Your Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 - Mon: Depart U.S. for Scotland
Depart U.S. on your overnight flight to Glasgow.

Day 2 - Tue: Glasgow Highlights
Land in Glasgow Airport where you'll meet your CIE Tours driver/guide or representative. Take a group transfer to your hotel, departing at 8:00 am, 10:00 am or 12:00 noon. If you arrive later than noon, you must transfer to the hotel at your own expense. At 3:00 pm set out on a coach tour to discover the main attractions of Glasgow, a city that flourished in Victorian times due to the shipbuilding industry on the River Clyde. Drive around George Square with its ornate City Chambers and nearby Glasgow Cathedral. Visit the Museum of Transport to view collections of cars, buses and bicycles, many invented in Scotland. Back at your hotel, join your fellow travelers for a welcome drink before dinner is served. (D)

Day 3 - Wed: Loch Lomond & Loch Ness Cruise
Depart Glasgow and drive alongside the famous Loch Lomond, renowned in song and also for unsurpassed beauty of the lake and mountains. Travel across the haunting Rannoch Moor and through Glencoe, notorious for the Campbell massacre of the Clan Macdonald in 1692. Continue through Fort William and stop at Spean Bridge Woollen Mills, which offers a good selection of quality Scottish goods. At Fort Augustus embark on a short cruise on Loch Ness to admire enchanting scenic views and perhaps spot the famous monster. Motor alongside the loch and through Inverness. Continue to Nairn where your hotel was a favorite summer residence of Charlie Chaplin. (B, D)

Day 4 - Thu: Culloden Battlefield
Visit the newly-opened Culloden Visitor Centre to learn about the Battle of Culloden where Bonnie Prince Charlie was defeated by the British army in 1746 in a fierce combat that lasted just one hour. The defeat for the Scots changed the traditional way of Highland clan life forever. Drive south through the majestic peaks of the Grampian Mountains and the gentle countryside of Perthshire to Edinburgh and check in to your hotel. In the evening attend a Scottish cabaret where you dine on local specialties, including the famous haggis, and enjoy traditional entertainment. (B, D)

Day 5 - Fri: Edinburgh City Tour & Castle
This morning an Edinburgh city guide will point out the principal sights of this interesting capital city. Drive along the bustling Princes Street and through the gracious, wide streets of the 200-year-old Georgian New Town. See the compact medieval section along the Royal Mile where some houses reach 11 stories tall. Visit Edinburgh Castle, which dominates the city center and contains the Scottish Crown Jewels and the Stone of Scone. The balance of the day is free for further sightseeing, shopping and dining. On August 3 and 17 departures enjoy the Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle. (B)

Day 6 - Sat: Larne Ferry & Belfast
This morning depart Edinburgh after breakfast and drive south through part of the Southern Uplands and along the coastline. At Cairnryan take a ferry ride across the narrow channel between Scotland and Ireland to arrive in Larne. Drive the short distance to Belfast and see the highlights of Belfast with a local guide, including Victorian buildings, the Harland and Wolff Shipyards, where the Titanic was built and areas around the Shankill and Falls Road. Check in to your centrally-located hotel and relax before dining in the hotel. (B, D)

Day 7 - Sun: Giant's Causeway & Derry Walk
Drive north along the "Nine Glens of Antrim," a scenic route with views of mountains, valleys and coastline. Stop at the Giant's Causeway, hexagonal columns formed by volcanic activity over 60 million years ago. The enormous rocks have spawned legends about the mythical giant, Finn McCool. Continue to Derry and join a local guide for a short walking tour around the ancient city center, surrounded by the medieval city walls. (B, D)

Day 8 - Mon: Glenveagh Castle & Belleek
Travel into County Donegal to Glenveagh National Park and tour Glenveagh Castle, built in 1870 by Captain Adair. Learn about the history of the mansion, its owners and guests as you view the many rooms. Then walk through some of the gardens filled with exotic plants. Continue your journey south past Donegal town and on to the Belleek Pottery Factory for a guided tour. Watch skilled craftspeople create intricate basket-weave designs in delicate china. Drive to Ballyshannon and check in to your hotel. After dinner head to the nearby Thatch Pub for some live traditional music. (B, D)

Day 9 - Tue: Slieve League Cliffs & Donegal
Drive to the fishing port of Killybegs and on to Teelin to view Slieve League sea cliffs, which reach 1,972 feet, making them the highest in Europe. The cliffs drop straight down to the wild Atlantic waves and the views are marvelous. Continue through the majestic Glengesh Pass to Ardara. Visit Triona Design to see demonstrations of spinning, weaving and knitting as well as to sample home-made scones with tea. Stop in Donegal town for free time before returning to your nearby hotel. (B, D)

Day 10 - Wed: Enniskillen Castle & Battle of the Boyne
Drive along the shoreline of Lower Lough Erne and enjoy scenic views of the lake. Stop to visit Enniskillen Castle, built almost 600 years ago by Gaelic Maguire chieftains. Several buildings illustrate the story of the castle and the county and contain award-winning displays on Fermanagh's history, wildlife and landscape. Drive across Ireland's midlands and just outside Drogheda visit the Battle of the Boyne Centre. Learn about the 1690 conflict between King William III and his father-in-law, King James II for dominance over the British throne and religious power in Ireland. Travel to Dublin's Temple Bar area to your hotel. In the evening head to the nearby Brazen Head Pub, which dates from the 12th century. Here enjoy a great dinner and a lively show of traditional Irish songs and intricate step-dancing. (B, D)

Day 11 - Thu: Depart for Home
For those of you booked on our 11-day tour, complimentary group transfers are provided to Dublin Airport to arrive at 6:00 am, 9:00 am or 12:00 noon. (B)


B=Breakfast, CB=Continental Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner