16 Day Scottish & Irish Gold

Authentic Local Experiences:

Reserved seats at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo August 2 – 23 departures.
Mill the malt, stir the mash and smell the hops on a tour of Smithwick’s Experience, telling the story of the popular brewery in the heart of Kilkenny since 1710
Local guides will impart historic facts and local lore on walking tours of Dublin’s Trinity College, Galway and Waterford.

Dining Experiences:

15 breakfasts (B), 3 lunches (L) and 9 dinners (D) including a festive Scottish evening in Edinburgh, a traditional Irish Night in Killarney, and Cleaver East in Dublin.

This tour is run by CIE tours.

2020 Scottish & Irish Gold – 16 Days / 15 Nights / 27 Meals

B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner

Day 1 Glasgow Tour | Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

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, 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.

Day 2 Loch Lomond Cruise | Inveraray Castle

Embark on a cruise of 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, considered one of Scotland’s most spectacular and beautiful places, and then to your hotel in Ballachulish on the shores of Loch Leven.
(B, D)

Day 3 Isle of Skye & Loch Ness

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)

Day 4 Culloden Battlefield | Sheepdog Trials

Visit the Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre to learn about the historic battle and stroll around the moorland and the visitor center. 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)

Day 5 Blair Castle | Whisky Tasting

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 museums, or browsing around Pitlochry town.
(B, D)

Day 6 Glamis Castle | St Andrews | Scottish Evening

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. July 28 – August 18 departures enjoy an evening free to dine independently.
(B, D)

Day 7 Edinburgh Castle | City Tour

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. July 28 – August 18 departures attend the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on the Castle Esplanade.
(B)

Day 8 Ferry to Belfast | Titanic Belfast | Dublin

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 shipyards 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)

Day 9 Sean’s Bar | Galway City Tour

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)

Day 10 Connemara Catamaran Cruise | Kylemore Abbey

Explore scenic Connemara. Take a short 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)

Day 11 Sheepdogs, Cliffs of Moher & Kate Kearney’s Cottage

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 over dinner at Kate Kearney’s Cottage.
(B, D)

Day 12 Jaunting Car Ride, Ring of Kerry Highlights & Kenmare

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)

Day 13 Blarney Castle | Traditional Music Session

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 for some traditional music. Continue to Waterford, where you’ll witness the creation of sparkling masterpieces as you visit the House of Waterford Crystal.
(B, D)

Day 14 Waterford Walk | Kilkenny

Join a local guide for a walking tour of the narrow streets of Waterford, discovering its fascinating past. Head to Kilkenny for free time in its medieval city center. 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 Donnybrook Gastropub.
(B, D)

Day 15 Independent Day in Dublin

Enjoy an independent 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, or The GPO Museum.
(B)

Day 16 Tour ends in Dublin

Your tour ends after breakfast.
(B)
B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner
Meal counts vary on Tattoo departures, as the Scottish Evening is replaced with the Tattoo and an independent dinner.