The United Kingdom and Ireland are seemingly tailormade for epic road trips. You can cover so much ground in just days, or even a couple weeks - the more time, the better, but doesn’t that apply to every vacation? Set out on the open road and discover vibrant cities, historic villages, tranquil landscapes and rugged coastline. These self-drive road trips inspire you to choose your own adventure as you traverse the UK and Ireland. Here are some ideas to get you started! 


Self-Drive, Guided Tours of Celtic Europe by Land Rover

For the discerning traveler looking for a new way to safely explore the world. You’ll drive in an immaculately kept expedition Land Rover with heated seats, leather interior and Meridian sound system, stay in luxury hotels and follow carefully chosen routes that make the most of your time and lead you to under-the-radar destinations in the UK and Ireland. Choose a self-drive, small-group tour with a lead guide vehicle, or a self-drive private tour with an APP-based tablet guide. 


Tailored Self-Drive Ireland Tours


PHOTO by Susan Tuckey, Penguins2PolarBears - Self-Drive trip in Ireland - 2014


Ireland is easy to canvas in less than a fortnight, especially when you’re driving yourself and hitting the highlights you’ve chosen. On these vacations, you’ll be outfitted with a rental car, pre-planned accommodations and a route itinerary. As you make your way about the Emerald isle, you’ll have the backup support of a trained staff member who can provide assistance whenever you need it. Choose from five to seven days, go budget-minded or all-out luxury, pick and and choose from a list of options to build your dream Irish road trip. 

Consider these routes:

  • Hidden Ireland: Causeway Coastal Route (with Giant’s Causeway), Nine Glens of Antrim, Ballycastle and the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and beach. 
  • Southern Ireland Loop: Dublin, Cork, Kerry, Clare, Galway and the Midlands
  • Wild Atlantic Way: Kayaking on Kenmare Bay, the mountains of Killarney, Inis Mor, Dingle peninsula and plenty of whiskey and farmhouse cheese tastings long the way

Classic Scotland Self-Drive Holiday


PHOTO by Susan Tuckey, Penguins2PolarBears - Self-Drive trip in Scotland - 2019


When you take a self-drive tour of Scotland at your own pace, you’re allowed to stop wherever, whenever and for however long you wish - you make the rules. Cruise along through famous landscapes and ancient ruins, where Scotland comes to life around you. Visit the capital city, then the rugged Highlands. Make your way to the beautiful Isle of Skye and legendary Loch Ness. Visit Inverness, Glenfinnan and the Trossachs National Park. Plus, when you choose this type of self-drive tour package, there are lots of extra touches, like entrance fees to historic landmarks, including Edinburgh and Stirling castles, so you don’t have to worry about admission. 


In this vein, there are countless Scotland road-trip options. Consider:

  • Scottish Highlands and the Isle of Skye

  • A road trip along Scotland’s iconic North Coast 500 highway

  • North Coast 500 plus the Orkney Islands

  • Scotland in the Winter


Need more inspiration? Follow the Welsh coast, the beaches of Cornwall and the tracks of the Isle of Man. Here are some favorites: 

  • Heart 200 in Scotland, through Perth, Sterling, The Trossachs and the Cairngorms National Park

  • Atlantic Highway in England, through Barnstaple, Bude, Exmoor National Park and Newquay

  • The Cambrian Way, Wales, through Cardiff, Brecon Beacons National Park and Snowdonia National Park 

  • Oxford to the Wye Valley, England, through Cotswolds, Cheltenham, Gloucester and Ross-on-Wye


Remember, your UK and Ireland self-drive holiday is what we make of it, so bring your dreams and inspiration to the table and I’ll help you make it a reality. Let’s go! Request a consultation here or sign up for my weekly newsletter below.