British Isles with Brittany and Loire Castles

Welcome to your tour with Europamundo!We’ll start our day in central Paris, beginning with a visit to the iconic Eiffel Tower. You´ll have the chance to go up to the second floor of this famous iron landmark (tickets included). Afterwards, we’ll enjoy a relaxing boat cruise along the Seine. You’ll have a free afternoon to explore the city at your own pace.Around 4:00 p.m., we’ll depart Paris and head to Normandy, arriving in Rouen. You´ll have free time to explore the historic center of this vibrant city, which dates back to Roman times and boasts charming medieval architecture and an impressive Gothic cathedral, offering a delightful blend of history and culture.Note: If wait times at the Eiffel Tower are too long, we might reschedule the visit to a different time (or on Sunday) for your convenience.

Today, we’ll have time to take a stroll through the center of Rouen. After this, we’ll travel to northern France. Crossing the English Channel by ferry, we’ll reach Canterbury, the religious capital of England, known for its charming historic center. Our journey will continue to London, where you’ll have some free time in the Tower Bridge area, one of the city´s most iconic symbols, before we head to the hotel.

Discover London on a panoramic tour with a local guide that showcases the city’s culture and history. You’ll see famous sites such as the Parliament, the River Thames, and Buckingham Palace, where you might witness the iconic Changing of the Guard (depending on the dates). In the evening, we’ll establish a meeting point in Piccadilly to take a stroll through Leicester Square, Chinatown, and Soho, areas renowned for their lively atmosphere, theaters, and entertainment options. You’ll have plenty of restaurants to choose from for dinner before we return to the hotel.

We’ll start the day by leaving London and heading towards northern England. Our first stop will be Cambridge, where we’ll admire the beautiful colleges. After lunch, we’ll continue to York, where the stunning cathedral, Roman walls, and lively shopping streets will leave a lasting impression. You’ll have some free time to explore. Afterwards, we’ll proceed north to Durham, a vibrant medieval town featuring a magnificent cathedral in front of the castle.

We’ll travel to Scotland, with a stop in Alnwick, a picturesque town known for its beautiful gardens and large medieval castle, famously featured in the Harry Potter films. We’ll then continue to Edinburgh, arriving around midday. As Scotland’s capital and one of the most vibrant cities in Northern Europe, Edinburgh’s monumental center has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The castle overlooks the city’s steep streets and parks. We’ll enjoy a panoramic tour with a local guide.

Enjoy a free day to take in the charm of this city, exploring and discovering its memorable places.

After leaving Edinburgh, we’ll stop to photograph The Kelpies, enormous sculptures of horses´ heads from Scottish mythology. They symbolize the strength and beauty of horses, as well as their connection to water and land. Next, we’ll head to Stirling, with its impressive historic center dominated by the great castle, one of the most important in Scotland. This castle has witnessed numerous historical events, including legendary battles and the coronation of several kings. The visit to the castle is included. We’ll continue towards the north, stopping in Pitlochry, a picturesque town in the heart of the Scottish region, where most of Scotland´s whisky is produced. Time for lunch and a stroll. Continuing our journey north, we’ll stop at Culloden, the site of a pivotal battle in Scottish history against British forces, resulting in a decisive English victory. The battle had profound consequences for Scotland, leading to laws and policies aimed at suppressing its culture and traditions. In the evening, we’ll arrive in Inverness, the "Capital of the Highlands," where its castle stands out. We suggest enjoying a walk along the banks of the River Ness and the iconic suspension bridge.Note: Depending on the time of year and daylight, the stop in Culloden might be on Monday.

A day filled with excitement lies ahead of us. We’ll journey through the hauntingly beautiful landscapes, forests, lochs, remote plains and fjords of northern Scotland. Our first stop will be the fascinating Eilean Donan Castle, a picturesque site located on the waters of the fjord (tickets included). Next, we’ll head to Fort Augustus to visit the sluice gate system, with time for lunch and a stroll. In the afternoon, we’ll travel to Loch Ness for an included boat tour on the lake’s dark and mysterious waters. Afterwards, we’ll visit the medieval Urquhart Castle (admission included). We’ll arrive in Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, located at the mouth of Loch Ness. Here, we’ll visit a traditional whiskey distillery to learn about the process behind Scotland´s national drink (admission and tasting included). This prized spirit, made from barley, is not only enjoyed throughout Scotland but is also one of the country’s top exports. Accommodation will be in Inverness. Note: The distillery visit schedule may vary depending on ticket availability and can take place either late Sunday or on Monday.

We will continue enjoying stunning landscapes. Our first stop will be in Spean Bridge to visit a monument commemorating the Second World War. Next, we’ll stop in Fort William, a tourist center at the foot of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the United Kingdom. We’ll pass by Kilchurn Castle, with its beautiful ruins by a dark lake. We will then arrive in Inveraray, a picturesque historic village by Loch Fyne, featuring a large castle and quiet streets. We’ll stop for lunch here. Then, we’ll head back along the shores of Loch Lomond. We’ll arrive in Glasgow in the evening, with time to explore the center of this vibrant city.

Today we’ll leave Glasgow and head towards southern Scotland to board a ferry in Cairnryan. Our journey will take us to Northern Ireland, arriving in Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland, a monumental city that is emerging from its historical religious conflicts. We’ll then continue into Eire, Ireland, with our final stop in Dublin, arriving by the end of the day.

We’ll start the day with a panoramic tour of Dublin, the peaceful capital of Ireland. We’ll stroll along the banks of the River Liffey, visiting its parks, historic university, and vibrant downtown streets. We will see the exterior of Trinity College. The afternoon will be free for you to explore at your leisure.Note: Occasionally, depending on our arrival time in Dublin and the daylight hours, the tour may take place the previous afternoon.

We will depart from Dublin and head to Powerscourt, located nearby. We will visit the magnificent Powerscourt Gardens, designed in the 18th century and considered the most beautiful in Ireland (admission included). Admire its fountains, Japanese Gardens, and pet cemetery. Afterwards, we’ll travel to Kilkenny, where there will be time for lunch and to stroll around this lively town. Further south, we will stop to visit the impressive Rock of Cashel (admission included), a medieval fortress symbolizing the Irish struggle against England. We will arrive in Cork in the evening, with time for a stroll in the center of Ireland’s second-largest city. Dinner will be included.

We will depart for Kinsale, stopping at Charles Fort to admire the stunning ocean views beside this 17th-century fortress. You´ll have time to explore the historic center of Kinsale, a seaside town considered one of the most beautiful coastal towns in Ireland. Afterwards, we´ll travel to Killarney, a popular tourist town in the heart of Ireland. You´ll have time for lunch and a stroll around town. Afterwards, you´ll enjoy a romantic Jaunting Car Tour through the National Park (included), taking you through gardens and along the lake to Ross Castle with its beautiful lakeside views. We’ll also include a short cruise to enjoy the scenic surroundings of the lake. Next, we’ll make a brief stop in Adare, a charming village that still preserves its stone and thatched-roof cottages and the ruins of an old abbey. By mid-afternoon, we will arrive in Limerick. You´ll have time to explore the city center, visit the castle, walk along the river, explore the cathedral, or check out the shopping center. Dinner will be included.

Today we will visit Folk Park in Bunratty (tickets included), a wonderful park where we’ll learn about life in Ireland in the past, with its traditional cottages and old markets. The park also features a castle that accurately represents what life was like in the Middle Ages. We will then continue to Caherconnell, where the Poulnabrone Dolmen is located. Here, we might be lucky enough to see some dogs herding sheep. Afterwards, we will visit the impressive Cliffs of Moher, which overlook the ocean (admission included). Those who wish can walk to O’Brien’s Tower. Our route will continue through Burren National Park, showcasing stunning landscapes. Finally, we’ll arrive in Galway.

We will depart for Cong, a picturesque village in a beautiful lake area. We will visit the ruins of the Royal Abbey and stroll around Ashford Castle, a stunning medieval castle that has been turned into a hotel. Next, we will travel to Clonmacnoise, where we will visit the Celtic monastic ruins (tickets with guided tour included). We will then continue our journey to Dublin, arriving in the evening.

We’ll board a ferry early in the morning, and after a three-hour to three-and-a-half-hour journey, we’ll arrive in Wales. Our first stop will be Caernarfon, a seaside World Heritage Site dominated by its impressive castle. You’ll have time for lunch and a stroll. We’ll then continue to Liverpool, where we’ll take a short bus tour of the city, a World Heritage Site with the second-largest port in the United Kingdom. Interested in visiting The Beatles Museum?

Today we’ll travel through the south of England, beginning with a visit to Stratford-upon-Avon. You’ll have time to enjoy lunch and take a leisurely stroll. Next, we’ll travel to Oxford, a city synonymous with education and culture. Many kings, statesmen, philosophers, and scientists have studied here. Our journey will then take us to Portsmouth, where we’ll board a modern ferry to France. You’ll spend the night onboard in en-suite double cabins with bunk beds.Note: The overnight crossing may sometimes change its itinerary due to availability issues. We advise you to prepare a carry-on bag for the night on board. Breakfast during the crossing is not included.

We’ll arrive in Normandy and continue to Mont-Saint-Michel, known as “The Marvel,” where you´ll have time to explore the city, surrounded by the sea and the abbey. Next, in Brittany, we’ll stop in Saint-Malo, whose powerful walls defend the city. After some time for lunch, we’ll continue to Dinan, a charming Breton village where we will enjoy a crepe and a drink. We’ll then make our way to Rennes, the capital of Brittany, with its fascinating and monumental historic center.

We’ll depart for Angers. Those who wish can visit the castle that houses the largest medieval tapestry depicting the Apocalypse. Our journey will take us to the Loire Valley, arriving in Tours, the region´s capital, located on the banks of the Loire River. Here, you’ll have time to explore and enjoy lunch. In the afternoon, we’ll visit Château de Villandry, renowned for its magnificent gardens and flowers, with admission to the gardens included. We’ll then continue to Amboise for accommodation, a city celebrated for its enchanting medieval quarter. Dinner will be included.

Embark on a day of discovery in the Loire Valley. Our morning will begin with a leisurely stroll in Amboise, home to the Château du Clos Lucé, where Leonardo da Vinci spent his last three years. Delving deeper into the Loire region, we´ll explore the iconic Châteu de Chenonceau (tickets included), built like a bridge over the river. Next, we will visit Chambord, the largest castle in the Loire Valley (visit to the park included). We will then head to Paris, arriving in the evening.

After breakfast, our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories.