Stories and Legends: United Kingdom, Scotland, and Ireland 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 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?

After breakfast, we’ll travel to the nearby town of Chester, located on the border with Wales. This historic city preserves its Roman amphitheater, a powerful medieval wall, and boasts stunning architecture. You’ll have time to explore at your leisure. We’ll then stop for lunch in the small, picturesque town of Lichfield, known for its charming center with cobbled streets and historic buildings, highlighted by its medieval cathedral with three spires. Our journey will continue to Birmingham, the second-largest city in the UK, which played a key role during the Industrial Revolution. Today, it’s a vibrant hub of economic and cultural activity. We recommend taking a stroll around the town hall area and along the canals, which form a network more extensive than Venice´s, now lined with dozens of restaurants and entertainment venues.

We’ll depart for Stratford, a historic city founded in the 12th century on the banks of River Avon, best known as the birthplace of William Shakespeare. If you wish, you can visit the house where he was born. Next, we’ll travel through a region of delightful scenery and small villages to Stow-on-the-Wold, a charming village with stone houses and a picturesque square, with art galleries and antique stores. Our journey will continue to Gloucester, where you’ll have time for lunch at the lively docks and can explore the historic center, featuring its grand cathedral, where some Harry Potter scenes were filmed. We’ll finish in Bath, famous for its hot springs and Georgian architecture. If you wish, you can visit the Roman baths.

After spending some time in Bath, where you can visit the Roman baths if you wish, we’ll continue our journey through southern England. We’ll include admission to Stonehenge, one of the most famous prehistoric monuments in the world, formed by a circle of stones whose exact purpose remains a mystery. Next, in Salisbury, you’ll have time for lunch in its charming medieval center before visiting its impressive cathedral (admission included), home to the tallest spire in England. We’ll return to London, arriving at the end of the day.

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