2026 Scottish & Irish Sampler - 7 Days/6 Nights

2026 Scottish & Irish Sampler - 7 Days/6 Nights

Day 1: Edinburgh Tour
Your tour departs from your hotel at 2:30 PM. Set out on a panoramic tour of Edinburgh, discovering the medieval townhouses along the Royal Mile in the heart of the Old Town and the Georgian mansions of the 200-year-old New Town. Return to your city-center hotel for a welcome drink with your group, then enjoy an evening free to explore and dine as you wish. 

Day 2: Port of Leith Distillery & Edinburgh Castle
Visit the Port of Leith Distillery, a new distillery in Scotland’s historic center of trade in wines and spirits. Discover how this modern distillery approaches sustainability in ingredients and production methods. Next, explore Edinburgh Castle, once a royal fortress and today home to the Scottish Crown Jewels. The rest of your day is free to stroll the city and dine as you wish. (August 9 and 23 departures attend the spectacular Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on the Castle Esplanade).
(B)

Day 3: Culzean Castle & Ferry to Belfast
Travel to Culzean Castle, a grand, centuries-old castle that includes an apartment given to General Eisenhower as a gesture of thanks for America’s support in World War II. Tour the beautifully furnished castle and have lunch there before departing for Cairnryan for the ferry to Belfast. Enjoy dinner at your hotel in Belfast this evening.
(B, L, D)

Day 4: Nine Glens of Antrim, Giant’s Causeway & Crosskeys Inn
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. Savor lunch with your group in Ireland’s oldest thatched roof pub, the Crosskeys Inn – a CIE Tours exclusive.
(B, L)

Day 5: Titanic Belfast, Hillsborough Castle & Taylors Three Rock
Visit Titanic Belfast to explore the story of the doomed ocean liner, built in the local shipyards in 1912. Tour the stately Hillsborough Castle, the home of the King when he visits Northern Ireland. Travel on to Dublin for an Irish night at Taylors Three Rock, where you’ll be entertained by a lively show during dinner.
(B, D)

Day 6: Dublin City Tour & EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum
See Dublin’s grand Georgian buildings and squares, the River Liffey and historic O’Connell Street on a panoramic tour. Visit EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, an award-winning, high-tech museum that chronicles the journeys made by Irish emigrants around the globe and details the stories of the new lives made by the Irish abroad. Your afternoon and evening are free to explore as you wish.
(B)

Day 7: Tour Ends in Dublin
Your tour ends after breakfast.
(B)

Authentic Local Experiences:

• Departures on August 9 and 23 will have reserved seats for the spectacular Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
• Step into the royal residence at Hillsborough Castle, a breathtaking Georgian mansion surrounded by 100 acres of gardens and discover the fascinating role it played in the Northern Ireland peace process.
• Cozy up by the turf fire under the thatched roof of Crosskeys Inn. This atmospheric stone-walled pub, a CIE Tours exclusive, dates back to 1654. 

Dining Experiences:

• 6 hot breakfasts (B), 2 lunches (L) and 2 dinners (D)

Trip Highlights:

• Crosskeys Inn (CIE Tours Exclusive)
• Culzean Castle
• Edinburgh Castle
• EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum
• Giant’s Causeway
• Hillsborough Castle
• Irish Night in Dublin
• Port of Leith Distillery
• Titanic Belfast
   

Hotels:

• Edinburgh Marriott Hotel Holyrood, Edinburgh (2)
• AC Hotel by Marriott, Belfast (2)
• Herbert Park Hotel, Dublin (2)