Britain & Ireland Discovery - Classic Group - From £5,801

Europe United Kingdom
OVERVIEW
Take a one-of-a-kind trip to the ancient Roman city of Bath, enjoy a visit to the iconic Guinness Storehouse in Dublin and experience the majesty of Edinburgh Castle in Edinburgh. This 22-day tour of Britain and Ireland is brought to life by Local Experts, with an arsenal of immersive experiences. Explore Ireland’s medieval city of Kilkenny and it's castle. Cross England’s Salisbury Plains to prehistoric Stonehenge where a tour unlocks some of the secrets held by these 5000-year-old megaliths, while the Viking city of York charms all with its maze of narrow streets and close quarter homes.
EXPERIENCES
Derry/Londonderry: There's no better way to experience sightseeing than with one of Northern Ireland's best storytellers, Ronan, as he takes you on a tour inside the city walls. See the Gothic Guildhall and the Georgian houses of Shipquay Street.

Kilkenny: Visit Kilkenny Castle to learn the history of this magnificent castle and that of the powerful Ormonde family that came to call it home for so many centuries. Amble through the Picture Gallery, library, drawing room, nursery and bedrooms decorated in 1830s splendour as well as the rolling parkland formal terraced rose garden, woodlands and man-made lake.
DEPARTURE DATES AND PRICES
Tour
Departs		 Tour
Returns		 Starting From
(price per person)		 Definite Departure
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03/05/2026 24/05/2026 £6,200 Book
06/05/2026 27/05/2026 £7,225 Book
10/05/2026 31/05/2026 £7,295 Book
13/05/2026 03/06/2026 £7,295 Book
17/05/2026 07/06/2026 £6,502 Book
24/05/2026 14/06/2026 £7,295 Book
03/06/2026 24/06/2026 £5,992 Book
07/06/2026 28/06/2026 £6,650 Book
17/06/2026 08/07/2026 £6,650 Book
24/06/2026 15/07/2026 £5,992 Book
01/07/2026 22/07/2026 £5,992 Book
08/07/2026 29/07/2026 £5,992 Book
12/07/2026 02/08/2026 £6,141 Book
19/07/2026 09/08/2026 £6,141 Book
05/08/2026 26/08/2026 £7,550 Book
09/08/2026 30/08/2026 £7,325 Book
12/08/2026 02/09/2026 £6,417 Book
19/08/2026 09/09/2026 £7,550 Book
26/08/2026 16/09/2026 £6,417 Book
30/08/2026 20/09/2026 £7,250 Book
09/09/2026 30/09/2026 £6,200 Book
16/09/2026 07/10/2026 £7,195 Book
20/09/2026 11/10/2026 £7,175 Book
23/09/2026 14/10/2026 £7,025 Book
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ITINERARY

At 08:00, meet your Travel Director at the hotel in London. After a warm welcome, settle into your luxury coach and head westward through the green Chiltern Hills. Stop in Oxford, where your Travel Director will introduce you to the City of Dreaming Spires, home to the world's most famous university. With time at leisure, why not enjoy a visit to the renowned Ashmolean Museum or browse through the local indoor market? Continue via pretty Cotswolds villages to Stratford-upon-Avon. Visit the half-timbered house where William Shakespeare was born, now a museum full of memorabilia relating to his life. Later, join your Travel Director and fellow travellers at a local restaurant for a warm and friendly Welcome Dinner with drinks.

A leisurely drive brings you to the historic city of York; its story going back to the time of the Romans and the Vikings. Inside the ancient city walls, see York Minster, the largest medieval church in northern Europe. Explore the maze of narrow streets to the topsy-turvy Shambles, where warped, overhanging timber-framed houses lean so far that they almost touch! Spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Travel across the Yorkshire Dales and wild Pennines to the picturesque Lake District. A scenic wonderland awaits, with rugged mountains and tranquil waters that inspired a host of English poets, including Wordsworth, Coleridge, Tennyson and Shelley. After a visit to Wordsworth’s grave in the village of Grasmere, cross into Scotland and stop briefly at Gretna Green. This is the famous spot where runaway lovers were married over the anvil at the blacksmith's shop. Then it’s on to the majestic Scottish capital where you could join an Optional Experience at a Scottish cultural dinner complete with ceilidh.

Join a Local Expert for a trip along Princes Street to see the ornate Victorian Gothic monument to Sir Walter Scott and the elegant 18th century New Town with its classical Adam facades. Over in the Old Town, see the Palace of Holyroodhouse - the official Scottish residence of His Majesty, The King and visit the castle, home of Mons Meg, the Stone of Destiny and the Honours of Scotland - Scotland's glittering Crown Jewels. The rest of the day is at leisure. Perhaps research your family tartan in the Tartan Centre or visit the art treasures in the National Gallery?In the evening, select departures will attend The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo - a colourful mix of pipes and drums, dance and display, set against the floodlit backdrop of Edinburgh Castle.

Cross the Firth of Forth into Fife. Make your way to St. Andrews, home to the Old Course and birthplace of golf. Enjoy free time to explore. Perhaps stroll to West Sands Beach where the famous 'Chariots of Fire' scene was filmed? Alternately, wander to St. Andrews University where the love story of Kate Middleton meeting her Prince Charming began. Test your senses on a visit to a local Whisky Distillery for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience before continuing to our hotel in Aberdeen, a 19th-century baronial mansion located within 30 acres of stunning grounds.

Travel through Scotland’s northeast, where barley fields and coastal villages reflect a deep-rooted whisky tradition. Arrive at Loch Ness, deeper than the North Sea in parts and vast enough to hold all of England’s lakes combined. Cruise across the storied waters of Loch Ness, passing Bona Lighthouse at the loch’s northern tip, once vital to navigation in the 19th century. Your Travel Director shares the loch’s geological secrets and enduring tales of Nessie, still the subject of scientific study and local lore. Continue north to Wick, a fishing port that once led Europe in herring exports. Just before arriving, look out for Ebenezer Place, the world’s shortest street at just 2.06 m (6.7 ft).

Start the day by boarding the ferry to the beautiful Orkney Islands where the countryside is breathtakingly majestic and the tranquillity supports a quieter pace of life. Here the hardy locals say they live ‘below the wind and above the water.’ Your Travel Director accompanies you as you visit the small chapel built by Italian prisoners during World War II, the old Norse Town of Kirkwall, 5000-year-old village of Skara Brae and the mysterious Ring of Brodgar.

Relax and enjoy the stunning landscapes of lochs and mountains on your way to the fishing town of Ullapool. Continue alongside Loch Carron and through Glen Carron, before crossing to the magical Isle of Skye - the largest and most beautiful island of the Inner Hebrides. Hear the story of the song 'Over the Sea to Skye,' which tells of young Flora MacDonald and how she helped to rescue Bonnie Prince Charlie, who fled in disguise after his defeat at Culloden. Admire the scenic splendour on the way to your hotel in Broadford.

Return to the mainland to see the remote Eilean Donan Castle, which under a clear sky offers a perfect reflection in its loch. Move on to the WWII Commando Memorial for a chance to view Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain. Continue on to the Valley of Glencoe, its dramatic peaks still echoing with the ghastly cries of massacred clansmen. Stop on the Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond, known as the 'Queen of Scottish Lakes' according to Sir Walter Scott, before arriving in Glasgow.

Cross the Irish Sea with views of the Isle of Arran en route. On arrival in Northern Ireland, travel to the UNESCO-listed Giant’s Causeway, where over 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns were formed by volcanic activity over 60 million years ago. Walk across this striking geological landscape, one of the country’s most recognised natural wonders. Later, continue to Londonderry, Northern Ireland’s only remaining walled city, where centuries of history are preserved within its original 17th-century ramparts.

In the morning, meet Ronan, one of the nation's great storytellers, as he takes you inside Derry/Londonderry's well-preserved walls, still topped with cannons. Walk down steep Shipquay Street, with its elegant Georgian houses, to the Gothic Guildhall, and cross the border to see O’Donnell’s Castle in Donegal. Journey south to the Belleek Pottery & Visitor Centre, nestled on the banks of the River Erne. Meet some of the specialist craftspeople and see artisan techniques in action during your visit. Then it’s on to your country retreat, set on the scenic shores of Sligo Bay.

Experience the beautiful rugged landscape of Connemara, a wonderland of rivers, lakes and silent hills. Continue to Galway, where your Travel Director will show you St. Nicholas Cathedral, the Spanish Arch and Eyre Square, dedicated to the late US President John F. Kennedy. Move onto your hotel in Limerick, famous for rhymes, lace and Georgian houses.

Start the day with an exploration of Limerick where you will see King John's Castle, St. Mary's Cathedral and the Treaty Stone. Continue your journey through the land of song and legend via the picturesque thatched village of Adare, into County Kerry. As a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, meet John and Freda, passionate restaurant owners. Learn how their farm-to-table concept operates and enjoy a delicious meal made from fresh ingredients all sourced within a five-mile radius. At night your Dine-Around Evening offers you authentic and intimate dining as you choose from a hand-picked selection of local restaurants, ranging in style and ambiance.

In the morning, enjoy a trip around the Ring of Kerry, one of the world’s most scenic journeys. See towering cliffs, lush lakelands, remote villages, Ireland’s highest mountain range and the three peaceful Lakes of Killarney. With time at leisure, perhaps hire a bicycle and take advantage of the many cycle trails that Killarney has to offer  around the lake or through the National Park?

Cross the rugged Derrynasaggart Mountains this morning and head for Blarney. Visit the ruined 15th century castle that is home to the famous Stone of Eloquence. It is said that those whose lips caress the Stone of Eloquence are bestowed with the power to persuade, flatter and coax. Continue on to Cork, Ireland's second most populous city, built on the River Lee. Perhaps enjoy a city tour before checking into your hotel.

Travel to the medieval city of Kilkenny to visit Kilkenny Castle. Learn how the castle was built in 1195 after the Norman Conquest of Ireland and admire its beautifully restored Victorian era rooms. Continue to Ireland’s lively capital, Dublin, and spend a leisurely evening relaxing, exploring or perhaps taking in a famous Irish cabaret?

Experience Ireland's national, world-famous drink with a visit to the Guinness Storehouse. Gain a fascinating insight into the history and traditions behind its production. Then meet your Local Expert who will show you the sights of the city, including Dublin's elegant Georgian squares, O’Connell Street and the Custom House. The afternoon is at leisure.

Cross the Irish Sea for a stop in Wales and see Conwy Castle. Return to England and stop in Liverpool for an orientation of the city. Consider an Optional Experience tour featuring the history of The Beatles.

Continue through the countryside to the Welsh capital of Cardiff. On arrival, enjoy an orientation of the city, seeing the University of Wales, the Principality Stadium, City Hall and the National Museum, landmarks that reflect Cardiff’s cultural and civic heart.

Cross the soaring Severn Bridge to reach the elegant Georgian city of Bath, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built in amphitheatre-style on the surrounding hills. An orientation of the city will show you the impressive Pulteney Bridge and gothic Bath Abbey, famous for the sculpture of angels climbing Jacob's Ladder before a visit to the well-preserved Roman Baths. Journey on to Somerset, visit Wells Cathedral, as you make your way to Plymouth for the night.

Explore Dartmoor with Insight Choice. Choose to join a scenic exploration of Dartmoor National Park. Alternatively, cruise the scenic Plymouth harbour, where 400 years ago the Mayflower set sail for America. Back in Plymouth, enjoy a glass of wine and a delectable Celebration Dinner with your newfound friends as you toast to an inspiring journey.

Travel across Salisbury Plain to visit the prehistoric and mysterious Stonehenge, where the strange and awe-inspiring monoliths are reputed to be up to 5,000 years old. Your discovery of Britain and Ireland concludes upon your return to the hotel in London.
ACCOMMODATION
DAY 1: Swan's Nest, Stratford-upon-Avon - Meals: Dinner
DAY 2: Hilton, York - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 3: Edinburgh Marriott Holyrood - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4: Edinburgh Marriott Holyrood - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5: Ardoe House Hotel and Spa, Aberdeen - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 6: The Norseman, Wick - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 7: The Norseman, Wick - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 8: The Dunollie, Broadford - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 9: Radisson Blu, Glasgow - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 10: Da Vinci's, Londonderry - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 11: Clayton, Sligo - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 12: The George, Limerick - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 13: Aghadoe Heights Hotel and Spa, Killarney, Great Southern Killarney - Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 14: Aghadoe Heights Hotel and Spa, Killarney, Great Southern Killarney - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 15: Maldron South Mall, Cork - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 16: Trinity City, Dublin - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 17: Trinity City, Dublin - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 18: Maldron, Liverpool - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 19: Clayton, Cardiff - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 20: Crowne Plaza, Plymouth , Copthorne Hotel Plymouth - Meals: Breakfast
DAY 21: Copthorne Hotel Plymouth, Crowne Plaza, Plymouth - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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