UK & Ireland Christmas & New Year - 13 Days

Welcome to the first day of this Christmas & New Year tour! The tour begins first thing this morning as it departs Greenwich. The first stop is Stonehenge, which offers the opportunity to discover this ancient archaeological phenomenon’s many myths and legends on an optional tour. From one historical site to the next - welcome to Bath! This beautiful and historic city is famous for the Roman baths built during the reign of the Empire. Learn more about Bath on an orientation tour. Later, settle in for the night in Cardiff, the capital of Wales. Enjoy an included welcome dinner together with the rest of the group.

Today’s adventure begins with a visit to Stratford-upon-Avon; home of William Shakespeare! Enjoy free time to explore this 800-year-old market town. Or, join the optional excursion to see Shakespeare’s childhood home. Then, travel to Liverpool, the British port city famous for football and The Beatles! Be dazzled by the Christmas lights while exploring the city in your free time this evening. Football fans can delight in the home of Liverpool and Everton football clubs, while music lovers enjoy the city’s deep connection with The Beatles at the Cavern Club, where they played hundreds of times. An optional visit to The Beatles Story & Museum is also highly recommended for a unique and detailed insight into this iconic band’s history.

This morning, take a driving tour of Liverpool’s most famous sights, including Albert Dock, Penny Lane and John Lennon’s house. Stop at Strawberry Field, the inspiration for The Beatles' single Strawberry Fields Forever. Then, travel back to Wales for a visit to Conwy, a walled market town known for its impressive 13th century castle. Next, enjoy a photo stop in the town that boasts the longest place name in Europe - Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch! Then, board a ferry across the Irish Sea to Ireland! Arrive in Dublin, the bustling capital city, and enjoy a driving tour showcasing the famous sights. The rest of the evening is free. Why not soak up the Christmas Eve atmosphere at one the many pubs in the iconic Temple Bar neighbourhood?

Merry Christmas to you! Or Nollaig Shona Duit as they say in Irish! There is so much to see and do in this beautiful city. Some very brave locals head down to Forty Foot on Christmas morning and have a swim in the Irish Sea. This freezing tradition has been happening for some 250 years! Take time to meander through the streets and soak up the twinkling Christmas lights and festive music. Make sure that this Christmas in Ireland is one to remember! Later, enjoy a delicious Christmas dinner with the rest of the group.

We leave the bustling and festive city of Dublin and travel to the oldest city in Ireland, Waterford. This city was first settled by the Vikings in 853, and you’ll have some free time to explore and grab some lunch. Then we move onto the famous Blarney Castle. Will you be brave enough to hang over the edge and kiss the Blarney Stone so you get the ‘gift of the gab’ at this 600-year old castle? We move onto our last stop for the day and our home for the night, Killarney. You will still feel the Christmas spirit around you as you walk through the beautiful town centre, before we receive more Irish hospitality as we enjoy a meal together this evening.

Today you have a free day in Killarney. There are incredible trails to hike, amazing golf courses and beautiful churches to visit. Alternatively, join our optional excursion as we drive the incredible Ring of Kerry. Any trip to Ireland is synonymous with rolling green hills, charming villages and breathtaking coastal views, and the Ring of Kerry absolutely ticks all these boxes. Be blown away by the scenery of this beautiful green valley and scenic stretches of coastline. Stop in picture-perfect villages and gorgeous towns, experience a real life sheepdog show, learn more about Irish heritage, relax in traditional cafés and browse the souvenir shops.

Today is filled with more epic scenery as the coach drives up the Wild Atlantic Way coastal road. Stop along the way in Adare, described as the ‘prettiest village in Ireland’. Then, visit Limerick to see the Treaty Stone and King John’s Castle. The next stop is a must-see on any trip to Ireland - the Cliffs of Moher. These cliffs rise over 200m above the sea, and the views are nothing short of spectacular! Later, reach Galway and enjoy free time to explore this charming harbour city. Don’t miss the opportunity to listen to live traditional Irish music in one of the pubs here! Finally, travel to tonight’s accommodation in Ballina.

Today, the journey continues to Northern Ireland. First stop is Derry, a city famous for the 17th century Derry Walls, which remain intact to this day. Next up is the Giant’s Causeway; an awe-inspiring natural phenomenon brimming with myths and legends. Today’s final stop is Belfast. Embark on a driving and walking tour with a local guide who will highlight some of the city’s most famous attractions and explain its history. Belfast is shaking off its reputation that lingered after the times of The Troubles and has transformed into a modern city with a rich cultural heritage. Fans of Game of Thrones will be pleased to know that a large portion of the series was filmed here!

Explore more of Belfast with some free time this morning. There is also an option to embark on the award-winning Titanic Belfast Experience! Later, travel across the Sea of Moyle via ferry to a brand new country - Scotland! Scotland is rich in history, from famous battles and towering castles to Celtic legends. It is also known and beloved for its unique and distinct culture. Admire the scenery as the tour travels on to the accommodation for the evening in the picturesque Highlands. On the way, look forward to visiting one of Scotland’s oldest licensed distilleries. Sample some authentic Scottish whisky during a tasting experience!

While exploring the stunning Scottish Highlands landscape, visit the famous Loch Ness! To get a better look at the home of the mythical Loch Ness monster, join an optional cruise on the loch. See the Urquhart Castle ruins from the water and try to spot “Nessie”! Admire the last of the Highland views en route to Edinburgh, Scotland’s magical capital city. This evening, celebrate Hogmanay (what the Scots call the last day of the year) and ring in the New Year, Edinburgh style! This tour includes a ticket to the official Hogmanay celebration, described as ‘the ultimate party’. Marvel at the fireworks at midnight which light up the sky with Edinburgh Castle as an epic backdrop!

It’s a brand new year! Today offers a full free day to explore Edinburgh at your own place. Revisit some of the places seen yesterday or take a walk around Edinburgh’s cobbled streets and pop into a pub or two. Alternatively, see Edinburgh’s highlights on today’s optional excursion! Learn more about this fascinating city during a visit to Calton Hill, see Holyrood Palace, wander along the Royal Mile and see St. Giles’ Cathedral and finish off with time to explore Edinburgh Castle! This evening, why not experience the Spirit of Scotland - an optional evening of delicious Scottish food and traditional entertainment?

Say goodbye to Scotland and head back to England. On the way, stop at Scott’s View - a viewpoint in the Scottish Borders. After crossing the border, enjoy a photo stop at the impressive Angel of the North sculpture. Later, arrive in York. Founded by the Romans, York is a centuries-old, walled city which is home to the largest gothic cathedral in northern Europe. This charming city is full of winding cobbled streets lined with small boutiques selling all manner of fascinating souvenirs and sweet treats. Join your tour leader on a walking tour to see York’s most famous and historic sights, before heading to tonight’s accommodation in Yorkshire. Enjoy an included dinner at the hotel this evening.

It may be the last day of this adventure-packed Christmas and New Year tour, but it’s far from over! On the way back to London, visit the fascinating city of Cambridge. The University of Cambridge was founded here in 1209, and is the world’s fourth-oldest surviving university. Walk in the footsteps of the world’s brightest minds! Charles Darwin, John Milton, William Wordsworth, Sir Isaac Newton, Stephen Hawking and David Attenborough are all Cambridge alumni. While here, take part in the age-old tradition of punting down the river in a wooden punt boat! Travel to London in the early evening and bid farewell to your fellow travellers after a memorable start to the New Year!