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Ring of Kerry
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4.6
Read 39 reviews

Regal majesty and scenic splendor

Discover Scotland’s castles, art, and history as you tour its cities and the Highlands. Cross over to Ireland for music, a medieval castle banquet, and the beauty of the Ring of Kerry.

Trip details

Tour start Glasgow

trip-destination

Tour end Bunratty

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Days

12 icon

Nights

21 icon

Meals

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Highlights

Exploring Edinburgh

Explore the wide streets of New Town and the medieval houses along the Royal Mile.

Inveraray Castle

Find yourself in the home of the Downton Abbey series as you tour the locale where it was set and filmed.

Blarney Castle

Kiss the famous Stone of Eloquence and see if it gives you the gift of gab.

St Andrews

See the birthplace of golf, and Scotland's oldest university.

Cliffs of Moher

Take a ferry across the River Shannon Estuary and view the Cliffs of Moher, a spectacular wall of sandstone that reaches high above the Atlantic.

Skellig Experience

This prizewinning interpretive center gives visitors a rich and evocative experience of "the islands at the edge of the world."

Ring of Kerry

Take a scenic drive around the peninsula to take in rugged, verdant coastal landscapes and rural seaside villages.

Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle

Walk in the footsteps of soldiers, kings and queens, and even the odd pirate or two, in this medieval-era royal residence, military garrison, prison and fortress, alive with many exciting tales.

Titanic Belfast
Titanic Belfast

Explore the history of the ill-fated ocean liner and its first (and last) voyage, in the city where it was built.

Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

Our July 30th to August 20thst departures get to enjoy the precision and performance of pipe and drum corps from around the world.

Dublin Castle
Dublin Castle

Tour the impressive State Apartments at Dublin Castle - once serving as living quarters, they are now the site of state ceremonies and presidential inaugurations.

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Itinerary

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slide Day 1Glasgow City Tour | Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum
Your tour departs at 2:00 PM from your hotel. Set out on a panoramic tour of the highlights of Glasgow, a city built on industry but now known for its stunning Victorian architecture and creative cultural scene. Visit Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, housing one of Europe's finest art collections. Enjoy a welcome drink with your group at the hotel, then you are free to explore the city and dine as you wish.
Embark on a short cruise of Loch Lomond with views of Highland peaks. Stroll through Inveraray and have lunch on your own before touring Inveraray Castle, which you may recognize from the “Downton Abbey” series. Drive through Glencoe, one of Scotland's most beautiful places, and continue on to Ballachulish on the shore of Loch Leven. (B, D)
Travel on the scenic “Road to the Isles”, stopping for photos at the Glenfinnan Monument. Ferry to the Isle of Skye to visit the romantic ruins of Armadale Castle. Back on the mainland, travel along the shores of Loch Ness. End the day at your hotel in Nairn, a lovely manor house set on spacious grounds near the North Sea. (Saturday departures from July 29 to August 19 stay at the Marriot Inverness Airport Hotel). (B, D)
Visit the Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre to learn about the historic battle. Walk around the serene moorland to see monuments commemorating the troops. Immerse yourself in farm life at a local farm as you watch dogs herd sheep. Travel to your gracious manor-style hotel near Pitlochry. (B, D)
Visit Blair Castle, home of the Dukes and Earls of Atholl. Delve into the history of Mary, Queen of Scots, Bonnie Prince Charlie, and how Queen Victoria's famous stay led to the creation of Europe's only private army, the Atholl Highlanders. Go behind the scenes at Blair Athol Distillery for a tour and sample of the finished product. Spend the afternoon at leisure exploring the hotel gardens and museum, or browsing around Pitlochry town. (B, D)
Visit Glamis Castle, the legendary setting of “Macbeth”. Head to St Andrews, the “Home of Golf”. See the famous Royal and Ancient Clubhouse and the Old Course on a panoramic drive. Enjoy a traditional Scottish evening with dinner and entertainment. July 30 - August 20 departures enjoy an evening free to dine independently. (B, D*)
Take a panoramic tour of Edinburgh, from the narrow lanes and medieval townhouses of the Royal Mile to the elegant mansions and wide streets of the 200-year-old Georgian “New Town”. Tour the imposing Edinburgh Castle with its splendid views of the city. The rest of the day is free for independent exploring, shopping, and dining. July 30 - August 20 departures attend the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on the Castle Esplanade. (B)
Say farewell to your Scottish guide and embark on a ferry ride to Belfast. Immerse yourself in the history of the Titanic through displays at Titanic Belfast. Drive on to Dublin, where you have a free evening to explore the city's excellent restaurants and famed pubs. (B)
Explore Dublin independently on a Hop-On, Hop-Off bus tour, and choose one of four top attractions to visit with your included voucher: GPO Museum, Teelings Distillery, or EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum. At 2:00 PM meet your new Irish guide/driver and tour group in the hotel lobby. Join a local guide for a Dublin City tour, and then take a guided tour of Dublin Castle. Enjoy a traditional Irish dinner and show at Merry Ploughboy Pub. (B, D)
Head for Blarney Castle today, stopping for a photo opportunity at the Rock of Cashel along the way. You might choose to climb the steep winding staircase to kiss the famed Blarney Stone, which legend says will give you the gift of the gab. Drive through Macroom, built around a fine old castle, and into County Kerry where the scenery becomes more mountainous. Arrive in Killarney, picturesquely set beside lakes with Ireland's highest mountains, Macgillycuddy's Reeks, forming a backdrop. Check in to your hotel and relax before dinner. (B, D)
Take the Ring of Kerry drive - a winding route with awesome mountain and coastline views. Stop off in the beautiful Gap of Dunloe to visit our CIE Tours preferred shopping partner Moriarty's. Enjoy lunch before crossing to Valentia Island and the Skellig Experience, which tells the story of nearby islands. Watch a demonstration of highly skilled dogs herding flocks of sheep. Spend a free evening in Killarney. (B, L)
Take a ferry across the River Shannon Estuary and visit the Cliffs of Moher, a spectacular wall of sandstone that reaches high above the Atlantic. Check in to Bunratty Castle Hotel, relax and enjoy free time before heading out for a memorable medieval-style feast complete with songs and harp music evocative of the Middle Ages. (B, D)
Your tour ends this morning after breakfast. (B) B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner * Meal counts vary on Tattoo departures, as the Scottish Evening is replaced with the Tattoo and an independent dinner. >

Where you’ll stay

Sandman Signature Glasgow Hotel

Sandman Signature Glasgow Hotel Glasgow, Scotland

The Sandman Signature Hotel is a stunning hotel with 179 bedrooms in the center of vibrant Glasgow...
Ballachulish Hotel on Loch Linnhe

Ballachulish Hotel Ballachulish, Scotland

Situated in a breathtaking lochside setting at the foot of dramatic Glencoe, this historic hotel...
Muthu Newton Hotel

Muthu Newton Hotel Nairn, Scotland

Muthu Newton Hotel is close to the Nairn golfing links and the Moray Firth offering unrivalled...
Atholl Palace Hotel

Atholl Palace Hotel Pitlochry, Scotland

Originally opened in Victorian times, the Atholl Palace Hotel retains many features of a...
Norton House Hotel

Norton House Hotel & Spa near Edinburgh, Scotland

Set in a Victorian mansion in 55 acres of grounds, Norton House features a luxury spa, award-...
The Beautiful 4-Star Clayton Hotel Ballsbridge

Clayton Hotel Ballsbridge Dublin, Ireland

This hotel was once a Masonic School and still retains many striking original features that give...
Killarney Towers Hotel

Killarney Towers Hotel Killarney, Ireland

The Killarney Towers Hotel is the perfect location from which to explore the excitement and...
Clayton Limerick Hotel

Clayton Hotel Limerick Limerick, Ireland

Located on Steamboat Quay, Limerick the 17-story Clayton Hotel Limerick combines architectural...
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Inclusive package with no hidden extras

What's included?

  • Full daily breakfast and many meals*
  • Scottish & Irish entertainment
  • Transportation (Buses, shuttles & ferries)
  • Welcome drinks with your group
  • Free Wi-Fi on luxury coaches
  • All entrance fees to attractions
  • Comprehensive travel itinerary

 

*Breakfast is not included on Day 1

Our welcome gift to you

  • A travel backpack
  • Travel adapter
  • Rain poncho
  • Luggage strap and tags
  • Documents wallet
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See what people are saying about this trip

4
CIE Tours Customer
4 years 10 months ago

Scottish Guide was very good and Irish Guide seem to have a chip on his shoulder.

5
Lorri Ann Tunney
4 years 10 months ago
The tour was exceptional. Had the time of my life.

There was a lot packed into this tour. The tour guides were informative and entertaining. Gordon and Neal in Scotland took great care of us. Bob in Ireland was very entertaining. I only wish that the individuals in our Scotland tour were the ones we were touring with in Ireland. We had a great bunch of people and got along well. This was my dream vacation. I would love to come back and do more exploring. Would love to spend more time in Edinburgh. Enjoyed visiting castles and the weather did not dampen our enthusiasm. Was tickled pink when I ran across Bakehouse Close (aka Carfax Close on Outlander). Thoroughly enjoyed all the towns we visited in both Scotland and Ireland. Thanks CIE!!!

4
Janet Noreene Meeks
4 years 10 months ago
Good booking agent

Great hotels, food and excursions. Scotland tour guide had good information, but was standoffish. In Ireland we had a driver/guide which made it a bit awkward. He was very friendly, but seemed to have less information. We also had booked a Scottish-Irish Dream, thinking it was one tour. It was not. Two tours, and the company did not communicate the division and transition to us at all. Very confusing and a VERY LONG day. It would have been OK had we just known what was happening and been prepared.

5
Bari Mooney Hunt
4 years 10 months ago

I really enjoyed the entire tour. My only suggestion on the tour of Ireland ... too much riding and not enough stops to tour historical places, I would like to have seen more and learned more about the history of the country

4
CIE Tours Customer
4 years 10 months ago

Scottish tour was
Marginal - leader was not very dynamic, Irish leader was excellent . Didn’t like the tour in Dublin . We had to rely on a hop on and off bus. Titanic tour was over crowed which resulted in late arrival at hotel. Bus driver of Scotland tour was excellent . Bathroom on bus was unavailable which was an issue for some! Tour was not one tour group but instead two separate tours. First part of tour was smaller and more desirable. Group dinners were over crowded and uncomfortable!

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