2026 Scottish & Irish Gold - 16 Days/15 Nights

Stroll through Inveraray before taking a guided tour of Inveraray Castle, featured in “Downton Abbey.” Drive through Glencoe, one of Scotland’s most beautiful places, and then to your hotel in Ballachulish on the shores of Loch Leven. (B, D)   

Enjoy lunch at Sligachan with stunning views of the Cuillin Hills, and visit the Sligachan Old Bridge, famed for its legend of magical waters. Pause for photos at the iconic Eilean Donan Castle before traveling along the shores of Loch Ness to your hotel. (B, L, D)   

Continue through majestic Highland scenery to a local farm for a demonstration of trained dogs herding sheep. Spend the evening in a gracious manor-style hotel near Pitlochry. (B, D)   

Go behind the scenes at Blair Athol Distillery for a tour and sample of the finished product. Spend the afternoon at leisure exploring hotel gardens and museums or browsing around Pitlochry town. (B, D)   

Glamis Castle, St Andrews & Scottish Evening* Visit Glamis Castle, the legendary setting of “Macbeth.” Head to St Andrews, the “Home of Golf.” Enjoy a traditional Scottish evening with dinner and entertainment. August 2 – 23 departures enjoy an evening free to dine independently. (B, D*) 

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. August 2 – 23 departures attend the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on the Castle Esplanade. (B) 

Visit Titanic Belfast, a state-of-the-art attraction that will immerse you in the full story of the ill-fated ocean liner, built in the nearby shipyards in 1912. Head to your hotel in the seaside suburb of Dun Laoghaire near Dublin, where you will meet your Irish driver/guide, and enjoy a free evening in this charming harbor town. (B)  

Join a local guide for a walking tour through the beautiful harbor city of Galway; see its stone-clad buildings and medieval, winding lanes. Enjoy some free time to explore Galway on your own, then join your fellow travelers for dinner at your hotel. (B, D) 

Take a catamaran cruise of Killary Harbour, a 9-mile fjord (seasonal). Head to Kylemore Abbey, set beside a tranquil lake, to see elegant rooms, the charming church and the Victorian walled gardens. Return to Galway, where your evening is free to explore the city’s lively pubs and excellent restaurants. (B) 

Visit the Cliffs of Moher, rising 700 feet above the Atlantic surf. Take a ferry across the River Shannon Estuary as you head to Killarney, where you’ll enjoy an evening of traditional Irish entertainment and dinner at Kate Kearney’s Cottage. (B, D)   

See the highlights of Ireland’s most popular scenic drive, the Ring of Kerry, and take a break in the colorful village of Kenmare. In the beautiful Gap of Dunloe, visit Moriarty’s, a CIE Tours preferred shopping partner. Return to Killarney for an evening on your own. (B) 

Climb the winding staircase to kiss the famous stone or just explore the tranquil gardens. Travel along the coast to the Marine Bar in Dungarvan, a CIE Tours exclusive venue, for some traditional music. Continue to Waterford, where you’ll join a local guide for a walking tour through the narrow streets of Ireland’s oldest city, discovering its fascinating past. (B, D)   

In Kilkenny, spend free time exploring the medieval city center, then tour the beautifully restored Kilkenny Castle to see glorious 17th-century tapestries, painted portraits, and sumptuous furnishings. Travel on to Dublin, where you’ll dine with a glass of wine at One Ballsbridge. (B, D)   

Experience, or the GPO Museum. (B)