Horses on the Aran Islands. Getty
What is the perfect length of time to spend in Ireland? CIE Tours International has your ideal Irish vacation itinerary sorted.
Wondering how long your next vacation should be?
According to research published in the Journal of Happiness Studies, the ideal length of a vacation is exactly eight days. As the researchers noted, travelers will feel an increase of happiness over the first several days of vacation, with that feeling peaking on the eighth day.
After the eighth day, those positive vibes and wellness benefits start to taper off. The benefits of an eight-day vacation are well worth the sacrifice of taking time off from work and home life obligations, as travelers will discover they're sleeping better, feeling diminished stress, and experiencing an overall feeling of wellbeing long after returning home. For these reasons alone, we should all be planning to take longer vacations.
CIE Tours offers a variety of guided tours to Ireland, the United Kingdom and beyond, that last for that ideal eight-day duration. CIE Tours’ eight-day guided tours include:
Irish Heritage & Dromoland Castle Tour: 8 days starting at $2,949.
Ross Castle in Killarney. Image: Tourism Ireland.
Five castles are included in this week-long tour, which begins in Limerick at the 13th century King John’s Castle on the River Shannon and continues to the Cliffs of Moher, Ring of Kerry, and a jaunting car ride to the 15th-century ruins of Ross Castle in beautiful Killarney National Park. The tour comes to a magical close with a visit to The Irish National Stud and a night at the luxurious, fairytale-like Dromoland Castle.
Irish Myths & Legends (from the Family Collection): 8 days starting at $2,449 (children save $200).
Inisheer, Aran Islands. Image: Getty.
Designed for families, the Irish Myths & Legends tour explores some of the most unique destinations around the country. Make a splash onboard the Viking Splash tours in Dublin, cook up a feast at a Dublin cookery school, visit Blarney Castle and the famous Blarney Stone, tour legendary sites from the Cliffs of Moher to the Aran Islands, and explore beautiful towns and cities like Kinsale and Galway.
Great British Cities: 8 days starting at $2,569.
The Tower of London. Image: Getty.
Take in Edinburgh’s fascinating streetscape, York’s medieval heritage and dazzling scenery, and the birthplace of Shakespeare, Stratford-upon-Avon. Guests will also travel to London and enjoy a panoramic London tour to see some of the famous landmarks including Piccadilly Circus, Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar Square, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Travelers will also enjoy some free time to explore the capital city for themselves.
And, coming in 2020: the 8-day River Cruise Collection.
The Blue Danube running through Budapest, Hungary. Image: Getty.
The new River Cruise Collection offers a new way for loyal guests to enjoy the hallmarks of a CIE Tours’ guided vacation in other parts of Europe. Each cruise offers a comfortable and stylish ship experience with the same focus on inclusive pricing, local authenticity, and expert local guides that have made CIE Tours the premier operator of Ireland and Britain vacations since 1932. The eight-day river cruise offerings include a one-way Rhine Cruise to Switzerland, traveling from Cologne to Basel and a round-trip The Blue Danube tour from Budapest to Linz and back. Priced from $1,969 and $1,559 respectively, both tours include:
- Upscale service from an English-speaking crew
- Daily excursions with knowledgeable local guides
- Spacious, beautifully appointed suites with en-suite bathrooms and river views; most with French balcony
- Exceptional dining, from early risers’ breakfast to midnight snacks
- Complimentary Wi-Fi onboard
- Complimentary tea and coffee in cabin
- Port charges and airport taxes
Traveling aboard Europe’s youngest fleet, CIE Tours guests can also enjoy on-ship amenities such as optional massages, steam and sauna, a nail and hair salon, fitness room, and heated sun-deck plunge pool.
To view a full list of CIE Tours’ 8-day vacations, visit the website.