Authentic Local Experiences:
- August 1– 22departures will have reserved seats for The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. All other departures will experience an exclusive Scottish Evening with dinner and traditional entertainment.
- Sample a wee dram as you explore whisky making at Blair Athol Distillery.
- Visit a traditional farm to see sheepdogs demonstrate their skills at herding sheep.
Dining Experiences:
- 13 hot breakfasts (B), 2 lunches (L) and 8 dinners (D)*
- *Meal counts vary on Tattoo departures, as the Scottish Evening is replaced with the Tattoo and an independent dinner.
Trip Highlights:
- Blarney Castle
- Cliffs of Moher
- Dublin Castle
- Edinburgh Castle
- Inveraray Castle
- Irish Night in Dublin
- Medieval Castle Banquet
- Ring of Kerry
- Scottish Evening*
- Sheepdog Demonstration
- Skellig Experience
- St Andrews
- Titanic Belfast
Hotels:
- Sandman Signature Glasgow Hotel, Glasgow (1)
- Ballachulish Hotel or Isles of Glencoe Hotel, Ballachulish (1)
- Muthu Newton Hotel, Nairn (1)
- Atholl Palace Hotel, Pitlochry (2)
- Norton House Hotel & Spa, near Edinburgh (2)
- Clayton Hotel Ballsbridge (or Maldron Hotel Kevin Street – Monday departures) Dublin (2)
- Killarney Towers Hotel (or Gleneagle Hotel – Monday departures), Killarney (2)
- Clayton Hotel Limerick, Limerick (1)
- Academy Plaza Hotel (or Ashling Hotel – Monday departures), Dublin (1)
day
1
Glasgow Tour & Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
Your tour departs from your hotel at 2:00 PM on a panoramic tour of the highlights of Glasgow, a city built on industry but now known for its stunning Victorian architecture and creative cultural scene. Visit Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, housing one of Europe’s finest art collections. Enjoy a welcome drink with your group at the hotel, then you are free to explore the city and dine as you wish.
day
2
Loch Lomond & Inveraray Castle
Embark on a cruise of Loch Lomond with views of Highland peaks. Stroll through Inveraray and have lunch on your own before touring Inveraray Castle, which you may recognize from Downton Abbey. Drive through Glencoe, considered one of Scotland’s most beautiful places, and on to Ballachulish on the shore of Loch Leven. Dine at your hotel this evening. (B, D)
day
3
Isle of Skye & Loch Ness
Travel through the breathtaking Highlands, crossing the bridge to the Isle of Skye. Enjoy lunch at Sligachan with stunning views of the Cuillin Hills, and visit the Sligachan Old Bridge, famed for its legend of magical waters. Pause for photos at the iconic Eilean Donan Castle before traveling along the shores of Loch Ness to your hotel for dinner. (B, L, D)
day
4
Culloden & Sheepdog Demo
Visit the Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre to learn about the historic battle. Walk around the serene moorland to see monuments commemorating the troops. Immerse yourself in rural life at a local farm as you watch dogs herd sheep. Travel on for dinner at your gracious manor-style hotel near Pitlochry. (B, D)
day
5
Blair Castle & Whisky Tasting
Visit Blair Castle, home of the Dukes and Earls of Atholl. Delve into the history of Mary, Queen of Scots, Bonnie Prince Charlie, and how Queen Victoria’s famous stay led to the creation of Europe’s only private army, the Atholl Highlanders. Go behind the scenes at Blair Athol Distillery for a tour and sample of the finished product. Spend the afternoon at leisure exploring the hotel gardens and museum, or browsing around Pitlochry town. Dine at your hotel this evening. (B, D)
day
6
Glamis Castle, St Andrews & Scottish Evening
* Visit Glamis Castle, the legendary setting of Macbeth. Head to St Andrews, the “Home of Golf”. See the famous Royal and Ancient Clubhouse and the Old Course on a panoramic drive. Enjoy a traditional Scottish evening with dinner and entertainment. August 1 – 22 departures enjoy an evening free to dine independently. (B, D*)
day
7
Edinburgh Castle & City Tour
Take a panoramic tour of Edinburgh, from the narrow lanes and medieval townhouses of the Royal Mile to the elegant mansions and wide streets of the 200-year-old Georgian “New Town”. Tour the imposing Edinburgh Castle with its splendid views of the city. The rest of the day is free for independent exploring, shopping, and dining. August 1 – 22 departures attend The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on the Castle Esplanade. (B)
day
8
Belfast Ferry, Titanic Belfast & Dublin
Say farewell to your Scottish guide and embark on a ferry ride to Belfast. Immerse yourself in the history of the Titanic through displays at Titanic Belfast. Drive on to Dublin, where you have a free evening to explore the city’s excellent restaurants and famed pubs. (B)
day
9
Dublin Castle & Merry Ploughboy Pub
Explore Dublin independently on a Hop-On, Hop-Off bus tour, and choose one of four top attractions to visit with your included voucher: Guinness Storehouse, the GPO Museum, Teeling Whiskey Distillery, Jameson Distillery Bow St. Experience, or EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum. At 2:00 PM meet your new Irish tour director and tour group in the hotel lobby. Join a local guide for a panoramic tour of the city, then visit Dublin Castle to see its grand State Apartments and discover the fascinating role this building played in Irish history. This evening enjoy a traditional Irish dinner and show at Merry Ploughboy Pub. (B, D)
day
10
Blarney Castle & Killarney
On the road to Blarney Castle, stop for a photo opportunity at the Rock of Cashel along the way. You might choose to climb the steep winding staircase to kiss the famed Blarney Stone, which legend says will give you the gift of the gab. Drive through Macroom, built around a fine old castle, and into County Kerry where the scenery becomes more mountainous. Arrive in Killarney, picturesquely set beside lakes with Ireland’s highest mountains, Macgillycuddy’s Reeks, forming a backdrop. Check into your hotel and relax before dining there with your group. (B, D)
day
11
Ring of Kerry & Skellig Experience
Take the Ring of Kerry drive—a winding route with awesome mountain and coastline views. In the beautiful Gap of Dunloe, visit our CIE Tours preferred shopping partner, Moriarty’s. Enjoy lunch before crossing to Valentia Island and the Skellig Experience, which describes nearby islands. Watch a demonstration of highly skilled dogs herding flocks of sheep. Spend a free evening in Killarney. (B, L)
day
12
Cliffs of Moher & Medieval Castle Banquet
Take a ferry across the River Shannon and visit the Cliffs of Moher, a spectacular wall of sandstone that reaches high above the Atlantic. Check into your hotel, relax and enjoy free time before heading out for a memorable medieval-style feast complete with songs and harp music evocative of the Middle Ages. (B, D)
day
13
Galway & Dublin
Drive north to Galway for a panoramic tour of the city with free time to explore. Travel across the country to Dublin. Spend the final night of your tour independently exploring the pubs in the lively Temple Bar area or experiencing one of Dublin’s fine restaurants. (B)
day
14
Tour Ends in Dublin
Your tour ends after breakfast. (B) B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner>Have Questions? Email Us
