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Trip Length
8 Days
Trip Starts
Dublin
Trip Finishes
Edinburgh
Accommodation
3 - 4 Star
Max. Group Size
44
Guide Level
Fully Guided
Trip Code
CSA23
Overview
Book online and enjoy exclusive savings on CIE Tours 8 Day Irish & Scottish Sampler. Get a taste of two spectacular countries. This short-and-sweet combination Ireland and Scotland tour visits all the top highlights, mixing in historic cities with iconic sights.
Itinerary
Your tour departs at 2:00 PM from your Dublin hotel. Visit Dalkey Castle, built in 1390, where 500 years of history are brought to life with costumed actors in a fun and interactive tour. Your leisurely stroll in this heritage town will follow in the footsteps of international best-selling writer Maeve Binchy to the Memorial Garden in her honor and past the favorite pub of U2's Bono, a local resident. Enjoy a welcome drink at your hotel with your group before some free time for dining independently.
Take a panoramic tour of Dublin, seeing the stateliness of its Georgian buildings and the lively buzz of its shop-lined streets. Visit Dublin's spiritual heart: the 1,000-year-old Christ Church Cathedral. See its magnificent interior, filled with treasures reflecting Ireland's history. Enjoy an afternoon of independent exploring in Dublin before heading out for an Irish night at Taylors Three Rock, where you'll be entertained by a lively show over dinner. (B/D)
Visit the Brú na Bóinne Visitors Centre to learn about the nearby passage tombs of Newgrange and Knowth, followed by a visit to one of these ancient tombs, constructed over 5,000 years ago. Visit the stately Hillsborough Castle, the home of the King when he visits Northern Ireland. Embark on a panoramic tour of Belfast to see Victorian buildings, the imposing City Hall in Donegall Square, and the shipyards where RMS Titanic was built. (B/D)
Travel along part of the Nine Glens of Antrim, a scenic region with lovely views of mountains, valleys, and coastline. Discover the Giant's Causeway, a natural wonder formed over 60 million years ago by cooling lava that has given rise to many legends. Enjoy lunch with your group in Ireland's oldest thatched roof pub, the Crosskeys Inn - a CIE Tours Exclusive. (B/L)
Discover 150 years of history at Crumlin Road Gaol, a Victorian-era prison, and hear stories of some of the 25,000 people who served time there. Next, board the ferry to Scotland, and then continue your journey northwards into the magnificent scenery of the Scottish Highlands to your historic hotel in Pitlochry. The hotel still retains many original features, with unique guest rooms and spacious grounds. (B/D)
Tour Blair Athol Distillery to see how whisky is distilled and sample a wee dram. Continue to St Andrews on the east coast. This town is renowned as the “Home of Golf” and for its university, Scotland's oldest. Take a short walking tour and spend some time exploring on your own. Select departures attend the spectacular Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on the Castle Esplanade. (B)
Take a panoramic tour of Edinburgh. See the wide streets and elegant mansions of the 200-year-old Georgian New Town, and walk along the Royal Mile, with its closely clustered medieval houses. Tour the imposing Edinburgh Castle, where the Crown Jewels of Scotland are housed. Spend some free time exploring independently, before enjoying a traditional Scottish dinner with lively entertainment. Departures which include the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo will enjoy a free evening. (B/D)
Your tour ends after breakfast. (B)
Trip Inclusions
- Dalkey Castle: Let costumed guides catch you up on 500 years of history in this grand castle.
- Blair Athol Distillery: Sip a wee dram of Scotch whisky after discovering how it is crafted.
- St Andrews: See the birthplace of golf, and Scotland's oldest university.
- Nine Glens of Antrim: Savor the varied landscapes of this collection of forests, that served as a backdrop for Game of Thrones.
- Edinburgh Castle: Tour the iconic castle at the heart of the capital, which boasts the Crown Jewels of Scotland.
- Giant's Causeway: Created by volcanic activity 60 million years ago – or, according to Gaelic legend, by a giant – mammoth hexagonal stone columns rise from earth in a striking formation.
- Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo: Select departures get to enjoy the precision and performance of pipe and drum corps from around the world.
- Crosskeys Inn – CIE Tours Exclusive: Enjoy dinner with your group as you listen to traditional music at the oldest thatched pub in Ireland – the Crosskeys Inn. It's a special CIE Tours Exclusive venue.
- Visit Brú na Bóinne to learn about the Neolithic people who built the ancient passage tombs at Newgrange and Knowth – older than the pyramids and mysterious marvels to this day.
- 7 Breakfasts (B), 1 Lunch (L) and 4 Dinners (D)
- Herbert Park Hotel (4 Stars)
- Maldron Hotel Belfast City (4 Stars)
- Atholl Palace Hotel (4 Stars)
- Apex Grassmarket Hotel (4 Stars)
- Airport transfers at your arrival and departure destination are not included in the price of the tour.
- Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
- *Meal counts vary on Tattoo departures, as the Scottish Evening is replaced with the Tattoo and an independent dinner.
No Hidden Extras!
Each of our holidayss are stress-free, with no surprise hidden fees, and plenty of fun for all ages. Read more
Our Tour Directors
CIE Tours could not exist without our great locally employed tour directors - they are the envy of the travel industry. Read more
Where do we Stay?
CIE Tours uses three classes of hotels – first class, superior first class & deluxe properties. Read more
Prices & Dates
There are currently no departures available on this trip. Either it's the end of the season and new departures will be released shortly, or this itinerary has been changed and will no longer continue. Feel free to contact us for information about when next seasons dates will be released or click here to view the general release dates for all destinations.
Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by CIE Tours. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from CIE Tours. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by CIE Tours. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from CIE Tours. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
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