The Rainbow Route

Dublin, Ireland

Welcome to Ireland! Upon your arrival into Dublin airport, you will get a taxi to your hotel (Taxi not included). Have then the rest of the day to enjoy the city by yourselves or why not to unwind, relax and acclimatize.

Dublin, Ireland

Explore Irish capital with your private guide. Discover the historic city’s main sites, such as the bohemian Temple Bar district, and Dublin Castle. Immerse yourself in Irish history and hear music and stories that make Ireland’s capital city so unique. This walking tour will show unusual Dublin stops with the added layer of LGBT history. Your tour will also include some Oscar Wilde based visits. Oscar Fingal O’Flahertie Wills Wilde (1854 –1900) was one of the most famous Irish writers and a notable aesthete. Oscar was an outstanding classicist, attending Trinity College, Dublin followed by Magdalen College, Oxford.Oscar Wilde’s House is one of Dublin’s Top Tourist Attractions. Unfortunately, it is not open to visitors, so just enjoy standing outside & visualizing the goings on in those Victorian times! Oscar was born at Number One Merrion Square Dublin 2 in 1855. Sir William Robert Wills Wilde, Oscars father, was an Aural & Ophthalmic Surgeon as well as a famous womaniser & eccentric. The Wilde family lived there from 1855 until 1878. The house is now home to the American College, who took over the building in 1994.You will have then the afternoon to enjoy the city by yourself. What about an exclusive shopping experience at Brown Thomas? The Brown Thomas Personal Shopping Experience is your walk-in wardrobe. Enjoy a luxurious, relaxing space that is exclusively yours, while the team of personal shoppers bring the store to you. Whatever your needs or your personal style, your dedicated personal shoppers have the fashion knowledge, style expertise and in particular, the time, to find you the perfect solution. Whether you require a look for a special occasion, an entire wardrobe make-over or simply a gift for a loved one, Brown Thomas will tailor everything to your personal and individual needs.

Belfast, Northern Ireland

You will depart Dublin and make your way to Northern Ireland by the train (tickets not included). Once your arrive to Belfast, you will get a taxi to your Belfast. You will then check in for your overnight stay at The Harrison Chambers of Distinction, a boutique Belfast hotel explicitly celebrating local literary and artistic figures.

Belfast, Northern Ireland

Following a relaxed lunch, you will move to Belfast City Hall to view the vibrant, permanently installed LGBTQ+ Pride stained-glass window. Unveiled on the ground floor with widespread cross-party support, it stands as a brilliant architectural monument to queer visibility and modern inclusion. Next, you will travel to Great Victoria Street, stopping directly in front of the iconic Europa Hotel to study the bronze “Monument to the Unknown Woman Worker.” Originally rejected by a conservative council, this raw, intersectional sculpture by Louise Walsh highlights the historical invisibility of marginalized female labor and human rights. Finally, you will enter the Cathedral Quarter to admire the city’s famous, progressive street art. The emotional anchor here is the towering Lyra McKee mural on Kent Street, painted by urban artist EMIC. This beautiful, large-scale portrait celebrates the memory of the inspiring queer journalist and serves as a powerful symbol of modern resilience, artistic expression, and social progress across Northern Ireland. You will overnight at The Harrison Chambers of Distinction.

Derry, Northern Ireland

You will depart Belfast this morning and travel northwest to Derry/Londonderry for a one-night stay at the boutique Walled City Hotel. Upon arrival, your exploration shifts to the powerful intersection of civil rights and queer liberation. You will experience a customized walking tour through the historic Bogside neighborhood, where the city’s world-famous political street art takes on a vibrant new meaning. Your expert guide will reframe these monumental Bogside murals, showing how modern street artists have woven the LGBTQ+ struggle directly into the city’s historic narrative. A major highlight is the iconic Free Derry Corner, a famous gable wall historically repainted in bright pink and crowned with a pride flag to honor Foyle Pride. This artistic transformation highlights Derry’s evolution into a progressive and inclusive space. In the afternoon, you will visit Waterloo House to engage with The Rainbow Project, Northern Ireland’s largest LGBTQ+ charity. Here, you will participate in a private discussion with local activists, learning firsthand about their ongoing grassroots campaigns for rural queer visibility and regional healthcare equity. You will conclude your evening with a stroll across the illuminated Peace Bridge before returning to the Walled City Hotel.

Galway, Ireland

After a delicious Irish breakfast, you will have the morning free to relax. Once you check-out, you will be departing Derry and travelling to Galway city. In the afternoon, arrive to Galway city and check into your hotel, where you will meet your food guide at the hotel. Enjoy a Galway food tour, where you’ll taste local specialties that reflect the region’s history, culture, and traditions. Experience Irish cuisine as a way to truly connect with the destination.

Killarney, Ireland

Today, depart Galway City to Killarney via the Cliffs of Moher. This sheer precipice is 8 kilometers long and 203 meters high and is one of the most impressive stretches of coastline in the west of Ireland.

Killarney, Ireland

During this day, you will discover the real beauty of the Ring of Kerry. Considered one of the most beautiful destinations to explore in Ireland. The Ring of Kerry offers dramatic landscapes of wild rugged coastline, golden beaches, glistening lakes, picturesque villages and spectacular mountain ranges. You can’t miss the lunch at Cill Rialaig artists’ retreat. It is run by former magazine publisher and socialite Noelle Campbell-Sharpe. This is a place where artists are invited to spend a residency period, contributing some piece of their work to the center afterwards, and also combines a shop, café and gallery.

Cork, Ireland

After breakfast, today you will departs towards to west cork, to the lovely and picturesque seaside village of Kinsale. On the way, you may stop at Blarney Castle & Gardens (Admissions are not included), one of Ireland’s greatest treasures. The romantic partial ruin, laid out in the countryside, is brimming with wooded hollows, strange rock formations and a glistening flowing river. The destination attracts millions of people around the world and the credit could be given to the Blarney Stone, the legendary stone of Eloquence. Kiss it yourself and experience the magic. Later on, drive to Kinsale, this small beautiful town was established years ago as a quaint seaside town with delicious restaurants and carefully preserved 18th-century buildings. It is said that in order to truly experience a destination, you should first experience its food. The cuisine of a country holds the capacity to chronicle its history, unearth its culture and solidify its people. Food and beverage in Ireland prove no exception to this notion and surely actualizes this sentiment. Rest of the day at leisure.

Kildare, Ireland

Today, make your way to the Jameson Family home, where you will enjoy a private visit. The three Jameson sisters, Kristin, Andrea and Tara, are the ninth-generation direct descendants of John Jameson, whose name is synonymous with Irish whiskey. They would be honored to open their home to you. This is a very special visit, not open to the general public. Following this unique experience, make your way to Kilkea Castle for your overnight. Evening at leisure.

Edinburgh, Scotland

It’s time to bid farewell to Ireland! We hope you’ve enjoyed your stay and are taking home wonderful memories. A private transfer will take you to the airport for your onward flight to Scotland.

Upon arrival at Edinburgh Airport, your chauffeur will meet you for a comfortable transfer to your hotel. Once settled, enjoy a relaxed evening discovering Edinburgh’s vibrant LGBTQ+ scene, with its welcoming bars, lively nightlife, and entertainment.

Edinburgh, Scotland

After a lovely breakfast, today you will meet your guide in the lobby of your hotel and enjoy a private walking tour of Edinburgh, which includes a visit to the Edinburgh Castle with your guide. Enjoy the medieval Old Town and elegant Georgian New Town with gardens and neoclassical buildings. Looming over the city is Edinburgh Castle, home to Scotland’s crown jewels. You will also visit the Old Town closes, Canongate and sites associated with Edinburgh’s literary and social history. Browse Lighthouse Books, which has connections with the Lavender Menace Queer Books Archive.

Pitlochry, Scotland

After breakfast, today you will be driven to Fonab Castle Hotel. On the way, visit Stirling on your own, the ancient seat of the Scottish power. You will visit this outstanding Stirling Castle (Admission tickets are included), and see the Great Hall, which has been restored to its 16th century splendor.  The wooden structure of the roof of this hall is very impressive and you can easily imagine the Scottish monarchs hosting banquets here. Stirling Castle is one of Scotland’s most important castles, due to its strategic position guarding a key crossing point on the River Forth. After this visit continue to Fonab Castle. 

Pitlochry, Scotland

Today, immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of the Scottish Highlands with a private Highland safari. Your Safari Ranger will meet you in the lobby, sharing deep knowledge and passion for the culture, nature, and history of this stunning region. Along the way, enjoy a delightful picnic lunch amidst the spectacular scenery. Cairngorms National Park, located in the heart of the Highlands, offers a rich mix of castles, distilleries, family-friendly attractions, and endless outdoor adventures.

Glasgow, Scotland

Today, you will have the morning free to relax. Once you check out, you will make your way to Glasgow for the last night in Scotland. Once you arrive, meet your private guide for a walking tour through Glasgow city center, focusing on the work and influence of Charles Rennie Mackintosh. 

Departure

It’s time to bid farewell to Scotland! We hope you had a wonderful time here and are taking away memories that will last a lifetime. A private transfer is arranged for you to reach the airport on time to board your onward flight back home.