Overview
Itinerary
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, a creative cultural scene, and thriving restaurants and nightlife. Visit Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, housing one of Europe's finest art collections, including masterpieces by Rembrandt, Titian, and Dali. Enjoy a welcome drink with your group and then the evening is yours to explore and dine as you wish.
Cruise Loch Lomond for views of highland peaks. Stroll through Inveraray before taking a guided tour of Inveraray Castle, featured in “Downton Abbey”. Drive through Glencoe, one of Scotland's most beautiful places, and then to your hotel in Ballachulish on the shores of Loch Leven. (B/D)
Travel on the scenic “Road to the Isles”, stopping for photos at the Glenfinnan Monument. Ferry to the Isle of Skye to visit the romantic ruins of Armadale Castle. Back on the mainland, travel along the shores of Loch Ness. End the day at your hotel in Nairn, a lovely manor house set on spacious grounds near the North Sea. (B/D)
Visit the Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre to learn about the historic battle and stroll around the moorland. Continue through majestic Highland scenery to a local farm for a demonstration of trained dogs herding sheep. Spend the evening in a gracious manor-style hotel near Pitlochry. (B/D)
Visit Blair Castle, home of the Dukes and Earls of Atholl. Go behind the scenes at Blair Athol Distillery for a tour and sample of the finished product. Spend the afternoon at leisure exploring hotel gardens and museum, or browsing around Pitlochry town. (B/D)
Visit Glamis Castle, the legendary setting of “Macbeth”. Head to St Andrews, the “Home of Golf”. Enjoy a traditional Scottish evening with dinner and entertainment. Departures which include the Edinburgh Military Tattoo enjoy an evening free to dine independently. (B/D)*
Take a panoramic tour of Edinburgh, from its medieval townhouses along the Royal Mile to the 200-year-old “New Town” area. 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. Select departures attend the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on the Castle Esplanade. (B)
Say farewell to your Scottish guide and embark on a ferry ride to Belfast. Visit Titanic Belfast, a state-of-the-art attraction that will immerse you in the full story of the ill-fated ocean liner, built in the nearby ship yards in 1912. Head to your hotel in the seaside suburb of Dun Laoghaire near Dublin, where you will meet your Irish driver/guide, and enjoy a free evening in this charming harbor town. (B)
Head to Athlone for a welcome drink at Sean's Bar, the oldest bar in Europe. Join a local guide for a walking tour through the beautiful harbor city of Galway; see its stone-clad buildings and medieval, winding lanes. Enjoy some free time to explore Galway on your own, then join your fellow travelers for dinner at your hotel. (B/D)
Explore scenic Connemara. Take a catamaran cruise of Killary Harbour, a 9-mile fjord (seasonal). Head to Kylemore Abbey, set beside a tranquil lake, to see elegant rooms, the charming church and the Victorian walled gardens. Return to Galway, where your evening is free to explore the city's lively pubs and excellent restaurants. (B)
Travel south around Galway Bay, through the austere beauty of the Burren, to visit a sheep farm and see trained sheepdogs show off their herding skills. Visit the Cliffs of Moher, rising 700 feet above the Atlantic surf. Take a ferry across the River Shannon estuary as you head to Killarney, where you'll enjoy an evening of traditional Irish entertainment and dinner at Kate Kearney's Cottage. (B/D)
Take a traditional horse-drawn jaunting car through Killarney National Park to scenic Ross Castle. See the highlights of Ireland's most popular scenic drive, the Ring of Kerry, and take a break in the colorful village of Kenmare. In the beautiful Gap of Dunloe, visit Moriarty's, a CIE Tours preferred shopping partner. Return to Killarney for an evening on your own. (B)
Drive through the mountains on the way to Blarney Castle. Climb the winding staircase to kiss the famous stone, or just explore the tranquil gardens. Travel along the coast to the Marine Bar in Dungarvan, a CIE Tours exclusive venue, for some traditional music. Continue to Waterford, where you'll join a local guide for a walking tour through the narrow streets of Ireland's oldest city, discovering its fascinating past. (B/D)
Enjoy a guided tour of the House of Waterford Crystal, where you'll watch skilled artisans create sparkling masterpieces. In Kilkenny, spend free time exploring the medieval city center, then tour the beautifully restored Kilkenny Castle to see glorious 17th-century tapestries, painted portraits, and sumptuous furnishings. Travel on to Dublin, where you'll dine with a glass of wine at The Morehampton. (B/D)
Enjoy a day of independent touring on a Hop-On, Hop-Off bus tour and a visit to one of Dublin's top attractions – Guinness Storehouse, Teeling Distillery, EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, Jameson Distillery Bow St. Experience, or the GPO Museum. (B)
Your tour ends after breakfast. (B)
Trip Inclusions
- Marine Bar in Dungarvan – CIE Tours Exclusive: Enjoy a drink with some traditional music in this centuries-old, family-run pub.
- Sean's Bar in Athlone – CIE Tours Exclusive: Have a drink by the River Shannon in Ireland's oldest bar, which dates back more than a thousand years and displays the artifacts to prove it!
- Kylemore Abbey & Gardens: Visit the beautiful home of Benedictine nuns, who have lived on the estate since they fled Belgium during WWI.
- Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum: Explore the wide range of exhibitions in the 22 galleries of Glasgow's essential art museum, from ancient Egypt to the Scottish great Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
- Isle of Skye: Admire the rugged coastlines and ancient ruins of this Scottish island.
- Titanic Belfast: Get an in-depth look at how the ship was built in Belfast's shipyards — and the inside story of its fateful maiden voyage.
- House of Waterford Crystal: See how the craftsmen make their masterpieces sparkle.
- Glasgow: Explore the city that flourished in Victorian times due to the shipbuilding industry and international trade.
- Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo: Select departures get to enjoy the precision and performance of pipe and drum corps from around the world.
- Edinburgh Castle: Walk in the footsteps of soldiers, kings and queens, and even the odd pirate or two, in this medieval-era royal residence, military garrison, prison and fortress, alive with many exciting tales.
- Inveraray Castle: Find yourself in the home of the Downton Abbey series as you tour the locale where it was set and filmed.
- St. Andrews: Cross the modern Tay Bridge to the medieval town of St Andrews, the "Home of Golf”.
- Cliffs of Moher: Visit the Cliffs of Moher, a spectacular wall of sandstone soaring 700 feet above the pounding Atlantic surf below.
- 15 Breakfasts (B) and 9 Dinners (D)
- Glasgow Grosvenor Hotel (4 Stars)
- Sandman Signature Glasgow Hotel (4 Stars)
- Ballachulish Hotel (4 Stars)
- Courtyard by Marriott Inverness Airport (4 Stars)
- Muthu Newton Hotel (4 Stars)
- Atholl Palace Hotel (4 Stars)
- Crieff Hydro Hotel (4 Stars)
- Dalhousie Castle Hotel (4 Stars)
- Norton House Hotel & Spa (4 Stars)
- Royal Marine Hotel (4 Stars)
- The Galmont Hotel & Spa (4 Stars)
- Great Southern Killarney Hotel (4 Stars)
- Granville Hotel (4 Stars)
- Clayton Hotel Burlington Road (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.
Each of our vacations are stress-free, with no surprise hidden fees, and plenty of fun for all ages. Read more
CIE Tours could not exist without our great locally employed tour directors - they are the envy of the travel industry. Read more
CIE Tours uses three classes of hotels – first class, superior first class & deluxe properties. Read more
Trip Reviews (1) Most Recent 'Scottish & Irish Gold' Reviews
Dates & Pricing
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A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Inquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct 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 the cruise-line and 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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