accommodations were clean and room was spacious enough. Will not stay again.

Authenticity & Character
Location
no parking close, no where to unload luggage.
Staff
Attentive to guest needs.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Skeabost House Hotel
Portree

One our favorite places we stayed. Plenty of parking, great restaurant and great staff. The grounds are breath taking. Do not pass up a stay here. It's away from everything which after staying in the cities we were visiting the country was a nice break. Loved it, would stay again.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Surroundings were amazing
Staff
Great staff, felt like we were in Downtown Abbey, they really make you feel special.
Cleanliness & Comfort
River Ness Hotel, a member of Radisson Individuals
Inverness

Amazing staff, the concierge was so helpful and accommodating can not say enough nice things about him. Rooms were clean. we lucked up being able to park on the street in front of hotel, as it was Saturday afternoon only had to pay a couple hours then rest of week end was free. Close to shops and restaurants. Would stay again.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Downtown, close to everything.
Staff
Great staff, we really liked everyone.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Garrison
Fort William

parking was a plus, but room was too small. It was clean and staff was nice, good for one night and move on.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Inglewood House & Spa
Alloa

What an amazing hotel. Room was very spacious and clean. Loved staying here , close to the city with ample parking. Very beautiful grounds. Great restaurant. Great staff. Would stay again. This was our last night and it was a welcomed stay at this hotel.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Shared Horse & Carriage Trip
Shared Horse & Carriage Trip
Galway

You will fall in love with Thomas. I could listen to him talk all day. Being borne and raised on Inis Mor he is so knowledgeable of it's history and shares his history. Can't say enough nice things about him. I would go back to Inis more just to do a tour with him.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Experience Edinburgh Walking Tour: Unveiling the Historic Charms
Experience Edinburgh Walking Tour: Unveiling the Historic Charms
Edinburgh

Kieran our tour guide met us for a magical tour of Edinburg. So very knowledgeable of the city and it's history. We were so educated and entertained of all the things we would have never known if not for this tour. He took time to answer all of our questions. Can not say enough good things about the guided tour. One of the highlights of our vacation, or as they call it holiday. Thank you very much, and we highly recommend.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide was very knowledgeable and answered all our questions.
Loch Ness
Loch Ness
Ireland

This was a great ferry ride to Urquhart Castle along side the famous Loch Ness, no we did not spot Nessie but it was fun looking out for her. The Castle was one of the many castles we saw in Scotland and this one was one of our favorite. Take the ferry there and back Jacobite Tours did a fabulous job.

Quality of Experience
You get to see so much from the ferry, when you get off and tour the castle and back to the dock was very impressive.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Everyone is so friendly, we fell in love with the 2 ladies at the gift shop at the Loch ness hotel.
Transport
Ferry is in great shape so no worries.
Kilbeggan Distillery
Kilbeggan Distillery
Kilbeggan

Would have been an amazing tour but we were exhausted from flying in that day from the US. So, we left for the hotel before the tour later that day. Facility was very impressive and we toured the grounds and took pictures. Would recommend the staff were very nice and would go again when we could stay and do the tour.

Blair Athol Distillery's Whisky Connoisseur Experience
Blair Athol Distillery's Whisky Connoisseur Experience
Pitlochry

This was a pleasure to tour the guide was quite entertaining and knowledgeable. Would highly recommend tour.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The guide made the Tour
Stirling Castle
Stirling Castle
Stirling

Getting to the Castle was an adventure but once there it is massive and impressive.

Quality of Experience
Local specialist: Wolfgang Lolies
Wolfgang
Wolfgang Lolies
Local specialist in Ireland | Replied on May 31, 2024

Dear George,

Thank you for your wonderful review! I'm very happy to hear that you had such a memorable trip to Ireland and Scotland. It was a pleasure helping you plan your journey and I'm glad the activities matched your wish list.

I appreciate your feedback and will keep that in mind for future planning. Your kind words and kudos mean a lot to me.

Looking forward to assisting you with your next adventure!

Best regards,
Wolfgang