Britain & Ireland in Depth
Description
Summary
Description
Embark on a 24-day grand tour that takes you through the heart of England, Ireland, Wales, and Scotland. This multi-day tour is a perfect blend of history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes. From the bustling streets of London to the serene landscapes of the Lake District, the mystical Stonehenge to the legendary Loch Ness, this tour has it all. Experience the rich heritage of these lands as you visit iconic sites like the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and the Titanic Belfast Experience. Enjoy traditional pub food, visit the birthplace of Shakespeare, and explore the largest inhabited castle in Scotland. This tour offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture, taste traditional dishes, and hear the legends and lore of these ancient lands. Each day of the tour is carefully planned to ensure an unforgettable experience.
Included
Full buffet breakfast daily, 1 Lunch, 8 Dinner
Guide
Headsets throughout the tour except London
LONDON - PARK PLAZA WESTMINSTER BRIDGE, PARK PLAZA WATERLOO, HILTON LONDON METROPOLE
PLYMOUTH - CROWNE PLAZA PLYMOUTH
NEWPORT - THE COLDRA COURT BY CELTIC MANOR
WATERFORD - GRANVILLE HOTEL
KILLARNEY - SCOTTS HOTEL
LIMERICK - CLAYTON HOTEL LIMERICK
SLIGO - RADISSON BLU SLIGO
BELFAST - STORMONT HOTEL
DUBLIN - NORTH STAR
LIVERPOOL - NOVOTEL LIVERPOOL
GLASGOW - HALLMARK HOTEL
INVERNESS - COLUMBA HOTEL
EDINBURGH - PRINCIPAL EDINBURGH GEORGE ST
YORK - HOLIDAY INN YORK
STRATFORD - UPON - AVON - CROWNE PLAZA STRATFORD UPON AVON
hotel: 23 night(s);
Motorcoach; Plymouth Sound cruise; ferries Fishguard-Rosslare, Dublin-Holyhead, Mallaig-Armadale.
Destinations
Map
Attractions
Daily Itinerary
Day 1 – Day 1: Welcome to London
- London - Arrival day
- More
Welcome to the vibrant city of London! Our uniformed hosts will be waiting to greet you. You have free time in the afternoon to start exploring this historic city.
Day 2 – Day 2: The Royal Treatment in London
- London
- More
Start your day with a guided tour of London's iconic landmarks. Witness the grandeur of the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall, Downing Street, Piccadilly Circus, Buckingham Palace, and St. Paul’s Cathedral. Walk the historic streets where centuries of history have unfolded.
Day 3 – Day 3: Prehistoric Finds & Pub Food
- London
- Plymouth
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Meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers at 8 am and set off for Stonehenge, the iconic prehistoric monument. After exploring Stonehenge, enjoy a hearty lunch at a local pub in Ilminster. In the afternoon, embark on a cruise on Plymouth Sound, one of the world's great natural harbors, and see the historic Mayflower Steps in The Barbican.
Day 4 – Day 4: Legends of Land & Sea
- Plymouth
- More
Embark on a scenic drive through the West Country to Poldark’s Cornwall, with a photo stop at St. Michael’s Mount. Enjoy free time in the popular seaside resort of St. Ives. Return to Plymouth for some free time in the evening.
Day 5 – Day 5: Timeless Kings & Thermal Springs
- Plymouth
- Glastonbury
- Bath
- Newport
- More
Visit the city of Glastonbury, famous for the legend of King Arthur and the Holy Grail. Next, head to Bath to explore the excavations of the Roman Baths. Enjoy some free time in this UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its Roman and Georgian architecture and geothermal springs.
Day 6 – Day 6: Strait to Ireland
- Newport
- Waterford
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Drive through South Wales to Fishguard and board a ferry to Rosslare in Ireland. Enjoy the scenic journey across St. George’s Channel, named in honor of St. George, England’s patron saint.
Day 7 – Day 7: Fine Crystal & The Gift of Gab
- Waterford
- Blarney
- Kinsale
- More
- Blarney Stone
- House of Waterford Crystal
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Start your day with a guided tour of the House of Waterford Crystal in Waterford. Next, visit the village of Blarney, renowned for its magical Kissing Stone. End your day with some free time in the charming town of Kinsale.
Day 8 – Day 8: Beauties in County Kerry
- Kinsale
- Killarney
- More
- Kingdom Falconry
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Embark on a panoramic drive around part of Ireland’s southwestern peninsula, the Ring of Kerry. Enjoy breathtaking views of cliffs, lush landscapes, and stunning beaches. Spend the afternoon at leisure in the charming town of Killarney.
Day 9 – Day 9: Traditional Dishes & Ditties
- Killarney
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Enjoy a free day in Killarney. In the evening, join the locals for a traditional Irish dinner accompanied by festive Gaelic tunes in the heart of this historic town.
Day 10 – Day 10: Irish Eyes & Cheeky Rhymes
- Killarney
- Dingle
- Adare
- Limerick
- More
- Valentia Island Lighthouse
- Adare Town Park
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Visit the Blasket Islands Centre on the Dingle Peninsula. Stop at the quaint village of Adare, known for its thatched cottages. End your day with some free time in the city of Limerick.
Day 11 – Day 11: Notes Above High Sea
- Limerick
- Galway
- Sligo
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- Cliffs of Moher
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Visit the 668-foot-high Cliffs of Moher, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Enjoy some free time in the vibrant city of Galway. End your day with some leisure time in the evening in Sligo.
Day 12 – Day 12: Derry Girls & Daring Giants
- Sligo
- Belleek
- Belfast
- More
- Greencastle Golf Cub
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Visit Derry, the second-largest city in Northern Ireland. See the Giant’s Causeway, a natural wonder with more than 40,000 interlocking basalt columns formed millions of years ago.
Day 13 – Day 13: An Unsinkable Legend
- Belfast
- Carlingford
- Dublin
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Drive to Belfast and visit the Titanic Belfast Experience for an in-depth look at the history of the legendary ocean liner. Stop in the charming village of Carlingford on the Cooley Peninsula.
Day 14 – Day 14: Ireland’s Capital City
- Dublin
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- St. Patrick's Cathedral Park
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Drive to Dublin and take an orientation drive to see O’Connell Street, Georgian squares, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and Trinity College. Enjoy some free time in the afternoon to explore the city at your own pace.
Day 15 – Day 15: Welsh Word Challenge
- Dublin
- Liverpool
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Board a ferry in Dublin to cross the North Channel. Make a photo stop at the tongue-twisting town of Llanfairpwllgwyngyll in North Wales. Continue your scenic drive through North Wales to Liverpool. Enjoy some free time in the evening.
Day 16 – Day 16: Songs, Sonnets, and Secret Vows
- Liverpool
- Glasgow
- More
Visit The Beatles Story in Liverpool for a fascinating journey into the life and music of the Fab Four. Take a scenic drive through the Lake District and visit Wordsworth’s beloved village of Grasmere. Sample original Grasmere gingerbread and visit Gretna Green, where a Scottish blacksmith performed weddings for eloping young couples.
Day 17 – Day 17: Spectacular in Scotland
- Glasgow
- Inverness
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Depart Glasgow for a drive past Loch Lomond, Rannoch Moor, Glen Coe, and Fort William en route to the ferry crossing to the Isle of Skye. Visit the Museum of the Isles before driving across the Inner Hebridean island. Return to the mainland and drive the length of the legendary Loch Ness en route to Inverness.
Day 18 – Day 18: The Bronze Age & Brave Battles
- Inverness
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Visit the Bronze-Age chamber tomb site of Clava Cairns and the Culloden battlefield site. Spend some time in the Highlands capital of Inverness, known for its rich history and vibrant culture.
Day 19 – Day 19: Mulligans & Military Music
- Inverness
- Pitlochry
- St Andrews
- Edinburgh
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Walk through the Victorian mountain resort of Pitlochry. See the home of golf and famous university town of St. Andrews. Attend the world-renowned Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo performance (available on departures from July 16 through August 6 only).
Day 20 – Day 20: Crown Jewels & Castle Views
- Edinburgh
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Start your day with a city sightseeing tour with a Local Guide. Visit Edinburgh Castle to see Scotland’s Crown Jewels. Enjoy some free time in the afternoon to explore the city at your own pace.
Day 21 – Day 21: Castle Heirs & English Fare
- Edinburgh
- York
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Visit Floors Castle, the largest inhabited castle in Scotland, located in the town of Kelso. Drive to York and take a guided walk through the best-preserved medieval shopping streets, known as The Shambles. Don't miss the chance to see York Minster, one of the world's most magnificent cathedrals.
Day 22 – Day 22: Mr. & Mrs. Shakespeare
- York
- Stratford-upon-Avon
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Visit Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare. See Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace. Enjoy a scenic drive through the Cotswolds followed by dinner at a local pub.
Day 23 – Day 23: Churchill’s Beginnings
- Stratford-upon-Avon
- London
- More
Visit Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a masterpiece of English Baroque architecture. Drive back to London and enjoy some free time in the afternoon.
Day 24 – Day 24: Farewell
- London - Departure day
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Your grand tour ends with breakfast this morning. Safe travels until we meet again!
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