Overview
Itinerary
Your tour departs at 2:00 PM from your hotel. Set out 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. (B)
Embark on a short 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 the “Downton Abbey” series. Drive through Glencoe, considered one of Scotland's most beautiful places, and continue on to Ballachulish on the shore 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. 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 to your gracious manor-style hotel near Pitlochry. (B/D)
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. (B/D)
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. Departures which include the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo will enjoy an evening free to dine independently. (B/D)*
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. 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. 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)
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, Teelings Distillery, or EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum. At 2:00 PM, meet your new Irish guide/driver and tour group in the hotel lobby. Join a local guide for a Dublin City tour, and then take a guided tour of Dublin Castle.
This evening, enjoy a traditional Irish dinner and show at Merry Ploughboy Pub. (B/D)
Head for Blarney Castle today, stopping 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 in to your hotel and relax before dinner. (B/D)
Take the Ring of Kerry drive – a winding route with awesome mountain and coastline views. Stop off in the beautiful Gap of Dunloe to 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)
Take a ferry across the River Shannon Estuary 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)
13-day tour ends after breakfast. (B)
Trip Inclusions
- Merry Ploughboy Pub: The Merry Ploughboy Pub in Dublin promises an authentic Irish experience with lively music, hearty food, and warm hospitality that captures the spirit of Ireland.
- Exploring Edinburgh: Explore the wide streets of New Town and the medieval houses along the Royal Mile.
- Inveraray Castle: Find yourself in the home of the Downton Abbey series as you tour the locale where it was set and filmed.
- Blarney Castle: Kiss the famous Stone of Eloquence and see if it gives you the gift of gab.
- St Andrews: See the birthplace of golf, and Scotland's oldest university.
- Cliffs of Moher: Take a ferry across the River Shannon Estuary and view the Cliffs of Moher, a spectacular wall of sandstone that reaches high above the Atlantic.
- Skellig Experience: This prizewinning interpretive center gives visitors a rich and evocative experience of "the islands at the edge of the world."
- Ring of Kerry: Take a scenic drive around the peninsula to take in rugged, verdant coastal landscapes and rural seaside villages.
- 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.
- Titanic Belfast: Explore the history of the ill-fated ocean liner and its first (and last) voyage, in the city where it was built.
- Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo: Select departures get to enjoy the precision and performance of pipe and drum corps from around the world.
- Dublin Castle: Tour the impressive State Apartments at Dublin Castle - once serving as living quarters, they are now the site of state ceremonies and presidential inaugurations.
- 12 Breakfasts (B), 1 Lunch (L) and 8 Dinners (D)
- Sandman Signature Glasgow Hotel (4 Stars)
- Ballachulish Hotel (4 Stars)
- Muthu Newton Hotel (4 Stars)
- Atholl Palace Hotel (4 Stars)
- Norton House Hotel & Spa (4 Stars)
- Clayton Hotel Ballsbridge (4 Stars)
- Killarney Towers Hotel (4 Stars)
- Clayton Hotel Limerick (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 holidays 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
Brochure
CIE Ireland & Britain (2025)
Availability
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 enquire. Additional savings may apply. We guarantee the lowest price in Australia. 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 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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