CIE Tour Reviews

This was our very first bus tour and I wasn't really looking forward to it because it was a bus tour! But from the very first day to the last was an absolute blast. John our tour guide on the Scottish leg was very knowledgeable and friendly but Eammon our guide/bus driver on the Irish leg was the best. He made the tour truly memorable. He had us all ...read more in fits of laughter with his Irish accent and his charming demeanour. As was stated it was only a taste of both countries but very rewarding. I would recommend this tour to anyone. The scenery in both countries is magnificent and not be missed. Please say a big HELLO to Eammon for us if you do see him on your tour.

The most wonderful experience in our lives thus far. Our guide come coach driver was superlative. He took great care of all 36 passengers. Having travelled with Cosmos, Trafalgar and Key West Travels we found this tour provided everything, all sightseeingÆs included, luggage carried to and from hotel rooms and advice at every step of the journey by ...read more our most valued guide. He regaled us with Irish history and anecdotes. And Ireland was very beautiful. Thanks CIE, remembrances forever.

After a rough start due to weather delays, we had an awesome time. We saw much more than had we toured on our own. There really was nothing we didn't like. Of course, there was one stop we wish we had more time at, but it was still great. Noel Hart, our guide, really made the trip great. Prompt, friendly, funny, and knowledgeable are just a few adjectives ...read more to describe him. We would recommend this to anyone looking for an affordable way to see Ireland.

I took my first trip overseas in November, and it was the most wonderful experience I've ever had. Tommy was the best tour director we could have asked for and he made my trip absolutely perfect. The hotels and experiences were first class. I couldn't have asked for anything more.

We loved our 15 night tour around Scotland and Ireland. The hotels were all lovely, and of a very high standard. The meals were very good and our tour guides and driver were fabulous, and had excellent knowledge of the history and culture of the areas. The included touring and meals made it such good value. We were extremely happy with our tour and ...read more would choose CIE again, and recommend them to anyone!

WOW! First rate all the way. Itinerary, hotels, food and pace. Marion, our tour guide and John, our driver, were outstanding in the delivery of their respective services. Accolade after accolade are in order for both Marion and John, who are extremely personable and expert in providing their services. We will continue to sing their praises to all our ...read more friends and relatives. When the time arrives to tour Scotland, it will most definitely be with CIE.

What a tour to end our holiday in the UK. If you want to see the wild, stark and beautiful highlands of Scotland, this is the one to do. We were the only Aussies on a smaller tour of 22, 19 women and three men, the rest were Americans. We had a ball and Ian Hume is a treasure trove of history and information about Scotland plus a dry sense of humour. ...read more Brian our coach driver was great too especially when he arrived at the Scottish evening at Nairn in full Highland regalia! Imagine 19 women vying for a photo! What fun! The weather was kind to us with only a couple of days drizzle and windy but was expected. We would definitely recommend this tour to others who would like to experience the Highlands. Another aside, a small wedding was being held at the Newton Hotel at Nairn and the bride and groom insisted we go and be part of the reception! This was so unexpected and so much fun. Then at Edinburgh ran into Eamonn again (a guide on our previous CIE Tour) at the Scottish and it was great that he remembered us and greeted us like long lost friends. All in all we had the most wonderful five weeks in the UK and thanks CIE, you need to promote more in Australia!!

Our CIE driver guide Frank Foster was excellent! We had a full coach, so Frank had many people to deal with and I must say that I was very impressed with his professionalism, and his knowledge of Irish history. I find it quite amazing that Frank was equally expert at moving that coach around and giving us a full account of Irish history and some Irish ...read more humour all at the same time! All of the tour guides in the cities were so wonderful! We truly enjoyed the tour guide in Cobh, (I think Michael) he was just great and painted a wonderful picture for us all with his stories and facts.
We were so pleased with our stops on this tour. I even got to see the Cliffs of Moher at last! (The last time I was there years ago it was fogged in!). We found the Skellig Experience very interesting, the new visitor centre at GiantÆs Causeway was very well done and of course we were truly impressed with the Titanic Museum in Belfast! The best thing about the tour was of course our contact with the local people and the fine service. The hotels were very good, and as mentioned in the beginning of my comments I have high regard for our driver/guide Frank Foster and his fine sense of making the trip enjoyable for everyone, his professionalism as well as his Irish sense of humour.

This tour was very good. Could have used a little more time to explore some of the locations visited but the limitations were understandable to remain on schedule. The included breakfasts were good to start the day in a timely manner. However, the included dinner options could be improved. While the included hotel meals were good, a local pub or restaurant ...read more would have been preferred on some nights in order to better experience the local atmosphere and culture.

Tour was too rushed and so much time spent on bus with slow rolling stops at some important spots and full stops at really not interesting places birds of prey is an example of useless stop. Very unorganised due to storm on the bus then off the bus lost a whole day sitting in hotel lobby could have used time to explore Dublin.

I thoroughly enjoyed my adventure. It was a whirlwind tour with early mornings and late nights. Phil, Tour commentator in the UK kept us on schedule...harried but on schedule. Garry,our tour guide in Ireland was less strict recognising we were on our holidays and made an exhausting tour very enjoyable. His kindness, thoughtfulness and generosity was ...read more appreciated by all. As with daily life, stuff happens yet Garry ensured our time was enjoyable and well spent. As a first time lone traveller i would highly recommend.

Our second CIE tour was from London to Glasgow used as a tie-in for our Scottish tour. Mickey and Eamonn took us from London up to Stratford on Avon and then Liverpool and on to Edinburgh, Inverness and Glasgow. We were the only two Aussies on the tour with some Canadians and Americans. Once again, our fellow travellers were great people and added to ...read more the enjoyment or our experience. The Beatles museum in Liverpool was great, and the Scottish evenings were fun!

Our tour driver and guide was Noel. His knowledge of Irish History was excellent and his driving ability amazing. Noel's storey telling and sense of humour was also excellent. I would recommend anyone travelling Ireland to link up with Noel of CIE Tours and ask for Noel to be your director/driver

What a great experience. Accommodation was excellent and the services they provided was undertaken in an efficient and friendly manner. The tour itself was beyond our expectations. Informative and aesthetically beautiful. The tour guides in Scotland we had John and he was very knowledgeable in Scottish history and lore and as for the tour director, ...read more Eamom Broderick, he was funny, efficient and full of funny Irish stories. He also knew his history and topical Irish lore. Nothing was too much trouble. As for the group we were with. Just lovely. I have made friends for life. Will definitely recommend CIE tours to friends...

Started our UK touring with the Irish Odyssey Tour on 12 September with Bob Reid and had a wonderful time. We were the only Aussies on the coach and the rest from USA. Nevertheless, the people were so lovely, and we had a really great group, a really great driver guide who made our holiday so wonderful. Everything was more than we expected and was the ...read more best holiday for us.

We recently completed an eight day pub tour of Ireland which was the highlight of our month stay in Europe! Our tour guide, Peter Murphy was amazing in his ability to impart his vast knowledge of a myriad of interesting facts (with a good bit of fiction thrown in as well) of Ireland with a great sense of pride, humour and obvious joy while performing ...read more all aspects of his job! I believe our entire group concurred that CIE is extremely fortunate to have tour guides of Peter's calibre who certainly made our tour a memorable one. In addition, the logistics and preplanning of all aspects of the tour were extremely well thought out and executed and all accommodations were of high quality as were meals. We would certainly sign on for another tour with CIE and recommend them to our family and friends as well!!

We had a wonderful 24 day tour, Frank was an amazing tour director and Bill handled those roads with ease. Most hotels were top class. And the food was so good. You really didn't need much extra spending money as most things were covered in the trip that's why we chose this tour. Just a bit for drinks and lunch and if you like to shop some for that. ...read more We saw so many wonderful sites and the sun shone over us most of the way so we had some great photos. We are now home wishing we were back with our fellow travellers having a good laugh. We had 40 on our tour which was the biggest Frank had taken and he really did well organising us getting to see all the sites.

I want to express my gratitude for the beautiful time that I had on this tour. All visited places were very interesting and most of them were awesome and gorgeous, the dynamic landscapes and the impressive architecture in each of the countries is beautiful. The majority of the hotels were nice, breakfast and dinners with enough food. The timing for ...read more the different activities was managed professionally and considering that it was a long 24 day tour. My special appreciation is to Ian Short, the tour director who enriched the trip with all his knowledge and his special treatment did it very funny, as well as thanks so much to PJ, Patrick O?Brian, who apart of being an excellent driver is so kind and friendly. I also was very glad to be with each one of the fellow travellers, we shared almost one the month of our lives :).

This is my first tour, first time out of the States. Our trip ends tomorrow but the tour was done when Aidan Carrigy dropped us at our final location. I am sitting in my hotel really not wanting to leave. Here are the specifics about what was so great. What seemed, at first, to be a mad rush with an awful lot of driving, ended up being ten days packed ...read more with the maximum number of activities, events, and landmarks for the money. With the exception of Glasgow (my least favourite destination), every day brought exquisite scenery rich in history that makes American wood frame houses pale.
The coach seat rotation was optimal for each person to get the best variety of views and mingle with other couples. Maggie and Mary were quite enchanting as they were our local guides of certain areas in Scotland. The hotels were grand with sufficient amenities. There were not swimming pools at most places and one hotel did not offer wifi. Otherwise, the rooms were well appointed and the beds were the most comfortable ever. Meals consisted of much salmon and because of the packed schedule and time on the bus, I had to leave behind my love of a leisurely cup of coffee in the morning but food was delicious and portions were right sized - refreshing break from supersized American meals. Many of the meals offered gratis adult beverages to start you out.
On to Aidan. He has a sharp sense of wit, endless patience, and positive demeanour. His knowledge of current events and world cultures was very refreshing. His grasp of the logistics for the entire trip made it extremely easy for us to sit back and worry about nothing. I am sure there was a huge amount of effort behind the scenes to herd us cats. His driving was remarkable. I would definitely request him if I am able to come back.

Great tour. Not enough time. Sean Gray was absolutely amazing. I travel extensively and he is by far the best guide I have ever had. If you want the trip of a lifetime and to feel like you are home, this is it.. ask for Sean as your tour director.