If you have clients looking for an escorted “Taste of Ireland ” tour, look no further than CIE Tours and its aptly named five- to seven-day packages. These motorcoach tours hit all the best scenic spots and are led by knowledgeable, local guides who share the country’s history along with a little bit of humor.

Highlighting traditional meals, Irish music and dance, and authentic experiences, while letting guests take in Ireland’s many castles, green grasses, and an endless number of sheep, the tour goes a long way toward making sure that everyone truly gets to immerse themselves in the country. And while some may not appreciate sharing their vacation with strangers, others find that it just adds to the experience, that is, getting to know people from other places and making friends.

ITINERARY: The seven-day “Taste of Ireland” tour starts and ends in Dublin. The first two nights include an independent, open-top bus tour valid for both days along with visits to the Guinness Storehouse, Teeling Distillery, EPIC Ireland or the General Post Office Museum. There is also a guided city tour, including a visit to Dublin Castle; and an evening of fun at the Merry Ploughboy Pub, featuring Irish specialties and a lively show.

The next morning, the bus heads to Blarney Castle, stopping along the way to see the ruins of the Rock of Cashel and to get a taste of farm life with homemade scones and tea, as well as a sheepdog demonstration. After climbing Blarney Castle and having the opportunity to kiss the Blarney Stone and check out the nearby woolen mills, it is on to Killarney for a two-night stay.

Day 4 highlights include a scenic drive along the Ring of Kerry and a visit to the Skellig Experience, which explains the life of the early Christian hermits on a rocky offshore island that is featured in “Star Wars VII.” In the evening, there’s free time to explore Killarney and its many pubs.

The next day, the tour makes its way to the Cliffs of Moher, which soar 700 feet above the Atlantic surf. A night at the Bunratty Castle Hotel and dinner at Durty Nelly’s pub cap off the evening.

On Day 6, the motorcoach makes its way to Galway Bay, a Connemara Marble Factory and the city of Galway before heading back to Dublin. Your clients won’t have to worry about sitting on the bus all day. The itinerary is varied enough so that there is plenty of time for photo stops, shopping, snacks, lunch and restroom breaks.

GUIDES: The tour directors welcome the group, handle luggage, travel from place to place, and provide daily commentary. For city tours, a city-specific tour guide may lead the group. Tips are recommended for both the city guide ($2 per person) as well as the tour director ($5-$8 per person, per day), depending on whether there is both a tour director and bus driver on board or they are one and the same. These tips are given at the end of the tour.

ACCOMMODATIONS AND DINING: CIE uses three classes of hotels that are centrally located or in scenic locations. The company describes its three-star properties as featuring a dining room, lounge, bar and comfortable rooms with many facilities; four-star properties offer the same amenities with higher standards and may include leisure and spa facilities. Five-star properties offer luxurious features and are often in unique settings, such as a castle. You can check them out virtually beforehand, as CIE names the hotels they use on each tour.

As for food, all breakfasts and most dinners—including special dinners/shows such as a medieval banquet in a castle—are part of the package. An Irish breakfast includes eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, beans, mushrooms and tomatoes, along with a variety of breads, cereals and fruit and, on some mornings, smoothies.

TRANSPORTATION: CIE motorcoaches feature panoramic windows, reclining seats, individual climate controls, a quality public-address system, and Wi-Fi. While the buses can hold 48 passengers, the typical tour size is 35. One interesting thing to note is that CIE assigns seats by couple/group on the bus and changes it up daily. The reasoning behind it is so that everyone has a chance to sit in the front at some point.

TYPICAL CUSTOMERS: The company’s escorted coach tours attract a wide range of customers and age groups, including groups of friends, couples, mothers/daughters, college buddies, and singles. The average age is in the 50-plus range, CIE said. The company is customizing certain tours to be more family-friendly to capture a larger share of that market.

KEY SELLING POINTS: It’s hard to beat the budget-friendly, stress-free benefits of a CIE escorted coach tour. The company specializes in Ireland and uses local tour directors who have an average of 15 to 20 years in the business. It also features four-star hotels, includes breakfast and most dinners on the tour, as well as a few little extras along the way.

PRICING AND COMMISSION: The seven-day “Taste of Ireland” tour starts at $1,150 per person. CIE, which occasionally offers reduced air promotions, offers a wide array of tours that vary in length and price point. Commission on CIE’s land tours starts at 10 percent, and additional money can be earned on flights as well as through booking bonuses and group tour credits.

CONTACT: 800-243-8687; cietours.com