Grand Scotland Golf Vacation: Royal Dornoch, Castle Stuart, Royal Aberdeen & Trump

We just spent two weeks in Scotland and Ireland, arranged for us by Zicasso’s travel specialists. What a five-star experience! Both of them have traveled extensively in the UK and Ireland, with one having grown up in the UK. They always seemed to know where we wanted to be.

This trip was a bit more challenging due to unexpected spine surgery a mere eight weeks prior to the trip. Between the perfect selection of lovely hotels at all the right locations and the nice people of these two countries, everything was accessible, despite using a walker. We could not have asked for more beautiful vistas, castles, and cultural amenities, ranging from lively Irish pubs to the finest museums (we’re art buffs). We also ate at spectacular restaurants selected by the travel company, in addition to terrific tours tailored to our specific interests.

Not only was the planning for the trip exceptional, but the travel specialists were there for us at a moment’s notice when things went awry. All trains in Scotland were canceled for a day due to 100mph winds from Storm Amy. We were pinned down in Edinburgh (a great place to be trapped) and took in additional sites, while the travel company saw to it that we had a lovely hotel room to spend our extra night in Edinburgh. Many people wound up sleeping in the train station. Our train was rescheduled strategically for the next day by the travel specialists, while we enjoyed Scotland’s National Art Gallery and our vacation continued seamlessly.

The transition from Scotland to Ireland was delightfully easy and our time in Ireland was spent exactly as planned. As I’m unable to drive and did not want my wife to be unable to sightsee while we traveled, the travel company got us (per our request) to far western Ireland and the Aran Islands, where Gaelic languages are still spoken and centuries-old Irish traditions are still maintained. We traveled by train so we could both sit back and take in the beautiful countryside.

There, we used our castle hotel in County Clare as a base for travel by car and enjoyed several days pursuing our own agenda and taking in the splendor of castle living. This was amazing, likely the most elegant place my wife and I have ever stayed, yet the venue had a comfortably casual vibe and an incredibly helpful staff that made accessibility problem-free. We would definitely block out a day just to stay on the castle grounds and enjoy the property and activities if we are able to return.

The Cliffs of Moher were spectacular, as were the Aran Islands, right down to a rainbow which vanished before we could find the “pot of gold” at the end. That being said, we think “the pot of gold” is Ireland itself... the sites, the people, the music, the food… the list is endless. We cleared US Customs in Shannon so we were able to fly to the US with no TSA or customs issues.

We returned to find an itinerary summary prepared by the travel specialists for submission to our travel insurance company for any storm-related refunds that the travel company had not already arranged for us. Simply a wonderful, stress-free trip, with the travel company at work continuously to assure that the experience was optimal, and it was five-star from start to finish. We can’t extend a higher recommendation to Zicasso’s travel specialists for a wonderful, intimate tour of the UK and Ireland.      

This was a family vacation celebrating my husband’s 70th birthday and my son’s 40th. To say it was spectacular would be an understatement. Zicasso’s travel professionals made all the arrangements and met all of our expectations. The planning was made more difficult due to my husband’s mobility issues, but they were so sensitive to the accommodations needed.

The hotel accommodations were superb, with special touches to celebrate the guys’ birthdays. So appreciative! Restaurant recommendations were excellent, with the best table locations, often near windows with a view. And the private tours were the icing on the cake! All guides were knowledgeable of the areas and so kind and accommodating to my husband’s needs. A big shout-out to our guide for pushing my husband around in the wheelchair so my son could also enjoy the tour. Also, thanks to our other guides. We enjoyed your humor and banter.

Of note, if ever in Pitlochry, the hotel on Strathview Terrace was a special place to stay. It was so peaceful and the staff were so helpful. Oh, and the Highland Games in Pitlochry and St. Andrews Old Course were two of the highlights of our trip!

Thanks to the tour company for going above and beyond in making our trip so special!!!

My family was so happy with the trip that Zicasso’s travel specialist planned. We toured amazing castles, saw beautiful churches, and really enjoyed the scenery of the Highlands. We were there over Christmas, and our family stayed at a castle hotel that was simply magic.

One of the best parts of our trip was our driver. He was very engaging and knew the best secret spots to share with our family. When I return to Scotland, we will absolutely work with this travel company! Thank you!!

To start off, if you’re considering Scotland, consider no more, book it! This was one of the best vacations of my life. Flying into Edinburgh was a rush! Thick cloud coverage kept the city and surrounding area a secret until the plane’s wheels practically touched down. From that point on, Zicasso's travel specialist and his team had us on the move.

After getting our rental car from the airport car rental (fantastic service, by the way), we headed to our first historical site of many, Linlithgow Palace. When I say it takes your breath away, I mean it! It was everything I hoped for and more.

I won’t go into all the details of where we went because we went all over. Instead, I’ll say this: the tour operator had us staying at the best, most unique, and charming accommodations, took care of all our palace, castle, tour, and attraction tickets, handled restaurant reservations, and set us up with the best tour guide for Edinburgh I’ve ever had. Our guide was fabulous! I could’ve spent a week listening to her teach us about Scotland’s deep, rich, immense history and culture. I cannot wait to return to this gorgeous country and will absolutely use the tour operator’s service again. Highly recommended!

Slàinte mhath! 

Zicasso's trip planner worked with my family for the better part of a year planning our big family trip. She provided exceptional service and planned every detail of our trip. We have a large family, with lots of moving parts. There were many changes in the itinerary along the way and she rolled with all the many changes. She was always polite, courteous, and graceful in her many interactions with our family.

She listened carefully during our initial conversations to help us plan the best trip possible. Being a large family, with multiple generations, she really created the best possible experience, taking in everyone's wishes. Working with her was very relieving, knowing she was taking care of all the details.

Our family's trip took us from the States to Ireland, Scotland, and England. We traveled on planes, trains, ferry, and drove a car. Our trip planner arranged every detail meticulously. We stayed in lovely, quaint, boutique hotels, ate the most wonderful foods, saw the amazing sights, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites across all three countries. From the Cliffs of Moher to the Culloden Moor Memorial to Stonehenge to castles grand and desolate; from beautiful cathedrals to old abbey ruins; from little country pubs to Michelin-starred restaurants; and even spending a couple days in an actual 17th-century castle, every minute was amazing! Truly amazing!

Zicasso’s tour planner did a wonderful job responding to us and tailoring our 8-day Scotland trip to our desires. At her recommendation, we utilized a driver rather than rent a car, and that maximized our experience and minimized driving anxiety. Our driver was fantastic! He moved us comfortably and smoothly through our itinerary with humor, local knowledge, and history.  Lodging and required entry tickets were prearranged and any questions that arose were speedily handled by our driver and agent.

Trip highlights to the central Highlands included garden and ground visits at Edinburgh, Glamis, Drummond, and Sterling castles, Scone Palace, Branklyn Gardens, Jupiter Artland, and The Kelpies. My wife wanted to include The Great Tapestry of Scotland in Galashiels, which is not a convenient spot to visit. By having our driver pick us at the Edinburgh airport upon our arrival, we were able to maximize our first day and include Abbotsford House. Our tour company was great.