Tell our readers about what travelers can expect from a culinary perspective.
All our destinations have a robust farm-to-table scene, so expect fresh food that’s locally sourced and follows the seasons. As part of our itineraries, guests will have delicious, hot breakfasts every morning. Many dinners are included with the group either in the hotel or at a local restaurant. All included dinners are three-course meals with a choice of appetizer, entrée and dessert, with tea or coffee included. Guests will also have free time to dine on their own and experience authentic pubs and restaurants. Our tour guides can recommend the best places to try, whether a particular cuisine or a genuine local experience. Many of the itineraries also have tasting and immersive dining experiences, including:
• Tea and scones at a local farmhouse after a sheepdog demonstration in rural Ireland
• Handmade ice cream made with milk from local Kerry cows at the original Murphy’s Ice Cream location in Dingle, Ireland
• A tomato-centric lunch among the plants in the greenhouse of Fridheimar Tomato Farm in Reykholt, Iceland
• Wine tasting in the scenic hill town of Orvieto, Italy
• Whisky tasting at a renowned Scottish distillery, Blair Athol
• A Sunday roast lunch in a local English pub (a beloved British tradition)
• Dinner and beer tasting at family owned Walled City Brewery, housed in a former army barracks in the heart of Derry
What sorts of personalized journeys are available to families traveling together?
We offer several types of guided vacations to suit any type of family. You can travel together on a guided coach tour and enjoy the camaraderie of other travelers on a shared group vacation or, for families of 10 or more, you can take any of our scheduled tours as a private tour. Another option for families is a private driver vacation where we can completely customize an itinerary for up to nine passengers. This is perfect for multi-generational families where someone may have mobility issues or if there are young children who need naps or time to stop at a beach or playground. If you have 10 or more travelers, we can also build a custom group personalized to your specific interests or needs and include additional perks. For parents or the planners in the family, one of the best parts of a CIE Tours vacation is there is nothing to organize or worry about. We manage all the logistics so every member of the group can sit back and relax and enjoy itineraries that are planned to maximize vacation time and include the benefit of an expert driver/guide. We select the right hotels and restaurants and reserve spots in line at popular attractions. Guided vacations are perfect for families because the itineraries are varied and include something for everyone – history buffs, heritage seekers, shopping enthusiasts and every interest in between. With more than 90 years’ experience, we’ve perfected the ideal balance of planned sightseeing and leisure time, and we partner with hotels, attractions and restaurants that get rave reviews from guests. And with CIE Tours’ All-In Inclusive Advantage, all excursions and most meals are included. By including most everything at one up-front price, guests get exceptional value.