15 Day The Scots Irish Tour – CIE

The Scots Irish Tour 15 Days / 14 Nights

For single tour rate, please add AU$1,295 single room supplement to featured price.
Please note: this tour is all inclusive. All “extras” are included in the featured base price.

Day 1: Edinburgh & Royal Yacht Britannia
Your Scottish trip starts at 2:00 pm from your hotel, located on two golf courses a few miles from the city center. Drive to Leith for a tour around the Royal Yacht Britannia, the floating home of The Queen on many of her travels around the world. See the various parts of the ship, including staterooms and public spaces, together with photos of important visits. Return to your hotel for a welcome drink with your tour director and you are free for independent dining this evening.

Day 2: Edinburgh Castle & City Tour
This morning tour Edinburgh to compare and contrast the wide streets and elegant mansions of the Georgian 200-year-old “New Town” and Princes Street with the medieval Royal Mile. Walk along part of the Royal Mile to view narrow lanes and townhouses, some of which are 11 stories tall. Visit Edinburgh Castle, which contains the Scottish Crown Jewels and the Stone of Scone. The balance of the day is free. Dine at a Scottish Evening and enjoy a lively show with songs, stories and traditional dancing. On Aug 07 to 23 departures attend the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle.

(B, D)

Day 3: St Andrews & Highland Scenery
Travel north to St Andrews, famous for golfing and Scotland’s oldest university. Take a walking tour around the town with your tour director who will tell you about the famous people and happenings here. Visit the picturesque ruins of St Andrews Cathedral. Take a break in Pitlochry and continue through majestic Highland scenery to your hotel in Inverness (Sun departures) or Nairn (Tue departures).

(B, D)

Day 4: Isle of Skye & Clan Donald Centre
Drive alongside Loch Ness and enjoy views of this deep lake, famous for tales of the monster. Continue through wild Highland scenery, pausing for photos at the picturesque Eilean Donan Castle and cross to the Isle of Skye by bridge. Drive through part of the island and visit the Clan Donald Centre at Armadale Castle to discover the history of the powerful Lords of the Isles. Return to the mainland by ferry and take the “Road to the Isles” through some of Scotland’s most popular scenery, stopping for photos at the Glenfinnan Monument.

(B, D)

Day 5: Glen Coe & Rabbie Burns
This morning enjoy final views of the magnificent Highlands as you drive south through the awesome peaks of Glen Coe and alongside the lovely shores of Loch Lomond. Stop briefly in Alloway to visit the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland and is celebrated worldwide as a pioneer of the Romantic movement. He is the best known of the poets who have written in the Scots language. Travel along the coast to Cairnryan for a short ferry ride to Belfast.

(B, D)

Day 6: Titanic Belfast & Ulster Folk Park
This morning take a panoramic tour around central Belfast to see the imposing City Hall in Donegall Square and the shipyards where RMS Titanic was built in 1912. Visit Titanic Belfast to learn about this famous liner through state-of-the-art displays and join a local guide on a walking tour to explore further. Browse around the city on your own in the afternoon and in the evening visit the Ulster Folk Park for a fun country-style dinner and traditional music.

(B, D)

Day 7: Giant’s Causeway & Derry’s Walls
Drive along the scenic route of the Nine Glens of Antrim, for views of mountains, valleys and coastline. Stop at the Giant’s Causeway, enormous hexagonal columns formed by volcanic activity 60 million years ago which have spawned legends about the mythical giant, Finn McCool. In Derry join a local guide for a short walking tour around the defensive walls of the compact city before driving to Letterkenny.

(B, D)

Day 8: Glenveagh National Park & Kilronan Castle
Travel to Glenveagh National Park where Captain Adair built Glenveagh Castle in 1870. Learn about the history of the mansion on a guided tour and walk around the extensive gardens filled with exotic plants. Stop in Donegal town for a look around on your own and enjoy some lunch. Continue to Kilronan Castle for a 2-night stay and relax in the great setting.

(B, D)

Day 9: Enniskillen Castle & Boyle Abbey
Drive north this morning to Enniskillen, strategically situated on the banks of the picturesque River Erne. Tour Enniskillen Castle, which was once the home of the Gaelic Maguire chieftains and represents an important part of Fermanagh’s rich history and heritage. Enjoy a casual lunch and then take a stroll around the beautiful ruins of Boyle Abbey, an early Cistercian community founded in the 12th century. Return to your castle hotel to relax in the afternoon.

(B, L)

Day 10: Cliffs of Moher & Knappogue Banquet
Head to Galway city for a walking tour with a local guide to see medieval city walls, Lynch’s Castle and Eyre Square. Drive through the Burren to view the Cliffs of Moher, a dramatic wall of rock that plunges to the Atlantic Ocean. Check in to your hotel in Ennis and in the evening head to 15th century Knappogue Castle for a fun medieval-style banquet.

(B, D)

Day 11: Extend to Killarney
If you are on our 11-day tour your vacation ends after breakfast. If you opt for the 15-day version, travel across the River Shannon Estuary by ferry to discover the glorious Dingle Peninsula. Drive to Slea Head at the westernmost tip for wonderful views. Stop in the town of Dingle for a look around and sip a creamy Irish coffee at the South Pole Inn. Watch a sheepdog display and head to Killarney.

(B, D)

Day 12: Killarney & Jaunting Car Ride
Take a traditional horse-drawn jaunting car ride to Ross Castle for views of Lough Leane, Killarney’s largest lake. Drive to the delightful town of Kenmare where brightly-painted buildings are enhanced with flowers and sit down to a light lunch. Travel part of the Ring of Kerry, pausing at Moll’s Gap for great views. Return to Killarney to relax and explore the town.

(B, L)

Day 13: Blarney Castle & Abbey Tavern
Drive through County Cork to climb Blarney Castle to kiss the famous stone. Also shop at the Blarney Woollen Mills for quality Irish-made products. Pause for photos at the stately Rock of Cashel as you drive north to Dublin. A short drive will bring you to the popular Abbey Tavern for a farewell dinner with Irish songs and step-dancing.

(B, D)

Day 14: Independent Bus Tour in Dublin
Spend an additional day in Dublin with an independent Dublin open-top bus tour (valid for 48 hours), plus a visit to Guinness Storehouse or General Post Office.

(B)

Day 15: Depart Dublin for Home
Your tour ends after breakfast.

(B)

B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner