CIE Tours 2023 - 11 Day The Scots Irish Tour
10 Nights / 19 Meals
Overnights: 2 Edinburgh, 1 Inverness or Nairn, 1 Ballachulish, 1 Dunblane, 2
Belfast, 1 Letterkenny, 2 Ballyfarnon, 1 Ennis
From
Edinburgh to Shannon
Tour Code #:
GB-SNA-23-11D CIE Tours Retail Price From:
$2,965
CIE Tour Highlights:
Authentic Local Experiences: CIE Tours Exclusive Hear traditional Irish music at Crosskeys Inn in Antrim, Ireland’s oldest thatched pub. This stone cottage, with its turf fires, was built in 1654. Authentic Experiences Enjoy reserved seats for the Royal
Edinburgh Military Tattoo on August 7 – 23 departures. Step aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia and go behind the scenes of the Queen’s former floating home.
Trip Highlights:
Arigna Mining Experience Cliffs of Moher Medieval Castle Banquet Crosskeys Inn Irish Night – CIE Tours Exclusive Edinburgh Castle Scotch Whisky Experience Giant’s Causeway Glenveagh Castle & National Park Isle of Skye Royal Yacht Britannia Stirling Castle Titanic
Belfast Dining Experiences:
10 Breakfasts (B) and 9 Dinners (Tattoo departures have 8 dinners) (D)
Hotels:
Dalmahoy Hotel and Country Clubnear Edinburgh (2) Columba HotelInverness or Muthu Newton HotelNairn (1) DoubleTree by Hilton Dunblane HydroDunblane (1) Europa HotelBelfast (2) Station House HotelLetterkenny (1) Kilronan Castle HotelBallyfarnon (2) Temple Gate HotelEnnis (1)
CIE International Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Edinburgh | Scotch Whisky Experience*
Your tour departs at 2
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 andvisit Edinburgh Castle to see the Scottish Crown Jewels. The remainder of the day is free to relax or explore. Dine independently this evening. (The August 6 - 22 departures attend the spectacular Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on the Castle Esplanade.) (B)
Day 3: Chocolate Tasting | Blair Castle | Highlands
Head through the scenic countryside of Perthshire to visit Iain Burnett Highland Chocolatier for a tasting of award-winning chocolates with an expert chocolatier. All the chocolates are made on-site with sustainable ingredients, including local heather honey and berries, and fresh cream from local herds of Scottish Friesians. Next, visit Blair Castle; this citadel, with its romantic turrets and towers, dates back to the 13th century. Continue through 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, passing the picturesque Eilean Donan Castle. Cross to the Isle of Skye by bridge and visit Armadale Castle, returning by ferry. Take the “Road to the Isles” past lochs, lush woodlands, and heather-covered moors of the majestic Highlands, stopping for photos around scenic Glencoe. Continue through The Trossachs to your hotel in Dunblane. (B, D)
Day 5: Stirling Castle | Ferry to Belfast
Head to Stirling, where you'll tour Stirling Castle. Perched on volcanic rock above the town, this grand castle is one of Scotland's most important. Explore the richness of the 16th-century decor of the palace, once the childhood home to Mary Queen of Scots. Drive on through southwestern Scotland to Cairnryan and board the ferry to Belfast, where you'll dine in your hotel this evening. (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 travel 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 its 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 free time to explore the town and have lunch independently. Head to Belleek Pottery to watch skilled craftspeople create delicate, highly decorative pieces. Travel to luxurious Kilronan Castle with time to relax before dinner in the castle's fine restaurant. (B, D)
Day 9: Arigna Mining | Lough Key Forest
Visit the Arigna Mining Experience to discover local history and life as a coal miner in the Arigna Valley. Visit Lough Key Forest Park to explore how humans have shaped the landscape on this old estate over thousands of years. Walk through tunnels used by servants in the 19th century, see the sunken garden, and then walk along with the Tree Canopy Bridge for panoramic views of nature and the shimmering lake. Return to the charming village 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 and see its limestone hills, often blooming with a vast array of wildflowers. Visit 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)