Your Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Depart U.S. for Scotland
Depart U.S. on your overnight flight to Glasgow, either traveling direct or via London.

Day 2: Glasgow Arrival
Arrive in Glasgow Airport where your CIE Tours guide or representative will greet you. Complimentary group transfers depart Glasgow Airport at 8:00 am, 10:00 am and 12:00 noon. Passengers arriving later will transfer to the hotel at their own expense. Your hotel is centrally located near Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow’s main pedestrianized shopping thoroughfare. At 3:00 pm take a coach tour around central Glasgow. Visit the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, originally opened in 1901 and recently refurbished. Chat with your guide and fellow travelers over
a welcome drink before dinner. (D)

Day 3: Loch Lomond & Glen Coe
Drive along the banks of Loch Lomond with views of Ben Lomond and other Highland peaks.
Pause at the quaint village of Luss with charming lochside cottages. At Tarbet embark on a short
cruise to appreciate the beauty of this famous loch. Return to your coach and journey across
mysterious Rannoch Moor and through Glen Coe, made famous by the Campbells’ massacre of the Clan Macdonald in 1692. Arrive at Loch Linnhe, an inlet of the sea, and check into your hotel in Ballachulish where you can enjoy the magnificent views or relax in the swimming pool. (B, D)

Day 4: Isle of Mull & Duart Castle
Drive to Oban and take a ferry to the Isle of Mull, one of the Inner Hebrides. Visit Duart Castle, one
of Scotland’s oldest castles overlooking the Sound of Mull. For centuries the Castle was, and is once again, home to the Chief of Clan Maclean. Travel through the island to see open hills and delightful coastal views to the Sound of Mull. Stop in the colorful town of Tobermory and take a walk along the quayside or browse through the shops. Take a ferry to discover the scenic Morvern Peninsula and another short ferry to return to Ballachulish. (B, D)

Day 5:The Great Glen & Culloden Battlefield
Drive to Fort Augustus and alongside Loch Ness, keeping an eye out for the famous monster and
enjoying the scenic views of Scotland’s largest inland body of water. Stop in Inverness before
touring the Culloden Visitor Centre and Battlefield. On 16th April 1746, Government forces defeated the army of Prince Charles Edward Stuart in just one hour and ended hopes of restoring the Jacobite Stuarts to the British throne. The brutal measures imposed afterwards ended the distinctive Highland way of life. Drive to Blairs to your elegant 19th century mansion. (B, D)

Day 6: Crathes Castle & Afternoon Tea
Depart your hotel mid-morning to visit Crathes Castle, a fairytale Renaissance castle completed
in 1594 with a wealth of fine furnishings. See the wonderful gardens before driving along the River Dee Valley, favored by Queen Victoria and many of the Royal Family. Near the village of Banchory stop at the Falls of Feugh, a charming tea shop, which is popular with people in the area. Sample afternoon tea with delicious freshly-baked scones. Return to Blairs in time to relax before dinner at your hotel. (B, D)

Day 7: Glamis Castle & St. Andrews
Travel south through Aberdeenshire to visit Glamis Castle, the legendary setting of “Macbeth”
and childhood home of the late Queen Mother. Drive across the Tay Bridge to St. Andrews, the
home of golf. See the famous Royal and Ancient Clubhouse and the Old Course and enjoy free
time to visit the British Golf Museum or browse through the medieval town. Drive south into
Edinburgh, Scotland's capital. At this evening’s cabaret sample Scottish specialties, including haggis, and enjoy bagpipes, traditional music, singing and dancing. (B, D)

Day 8: Edinburgh Castle & City Tour
This morning discover Edinburgh on a sightseeing tour. Compare and contrast the wide
streets and elegant mansions of the Georgian 200-year-old New Town with the narrow lanes and medieval townhouses along the Royal Mile, the oldest part of the city, and together forming
a World Heritage Site. Learn about the many prominent Scottish inventors, doctors and writers.
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 26 to August 16 departures enjoy the Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle. (B)

Day 9: Ferry Trip to Ireland
This morning bid farewell to your Scottish guide as you depart Edinburgh after breakfast and drive south through the Southern Uplands, a region where sheep are raised on the gentle, fertile hills. At Cairnryan take a ferry ride across the narrow channel between Scotland and Ireland to arrive in Larne, just outside Belfast. Drive south to Dublin to check into your hotel where the evening is at leisure for independent dining. (B)

Day 10: Dublin & Merry Ploughboy Pub
Use your open-top bus voucher this morning to explore Dublin on your own. At 2:00 pm meet
your Irish driver/guide and your fellow travelers for a tour of central Dublin with a local guide. See Trinity College, where the Book of Kells is housed and rows of Georgian houses with gaily-colored doorways. Stop at Dublin Castle for a guided tour through the elegant State Apartments. Return to your hotel and in the evening drive to the Merry Ploughboy Pub for a great dinner of Irish specialties, which is followed by a lively show of traditional Irish songs and intricate step dancing. (B, D)

Day 11: Blarney Castle & Killarney
Depart Dublin and travel through the center of Ireland, stopping to view the stately church ruins
atop the Rock of Cashel. Nearby visit a farmhouse to sample some freshly-baked scones with tea and learn about farm life. Continue your drive south to visit Blarney Castle and kiss the famous “Stone of Eloquence.” Also visit the Blarney Woollen Mills where you can find quality Irish-made goods. Drive into County Kerry where the scenery becomes more mountainous to Killarney, picturesquely set beside lakes and mountains. Check into your hotel and relax before dinner. Afterwards you may like to head to a “singing pub.” (B, D)

Day 12: Ring of Kerry & Skellig Experience
Today embark on the Ring of Kerry drive – a winding route with breathtaking sights of
mountains and coastal views. Stop near the Gap of Dunloe to see “Essence of Kerry,” an
audio-visual presentation. As you travel, there will be plenty of stops for photos. Visit the
Skellig Experience to learn about the life of early Christian monks who inhabited the rocky
offshore islands. Drive through Cahirciveen and Waterville and stop to walk around Sneem,
where brightly-painted houses are grouped around the central green. Stop at Moll’s Gap for
a panoramic view before returning to Killarney where the evening is free. (B)

Day 13: Cliffs of Moher & Bunratty Castle
Drive to Tarbert for a ferry ride across the River Shannon Estuary. Continue to the Cliffs of Moher, a spectacular wall of limestone that reaches 700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. Drive to Bunratty to check into Bunratty Castle Hotel, located very close to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. If you wish, you may visit the Folk Park, have a drink in the 200-year-old Durty Nelly’s Pub or shop at the Bunratty Mills. In the evening head to Bunratty Castle for a memorable medieval-style feast. During and after the meal the lords and ladies will serenade you with song and harp music, evocative of the Middle Ages. (B, D)

Day 14: Shannon Airport or Dublin Stay
Clients on the 14-day tour will take a group transfer to nearby Shannon Airport where your
tour concludes at 10:30 am. Passengers on the 15-day tour will drive through the outskirts of
Limerick and through the midland region of Ireland to Kildare. Here visit the Irish National Stud and Japanese Gardens. You can learn about horse breeding and see some of the valuable animals before touring the lovely Japanese Gardens, considered the best in Europe. Drive to the north side of Dublin city and you are free this evening for independent activities and dining. (B)

Day 15: Depart from Dublin Airport
A shuttle service will take you from your hotel to Dublin Airport – times will be given to you once on tour. After check-in, you’ll have time to shop at the duty-free stores before U.S. Immigration pre-clearance and boarding your flight for the journey home. (B)