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NEW "BEST OF BRITAIN" ESCORTED VACATION INCLUDES POPULAR DESTINATIONS IN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND AND WALES
MORRISTOWN, N.J. October 31, 2011 A new escorted vacation package from CIE Tours International optimizes travelers' budgets and time with an itinerary showcasing only the very best, must-see destinations in England, Scotland and Wales. Appealing to vacationers pressed for time and seeking the most rewarding British travel experience, the "Best of Britain" features either an 8- or 9-day deluxe motorcoach itinerary, combining overnight stays in quality accommodations in each country's bustling city center, with dedicated visits to the Britain's most intriguing attractions.
Itinerary highlights run the gamut from visits to ancient ruins and medieval castles, to banquets at sacred grounds and legendary settings. Truly a magical history tour, "Best of Britain" enables travelers to take in landmark cities, enchanted forests and pastoral settings, while marveling at both old and new. Travelers experience ancient ruins at Stonehenge and Bath, hallowed halls of Oxford, grand Scottish and Welsh banquets, the fabled Lake District, and visits to castles featured in a host of films from Robin Hood to Harry Potter. This turn-key immersion also includes an overview of the Fab Four, with a Beatles tour in Liverpool!
From wonderfully located upscale hotels, airport transfers and admission fees, to most meals, evening entertainment and sumptuous dining in captivating surroundings, like all of CIE Tours itineraries, �Best of Britain� also includes deluxe motorcoach transportation and skilled tour directors and local guides who help bring each region to life. In addition, CIE Tours' $550+ Advantage means travelers are protected against unexpected costs along the way, as $550 is generally about how much travelers would have to pay for extra options such as medieval banquets, dinner, and shows on other tours.
Exemplifying the hassle-free, affordable dream vacation, land-only packages start at $1,648 per person including all local taxes, hotel service charges and porterage fees. The "Best of Britain" tour features accommodations in superior first class hotels such as Harte & Garter Hotel, Windsor (one night); Marriott Hotel, York (one night); Barcelo Carlton Hotel, Edinburgh (2 nights); Marriott City Centre Hotel, Liverpool (one night); Maldron Hotel, Cardiff (one night); and Copthorne Tara or Millennium Gloucester Hotel, London (one night); a Scottish cabaret dinner show; a banquet at Cardiff Castle; walking tours of Oxford and York; plus visits to Windsor and Alnwick Castles, Tintern Abbey and more.
According to CIE Tours International President Brian W. Stack, We've taken special care to include only the most worthwhile destinations in this new itinerary, and provide our assurance that travelers will not encounter any hidden surprises or costs.
Celebrating its 80th year, CIE Tours International is hailed for its wonderful European itineraries, innovative travel incentives and host of exciting youth and senior discounts. The standard-bearer for deluxe motorcoach tours of the Britain and Ireland, CIE Tours guarantees land tour prices once deposits are paid, thus easing concerns regarding currency fluctuations. For information please contact 1-800-243-8687 or view our Best of Britain Tour page.
CIE TOURS INTERNATIONAL UNVEILS 2012 PREVIEW BROCHURE:
Enables Travel Agents to Offer Unique Tour Packages to Ireland, Scotland, England & Wales
New 8- or 9-Day "Best of Britain" Tour Announced; Existing Itineraries Enhanced
Celebrating nearly 80 years as a travel industry leader, CIE Tours International today announced the availability of its 2012 Preview Brochure, providing rich detailed information about the company's broad portfolio of deluxe motorcoach programs for travel to Ireland and Britain. This travel agent marketing tool also showcases CIE Tours' newly designed Early Booking Discount programs, including special offers and discounts for 2012, as well as new and enhanced itineraries for the coming year. CIE Tours developed the preview brochure based on client survey responses and feedback, and incorporated these insights to shape a wealth of fabulous itineraries that speak to travelers' special interests and passions.
Hailed for providing exciting, high value escorted tours to Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales, CIE Tours' user-friendly brochure presents a host of inspiring travel itineraries, including 5- to 14-day motorcoach vacations. Itineraries are comprehensive, including everything from hotel accommodations, airport transfers and admission fees, to most meals, evening entertainment and sumptuous banquet events. Additionally, all CIE Tours itineraries feature deluxe motorcoach transportation and expert tour directors and local guides who help bring each destination to life, providing travelers aged eight and older with authentic travel experiences that will stay with them long after their return home.
"Our 2012 programs have been designed to offer vacationers a rich plethora of exciting and unique vacation options," said CIE Tours President Brian W. Stack. "Additionally, with our new value offers and exciting youth and senior discounts, it's never too early to start planning. The 2012 Preview Brochure is comprehensive, fully updated and beautifully designed, to assist our travel partners in booking their clients' dream vacations to Ireland and Britain."
A new itinerary is in store for 2012 as well. CIE has created a special 8- or 9-day "Best of Britain" tour, which includes accommodations in Superior First Class hotels; a Scottish cabaret dinner show; a banquet at Cardiff Castle; walking tours of Oxford and York; plus visits to Windsor and Alnwick Castles, the Lake District and Tintern Abbey; a Beatles tour in Liverpool, and much more. Land-only rates for the "Best of Britain" tour begin at $1,648 per person, and include all local taxes, hotel service charges and porterage fees.
Praised for its commitment to service excellence, CIE Tours International consistently seeks to improve its unique travel offerings. All itineraries are carefully evaluated and revised annually in accordance with feedback garnered from CIE Tours' customers. For example, a two-night stay in County Mayo's picturesque Westport and visits to the stately 18th century Westport House mansion and Achill Island, famed for spectacular beaches and rugged cliffs, have been added to the popular Irish Pub & Folk Tour for 2012.
Regarded by travel agents as the standard-bearer for deluxe motorcoach tours of Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales, CIE Tours' experienced guides are focused solely on ensuring an extraordinary vacation experience for clients, rather than on "up-selling" optional excursions. CIE Tours clients are secure in the knowledge that CIE Tours guarantees land tour prices once deposits are paid, thus easing concerns regarding currency fluctuations.
All prices in CIE Tours' 2012 Preview Brochure are valid until the end of June, while its website offers rates for the entire 2012 season. The site also features a broad array of independent itinerary options, including self-drive and chauffeur-drive Irish vacations.
To request copies of the CIE Tours International 2012 Preview Brochure or for additional information, please contact 1-800-243-8687 or visit www.cietours.com. .
Visiting Prince William and Kate's U.K.:
CIE Tours International Offers Olde England & Heritage Tour
The fairy tale wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton may have been an event fit for royalty. But people of all kinds can experience the pageantry and historical tradition of Britain for themselves with the Olde England & Heritage Tour offered by CIE Tours International, the leading packager of escorted tours to the U.K.
From Stonehenge to Balmoral Castle to the future site of the 2012 Summer Olympics, the land of kings and queens offers castles, cathedrals and stunning landscapes rich in centuries of history. Whether walking in the footsteps of Shakespeare, J.K. Rowling or Beatrix Potter, or visiting the recording studios made famous by The Beatles, the British Isles offer a lavish dose of literary and musical legacy.
And there’s no need to go it alone. There’s a tour package for “whatever takes your fancy,” as they like to say across the “pond.” For example, CIE Tours’ Olde England & Heritage Tour offers excursions that focus on The Beatles, “Braveheart,” Beatrix Potter and “Brideshead Revisited.”
One tour blends England’s historic, literary and scenic regions with Beatrix Potter’s Lake District, the magnificent York Minster, a vintage train ride on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, a walk around the walled city of Chester, and an optional stay in London.
Or visitors can marvel at The Beatles’ Liverpool; the stately Castle Howard of “Brideshead Revisited” fame; Brontë Parsonage, where the three sisters produced their literary masterpieces; the U.S. historical connections at Sulgrave Manor and other famous attractions. The tour includes a taste of Scotland with visits to Edinburgh and Stirling Castle.
Or you can start your tour in Edinburgh and travel south via the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, York and Liverpool to end in Manchester or extend your tour to London.
While in Edinburgh, visitors will receive tickets for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. This annual series of drum and military displays is performed by British Armed Forces, Commonwealth and international military bands and display teams in the Scottish capital. The event takes place annually as part of the wider Edinburgh Festival. Tour goers can also enjoy fine dining and Scottish cabaret.
Vacationers are urged to take advantage of the excitement of Britain while the royal post-nuptials excitement is still at its peak. After all, it could be quite a while before there is another royal wedding.
Prices for the 2011 Olde England & Heritage Tour start at $1,258. CIE Tours International has conducted trips through England, Scotland and Ireland for nearly 80 years. In addition to escorted group tours, the company also helps construct tour itineraries for individuals.
For more information, call (800) 243-8687 or visit www.cietours.com/FairyTale.
Explore the Whole Island of Ireland - and Get a $100 Discount, Too!
As "the wearing of the green on March 17" approaches, CIE Tours is offering the "Irish Classic" vacation, a 13-day/11-night comprehensive escorted tour of all of Ireland with more than 50 departures slated throughout 2011, operating on Wednesdays and Fridays from March 11th through November 18th. Land tour prices start at $1,758. And in honor of St. Patrick, CIE is also extending a $100 per couple discount on any departure. To obtain the discount, book and pay a deposit before March 31. Use code 033111CLA50.
Starting and ending at Dublin Airport, this itinerary includes two nights in Dublin with sightseeing in Dublin's Fair City and Co. Wicklow; then it's into Northern Ireland with visits to Belfast, the Mountains of Mourne, Antrim Coast, and Belleek. The itinerary then heads to the West of Ireland including Achill Island, Westport, Galway, Cliffs of Moher, The Burren, Bunratty, Limerick, and the Shannon River. Ireland's popular southern coast is also part of the plan: Killarney, Ring of Kerry, the Dingle Peninsula, Blarney, Cobh, Waterford, Kilkenny and Kildare. The last night is spent with a regal flourish at the Dunboyne Castle Hotel.
The price includes 11 full Irish breakfasts, 10 dinners including dinner/traditional Irish entertainment at Taylor's Three Rock Pub, medieval banquet and entertainment at Bunratty Castle, farewell dinner with entertainment at Dunboyne Castle Hotel, welcome get-together drink, and Irish coffee/music session at the Marine Bar in Dungarvan. The price also covers tours of Dublin and Belfast with local guides; walking tours of Derry and Waterford with local guides; day tour to Achill Island; horse-drawn jaunting car ride in Killarney; plus visits and admissions to Glendalough Visitor Centre, Dublin Castle, Down Cathedral, St. Patrick Centre, Giant's Causeway, Ulster American Folk Park, Belleek Pottery Factory, Poulnabrone Dolmen, Cliffs of Moher, Foynes Flying Boat Museum, Muckross House & Gardens, Blarney Woollen Mills, Cobh Heritage Centre, Waterford Crystal Visitor Centre and Irish National Stud & Japanese Gardens. The price also provides a deluxe flight bag, ticket wallet, luggage tags & strap; all local taxes, hotel service charges & porterage for one suitcase per person.
Contact a travel agent or CIE Tours International, tel. 1-800-CIE-TOUR or www.cietours.com.
Live like Kings & Queens – and get a Hefty Discount Too
Indulge in luxury travel in the Emerald Isle, and save money at the same time. CIE Tours International is offering up to an $800 per couple discount on its top-of-the-line Emerald Supreme escorted vacation, a 14-day/12-night trip that features top deluxe and castle hotels including Dromoland Castle and Ashford Castle. Ideal for a honeymoon, anniversary or a family celebration vacation, this tour emphasizes unique experiences, personalized attention, and exclusivity with capacity limited to 26 persons or less per tour.
The discount applies to the land cost of all departures of the Emerald Supreme (March 3-November 24) that are booked in February or March. Prices start at $3,578 for land only or from $3,980 with airfare from New York. Two shorter versions of this tour, the 9-day/7-night Northern Supreme, with emphasis on the Northern half of Ireland, is subject to a $400 discount per couple and the 9-day/7-night Southern Supreme, concentrating on the southern half of the country, has a discount of $200 per couple. Land-only prices start at $1,998 or from $2,198 respectively. To get the discounts, book by March 31st. When booking use codes 033111ES400 for the Emerald Supreme; 033111NS200 for the Northern Supreme; and 033111SS100 for the Southern Supreme. The offers above are valid on new bookings only. Not valid for group travel and not combinable with other CIE Tours promotions or discounts. The discount is applied when the initial deposit is received. Other restrictions apply.
The Emerald Supreme itinerary, which starts and ends in Dublin, explores the whole island of Ireland including Cashel, Killarney, Ring of Kerry, Cliffs of Moher, Ennis, Galway, Connemara, Cong, Drumcliff, Donegal, Derry, Antrim Coast, Belfast and Downpatrick.
The crux of this vacation is the selection of all prestigious award-winning hotels and castles: 5-star Westbury Hotel, Dublin (first 2 nights and final night at the Four Seasons); Killarney Park Hotel (2 nights); Dromoland Castle Hotel (1 night); Ashford Castle Hotel (2 nights); Harvey’s Point Hotel, Donegal (2 nights); and the Merchant Hotel, Belfast (2 nights). These hotels pamper guests with state-of-the-art spas and leisure centres; and Dromoland and Ashford provide golfing opportunities at their own championship golf courses. Men can devote as much time as they want to play golf at a leisurely pace and women can relax in the spa – or vice versa.
Unique experiences on this itinerary include a performance at the Abbey Theatre, national theatre of Ireland, or the legendary Gate Theatre; lunch at the Crown Liquor Saloon, Belfast; and fine dining at gourmet castles and restaurants such as Killeen House, Killarney, as well as a private dinner with entertainment and at a pub in Co. Galway, and a farewell dinner at the Loft restaurant in Dublin with a traditional show at the Abbey Tavern.
In addition to deluxe accommodations and 11 superb dinners, the price covers 12 full Irish breakfasts; walking tours with local guides of Georgian Dublin, Ennis and Derry, and a “Quiet Man” walking tour of Cong; ferry rides on the River Shannon and Strangford Lough; cruise of Killary Fjord with Irish coffee; and admissions to the National Gallery, The Book of Kells at Trinity College, Guinness Storehouse or Old Jameson Distillery, Museum of Country Life, the Cliffs of Moher, Slieve League Cliffs, Belleek Pottery Factory, Giant's Causeway, Mount Stewart House & Gardens; and more.
Ireland, Scotland, England & Wales -- Save up to $460 per couple on escorted tours!
Europe-bound travelers can save 5% per person (up to $460 per couple*) on the land portion of CIE Tours escorted vacations in Ireland, Scotland, England or Wales, when the tour is booked with CIE's round-trip airfares for 2011, according to Brian W. Stack, Managing Director of CIE Tours International.
The 5% discount is valid on the land portion of any Ireland and/or Britain coach tour and applies to new bookings only. This offer is not valid for group travel and cannot be combined with other CIE Tours' discounts. Other restrictions may apply. To avail of the discount, book before February 28, 2011 and use code 022811CIE5.
This air-inclusive offer applies to CIE's complete range of tours – over 20 coach tours of Ireland, six coach tours of Britain, and eight coach tours of Ireland & Britain (England, Scotland and Wales). All of these vacations are featured on the CIE Tours web site, www.cietours.com, and in its 100-page brochure – Ireland, Scotland, England & Wales 2011.
In addition, travelers booking CIE Tours can save more through the $500+ Advantage, a unique and up-front policy that includes items such as medieval banquets, dinner/shows, walking tours, and more. Most other tour operators charge extra per item, but CIE Tours incorporates these features into escorted vacations to Ireland and Britain so travelers are free to enjoy their vacation experiences without daily sales pitches and additional costs.
For more information, contact a travel agent or CIE Tours International at 1-800-CIE-TOUR; e-mail: helpdesk@cietours.com; or visit www.cietours.com.
Explore Eastern Europe With an Irish Flair
Long known for vacations to Ireland, CIE Tours International has expanded its expertise eastward in recent years by offering escorted tours into Eastern Europe, the Balkans, Dalmatian Coast, the Baltics, and Russia.
For 2011, CIE is offering 12 different tours of Eastern Europe including the Eastern European Explorer, a 10-day/8-night/12 meal escorted tour of Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland, priced from $1,530 for land-only or from $2,280 including airfare from New York.
The itinerary, which includes relaxing two-night stays in the cities of Vienna, Budapest, Cracow and Warsaw, also takes in the scenic countryside of Austria, the Slovakian hills, the Tatra Mountains, and the great agricultural plains of Poland. Highlights include four half-day sightseeing tours with local guides in Vienna, Budapest, Cracow and Warsaw, as well as visits/admissions to Hofburg Palace, St. Stephen's Cathedral, Fisherman's Bastion, Matthias Church, Renaissance Cloth Hall, St. Mary's Church, and Yasna Gora Monastery. Departures start May 13 and run every second Friday through September 30.
The price provides first class hotel accommodations with private bath for eight nights; eight buffet breakfasts and four dinners; all admissions as specified in the itinerary; sightseeing by luxury motorcoach with the services of a professional tour director; all local taxes, hotel service charges and porterage; deluxe flight bag, ticket wallet, luggage tags and strap.
In addition to this Eastern Europe vacation, CIE Tours is also offering 10- to 15-day itineraries that explore the Dalmatian Coast, the Balkans, and Russia, as well as a three-city tour of Prague, Vienna and Budapest, or a combination of the Dalmatian Coast with Venice. For travelers seeking a longer vacation, there are also 14- or 20-day combination tours of Russia, the Baltics and Eastern Europe. Details of all the new tours are online at CIE Tours' web site at www.cietours.com and are also featured in CIE Tours' new brochure, Europe - River Cruises & Coach Tours 2011, a 44-page full-color publication.
CIE Tours International Welcomes Frommer's Travel Guides Readers' Choice of Ireland as the Top Tourist Destination for 2011
The recent news that Ireland topped the Frommer's Travel Guide list of destinations for 2011 was not surprising to CIE Tours International since Ireland has been the main destination for CIE Tours for 79 years, according to Brian Stack, Managing Director of CIE Tours International.
The company offers a choice of 25 different escorted tours ranging in duration of from 6 to 15 days, along with almost a dozen different types of independent self-drive vacations, staying at B&B, pre-booked Hotels, and deluxe and castle hotels. Prices for a 6-day/4-night/8-meal Taste of Ireland Tour visiting Dublin, Cashel, Blarney, Killarney, Ring of Kerry, Cliffs of Moher, and Bunratty Castle, start at $658 land-only.
The choice of Ireland took on extra significance because the results were calculated on a poll of actual travelers, the readers of Frommer's travel guides to whom the editors of Frommer's reached out. After thousands of nominations and thousands of votes, Ireland topped the list as Reader Favorite. Reasons given for Ireland's win were wide-ranging, showing the broad appeal that the country provides - "the scenery, the people, rugged beauty of the countryside, historic past, and a magical destination in every way."
The far-flung runners-up to Ireland ranged from the exotic to the familiar - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Santiago, Chile; and Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica in the southern hemisphere to Nahanni National Park in Canada; as well as Atlanta, GA; Hokkaido, Japan; Taipei, Taiwan; Stockholm, Sweden; Cesme Peninsula, Turkey and Doha, Qatar.
For more information about CIE Tours International's selection of escorted tours of Ireland, contact a travel agent or CIE Tours at 1-800-243-8687 or visit www.cietours.com.
December 23, 2010
SAVE UP TO $400 PER COUPLE ON VACATIONS TO IRELAND AND BRITAIN IN 2011
Travel on a CIE Tours escorted coach tour of 9 days/7 nights or longer to Ireland, Scotland, England or Wales, in conjunction with booking round-trip flights via Aer Lingus - and save up to $400 per couple ($200 per person). This discount is valid for bookings departing April through October, 2011. For bookings in February and March, the discount is $200 per couple ($100 per person).
This air-inclusive offer applies to CIE's complete range of tours - over 22 coach tours of Ireland, six coach tours of Britain, and eight coach tours of Ireland & Britain (England, Scotland and Wales). All of these vacations are featured on the CIE Tours web site, www.cietours.com, and in CIE'S 100-page brochure - Ireland, Scotland, England & Wales 2011.
To be eligible for the discounts, travelers must book any qualifying CIE motorcoach tour together with Aer Lingus roundtrip airfare for travel in the months specified. Use the following codes when booking: for tours departing April through October 2011 (discount of $400 per couple, or $200 per person), code 011411EI200. For tours departing February and March (discount of $200 per booking or $100 per person), code 011411EI100. All bookings must be made and deposit paid by January 14, 2011.
In addition, for land-only bookings, save 5% (a discount ranging from $65 to $465 per couple, depending on the tour), on escorted tours to Ireland, Scotland, England or Wales, of any length, departing 6 months or more in advance. To qualify for the 5% land discount, use code 063011EBD5.
These offers are valid for new bookings only, subject to availability and can change at any time. Not valid for group travel or with any other CIE Tours' promotion. The air inclusive offer is subject to a special roundtrip airfare class on Aer Lingus and has limited availability.
To book, contact a travel agent or CIE Tours International at 1-800-CIE-TOUR; e-mail: helpdesk@cietours.com; or visit www.cietours.com.
November 24, 2010
Experience Literary connections, Movie & TV Locations, Book Settings, & a Beatles-Themed Tour on a "Heart of Britain and Heritage Tour"
For travelers eager to delve into the rich literary, historic and pop culture experiences of England, Scotland and Wales, CIE Tours International has introduced the Heart of Britain & Heritage Tour, a 15-day/13-night/23 meal escorted vacation, enhanced by scenic settings at every turn. Departures are bi-weekly beginning April 16th until October 15th, and prices start from $2,498 for land-only.
The itinerary, packed with familiar names and places, begins in Edinburgh, and goes to Stirling Castle, associated with William Wallace's Braveheart, and next to the Scottish borders including Gretna Green, and then to the Lake District National Park, setting for Beatrix Potter's beloved children's books.
Next is York and the Yorkshire Dales which inspired the writings of James Herriot (All Creatures Great and Small), followed by a ride on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway through Whitby to Castle Howard, associated with Evelyn Waugh and where Brideshead Revisited was filmed. The route continues to Haworth and home of the Brontë sisters, and to Liverpool for a Beatles-themed tour. Then it is south to Sulgrave Manor, ancestral home of George Washington, and on to London for two nights before heading to Jane Austen's town of Bath and then arriving in Wales to visit Cardiff Castle, Brecon Beacons National Park, Caernarfon Castle, Snowdonia, and Llangollen. The tour ends in England with visits to Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare's Birthplace, as well as the Cotswolds and Windsor Castle.
Activities include an historic steamer cruise on Lake Windermere; a scenic vintage train ride on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway; a ghost walking tour of York; sightseeing tours of York, Edinburgh, and London; walking tour of Whitby, Chester, Bath, Caernarfon and Oxford; a Beatles-themed tour of Liverpool with local guide; panoramic tours of Cardiff and Stratford-upon-Avon; and reserved seats for the Edinburgh Military Tattoo (for departures on August 6, 13 and 20).
The price includes superior first class hotels for 13 nights; full breakfasts daily; 10 dinners including a Scottish cabaret dinner in Edinburgh, and a Welsh medieval banquet dinner at Cardiff Castle; welcome get-together drink; visits and admissions to Stirling Castle, Gretna Green, York Minster, Castle Howard, Brontë Parsonage, Sulgrave Manor, Tower of London, Roman Baths & Pump Room, Cardiff Castle, Portmeirion Village, National Slate Museum, Caernarfon Castle, Shakespeare's Birthplace, and Windsor Castle; transportation via luxury motorcoach with professional tour director; group transfers on arrival/departure; deluxe flight bag, ticket wallet, luggage tags and strap; all local taxes, service charges.
Contact a travel agent or CIE Tours International, tel. 1-800-CIE-TOUR or www.cietours.com.
November 8, 2010
Cruise European Rivers in 2011 With a Touch of Irish Hospitality
Well known for its award-winning tours of Ireland and Britain, CIE Tours International is making a big splash in European waters in 2011 by offering eight different itineraries for European river cruising on the Danube, Main, Rhine and Mosel Rivers via state-of-the-art 150-passenger cruise ships with deluxe accommodations, lounges, fitness centers, sun decks, balconies and elevators.
Leading the list is Europe's Rivers & Castles, a 14-day/12-night/25 meal vacation that starts on land with three nights in Paris and also visits Luxembourg before boarding a 7-night cruise from Remich to Nuremberg through the center of Germany including legendary castles, wine country and the Romantic Road, ending in Prague for two nights. This cruise also operates in reverse, Prague to Paris, and includes two hotel nights in Prague to three hotel nights in Paris. Prices start at $2,099 for cruise only; $3,339 for cruise and land. Once a cruise is paid for, the price is guaranteed against any currency fluctuations. Departures begin April 21, 2011 and run through November 3, 2011. The cruise itinerary, which includes three gourmet meals a day and wines on board the ship, meanders through Bernkastel, Cochem, Koblenz, Lorelei Rock, Rudesheim, Frankfurt, Miltenberg, Wurzburg, Bamberg, the Main-Danube Canal, and Nuremberg.
Highlights include touring the Mosel wine-producing region; a guided tour of Reichsburg Castle or a cruise to Koblenz where the Mosel meets the Rhine; a guided walking tour of Mainz or Heidelberg, Germany's oldest university town; guided walking tour of the old Franconian town of Miltenberg; visit to Wurzburg, "the Pearl of the Romantic Road"; or an optional excursion to Rothenburg for a walking tour. The land tour also includes guided tours of Paris and the French countryside, Luxembourg, and Prague.
In addition, CIE Tours offers cruises concentrating on the Danube and Rhine as well as Tulip Time cruises to Holland and Belgium and Christmas Time cruises that include stops at European Christmas markets. The choices include cruises ranging in duration from 9 to 16 days.
Contact a travel agent and request a copy of CIE Tours' new brochure, Europe: River Cruises & Coach Tours 2011, or CIE Tours at 800-CIE-TOUR or www.cietours.com.
September 17, 2010
Experience Castles, Countryside and a Beatles Tour on an "Olde England and Heritage Tour" in 2011
The legendary and unique charms of England and Scotland are the focus of the Olde England & Heritage Tour, a new 6-night escorted vacation from CIE Tours International. The itinerary invites visitors to step back in time at Stirling Castle (setting for "Braveheart") and Castle Howard ("Brideshead Revisited"), or walk amid the winsome tableaus of Beatrix Potter's Lake District and rugged hillsides of Bronte Country, or to follow in the footsteps of The Beatles in Liverpool. With weekly departures from April 16 through October 15, it is priced from $1,368 for land only, or from $1,988 with airfare from NY.
As a bonus for travelers who plan ahead, CIE Tours is also operating a "Book Early and Save up to 10%" policy for the land portion of this tour when paid in full by October 31, 2010. Specifically, travelers who book 12 months or more before departure date will save 10% (use code: 103110EBD10); 10 to 11 months, 7% (use code: 103110EBD7); and 8 to 9 months, 5% (use code: 103110EBD5).
The itinerary, which starts in Edinburgh, goes to Stirling, the Scottish borders including Gretna Green, the Lake District National Park, York and the Yorkshire Dales, Bowness, Whitby, Haworth and Liverpool, ending in Manchester.
Activities include a cruise aboard an historic steamer on Lake Windemere, a scenic train ride on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, a ghost walking tour of York, sightseeing tours of York and Edinburgh, walking tour of Whitby, a Beatles-themed tour of Liverpool with local guide, and reserved seats for the Edinburgh Military Tattoo (for departures on August 6, 13 and 20).
The price includes superior first class hotels for six nights; six full breakfasts; four dinners including a Scottish cabaret dinner in Edinburgh and tavern dinner in York; welcome get-together drink; visits and admissions to Stirling Castle, Gretna Green, York Minster, Castle Howard, and Bronte Parsonage; transportation via luxury motorcoach with professional tour director; group transfers on arrival/departure; deluxe flight bag, ticket wallet, luggage tags and strap; all local taxes, service charges.
A longer 8-night tour, priced from $350 extra and ending in London, adds Chester with a walking tour of the medieval walls, and admission to Sulgrave Manor, with two nights in London including a Thames cruise, walking tour, open-top bus sightseeing tour and admission to the Tower of London.
Contact a travel agent or CIE Tours International, tel. 1-800-CIE-TOUR or www.cietours.com.
September 15, 2010
Scots/Irish Connections are the Focus of 2011 Tour of Scotland & Ireland
Building on widespread Scots/Irish affinities throughout the US, CIE Tours International is offering "The Scots Irish Tour" in 2011, a 12-day fully escorted vacation combining four nights in Scotland with six nights in Ireland, priced from $1,838 land-only or from $2,503 with airfare from NY. Departures will run on Mondays, bi-weekly starting April 11 through October 24.
As a bonus for travelers who plan ahead, CIE Tours is also introducing a "Book Early and Save up to 10%" policy for the land portion of this tour when paid in full by October 31, 2010. Specifically, travelers who book 12 months or more before departure date will save 10% (use code: 103110EBD10); 10 to 11 months, 7% (use code: 103110EBD7); and 8 to 9 months, 5% (use code: 103110EBD5).
The itinerary, which starts in Glasgow, goes to Loch Lomond, Fort Augustus, Loch Ness, Glencoe, Nairn, Blair Athol, Edinburgh, and Cairnryan before crossing over the sea to Larne and on to Belfast, Downpatrick, the Antrim Coast, Giant's Causeway, Derry, Donegal, Omagh, and Dublin.
Activities include a scenic cruise on Loch Ness; whisky tasting and tour at Blair Athol Distillery; sightseeing tours of Glasgow, Edinburgh, Belfast, and Dublin; walking tour of Derry; open-top bus tour of Dublin with complimentary tour/tasting at Guinness Storehouse or Old Jameson Distillery; and (for August 1 and 15 departures) reserved seats at the world-famous annual Edinburgh Military Tattoo. The following visits/admissions are also included: Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum; Spean Bridge Woollen Mills; Blair Castle; Edinburgh Castle; Burns National Heritage Park; Down Cathedral and St. Patrick Centre; Mount Stewart House & Gardens; Giant's Causeway, Glenveagh Castle & Gardens; Tower Museum; Ulster American Folk Park, and Kilmainham Gaol.
The price includes superior first class hotels for 10 nights (including two nights each in Edinburgh, Belfast, Derry and Dublin); 10 full Scottish and Irish breakfasts; 8 dinners including a Scottish Highland cabaret dinner; dinner at Heights Restaurant with Edinburgh castle views; and dinner and traditional show in Dublin; welcome get-together drink; transportation via luxury motorcoach with professional tour director; group transfers on arrival/departure; ferry from Scotland to Ireland; deluxe flight bag, ticket wallet, luggage tags and strap; all local taxes, service charges and more.
Contact a travel agent or CIE Tours International, tel. 1-800-CIE-TOUR or www.cietours.com.
August 4, 2010
Enjoy the Best of "Irish Heritage" with a Castle Stay and a Discount too
Looking ahead to next year, CIE Tours International is enhancing its most popular vacation - the "Irish Heritage" tour, by adding a final night's stay and dinner at the luxurious Dromoland Castle Hotel & Country Estate. The 9-day/7-night escorted vacation is priced from $1,428 for land only or from $1,830 with airfare from NY. Departures run weekly on Wednesdays, March 9th through December 8th, 2011.
As a bonus for travelers who plan ahead, CIE Tours is also introducing a "Book Early and Save up to 10%" policy for the land portion of this tour and all CIE escorted tours for 2011 when paid in full by September 30, 2010. Specifically, travelers who book 12 months or more before departure date will save 10% (use code: 093010EBD10); 10 to 11 months, 7% (use code: 093010EBD7); and 8 to 9 months, 5% (use code: 093010EBD5).
Appealing to Americans of every lineage, this tour focuses on the scenic highlights of the south of Ireland including the Cliffs of Moher, Shannon River Estuary, Killarney, the Ring of Kerry, Blarney, Cobh, Glendalough, and Kildare, as well as the cities of Dublin, Waterford, and Kilkenny.
Activities include a ferry ride across the Shannon river; tour of the Foynes Flying Boat Museum with Irish Coffee; a walking tour of Waterford City with a local historian/guide; Dublin open-top bus tour with complimentary visit/drink at Guinness Storehouse or Old Jameson Distillery; and the new highlight of free time at Dromoland Castle to enjoy the leisure facilities/spa and estate or play a round of golf.
Admission to the following attractions is also provided: Cliffs of Moher, Skellig Experience, Muckross House & Gardens, Blarney Woollen Mills, Cobh Heritage Centre, Glendalough Visitor Centre, Kilmainham Gaol, and the Irish National Stud & Japanese Gardens.
The price covers deluxe and superior first class hotel rooms for seven nights with private bath/shower including the final night at 5-star Dromoland Castle Hotel, full Irish breakfasts each day, six dinners including a medieval banquet at a 15th century Bunratty Castle, dinner and traditional Irish show in Dublin, and a Farewell Dinner at Dromoland Castle; welcome get-together drink, fully escorted sightseeing program, services of a professional Irish tour director, all baggage handling, government taxes, and hotel service charges.
For more information, contact a travel agent or CIE Tours, tel. toll free 1-800-CIE-TOUR or visit www.cietours.com
August 9, 2010
New Tour Follows Country Roads of Wales & Southern England
Starting in 2011, CIE Tours International is offering the "Heart of Wales & England" vacation, a new 9-day escorted tour that combines two nights in London with an off-the-beaten track route into the scenic countryside of southern England and Wales. Departures will be bi-weekly beginning April 22nd, and prices start $1,498 for land only.
The itinerary, which assembles and finishes at London's Heathrow Airport, starts with two nights in London and then goes to Bath, popular with the Romans 2,000 years ago for its natural hot springs and in the 19th century as the home of writer Jane Austen. The tour continues on to the highlights of the Welsh countryside including the capital of Cardiff, Brecon Beacons National Park, the Italianate village of Portmeirion, Caernarfon, Llandudno, Betws-y-Coed, Snowdon Mountain, and Llangollen. The itinerary then returns to England to visit the border town of Bridgnorth, Stratford-upon-Avon, the Cotswolds, Oxford and Windsor.
Activities include a half-day sightseeing tour of London; walking tours of Bath, Caernarfon and Oxford; panoramic tours of Cardiff and Stratford-upon-Avon; and visits and admissions to the following: Tower of London, Roman Baths and Pump Room at Bath, Cardiff Castle, Portmeirion Village, National Slate Museum, Caernarfon Castle, Shakespeare's Birthplace and Windsor Castle.
The price includes superior first class hotel accommodations with private bath for seven nights; welcome get-together drink; full breakfast daily; six dinners including a welcome dinner in London and a medieval banquet and dinner at Cardiff Castle; fully escorted sightseeing program via luxury motorcoach with the services of a professional tour director; all local taxes, hotel service charges, and baggage handling; deluxe flight bag, ticket wallet, and luggage tags and luggage strap.
As a bonus for travelers who plan ahead, CIE Tours is also introducing a "Book Early and Save up to 10%" policy for the land portion of this tour and all CIE escorted tours for 2011 when paid in full by September 30, 2010. Specifically, travelers who book 12 months or more before departure date will save 10% (use code: 093010EBD10); 10 to 11 months, 7% (use code: 093010EBD7); and 8 to 9 months, 5% (use code: 093010EBD5).
For more information, contact a travel agent or CIE Tours International at 1-800-CIE-TOUR or online at www.cietours.com.
August 2, 2010
CIE Tours Debuts "Preview 2011" Vacations To Ireland, England, Scotland & Wales With "Book Early & Save" Discounts of Up to 10%
Get a head start on next year's business to Ireland and the Britain with CIE Tours International. Booking has begun for CIE's 2011 vacations, with a wide range of tours now available on the CIE Tours web site and in a new 32-page brochure, Ireland, England, Scotland & Wales - Preview 2011, according to Brian W. Stack, Managing Director of CIE Tours International.
As an incentive for clients to book now, CIE Tours is also introducing a "Book Early and Save up to 10%" policy for the land portion of each tour. Specifically, clients who book 12 months or more before departure date will save 10%; 10 months or more, 7%; and 8 months or more, 5%.
The selection of Preview 2011 tours includes 18 different escorted tours in Ireland, ranging from 6 to 13 days; two escorted tours for Ireland with Scotland of 11 to 12 days; two escorted tours of Scotland from 9 to 12 days; two escorted tours of Ireland with Britain of 15 days; and one escorted tour of Scotland and England of 9 days. In addition, CIE is launching two brand new tours of Britain - an Old England & Heritage Tour of 8 or 10 days; and a Heart of Wales & England escorted tour of 9 days.
"This Preview brochure is a forerunner to our full 2011 program which is set to launch in October," Stack states. "The real crux of this new brochure is that clients can start planning and booking their 2011 trips now, earlier than ever and to take advantage of lower airfares and discounts. And we guarantee that no increase in land costs will be charged, once a tour deposit is paid - a valuable protection against international currency fluctuations.
Putting the spotlight on February - June prices, these Preview trips are ideal for first-time visitors who want to sample Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales without summer crowds. "Cost-conscious repeat visitors will also be attracted to prices that are up to 30% lower than high season prices," Stack states. The 2011 land prices start at $698 per person for a fully escorted six-day/four-night vacation, plus airfare.
For copies of Preview 2011, contact CIE Tours at 1-800-CIE-TOUR, or 1-800-243-8687. Full information is also available 24/7 on the CIE Tours interactive booking web site, www.cietours.com.
July 29, 2010
Plan Now for Fall Travel & Save - One Week "Irish Spirit" Self-Drive Vacation with Pre-Booked Hotels from $588
It's not too late to plan a relaxing trip to the Emerald Isle for this year. Take to the open road, meet the people, and explore Ireland, one of Europe's friendliest countries, with a CIE Tours Irish Spirit pre-booked self-drive vacation. Prices start at $588 for a 7-day/6-night land vacation, or from $1,043 including airfare from New York.
The itinerary begins with arrival at Dublin and two days devoted to exploring the Irish capital including tickets for a hop-on/hop-off bus tour and admission to the Guinness Storehouse and a free pint. On the third day, travelers pick up a Hertz economy self-drive car with unlimited mileage downtown and then embark on a tour into the countryside, following a pre-arranged route to Cashel, Blarney, Killarney, Ring of Kerry or Dingle Peninsula, and then on to Galway and Connemara before ending with the last night at Dublin. The package provides a scenic itinerary to follow with discounted admissions to attractions along the way.
In addition to airfare and rental car with NeverLost navigation system, the vacation includes coach transfer from Dublin Airport to a Dublin hotel, pre-booked stays at first class hotels with private bath for six nights, full breakfast daily, hotel service charges and local taxes, collision damage waiver (CDW), theft protection (TP), and government tax (VAT) on rental car.
Passengers receive a copy of a 100-page Ireland guidebook with map (one per room); and a copy of Ireland at a Glimpse discount booklet, providing 50% discounts to attractions.
The Irish Spirit is just one of five different independent self-drive pre-booked itineraries from 6 to 11 nights in duration, based on successful coach tour routes. CIE also offers self-drive programs with design-it-yourself itineraries using a list of "Hotels for Less" accommodations, or a wide range of over 60 "A La Carte" hotels and castles of 3-, 4- and 5-star categories.
For those who prefer to leave the driving to someone else, similar vacations are also available via a chauffeur-driven car or minibus, ideal for parties of two to ten people.
For more information, contact a travel agent or CIE Tours International, toll-free at 1-800-CIE-TOUR or visit www.cietours.com.
