Celebrating 70 Years
Of Great Vacations

ESCORTED COACH TOURS - IRELAND & BRITAIN

From $1,941
(Including Land & Air)

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• Scottish Dinner & Cabaret
• Doyle's Irish Cabaret
• Bunratty Castle Banquet
• Glenfiddich Distillery
• Stop in St. Andrews, "Home of Golf"
• Farmhouse Tea & Scones
• Ring of Kerry & Cliffs of Moher
• Jaunting Car Ride

Click on the phrases below for full details:

• Your Day-by-Day Itinerary
• What Your Tour Includes
• Your Hotels
• Departure Dates & Rates
• Early Payment Discount
• General Conditions for All Tours

"The scenery and beauty of the places we visited in both Ireland and Scotland was breathtaking. The tour guides were outstanding in their efforts to make sure we enjoyed our trip. We can't praise CIE's efforts enough, on all counts, to make this a wonderful experience for us."
~ Judy & Irv W., Oceanside, NY

Day 1: Depart U.S. for Glasgow
Depart U.S. on your overnight flight to Glasgow, either traveling direct or via London.

Day 2: Glasgow Arrival
Arrive in Glasgow Airport where your CIE Tours guide or representative will greet you. Complimentary hotel transfers depart Glasgow Airport at 8:00 am, 10:00 am and 12:00 noon. Passengers arriving later will transfer to the hotel at their own expense. At 3:00 pm take a coach tour around the main attractions of Glasgow. See the red sandstone Victorian buildings and some of the delightful parks. Pass Glasgow Cathedral and the River Clyde, once famous for its shipbuilding industry. Visit the extensive Museum of Transport featuring many Scottish inventions. Chat with your guide and fellow travelers over a welcoming drink before dinner. (D)

Day 3: Stirling Castle & Glen Coe
Depart Glasgow and visit Stirling Castle, first erected 900 years ago. Its location on a rocky crag was vital for control and defense of the Forth River valley. It became a royal residence for the House of Stewart where Mary, Queen of Scots, was crowned in 1543. Drive through the Trossachs, a scenic region of wooded hills and small lochs that is associated with Rob Roy MacGregor. Continue your journey across mysterious Rannoch Moor and through Glen Coe, a spectacular glen made famous by the massacre of the Clan Macdonald in 1692. At the end of the glen arrive at Loch Linnhe, an inlet of the sea, and check into your hotel in Ballachulish. (B, D)

Day 4: Isle of Skye
Drive through Fort William and past the Glenfinnan Monument to Mallaig. Take a short ferry ride to the Isle of Skye, made famous by Bonnie Prince Charlie's flight after his defeat at Culloden Moor. Visit the Clan Donald Visitor Centre in Armadale Castle that narrates the story of the Macdonald Clan and the history of Skye. Drive across part of the island and return to the mainland by the Kyle of Lochalsh Bridge. Stop for photos at the romantic Eilean Donan Castle set in Loch Duich before driving through dramatic scenery around Glen Shiel and Invergarry. Return to your hotel through Fort William. (B, D)

Day 5: The Great Glen & Whisky Tasting
Drive to Fort Augustus, which sits at the southern end of the famous Loch Ness. Travel beside Loch Ness, keeping an eye out for the famous monster and enjoying the scenic views of this delightful body of water. Stop in Inverness, a popular marketing town, before continuing past Culloden Battlefield to the Spey Valley, where a huge number of whisky distilleries are located. Stop at Glenfiddich Distillery to see how malted barley and water combine to make whisky and sample a "wee dram." Drive to Blairs on the outskirts of Aberdeen to your elegant 19th century mansion in time for dinner. (B, D)

Day 6: Aberdeen & Crathes Castle
Visit Crathes Castle which dates from 1323 and contains a wealth of fine furnishings, china and portraits. Then drive into Aberdeen to visit the old city center including St. Machar's Cathedral. After some free time drive along the River Dee Valley, favored by Queen Victoria and most of the Royal Family since her reign. Stop in the attractive town of Ballater where many shops show a royal warrant, indicating patronage by the Royal Family. Visit a farm to sample freshly baked scones and tea and learn about Aberdeen Angus cattle. Return to Blairs in time to relax before dinner at your hotel. (B, D)

Day 7: Glamis Castle & St. Andrews
Travel south through the lush countryside of Aberdeenshire to visit Glamis Castle, the legendary setting of "Macbeth" and childhood home of the Queen Mother. Drive across the modern Tay Bridge to St. Andrews where golf originated. See the famous Royal and Ancient Clubhouse and enjoy free time to visit the British Golf Museum or browse through the medieval town with its cathedral and castle. Drive south into Edinburgh, Scotland's capital. At this evening's entertaining cabaret sample Scottish specialties, including haggis, and enjoy bagpipe music, dancing and storytelling. (B, D)

Day 8: Edinburgh Highlights
This morning discover Edinburgh on a sightseeing tour. Drive along Princes Street, the main shopping thoroughfare and compare the wide streets and elegant mansions of the Georgian "New Town" with the narrow lanes and tall townhouses along the Royal Mile, the oldest part of the city. Pass the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official Scottish residence of the Queen. Finish your tour at the imposing Edinburgh Castle where you can see many historic buildings and enjoy a splendid view of Edinburgh. The afternoon and evening are free for independent activities. On July 27 to August 17 departures enjoy the Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle. (B)

Day 9: Travel to Dublin
Transfer to Glasgow Airport for the one-hour flight to Dublin. (Glasgow to Dublin flight is not included in land only price - please ensure that you have an airline ticket for this segment.) On arrival at Dublin Airport, go to the CIE Tours desk in the Arrivals Hall to arrange a transfer to your hotel. At 2:00 pm set off on your afternoon tour of Dublin with a local guide. Your tour includes visits to St. Patrick's Cathedral where Jonathan Swift was once Dean and also to Dublin Castle to see the State Apartments where many historic events have taken place. This evening dine at Doyle's Irish Cabaret and see their famous lighthearted show. (B, D)

Day 10: Blarney Castle & Killarney
See a variety of scenery today as you depart Dublin and drive through rich farm country and busy market towns. Stop at a sheep farm near Cashel to sample some home-baked scones with tea and learn a little about Irish farming. Just outside Cork visit Blarney Castle where you have an opportunity to acquire the gift of eloquence by kissing the famous stone. Continue towards the mountainous country of Kerry and into Killarney. After dinner, perhaps explore one of Killarney's famous singing pubs. (B, D)

Day 11: Ring of Kerry Tour
Dress comfortably for a jaunting car tour which will transport you along the shores of Muckross Lake for a guided tour of the 19th century Muckross House. Then embark on Ireland's most popular scenic drive, the Ring of Kerry, by skirting Ireland's highest mountains, the Macgillycuddy's Reeks. Your route passes through Glenbeigh, with palm trees and beautiful beaches; remote Waterville; and the colorful village of Sneem. Head back towards Killarney through Moll's Gap in time for dinner. (B, D)

Day 12: Cliffs of Moher & Bunratty Castle
Depart Killarney and travel to Tarbert to take the ferry across the River Shannon. Your tour continues along the Clare coast to the Cliffs of Moher which rise 700 feet above the Atlantic. Drive to the Shannonside region to check into your hotel. This evening a banquet and evocative entertainment in Bunratty Castle will carry you back in spirit to the Middle Ages. (B, D)

Day 13: Shannon Airport & Dublin
This morning transfer to Shannon Airport for return flights to the US. If you wish to end your tour in Dublin the tour concludes at Dublin Airport at 4:00 pm or in the city center at 4:30 pm. (B)

NOTE: For Thursday departures in May, Sep. and Oct., Isle of Skye ferry does not operate. Itinerary on Day 4 will visit the Isle of Mull, Duart Castle and Tobermory.

What Your Tour Includes

13 days/11 nights/21 meals

• Round trip flights from U.S. to Glasgow & return from Shannon and flight between Glasgow & Dublin
• Sightseeing by luxury coach throughout
• Services of professional driver/guides
• Superior & first class hotels with private bath/shower for 11 nights
• 11 full Scottish & Irish breakfasts (B)
• 10 dinners (D) including
  - Scottish cabaret with dinner in Edinburgh
  - Doyle's Irish Cabaret and dinner
  - Medieval banquet and entertainment in a 15th century Irish castle
  - 7 table d'hote dinners
• Welcome get-together drink
• Tea & scones at Scottish & Irish farms
• Whisky tasting and tour of Glenfiddich Distillery
• Reserved seats for Edinburgh Military Tattoo on departures July 27 to August 17
• Edinburgh & Dublin sightseeing tours with local guides
• Horse drawn jaunting car ride in Killarney
• Guided tour of Muckross House
• Ferry ride to Isle of Skye and across the River Shannon
• Visits and admissions to Museum of Transport, Stirling Castle, Clan Donald Visitor Centre, Crathes Castle, Glamis Castle, St. Andrews, Edinburgh Castle, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin Castle, Blarney Castle and Cliffs of Moher
• Deluxe flight bag, ticket wallet, luggage tags & strap
• All local taxes, hotel service charges & porterage for one suitcase per person

Your Hotels

Stay at the following (or similar):

• Hilton Glasgow Grosvenor, Glasgow (1 night)
• Ballachulish Hotel, Ballachulish (2 nights)
• Ardoe House Hotel, Blairs (2 nights)
• Roxburghe Hotel, Edinburgh (2 nights)
• Burlington Hotel, Dublin (1 night)
• Killarney Towers Hotel, Killarney (2 nights)
• Great Southern Hotel, Shannon (1 night)

Departure Dates & Rates

Early Payment Discount

Inclusive air prices reflect savings of between $85 & $170 per person when airfare is paid at least 90 days prior to departure. Book early and save. For travel from Chicago ask about special airfares with Aer Lingus.

General Conditions for All Tours