Testimonials

Testimonial From Linda & Brian Morey and Roy & Susan Guy

Maurice,

From the time Austen picked us up in Dublin and dropped us in Edinburgh, our trip could not have been more enjoyable. When we were planning the trip, you listened to what experiences we wanted to have and built a wonderful itinerary. Although we didn’t divert much from the itinerary, having flexibility made such a big difference in our visit. Because of that flexibility, we were not subject to a rigid timeline when we were visiting a site. That flexibility also allowed our friends who were traveling with us find a church in Glasglow that his grandparents were married in. That was certainly a highlight for him.
I cannot speak highly enough about our Driver/Guide experience with Austen who was the perfect guide for us. His knowledge about the history of both Ireland and Scotland was amazing and there were very few questions we asked him that he did not know the answer to. His sense of humor was so much fun and we sure loved the conversations that involved ‘Paddy and Murphy’. He took us to the most wonderful ‘wee’ pubs that were off the beaten path where we were often the only tourists in the place. Because he grew up in Ireland, I feel he took us to places that we would not have seen or been exposed to with another tour company. He was so friendly and accommodating and we enjoyed spending time with him.

Ireland was certainly our favorite – the countryside, the food and the ‘wee’ pubs. The hotel accommodations were each unique and provided a nice variety of accommodations. We especially liked Sheen Falls and Ballynahinch Castle.
We will be recommending your tour company to anyone we know who will be traveling to Ireland or Scotland if they are looking for a truly unique experience. If the opportunity presents itself, we will most definitely work with Ireland & Scotland Luxury Tours again.
Actually, I do want to add one thing.

I left my passport and a few other things in the holder in the safe of one of the hotels. I was panicking! Thanks to Austen, my passport and things arrived at the St. George Hotel the day after we did. I know it wasn’t easy, and probably had to go through a few hands to get it there, including postal and a special carrier. But he was never once worried that I would not get it in time to make our flight home. He was a rock! He just kept telling that it would be ‘sorted’, and it was! He was a lifesaver!

Testimonial From Gail and Philip Faustine

Dear Maurice,

I can’t believe that it has already been over a month since we got back from our trip to Ireland and Scotland! We were so happy and honored to be late additions to Bob, Marcia, Ingrid and Herb’s family trip to celebrate Herb’s 70th (in advance!) .

From the amazing 5 star hotels to the castles, museums, beautiful countryside, and of course Pubs and Distilleries, it was truly an amazing tour and the vacation of a lifetime!

Moving hotels every couple of days and spending so much time in the car seeing that beautiful countryside, we recognize that a driver can make or break a trip like this.

Billy not only “made” the trip… He made it special!!

I personally celebrated a birthday during the trip. Billy had a birthday card, candies, treats to share on our car ride,.and made a special stop at a bakery for scones and tea! Not to mention how much fun we had poking fun at Philip for not having a card 🙂

Billy truly cared about all of us having a good time every day. He provided: input and guidance on surrounding areas; local knowledge/history; personal history; casual conversation; and corny jokes!

Wherever we stopped, employees at tourist locations and local shop owners were happy to see Billy and made us feel welcome!

We can’t say enough about how wonderful the trip was… and of course, how wonderful Billy was.

Thank you again!!!
Gail and Philip Faustine

Testimonial From Lisa Catalano

We just returned from our tour of Ireland and Scotland, and I wanted to take a minute to reflect on our trip and thank you both for our wonderful journey. Maurice you told me I was over-planning and you were probably right. It was so easy to let you coordinate and Austen lead us to our destinations!

Austen was terrific! I never felt unsafe with him driving, and he knows all the roads and how to get you to the best spots. In fact, I’m not sure there is anything he doesn’t know: history (including dates!), politics, fun facts etc. He has some pretty good stories also!!

The Trinity Hotel wasn’t my favorite, but they had a good breakfast and it was in walking distance to everything. I could stay at Sheen Falls for a much longer period of time! I loved the grounds at Ballynahinch and the rooms and grandeur of Culloden Estate and Spa. I felt like Jane Austen staying in Culloden House, which has a lovely restaurant, gardens and staff! My only complaint is that I would have liked to have more time to enjoy Sheen Falls, Ballynahinch and Culloden Estate and Spa!!

There is a lot of time spent in the vehicle because it takes awhile to get anywhere. This is just a fact of the roadway system and what makes these two countries so charming. I love that there are no billboards or strip malls ruining the gorgeous landscape. We had a busy schedule with not a lot of time to relax, so I would recommend doing less and enjoying more free time. You won’t be able to see everything you want in one trip, so make the most of what you do see!

We saw some amazing sights, rolling hills and farmland, lots of sheep and cows (a few hairy!), ocean vistas, incredible national parks and castles galore!!! Unfortunately did not spot Nessie… Loved the jaunting tour through Killarney National Park and the lack of tourists at the Cliffs of Kerry. Looking forward to a return trip to see Isle of Skye and a couple of our favorites from this time around…

Thank you again Maurice for helping to make it all happen and thank you Austen for being the best driver we could have asked for! We wouldn’t have made it to half the places without you!!!

Testimonial From Bob & Marcia Vogel

From the moment we connected with Maurice and Ireland & Scotland Luxury Tours regarding our travel plans, we knew we had connected with the correct travel group. Maurice was extremely helpful with all the planning activities for our 2 week trip, particularly since we were interested in covering Ireland and Scotland. Maurice spent a significant amount of time helping us with our tour selection details, the amount of time to allocate in each location, the hotel properties we would select and the various sites to see. With Maurice’s input, we established an extensive schedule combining towns, landmark sites and distilleries. Words cannot describe how comfortable Maurice made our travel group of 6 feel primarily due to his openness and honesty.

As part of our travel plans, a private driver was assigned to us for the entire 2 week period to help navigate Ireland and Scotland. Regarding Billy our driver, Maurice was spot-on regarding matching his personality to our group. Billy has a great personality and is an outstanding conversationalist, which is important when considering the amount of road-time spent together. Billy provided a lot of local color regarding out trip, the specific site locations, restaurants to visit and most importantly making on-the-fly adjustments to our daily travel plans. Billy certainly turned our holiday into a 5-Start Plus event. Billy always made us feel comfortable, safe and integrated well with our our group.

Regarding the cities, towns and locations we visited, they were absolutely outstanding. The hotel properties and accommodations were all one of a kind. Some hotels were castles, some were large estate properties and others were top end city hotels. All 5-Star and our standards are high.

In closing, we thank Maurice and his team for planning such a special trip. It was a once in a life-time trip. My family will be talking about this trip for years. A special thank you to Billy for his support of our group, getting us to our targeted locations and exposing us to sites that weren’t on our original travel plans. Maurice and Billy, should any of you visit the US, you always have a place at the Vogel house and dinner table.

Bob & Marcia Vogel

Testimonial From Donald And Pam Westerly, Massachusetts

Well, what can we say!
Our two-week tour of Ireland and Scotland was simply spectacular.

We enjoyed two days of exploring Dublin alone with guidance from Maurice regarding sightseeing, restaurants, and entertainment.
The ten days we spent with our driver/guide Austen were fantastic.
We saw a lot of major sights but enjoyed the off the beaten track experiences far more.

Our last two days in Edinburgh were enjoyable and again the guidance from Maurice made all the difference.

All of the hotels were different but very good.

Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours know what they are doing.

We are already booking for 2025 to see more of both countries.

Glenn & Myrna Vanromer Testimonial

Maurice (or, Big Mo, so we discovered), feel free to use the following.

We just finished our Edinburgh to Dublin romp with Austen of Ireland Scotland Luxury Tours. We were constantly amazed at the depth of history and perspectives he brought to the experience. He has a great sense of humor and was constantly testing ours. Great fun.

The hotels were thoughtfully chosen for service, comfort, style and location and a few stood out: Ballynahinch Castle and Sheen Falls Lodge. The beautiful geography: mountains, rivers, falls, trails. We could have hiked and biked around Ballynahinch for more days but to be fair we enjoy the countryside more than the cities.

The evening restaurants, fine dining and pubs both, never disappointed. Breakfasts were included and ample.

We travel extensively and always love to be pleasantly surprised to discover a place has a charm that seems to fly under the radar. Belfast was that for us. The people, the history, the culture were more interesting and far more peaceful and welcoming than some would have you believe. We will go back for sure.

This tour company exhibits admirable traits: flexibility, integrity, character and punctuality which one cannot take for granted. We absolutely recommend them.

Thanks, Mo!

Glenn and Myrna

Testimonial From Barrie Collins

Hi Maurice
We have arrived safely at Clontarf Castle.
Thank you for organising the trip.
The four of us all have all had a fantastic time.
Both Billy and Austin were great company and are a credit to your travel business.
They certainly helped make our holiday a very memorable one.
All our accommodation was exceptional as was the whole trip.
Thanks again.
Regards
Barrie

Testimonial From Vince Smith

I would highly recommend Ireland & Scotland Luxury Tours. My wife and I both enjoyed the selected venues and hotels, but also the drivers who had a strong local knowledge that we both liked. The hotels outside the major cities were amazing, and those in the cities were close to major attractions. Would definitely repeat another version of our trip in the future.

Vince S.

Testimonial From Karen Kalmakis

Let me start by saying we had a wonderful time in Ireland and Scotland! Partly because these countries are beautiful and so rich with history. But mostly because Austen is AWESOME; he is simply so very good at his job! He was there for us whenever we needed him, even when we didn’t know we needed him. Always on time, always where he said he would be, and always with a smile and ready to answer our questions and tell stories about the areas we visited. No guide could be better, perhaps there are a few as good, but I haven’t met any of those yet.

A run down on the places we stayed, visited, and ate:
The Trinity was a very nice hotel, rooms great, good food, very helpful and kind staff.
The next two hotels, Sheen Falls and Ballynahinch were perfect in every way! The rooms
beautiful and spacious, the grounds lovely and allowed nice walks, the food excellent, the staff wonderful.
We enjoyed the cliffs of Kerry and the Ring of Beara, so beautiful! The villages and the music were great too, the recommended restaurants very good! The Coachman Pub gave us a chance to enjoy Irish food and music with locals and travelers alike. It was fabulous.
We especially enjoyed Kylemore Abbey, the history so interesting.
Belfast is a fascinating city, troubled, but fascinating. The Culloden was a very nice hotel, beautiful common areas and grounds, rooms were fine, except for the bed, which was uncomfortable. We were on the third floor in small room, the other couple on the first floor in a more spacious room, and a nicer bed. Maybe some improvements on the third floor are needed.
The Titanic Museum was excellent!
The ferry was a destination in itself, we had a blast, and enjoyed the accommodations on ship as we traveled to Scotland.
The Cameron House was ok, adequate service, rooms small but comfortable (glad we only stayed one night here). Seemed “stuffy” and geared to events. We ate that evening at Duck Bay. I would highly recommend this restaurant, delicious food, unique and fun atmosphere.

The Highlands are gorgeous. Our hotel in Inverness beautiful, the Culloden House. It felt like we were in the history, very friendly and helpful staff, and breakfasts were very good. Our visits to the Falkirk Wheel was so cool! And we thoroughly enjoyed our visit to the Culloden Battlefield. The cruise on Loch Ness was fun, and we enjoyed the castle there as well.
You told us Austen would leave us in Edinburgh, as he was” not needed”, after about an hour we disagreed! Our mantra the first say was “where is Austen?, we need him!”. But, we managed with the help of the concierge at the Intercontinental hotel. The hotel was very nice, breakfast good (not great) and staff excellent at that job.
We ate at the Ecco Vino, which I would encourage you to add to your recommendation list for places to eat in Edinborough. Also, at the Broughton on Broughton Street, this was excellent and recommended by the concierge.
We stayed at the Grand Hotel in Malihide for one night in between flights, nothing special, room was very small, otherwise ok. Not somewhere I would revisit. Could have been any beach town in the States.
We did meet a really nice cab driver who took us to the airport 🙂 Had some fun stories to tell.

We thank you so much for planning a wonderful, unforgettable trip for us, and we thank Austen for making our 2-week vacation absolutely amazing.

Take care,
Karen

Testimonial From Janice and Jeff Carsten

Our trip to Ireland and Scotland with Ireland and Scotland Luxury tours was very special. Our driver, Billy, is an extremely proficient driver and we always felt safe on some of those crazy roads. He was always on time or early and we sincerely appreciated his local knowledge and local stories. Billy has a wonderful sense of humor, the patience of a saint, and the ability to provide flexibility with all of our wishes. Billy is so charming and resourceful that he was able to solve any concerns or requests that we had along the way. He showed us spectacular sights that we never would have found on our own.

Billy knows the staff at the beautiful hotels where we stayed. We found that he was always warmly welcomed, which I think enhanced our experiences at all our accommodations. We feel like we gained a friend in Billy- by the end of the trip he knew all about our family and we learned about his life and family. We had so many great and humorous conversations and stories along the way with him.
The accommodations were all very lovely and special, especially Sheen Falls – one of the best hotels we have ever stayed in. We sincerely appreciated the fabulous rooms with views on our itinerary. There was a lot of driving, but it enabled us to see the main sites in Ireland and Scotland, and even a few extra spots.

It was also a pleasure to work with Maurice in organizing our itinerary – he was so patient and responsive to any questions that we had. I will recommend Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours to several of my friends.

All the best,
Janice & Jeff

Testimonial From Tim and Patty Cowan

We thoroughly enjoyed our two weeks touring Ireland and Scotland. Our guide and driver Austin was always looking out for us and by the end of our trip he was like an old family friend. We cannot express our gratitude for his professionalism and knowledge of the area.

It is far more enjoyable to be driven in areas you’re not familiar with. We could both enjoy all the sights and activities. Austin always steered us to where to start on sites and got to know our tendencies and preferences. He even indulged our desire to stop and visit St. Andrew’s.

The hotels were all 4/5 Star hotels and estates, including the wonderful breakfasts. A great way to start each day. Every stop was planned and we never had to purchase any tickets to sites. Austin did it all! We had a great experience and still had plenty of free time to stretch our legs to walk, dine and shop in quaint villages along the way.

We would highly recommend Luxury Ireland and Scotland Tours (we already have). We would definitely return for another tour. You must see it all for yourself, pictures do not do it justice.

Tim and Patty C.

Testimonial from John and Becky Stansfield

Well, we did it twice!! Last April (2023) we traveled with Ireland Luxury Tours to Ireland and Scotland and it was so wonderful we decided to return this April (2024) for a tour through Northern Ireland! We had an absolutely fantastic trip yet again. Billy was our driver and guide each trip and he is the best!! He is always punctual and conscientious, but more importantly just a great guy. He showed us many special off the beaten path places and made sure we visited every place we mentioned. He went out of his way to make our anniversary a great evening and our second trip to Ireland as enjoyable and spectacular as the first.
Once again Maurice planned the perfect trip. He suggested a Northern Ireland tour that incorporated natural beauty, history and quaint villages. Our accommodations were spot on, the cottage coastal feel of Bush Mills Inn and two country manors with peaceful lake views.
We highly suggest these special people for a personal, meaningful visit to the place we love!

John and Becky Stansfield
Conneaut Lake, PA

Testimonial from Vicki and Jim Larson

We just returned from our two-week road trip through Ireland and Scotland and wanted to drop you a note to let you know what a great time we had! Committing to a lengthy road trip with a guide/driver one has never met might seem like a risky proposition, but we hit the jackpot with you and Austen! The itinerary covered a great deal of ground but at the same time did not feel rushed since you planned a couple of nights at most every stop. The accommodations were great, the food was wonderful and the grounds at the lodges were spectacular. While there was a lot of time on the road, Austen proved himself to be not only an excellent driver, but also a master historian and joke teller and kept us informed and engaged throughout. AND, we were so happy to NOT be driving on those roads! He had a wealth of suggestions on where to eat and what to do, and quickly learned our preferences. In the end, we felt like we had found a new friend. This is a wonderful trip for anyone with an in-depth interest in the history and landscapes of Ireland and Scotland, although we know we certainly couldn’t cover it all in two weeks. We also appreciate your frequent check-ins with us to make sure schedules were on track and that we safely made it to all our destinations.
So thank you for everything — you did a wonderful job for us!
Vicki and Jim Larson

Testimonial from Rama Rao

Hello Maurice,
Just wanted to let you know that we had a fabulous trip to Ireland.
We appreciated your thoughtfulness in allowing enough time in each hotel/town so that we can soak in the local attractions!!
We so enjoyed our guide/driver, Billy, who took tremendous care of us all.
He took time to figure out what each one of us liked and showed us all around, all while driving us from town to town.
Thanks to him, we even went a real life rugby game, my daughter was able to play with baby lambs, I got to know all about the royals, ate good Irish food, and also went to an authentic Irish wool store.
My husband is now is a die-hard Irish whiskey connoisseur too!!
We plan to return to Scotland next year and hope that Billy is able to meet us there and take us around!
Thank you again for making this such a memorable vacation!
Ireland is beautiful, nothing like how I imagined it would be!!

Cheers!!
Rama and Family!!

Testimonial from Sheri Richardson

Maurice,
I cannot begin to explain the wonderful time we had with Austen on our tour of Ireland and Scotland.
He was amazing, knowledgeable and so interesting!
He took us any and everywhere we wanted to go, and it could not have been a more awesome trip.

So many thanks to you for organizing such a wonderful trip for us.
You were so helpful and prompt with everything.
You made this dream trip happen!
Many, many thanks!!

Your business will be passed on to friends!

Thanks again!
Sheri

P.S. And I love saying “wee” now 🙂

Testimonial from Sharon Cook

Sharon Cook Testimonial

Testimonial from The Brandons, Seattle

To Maurice & Billy,

Thank you for a wonderful trip to Ireland & Scotland for 2 weeks in October 2023 with our 2 daughters ( ages 23 & 26 ). Our first week was in Ireland and we thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful countryside, history, quaint small towns, & the friendly people. The second week we toured Scotland and the Highlands; the Isle of Skye was spectacular and a highlight of our trip. The itinerary had been thoughtfully planned to accommodate all of our different interests. The hotels chosen were fabulous and we always had rooms with lovely views which contributed to our overall positive experience. Billy had a great relationship with all the hotel staff and made sure we were situated with our rooms and dinner plans. Billy is an excellent, safe driver and the consummate professional. He was always punctual and we appreciated all of his local knowledge, wit, sense of humor, “good craic”, flexibility with change in plans, and his ability to “make it happen”. Billy became a family friend and we all became quite tearful when we parted ways in Edinburgh. We can’t imagine having a better trip and highly recommend Luxury Tours of Ireland & Scotland.

The Brandons, Seattle

Testimonial From Don and Sally Albiston, New Hampshire

Maurice, you arranged a tour that was more than we imagined it could be. My wife and I think you should win the Webb Ellis Trophy (I understand that is for the Rugby World Cup). Having taken self-planned trips, cruises, and small group tours, we opted this time to look for something more personal, more relaxed, more flexible. You asked what we might be most interested in, tailored an itinerary, and Austen delivered it in spades!
For 14 days we were shown sites we would not have otherwise known of. The recommendations for and arrangements made by Austen as we traveled were perfect. Along the way we saw that he knows staff at most every hotel, inn and castle at which we stayed. They, in turn, spoke of him with high regard. Reflecting on it now, we see that those relationships enhanced our own comfort. Thank you, Austin, for the engaging conversations, the education, and your Paddy and Murphy humor.
The geography of Ireland, Northern Ireland and the Scottish Highlands is beautiful. Their cultures and histories are rich. Thank you for revealing it to us as you did. If we have any suggestion at all, it is this: please reconsider our badgering you to create an itinerary for Florence, Venice and Tuscany!

Testimonial From Paul Wright

My wife and I had been scheming to tour Ireland and Scotland for several years but never got around to it for one reason or another. Last spring, we finally made the decision to use Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours to plan our two week trip. We are extremely pleased that we did so.
Maurice drafted an initial itinerary and tweaked the plan based on input from us and what we enjoy doing and seeing when traveling. The result was a once in a lifetime experience. The accommodations throughout the trip were wonderful. We stayed in charming boutique hotels and grand castles which provided us with a taste of authentic Irish and Scotland hospitality.

We were particularly grateful for the professional services provided by Billy Dempsey, our driver and local guide for the trip. As we traveled, we made several mid-course alterations in our plans which Billy was always eager and happy to accommodate. One unforgettable tweak was at the Sheen Falls Hotel where we scheduled a private session with a local falconry expert. Liam met us at the hotel and introduced us to three of his birds of prey, a Harris hawk, a Grey owl and a Eurasian Eagle owl. A fascinating experience and a highlight of the trip.

I would be remiss for not thanking Moe for scheduling the Rugby World Cup match between world #1 Ireland and #2 South Africa on the Saturday night we were in Dublin. We watched the game with hundreds of Shamrock fans at Sinnotts Pub. The craic was unforgettable, and the Shamrocks came from behind to prevail. A memorable evening.
In conclusion, our journey through Ireland and Scotland with Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours was nothing short of extraordinary. The expertise, dedication, and passion of Moe and Billy transformed our vacation into an unforgettable adventure.

Testimonial From Desi Gekas – Adelaide, Australia

Hi Maurice!
My husband and I would like to thank you and Billy for the most amazing tour of Ireland and Scotland. Planning with you ran for a 3-year period thanks to COVID, upside was that I got to know you very well. The locations & accommodation you recommended were perfect ………now your driver Billy……..where do I start!

We could not have wished for a more hospitable and hilariously funny driver than Billy.

My husband does not open or close the car door for me……Billy never let me enter or leave the vehicle without his assistance, regretfully my husband has not adopted this courtesy after our return home!
This was a drinking trip for us (hence the driver), and boy did we give the breweries and distilleries a red hot go for the entire journey! Billy was instrumental in finding us amazing distilleries to visit, lining up the tasting times and ensuring we arrived at our final accommodation for the day safely! Together we also found some great new places to eat and some incredible small boutique gin distilleries.
Billy was more like a friend than a driver on this trip, there were many moments I thought my husband and Billy were on a holiday and I was just tagging along! Numerous times I stated out loud, “You know I am actually right here!”, as they joked about some misadventure I had on a daily basis(whiskey tastings at 10am followed by a couple of Guinness’s for lunch may have been the cause a few ongoing jokes!)
Billy went above and beyond to make this trip memorable, the day we were on the ferry from Belfast to Scotland we told Billy we really wanted to see Australia play England in the Women’s World Cup. Billy organised a pub that was telecasting the game for us shortly after our arrival to Scotland. Sadly, England ended up winning but we had a ball watching the game and eating newspaper wrapped fish and chips with a couple of Guinness’s. These types of gestures were provided daily by Billy. He even asked a friend in Ireland to loan us his Celtics tickets as I could not get any for the match in Glasgow. Who does that!! Billy does!! They were mailed to our hotel in Edinburgh, and it was a brilliant for us to be able to go and experience the atmosphere at that match.
Apart from the obvious drinking stops, we visited numerous historical sites, museums, lusciously green countryside, seaside, and loch destinations. From start to finish we had completed over 3000 miles with Billy!
The great part about the entire trip was that we could change our agenda to suit how we were feeling that day/night.

I will definitely be recommending you and Billy to my family & friends.

Regards,
Desi Gekas

Testimonial from Randy & Kyt-Tee Kohout

This September we took our second trip with Ireland & Scotland Luxury Tours. We enjoyed our first trip so much, as well as getting to know Maurice Dowle and his team personally, it was an easy decision to go a second time. There were places we did not have time to see on our first trip so we worked with Mo to highly customize a second visit.
What distinguishes Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours are the way they work with clients before and during the tour to fully meet their needs and exceed their expectations. The hotels they booked along our journey were five-star in every way. Our drivers/guides Austen Hunter on our first trip and Bill Dempsey this September were both excellent and have become dear friends. Since they know The Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Scotland so well, they were able to make recommendations of sites along the way that were not on our original itinerary but well worth visiting.
We highly recommend Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours to anyone who wants a first-class holiday experience.
Cheers,
Randy and Kyt-Tee Kohout

Testimonial from Richard Worley

What a fabulous 14 day trip through some of the most spectacular scenery in Ireland and Scotland. We were in the company of our very competent driver Austin, whose breadth and depth of knowledge of places we visited was highly commendable and very interesting.
Great selection of hotels for this trip, starting off in Dublin with three nights at the Westbury Hotel which was a great location where we could explore as much of Dublin as we could fit into three days. After Dublin we headed to the delightful Sheen Falls Lodge via The Rock of Cashel. The next leg of the trip took us to Ballynahinch Castle, via the Cliffs of Moher a beautiful stretch of coastline.
Next stop, and our final two nights in Ireland, was at he delightful luxurious Culloden Estate & Spa definitely a spot to return to after a hard days sightseeing at the Giants Causeway and Titanic Museum. Early morning ferry ride over to Scotland saw us stay for the night at Cameron House on the shores of Loch Lomond, a fabulous experience and one we shall be sure to return too.
Onto Edinburgh our final stop on this fabulous trip, the Edinburgh Festival and the fringe were in full flow, Royal Yacht Britannia was high on the list of interesting things to see in this great city but the one thing we did come to see and the culmination of our tour was the Edinburgh Tattoo and it did not disappoint. Such a spectacle of precision marching and bands playing such stirring tunes was indeed the pinnacle of a very enjoyable two week tour provided by Maurice and the team at Ireland & Scotland Luxury Tours!

Thank you Mo, Austin and Scott for making such a memorable trip possible!

Richard, Jane, John & Laurie xx

Testimonial from Carol Pope

How would I describe my trip with Ireland and Scotland Luxury tours? Absolutely wonderful.
They live up to their name – Luxury.
The planning was perfect, not a detail overlooked.
The itinerary was designed to give us a good understanding of each area visited partly due to the knowledge of our driver/guide Austen.
Austen was fun and funny but also caring and considerate. He tailored the tour to our interests and made recommendations for us.
The hotels selected for us were all outstanding.
One of the things I liked most was the small size of the tour – just four of us. Our van could go places with beautiful scenery where the large tour buses couldn’t and we often arrived at popular sites before the huge crowds descended.
Thank you Maurice and Austen for memories I will keep forever.

Carole Pope, Rockledge Florida

Testimonial from Cathy Cady

Hi Maurice

Since our return I have spread the word to everyone that is thinking of touring Ireland and Scotland to contact your company!

From the first time we spoke you answered every question and made me feel secure this was going to be a first class first rate two week tour for myself and 3 other travelers.

Everything you promised came true and our Mercedes SUV along with our tour guide and excellent driver Austen we had the best trip that exceeded my expectations. You listened to what we felt would be important and added many other stops that we could not know about. So many first class off the beaten path hotels and our surprise ride into town in the 1931 convertible Buick was the best!

Thank you Maurice and Austen our all time favorite driver for an experience my sister and I will never forget.

All the best from my sister Marla and myself.

Cathy Cady forever your fan!

Testimonial From Patrice Ricciardi, New Jersey
Hello Maurice,
I wanted to thank you for the wonderful trip my sister and I took with your company. From the planning stage to when we were dropped off at the end, it exceeded our expectations. You kept us informed of all travel plans, provided suggestions on what to see based upon our interests, and checked up on us during the trip.
The driver Austen you assigned to us was a treat. Not only was he very knowledgeable about the history of where we were staying, but he provided a commentary of what was important historically along the way to each lodging. He made us feel as if we were friends rather than a client and we hardly noticed the time as we made our way across the countryside. His care of my mobility challenged sister made her feel comfortable and not as if she was holding anyone back. His suggestions of where we could eat in the local towns, as well as where the best places to experience local music, was perfect.
On the whole your company delivered everything promised and then some. I will definitely be recommending you to friends and family, and will use your company again if we plan another trip. Please feel free to use any or all of my letter as a testimonial.
Regards,
Patrice Ricciardi

Testimonial From Tammy Mains, Virginia

My sister and I chose Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours for our trip in June 2023.
We were visiting Ireland then on to Scotland.

It was very hot in Ireland on the day of our arrival and we had to get Maurice to arrange a fan in our room.
That was our only issue!
Everything else was superb.
The hotels were fantastic and the food was delicious.
Our driver/guide, Austen, was very knowledgeable and could not have been more helpful.

We would definitely recommend Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours!

Testimonial From Andy And Paula Butler, Ohio

Our visit to Ireland in June 2023 was the most enjoyable vacation ever.
Maurice, at Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours provided a top-class service.
From planning the itinerary to our driver and vehicle, it was top notch.

We even got to meet an old friend who lives in Ireland.
Austen took care of everything so well.
I had been interested in seeing sheep dogs at work and we got to enjoy a brilliant display.
Every detail was taken care of.

The hotels were outstanding and we fell in love with Sheen Falls.
Though we initially got allocated the wrong room in Manor House, it was immediately taken care of by Maurice and Austen.

Our plan is to return in 2024 and visit Scotland.
We will be using Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours for sure.

Testimonial From Will Skinner, California

We recently enjoyed a fantastic two-week tour of Ireland with Ireland Luxury Tours. Maurice was excellent in putting together the initial itinerary and then working with us when our plans changed, and we had to postpone the trip by several weeks. Our trip began in Dublin followed by stays in Kenmare, Galway, Clifden, Enniskillen, Belfast and then ending up in Malahide, close to the Dublin airport. After a few days visiting Dublin, we met Billie who would accompany us for the remainder of the trip. Billie was the consummate professional who went above and beyond in being attentive to all our needs, particularly since we were travelling with two teenagers. Throughout the trip, Billie provided us with insight into the local culture and history of Ireland which allowed us to appreciate the sights and enjoy the trip even more. By the end of the trip, Billie had become more than our driver and guide and it felt as if we had known him much longer than a mere two weeks. His attention to detail and responsiveness to our needs was exemplified by his spur of the moment decision to approach a farmer after we had visited the Dark Hedges to ask if we could have a tour of his dairy farm. My daughter’s one desire before she left Ireland was to pet one of the dairy cows. Billie made that happen and in doing so we all were treated to a one-of-a-kind tour of this friendly Irish farmer’s dairy farm, learning about the significant technology used at the farm. Throughout our trip, the hotels were top notch, ranging from the luxurious to a unique castle stay. The itinerary planned by Maurice and then modified by Billie to accommodate us as he got to know our needs better, hit all of the key tourist sights but also allowed us an opportunity to go off the beaten path and experience local life in smaller villages. We thoroughly enjoyed our trip and highly recommend Ireland Luxury Tours to anyone wanting to truly experience Ireland! Make sure to ask for Billie as we will do when we plan our trip to Scotland!!

Going to Ireland and Scotland has always been on our bucket list. After doing much research we decided to go with Maurice at Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours. We were interested in a private driver with freedom to explore the things that interested us when we came upon them. Maurice stayed in touch throughout the planning process.

We travelled throughout Scotland and Ireland for 14 days. It was truly a trip of a lifetime!

We returned on May 24 and couldn’t be more pleased! The hotels were fabulous and our driver Austen was superb!

I would recommend Maurice and Austen to anyone looking to do this fabulous trip!

Thank you again for such a great trip!

Amy and Pete Stone

Dear Maurice,
We truly enjoyed our recent trip to Scotland. All hotels chosen throughout this trip were excellent as were the services provided by your driver. He was always punctual, very pleasant and an amazing driver, especially on Skye where driving through the single lane roads in the mountains required real skill.
We now have fond memories of our journey through Scotland and will be back for more.
Sincerely,
Catherine & Gilbert G

I can’t say enough good things about this trip! From booking with Maurice to our last day with our driver, Austen – the whole experience was seamless and enjoyable. Doing a tour like this of Ireland and Scotland really gave us an opportunity to see so many great places that would have been difficult to book and plan on our own.
We were able to curate our itinerary to do the things we were interested in and had Maurice to assist with any questions we had.
Having Austen as our driver was nothing short of excellent. He’s incredibly knowledgeable of the countries, places we visited, and their histories. We had plenty of time to explore where we wanted, for as long as we wanted and he would always be there at the end to deliver us to the next location making sure everything was perfect along the way.
Thank you for an unforgettable experience!
Pete Sesto, Long Island

I highly recommend Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours.
As a lone traveller wishing to visit Ireland, I sought out this company specifically, as it had been recommended to me.
Their itinerary was adjusted to suit my needs and I was very happy.
The hotels were excellent.
But my driver, Billy, was what made the trip very special.
He looked after me and made sure I explored Ireland as I had dreamt I would.
Thank you, Billy, and Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours.
Chrissie June, Boston

Maurice, Here is my best effort, as writing is not my forte, but it is heartfelt (and looks similar to the email I sent😂)

Our trip to Ireland and Scotland, arranged by Maurice Dowle of Ireland & Scotland Luxury Tours, was absolutely fantastic. The accommodations were over the top. Every hotel was even more beautiful than the next. The food, pubs, scenery, castles and activities were perfect. But the highlight was the company of our driver Billy!! He went out of his way to make our trip very memorable. He was always timely and even after a long day of driving was very willing to drive us to a quaint pub in the evening. All the extras he did for us were so appreciated. We could not have been happier. We had the trip of a lifetime! There are so many experiences to include in this review but it would be very long. We highly suggest using this company and seeing these countries with an experienced driver so that you can relax and enjoy every minute.

John and Becky Stansfield
Conneaut Lake, PA

Maurice,

What an adventuresome, fun filled two weeks we (the four of us) all had, along with our driver/guide, Billy. We are so grateful we made the decision to hire a driver for our trip. Billy was conscientious, accommodating and very friendly. We were all very comfortable in his company, and it made our trip so relaxing. Incidentally, the weather was surprisingly accommodating as well. We experienced little rain and the sun came out often.

We also must comment on the itinerary that was prepared for us. It fulfilled all of our expectations of adventure in both Ireland and Scotland. Our luxury accommodations were exceptional! Every one of them were unique, and they were all indeed “luxurious”. In a discussion following the trip, we struggled to vote for a favorite.

The people of both Ireland and Scotland were VERY friendly, the pubs were lots of fun, and the music did not disappoint. We were especially impressed in learning the history of both countries as we toured the castles and museums; and the countryside was as beautiful as depicted in all the photos we see in promotions of both countries.

In closing, we would be most comfortable in referring anyone to your company.

Anne and Larry Mathews

We had used Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours for family trips on three occasions before this year.
So, when we had a wedding to attend in Scotland, in February 2023, we approached them for a tour of Scotland that month.
As usual, Maurice and his team were accommodating and planned a wonderful trip.
Austen was our driver (again) and we thoroughly enjoyed our tour.
I cannot recommend this company highly enough.
Thank you Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours.

First I must share that our trip to Ireland was the biggest item on my mother’s bucket list. She had wanted to go all her life as we are very proud Irish Americans. Sadly her sudden passing meant that it was a trip we had to make without her.
With my mothers passing, the to Ireland took on a new meaning and I wanted to make the trip perfect, seeing and visiting places that had always been areas of interest for my mom and I. With a very high bar to reach, I started contacting tour companies. From the start Maurice made it clear that this trip was to be planned based our individual needs, wants, and likes. It would not be a group package with strict schedules to keep as everyone had different areas of interest. No, this was our trip, designed just for us! Maurice kept in contact with us over the months and made sure to check in more frequently as things go closer. His customer service and upbeat personality makes him easy to talk to and work with.
Off to Ireland we go…
The trip was perfect! Everything we wanted and more. The locations we stayed at were excellent and the service was the best I have ever experienced. The country is beautiful and having our own personal driver, Austen made everything personalized. We can not stress enough what a amazing person he his. Very attentive and knowledgeable about not only the history of Ireland, but also very familiar with local history and the best places to get a yummy scone. By the end of our 9 day trip, we visited just about all the counties in Ireland. At the end of the trip, it felt like we were saying goodbye to a member of our family, Austen!

Tara Gray

We highly recommend using Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours for a trip of a lifetime.

My two sisters and I had been planning a trip to Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland and the planning was overwhelming until we spoke with Maurice Dowle. He laid out the perfect itinerary that covered the main attractions we wanted to see while providing us with destinations and beautiful hotels that were outside of the “tourist” travelled circles. We can’t speak highly enough about our experience including the hotels, the food, the scenery and the people who planned our trip.

Austen was our guide and driver and he is beyond awesome! We didn’t have to worry about a thing. He was there for us at every turn. He is knowledgeable, professional, thoughtful with a great sense of humor—which he needed dealing with three sisters. His driving skills were impressive and we were so glad we weren’t driving! He’s the best.

Next time we visit Ireland, we will absolutely call Maurice and Austen. Thank you both for the trip of a lifetime.

Pat Reilly Geller, Mary Fox and Dr. Lori Reilly

We just returned from a wonderful 18 day Mother-Daughter trip to Ireland and Scotland and we were amazed at how magnificent Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours were throughout the entire process. We knew from the beginning that we did not want to take on the stress of renting a car and driving ourselves, so I began researching tour companies that offered drivers/guides for the two of us. From the time we began planning, Maurice was a treasure of information, assistance, and assurance. The flexibility the company offered in tailoring our experience is just what we were looking for. Maurice made us feel confident that we were in secure and knowledgeable hands which took so much of the burden off such a long journey.

The hospitality of everyone we encountered, from tour guides, shop owners, hotel staff, was so warm and welcoming. The accommodations were first class and we were truly in awe at the beauty surrounding us. We feel we made a lifelong friend in our driver, Austen. His background made us feel so incredibly safe as we were two women traveling alone, and his historical knowledge and fun loving personality made our trip much more meaningful. We felt like we had known him for years and we hated to say goodbye to him in Edinburgh! Maurice and Scotty were in contact with us and Austen throughout the entire trip, checking in on us, offering suggestions, and arranging tours when we decided to do different things. Austen was always flexible and accommodating when we approached him with requests.

We are forever grateful to them for creating this trip of a lifetime for my daughter and I to share. We would recommend them to anyone that wishes to truly experience these incredible countries and cannot wait for our next adventure with them!

Cindy Gorum & Meagan Chatelain

Our tour of Ireland in 2022 turned out to be a truly special experience.
That was all due to the company we used – Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours

The itinerary was perfect and the nine days we spent travelling was unhurried and enjoyable.
Two nights at each of our hotels also helped us feel that we could genuinely experience the villages nearby.
Hotels used were of the highest quality and our favorite was Sheen Falls Lodge.

The flexibility that Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours offer allows you to actually explore off the beaten track.
In 2023 we will visit Scotland , and we will be using Maurice and his team !

Diane Pffifer, Ohio

Thank you, Maurice, for all the effort you made in arranging and overseeing our recent trip to Ireland. Every detail was perfectly planned and executed to help make our best vacation ever. Even with the covid delays you continued to work and ensure our desires were met. Our driver, guide and daily companion Billy Dempsey helped us make the most of every day. His exceptional personality, skillful driving and commitment to make every activity a success was absolutely perfect.
We plan to return to the area and would not think of trusting our next visit to anyone except you and Billy.
Thanks again,
Toni & Don Davidson

Ann & Robert Dean

We contacted Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours to create a bespoke tour of Ireland.

The planning was fantastic, and we felt very included.
Then we arrived in Dublin and enjoyed exploring while staying at the Westbury.
On the third day we met our driver, Billy.
He was brilliant and showed us parts of the country we would never have seen on our own.
It was a wonderful nine days with very good hotels and a driver/guide who was perfect.
Thank you all.
We will be back in 2023 to explore Scotland!

Jim & Sarah Simpson, Houston, Texas

Just a short note to say how much we enjoyed our Ireland tour in August 2022.
Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours did a great job.

We saw just what we had hoped.
The hotels were beyond excellent.
The food was very good.

The vehicle used, and our driver Nick, were brilliant.

As we said to Nick, we hope to book soon for Scotland 2023!!!

Jim Player & Ruth, Newport Beach

Good Morning Maurice,

Barb and I made it home in great shape last night, and I just wanted to let you know our thoughts on the trip and our experience in dealing with you and with Austen. Feel free of course to use any portion of our message as a public testimonial if you wish, since I couldn’t really see an easy spot to post a search engine review of your company.

We could not imagine being more pleased with the entire experience touring Ireland and Scotland with Ireland & Scotland Luxury Tours. Our two weeks went by all too fast thanks to the flawless arrangements and thoroughly professional and courteous treatment we encountered both in dealing with you for our planning, and then with executing those plans under Austen’s expert guidance.
Being our first ever experience with a private tour, and also our first trip to Ireland and the UK, we were simply not prepared for the warm, friendly, and yet incredibly knowledgeable and efficient manner in which our whole trip progressed. Austen is a tremendous ambassador for Ireland, the UK, and above all for your company. His level of knowledge and experience along with his wonderfully congenial attitude during our whole trip made the amazing sights and history of the region come to life.
We consider ourselves privileged to have made a fine new friend during our time with Austen. The sights, the scenery, and the history that he introduced us to will truly be fond lifetime memories of our time spent with your company and in Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Scotland.
Thank you again for a fabulous experience,
Randy and Barbara Carmichael
Melbourne Beach, Florida

First time to Ireland and Scotland.

My family and I flew home in early August from two amazing weeks in Ireland and Scotland. I decided to use Ireland Luxury Tours because Maurice was so easy to work with and was able to customize our itinerary to fit our wants and needs. We did not want to attempt to drive on the other side of the road, so he hooked us up with a close friend/colleague that drove us for the length of the trip. Austen was incredibly knowledgeable of the destinations and sites that we would take in along the way. He met us upon arrival at our hotel in Dublin and drove us for 10 days through Ireland and Scotland. We took a car ferry across from Belfast to Scotland and made our way up to Inverness the next day. We were very fortunate to have amazing weather, no rain, and mostly sunny skies. All of the hotels were unique in their own way and upscale with great restaurants and located in small villages that were charming on their own.

Since this was our first time in both countries, we hopped around quite a bit which I think in retrospect I would pick a few places and stay longer.
We ended our trip in Edinburgh, said goodbye to Austen which was hard because we enjoyed him so much and stayed three nights at the Balmoral Hotel. That was a great way to end the trip since it was a gorgeous hotel with five-star service in a beautiful city.

Finally, I would make sure to have dinner reservations in place so that you don’t have to scramble at the last minute as we did a couple of times.

Rebekah D’Aprile
Chicago, IL

Hi Maurice!
I thought I sent a note a couple of weeks ago, but apparently it didn’t go through.
So sorry!
I can’t thank you enough for all the arrangements you made for us in Ireland.
We had an exceptional time and were awed by the knowledge Brendan Skelly shared with us about so many places throughout our trip.
His fun personality made it that much more enjoyable too.
Our accommodations were beyond amazing, and we felt very pampered along the way.
We hope to come back sometime in the near future to enjoy another of your impeccable tours.
Thank you so much from all of us!
Trudy And Dick Considine

Maurice
Just wanted to say thanks for arranging a great tour of Ireland.
It exceeded our expectations in every way.
The accommodations were first class and beautiful.
The location of the Westbury in Dublin was perfect as we could walk to everything.
Brendan our driver was great.
He attended to our every need.
I would recommend a driver/guide to anyone visiting.
The roads are small and the locals seem to figure it out.
Having Brendan along was great as he would fill us in on the history of each area.
These are things if we went solo we would not have known.
We now consider Brendan a friend.
Thanks again for arranging a trip we will never forget.
Dick Considine

In 2020 we planned a tour of Ireland and Scotland with Maurice and his team.
Then we were delayed due to the pandemic.
Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours protected our deposits, and we were eventually able to travel in May 2022.
The itinerary was perfect as it allowed us time to enjoy both countries rather than rushing around.
Our driver/guides were Austen in Ireland and Robert in Scotland.
Both were fantastic and offered history and insights that were fascinating.
The hotels were all wonderful and the rooms had views and lots of room.
We have already recommended Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours to other friends.
Beverly And James Reynolds, West Virginia

This was my second trip with Ireland & Scotland Luxury Tours, but this time we got married!
Maurice was incredibly helpful finding a venue and music while also coordinating the transportation and trips of our families.
Not a detail was missed, and it made our trip so enjoyable!
Austen was our tour guide.
He was really helpful coordinating our daily adventures, recommending local restaurants, and ensuring our families were taken care of.
Austen also shared a lot of history and stories along the way!
Maurice & Austen, we can’t thank you enough for making our wedding planning so easy and our trip amazing!
We truly would not have trusted anyone else to help plan our big day!
– Stephanie & Max Militano

After Covid delays, we finally made it to Ireland and Scotland in May 2022!!

Maurice was so patient and understanding during the process.

He made us comfortable with our investment in the trip even though it was postponed for several months.

Maurice went above and beyond in booking us amazing accommodations and checking on us each day to see if we needed anything, but we were in good hands with Austen in Ireland, and Robert in Scotland.

They anticipated our every need, made arrangements for tours, booked reservations for dinner and kept us entertained in the van as we drove through these two beautiful countries !

I cannot say enough wonderful things about them both without repeating all the wonderful comments below as well, so I will stop and just say we made two good friends!

Besides the great drivers, basic itinerary, and luxurious accommodations I enjoyed the flexibility in traveling with Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours.

Our first day on the road I mentioned watching the dogs herd sheep and three days later Austen arranged it.

If we were driving by something interesting or a beautiful landscape, I just had to ask him to pull over and he did.

Both Austen and Robert gave us their cell numbers and told us to call them if we needed anything, even a late-night ride after dinner or a Covid test.

We were spoiled and loved every minute of it!

Thank you to Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours – you are the BEST!!

– Paul & Karla Corbin, Kentucky

Our trip to Ireland and Northern Ireland with Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours was fantastic.

Maurice planned an outstanding Itinerary with great hotels.

Austen our tour guide took us to places and gave us history that made this trip unique.

He anticipated our every need

The weather for November was acceptable and we even played a little golf at Portmarnock.

Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours are the best.

– Tommy Scallen

In the fall of 2018, our friend began to search for a travel company that would meet the need for a planned fall 2019 trip to Ireland, N. Ireland, and Scotland. She chose Maurice Dowle’s Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours. Both couples have travelled extensively, lived overseas, and are very long time friends. One of the four had been to Ireland, one couple had been to N. Ireland, but none of us had ever visited Scotland.

We were all comfortable driving overseas and we had driven in the UK. However, one of the best decisions made was to have a personal driver rather than renting a vehicle and driving ourselves. The use of a driver assured that we were never lost, never worried about whether we had an alcoholic beverage with our meals, and allowed us to enjoy the spectacular scenery which these countries offer. Our drivers, Aston (Ireland and N. Ireland) and Johnny (Scotland) were outstanding. They were safe drivers, very familiar with the roads and areas to which we travelled, knew the staff at every hotel we stayed, suggested a a great places to eat for both lunch and dinner, and allowed us flexibility to add to or drop from our itinerary. Our ride was in a Mercedes van with ample room for passengers, luggage, and very comfortable. Austen and Johnny knew the local history which added a depth to our understanding of the areas we traversed. Once they each had a sense of our interests, they made suggestions that enhanced our experience.

Our trip began in Dublin with a three day stay at the Westbury. The location was perfect for exploring this wonderful city. Maurice made recommendations as to what we might like to do and checked that we had all arrived and we were enjoying ourselves.

On the forth day, we met our Irish driver, Austen, and began our westward towards Galway, the Dingle Peninsula, the Wild Atlantic Way, the Cliffs of Moher, and the Ring of Beara. We visited castles and abbeys, ate at wonderful small cafes and restaurants and rested our heads at the beautiful Ballynahinch Castle for two nights and Sheen Falls Lodge for three. Sheen Falls Lodge was one of our most favorite hotels of series of excellent ones. Situated next to the actual falls and on the bay, the location was spectacular. Both hotels had excellent breakfasts, pubs and dining rooms.

Next we headed for a long day of driving to Belfast for two evenings at the Fitzwilliam Hotel. Our drive north included Dunluce Castle, Giants Causeway, Bushmills and the spectacular scenery of the north coast.

Austen picked us up and escorted us on the ferry ride to Scotland and assured our smooth transition to our next leg of our journey, with Johnny. Again, we were in a Mercedes van and quite comfortable. Driving up the west coast of Scotland, we visited Stirling Castle and stayed at the Cromlix for one night. It was beautiful their dining room is excellent.

The next day we were off to the Isle of Skye and the Kinloch Lodge. We loved the raw beauty of this place and the Lodge was lovely with a wonderful dining room.

Next we travelled through the Highlands, visited Dalwhinnie Distilllery (excellent tour), and headed to Inverness. The visitor center and tour of the Culloden battlefield are well worth the time.

The last leg of our trip was through the Cairngorm Mountain Range to Edinburgh. We bid farewell to Johnny after a wonderful dinner at the Dirty Duck. Maurice gave us a list of possible places to see. Edinburgh is a wonderful city and we wished we had more time.

Throughout our trip, Maurice was in contact with our drivers and with us. We would definitely travel with this team again and we have already referred two sets of friends to Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours.

Our only regret was that, in our choice to cover so much terrain, we would have chosen to spend no less that one night in any of the locations! However, we know that we will return for further exploration and when we do, Maurice will be our choice.

– Vicki Olson

A Totally Fabulous Trip

Our party of four recently returned from an almost 3 week trip to Ireland and Scotland arranged by Maurice Dowle from “Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours”. We are all seasoned travelers and agreed that this was one of the best travel experiences ever. Maurice created the perfect itinerary based on our interests. Every day was a delight. We had two extremely interesting, friendly and knowledgeable drivers/guides, Austen and Johnny, who shared background information and tips about the sights we were about to see as well as recommendations regarding restaurants and pubs. We all enjoyed their company and conversation, including the bad jokes! We also learned a tremendous amount of history and local lore from both. With their advice we avoided crowded and touristy sites and focused on experiencing the beauty of the countryside. Not having to worry about driving or navigating was a blessing and allowed us to just relax and enjoy. Our fabulous accommodations included stately country manors, castles and 5 star city hotels. Rooms were large and well appointed. In every case the staff were friendly and extremely welcoming and helpful. Breakfasts, all included, were fantastic and kept us going for most of the day. Dinners at the country estates were quite delightful and included at least one Michelin starred restaurant.

This was an incredible trip. We are looking forward to returning and would whole heartedly recommend Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours.

– Vicki Olson

Our travel destination provided by Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours was a remarkable holiday experience. A trip that we will fondly remember. Maurice was instrumental in orchestrating our itinerary. Austin and Johnny our drivers were absolutely fantastic in bringing history alive, tailoring the tour to our interests and caring for our wellbeing. This tour was completely customed to our needs and was as amazing as the sights we witnessed and explored. I highly recommend Ireland and Scotland Luxury tours for a completely tailored vacation, they met and exceeded all of our expectations.

Thank you Maurice.

– Steve and Cheryl Mitts – Alberta, Canada

We decided to visit Ireland and Scotland and began planning in late 2018.

The company we settled with was Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours.

We had read their testimonials and spoken with our friends who had used them previously.

They worked with us to plan a tour that gave us what we wanted.

The itinerary was excellent and meant we were not rushing around changing hotels every night.

Our accommodations were all of a very high standard and perfectly situated.

We had two driver/guides, one Irish, and one Scottish.

Both were exceptional and it was nice to have an Irish guide for Ireland, and a Scottish guide for Scotland.

We will certainly be recommending Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours to all of our friends.

Just a quick note to say thank you for the most wonderful trip.

Our tour of Ireland was beyond our wildest dreams.

Austen was a superb guide and companion.

All of the hotels were fabulous but we think that Sheen Falls was our favorite.

The food was excellent but we think the Dirty Duck was the best dinner we have ever had.

To explore so much off the beaten track was unexpected and we often felt like the only tourists in Ireland.

We loved that.

I will be in touch very soon regarding our Scotland trip in 2020.

I know that you guys like to get everything in place early.

Thanks again Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours!

– Robert And Sandra Greene, Mississippi

Maurice,
Wow what a trip. It was amazing , beautiful and more than we all expected.
Austen was a gem.
We saw Ireland in a way that made it very special.
Loved both places we stayed, they were gorgeous! Service was incredible and the locations of the hotels were perfect.
Sheen Falls will always have a special place in my ❤️.
Ballynahinch was just as magical.

Thank you so much and please let Austen know how much we enjoyed his company.
Seriously we have more jokes than we know what to do with!
He was the perfect tour guide.
Thank you for a wonderful trip.

– Rena and Rick Shanks

Our family of five (three boys 16,18 & 21) spent 13 days from July 19th to August 1st touring Ireland and Scotland via Ireland and Scotland Luxury tours (ISLT). We started researching different tours in April and the level of hotels and schedule from them looked the best. To provide some context, our family travels fairly extensively. We have toured Egypt, Israel, Jordan, China, Japan, Ecuador, Peru, Greece, Italy, France & Turkey. We have been on large bus tours, small private tours, small and large cruises and cruise excursions. We typically leverage Trip Advisor but Ireland and Scotland Luxury tours is not on Trip Advisor :-/ so it was a bit nerve wracking for me to say the least. That said, Maurice did not disappoint. He encouraged me to book early for better rooms, which we did (no small feat on his part). The accommodations were exactly as anticipated. They all had charm and character reflecting the region and you felt immersed in the culture and pampered. We only had two weeks for the trip but if we had more time we would have definitely built in an extra day at the hotels and castles to explore the grounds etc. because they were all so beautiful. (to be fair Maurice did encourage me to focus on just Ireland or just Scotland for this very reason but we really wanted to do both).

We had two different tour guides one for Ireland and one for Scotland, Austen and Johnny. Both were impressively knowledgeable about the area, history and culture. They were always watching out for us, super polite and accommodating. And I should add entertaining….Austen’s Paddy and Murphy jokes were a big hit! We were also extra appreciative of how they transitioned us between guides. We had to take the ferry from Ireland to Scotland and we were extremely happy that Austen drove the van onto the ferry and sailed across with us and transferred the luggage directly to Johnny’s van. Carrying the luggage across after touring for a week would have been doable but exhausting. However, it did mean that Austen had to ride the ferry there and back just to transfer our luggage. Thank you Austen!

Another big surprise for us was the quality of food. My husband and I had toured Ireland many years ago and we were shocked at how amazingly good the food was this time around. I think this food experience was courtesy of ISLT recommendations. The main hotels we stayed at were definitely fine dining level but the pubs and small restaurants were equally tasty in their own right (especially the Mermaid, thank you Austen for the reco and the reservation!). I should add that the boys didn’t think they packed correctly. Although the pubs were less formal the hotels were more fine dining and formal. We alternated between the pubs and the hotels so we were eating more formal (collared shirts and nice pants) about every third night.

Lastly, Maurice checked in every night making sure things were going smoothly. We had some hiccups with one of the accommodation’s which we mentioned to Maurice in a nightly check-in and it was taken seriously and handled by the next morning. Which I think is important to note as well.

Thank you Maurice and crew at Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours for a wonderful and memorable family holiday!!

– The Imai Family 🙂

Just to let you guys know that we are home, though very tired.

Thank you for the most wonderful experience, a great tour of Ireland, just as you promised.

Having travelled extensively for over 40 years we have never enjoyed a trip so much.

Ireland is full of magical sights and warm people.

And you guys are the perfect ones to show it all to visitors!

Your route was perfect.

We loved the hotels.

We loved our driver/guide.

Eve and I talked on the plane about coming back to see Scotland.

We will definitely be using Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours.

Thanks again.

– Eve and Robin.

Our Trip was great!!
It was beyond my expectations. The accommodations were deluxe.
Austin was great!! His knowledge of all the areas was impressive.
He kept us entertained thru out our Trip. I really enjoyed the Paddy and Murphy stories.
Best Trip Ever!!
Sincerely,
– Debbie Sullivan

We contacted Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours as we did not want to drive in Ireland or Scotland.

It also made sense to have the experts plan our route.

It was a great decision.

This company are true professionals from the driver/guide to the vehicle and the hotels.

But there is a family feel to the trip as well.

You feel like old friends being shown around on a visit.

If you want to visit Ireland and/or Scotland look no further than Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours.

– Cary Blair and Geoff Rosen, Idaho

Just a great big thank you for the wonderful trip to Ireland and Scotland.

We never thought we could fit both countries into 14 days, but you guys did it!

We never felt rushed or under pressure.

It was pure quality all the way.

Our Irish driver Austen was fantastic, and our Scottish driver Johnny was brilliant too.

The car ferry from Ireland to Scotland is a great idea and a beautiful crossing.

Your choice of hotels is a credit to you guys.

Obviously, you put a lot of research into those.

Thanks again.

We are already planning 2020 with our good friends.

I hope Austen and Johnny are ready for six of us!

– Bob and Betty Goodyear, Kentucky

We are writing this to recommend Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours to anyone out there planning a trip.

Our tour of Scotland was exceptional.

The plan was exactly what we asked for.

Our driver/guide Johnny was brilliant and very knowledgeable.

The hotels we stayed in were all excellent (particularly Kinloch House on the Isle of Skye)

If you want to visit Ireland or Scotland, you have got to use these guys!

– Jack and Susan Bartholomew, Toront0

We have just returned from a wonderful tour of Scotland.

We saw Edinburgh, Stirling Castle, Isle of Skye, Loch Lomond, Loch Ness, and lots more.

Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours provided us with an itinerary, a driver/guide, and superb hotels.

We cannot recommend them highly enough.

Thank you.

– Jack and Sue McClintock, Florida

My friend and I decided to take a trip to Ireland which I had been wanting to do for years. We checked various tours from the Chicago area but we did not want that much structure as I wanted to visit relatives in Kerry. We also just wanted a slower pace without a crowded bus. My niece had referred Maurice Dowle of Ireland & Scotland Luxury Tours. Maurice put together a 10-day tour which included all the spots I wanted to visit and it truly was a wonderful experience. We visited Dublin, Galway, Cork and Kerry and stayed at beautiful hotels with wonderful rooms and fantastic breakfasts! Our driver, Austin gave us the history of all the stops along the way and took us to local shopping and pubs. He was also a very interesting man and a great driver, as we would never be able to manoeuvre some of the back roads in the beautiful countryside. Ireland is the most beautiful spot in the world, and we were able to see it and enjoy it in total comfort without worrying about the roads, the tourist traps and the crowds. I would wholeheartedly recommend this private tour for Ireland or Scotland visits. I am already planning a return trip in the future just so I can hear Austin speak in his lilting brogue.

– Noreen Wolf, Chicago

We have just returned from the best trip of our lives!!!!!

It had always been a dream to see Ireland and Scotland and a friend recommended Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours.

So, we gave them a call.

That was the start of the most wonderful experience.

Maurice planned our trip, advised on what to see, and chose hotels.

Everything was excellent and we could not have been happier with the service.

Our driver was outstanding.

Ireland and Scotland are well worth visiting and we will return there very soon.

– Bruce and Angela Raines, Kentucky

In April we travelled to Ireland for a tour with Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours.

From the start it was way above our expectations, and we were not really surprised given the work they had done planning our itinerary.

Our driver/guide was Austen and he was just wonderful. The vehicle was a roomy Mercedes.

Each and every hotel was superb. Great locations and helpful staff.

The food in the pubs was delicious and the music very entertaining.

We saw a lot, including many “hidden gems”, and had time to explore.

If you want to see the “real” Ireland in a relaxed and enjoyable way contact Maurice at Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours.

We will certainly be recommending them to all of our friends.

– Bruce and Angela Raines, Kentucky

Just a quick note to thank you guys for a great trip.

The hotels were all excellent.

We especially enjoyed Ballynahinch castle in Ireland.

Cromlix House was our favourite in Scotland.

Austen is a great driver/guide and his attention to detail is exemplary.

He is a real asset to your company.

All the days were great, but the Dunluce castle day was amazing (and the scones were delicious).

Over Halloween we will be seeing a lot of friends and family.

We will be recommending Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours to all of them.

The only way to see Ireland and Scotland is with a local driver/guide.

You guys are definitely the future of tourism.

Thank you so much.

– Ted Armstrong, Washington

I had always dreamed of taking my family to Ireland.

We decided it would be good to see Scotland as well.

That’s why we contacted Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours!

What a great move that was.

From the outset we were included in planning what to do and see.

That made it interesting for the kids and we were able to watch them discover history.

Our hotels were all fantastic.

Our driver/guide looked after us like family.

The food was brilliant everywhere we went.

My wife and I are already planning a trip for our anniversary in 2019.

Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours are as big a “hidden gem” as the sights they show you.

– Ben Powers, Sacremento, CA

We completed our 14-day Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tour October 3, 2018 and without a doubt it was the best trip we have ever taken. While this was our first trip to Ireland and Scotland, we have travelled rather extensively through Europe. We decided in July that we needed to make this trip so I went online looking for a company that would meet our needs. It was there I found Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours. I read the pages of glowing testimonials and called Maurice Dowle to learn more.

Maurice was very helpful explaining his company’s value proposition and what we should consider for our travel plans. He assisted us with not only designing an itinerary that met our needs and interests, but also provided some valuable tips on booking flights on Aer Lingus. During the planning process we had a lot of questions and Maurice was both prompt and patient with his replies.

Our flight to Dublin was delayed a bit but when we got to the hotel, Maurice had already called to check if we had arrived safely. He had provided us a list of places we should see and it was our guide for the first two days.

On day three, our driver, Austen Hunter arrived to drive us across the island to Sheen Falls. Austen is so much more than a driver. He has lived a very interesting life, knows the history of the sites we visited, charmed us with his Irish humor and after almost two weeks became a dear friend.

We experienced 5-Star accommodations, fine dining and fun pub food through out the trip. I highly recommend Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours to anyone looking for a quality holiday with some wonderful people who truly care about their guests. Everything written in the previous testimonials is absolutely true. Maurice and Austen created a great travel experience and we are already thinking about our return trip with them.

Cheers and travel well!

– Randy and Kyt-Tee Kohout, Oro Valley Arizona

I spent the weekend downloading the pictures from our recent trip to Ireland and Scotland and couldn’t wait to write and thank you for such a fabulous experience!

Looking back at the pictures it became clear to me that each new stop quickly became my new favorite. From the hotels, castles, and historical sights we visited to the brown bread I fell in love with each morning, your careful planning and attention to detail truly made this trip a once in a lifetime experience.

I have no doubt we made the right choice in hiring a private chauffeur for our journey. Your selection of Austen as that chauffeur could not have been better. So full of knowledge and just enough blarney to keep us in stitches!

This is a trip I know I will be talking about for the rest of my life and rest assured I will be passing along your name to all my friends.

Please give Austen my sincere thanks, a big hello to Paddy and Murphy, and until next time I give you my most humble thank you for the trip of a lifetime.

Yours truly,

– Mindy Norman

We just wanted to thank you and the crew for a truly wonderful trip.

As holidays go , it was right up there !

The itinerary was perfect.

We avoided the tourist hot spots but still saw some truly amazing things.

What a great balance you have. A private tour is certainly the way to go.

Ireland is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen.

Scotland wasn’t too far behind.

The hotels were some of the best we have ever stayed in.

Great rooms , friendly and attentive staff.

Your driver , Nick , was a great guy.

He was so kind to us and we would love him to visit us here in Australia.

Watch this space !

Thank you very much Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours.

– David And Amanda Putnam, Melbourne

We just got back from a fabulous two week tour of Ireland and Scotland. We decided to splurge and hire a private driver/guide rather than pack into a bus tour or try to navigate the wrong side of narrow roads on our own. Well we certainly are glad we did. Maurice helped us customize our tour after taking into account what we were hoping to accomplish. The tour exceeded our expectations. We stayed in grand boutique hotels, found little known trails that took us over amazing water falls and took in some of the most beautiful countryside’s. Our drivers were walking, talking encyclopaedias of knowledge, Austin in Ireland and Jonny in Scotland. We would highly recommend both of them. They went out of their way to customize our trip for us and were always there for us whether we were looking for a local pub for a pint and some music or a great restaurant to finish off a full day. If you want a luxury packed, relaxing tour then I highly recommend you give Maurice a call.

– Roger Rossi, Toronto

Dear Maurice and Austen,

We just wanted to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for such a wonderful experience.

Dublin was great, and we enjoyed exploring it on our own (with your guidance notes of course)

But the trip really took off for us when Austen collected us from the Westbury.

Great scenery and brilliant commentary, without information overload.

All the hotels were superb and above our expectations.

But we think Sheen Falls was our favourite.

To travel around two such beautiful countries at our own pace was just so enjoyable.

We loved Scotland, but Ireland is just a very special place.

Thank you so very much and as we said we will be in touch about our trip in 2019.

Regards,

– Burt And Cindy Larong, Texas

If you are planning a trip to Ireland and Scotland, look no further than Ireland Scotland Luxury tours.

This was a High School graduation gift for my niece (she just completed her freshman year, first trip abroad).

She wanted to sleep in a castle, seeing Ireland and Scotland.

From the first call to Maurice every detail was attended to, and no detail was too small. The National Bird of Prey

experience is one we will never forget!

Austen took care of us from Dublin to Edinburgh. He was our driver, guide and joke teller extraordinaire. He

made my niece feel special on her trip, and enjoyed tea with my mother, while we braved seeing the giant

causeway, gusting winds and all.

Book with Maurice and he will take care of the details, so you don’t have to. He will make sure you have the

unique experience that you want. There is not a better way to see Ireland and Scotland than Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours!

-Anita Bost

We had been thinking of visiting Ireland for a number of years.

Then we came across Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours website.

Firstly, we reached out with a general enquiry and talked to Maurice.

He was excellent and suggested a 14-day tour of Ireland and Scotland.

The quote was very reasonable, and we decided to travel May 2018.

We have now returned home after the most enjoyable vacation you could imagine.

Every detail was worked out to perfection.

Our itinerary was spectacular and let us explore hidden gems all over both countries.

Our driver Colin was great fun and very accommodating.

The hotels were of a high standard and very well located.

What surprised us most was the food. It was delicious everywhere we went.

A big thank you to Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours for help us to realize our dream, and then some!

– Lisa And Barry Stoddard, Baltimore-

Our trip to Ireland was superb!

Thanks to all at Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours for making it happen.

Great hotels, great sights, great food, great fun.

The best vacation ever.

Thank you Nick, for all the driving and the hidden gems.

We will be back for sure.

– James & Evelyn McCreery, Baltimore

We are still jet lagged!

But we wanted to get our thanks to you for a truly amazing tour.

Ireland was fantastic.

The routes we took, the hotels we stayed in all exceeded our expectations.

The way to see the country is definitely using a chauffeur drive company.

Let’s you enjoy the scenery, takes the pressure of finding places – the only way to go.

Scotland was a surprise. I am glad we did it.

The ferry we took was so easy and very luxurious.

The journey was so quick.

Again, the hotels were superb, and the routes were so interesting.

Please pass on our thanks to Austen and Johnny.

We will be back soon.

– Steve & Betty Fairborough, Kansas

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[alert color=blue title=”Testimonial from Bill And Eleanor Riddle, New York” align=center]

We made a last-minute decision in March to visit Ireland and Scotland in April.

It was obvious it was going to be difficult at such short notice.

Then we contacted Maurice at Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours.

They made it happen, sorted our route, our hotels, and gave us a driver/guide.

The trip was exceptional, and we never expected to get the rooms we had let alone the hotels.

The route was perfect, and they had allowed for daylight and getting us comfortable before darkness fell.

We ate in “wee” pubs and restaurants and every meal was a success.

In 2019 we will be returning to Ireland and Scotland.

We have started planning now.

Look no further that Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours if you want a great trip.

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[alert color=blue title=”Testimonial from Frank & Jean Huffanagel, Dallas, Texas” align=center]

We have just returned from the most wonderful tour of Ireland.

Organized by Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours it was simply fantastic !

Our driver/guide Austen was unbelievable , full of knowledge and charm , and a very good driver.

The hotels were a great mix of castles and manor houses , and all 5 star luxury.

Ireland is probably the nicest place we have ever visited.

The scenery is breath taking and the people are wonderful.

Thank you Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours for the experience of a lifetime.

We will be back !

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[alert color=blue title=”Testimonial from Yvette O’Hagan, Boston” align=center]

My Friend Ruby and I had always wanted to visit Ireland and Scotland.

We were talking about it with friends and they recommended Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours.

From the first conversation with Maurice we felt comfortable and part of planning the trip.

The tour was even better than we expected.

Our route was brilliant, and we saw so much more than we ever thought we could. That was mostly due to our driver/guide Nicky.

The hotels were all superb and the food was excellent (especially the seafood).

Definitely the trip of a lifetime!

Thank you, Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours.

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[alert color=blue title=”Testimonial from George & Nancy Carter, Kentucky” align=center]

Two years ago we had driven around Ireland , planned our own route and hotels.

Most of the time we were lost , had our heads buried in a map , or trying to get a signal on our GPS.

This year we hired Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours to plan and execute our trip.

They were excellent.

Hotels were great , we saw a lot of “hidden gems” and it was very relaxing.

We concentrated on the West and South West and saw more than we could have hoped for.

We are already planning a trip to Scotland with them for 2019.

What more can we say !

We are now committed clients of Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours

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[alert color=blue title=”Testimonial From Ellen & Dennis Stanley, Greensboro” align=center]

Testimonial from George & Nancy Carter, Kentucy

Our trip to Ireland was the best touring vacation we have ever experienced. Maurice, the owner of the luxury travel company designed a personalized tour that exceeded all of our expectations for sightseeing, accommodations, and excellent tour guidance. Since we decided in August to take this trip in October, Maurice organized the wonderful tour in a shortened two month time frame.

Maurice provided us the best service we ever had in preparing for a trip. He handled all the arrangements for hotel reservations, booking us into beautiful luxury hotels with spectacular window views of marinas, waterfalls and a castle with views of a wooded river which were a travelling experience in themselves and far above the ordinary tour accommodations. He also developed a detailed touring schedule assuring that we experienced all the alluring and interesting places to visit and provided us with a personalized map indicating where we would be traveling . We weren’t at all familiar with Ireland and had many questions which Maurice answered pleasantly and efficiently.

A tour is only as good as the tour guide and Maurice provided us with the best. Austin our tour guide was delightful and was totally responsible for making our trip unforgettable. He is a warm, friendly, funny and kind- hearted person who immediately made us feel very at ease and comfortable. He significantly enhanced our experience by providing excellent background for the historical sites we visited, explaining the human history and the natural history of the beautiful countryside. He was indispensable in recommending places to eat and shop that allowed us to interact with the wonderful people of Ireland making the trip much more enjoyable. By the time the trip was over we felt we were good friends and we always remember him as a highlight of our trip.

If you desire to experience a tour of Ireland that encompasses all the best of this beautiful country and its delightful people, you can’t do better than touring with Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours.

Ellen and Dennis Stanley

Greensboro, North Carolina

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[alert color=blue title=”Testimonial From the Murphy Family, Boston” align=center]

Hard to even begin to put our celebrated trip into words, but here goes……

From the moment we landed and met Mo we were taken care of like family , and at many times , we felt elevated to rock star status.

We went where the tourists are not usually found , and saw Ireland through an amazing lens and through locals eyes.

We laughed our way through Isle of Green and packed it all it!

All accommodations exceeded our expectations.

Dinner suggestions along with must see points of interest were spot on –not to mention the hidden gems on the back roads that were always a great surprise.

Once we arrived in Scotland, Jonny also treated us like family and went out of his way to accommodate our requests.

St. Andrews was an add on and tailored to fit our needs , we once again saw the high points and did not get caught in the tourist traps.

We would highly recommend Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours , and are still giddy from our trip across the pond.

Maurice and his staff are knowledgeable , friendly , cheeky , and professional at the same time.

Nancy – Julie – Joe

Boston, MA

The Murphys

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[alert color=blue title=”Testimonial From Jim & Roxanne” align=center]

Waechter Testimonial

Waechter & Allhoff

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[alert color=blue title=”Testimonial From Bradley and Gluck, Newport Beach” align=center]

Maurice,

We got back safe and sound and now have fond memories of this holiday.

Having travelled all over the world , you were right , Ireland and Scotland are very special if you see the authentic stuff.

We had a wonderful trip despite the rain in both countries (to be expected I suppose).

Nick in Ireland was a really kind, good man with a lot of patience. He was most helpful in every sense.

Johnny in Scotland was an excellent guide who knew Scotland well.

Both drivers were great.

We truly enjoyed the beauty of Ireland and Scotland.

My husband finally saw the Dingle Peninsula – he was a happy man that day as we had perfect weather which enabled us to see for miles.

We loved in the hotel choices.

We had one of the best meals ever at Kinloch Lodge in Skye.

We also had time to visit my family in Belfast, Gleneagles and in Glasgow.

We covered a lot of miles and saw so much.

Thank you and your drivers for a wonderful trip.

Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours are a very professional outfit !

Sincerely,

Catherine Bradley

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[alert color=blue title=”Testimonial From Miranda & Kristen” align=center]

Hi Maurice,

Thanks so much for helping us plan our wonderful 10 day adventure to Ireland. Our first travel experience outside of the United States was made much easier with the help of Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours. The accommodations exceeded our expectations and the scenic views and sights were all stunning! Our driver Austen always made sure we got a true sense of the local culture and historical significance at each place we visited, in addition to avoiding some of the “tourist trap” crowds. He also kept us entertained with his Irish humor. We highly recommend your tour service and we are already planning our next trip to see Northern Ireland and Scotland!

Thanks!

Miranda and Kristen

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[alert color=blue title=”Testimonial From Matt and Carrie Miley, Mississippi” align=center]

Where do I even begin? We chose Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours because we read the REVIEWS and felt comfortable with what knew about Maurice and his team! We did not want to waste time with large tour groups, we wanted to see things that perhaps larger groups would not be able to, and we did not want to argue with each other over driving on the “right” side of the road/foreign roads/directions/maps! We ABSOLUTELY made the right choice with this company!

Austen was our guide and he is hilarious! He was ALWAYS on time, knew the areas well, knew the history, and we felt very safe and comfortable with him! Maurice planned a fantastic variety of places — having a combination of the must-see sights as well as some of the lesser known sights. Austen was realistic in knowing time frames and what works better. He suggested the BEST pubs/restaurants and we loved them all!

To keep this short, I won’t list our itinerary. This was our first trip there and we were celebrating my husband’s 40th birthday and our 13th wedding anniversary! Having a local Irish singer sing Happy Birthday to you was funny and memorable! We had a great time! We spent 14 days in Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Scotland, and I can’t tell you my favorite place because it was ALL amazing!!! Every hotel was great. Craft beers, the Cliffs, castles, golf courses, whiskey, ancient and recent history, Giant’s Causeway, Loch Ness, the food — I could go on and on and write several pages!

I really can’t say enough about how perfect the trip was! Everyone was nice! We look forward to another trip with Ireland & Scotland Luxury Tours in the future because 2 weeks was not enough time for us! Thank you, Mo, for a wonderful experience! You took the pain of planning away and made it very easy! We were able to relax and just enjoy the vacation – instead of being stressed about the details. Thank you, Austen, for putting up with us and being the best driver and guide!!!

You won’t regret choosing Ireland & Scotland Luxury Tours!

Matt and Carrie Miley (from Clinton, Mississippi, USA)

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[alert color=blue title=”Testimonial From Susen Blanton Dean, Carlsbad, California” align=center]

I booked with Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours on the recommendation of a friend.

They said that this company would look after us and make sure we saw the best of both countries.

It was actually far better than that!

Our driver Austin took care of us impeccably from the moment he collected us at the airport.

Our hotels were excellent and we loved every minute of the trip.

Our favorite place was Sheen Falls, though Ballynahinch Castle and Cameron House were not far behind.

These are top class hotels with all the charm you would expect in Ireland and Scotland.

If you want a tour of Ireland and Scotland that is truly high quality then I recommend these guys.

With all of the recommendations they will surely be busier than ever.

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[alert color=blue title=”Testimonial From Mr And Mrs Peter Treselt, California” align=center]

We were looking for a company that provided chauffeur driven tours of Ireland and Scotland.

We found Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours on the internet.

After making an enquiry through the website Maurice contacted us by email.

He also spoke to us by phone a number of times.

Working with him we created a tour that gave us everything we wanted and a little extra.

The hotels were all four star and above.

We got to see great parts of Ireland and then move onto Scotland.

Everything was of the highest quality.

Our driver/guides were fantastic. We had Austen in Ireland and Johnny in Scotland.

It was nice to travel with a true Irishman and a true Scotsman, and they know all the best spots to see.

If you have never been to these countries and want to see them properly then Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours is the company to use.

We are already planning to return as soon as possible.

Thank you all.

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[alert color=blue title=”Testimonial From Tara Blair, Dana Point” align=center]

We had a wonderful tour of Ireland with this company.

The itinerary was just what we had asked for.

The hotels were very good and the food was fantastic.

But the real success was the relationship with Austen our driver.

He made sure we saw the real Ireland, met the locals, and visited hidden gems.

To find ruined castles and churches on small back roads was exciting and we felt like explorers.

If you really want the trip of a lifetime look no further than Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours.

At first we thought the price was above our budget, but we took a chance.

We certainly got value for money…. And then some!

Tara

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[alert color=blue title=”Testimonial From Cheryl Blair Ballard, Dana Point” align=center]

We booked a tour of Ireland and Scotland to see these countries for the first time.

We wanted the freedom of a private tour rather than the time constraints of a coach tour.

What we got was a tour that gave us input into the sights and plans.

Ireland is beautiful and Scotland was equal if not better.

Dublin was interesting and Edinburgh castle was one of the best we have ever seen.

But for us Kylemore Abbey was the winner.

Our vehicle was roomy and comfortable and our driver was wonderful.

Hotels were great and the people were so friendly.

If you want to get the best from both these countries try Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours.

Cheryl

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[alert color=blue title=”Testimonial From Jane & Russell Oldfield, Toronto” align=center]

Dear Maurice ,

What a marvellous time we have shared with you !

Overall the trip was amazing.

The hotels in both Ireland and Scotland were amazing (above our expectations).

The itinerary was fantastic and we saw incredible sights.

Thank you for adjusting the trip as we went to let us enjoy the distilleries !

We enjoyed your jokes , teasing , and historical titbits.

You are an amazing ambassador for your country and culture.

Best wishes

Jane and Russell

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[alert color=blue title=”Testimonial From Ann Marie & Marc Neeb” align=center]

Maurice ,

A huge thank you for a great tour of Ireland and Scotland.

In particular we really appreciated your attention to detail and your commitment to making sure we got the best of the day.

The route was brilliant , the hotels superb , and the little places we stopped at were incredible.

We had a wonderful time in both countries.

It was definitely a 10 out of 10 experience.

We will recommend Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours to all of our friends and colleagues.

Regards ,

Ann Marie and Marc

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[alert color=blue title=”Testimonial From Janis Bell, Laguna Beach” align=center]

Hi Maurice ,

Just to let you know what a wonderful tour of Ireland we had with Austen.

The route was perfect and each hotel seemed better than the last (and the first one was good !)

We loved the North coast and Kylemore Abbey was just so special.

The breakfasts were huge and real quality , and the pub food was great too.

We liked the traditional Irish music sessions , and the locals who just get up and sing were brilliant.

I feel that we have seen the REAL Ireland !

Thanks for everything and we hope to see you in 2017.

Janis

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[alert color=blue title=”Testimonial From Tony Bottecchia, Toronto” align=center]

Just a quick email to say thank you for our tour of Scotland.

We had never been to Scotland before , and boy did we choose the right company to see it.

Our experience was top notch.

Favourite places were definitely Loch Ness , the Highlands , and Edinburgh.

But it was all great.

Thank you so much Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours.

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[alert color=blue title=”Testimonial from Scott & Lisa Colyer, Colorado Springs” align=center]

Our 2016 trip to Ireland and Scotland was absolutely top notch !

Maurice and his folks at Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours attended to all the details and went overboard to make sure our vacation was very special to us.

They planned our itinerary , selected our hotels , and gave us practical tips to get more out of the trip.

Our driver , Austen , was passionate about his job and very helpful.

We saw all the hidden gems and listened to the most incredible music in local pubs.

We would definitely recommend Maurice to anyone who wants to enjoy a luxury vacation on Ireland or Scotland.

Scott and Lisa

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[alert color=blue title=”Testimonial from the Ford Family, Wichita, Kansas – Jill Neff Ford” align=center]

When you go on holiday you want to relax have fun and make memories.

This can be done on your own to some extent.

You can even go with the group on a tour bus. You will no doubt see everything on the brochure.

However what about meeting local people and learning about the area you are visiting ?

The best way to do that is with a personal guide.

Ireland and Scotland luxury tours has done this for my family and I twice.

Ireland is a small country but cannot possibly be explored completely in a matter of a few days. It truly takes multiple times.

Maurice Dowle and his company are amazing and made sure our holiday was like none other.

You learn more about the area than is even written. You learn the truth about myths and legends (depending upon who you talk to !! ) , and see places that aren’t on a generic brochure.

He has special people on his team (thanks Austen) that cater to your specific areas of interest.

What better way to spend a holiday.

Plus you make new friends!

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[alert color=blue title=”Testimonial from Cecil & Diane Jun” align=center]

Dear Maurice,

Here we are, safely back home, listening to Irish drinking songs with a glass of Irish whiskey in hand, reminiscing on the wonderful week we had in Ireland. It is indeed sunshine in a glass! It is a drink that magnified our joy and happiness in the recalling of the beautiful countryside and the friendliness and unfailing helpfulness of everyone we encountered. We enjoyed Dublin and its history and celebration of 100 years of independence. We felt we had seen the essential beauty of the country and its people. From the beginning, (fraught with should we should postpone or not due to personal reasons) to the end, you have been a gracious host.

Go raibh math agat,

Cecil and Diane

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[alert color=blue title=”Testimonial from Julie & David Sharp” align=center]

Dear Maurice,

Many thanks for making our trip to Ireland such a pleasurable experience. The hotels were excellent, the scenery magnificent, the weather Irish, the crowds non existent, and we thoroughly enjoyed your company. We will have no hesitation in recommending you to our friends.

So glad to see that Connacht made it!

Keep collecting.

Best wishes,

Julie and David

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[alert color=blue title=”Testimonial from the Raisigs” align=center]

Just to let you know that we had a wonderful time in Scotland.

Johnny was a superb driver/guide and looked after us very well.

We enjoyed Loch Lomond and Loch Ness but the highlight was Stirling castle.

Our hotel in Edinburgh was also fantastic and the castle is a must see for any visitor to the city.

Thanks again for everything.

We will be back soon to see Ireland !!

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[alert color=blue title=”Testimonial from Linda & David Chaney” align=center]

Mo,

Once again you and your staff have gone above and beyond in making our second tour with your company one of pure bliss!! This trip was a gift to our granddaughter for her 16^th birthday. On our first phone call you listened to her wish list and then planned an itinerary that included as many of the sites/activities we could experience in our eleven day tour. Megan smiled her way through the entire trip and will cherish it forever.

Each day provided so many wonderful views, experiences and memories: the Highlands countryside, Ben Nevis, cruising on Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle, Cairngorms, ferry ride to Northern Island, Belfast, the murals, Ballintoy Harbor, Dunluce Castle, Giants Causeway, Titanic Museum, Galway, Kylemore Abbey, Cliffs of Moher, Sheen Falls, Dingle Peninsula, Kenmare, Falconry, Blarney Stone, etc ….

The wonderful hotels and castles you reserved for us were second to none; Cameron House, Bunchrew House, Culloden Hotel, Ballynahinch Castle and Sheen Falls Lodge. The accommodations, food, and staff at each were excellent. The schedule you created allowed us time to engage in a leisurely breakfast or dinner, the grounds and rooms. We especially enjoyed our time at Sheen Falls Lodge. Megan and David loved participating in the falconry activity. Thanks for suggesting it Mo!

Most importantly our drivers, Johnnie in Scotland and Austen in Ireland, were top notch! We never felt rushed and loved all of the history lessons they so easily and knowledgeably provided. They listened to our wants/needs and adjusted the day accordingly. It really made a difference knowing if we saw something that caught our eye, we could pull over and check it out.

We will continue to recommend your company to all that want the best of the best when touring Scotland/Ireland.

Take care,

Linda and David Chaney

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[alert color=blue title=”Testimonial From Deb Pierce” align=center]

Maurice, Sorry this took so long to send you. I realize our trip was almost three months ago, but I have just finished printing all my pictures! It was an amazing trip with views of Ireland I will never forget! Austen was the perfect driver and tour guide – just the right amount of traveling and time to rest so we could enjoy the fantastic sights and the incredible hotels! We felt so pampered. My husband has decided he wants us to stay at Sheen Falls and Ballynahinch the next time we can get to Ireland. Thank you for arranging such a great trip. Deb Pierce

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[alert color=blue title=”Testimonial from Shirley Marsden, New Jersey” align=center]

My husband and I, along with our friends, booked a tour of Ireland and Scotland through a company that was recommended to us.

That company was Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours.

From the point of booking to the journey to Edinburgh airport to catch our flight home it was excellent.

We saw the real Ireland and Scotland, met the locals, and made lifetime memories.

Castles, churches, coast, rolling hills, and rugged mountains – we saw them all.

The hotels were all excellent with huge breakfasts and sumptuous rooms.

We had nights in local pubs with live music and singing that were brilliant.

Our driver/guide (Austen) was simply the best.

He made sure we had a great time.

We will all now be recommending Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours to all of our friends.

Thank you guys…….

Shirley, Martin, Steve, and Audrey

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[alert color=blue title=”Testimonial from Mary Lou O’Mahony” align=center]

Hi Maurice

I wanted to send a big thank you to you and your company for our wonderful vacation in Ireland.

I am not sure which was my favourite part but I think the tour of the Beara Penninsula is at the top of my list.

The hotel’s were amazing and we had the best rooms with great views.

Once again thank you and I look forward to returning to your beautiful country.

Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours is simply the best !!!

Mary Lou

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[alert color=blue title=”Testimonial from Kate Lines, Canada” align=center]

Thank you Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours.

My five girlfriends and I recently spent a delightful week touring the south and north of Ireland with your driver, Austen.

From start to finish , our tour was wonderful – Dublin , Sheen Falls , Ballynahinch and Belfast.

Austen kept us entertained with his Irish wit and there seemed nothing too much to ask of him.

He was always agreeable to including last minute , happened upon , shopping stops and had a wondrous ability to find bathroom facilities in the middle of nowhere.

Our accommodations were top notch as well.

Thank you for so many memories of beautiful Ireland.

We will be back !!

Kate

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[alert color=blue title=”Testimonial from Kathy Hennessey Forshey” align=center]

A year ago, we were in Ireland. We had an amazing time and talk about it often. So blessed to have had the opportunity to experience the place where some of my ancestors came from. If your are looking to visit Ireland, I encourage you to look into Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours we had an amazing time and Maurice Dowle was an amazing tour guide. Mo, I hope to see you again some day!

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[alert color=blue title=”Testimonial from Michael H. Graham, MD, P.C” align=center]

Dear Maurice ,

This letter is to send a huge “THANK YOU” to you for putting together a wonderful trip through the Emerald Isle for the eight of us. We have all arrived home without incident and with great memories of sights seen , outstanding lodging , challenging golf , food and drink at a very high standard , all at a very reasonable price.

First , Brendan was fantastic as our driver. His 10 passenger Mercedes minibus was just right to accommodate all of our luggage and golf gear and was very comfortable as we travelled along with plenty of room inside. Entirely reliable and punctual to the minute , he is an excellent driver on those narrow roads and we always felt comfortable and travelled stress free under his management. Beyond that , however , he was an excellent guide as well. He has a wealth of knowledge about the history of Ireland and the places to visit , fitting them in nicely with our itinerary but always with plenty of flexibility and presenting choices for group decisions. Lunch spots were always in welcoming local pubs with interesting and entertaining histories. Moreover he has a cheery , positive personality which made travelling with him for two weeks a delight …… he is good craic !

You have mentioned using our itinerary as a model for others to consider. We agree. We all agreed that limiting golf to every other day , as you recommended , was much better than setting off in a mad rush to travel and play on a daily basis. The route took us completely around the island giving us the opportunity to experience the lush green country of the south , the rugged mountains around Killarney and Kenmare , the barren landscape of Connemara , the incredible and highly variable coastlines and the many picturesque villages and lovely towns and cities. Belfast with the Titanic Museum ….. not to be missed ….. the beautiful marbled city hall and the sadly divided neighbourhoods with their street murals. Lunch at the historical Crown pub was a treat.

All of the lodging was over the top and two nights at each stop , except the Sandhouse , was just right. Each place was unique , very comfortable and well run.

The golf courses were great and provided a nice mix of the “famous” ……. Royal Portrush and Ballybunion ….. with the “local” ……. Ardglass (what a gem) and Donegal. Each was unique and very much a fine golf experience.

I could go on but you get the point ….. we four couples were very happy campers on a trip that you provided that went off without a hitch , provided outstanding lodging and sightseeing with great golf and with a driver and guide who was a treat to travel with. MANY THANKS !

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[alert color=blue title=”Testimonial from Elaine Millar” align=center]

Maurice,

I just wanted to take a minute to thank you for the wonderful Irish vacation you planned for us.

Our accommodations were top notch. The golf, while hard for me, was truly worth every penny of it.

Brendan was an exceptional tour guide. He was friendly, knowledgeable and flexible, even taking Rick and I to Waterford to see the Waterford crystal tour. I loved that! We found the Irish people to be wonderfully helpful, friendly and fun loving.

So for us, it was two memorable weeks.

Thanks to you!

Best,

Elaine Millar

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[alert color=blue title=”Testimonial from Louie Carstairs, New York” align=center]

Maurice ….. all we can say is …..WHAT A TRIP !

You made this very special for all of us.

From the kids to the grandparents we all enjoyed the tour.

To see so much of Ireland and Scotland in just 14 days was remarkable.

But to see it in such a relaxed way was even more remarkable.

It was only when we looked at our tour map that we realized where we had been and what we had seen !

The hotels were fantastic and the food was even better.

Thank you so much.

We will be recommending Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours to all of our friends and as you know I am already planning a golf trip for next year with you.

Louie and the gang.

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[alert color=blue title=”Testimonial from Beverley and Stan Salsberg, Toronto” align=center]

Dear Maurice and Austen

On behalf of Beverley and myself I want to thank you for a job well done.

You promised a trip of a life time and you delivered !

We always felt loved and wanted in your presence.

The scenery is spectacular but the people are the ones that make Ireland special.

You and your staff are all that is wonderful about Ireland ,warmth , humor and the gift of the gab.

The places you took us to and our accommodations were top notch.

The golf was spectacular and is a life time memory.

Everywhere we went from Southern Ireland to Northern Ireland everyone knew Maurice and Austen and all greeted us with smiles and respect.

You have made this trip memorable and I would encourage anyone coming to Ireland or Scotland to use Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours.

Best Wishes

Stan and Beverley

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[alert color=blue title=”Testimonial From Carolyn and Howard Rose, Toronto” align=center]

Hi Maurice

Do you miss us?

We arrived home safely from our wonderful Ireland tour experience.

Thanks so much to you and Austen for providing us with such a well organized and yet flexible tour of your beautiful country.

The scenery was spectacular!

Austen’s stories gave us an additional history lesson!!!…

We appreciate all of the effort that went into this adventure.

Thanks also for the beautiful book of photographs of Ulster

Carolyn and Howie

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[alert color=blue title=”Testimonial from Paul & Jane Beer” align=center]

Guys,

Jane and I wanted to say a ‘big thanks’ for making her birthday trip such an enjoyable experience. From start to finish the trip was full of great memories and lots of beautiful scenery. How you managed to fix the weather like we had I will put that down to the luck of the Irish!

Thanks to Austen for his safe driving and great conversation. His life experiences and perspective added some great flavor which we both enjoyed.

General comment on the planning and booking process, Maurice, you made that the easy part and that is something that I expect sets your service apart. There was no hassle and you were open and flexible to changes as we did some more of our own research. Nice one!

Overall this was one of the best vacation experiences that we have had, thanks to you both for that! I would add that it was the first vacation without kids in a long time, that in itself was special.

Again thanks for everything, we will be recommending you to all our friends and family!

Great job, Paul and Jane.

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[alert color=blue title=”Testimonial from Eva Nightingale” align=center]Dear Raphael:

Since today is St. Patrick’s Day, we are thinking of you and the wonderful day we spent with you as our guide for a day trip out of Dublin on February 24, 2015.

Even though you could not control the weather we had a great time and appreciated your suggestions on how to make the most out of the limited time we had.

But even more important it was a great way to learn about the history and people of Ireland. Your enthusiasm for sharing your knowledge, humour and personal stories were better than any guide book.

We hope to return, with more time, and would live to have you guide us and educate us on other parts of the country on a tour of Ireland.

Good luck and we hope to see you again with Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours !

Regards,

Eva Nightingale

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[alert color=blue title=”Barbara Hennessey and “The Hennessey Clan”” align=center]Three generations of our family (8 of us) went on the trip of a lifetime …. an Ireland tour. I must admit that I was not sold on the idea of a tour guide in the beginning. My husband and I had visited Ireland a number of years ago, just the two of us, and we rented a car and went out on our own. It was a great trip, but years later, and a larger group, made me agree with my travel agent that this was the way to go. I am so glad we did. We had a wonderful time with no stress. Maurice took us to places that we would never have seen on our own. All of the hotels were taken care of for us and they were all great. Maurice was also very flexible with us. When we wanted to stop and shop, or change the itinerary just a bit, he would do so wherever possible. He had a great sense of humor which helped to pass the time as we drove from one destination to the next. Believe me when I say, this is the only way to go. This is the way for any tours of Ireland that you are planning. I would do it again in a minute. Thanks Maurice for the great time! Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours are the best !![/alert]

[alert color=green title=”Kathleen Weiss , Denver” align=center]My husband and I have just returned from the most wonderful tour of Ireland ! Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours planned a trip for our anniversary and it was magical. We stayed at castles , we saw stunning coastline and scenery , and we ate like kings. They could not have done any better……it was perfect ! If you are thinking of visiting Ireland , and it is a beautiful country to see , then look no further than the Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours team. They will create the perfect Ireland tours for all tastes and ages.[/alert]

[alert color=blue title=”Rick Palmer , Conneticut” align=center]My family and I planned our tour of Ireland through Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours this year. I didnt want to drive and we wanted somebody to take us to the “real Ireland” rather than the tourist hot spots. Maurice and his team created the most wonderful trip taking in all the “must see” attractions , but also all of the real hidden gems. Our hotels were superb and the food was excellent , but most importantly our driver/guide was simply the best. We saw the major sights but it was all the hidden castles , churches , beaches , and history that we will remember forever. If you are planning any Ireland tours then Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours is the way to go. We certainly plan to return in 2015 ![/alert]

[alert color=green title=”Carol Hogan , Chicago” align=center]From May 12-24th, 2014 my husband and I (from Chicago) along with my sister and her husband (from Philadelphia) took a two week tour of Ireland with Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours. There’s so much good to say it is hard know where to start. If you are busy person and need a stress-free, five star vacation in Ireland – this is your company. The process was seamless and painless. I talked to Maurice Dowle – one of the owners of Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours and gave him the general overview of what I wanted to do. This would be my third trip to Ireland (but everyone else’s first trip), so I had a general idea of what I wanted to see. Maurice sent me an itinerary that, almost without exception, I accepted on the spot. Even if you don’t know what you want to see in Ireland, trust me when I say that you can leave it completely up to this company and you will not be disappointed. This company and its employees have an in-depth understanding and knowledge of all areas of Ireland. You just need to tell them what kind of trip you want to have and they will custom build your itinerary. I also cannot stress how important it is to have someone drive you through Ireland. As I mentioned, on my last two trips to Ireland, I drove myself around and it was not fun. Having someone who knows exactly where they’re going and who knows exactly which roads are good and which roads are not, is really an invaluable asset. It also removes an enormous amount of stress and time lost from your vacation. We were lucky enough to get Maurice Dowle as our driver and guide. He was everything that you would expect Ireland to be. He is funny and friendly and talkative and has a very deep knowledge of what you need to see, do and eat in Ireland. And if anyone out there still believes that the food in Ireland is sub-par, they are in for a terrific surprise. We had some of the best meals of our life on this trip. The hotel accommodations, which were all chosen by Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours for us, were also top-notch. One of the intangibles that you also get by hiring this company is the ability to see an Ireland unobstructed by giant tour buses and thousands of tourists around the world all queuing up to see the same thing. While the Ring of Kerry is beautiful – it is no more beautiful than the ring of Beara, Slea Head Drive, or other amazing drives you can take on the island. We really felt like we had a private tour of Ireland. While we did hit a lot of the “touristy” spots, Maurice knew when to get there to avoid the coach tours clogged up the place. This was also invaluable to us. The bottom line is that our trip was everything we hoped it would be. And honestly, while these guided, private tours are slightly more expensive than some other ways of traveling through Ireland, once you do the math and add in a value for not having to drive yourself or figure out your own itinerary, it really is not that much more expensive and well worth the value. I am happy to talk to anyone about this company if you were thinking about taking a trip to Ireland. We really had an A+ wonderful experience[/alert]

[alert color=blue title=”David Harper , Philadelphia” align=center]Hi Maurice (Big Mo)! I have never given testimonials ever! , but I feel compelled to do so in this case. Maurice (Mo), our recent trip to Ireland was a trip of a life time for us. Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours is the best ! You knew all of the right places to go and when to go to them, the scenery was magnificent! However the only thing better than the scenery was (Mo), he quickly saw what we wanted to accomplish on the trip and the way we like to be treated, so he catered to that. Now mind you, he does like to stop for a scone and coffee every day, but saying that, he knew just where to stop for them ( a scone to keep ya going he would say…ha)! I would wish that everyone that visits Ireland could experience the same kind of two weeks that we did! Mo, thanks for your knowledge of Ireland and bad jokes…ha! You’re the best and it showed! Cheers! Dave Harper[/alert]

[alert color=green title=”Randy Ford , Wichita , Kansas” align=center]Maurice: I hope all is well and you had a good holiday season. I was going through some old emails and realized it was a little over one year ago we started the process of planning our tour of Ireland. I wanted to let you know how much Jill and I truly appreciate everything you did to make our trip a wonderful experience. From the first time we spoke you not only offered advice but more importantly you listened to what we wanted from our trip. With your advice and counsel you made this a memory we will never forget. We are anxiously looking forward to our next trip to your beautiful country. One final note, while we appreciated your listening to our wants you actually prevented me from missing what turned out to be the highlight of our trip by refusing one of my ideas. On the fourth day of our trip we were scheduled to visit Kylemore Abbey and I wanted to remove it from our plans. Fortunately, you insisted we go and our time spent there was truly the highlight of my trip that included so many other wonderful memories. Once again, thank you so much for your wonderful service and our new found friendship. Please keep in touch and we look forward to planning our next trip. Best Wishes, Randy Ford Wichita, Kansas[/alert]

[alert color=blue title=”Ed Blatter , Vancouver” align=center]My wife and I decided to take her mother to Ireland in October 2013. We contacted Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours , who were recommended by a friend in Toronto , and we were impressed from the first email. The planning , the hotels , the sights we saw , were all of the highest quality. They arranged a tour that allowed us to enjoy ourselves with some golf and fishing but let my wifes mother see some churches while we did. Their level of service was exemplary and I would advise anyone thinking of visiting Ireland to contact Maurice and his team. Their tours of Ireland are simply the best ![/alert]

[alert color=green title=”Tom Carter , Wisconsin” align=center]Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours planned our tour of Ireland in 2013. We had a wonderful time and saw the real Ireland in all its glory. Our driver/guide (Austen) was full of stories and history and nothing was too much trouble. The hotels that we stayed in were all quaint and authentic with very good with nice staff and very comfortable rooms. The places that we visited were just magical and we saw the major attractions but some memorable hidden gems. We ate in local pubs and restaurants and every meal was a treat. I strongly recommend Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours if you are thinking of visiting Ireland. Their Ireland tours are simply wonderful !!![/alert]

[alert color=blue title=”Ray Prentis , Louisiana” align=center]We decided to visit Ireland in 2013 as my wife Darla had dreamed of visiting Ireland since she was a child. A friend recommended Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours. They organised a romantic break for Darla and myself that we will remember for the rest of our lives. We stayed in castles , slept in four poster beds , had drinks in front of peat fires , and enjoyed eating like Irish kings. Though we saw a lot of churches , castles , and outstanding beaches , Kylemore Abbey just blew us away. If you want to see the real Ireland then travel with Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours…..simply outstanding. We are already planning another tour of Ireland in 2015 with friends , and it will definitely be with these guys ![/alert]

[alert color=green title=”Dan George , Boston” align=center]Our trip to Ireland in 2013 was planned from start to finish by Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours. All I can say it was a total success. A really unique Ireland tour for all the family. This company provided us with Stephen who was a great driver/guide , they booked hotels that were both comfortable and fantastically located. We saw some real hidden gems too. The restaurants they recommended were local and the food was wonderful. The music was great fun !! We are so glad that we asked them to organize our tour of Ireland. Definitely a five star experience all the way. If you want to enjoy Ireland then talk to these guys !! [/alert]

[alert color=blue title=”Declan Mahoney , Boston” align=center]Ireland in 2013 exceeded all of our expectations ! We had planned to visit the “old country” for a number of years and we came across Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours when we were looking into tours of Ireland. A chauffeur driven driven tour was not our first choice but as there was 6 in our party it actually was a reasonable option financially. The freedom it gave us was fantastic and our driver/guide blended in so much he just seemed like a family friend. At the end of the tour we considered Maurice more of a family member ! The hotels were exceptional and we really enjoyed our time in Ireland. Chauffeur driven tours are well worth considering for any Ireland tours , and if that is what you choose stick with the best “Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours”[/alert]

[alert color=green title=”Barry Visser , New York” align=center]Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours created the holiday of a lifetime for my wife and I this year. We were apprehensive about chauffeur drive , but what a great decision ! Everything was perfect from start to finish. The service begins when you arrive at Dublin airport and finishes when you check in for your flight home. The driver/guide was excellent and we have stayed in contact with Austen since returning home. The hotels were unique and simply perfect. There were a few that we didnt want to leave. If you want a tour of Ireland that takes you off the beaten track and lets you see the real sights and people , then look no further. Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours will be our first choice when we visit Ireland again in 2014 !![/alert]

[alert color=blue title=”Jimmy Dusiter , Texas” align=center]We found Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours on the internet and contacted them because we wanted a tour that was a little different to anything on offer from other tour companies. They created a tour of Ireland that included sightseeing , golf , sailing , and fishing. Everything we wanted and more. We even had the chance to try falconry. Some of the hidden gems we visited were spectacular and we were the only tourist there. Their choice of hotels and bases was ideal and our guides were all excellent. People had told me that the food in Ireland could be average but we had excellent food during our tour. From breakfast to dinner we ate very well and the soups and scones were our favorites. This company know how to treat clients and will make any type of Ireland tours the experience of a lifetime. [/alert]

[alert color=green title=”Burt Evans , Colorado” align=center]

We used Ireland Luxury Tours in 2013 with our good friends Tom and Angela Martin.

They provided a comprehensive tour of Ireland with great historical sights and beautiful scenery. All of our hotels were excellent and our driver was fun and yet professional with a good knowledge of Ireland and its people. It was the people of Ireland that impressed us most though. They are friendly , welcoming and fun.

Our food was good and we all thoroughly enjoyed our tour. We will certainly be recommending Ireland Luxury Tours to our friends. In fact Tom and myself might even get over for some golf in 2014 !

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[alert color=blue title=”Bill Clark, Washington DC” align=center]

My wife found Ireland Luxury Tours on the internet and we inquired about a tour of Ireland.

From that email until we received an email checking if we had got home safely , it was a truly wonderful experience.

A great driver/guide , a lovely vehicle , and an itinerary that allowed us to see a lot of Ireland without leaving us feeling rushed.

The hotels were all excellent and very unique.

The food was superb throughout , too good in fact , as we all gained a few pounds !!

The price was more than reasonable for the trip and we thought it was great value when we realised what we had actually paid for.

If you are planning an Ireland tour forget about coach tours and driving , the only way to see Ireland is with Ireland Luxury Tours !!

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[alert color=green title=”Andrew Coulter , Toronto” align=center]

We were looking for a tour of Ireland that was a little different.

In June 2013 we began working with Ireland Luxury Tours to find the most suitable tour.

We wanted to see some of the coast , churches , and castles plus a few hidden gems.

Maurice and his team came up with some great suggestions.

In October 2013 we arrived to spend the most wonderful 10 days in Ireland. Fantastic driver/guide , brilliant hotels , great local food and drink.

I want to thank Ireland Luxury Tours for creating the perfect (and I mean perfect !) Ireland tour.

We enjoyed ourselves so much we hope to return in the spring of 2014.

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[alert color=blue title=”Robert Newton, Arizona” align=center]

I arranged a tour of Ireland for my elderly parents , my wife , and myself through Ireland Luxury Tours and was delighted with the service provided.

Our driver/guide Austen was polite and knew a lot about the country and the history.

He made sure we had great hotels , great things to see , awesome local food and drink ,with live music thrown in.

They looked after everything and all we had to do was enjoy the trip. My parents fell in love with the place. They particularly liked Belfast.

We spent seven days in Ireland this year and will be returning for another ten days in 2014.

We will be travelling with Ireland Luxury Tours for sure.

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[alert color=green title=”Bert Ashby, New York” align=center]

We used Ireland Luxury Tours for our family trip to Ireland in October 2013.

All I can say is WOW !!

From the minute that they met us at Dublin airport until the moment we returned for our flight home we were treated like royalty.

Our itinerary allowed us to take a leisurely tour of Ireland and see a lot of hidden gems and local attractions. We visited places that we had never heard of and loved them all.

The hotels were of the highest quality and the breakfasts were amazing.

Our driver/guide James was knowledgeable and professional throughout and in the end we felt like we were visiting friends in Ireland , thats how these guys make Ireland tours feel.

We even got our pictures taken with Rory McIlroys trophies !!

If you want to see the real Ireland , meet the real people , and be treated like royalty then contact Ireland Luxury Tours.

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[alert color=blue title=”Mervin Levin” align=center]

We planned our trip to Ireland this year with the help of Ireland Luxury Tours.

They created a trip which let us see the real Ireland and experience the people and the culture.

Their choice of hotels , restaurants , scenery , and places to visit , was superb.

Our driver/guide could not have been more courteous or done more for us.

If you are planning any tours of Ireland these are the guys to make it happen.

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[alert color=green title=”Howell Cheek, Arizona” align=center]

We used Ireland Luxury Tours for our tour of Ireland in June 2013.

There were 3 couples and our driver was Austen.

From when we arrived at Dublin airport until we left the service was outstanding. The vehicle was a very comfortable Mercedes mini van and the routes allowed us to see the real Ireland.

Our hotels were fantastic and we even had upgrades to our rooms in some of them.
We ate at local restaurants recommended by Austen and the food was superb.
The highlight was staying in a real Irish castle !

We saw Kerry , Galway , Connemara , the North , and Dublin.

Ireland Luxury Tours certainly are the company for any Ireland tours and we will be recommending them to all our friends.

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[alert color=blue title=”Mr and Mrs Richey, Sugar Land, Texas” align=center]

My husband and I wanted to tour Ireland, but in our own way and in our own time.

I searched online and found “Ireland Luxury Tours” and Maurice Dowle.

What a trip! Maurice planned and executed our dream journey through the Irish countryside.

Superb accomodation (think estates and castles) , unbelievable food (off the beaten path pubs and restaurants ), and last but not least, incomparable tours with just the right amount of flexibility and blarney to keep us thoroughly entertained.

We arrived in Ireland as strangers to a foreign land , we left totally smitten and linked forever to this wonderful country and its people.

Maurice and Ireland Luxury Tours made it all happen. We couldn’t have done it without you!

Dr. LE and Shelley Richey[/alert]

[alert color=green title=”Diane Cannon, Laguna Beach”” align=center]

We used Ireland Luxury Tours for our trip to Ireland and Scotland in 2013.

They helped us plan a tour of Ireland that suited our requirements and they chose the most wonderful hotels to use as bases on our trip.

We began in Dublin , then onto Kerry (staying in the wonderful Sheen Falls Lodge). From Kerry we drove past the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren to our third base Ballynahinch Castle. We had fishing lessons here and just loved the castle and its setting. A real Irish castle

Then we travelled North and based ourselves in Belfast. That was a very pleasant surprise. The city is lovely and full of friendly people. We saw the most spectacular coastline in the North.

From Belfast we took a fast and luxurious ferry to Scotland.

In Scotland we visited Stirling castle and stayed in a hotel on the banks of Loch Lomond.

Then we travelled to Inverness and took a boat trip on Loch Ness. Again our hotel , the Loch Ness Country House , was awesome.

We finished our tour in Edinburgh.

Ireland Luxury Tours were simply wonderful throughout and i would not hesitate in recommending them to anyone thinking of taking a private Ireland tours or Scotland tours.

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[alert color=blue title=”Joni Fontaine” align=center]

My girlfriend and I used Ireland Luxury Tours and I must say it’s the only way to see Ireland and Scotland.

In 14 days we covered so much of both countries and even had time to stop at several pubs along the way. We started in Dublin and finished in Edinburgh.

It was quite simply superb…no driving , no thinking , just relaxing…..and the hotels were all perfect.

With the personal service and expertise, we highly recommend this tour for everyone…for all your Ireland tours and Scotland tours contact this company !!!!

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[alert color=green title=”Ian and Debbie Campbell, Australia” align=center]

I arranged a tour of Northern Ireland and Galway & Dublin for a group of 12 people using Ireland Luxury Tours, I cannot speak highly enough of Maurice Dowle and his team who worked closely with me over a 12 month period to ensure that we saw the best of Scenery , Cultural attractions , Historically important places, and of course the World Class links courses that abound in Ireland.

Maurice and his team were creative in the lodgings chosen for the group and the whole experience was wonderful . A fantastic tour of Ireland !!

At the end of the tour my wife and I extended our stay for 4 extra days during which I broke my ankle, the support provided by Maurice was wonderful and helped greatly in my overcoming of the disappointment of having to cut our holiday short. I and many of the group will certainly return and would not consider any tour operator other than IRELAND LUXURY TOURS.

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[alert color=blue title=”Jill and Randy Ford” align=center]

May 2013

Thank you so much to Maurice and his crew for a fantastic coastal tour of Ireland for our combination celebration of 50th birthday and 25th wedding anniversary.

It was our first visit but will definitely not be our last.

From step one at the airport to the final step at our hotel in Dublin it was a perfect trip.

Not only was each stop on our tour personalized just for us, it felt like you were having as much fun as we were.

The scenery was stunning and the stories quite memorable! Especially Aughnanure Castle and Ballynahinch Castle and the local pubs.

Your quips about the culture, the cuisine and the castles were spot on!

Our time spent in Ireland seemed idyllic since about an hour in Ireland means more than an hour and you don’t even notice it passing.

Also novices shouldn’t really drive in Ireland…………. leave your Ireland tours to Maurice!

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[alert color=green title=”Mike and Lyn Phillips, Australia” align=center]

Hi Mo, Just wanted to say a big thank you to you and your team for a great holiday experience on our tour of Ireland.

Our personalised tour was a mix of stunning countryside, Castle visits, Golf, outstanding accommodation and lots of fun, laughter and coffee with scone stops. Plus great hotels !!!

Your history knowledge tempered with witty anecdotes kept us all amused.

We appreciated not having to stand in lines for tourist spots, and loved the quiet drinks in the local pubs. Even the Bushmills Whiskey on the morning porridge will stay in the memories.

The extra touches you planned along the way indicated the professionalism of your attitute.

Best wishes Mo, I will keep the eyebrows jumping!

Mike and Lyn Phillips. Nelson Bay. Australia.

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[alert color=blue title=”Barbara Carson”” align=center]

Hi Maurice-

Hope this finds you and your family well. Please accept our belated, yet heartfelt thanks for your great care on our golf tour of Ireland.

We had to listen to our boys saying “We miss Maurice” all over Scotland! They may have just been thirsty and longing for another Baby Guinness or Magners?

Best wishes for a happy, healthy 2013.

Cheers!

Barb and the Carson guys

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[alert color=green title=”Pat and Hilder Patrick” align=center]

Congratulations on your Team Europe victory! What an amazing come-from behind. Hilda and I hope you were watching every moment, as were we.

Rory’s tardiness on arrival Sunday might have changed the entire end result. Perhaps he still needs a “chaperone” such as you to monitor things such as time zone differences.

Once again, thank you for your personal touch making our first visit to Northern Ireland such a pleasure.

Please do not ever get anywhere near Atlanta for whatever reason without letting us know so we can have an opportunity to repay your wonderful guiding and hospility.

“Pat” and Hilda Patrick

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[alert color=blue title=”Rita Law” align=center]

Maurice, Greetings from across the Pond

There is a gentleman, Dick Murphy, who runs Mrs. Murphy’s Irish Shop here in Sioux Falls, SD. A short time ago I stopped in and he told me that he very much wants to arrange a trip this coming Spring for a family outing in Ireland. He, too, believes that to see Ireland –Northern Ireland has to be part of the itinerary.

I told him how much Mary Jane and I loved traveling with you especially since you are a true Northern Irish. Wanted to contact you and make sure that Ireland Luxury Tours is still your passion. After all much can change in three years. Looking forward to your response, Maurice.

Toodles,

Rita

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[alert color=green title=”Ed Katz” align=center]

We had a great time with you.

Your tour of Belfast and the North Coastwas the highlight of our cruise.

Stay well.

I am walking now without the cane.

Be careful playing rugby.

Eddie

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[alert color=blue title=”Donna Nall, Atlanta, Georgia” align=center]

Hi Maurice,

We are back home in Georgia! I wanted to thank you for such an amazing trip.

You really went out of your way to make it special.

It is rare that you meet a person that can easily win over both the women and the men. You did it!

Don, Toni, Bonnie and Jeff were all so happy and that is what we were after. Of course, you made the trip memorable for Jimmy and me too. It felt like we were with an old friend.

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[alert color=green title=”Toni Davidson, Atlanta” align=center]

Thank you so much for making our trip to Ireland complete.

You evidently have a good business plan…client focus and satisfaction. We appreciated Maurice in every way. He was personable, flexible and as much a pleasure as the tour itself.

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[alert color=blue title=”Heather Connelly, ” align=center]

Hi Maurice,

I am sharing the email below from Heather Connelly, as I know only too well how nice it is to receive kudos for our hard work and diligence in arranging travel for our clients so they will have a wonderful, stress fee trip and a life time of memories. Sounds like you did your work well! Thank you for all you did to make this happen.

‘Belfast – the Europa Hotel was AWESOME!! I loved it! I loved the location, the room, the hospitality was absolutely out of this world! Everyone we encountered in Belfast was fantastic. Our guides – we loved them! Austen was fabulous and a great companion. He was so wonderful in moving the car around to make it easy as possible for my mom & Clem and eliminate uphill walking where possible. He was terrific. And they just raved about Mo, as well. They were really, really wonderful. I truly cannot say enough good things. I loved everywhere that we went (Scrabo tower was my favourite!) and the pace was “right on”. I wish I could go back I definitely recommend northern Ireland. I know folks are nervous (I was), but it was wonderful. I’m glad we went.’

Kind Regards,

Marina

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[alert color=green title=”Nacco Testimonial” align=center]

“Thank you so much, again, for all your help, support, and friendship, during our corporate event in Northern Ireland. The service you provide is exceptional, and helped make our dreams and ideas a reality. Nothing is ever too much trouble and your knowledge of the area, and understanding of what would work for us, is outstanding. We simply couldn’t have done it without you and your team. Thank you, until the next time!”

Kind regards,

Karen

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[alert color=blue title=”Richard Schmelzle” align=center]

Exactly a century ago two families, one from Belfast and the other from Hilltown, County Down, emigrated from Northern Ireland to Toronto, Canada. In the ensuing years, not one member from either family ever returned to visit their homeland.
A little more than twenty-five years later, the daughter of the Belfast family, Edith Dempsey, and the son of the Hilltown family, John Perry (Jack), met in Toronto, fell in love and married. And there, as the saying goes, our story begins. Edith and Jack Perry’s family consisted of five children – four daughters and a son. Although they were both very proud of their Irish roots, neither had any recollection of Ireland as Edith was born in Toronto and Jack was only four years old when his family left for a new beginning in Canada. Yet, they taught their children to appreciate their Irish heritage and to wear it proudly.

Over the years the children often talked of visiting Ireland. They had all married and now had children and grandchildren. The possibility of a group visit became a distant dream. But dreams can sometimes come true and in 2011 a plan came together to bring family members from: Arizona, North Carolina, Nebraska and Toronto to meet in Belfast for a family heritage visit to Ireland by the four sisters.
A tour operator was located and plans began to evolve. It became clear that the most viable idea was to hire a company to chauffeur the group. A tour company was found and engaged. It was at this point that the entire trip began to unravel. In order to travel in a mini-van, the travellers would be allowed only one backpack each – as there was not sufficient room for luggage. The itinerary was crowded and little time would be left to see important places. Every day there was a new problem to solve. We were only a few weeks from our departure date. Would our trip become untenable?

A conversation with an ex-pat Northern Irelander led to a telephone call to England and an enthusiastic recommendation of Ireland Luxury Tours. Maurice Dowle quickly responded to our pleas for help even though he had no expectation of becoming our tour guide. His excellent knowledge and confident recommendations brought instant logic to our itinerary. He suggested a larger vehicle with ample legroom. He worked with us for several days fine-tuning our itinerary. It became obvious to us that we should use Ireland Luxury Tours. The decision was made – and we are totally delighted with it.

Day One – Dublin and Hilltown
Some of our group were arriving in Belfast, others in Dublin. Maurice suggested that he would bring the group from Belfast with him to meet the others in Dublin. This manoeuver virtually gave an additional day for sightseeing.

Indeed, we were able to visit Hilltown on our way back to Belfast. In Hilltown, we found the exact location where our Father’s family had lived. The view of the Mountains of Mourne was exactly as our Aunt had described it to us. Maurice talked to a local couple who told him of an old church and cemetery nearby (which we would have never found on our own!). We knew that our Father, our Grandfather and our Great-Grandfather had been born near Hilltown and were thrilled to find graves clearly marked “Perry”. Maurice then took us to Dundrum Castle where the Lord of the area, which included Hilltown, had resided. A perchance meeting with the caretaker of the castle grounds added additional information to the visit. Imagine our delight, only a few hours in Ireland and already we had found valuable family history! Elated, we continued our journey to Belfast.
Day Two – The Giants Causeway, Dunluce Castle and Bushmills

A relaxing evening, a very sound sleep, a delicious Irish breakfast at the Europa Hotel and we were ready for a day of exploring the East Coast and Giants Causeway. We were totally entralled with the beauty of this “Emerald Isle”. The perfectly laid out fields of green, hedges trimmed to perfection, quaint houses and the rugged coast. The drive was spectacular, puctuated by our “ohs” and “ahs”. Soon we arrived at the Giants Causeway – a sight that must be seen to be appreciated. The legend of Finn MacCool as recounted by our tour guide entertained us as we travelled to the rock formations. Even a sudden rain shower didn’t dampen our spirits. Dunluce Castle is definitely not to be missed. The history and rugged beauty of its surroundings are incredible as are the views of the west shore from the castle . Maurice knows his history and shared interesting facts and tidbits as we toured the grounds. It was definitely time for lunch and the Bushmills Inn was the perfect spot to enjoy the local offerings.
Our relaxing drive back to Belfast included wonderful shoreline scapes and were highlighted by Maurice’s sidebars – including local facts and Dowle humour. We arrived back in time for a tour of Belfast and a scrumptious dinner at the Crown Bar – which, of course, included Sticky Pudding for dessert.

Our evening also included a taxi ride to the addresses where our Mother’s family had lived. Once again, a wonderful surprise awaited us. We were able to locate two addresses where our Grandmother’s family had lived. The houses on Bradenburg Street were boarded up ready for urban redevelopment but were still standing as they had be in 1900. The Acton Street houses were exactly as they would have been when our Grandmother’s family lived there! It was absolutely magical to be transported back in time to see them as they have been for 100 years. Thus, Day Two also gave us another heritage gift and additional pieces to add to our family story.

Day Three – Campbell College, Magheraveely, a Boat Trip, Devenish Monastery and Ballynahinch Castle.

I had expressed to Maurice that C.S. Lewis is a favourite of mine and that I hoped to see the statue of him in Belfast. Always the consumate guide, Maurice explained that Lewis had attended Campbell College – and Maurice just happens to be one of the Campbell College Rugby Coaches. Before leaving Belfast, we were whisked off for a tour of the campus, where Maurice showed us the famous lampost from Lewis’ stories and told us little-known anecdotes about the famous author. Our brother-in-law also has family roots in Ireland and a stop in Magheraveely was included. As we travelled by private boat to the 4th Century Monastery on Devenish Island, Maurice, always the gallant host, provided a picnic lunch for us to enjoy. Then it was on to Ballynahinch Castle where another amazing surprise awaited us. Our brother had not been able to join us for this trip – or so we thought – but when we arrived at the castle – our brother and nephew were waiting for us. Once again, all of the arrangements had been managed by Maurice.

Day Four – Aughnanure Castle. and family time over dinner at Ballynahinch Castle.

We spent two wonderful days with the entire family together at the Ballynahinch Castle, visiting Aughnanure Castle and shopping in Galway. Our time could not have been better. All, of course, arranged by Maurice!

Day Five – The Connemara Mountains, The Cliffs of Moher, and The Burren.

Our family time was over all too soon as our brother and nephew had to return home. It was a very short, yet absolutely perfect visit. Once again, thanks to Maurice for arranging all of the details. As they left for home, we journeyed on to visit the Cliffs of Moher, the towns of the Beara Peninsula and Kenmare. arriving in Kinsale – a picturesque fishing village on the west coast. Once again, Maurice found the perfect place for a delicious dinner. It was a balmy evening and after dinner we enjoyed a short walk around Kinsale.

Day Six -The Ring of Beara

This would be our final day of travel. We have fallen in love with the beauty of this Isle and want to drink in all that we can before we have to leave.

Day Seven – Dublin

We want to be in Dublin early so that we can enjoy as much of the city as possible. Maurice would be leaving us there and we plan to explore the city on our own before boarding our flight home early the next morning. We have not had nearly enough time but that means that we must return for another visit very soon.

We cannot say enough about how excellent Ireland Luxury Tours and Maurice are. Maurice wisely advised us not to try to do too much. He was absolutely correct. By pacing ourselves, we were able to be relaxed and well-rested. A fuller schedule would surely have drained us and we would have missed so much.

We highly recommend Ireland Luxury Tours. We know that any of their capable tour guides would have given us an amazing tour.
We cannot say “thank you” often enough. The Perry Family Heritage Tour of Ireland not only met but greatly exceeded our expectations. Thank you Mr. Dowle!!

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[alert color=green title=”Ruth Dewitt” align=center]

This testimonial is very late but heartfelt. This summer on a tour arranged by Sandra Fraser, you were kind enough to be our host. We had a wonderful day exploring and seeing sights that we could not have seen on a large tour bus. We look at the pictures we took and marvel at the sights. Thanks again.

This was a delightful party of people from a cruise ship that visited Belfast and took one of our extended Belfast tours.

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[alert color=blue title=”Mehendra Daga, New Dehli , Boston” align=center]

First of all let me assure you that our tour of Ireland was very satisfying.

And your role in making our trip a memorable was excellent. We did enjoy your company; our coffee breaks, pubbing and then our wine dinners and of course “one more” (picture).

But I do not want to miss out on the many beautiful spots that we saw.

We are certain you too will remember for long the favorable weather conditions that we were fortunate to have. I believe it is rather rare to go through 10 days of weather god smiling on us.

With all the best and warm regards from both of us,

Mahendra

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[alert color=green title=”Petra Pazurikova” align=center]

I just want say big thank you for organizing our whole customer visit in Dublin and Edinburgh. Everything was prepared whithout any problems.

The hotels and restaurants was choosed very smart and was very „stylish“. Also program was according time selected very appropriately.

Our customers was satisfied and that was our goal.

Thanks one more time.

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[alert color=blue title=”Robbert Winjnandts” align=center]

Hi Maurice,

What an enjoyable trip we did with Ireland Luxury Tours!

ILT has a well-known reputation within our company with large groups of business people for years now.

This time we booked for a smaller group of 11 business people.

On time pick up as agreed, professional socially well-developed skilled driver. (Stephen you’re the best!)

ILT can prebook the best rooms in best hotels for you, not to mention the best restaurants. No problems with unexpected changes in the schedule, unknown flexibility.

I would recommend ILT to anybody planning to do a trip to Ireland.

Till next time!

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[alert color=green title=”Sandra Fraser”” align=center]

Hello Maurice,

Ken and I thought about you today while we were watching Rory win the golf tournament and become the #1 golfer. We still thank you for the wonderful Belfast tour.

It was great to visit the Portrush Golf Course and also see such wonderful beautiful sites in the area. You will certainly be the company our travel agency uses when we have people requesting Ireland tours. You made it so much fun. You and our friend Carol made our tour fun. Her husband had just died a few months prior to the cruise (he was a wonderful man) so it was great that you and she had this fun conversation going on during our tour. We do not see her that often because she lives about 4 hours north of us but we hope to see her this spring when we get up north to her area. I will be in touch if we have clients in the Belfast area. Thanks again for the wonderful tour.

Sandra Fraser

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[alert color=blue title=”Wilson and Elaine Coulter, Arizona” align=center]

Recently, my wife and I and four additional members of our families had the enviable opportunity to visit Ireland. Our objectives were to enjoy the incredible beauty of the emerald isle and to discover the roots of our families.

Our seven day tour of Ireland turned out to be the experience of a life time for all of us and the success of our trip was largely due to our driver, trip advisor and, at times our confidant.

Maurice was an excellent driver and had extensive knowledge of this glorious island.

He planned and brought to fruition a tour of Ireland which more than met our highest expectations.

In addition, he was a wonderful communicator and he kept all of us well informed of our surroundings along with delightful of his unique Irish humour.

If any of us were to return to Ireland for a second tour, Maurice would be our first, second and third choice to be our tour director. If you miss Maurice, you have missed the best!

Wilson and Elaine Coulter,

Cave Creek, Arizona, U.S.A.

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[alert color=green title=”Jana Flashing, Chicago” align=center]

Ireland Luxury Tours went above and beyond our highest expectations on every aspect of our tours. Our guides gave us just the right amount of information and history, showed us the main sites on a schedule that avoided the large tour crowds, and took us off the beaten path to some little “gems” we would not have seen otherwise. Maurice and the other guides really know their country and have a passion and pride about Ireland that is contagious. We will definitely be contacting Ireland Luxury Tours again when we return.

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[alert color=blue title=”William Davin, Washington” align=center]

“My Mother and I hired Ireland Luxury Tours to conduct a 5 day private Ireland tour of Counties Mayo and Galway.

We enjoyed it very much and would highly recommend Ireland Luxury Tours.

The tour guide was professional and very knowledgeable. He was very enthusiastic about helping us locate the places in County Mayo where our ancestors are from.

I also liked it being a private tour (as opposed to a group tour on a large bus) where we were driven in an SUV.

A lot of Ireland’s roads are very narrow and it is hard for large buses to drive on them.”

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[alert color=green title=”Sharon Lindner, Ontario” align=center]Comments: I have just returned from a two week golf trip with three girlfriends. Maurice and our other driver Austen made this first trip memorable and unforgetable. They were both so knowlegable,accomadating, and eager to please and were the epitomy of Irish hospitality.Everything was first class from start to finish and it was so relaxing not having to worry about driving, organizing tours or making dinner reservations. I can’t imagine my next trip to Ireland without them!![/alert]

[alert color=blue title=”Sandra Fraser” align=center]

Maurice,

How lucky I was to find Ireland Luxury Tours with Maurice for a tour of the Irish countryside.

I live in a development with many golf course street names. Our street is Portrush, so when I realized how close we would be to Portrush Golf Course while on a British Isles cruise, I started looking for a tour company that would take us to the golf course for a stop and pictures along with seeing castles, the Giants Causeway and other scenic vistas.

And then I found Maurice and Ireland Luxury Tours.

We were a group of 15 who had never been to the Belfast area before.

Maurice customized a tour for our group.

He and David met us at the Belfast cruise port and we were on our way.

We were able to spend time and have pictures at Portrush Golf course, see Giant Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and Dunluce castle.

We had lunch at Bushmills Distillery and then continued along the coast to see more beautiful scenery.

Maurice really customized the tour for our group which was very important to our group. He and David were terrific tour guides/drivers. You will love Maurice’s sense of humor and his knowledge of the area.

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[alert color=green title=”Carol Kay, Michigan” align=center]

On a recent cruise of the UK, we got tired of the ho-hum group trips offered by the cruise line and opted for a private tour when visiting Belfast.

We had an outstanding, personalized, informational and entertaining fun tour that day.

Maurice did a great job of taking us on a Belfast tour and beyond , where we had a chance to visit some great attractions including the Giants Causeway.

He’s very informative and knowledgeable about the area and I had a great time teasing him throughout the day. He took it in his stride and even offered a few zingers of his own!

Our whole group really enjoyed ourselves that day and I think Maurice enjoyed us, too!!

Our Belfast Tour was definitely one of the great highlights of our trip. I highly recommend this company for a personal tour! It was definitely a great change from the “not-to-exciting” cruise ship tours.

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[alert color=blue title=”Rick and Theresa Sands, Michigan” align=center]

HI,

To those interested in visiting Belfast we highly recommend that you contact Maurice.

On a recent trip Maurice shuttled us around to the main tourist attractions and to places that allowed us to get a real feel for the country and the people.

Not only was Maurice extremely professional he was very knowledgeable and entertaining .

It definitely was the highlight of our trip to the British Isles.

Contact Maurice to arrange your tours of Belfast or tours of Ireland.

Rick and Theresa

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[alert color=green title=”Bonnie McCall” align=center]

Maurice—–Wanted to thank you for a wonderful day under your tutelage.

I was with the group led by Sandra Fraser.

You got us into and out of the attractions when there was less traffic, gave us some a running commentary of interesting facts, what we needed to know, without boring us.

Your choice of the Bushmills Inn was enjoyed by all. Thanks again for a beautiful peek of Ireland. Have brought home some great memories.

Bonnie McColl from Michigan, USA

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[alert color=blue title=”Karen Whitear” align=center]

Dear Maurice

Our event transfer requirements were quite complicated, but I could relax knowing that you were in control, organised and professional. Your attention to detail and care of my guests ensured that our event went without a hitch. You and your staff conducted themselves always in a professional and courteous manner, often going beyond the call of duty to provide additional support or advice.

Thank you for all your support, it was a pleasure doing business with you.

Kind regards

Karen Whitear

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[alert color=green title=”Dave Boswell, Vancouver” align=center]

It’s time we sat down to tell you how very much we enjoyed the tour, and your company. The itinerary you put together for us helped to make our trip memorable and the highlight of our European vacation. Your easy-going style and knowledge of the Irish countryside helped give us insight into the Ireland not typically seen by tourists. This was one of the main criteria we set for you during our discussions prior to signing on with Ireland Luxury Tours and you managed to exceed our expectations. An Ireland tour to remember !!!!!

We hope that’s not too long for a testimonial… We have been asked a hundred times already what part of the vacation we liked the best. “Debs”

and I have both decided that our Ireland tour was, for us, the highlight.

We were honoured that you would take us to your home to meet your family.

You have a remarkable family to be able to greet strangers so graciously.

You helped to make us all feel like friends roaming the countryside not a tour guide and clients. You’ll be happy to know the “package” arrived safely and all contents were intact. We have spoken of you often and fondly since our parting in Dublin. We’ve even taken to watching the odd rugby match!! The “quiet man” hat looks pretty good in the convertible too!!

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[alert color=blue title=”Jeff and Shauna Fortin” align=center]

We have travelled much of the world, seen lots

If you want a trip you won’t forget

If you want to see the “real” Ireland

If you are looking for real value

For just a bit more than the crowded bus tours on Ireland tours

Treat yourself to see Ireland with Maurice and his team

A once in a lifetime experience

Jeff and Shauna Fortin

CHILLIWACK BC Canada

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[alert color=green title=”Pat Patrick” align=center]

Thank you for organizing my recent Northern Ireland tour. All the golf arrangements went off without a hitch.

Portstewart is wonderful. We received a cordial welcome and enjoyed a great lunch in the grill room overlooking the course. Our caddies were noteworthy. Not only were they invaluable in helping us with the task at hand, they were also personable and welcoming members of the club. Despite that, they could not control the weather, and agreed with us to leave the course as hail began to fall on the 15th tee!

High winds and rain also accompanied us most of our round the next day at Royal Portrush. Once again, our caddies not only helped us immeasurably confronting the challenges of the course, but also helped us confront the challenges of the weather. They, too, were members of the club, and great ambassadors. Stephen played also and was very helpful.

Finally, at Royal County Down, the rain subsided, but not the wind, which actually intensified. Once again, our caddies made the difference, not only in our scores, but especially in our enjoyment of the experience.

But the best part of our tour was our driver/guide, Stephen Burnside. Simply stated, Stephen was fantastic. Personable, polite,flexible, advisory,knowledgeable, interesting, and punctual.

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