I traveled through Ireland and Scotland last summer by car and was blown away by the beauty of the countryside and the warmth of the people. The castles are amazing to see and even more amazing to stay in.

Our overnight at Dromoland Castle near Shannon was a wonderful adventure.  There is so much to see and do, from wandering through the ancient halls of old castles, hiking up the trails of the Cliffs of Moher and the Ring of Kerry…to a lazy afternoon of tasting Ireland’s famous Jameson’s whiskey!
Then of course one can’t miss the Guinness tour in Dublin as well as the amazing library at Trinity College.  Rows upon rows of ancient texts fill the room to the soaring ceilings that take your breath away.

 

The Scottish Highlands were breathtaking, with large grassy plains giving way to cliffs and mountain ranges with hundreds of cascading waterfalls. Every turn around a road was a new site to be seen.  The food was amazing and the locals’ hospitality warm and inviting at every hotel and B&B we stayed in. If you enjoy a single malt scotch, this is the place to tour and taste all the amazing distilleries you have heard of.  There are dozens to chose from in each part of this country. The roads are a bit intimidating at first but driving on your own really allows you to luxury of going where you want when you want.

Article and photos by Liz Kramer

Liz Kramer has been in the travel business for 35 years.  She’s an expert in family travel, Club Med properties, Australia, Hawaii , and cruising.  She graduated from UCLA with a degree in economics and has three college-age sons.  Her love of exploring new areas has led her around the world.