Exploring Britain and Ireland
13 nights from $3,395 per person
- Included:
- Accommodation
- Dedicated Tour Manager
- Selected excursions & meals
- In resort assistance & 24 hour contact center
Overview
Experience the best of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland with this 15-day escorted tour. Enjoy two-nights each in the capital cities of London, Dublin and Edinburgh. Discover the historic cities of Bath, York and Stratford-upon-Avon. Visit ancient castles in Ireland and Scotland. Experience an evening of Irish hospitality and sample a traditional English pub. And all along the way, admire the beautiful countryside with coastal vistas, picturesque lakes and rugged hills (CL)
Highlights:
- Welcome dinner in a traditional London pub
- City tour of the regal city of London, taking in Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben
- Visit ancient Stonehenge with its mystical and unique stone circle
- Kiss the Blarney Stone at the historic Blarney Castle in Ireland
- Marvel at the wild Atlantic coast on a scenic drive of the Ring of Kerry
- Experience the contrasting sides of Dublin from historic churches and museums to the warm hospitality of a fun Irish evening
- Visit Edinburgh Castle, home of the Scottish Crown Jewels
- Explore the narrow medieval streets of York, lined with shops, boutiques and tea rooms
- Visit the birthplace of William Shakespeare and the thatched-cottage home of wife Anne Hathaway
Details
Day 1
London
Your tour begins this evening in London the cosmopolitan capital of Britain, with a welcome dinner at a traditional pub where you can soak up the atmosphere and enjoy a hearty meal.
Dinner included
Day 2
London
A local guide will begin the day with a morning showing you the exciting sights of regal London. You will see Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey where Prince William and Catherine Middleton married. The afternoon is free so you can choose to explore more historical sites, browse the shops or relax over a sumptuous afternoon tea.
Breakfast included
Day 3
London – Stonehenge – Bath - Cardiff
This morning you will travel to mystical Stonehenge, the world famous prehistoric monument. This is the only lintelled stone circle surviving in the world and was erected more than 4,500 years ago. After exploring mysteries such as how these colossal stones arrived in this location, you will continue onto the elegant Georgian town of Bath. You will soak up the atmosphere of this beautiful city much-beloved of the author Jane Austin who lived here over 200 years ago, and visit the Roman Bath Museum to see the 2,000 year old spas. You will travel onto your overnight stop in the Welsh capital of Cardiff.
Breakfast included
Day 4
Cardiff – Ferry to Ireland - Waterford
Admire the beautiful countryside as you travel through Wales to the coastal village of Fishguard, where you will board the ferry to Ireland. Once you arrive in Rosslare, you will then travel to the charming town of Waterford for your overnight stay.
Breakfast and dinner included
Day 5
Waterford – Blarney - Killarney
Your first full day in Ireland will begin with a fascinating tour of the House of Waterford Crystal, home of the largest collection of Waterford Crystal in the world. You will then travel to historic Blarney Castle, where according to legend if you kiss the Blarney Stone you will be blessed with the gift of eloquence. Continue onto Killarney where you will stay for two nights, on the edge of the beautiful Killarney National Park.
Breakfast included
Day 6
Killarney – Ring of Kerry - Killarney
Today you will drive the magnificent Ring of Kerry where you will find some of Irelands most spectacular scenery. A stop at the Gap of Dunloe will give you the opportunity to browse traditional Irish handicrafts. You’ll return to Killarney where you will have the fun experience of an Irish jaunting car ride.
Breakfast included
Day 7
Killarney – Rock of Cashel - Dublin
Some great experiences with the hospitable Irish await you today starting with meeting a local family at the Molanna Dairy Farm, where you can find out about life in rural Ireland. Travelling onto Dublin, you will see one of the most historic sites – the Rock of Cashel, an imposing castle, the seat of kings for hundreds of years and legend has it where St Patrick preached. Your day will end with another fabulous experience of Irish culture in Dublin with a traditional Irish Night show.
Breakfast and dinner included
Day 8
Dublin
Discover the old and new sights of Dublin with a local guide, taking in the Bank of Ireland, O’Connell Street, Grafton Street and St Patrick’s Cathedral. You have the afternoon at leisure to explore this dynamic city, perhaps discovering more of the history or soaking up the atmosphere of Temple Bar.
Breakfast included
Day 9
Dublin – Ferry crossing – Wales - Chester
Ferry across the Irish Sea to Holyhead in Wales. You will travel through northern Wales and stop at the majestic Caernafon Castle where Charles was crowned Price of Wales. Travel on through the beautiful Welsh countryside onto an overnight stay in the historic English town of Chester.
Breakfast and dinner included
Day 10
Chester – Lake District – Gretna Green – Edinburgh
Continue northbound into the stunning scenery of the English Lake District. Admire the lovely lakeland villages of Windermere, Ambleside and Grasmere. Cross into Scotland and pause at Gretna Green just over the border, where generations of young English couples eloped to escape the restrictions of English law. Continue to the Scottish capital Edinburgh, where you will be spending the next two nights.
Breakfast and dinner included
Day 11
Edinburgh
The day starts with a guided tour of the rich history of the majestic city of Edinburgh. You will visit Edinburgh Castle, which dominates the skyline perched on Castle Rock at the end of the Royal Mile, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Queen’s official residence in Edinburgh. You have the afternoon free to browse the shops, relax in cafes or explore more of this historic city.
Breakfast included
Day 12
Edinburgh - York
Set off for England and on the way visit Hadrians Wall – the northern border of the Roman Empire, built around AD 122. Continue to the historic city of York, where you will be able to explore its quaint narrow streets – the most famous being “The Shambles” – and admire the magnificent 13th century Minster. Walk along the restored ancient walls of the city, relax over afternoon tea in one of the traditional cafes or perhaps enjoy a pint in one of the many pubs of this city
Breakfast and dinner included
Day 13
York – Coventry – Stratford-upon-Avon
Leave for Coventry where you will visit the famous modern Cathedral, completely rebuilt after its destruction during the World War II. Continue onto the charming town of Straford-upon-Avon, where you will visit the birthplace of William Shakespeare and the childhood home of his wife Anne Hathaway. This evening you will enjoy a farewell dinner with your fellow travellers.
Breakfast and dinner included
Day 14
Stratford-upon-Avon
The tour ends today
Breakfast included
What's Included:
- 20 meals - 13 breakfasts & 7 dinners
- 13 nights accommodation*: London 2 nights Copthorne Tara Hotel; Cardiff 1 night Maldron Hotel; Waterford 1 night Tower Hotel; Killarney 2 nights either the Killarney Avenue, Killarney Towers or Killarney Plaza Hotel; Dublin 2 nights Ballsbridge Hotel; Chester 1 night Grosvenor Pulford Hotel; Edinburgh 2 nights Apex International Hotel; York 1 night Hotel 53; Stratford-upon-Avon 1 night Walton Hotel
- Dedicated Tour Manager
- Tours as described in the above itinerary
* On some dates alternate hotels may be used
With offices in Dublin, Kerry and London, we have the experience and resources to provide you with the very best vacation, partnering only with the most reputable coach operators to ensure you have a truly great touring experience.
