Marissa Massa
Cirillo Travel Group, LLC
Expressions of Scotland - Whisky Tour Sept 27-Oct 5 2025
Sep 27, 2025 to Oct 5, 2025
Scotland
September 27th-October 5th 2025
9 Days | 8 Nights
The Highlands | Campbeltown | Islay | Edinburgh
Join us for an immersive experience exploring the legendary distilleries of Scotland, where whisky heritage meets breathtaking scenery and warm Scottish hospitality. This small-group tour provides a focused journey through the heart of the iconic whisky-producing regions: Speyside, in the Highlands, Campbeltown (once the Whisky Capitol of the World), and then onto the island of Islay!
Highlights of the Tour:
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Distillery Tours & Tastings: Discover the secrets behind Scotland’s world-renowned whiskies. Visit iconic distilleries such as Glenfiddich, Balvenie, and Lagavulin, as well as family-owned distilleries that offer a more personal touch. Each stop includes guided tours or tastings, and behind-the-scenes access, where you’ll sample rare single malts and even cask-strength exclusives.
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Meet the Makers: Engage in insightful conversations with master distillers and local experts who have honed their craft over generations. Learn about the nuances of whisky production, the influence of terroir, and the art of aging in Scotland's unique climate.
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Scenic Scottish Countryside: Journey through rolling hills, lush glens, and dramatic coastlines, from the rugged charm of the Highlands to the laidback landscapes of Islay. While the tour is focused on the whisky, we'll also make time for some short nature walks, castle visits, and charming village stops.
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Luxurious Accommodations & Authentic Scottish Cuisine: Stay in cozy boutique hotels that capture the spirit of Scotland’s hospitality. Enjoy meals that highlight regional cuisine, from the fresh seafood of Islay to hearty Highland dishes, often paired with locally crafted pours.
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Small Group Size: With bookings limited to just 14 guests only, this tour allows for personalized attention, new friendships to form, and plenty of room in the daily schedule for spontaneity and surprise experiences.
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Nathan Gurr is a professional mixologist and personal whisky enthusiast who has managed bar programs and consulted for prominent NYC restaurants and brands. His original cocktails have caught the attention of private and commercial clients such as Forbes, Men’s Health, GQ, and TimeOut. He curates local tasting events to share his love and appreciation for a good spirit. When he's not expertly crafting cocktails he's honing his other crafts, woodworking -designing and building beautiful, hand-made cutting boards, and tapping trees upstate for the freshest maple syrup around.
You may also know him as the published co-author of The Official Yellowstone Bar Book: 75 Cokctails to Enjoy after the Work's Done - available as of November 26 on Amazon!
During the journey, grab a glass of your new favorite pour and enjoy fireside chats with Nathan while he shares his thoughts on the daily distilleries, their process, and the final products.
--- EXCLUSIVE TOURS & TASTINGS ---
- Glenfiddich Distillery
- The Balvenie Distillery
- Speyside Cooperage
- Glenfarclas Distillery
- Cragganmore Distillery
- Cardhu Distillery
- GlenAllachie Distillery
- Blair Athol Distillery
- Oban
- Springbank Distillery
- Glen Scotia Distillery
- Bruichladdich Distillery
- Lagavulin
- Ardbeg Distillery
- Bowmore Distillery
- Caol Ila Distillery
- Bunnahabhain Distillery
- Ardnahoe Distillery
- Auchentoshan Distillery
- & more!
*itinerary subject to change
Additional perks:
- Comfortable private touring coach for easy transportation around Scotland
- Carefully selected highly rated hotels for comfortable and unique stays
- Included activities and select special meals for a hassle-free experience
--- ITINERARY ---
ARRIVE IN EDINBURGH & HEAD TO THE HIGHLANDS - 3 Nights
After your overnight flight, land in Edinburgh and meet us in the arrivals hall to begin the tour. We'll exit the airport and be whisked away on a private luxury mini-coach into the countryside en route to the Scottish Highlands where we'll call home for the next 3 days! Enjoy stops along the way to take in the beauty of Queens Views and grab lunch in Pitlochry. We'll get settled into our hotel in Speyside and reconvene for a Welcome dinner with your fellow travelers.
Over the next two days, we'll learn so much during exclusive tours of local distilleries both well-known and some that may not be as familiar to you just yet. We'll visit an active cooperage to see the barrel-making process as well as stop at as many distilleries as we can fit in to enjoy tastings of their showcased drams in cozy settings. Take optional morning walks along the River Spey, an integral part of the terroir that makes Speyside Whiskys so iconic. Surrounded by farmland we'll have plenty of photo opportunities with the famous Highland cows!
HEAD SOUTH TO CAMPBELTOWN - 1 Night
Say farewell to the highlands with a quick stop by Urquhart Castle on the shores of Loch Ness before heading down the Western coast through Oban. Stop for lunch and a bit of time to stretch your legs before finishing our journey to Campbeltown. Once the "Whisky Capitol of the World", we'll delve into this storied past of Scotland’s whisky landscape and get a taste of the complexity and coastal character of the products this region offers.
ISLAY LIFE (Eye-Lah) - 3 Nights
Take the ferry across the North Channel to Islay - revered for whisky expressions that are bold, memorable, and unmistakably influenced by the island itself. We'll visit the distilleries the have mastered the art of bottling a sense of place, making each dram a taste of the island’s wild beauty and unique character. Channel your inner Ron Swanson as we visit the famous Lagavulin distillery. Islay is home to nine active distilleries and we'll try to fit in as many as we can, including Bruichladdich whose products contrast sharply with the island's classic style. Before leaving the island and as our trip winds down, we'll enjoy a special farewell dinner among our group of newfound friends.
END IN EDINBURGH - 1 Night
As we cross back over the North Channel, we'll make a stop at Auchentoshan, a distinctive distillery that appeals to whisky drinkers seeking something smooth, light, and complex. Its triple-distilled, Lowland style, along with its innovative cask finishes makes it a unique note to end the tasting trip with. We wind down our adventure in Edinburgh. Enjoy the night to explore the city on your own. Choose to visit Edinburgh Castle, shop the Royal Mile or relax in a cozy pub recounting all the amazing experiences from the days before.
If you are extending time in Edinburgh, Cirillo Travel Group would be happy to help organize accommodations, tours or more whisky experiences if you haven't gotten your fill yet!
If you are extending your trip or have a later flight you may opt to schedule your own transfer directly or with Marissa at Cirillo Travel Group.
*Itinerary order is subject to change based on availability
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What's Included:
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Overnight Accommodations in hand-selected Hotels
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9-Breakfasts / 2 Dinners
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All Tours, Tastings, and Entry Fees to sites listed in the itinerary
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Private Luxury Mini-Coach & Driver Transportation for the Group
- Special Surprises Along the ay
- Trip Insurance (Cirillo Travel Group will provide a trip insurance policy included in this booking, which covers the value of this trip and provides Trip cancellation, Trip Interuprtion, and Medical and Dental Coverage.)
What's not included:
- Flights and US-based Airport Transfers
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Flights are not included in this travel package and must be booked on your own, directly with the airline.
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Flights should be booked landing in Edinburgh (EDI) Airport before 10:00 AM on September 27 2025 and departing from Edinburgh (EDI) Airport anytime on October 5, 2025 - Please share flight confirmations with cirillotravelgroup@gmail.com as soon as your flights are booked so we may organize your airport transfers. Ideally, flights are booked and provided to Cirillo Travel Group on or before Final Payment.
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Gratuities for drivers, guides, and other services (Spa, servers, taxis, etc.)
- Meals outside of those listed in your itinerary
If you would like to extend your time in the UK or beyond pre or post-this tour - please email Marissa at Cirillo Travel Group to discuss. cirillotravelgroup@gmail.com
**Cirillo Travel Group strongly recommends traveler's passport be valid for six (6) months or more after your date of entry for all international travel.
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$6,499 Per Person Based on Double Occupancy*
$8,299 Solo Traveler - Private Room - Single Occupancy*
*Pricing is based on 14 confirmed travelers - if the group falls below 14 travelers the price for the trip may need to be adjusted. We will do everything we can to avoid a price increase.
$500 Deposit per Person Due at Booking
Final Payment Due: April 15, 2025
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Booking Closes July 1, 2025 - Bookings after July 1st will be on a waitlist and could be subject to a higher rate.
**Cirillo Travel Group strongly recommends traveler's passport be valid for six (6) months or more after your date of entry for all international travel.
Cancellation policy:
The below cancellation fee table for reference:
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Cancellation charges (per person) if you cancel your vacation |
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Before the final payment due date |
$500 Deposit |
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After the final payment due date |
100% |
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Cancellation by Traveler |
Travel arrangements for any member of the party may be canceled at any time by written notice by the person who made the booking. Notice of cancellation must be made in writing directly to Cirillo Travel Group (hereinafter referred to as "the Provider") . If notice of cancellation is received by the Provider before final payment is due (see Table), the deposit will be retained. If cancellation is made after final payment is due cancellation fees will apply (see Table). If a person in a party cancels and there is a room change caused by this cancellation (such as a double room to Single, or Triple to double room), charges for the new room type will be the responsibility of the remaining party. If a guest fails to join the trip on the day of departure, cancellation fees will be 100% (unless the guest notifies us of the delay and joins the trip later at their own expense). Cancellation fees as per the Table apply to additional accommodation and/or chargeable transfers prior to and after the trip, itinerary extensions or cruise reserved through the Provider. Cancellation fees and charges will include any amounts that we have paid or have contractually committed to pay to third parties to deliver your travel arrangements which we cannot reasonably recover (for example payments made or due to tour operators and hotels). Any payments we have made to third parties will only be refunded to you once we have deducted the above cancellation fees and charges and once we have actually recovered the amounts from the third parties. All cancellation fees as per the Table are additional to any cancellation fees or other charges that may be levied by the Airline for your flights booked outside of this package. Travel Protection Plan premiums are non-refundable. If the reason for your cancellation is covered under your insurance, you may be able to reclaim these charges from the insurer under the provided policy. You are responsible to make the claim to the insurer. |
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Cancellation by the Provider |
The Provider reserves the right, to modify or cancel any trip, accommodation, in-destination activity or arrangement, (definite or not), at any time. Cancellation due to Failure to Pay: If full payment is not received by the final payment due date (see Table), The Provider has the right to cancel your reservation and no refund will be made. The Provider will not be responsible for lost reservations. Cancellation due to Force Majeure Events: If the Provider cancels a trip as a result of a Force Majeure Event, a future travel credit (FTC) to the value of funds paid to date less any third-party costs incurred will be provided. All FTCs will be valid for 24 months from date of issue. Where a trip is terminated mid-trip due to a Force Majeure event, if we provide you with any alternative services or assistance (such as hotels or travel) then you agree to pay for these costs. Cancellation due to Events other than Force Majeure Events: If the cancellation by the Provider is not as a result of a Force Majeure Event, the Provider will provide an alternative comparable trip (if available), if an alternative is not available then a refund will be made. The Provider is not liable for any cancellation or change cost or penalties incurred on other travel arrangements, including air travel, that may be affected thereby. Cirillo Travel Group is not responsible for other travel arrangements that you or your party have made outside Cirillo Travel Group, and which are affected by our cancellations. |
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Early Return, Illness or Absence |
Early return expenses are the guest’s responsibility. There is no refund for absence or early departure from a trip, including but not limited to missed hotels, transfers, meals or sightseeing or optional extensions. Cirillo Travel Group provides a protection policy that covers the dates and value of the purchased package but urges you to purchase travel insurance that covers such circumstances if additional travel is planned outside of the quoted itinerary. The Provider makes no representation or guarantees concerning reimbursement, scope of coverage, or other aspects of any travel insurance policy or claim. |
Available Packages
1 TRAVELER - DOUBLE OCCUPENCY
Available until
July 1, 2025
- 10 left
$6,499.00
Deposit: $500.00 per person
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$6,499 Per Person Based on Double Occupancy*
*Pricing is based on 14 confirmed travelers - if the group falls below 14 travelers the price for the trip may need to be adjusted.
$500 Deposit per Person Due at Booking
Final Payment Due: July 1, 2025
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Booking Closes July 1, 2025 - Bookings after July 1st will be on a waitlist and could be subject to a higher rate.
SOLO TRAVELERS - PRIVATE ROOM - SINGLE OCCUPENCY
Available until
July 1, 2025
- 2 left
$8,299.00
Deposit: $500.00 per person
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$8,299 Solo Traveler - Private Room - Single Occupancy*
*Pricing is based on 14 confirmed traveler - if the group falls below 20 travelers the price for the trip may need to be adjusted.
$500 Deposit per Person Due at Booking
Final Payment Due: July 1, 2025
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Booking Closes July 1, 2025 - Bookings after July 1st will be on a waitlist and could be subject to a higher rate.