Scottish and Irish Dream
Superior First Class Hotels - 13 days
See two popular Celtic countries on this program. Start in Glasgow,
cross to the Isle of Skye and travel through the magnificent Scottish
Highlands. Tour Edinburgh Castle and enjoy Scottish entertainment before
flying to Ireland. View the sights of Dublin, kiss the Blarney Stone and
enjoy the spectacular scenery of Ring of Kerry and the Cliffs of Moher.
Experience a Scottish cabaret in Edinburgh and finish your tour with a
medieval banquet at Shannon. Excellent hotels in convenient locations,
good food and hospitable staff blend together for a dream vacation.
DAY 1 Depart U.S. for Glasgow
Depart U.S. on your overnight flight to Glasgow. Relax
with inflight meals and entertainment as you start your vacation.
DAY 2 Glasgow Arrival
Arrive in Glasgow Airport
where your CIE Tours guide or representative will greet
you. Complimentary hotel transfers depart Glasgow Airport at 8:00 am, 10:00
am and 12:00 noon. Passengers arriving later will transfer to their hotel at
their own expense. At 2:30 pm take a coach tour around the main attractions of
Glasgow. See the red sandstone Victorian buildings and some of the delightful parks. Pass Glasgow
Cathedral and the River Clyde, once famous for its shipbuilding industry.
Visit the extensive Museum of Transport featuring many Scottish inventions. Then return
to your hotel to join your fellow travelers over a welcoming drink before
dinner. (D)
DAY 3 Stirling Castle & Glen Coe
Depart Glasgow and visit Stirling Castle, standing on a rocky crag in a strategic
position to control the Forth River valley. The castle dates back nearly
900 years and it became a royal residence for the House of Stewart. Mary,
Queen of Scots, was crowned here in 1543. Drive through the Trossachs, a scenic region of
wooded hills and small lochs that is associated with
Rob Roy MacGregor. Continue your journey across the desolate Rannoch Moor
and through Glen Coe, a spectacular glen made famous by
the massacre of the Clan Macdonald in 1692. At the end of
the glen arrive at Loch Linnhe, an inlet of the sea, and check into your
hotel in Ballachulish. (B, D)
DAY 4 Isle of Skye
Drive through Fort William and past the Glenfinnan
Monument to Mallaig. Take a short ferry ride to the Isle of Skye, made
popular by Bonnie Prince Charlie after his defeat at Culloden Moor. Visit
the Clan Donald Visitor Centre in Armadale Castle that narrates the story
of the Macdonald Clan and the history of Skye. Drive across part of the
island and return to the mainland by the Kyle of Lochalsh Bridge. Stop for
photos at the romantic Eilan Donan Castle set in Loch Duich before driving
through dramatic scenery around Glen Shiel and Invergarry. Head south via
Fort William to your hotel. (B, D)
DAY 5 The Great Glen & Whisky Tasting
Drive north to Fort Augustus, which sits at the southern
end of the famous Loch Ness. Travel beside Loch Ness, keeping an eye out
for the famous monster while enjoying the scenic views of this delightful
body of water. Take a break in Inverness to shop and browse around the
bustling market town before passing Culloden Battlefield on the way to the
Spey Valley, famous for the huge number of whisky distilleries located
there. Stop to visit Glenfiddich Distillery to see how malted barley and
water combine to make whisky and sample a “wee dram” at the end of the
tour. Drive to Blairs on the outskirts of Aberdeen to your elegant 19th
century mansion in time for dinner. (B, D)
DAY 6 Aberdeen & Crathes Castle
Visit Crathes Castle which dates from 1323 and contains a wealth of fine furnishings, china and portraits. Then drive
into Aberdeen to visit the old parts of the city including St.
Machar’s Cathedral. After some free time drive along the River Dee Valley,
favored by Queen Victoria and most of the Royal Family since her
era. Drive along the Dee Valley to Ballater for a
browse around this attractive town where many shops show a royal warrant,
indicating patronage by the Royal Family. Stop at a farmhouse to
sample freshly baked scones and tea and learn about country life.
Return to Blairs in time to relax before dinner at your hotel. (B,
D)
DAY 7 Glamis Castle & St. Andrews
Travel south through the lush countryside of
Aberdeenshire to visit Glamis Castle, the legendary setting of “Macbeth”
and childhood home of the Queen Mother. Drive across the modern Tay Bridge
to St. Andrews where golf originated. See the famous Royal and Ancient
Clubhouse and enjoy free time to visit the British Golf Museum or browse
through the medieval town with its cathedral and castle. Drive south into
Edinburgh, Scotland’s historic capital city. At this evening’s cabaret
sample some Scottish specialties, including haggis, and enjoy traditional
bagpipe music and dancing. (B, D)
DAY 8 Edinburgh Highlights
This morning take a sightseeing tour of Edinburgh.
Drive along Princes Street, the main shopping thoroughfare and compare the
wide streets and elegant mansions of the Georgian New Town with the narrow
lanes and tall townhouses along the Royal Mile, the oldest part of the
city. Pass the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official Scottish residence of
the Queen. Finish your tour at the imposing Edinburgh Castle where you can
see many historic buildings and enjoy a splendid view of Edinburgh. The
afternoon and evening are free for independent activities. On July 28 to
August 18 departures enjoy the Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle. (B)
DAY 9
Dublin Arrival & Tour
Travel to Glasgow Airport for the short flight to Dublin. (Glasgow
to Dublin flight is not included in land only price – please ensure that
you have an airline ticket for this segment.) Head to the CIE Tours desk
in the Arrivals Hall where staff will arrange a transfer to your hotel. At
2:00 pm set off on your afternoon tour of Dublin with a local guide to
show you around. Your tour includes visits to St. Patrick’s Cathedral
where Jonathan Swift was once Dean and also to Dublin Castle to see the
State Apartments where many historic events have taken place. This evening
enjoy dinner and an Irish cabaret show. (B, D)
DAY 10 Blarney Castle & Killarney
See a variety of scenery
today as you depart Dublin and drive through rich farm country and busy
market towns. Stop near Cashel to sample some home-baked scones with tea
served at a sheep farm so you can learn a little about Irish farming. Just
outside Cork visit Blarney Castle where you have an opportunity to acquire
the gift of eloquence by kissing the famous stone. Continue towards the
mountainous country of Kerry and into Killarney. After dinner, perhaps
explore one of Killarney’s famous singing pubs. (B, D)
DAY 11 Ring of Kerry Tour
Dress comfortably for a jaunting
car tour which will transport you along the shores of Muckross Lake for a
guided tour of the 19th century Muckross House. Then embark on Ireland’s most popular scenic
drive, the Ring of Kerry, by skirting Ireland’s highest mountains, the
Macgillycuddy’s Reeks. Your route passes through Glenbeigh, with palm trees and beautiful beaches; remote
Waterville; and the colorful village of Sneem. Head back towards Killarney
through Moll’s Gap in time for dinner. (B, D)
DAY 12 Cliffs of Moher & Bunratty
Castle
Depart Killarney and travel to Tarbert to take the ferry across the River
Shannon. Your tour continues along the Clare coast to the Cliffs
of Moher which rise 700 feet above the Atlantic. Drive to the Shannonside region
to check into your hotel. This evening’s dinner is a medieval-style
banquet and evocative entertainment in Bunratty Castle. (B, D)
DAY 13 Shannon Departure
As your hotel is
located at Shannon Airport, check in at whatever time suits your
departure flight. Shop at the duty free stores and pass through U.S.
Immigration before boarding your aircraft for the journey home.
(B)
DEPARTURES
Departs
every Saturday from April 28 - September 29
Departs every Thursday from May 3 - October
18
HOTELS
Stay at the following (or similar):
• Hilton Grosvenor Hotel, Glasgow (1 night)
•
Ballachulish Hotel, Ballachulish (2 nights)
• Ardoe House Hotel, Blairs
(2 nights)
• Roxburghe Hotel, Edinburgh (2 nights)
• Burlington
Hotel, Dublin (1 night)
• Killarney Towers Hotel, Killarney (2
nights)
• Great Southern Hotel, Shannon (1 night)
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