The Best of Scotland and Ireland

Included Features

• Free parking with roundtrip motorcoach transportation to a local international airport
• Roundtrip airfare from a local international to Glasglow, Scotland with return from Dublin, Ireland
• Ten night hotel accommodations 
• Sightseeing as stated in itinerary by luxury coach 
• Services of a professional CIE Tours driver/guide 
• Gratuities for the CIE Tour driver/guide
• Meals: 10 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 6 Dinners 
• All local taxes, hotel service charges & porterage for one suitcase per person
• Services of a Discoveries Journey Manager

Highlights

• Loch Ness Cruise
• Edinburgh Castle
• Scottish Evening with dinner & traditional entertainment
• Titanic Belfast
• Grand Canal Cruise with traditional music
• Farmhouse Tea & sheepdog demonstration 
• Blarney Castle
• Jaunting Car Ride
• Cliffs of Moher 

Itinerary

Monday, September 22: Depart Central PA

Motorcoach from Central PA to a local international airport for an overnight flight to Glasgow, Scotland. 

Tuesday, September 23: Arrive in Glasgow

Welcome to Scotland! This afternoon depart from your hotel and set out on a panoramic tour of central Glasgow - a city that flourished in Victorian times due to the shipbuilding industry and international trade. Drive around George Square with its ornate City Chambers. Visit Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, a splendid, Spanish Baroquestyle building housing one of Europe's finest art collections, including masterpieces by Rembrandt, Titian, and Dali. Enjoy a welcome drink with your group before dinner.  Hotel: DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Central, Glasgow, Scotland  (Dinner)

Wednesday, September 24: Loch Lomond & Loch Ness Cruise

Travel alongside the famous Loch Lomond, renowned for its beauty. Drive across the haunting Rannoch Moor and through Glencoe, admiring the wild and spectacular scenery. Continue through Fort William and on to Fort Augustus. Embark on a short cruise on Loch Ness before heading to your hotel. Hotel: Muthu Newton Hotel, Nairn, Scotland (Breakfast, Dinner)

Thursday, September 25: Whiskey Tasting & St. Andrews

Visit Blair Athol Distillery, founded in 1798, to discover traditional whisky production and taste a sample. Travel to St Andrews, a town rich in medieval heritage and the home of golf; take a panoramic drive and have time to explore independently. Continue on to your elegant manor house hotel outside Edinburgh; three centuries old, it's set on 1,000 acres of beautiful parkland. Explore as you wish and dine independently this evening. Hotel: Dalmahoy Hotel and Country Club, Kirknewton, Scotland (Breakfast)

Friday, September 26: Edinburgh Castle & Scottish Evening

Explore the principal sights of central Edinburgh from the bustling Princes Street through the gracious, wide streets of the 200-year-old Georgian “New Town.” Walk along part of the Royal Mile where compact medieval houses reach several stories tall. Visit Edinburgh Castle perched high above the city on volcanic rock, home to the Scottish Crown Jewels.  The rest of the afternoon is free. to explore on your own.  Experience a lively Scottish evening with dinner and traditional entertainment.  (Breakfast, Dinner) 
 

Saturday, September 27: Ferry to Ireland & Belfast

Depart Edinburgh and travel through Ayrshire and along the coast. Embark on a ferry ride to Belfast. Take a panoramic drive through Belfast, seeing the highlights of this fascinating city, where the Titanic was built in the once-bustling shipyards. Visit Titanic Belfast to explore the fascinating story of the doomed ship. Then travel to Dublin, to enjoy dinner on your own.  Hotel: Hyatt Centric The Liberties, Dublin, Ireland (Breakfast) 
 

Sunday, September 28: Dublin Sightseeing, Christ Church Cathedral & Canal Dinner Cruise

Explore Dublin on a panoramic tour with a local guide, discovering its history and viewing its elegant Georgian buildings; Trinity College, the River Liffey, and many more. Visit Christ Church Cathedral, the spiritual heart of the city for more than 1,000 years. This evening, dine on a former Guinness barge as you cruise the Grand Canal, listening to traditional Irish music. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Monday, September 29: Farmhouse Tea with Sheepdog Demonstration - Blarney Castle & Killarney

Travel through the countryside to a traditional farm, where you'll savor tea and homemade scones and watch sheepdogs display their skills at herding sheep. Head to Blarney Castle and climb the winding stairs to kiss its famous stone, or you can enjoy the gardens. Move on to the lively lakeside town of Killarney, where you will enjoy dinner. Hotel: Killarney Avenue Hotel, Killarney, Ireland (Breakfast, Dinner))

Tuesday, September 30, 2025: Jaunting Car Ride, Ring of Kerry & Skellig Experience

Step back in time as a jaunting car drives you past Ross Castle on Lough Leane. Head to the scenic Gap of Dunloe to visit Moriarty's, a CIE Tours preferred shopping partner. Embark on the Ring of Kerry drive - a winding route with breath-taking sights of mountains and coastal views. Cross the bridge to Valentia Island to visit the Skellig Experience, which explains the life of early Christian hermits on Skellig Michael, a rocky offshore island featured in the film “Star Wars VII.” Enjoy a casual lunch before a pause at Moll's Gap for panoramic mountain views. Return to Killarney where the evening is free to explore the town on your own. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Wednesday, October 1, 2025: Cliffs of Moher & Medieval Castle Banquet

Cross the Shannon Estuary by ferry on your way to visit the Cliffs of Moher. Take in the spectacular views from these awesome cliffs, soaring 700 feet above the Atlantic. Head on to Bunratty, where you'll have a little time to relax in your hotel or have a drink in the famed Durty Nelly's Pub nearby. Your dinner will be a medieval style feast in a castle, complete with serenading lords and ladies. Hotel: Limerick Strand Hotel, Limerick, Ireland (Breakfast, Dinner) 

Thursday, October 2, 2025: Galway - Clonmacnoise & Dublin  

Head to lively Galway for a walking tour around the city center with a local guide.  Drive to Dublin, stopping to visit the picturesque monastic ruins of Clonmacnoise, founded in 544 AD by Saint Ciaran. Your evening is free to explore Dublin's restaurants and pubs. Hotel: Maldron Hotel Pearse Street, Dublin, Ireland (Breakfast)

Friday, October 3, 2025: Depart for Central PA

After breakfast, transfer to the Dublin Airport for your flight and transportation back to Central PA with wonderful memories of the tale of two countries! (Breakfast)

*Hotels and itinerary are subject to change at any time without advanced notice and or compensation.

Activity Level: 3

Moderate- Good mobility is required for this trip. Climbing stairs and standing for 2-3 hours at a time, as well as walking on uneven terrain may be necessary. Portions of the itinerary may include higher altitudes. The itinerary may involve longer days up to 12-14 hours in length. This activity level is not recommended for travelers with significant mobility concerns.

General Information

Travel Documents

Original, signed Passport valid for 6 months beyond stay, and with at least one blank Visa page for Visa Stamp(s) is required for this trip. 

As travel policies are rapidly changing as a result of COVID-19, the final requirements will be communicated prior to departure. Please see your travel advisor for additional information.

Payment

A deposit of $250 per person will confirm your reservation. Final Payment is due to AAA by   July 3, 2025.

Cancellation Penalties

Deposit date to day of departure $25 per person, plus... 
From June 15 - July 3, 2025 - $250 per person, plus any additional suppliers’ fees 
From July 4 - September 6, 2025 - 30% paid per person, plus any additional suppliers’ fees 
From September 7 - 14, 2025 - 50% paid per person, plus any additional suppliers’ fees 
From September 15 - 21, 2025 - 90% paid per person, plus any additional suppliers’ fees 
After September 21, 2025 -  NON-REFUNDABLE

*Airfare is non-refundable after final payment

Flight

Air arrangements are handled by the tour operator.  Seat assignments cannot be confirmed until the tour operator releases names to the airline(s) 30 days prior to departure.  Specific seat requests cannot be guaranteed.  Some flights may contain code share agreements.

Insurance

For your protection, AAA recommends travel insurance.  Pre-existing medical conditions may be waived with proper coverage if travel insurance is purchased within 14 days of initial deposit only.  Other conditions may apply; ask your travel agent.  AAA recommends Allianz.

Clothing/Climate

Temperatures for Scotland and Ireland in September and early October range in the low 50's through mid 60's with cooler nights.  Casual clothes that can be layered work best. Comfortable, waterproof walking shoes are a must and a small umbrella is recommended. 

Baggage

One suitcase per person will be allowed. You may also bring a carry-on bag small enough to fit under your seat. Baggage fees are not included in the price of the trip. Baggage fees and other charges may be directly assessed by airlines or airport. 

Travel Assistance

For personal comfort, group participants who need assistance are required to have a traveling companion who is capable of and totally responsible for providing needed assistance.

GRP1525

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