Best of UK & Ireland - 13 days

Welcome to your tour of the UK and Ireland! Departing from London, travel to the mysterious Stonehenge. Here, you have the option to explore the ancient archaeological wonder that has stood for thousands of years in the countryside of south-west England. Ponder the mysteries of this ancient site for yourself and learn about the history of the area. Next stop is the beautiful, historic city of Bath, where your tour leader will show you the main sights including the famous Roman baths. Heading into nearby Wales, arrive in the capital, Cardiff, and enjoy a driving tour around the city before heading to the hotel for the night.

After a hearty breakfast, travel to Stratford-upon-Avon; the hometown of William Shakespeare. This market town has more than 800 years of history. Next up is Liverpool; this famous British port city has a rich history and culture. Football fans will be delighted to be in the home city of Liverpool and Everton football clubs, while music fans will be enthralled to be in the home of the Beatles. Spot the famous sites with our driving tour of the city, and explore the city yourself during your free time this evening. Why not head to Matthew Street, home to the world-famous ‘Cavern Club’, where the Beatles first made their mark on modern music?

Catch the ferry across the Irish Sea to Dublin today! Before reaching the ferry, make a stop at the village with the longest name in Europe; Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch. Then it’s onto Dublin. Upon arrival, take a driving tour of the city, and spot a few of the city’s more famous highlights. Afterwards, enjoy some free time in this 1,000-year-old city; discover more about the city’s Viking past, its medieval castles and its cathedrals. Explore its many museums that illustrate some of the city’s more turbulent episodes. Dublin is big enough to keep you entertained but small enough to get across town in no time at all!

Enjoy a free day in the city of Dublin! The Whiskey & Guinness optional excursion includes a visit to the iconic Guinness Storehouse to see how this famous dark beer is made. Take a trip back in time as you discover the most famous people and events in Irish history during the “Ireland’s Identity” optional excursion. Or, explore the city yourself. Visit the National Museums of Ireland, walk along the South Wall, and visit the city’s most famous park; St Stephen’s Green. Be sure to try out the many pubs and eateries. Tonight, there’s also the option to enjoy a taste of traditional Irish music! Look forward to an evening of fine Irish food, music and dance. Definitely not to be missed!

Leaving Dublin behind us, we travel onward to Waterford, the oldest city in Ireland! Founded by Vikings in 914, Waterford has a fascinating history and rich maritime tradition. Following our stop here, we’ll travel on to the famous Blarney Castle, where you can kiss the Blarney Stone and hopefully gain the ‘gift of the gab.’ Built nearly 600 years ago by one of Ireland’s most famous chieftains, Blarney Castle is one of Ireland’s most famous attractions. After that, it's onward to the pretty town of Killarney in County Kerry, where we’ll stop for the night.

Enjoy a free day in the Kerry region. There are incredible trails to hike, as well as amazing golf courses and beautiful churches to visit. The best way to see it all is on the Ring of Kerry day trip! Join the optional excursion that travels along the famous circular tourist route in country Kerry. It is home to the most breathtaking coastal views and emerald-green pastures. Enjoy visits to charming villages such as Kerry Bog Village, and explore the shops and cafés in the area. Sit back and enjoy the scenery of Killarney National Park during a jaunting (carriage) ride. Then, end the day with some free time in Killarney town. Experience this iconic route to the fullest on this excursion!

Today is another day for epic Irish scenery! Making our way up the ‘Wild Atlantic Way’, the first stop is Adare; often called Ireland’s prettiest village. Next, it’s time to travel on through the county of Limerick to the iconic Cliffs of Moher. These incredible cliffs rise over 200 metres from the frothing ocean below, and the views on a clear day are absolutely breathtaking. Next stop, Galway! This is a bright, bohemian city renowned for its oysters, live music venues, cafés, weekend parties and contemporary vibe. Explore the city for yourself during your free time, and experience all the charms that Galway has to offer before we travel north to the hotel for the night.

Leaving Galway behind, journey onwards to Northern Ireland, stopping first in Derry/Londonderry. Northern Ireland’s second-largest city has a lot to offer from culture to art and historic city walls. Next stop is Northern Ireland’s top tourist attraction; the Giant’s Causeway. The final stop on the Irish leg of our adventure is Belfast; the capital of Northern Ireland. Join a local guide for a combined driving and walking tour, showcasing some of the city’s most famous attractions, and sharing insight on the city’s past. Enjoy an included dinner with the group tonight.

Enjoy free time in Belfast this morning with the chance to learn all about the Titanic, and its ill-fated voyage, on the optional Titanic Belfast Experience. Next up is Scotland! Hop on board and sail across the Sea of Moyle to the land of whisky, haggis and tartan! Arrive in Scotland, and once back on dry land, drive to the Scottish town of Ayr for a photo stop. Next, head to Glasgow to enjoy an authentic Scottish whisky tasting and tour of The Clydeside Distillery located on the River Clyde. Afterwards, it’s time to head to tonight’s accommodation, which is in the picturesque Highlands! Enjoy an included dinner with the group this evening.

Journey into the Highlands, and further explore this famous region of Scotland. Stop for a photo in the stunningly beautiful Glen Coe. Enjoy a stop at the famous Loch Ness, reputedly the home of the Loch Ness monster! Join an optional cruise on the Loch, and see the ruins of Urquhart Castle. Leaving the Highlands, drive to Scotland’s beautiful capital city, Edinburgh. Once in the city, enjoy a walking tour of the Scottish capital followed by dinner. Apart from being home to Holyrood House, the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle, this is the city where JK Rowling famously penned the first Harry Potter novel. Fans of the series might find the city strangely familiar! Enjoy an included dinner tonight.

Today is yours to spend as you like – revisit some of the highlights from yesterday’s walking tour, or discover the city for yourself. Delve into the history, culture and interesting spots of the city on a Conquer the Capital optional excursion with your tour leader. This includes time to explore Edinburgh Castle and a visit to Falkirk. If the weather allows, hike up to Arthur’s Seat for panoramic views of the city below. Tonight, we offer a traditional Scottish dinner and show, complete with a chance to taste a famous (or infamous!) traditional Scottish food; haggis!

Say goodbye to Scotland, and cross the border into England. Enjoy the opportunity to visit famous Alnwick Castle, the home of the Duke of Northumberland. This castle has also featured in many famous films and TV shows, including two Harry Potter films, Downton Abbey, and many more! Next, we travel into Yorkshire, and to the county capital; York. Home to the largest Gothic cathedral in northern Europe (York Minster), York is a charming city of winding cobbled streets and medieval architecture. Enjoy an orientation tour of the city with your tour leader, and see its most famous sights, before heading to tonight’s accommodation in Yorkshire. Enjoy one last dinner with the group tonight!

It’s the last day of your UK & Ireland tour, and it finishes off with a real treat! Travel to the historic university town of Cambridge. Along with the exquisite architecture, quirky traditions and deep history, there are a significant number of bright sparks who have passed through the city’s famous university including Charles Darwin and David Attenborough. Enjoy a traditional punting trip along the River Cam. Afterwards, it’s time to return to London where the tour concludes. Make sure you have exchanged contact details with your new-found travel friends to keep in touch, and share your amazing tour memories with us online using the hashtags #ExpatExplore and #TravelMadePossible.