Britain and Ireland Grandeur
Britain and Ireland Grandeur
Britain and Ireland Grandeur
20 Days Starting and ending in London, United Kingdom
Visiting: Stonehenge, Cornish Peninsula, Bath, Waterford, Killarney, Ring of Kerry, Cliffs of Moher, County Donegal, Belfast, Dublin, Liverpool, Lake District, Glasgow, Isle of Skye, Scottish Highlands, Edinburgh, York, Stratford-upon-Avon
Tour operator:
Tour code:
BIGTZM20
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on the "Britain and Ireland Grandeur" tour, a captivating journey through the rich cultural tapestry of England, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. This immersive experience takes you from the ancient mysteries of Stonehenge to the vibrant streets of Dublin and the historic charm of Edinburgh. Explore iconic landmarks such as the Roman Baths, Blarney Castle, and the Cliffs of Moher, while enjoying scenic drives through the Cornish Peninsula and the Ring of Kerry. Delight in unique experiences like a traditional British dinner in York and a visit to the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin. With expert guides, luxury accommodations, and a host of included meals, this tour promises an unforgettable exploration of the British Isles' grandeur and heritage.
Must-see Highlights
- Explore Londonderry, Belfast, Dublin and Edinburgh
- Discover Plymouth, Bath, Cardiff, Limerick, Galway, Sligo, Chester, Glasgow and York
- Visit the ancient stone circle at Stonehenge, the Roman Baths in Bath, the Waterford Crystal Showroom, Blarney Castle, the Cliffs of Moher, the Giant's Causeway, Guinness Storehouse in Dublin, Falkirk Wheel in Falkirk, Isle of Skye, Edinburgh Castle, Alnwick, and Shakespeare's Birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon
- View the Mayflower Steps in Plymouth, the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, King John's Castle in Limerick, the 18th hole at St. Andrews, Eilean Donan Castle, Culloden Battlefield, and York Minster in York
- See Galway Cathedral
- Scenic Drive on a Cornish Excursion, experience the Ring of Kerry
- Tickets for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo are included on departures that coincide with performance dates
Make Travel Matter®
Bushmills: In Northern Ireland you'll discover the legend of the Giant's Causeway as you explore this iconic natural landmark. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Be My Guest
York: Enjoy a traditional British dinner hosted by a local family in the dining room of their historical country home overlooking picturesque scenery in the Vale of York.
Itinerary
Day 1: Journey To Stonehenge And On To Plymouth
Location: Stonehenge
Accommodation: Copthorne, Mercure Rougemont
Accommodation Name: Copthorne
Meals Included: Dinner
Journey west where you’ll ponder the myths of the ancient mystical megaliths at Stonehenge which remain largely unsolved to to this day. Continuing through Devon, arrive in the historic naval port of Plymouth, your home for the next two nights.
Day 2: Discover The Cornish Peninsula
Location: Cornish Peninsula
Accommodation: Copthorne, Mercure Rougemont
Accommodation Name: Copthorne
Meals Included: Breakfast
Embark on an orientation tour and see the Royal Citadel and Mayflower Steps. Explore the Cornish peninsula and visit the seaside villages of Looe and Polperro.
Day 3: Soak Up Bath And Off To Cardiff
Location: Bath
Accommodation: Park Inn by Radisson City Center
Accommodation Name: Park Inn by Radisson City Centre, Radisson Blu
Meals Included: Breakfast
Arriving in Bath, we admire the city's stylish Georgian façades and visit the ancient Roman Baths from which it derives its name. We continue to the vibrant Welsh capital, Cardiff, where we’ll have a free evening to enjoy this modern city's proud heritage.
Day 4: Cross The Irish Sea To Waterford
Location: Waterford
Accommodation: Fitzwilton
Accommodation Name: Fitzwilton
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning, we see Cardiff's iconic sights – the Principality Stadium, Millennium Centre and Victorian fantasy castle before crossing the Irish Sea to Waterford, most famous for the delicate crystal that graces elegant homes the world over. This evening we dine in our hotel.
Day 5: Onwards To Blarney And Killarney Dive Into Culture
Location: Killarney
Accommodation: Hotel Killarney
Accommodation Name: Killarney
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our first stop today is at the House of Waterford Crystal where we Dive Into Culture, watching a demonstration with master craftsmen. In pursuit of the ‘gift of the gab', we journey to Blarney Castle where you'll have the chance to kiss the Blarney Stone, before arriving later in picturesque Killarney.
Day 6: A Day On The Ring Of Kerry
Location: Ring of Kerry
Accommodation: Hotel Killarney
Accommodation Name: Killarney
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Ireland's enduring natural beauty accompanies our leisurely drive circling the enchanting Ring of Kerry. We pass the fishing village of Waterville, Moll's Gap and the Black Valley – renowned for being the last place in Ireland without power and telephone networks.
Day 7: Off To Limerick, The Majestic Cliffs Of Moher And Galway Make Travel Matter
Location: Cliffs of Moher
Accommodation: Connacht
Accommodation Name: Connacht
Meals Included: Breakfast
Stop in Limerick and view St. Mary's Cathedral, the Treaty Stone and King John's Castle. Next up is an unforgettable experience at the Cliffs of Moher where rugged cliffs plunge into the Atlantic, creating a beautifully dramatic coastline which has inspired artists, musicians and poets for centuries. You’ll visit the Visitor Centre, a wonderfully engaging experience which brings one of Ireland’s most treasured natural phenomena to life in an interactive way that will leave you with stories to tell for years to come. Enjoy the IMAX-type multimedia which gives visitors a bird’s eye view of the cliffs or dive virtually beneath the surface of the Atlantic and into the underwater caves at the foot of the cliffs that would have otherwise gone unseen. Your next overnight stop in Galway is a real treat for culture buffs. Ireland’s capital of music, song and dance and it’s the perfect place to dig deep into Ireland’s vibrant traditional arts scene first-hand.
Day 8: Venture Into County Donegal
Location: County Donegal
Accommodation: Central
Accommodation Name: Central
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning see the great stone Galway Cathedral and stroll through Eyre Square, a tribute to former US president John F. Kennedy, who visited Galway in 1963. Enjoy an orientation of Sligo on your way to Donegal to see its 15th-century castle and explore the town your way before dining at your hotel.
Day 9: Explore Londonderry, The Giant’S Causeway And Belfast Make Travel Matter
Location: Belfast
Accommodation: AC by Marriott
Accommodation Name: Stormont, AC by Marriott
Meals Included: Breakfast
We cross the Irish border into Northern Ireland, joining a Local Specialist in Londonderry to stroll along its 17th-century city walls. See the street murals of the Bogside before continuing to the mythical stepping stones of the Giant's Causeway for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Our visit to the haunt of Finn McCool will help to conserve this iconic natural landmark. Our final stop today is in Belfast, where we'll enjoy an orientation, followed by free time to explore the capital city's sights.
Day 10: On The Road To Dublin
Location: Dublin
Accommodation: The Address Hotel Connolly, Hampton by Hilton Dublin City Center.
Accommodation Name: The Address Connolly, Hampton by Hilton Dublin City Center
Meals Included: Breakfast
We spend the morning with a Local Specialist 'Cabbie' who will take us on a journey through the recent history of Belfast in their taxi. Heading south to Dublin later, we see St. Patrick's Cathedral and other iconic sights in the company of a Local Specialist. Tonight, consider an Optional Experience to enjoy the rousing sounds and warm hospitality of a traditional Irish Cabaret performance.
Day 11: See The Sights Of Dublin Dive Into Culture
Location: Dublin
Accommodation: The Address Hotel Connolly, Hampton by Hilton Dublin City Center.
Accommodation Name: The Address Connolly, Hampton by Hilton Dublin City Center
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today you'll gain entry to the Guinness Storehouse. Here you’ll Dive Into Culture and embark on a self-guided tour finishing at the Gravity Bar where you can sip on a pint of the black stuff while overlooking Dublin. The rest of the day is yours to explore the Irish capital. Amble along Grafton Street with its colourful performers, head to Temple Bar or stroll through St. Stephen's Green.
Day 12: Ferry Across To Historic Chester And Liverpool
Location: Liverpool
Accommodation: Leonardo Hotel Liverpool
Accommodation Name: Leonardo Hotel Liverpool
Meals Included: Breakfast
Cross the Irish Sea to Wales and continue to the ancient town of Chester, where your orientation tour will take you past its Roman walls and famous half-timbered Tudor Rows. Later, we head to the haunt of the 'Fab Four', edgy Liverpool, where we'll spend the night.
Day 13: Continue To The Beautiful Lake District
Location: Lake District
Accommodation: North Lakes, Castle Green
Accommodation Name: North Lakes, Castle Green
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Head north to the idyllic Lake District, which has inspired poets and writers for centuries, and admire the spectacular surrounds of Lake Windermere.
Day 14: Journey North To Glasgow Dive Into Culture
Location: Glasgow
Accommodation: Hilton Garden Inn City Center
Accommodation Name: Novotel, Hilton Garden Inn City Centre
Meals Included: Breakfast
The runaway wedding capital, Gretna Green is our first stop today, where we'll tread in the footsteps of eloping couples who would take their vows over the Marriage Anvil. Continue to Glasgow for an orientation tour including views of the Cathedral and magnificent George Square, lined with statues of Great Britain's most celebrated sons. Visit the Falkirk Wheel where you’ll Dive into Culture learning about the legacy of Scotland’s canals and experience the world’s only rotating boat lift.
Day 15: Over The Sea To Skye
Location: Isle of Skye
Accommodation: Kings Arms
Accommodation Name: Dunollie, Kings Arms
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Journey past the site of the tragic 1692 massacre at Glencoe, known as the 'Glen of the Weeping' and see Britain's highest mountain – Ben Nevis. We'll view the 13th-century Eilean Donan Castle, where three lochs meet, before visiting the Isle of Skye.
Day 16: The Sights Of Loch Ness And Culloden In The Scottish Highlands
Location: Scottish Highlands
Accommodation: Highlander
Accommodation Name: Highlander
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Travel through the scenic Scottish Highlands via Glen Shiel and along the banks of Loch Ness, home to the mythical monster affectionately known as 'Nessie'. View the site of the bloody Battle of Culloden, where Bonnie Prince Charlie and his army of Jacobites were defeated in 1746.
Day 17: Onwards To Edinburgh
Location: Edinburgh
Accommodation: Holiday Inn
Accommodation Name: Holiday Inn , Novotel Centre
Meals Included: Breakfast
We continue south and stop in Pitlochry before travelling to the historic town of St. Andrews, home to the oldest golf course in the world. We cross the Firth of Forth to the enchanting Scottish capital, Edinburgh, our home for the next two nights. Tickets to see the spectacular Edinburgh Tattoo are included on departures that coincide with performance dates.
Day 18: Explore Edinburgh Castle
Location: Edinburgh
Accommodation: Holiday Inn
Accommodation Name: Holiday Inn , Novotel Centre
Meals Included: Breakfast
Join a Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour including a visit to Edinburgh Castle, overlooking the town from Castle Rock. See the Royal Mile, Palace of Holyroodhouse and new Scottish Parliament building.
Day 19: Uncover York’S Treasures Connect With Locals
Location: York
Accommodation: Novotel Center
Accommodation Name: Novotel Centre
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Visit the medieval market town of Alnwick before stopping in York where we'll embark on an orientation walk along the picturesque Shambles and to York Minster, one of the greatest cathedrals in the world. This evening Connect With Locals over dinner at a Be My Guest experience, a grand private home of a Yorkshire family enjoying traditional flavours and hospitality.
Day 20: Journey To Stratford-Upon-Avon And On To London
Location: Stratford-upon-Avon
Meals Included: Breakfast
Travel to Stratford-upon-Avon to view Anne Hathaway's thatched cottage and visit Shakespeare's Birthplace and Visitor Centre before returning to London.
What's Included
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An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
An expert Travel Director and professional Driver are included to guide and assist you throughout the tour.
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London: The services of a Trafalgar Local Host
The services of a Trafalgar Local Host are included when you stay at Trafalgar's recommended London hotel.
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London: Pick-up and drop-off
Pick-up and drop-off services are included when you stay at the Trafalgar recommended London hotel, booked through Trafalgar.
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Cherry-picked hotels
Accommodation in cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted, is included.
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All porterage and restaurant gratuities
All porterage and restaurant gratuities are included in the tour package.
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All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
All hotel tips, charges, and local taxes are included in the tour package.
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Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
Daily breakfast and up to half of your evening meals are included.
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Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras are included in the tour.
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Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
Audio headsets are provided for flexible sightseeing.
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Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi
Travel in a luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation such as rail journeys.
What's Not Included
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Personal expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.
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Travel insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended to be purchased separately.
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Optional excursions
Optional excursions not listed in the itinerary are not included.
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Flights
International and domestic flights are not included in the tour package.
Dining Summary
- 8 Dinner (D)
- 19 Breakfast (B)
Dive Into Culture
- Waterford: Learn how crystal is crafted at the House of Waterford Crystal during a workshop tour.
- Dublin: Visit the Guinness Storehouse to see how the world’s most famous stout is created then enjoy the distinctive taste of a perfectly chilled pint of Guinness.
- Falkirk: Visit Falkirk Wheel to learn about Scotland's canal system at the world's only rotating boat lift.
Mode of Transport
Travel in style with a luxury air-conditioned coach equipped with Wi-Fi, and enjoy a return ferry across the Irish Sea between Wales and Ireland, ensuring a comfortable and seamless journey.
Accommodation
Stay in carefully selected hotels such as the Copthorne, Mercure Rougemont, Park Inn by Radisson City Centre, and more, offering comfort and convenience throughout your journey across Britain and Ireland.
Check out our Q&As
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What unique experiences are included in the tour?
The tour includes a 'Be My Guest' experience where you will enjoy a traditional British dinner hosted by a local family in York. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to Dive Into Culture at the House of Waterford Crystal and the Guinness Storehouse, and experience the Falkirk Wheel in Scotland.
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Are there any special events included in the tour?
Tickets for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo are included on departures that coincide with performance dates.
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What cultural sites will we visit during the tour?
The tour includes visits to several cultural sites such as the Roman Baths in Bath, Blarney Castle, the Cliffs of Moher, Edinburgh Castle, and Shakespeare's Birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon.
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Will there be any scenic drives during the tour?
Yes, the tour includes a scenic drive on a Cornish Excursion and a leisurely drive around the Ring of Kerry.
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What kind of transportation is provided during the tour?
The tour provides a luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries, and includes a return ferry across the Irish Sea between Wales and Ireland.
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What meals are included in the tour package?
The tour includes breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
The beauty of taking a guided holiday with us is that you’ll have the opportunity to meet and travel with people from all over the globe.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Vaccination against Covid-19 is not mandatory to travel with Trafalgar. However, we strongly recommend that guests are vaccinated before travelling. Please note that airlines and/or other authorities may have different requirements. It is the guest's responsibility to comply with these requirements at all times.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1947
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Trafalgar is a founding partner of the TreadRight Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation established in 2008. So far, the charity has donated more than US$2 million to help underprivileged communities and support sustainable tourism around the world.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Trafalgar allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform trafalgar, 90 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Trafalgar requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of trafalgar charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
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