Day 1: Edinburgh | Royal Yacht Britannia
Your tour begins at 2:00 PM at your Edinburgh hotel. Tour the Royal Yacht Britannia, the former floating home of the Queen on many of her travels. Enjoy a welcome drink and dinner with your group (D)
Day 2: Edinburgh Panoramic Tour | Edinburgh Castle | Independent Sightseeing
See the highlights of central Edinburgh including the bustling Princes Street and the 200-year-old Georgian “New Town". Walk along part of the Royal Mile and visit Edinburgh Castle to see the Scottish Crown Jewels and the Stone of Scone. The remainder of the day is free to relax or explore. The August 8-24 departures will attend the spectacular Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on the Castle Esplanade.
(B)
Day 3: Blair Athol Distillery | Blair Castle | Highlands
Head through the scenic countryside of Perthshire to visit Blair Athol Distillery, where you will see how whiskey is produced and sample a dram. In Pitlochry, spend some free time exploring this interesting Victorian town. Next, visit Blair Castle; this citadel with its romantic turrets and towers, dates back to the 13th century. Continue through the majestic Highland scenery to Inverness (Sunday departures) or Nairn (Tuesday departures).
(B, D)
Day 4: Loch Ness | Isle of Skye | Armadale Castle
Travel alongside Loch Ness and through the Highlands, passing the picturesque Eilean Donan Castle. Cross to the Isle of Skye by bridge and visit Armadale Castle. Return to the mainland by ferry and take the “Road to the Isles” through some majestic Highland scenery, stopping for photos at the Glenfinnan Monument. At your hotel, enjoy dinner and an evening of Scottish entertainment, with traditional music and dancing.
(B, D)
Day 5: Glencoe | Robert Burns Birthplace | Ferry to Belfast
Enjoy views of the magnificent Highlands as you travel through Glencoe and along the shore of Loch Lomond. Stop in Alloway to visit the poet Robert Burns Birthplace Museum. Embark on a short ferry ride to Belfast.
(B, D)
Day 6: Titanic Belfast | Belfast Walking Tour | Crosskeys Inn
At Titanic Belfast, delve into the history of the famous liner. Walk with a local guide to see the imposing City Hall in Donegall Square and Victorian buildings, including the Opera House and the Crown Liquor Saloon. Your afternoon is free to explore. In the evening, visit Crosskeys Inn for dinner and entertainment in a CIE Tours Exclusive
(B, D)
Day 7: Nine Glens of Antrim | Giant's Causeway | Derry Walking Tour
Enjoy ocean and mountain scenery as you trave the Nine Glens of Antrim. Discover the Giant's Causeway, enormous hexagonal columns rising out of the sea, and pause for photos at the Dunluce Castle ruins. Head to Derry for a walking tour with a local guide to see how this city, with it's painful history, has been transformed into a thriving cultural hub. Proceed on to your hotel in Letterkenny.
(B, D)
Day 8: Glenveagh National Park | Donegal | Belleek Pottery | Kilronan Castle
Visit Glenveagh National Park where Captain Adair built Glenveagh Castle in 1870. Enjoy a guided tour and stroll the extensive gardens. Head to Donegal town, and visit CIE Tours preferred shopping partner Triona Design before enjoying time to explore this town indepdently. Head to Belleek Pottery to watch skilled craftspeople create delicate, highly decorative pieces. Travel on to luxurious Kilronan Castle with time to relax before dinner in the castle's fine restaurant.
(B, D)
Day 9: Arigna Mining | Carrick on Shannon | Kilronan Castle
Visit the Arigna Mining Centre to experience what life was like for a coal miner in the Arigna Valley. Then enjoy some free time in the historic town of Carrick-on-Shannon, situated on the River Shannon. Return to the charming town of Ballyfarnon and relax in your castle hotel before dinner.
(B, D)
Day 10: Galway Walking Tour | Cliffs of Moher | Medieval Castle Banquet
Head to Galway and join a local guide for a gentle walking tour. See the narrow streets, the medieval city walls, and Lynch's Castle. Travel through the Burren, an area of limestone hills that supports a wide range of flora. View the Cliffs of Moher, soaring high above the Atlantic. In the evening, head out to a castle for a medieval-style banquet.
(B, D)
Day 11: Tour Ends in Shannon
Your tour ends after breakfast.
(B)
B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner
Authentic Local Experiences:
- Enjoy reserved seats for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on August 8 - 24 departures.
- Step aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia and go behind the scenes of the Queen's former floating home.
- Hear traditional Irish music at the Crosskeys Inn in Antrim a CIE Tours Exclusive. Ireland's oldest thatched pub, this stone cottage with its turf fires was built in 1654
Dining Experiences:
- 10 breakfasts (B) and 9 dinners (D)
Trip Highlights:
- Arigna Mining Experience
- Cliffs of Moher
- Medieval Castle Banquet
- Crosskeys Inn - CIE Tours Exclusive
- Edinburgh Castle
- Giant's Causeway
- Glenveagh Castle & National park
- Isle of Skye
- Scottish Evening
- Robert Burns Birthplace Museum
- Royal Yacht Britannia
- Titanic Belfast
Hotels - 10 Nights:
- Dalmahoy Hotel and Country Club | near Edinburgh (2 nights)
- Columba Hotel | Inverness or Muthu Newton Hotel | Nairn (1 night)
- Isles of Glencoe Hotel or Ballachulish Hotel | Ballachulish (1 night)
- Europa Hotel | Belfast (2 nights)
- Station House Hotel | Letterkenny (1 night)
- Kilronan Castle Hotel | Ballyfarnon (2 nights)
- Templegate Hotel | Ennis (1 night)