Great British and Irish Route with London

Welcome to your tour with Europamundo! We’ll transfer you to the hotel and you’ll have some free time. In the afternoon, you’ll find information about the start of your tour on the boards located at the hotel reception.

In the morning, we’ll go on a city tour of London, visiting Westminster, the Parliament, the City, and the Thames. In the afternoon, you’ll have free time, during which we’ll offer an optional visit to the Thames Valley, including the town of Windsor, crowned by the stunning Windsor Castle. In the evening, we’ll meet at Piccadilly for a walk through Leicester Square, Chinatown, and Soho, known for its vibrant atmosphere, theaters, and entertainment (in some cases, this evening program might be organized for the previous day, upon arrival in London). Afterward, we’ll return to the hotel by bus.

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

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.

Today, we have an exciting journey through the Scottish Highlands ahead of us, starting with a coffee and a stroll in Pitlochry, a charming village. Next, we’ll pass through Inverness in northern Scotland, near the mysterious Loch Ness. After, we´ll visit Urquhart Castle (admission included) from where we´ll embark on a boat ride on the dark waters of Loch Ness. Next, we’ll pass by Fort Augustus with its sluice system and Fort William, a tourist center at the foot of Ben Nevis, the highest summit in the United Kingdom. Heading south, we’ll travel through the high plateaus, where snow is often visible, and skirt the picturesque shores of Loch Lomond. We’ll arrive in Glasgow at the end of the day.IMPORTANT NOTE:Groups arriving in Edinburgh from the 15th of November until the end of February will follow this adjusted itinerary due to the shorter days and frequent snow on the roads:08:00 a.m. - Departure from Edinburgh to Pitlochry (09:45 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.), a picturesque city in the heart of the Scottish region known for its whisky production. We will visit a traditional whisky distillery (admission included). Our journey will continue to Stirling (12:30 p.m. - 03:30 p.m.), with its impressive historic center dominated by the grand Stirling Castle (tickets included). This castle is one of the most significant in Scotland, having witnessed numerous historical events, including battles and the coronation of several kings. After some time for lunch, we’ll stop to photograph The Kelpies, enormous sculptures of two horse heads inspired by Scottish mythology. Finally, we’ll continue to Glasgow. We’ll arrive at around 05:00 p.m. with time to stroll through the city center.

We’ll depart from Glasgow and head to the south of Scotland. In Cairnryan, we’ll board a ferry for the crossing to Northern Ireland. Upon arrival in Belfast, the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland, we’ll be reminded of the complex history between Protestants and Catholics. Since the 1998 peace agreement, this city, home to several important institutions, has experienced a remarkable revival, becoming vibrant and full of life. You’ll have free time to explore. We recommend visiting the Titanic Museum, with its striking architecture and status as the city’s most popular attraction. It’s located in the historic shipyard where the famous ocean liner Titanic was built, once one of the world’s most prominent shipbuilding centers.

After breakfast, we’ll depart and pass through the village of Cushendun (tickets included), a conservation area since 1980, recognized for its architectural significance and its stunning location along the Antrim Coast and Glens, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Around noon, we’ll stop for lunch in Ballycastle, a lively seaside village known for its great food and rich folklore. After lunch (not included), we’ll visit the stunning Giant´s Causeway (admission included), a remarkable site of basalt columns sticking out of the Atlantic Ocean, inspired by the legend of an Irish giant who built the path after being challenged to a fight by a Scottish giant. The site features 40,000 hexagonal stones, nearly 60 million years old, formed by the cooling of volcanic eruptions. You’ll have time to explore—comfortable shoes and warm clothes are recommended. We’ll then arrive in Derry, a historic walled city that blends tradition with modernity. Free time for a walk before checking into your accommodation.

We’ll depart for Monea Castle, which dates to the early 17th century and is now in ruins. Next, we’ll visit the spectacular Marble Arch Caves (tickets included), one of the most impressive cave systems in Europe. Formed over 330 million years ago, these caves stretch more than 11 km and continue to evolve as groundwater erodes the limestone, creating a strange and fantastic underground world. There will be time for lunch (not included). After the visit, we’ll continue to Belfast. Arrival and accommodation.

We’ll depart for Hillsborough Castle, located on the outskirts of Belfast and serving as the official residence of the government in Northern Ireland. This grand 18th-century Georgian house features typical royal family amenities. The castle’s vibrant surroundings include woodlands, wild meadows, and gardens. We’ll return to Belfast, where you’ll have free time until 4:30 p.m. before continuing our journey to Dublin, the capital of Éire, as Ireland is known in Irish. We’ll arrive in the late afternoon.

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’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 explore central England. Our first stop will be Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare’s hometown, where you’ll have free time to enjoy lunch and explore. Afterwards, we’ll travel to Oxford, a town renowned for its rich history in education and culture, having educated kings, politicians, philosophers, and scientists. We’ll then continue to London, arriving in the evening.

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