Small Group Tours with CIE Tours: Discover Europe with Fewer Travelers

If you love the idea of exploring Europe with a knowledgeable Tour Director, enjoying thoughtfully planned sightseeing and sharing the journey with fellow travelers, but would prefer a smaller group, CIE Tours offers some wonderful options.

Small group tours offer a more intimate way to discover a destination. With fewer people traveling together, there's more room to relax, more opportunities to get to know your Tour Director and fellow guests, and plenty of chances to connect with the places and people you encounter along the way.

At CIE Tours, there are several ways to enjoy a more personal travel experience: Small Group Departures on our Guided Tours, limited to 26 guests; dedicated Walking & Hiking Tours, always limited to 16 guests; private group vacations; and Custom Private Driver vacations.

Whether you're dreaming of exploring Ireland's countryside, discovering Scotland's historic cities or touring Italy's cultural treasures, you can enjoy the convenience and expertise of a CIE Tours vacation in a way that suits your travel style.

What is a small group tour?

A small group tour is a guided vacation with fewer travelers than a traditional coach tour. The smaller group creates a more personal atmosphere, with more opportunities to interact with your Tour Director, get to know fellow travelers and enjoy the details of each destination.

You still enjoy the advantages of a professionally organized vacation: comfortable transportation, carefully selected accommodations, included sightseeing and memorable local experiences. The difference is the number of people sharing the journey.

CIE Tours offers several ways to experience this style of travel, from smaller departures on our regular Guided Tours to dedicated Walking & Hiking vacations and private travel arrangements.

1. Small Group Departures: Guided Tours with no more than 26 guests

All the advantages of a CIE Tours Guided Vacation, with a smaller group.

Many CIE Tours Guided Tours offer designated Small Group Departures, limited to a maximum of 26 guests. These departures follow the same carefully designed itineraries as our regular guided vacations, with the same full-sized luxury coaches, experienced Tour Directors and wonderful experiences along the way.

The smaller group makes a noticeable difference. With no more than 26 guests aboard a full-sized coach, you'll have plenty of room to stretch out and enjoy the scenery. You'll almost always have a window seat, giving you panoramic views as you travel through the countryside.

You'll also have more opportunities to interact with your Tour Director, ask questions and enjoy the stories and insights that make a destination so much more meaningful. At attractions and during local experiences, a smaller group can make it easier to connect with the people and places you're visiting.

And you don't have to give up anything to enjoy a smaller group. You'll follow the same itinerary, enjoy the same included experiences and benefit from the same CIE Tours Inclusive Advantage as guests on our regular departures.

Looking for a tour that's always a small group? Consider Irish Supreme. This exceptional nine-day luxury vacation of Ireland operates exclusively as a Small Group tour, with every departure limited to no more than 26 guests. You'll enjoy the same personal atmosphere of a smaller group alongside five-star hotels, exceptional dining and special experiences, from a sheepdog demonstration to a jaunting car ride in Killarney. It's a particularly special way to discover Ireland in the ultimate comfort and style. Discover Irish Supreme

How do I find a CIE Tours Small Group Departure?

Small Group Departures are available on selected dates for many CIE Tours Guided Vacations. When browsing a tour's Dates & Prices calendar, look for the SG notation to identify departures limited to 26 guests.

If traveling with a smaller group is important to you, be sure to check the departure dates when planning your vacation.

Explore CIE Tours Small Group Guided Tours.

For more details, see our FAQ about group sizes on CIE Tours vacations.

2. Walking & Hiking Tours: Always small groups of no more than 16

Discover Ireland's landscapes on foot, one scenic trail at a time.

For travelers who want to experience a destination on foot, CIE Tours offers a dedicated collection of Walking & Hiking Tours. These light-active adventures combine scenic guided walks, beautiful landscapes and opportunities to explore places that are best discovered on foot.

Unlike Small Group Departures on our regular Guided Tours, all CIE Tours Walking & Hiking Tours are limited to just 16 guests. They also use smaller vehicles, ideally suited to exploring scenic trails and the countryside.

These itineraries balance daily walks with sightseeing, cultural experiences and opportunities to meet local people. You'll explore Ireland's countryside and coastline, visit historic landmarks and enjoy the warm hospitality that makes the country so special.

Our Ireland Walking & Hiking itineraries include:

Ireland Walking & Hiking: The Northern Coast

Explore the dramatic landscapes of Donegal and Northern Ireland, with highlights including the towering Slieve League cliffs, Glenveagh National Park, Horn Head, Derry's historic walls and the Giant's Causeway. It's a wonderful way to discover the rugged beauty and rich heritage of Ireland's northern landscapes.

Explore Ireland Walking & Hiking: The Northern Coast.

Ireland Walking & Hiking: Cork to Kerry

Discover the spectacular scenery of southwest Ireland, from West Cork and the Beara Peninsula to the lakes and mountains of Killarney and the beautiful Dingle Peninsula. Along the way, enjoy scenic trails, charming towns and authentic local experiences.

Explore Ireland Walking & Hiking: Cork to Kerry.

With walks generally covering two to six miles and up to five hours of activity on some days, these tours are designed for active travelers who enjoy spending time outdoors. The experience combines the pleasure of walking through Ireland's extraordinary scenery with the comfort of a fully organized vacation.

Explore CIE Tours Walking & Hiking Vacations.

3. Traveling with your own group? Consider a Custom Group Tour

Bring your friends, family or fellow travelers together for a vacation designed around your interests.

Sometimes the best way to travel is with people you already know! If you're planning a vacation with friends, family or a group of fellow travelers, CIE Tours can help you organize a private guided vacation.

For groups of 10 or more, CIE Tours offers several ways to travel together. You can reserve places on one of our scheduled Guided Tours, arrange a private departure based on an existing itinerary, or work with our team to create a custom vacation around your group's interests.

With a Custom Private Group vacation, you can choose your departure dates, accommodations, sightseeing, meals and activities. Our team will help you develop an itinerary that reflects the places you'd like to visit and the experiences you'd most enjoy, with the expertise of your own private guide and Tour Director.

Whether you're bringing together a group of friends, organizing a family adventure or planning a trip for a club or association, it's a wonderful way to experience Ireland and Europe together, with the convenience and support of CIE Tours.

Discover CIE Tours Group Travel.

4. Looking for an even more personal experience? Try a Custom Private Driver Tour

Explore Europe with your own private driver-guide and an itinerary tailored to your interests.

If you'd prefer to explore Europe with just your own travel companions, a CIE Tours Custom Private Driver vacation offers a different kind of personalized travel experience.

Designed for groups of up to nine guests, these vacations give you the freedom to discover a destination at your own pace, with your own knowledgeable driver-guide. Your driver takes care of the driving, shares local knowledge and insider stories, and helps you make the most of the places you visit.

You can work with CIE Tours to create a personalized itinerary, choosing your destinations, sightseeing, accommodations and experiences. Alternatively, you can use one of our suggested itineraries as a starting point and tailor it to your preferences.

It's an especially appealing option for couples, families and small groups of friends who want the flexibility of a private vacation, with the planning expertise and support of CIE Tours.

Custom Private Driver vacations are available in Ireland, Scotland, England, Wales, Iceland and Italy.

Explore CIE Tours Custom Private Driver Vacations.

What are the advantages of traveling with a smaller group?

Whether you choose a Small Group Departure on a Guided Tour or a dedicated Walking & Hiking vacation, there are some wonderful advantages to having fewer people along. Private group and driver-guide vacations offer an even more personalized way to travel.

More room to relax. On Small Group Departures, you'll travel aboard a full-sized luxury coach with a maximum of 26 guests. There's more space to stretch out and enjoy the views, and you'll almost always have a window seat.

More personal attention. A smaller group creates more opportunities to interact with your Tour Director and local guides. You can ask questions, hear more stories and get to know the people sharing your journey.

More opportunities to connect. Traveling with fewer guests makes it easier to get acquainted with fellow travelers. Many guests enjoy the friendships that develop along the way, and the shared experiences that make a vacation memorable.

A closer look at local life. Whether you're visiting a historic attraction, meeting local craftspeople or enjoying a traditional cultural experience, a smaller group offers a lovely setting for making connections and appreciating the details.

The convenience of a guided vacation. You don't have to plan every detail yourself. CIE Tours takes care of the arrangements, so you can concentrate on enjoying the journey.

Are small group tours a good choice for solo travelers?

Absolutely! You don't need a travel companion to enjoy a CIE Tours vacation. In fact, traveling with a smaller group can be a wonderful way to explore Europe on your own while enjoying the company of like-minded travelers.

Many CIE Tours guests travel solo. You'll have opportunities to meet people, share experiences and make new friends along the way, while still enjoying time to yourself when you want it.

With a knowledgeable Tour Director looking after the details, comfortable transportation and carefully planned itineraries, you can relax and enjoy the journey without worrying about organizing everything yourself. Whether you're setting off on your first solo adventure or are an experienced independent traveler, you'll find a warm welcome.

Discover Solo Travel with CIE Tours.

Small Group Tours with the CIE Tours Inclusive Advantage

A smaller group is just one part of the experience. With CIE Tours, you'll also enjoy our Inclusive Advantage: one upfront price that includes your accommodations, transportation, sightseeing, most meals and many memorable experiences.

Our Tour Directors bring destinations to life with their local knowledge, personal stories and enthusiasm. Carefully selected hotels, expert local guides and special experiences give you opportunities to discover more than you might on your own.

From exploring Ireland's castles and coastal scenery to discovering Scotland's dramatic Highlands or Italy's historic cities, you'll enjoy a thoughtfully planned vacation with the details taken care of.

Explore all CIE Tours travel styles and find the vacation that suits you best.

Which CIE Tours travel experience is right for you?

It depends on how you like to travel!

Choose a Small Group Departure if:

• You want a traditional guided vacation with no more than 26 guests.
• You enjoy traveling comfortably by luxury coach.
• You want to see a variety of cities, historic attractions and scenic highlights.
• You appreciate having a knowledgeable Tour Director throughout your journey.
• You want the flexibility to choose from a wide range of destinations and itineraries.

Choose a Walking & Hiking Tour if:

• You enjoy being active and spending time outdoors.
• You want to explore landscapes and scenic trails on foot.
• You prefer an especially small group of no more than 16 travelers.
• You enjoy combining guided walks with cultural experiences and sightseeing.
• You'd like to discover a different side of Ireland at a more active pace.

Choose a Custom Group Tour if:

• You have 10 or more people who want to travel together.
• You want to reserve places on an existing tour or arrange a private departure.
• You'd like to create an itinerary around your group's interests.
• You are organizing a family trip, club vacation or special-interest group adventure.

Choose a Custom Private Driver vacation if:

• You want to travel with just your own companions, with up to nine guests.
• You prefer the flexibility to personalize your itinerary.
• You'd like your own knowledgeable driver-guide.
• You want to explore at your own pace without joining a larger group.

Traveling solo? A Guided Tour Small Group Departure or Walking & Hiking vacation offers the opportunity to meet fellow travelers and enjoy a shared experience, with the reassurance of having your vacation arrangements taken care of.

Find your ideal CIE Tours vacation

Whether you prefer the comfort and convenience of a guided coach vacation, the adventure of exploring Ireland on foot, the camaraderie of traveling with your own group or the flexibility of a private driver-guide, CIE Tours makes it easy to find an experience that suits your travel style.

With more than 90 years of experience sharing Ireland and Europe with travelers, we know that the people you meet and the experiences you share are an important part of every journey.

Explore our Small Group Departures, Walking & Hiking Tours, Group Travel and Custom Private Driver vacations to find the experience that's right for you. We look forward to welcoming you!