Photo courtesy of CIE Tours

If rollicking pub crawls, palatial castles and estates, rugged coastal drives, and some of the finest golfing greens in the world are the match that ignites your travel dreams, you might just want to add yourself to the growing list of Canadians heading to Ireland. In 2014, Canadian travellers to Ireland grew by 30 per cent, a number that is like to continue to climb as more airlines begin service between Canada and Ireland.

For Canadians watching their travel budget this season, a trip to Ireland might seem out of reach, but a sale from CIE Tours International, a U.S.-based tour operator specializing in tours to Ireland and the U.K., can save travellers up to C$ 700 per couple.

Irish & Scottish Sampler

Explore the culture of two great nations in the Irish and Scottish Sampler. The tour visits some of the region’s most famed cities, including Dublin, Belfast and Edinburgh, with stops at Dalkey Castle, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Giant’s Causeway, Titanic Belfast, Pollok House, St Andrews and Edinburgh Castle. Learn turf-cutting at Sheans Heritage Farm, try whisky tasting at Blair Athol Distillery, and hop the ferry between Ireland and Scotland. The 8-day coach tour starts from $2,188 per person.

Best of Britain

Travellers interested in exploring Britain’s history can see the nation’s top attractions on the 9-day Best Britain tour, with visits to London, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Windsor and York. Included on the itinerary are stops at Windsor Castle, Shakespeare’s birthplace, the Edinburgh Castle, the Old Blacksmith’s Shop at Gretna Green, Cardiff Castle, Stonehenge and the Tower of London. And, of course, no tour of Britain is complete without a visit to The Beatles Story.

Irish Patriot Trail

A new tour in 2016, trace the history of Ireland’s fight for political freedom on the Irish Patriot Trail coach tour. Circle Ireland while making stops at sites that played key roles in Irish history, including Dublin’s Kilmainham Gaol, where leaders of the 1916 rebellion were imprisoned, and the General Post Office, which was the headquarters of the rebellion. You’ll get a taste of Irish culture with an Irish Coffee tasting at the Imperial Hotel in Cork, a horse-drawn jaunting car ride in Killarney, a ferry ride across the River Shannon and a step dancing display in Cabra Castle Hotel.  The 12-day coach tour starts from C$ 2,584 per person.

Irish Legends

Book the 9-day Irish Legends program to visit some of Ireland’s most celebrated attractions, including the Blarney Castle, Cliffs of Moher and the House of Waterford Crystal. Other highlights include Sheepherding at Rathbaun Farm, a day tour to Inis Mor, the largest of the Ireland’s three Aran Islands, as well as stops at Malahide Castle, Irish National Stud & Gardens, Blarney Woollen Mills, Dunbrody Famine Ship, Cobh Heritage Centre, Dun Aengus Fort and Clonmacnoise Monastic Site. From C$ 1,737.

Grand Tour of Britain & Ireland

Travellers wanting a deeper exploration of the United Kingdom won’t want to miss the 24-day Grand Tour of Britain & Ireland. The program includes city tours in London, Edinburgh, Belfast, Dublin, Cardiff and Plymouth, as well as walking tours in York, St Andrews, Derry, Galway, Waterford, Dublin’s Trinity College, Conwy, Cardiff and Windsor. Explore the culinary highlights of these two nations with a Scottish night in Edinburgh, dinner and a show at Taylor’s Three Rock Pub and a Welsh banquet at Cardiff Castle. Other highlights include a visit to the Loch Ness Monster, whisky tasting at the Oban Distillery, an exhibition of sheepdog trials on Ring of Kerry and an afternoon of tea and scones at J.B. Keane’s Pub in Listowel. From C$ 6,825 per person.

Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

All travellers visiting Edinburgh on the above tours during Aug. 5 to 21 departures, will also enjoy reserved seats to the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

CIE Tours, which has been operating tours to the United Kingdom for more than 80 years, offers more than 50 escorted tours. Travellers can also reserve castle stays, book independent travel and enjoy luxury chauffeur packages.

Not sure where to start? Every year CIE surveys its customers to query them on favorite hotels, attractions and experiences. CIE customer favorites are recognized every year during the CIE Award of Excellence program.

In order to make booking easier for Canadian travel agents and travellers, CIE Tours launched a brand new Canada website and brochure last year.

For more information on CIE Tour’s current special offers, visit www.cietours.com/canada/specialoffers.aspx.

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