My husband and I are looking at the CIE 9 day tour of Scotland next summer. It is quite a bit more money than Globus - about an extra 400 dollars per person. It does include more than Globus (Globus has more optionals to pay for) and it does have more 2 night stays.
Any opinions about whether extra expense is worth it? Any comparison information based on your experiences would be appreciated.

Hi,
My husband, daughter and myself went to Scotland in May of this year on a CIE tour. It was first rate. We didn't have to do any thinking. Everything was planned. The tour guide has a master's in Scottish history and the bus driver was very entertaining also. We didn't have to touch out suitcases except to open them and close them. They were delivered to our rooms each night and picked up at our door also.

All in all it was all a fantastic experience. Our travel agent recommended CIE and she was right!

Hope you have as great a time as we did,
Karen

Greetings.

I have gone on CIE's Scottish Dream tour (which I believe is the 9-day tour you are referring to) and I, also, compared it to Globus, but felt it was a better itinerary, selection of hotels, and choices of special events (all included.. ..no "optional" expenses.) I know I made the right decision. I have spoken with several people who went with Globus, and the CIE tour was better in every way. Your stay in Glencoe will be breathtaking, and the hotel outside Aberdeen is stunning. Our guide was a published author in Scottish culture! Trust CIE, always.

Thanks to guest reply on april 20. We have booked CIE Scottish dream for August (Military Tatoo time) and are looking forward to it.