Romantic Britain & Ireland

18 Days London Return
Romantic Britain & Ireland
Romantic Britain & Ireland
Romantic Britain & Ireland

Overview

Trafalgar
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Total No. of Tours & Cruises 529
Across 18 days, you travel from Oxford’s cobbled alleyways and Edinburgh’s Royal Mile to Dublin’s roasted-malt Guinness Storehouse, passing through Stratford-Upon-Avon, York and the Lake District. You stand above the Atlantic at the Cliffs of Moher, where seabird calls rise from the rock face, then follow the Ring of Kerry between mountains and the distant sea. You can test the legend with a kiss on the Blarney Stone before your Local Specialist guides you through the House of Waterford Crystal, where light skips across the facets of each finished piece.
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Trip Length
18 Days
Trip Starts
London
Trip Ends
London
Trip Style
Region Collection
Accommodation
4 - 5 Star
Budget
Premium
Age Range
5-99 Years
Max. Group Size
40
Guide Style
Fully Guided
Tour Code
B908

Itinerary

Meet your Travel Director at 07:45 at the hotel in London. Depart for the famous university town of Oxford with its beautiful spires. With time at leisure, why not visit the world-famous Ashmolean Museum or browse through the local indoor market?

Continue via pretty Cotswolds villages to Stratford-upon-Avon. Discover how William Shakespeare and his incredible works continue to shape society today when you visit his birthplace, full of interesting memorabilia and artefacts relating to his life. Tonight, join your Travel Director for dinner at a local pub.

Accommodation: Swan's Nest, Stratford-upon-Avon
Included Meals: Dinner

Travel through the heart of ‘Robin Hood Country' on your way to visit Lincoln. Continue to York, once the Viking capital of Britain and one of England's oldest cities. Saunter along the Shambles to reach the York Minster, in the heart of this medieval gem. Your hotel lies within the walls facing Clifford's Tower.

Accommodation: Hilton, York
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Drive through the Lake District National Park, a scenic wonderland of rugged mountains and tranquil lakes, inspiring a host of English poets. Stop in Wordsworth's village of Grasmere and see the poet's grave in the churchyard. Cross the border at Gretna Green, where runaway lovers were married, and continue to the Scottish capital.

Accommodation: Virgin, Edinburgh
Included Meals: Breakfast

Travel down the Royal Mile to see the Palace of Holyroodhouse — official Scottish residence of His Majesty, The King - before crossing over to New Town. Walk with your Local Expert inside Edinburgh Castle for spectacular views of the town and see the Scottish Crown Jewels, the Stone of Destiny and Mons Meg. The afternoon is free to shop on Princes Street. In the evening, select departures will attend The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo — a colourful mixture of historic battles and military manoeuvres, complete with pipes and drums.

Accommodation: Virgin, Edinburgh
Included Meals: Breakfast

Cross the Firth of Forth into Fife and make your way to St. Andrews, passing the world's oldest golf course as you arrive where golf was born in the 15th century. Enjoy free time to explore, perhaps wander to St. Andrews University where the love story of Kate Middleton finding her Prince Charming began when her and Prince William were students there. Alternately, stroll to West Sands Beach where the famous 'Chariots of Fire' scene was filmed.

Your travels continue as you cross the Tay and journey to the charming Victorian resort town of Pitlochry, famous for its salmon run. Stop at Atholl Palace and Gardens for a delicious cream tea. Originally opened in Victorian times, the hotel retains many of its traditional features.

Accommodation: Kingsmills, Inverness
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Enjoy a journey of discovery on a Loch Ness cruise. Soak up the scenery, historic monuments and intriguing tales of Nessie in the heart of Scotland's great glen. Listen to tales of Flora MacDonald and her defence of the Bonnie Prince as you cross over the sea to Skye.

Accommodation: The Dunollie, Broadford
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Return to the mainland and drive to the World War II Commando Memorial in the shadow of Ben Nevis. Afterwards, pause for a photo of Eilean Donan Castle, set idyllically on a headland on Loch Duich. Continue through Fort William to absorb the dramatic scenery of Glencoe, the Valley of the Weeping, where the dreadful massacre of the MacDonald's took place in 1692.

Enjoy a scenic drive along the Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond, en route to Glasgow. Your Travel Director will show you Glasgow's grand public buildings, including George Square and St. Mungo's Cathedral.

Accommodation: Radisson Blu, Glasgow
Included Meals: Breakfast

Bid farewell to Scotland as you cross the Irish Sea and continue your journey to the vibrant capital of Northern Ireland, Belfast. Meet Hilda, your Local Expert, for a passionate city tour of Belfast including views of the City Hall and murals in different locations indicating political sentiments of local residents. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore at your leisure.

Accommodation: Titanic, Belfast
Included Meals: Breakfast

Travel alongside the Mountains of Mourne before crossing the historic Boyne Valley, site of the battle where William of Orange defeated the forces of Catholic King James. Continue to Dublin, Ireland's 'fair city where the girls are so pretty. Experience Ireland's national and world-famous drink in the Guinness Storehouse. Gain a fascinating insight into the history and traditions behind its production.

Accommodation: St. Helen's Hotel
Included Meals: Breakfast

This morning and see O'Connell Street, Dublin Castle and St. Patrick's Cathedral, with your Local Expert. The rest of the day is yours to shop, continue sightseeing or maybe take an optional drive to the ruined monastic site of Glendalough.

Accommodation: St. Helen's Hotel
Included Meals: Breakfast

Travel west to Galway, known as the City of the Tribes. Guided by your Travel Director, enjoy free time in this artsy, bohemian city. Cross the limestone landscape of the Burren, to the Visitor Centre at the Cliffs of Moher for breathtaking vistas of the Clare Coast. Journey to the town of Limerick, nestled on the shores of the River Shannon.

Accommodation: The George, Limerick
Included Meals: Breakfast

In the morning, your Travel Director will show you the 12th-century St. Mary's Cathedral, King John's Castle and the Treaty Stone before setting off to Tralee and Dingle. Enjoy more spectacular scenery as you make your way through the great cliffs, wide skies and ocean views of the Dingle Peninsula to Killarney. For dinner you are treated to a traditional Sunday roast, with all the trimmings.

Accommodation: Killarney Plaza Hotel and Spa
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

A delightful morning excursion will take you around the Ring of Kerry, where mountains, valleys, lakes and sea blend into a landscape that is often breathtaking beyond words. Continue through Ireland's highest mountain range, the MacGillicuddy Reeks, to the three peaceful Lakes of Killarney. Meet John for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as you join him on a seaweed foraging walk along the beach and discover how sustainable harvesting practices help protect the wild Irish Atlantic coasts.

The rest of the afternoon is free for you to relax and enjoy. Maybe take the opportunity to ride a jaunting car around the lake or through the National Park? At night, your Dine-Around Evening offers authentic and intimate dining with your friends, from a hand-picked selection of fine local restaurants.

Accommodation: Killarney Plaza Hotel and Spa
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Visit the ruined 15th century Blarney Castle. Will you hang upside down from the ramparts to kiss the stone and ensure a lifetime of eloquence? Continue to the walled city of Waterford and see the 11th century Reginald's Tower. On your guided visit of the House of Waterford Crystal, you will meet an artisan and see their fine work.

Accommodation: Granville, Waterford
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

From Rosslare, take the ferry across the Irish Sea to Pembroke and continue with a scenic journey through the rural landscapes of Pembrokeshire. Travel past the valleys of southern Wales to the capital, Cardiff. Enjoy an orientation of the port city on the River Taff, seeing the University of Wales, the Principality Stadium, City Hall and the National Museum.

Accommodation: Clayton, Cardiff
Included Meals: Breakfast

Cross the Severn Bridge to reach the City of Bath, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy an orientation with your Travel Director, through the Georgian streets and crescents. Visit the Roman Baths, Britain's only thermal, mineral springs. Your journey continues to mystical Glastonbury. Continue south, to reach the seaside town of Torquay.

Accommodation: The Imperial Torquay (Sea view rooms)
Included Meals: Breakfast

Explore Dartmoor with Insight Choice. Choose to join a scenic exploration of Dartmoor National Park. Alternatively, enjoy a relaxing cruise of Plymouth harbour and see the Mayflower Steps, Barbican, Royal Citadel and Plymouth Hoe. At dinner this evening, enjoy a fine selection of local dishes.

Accommodation: The Imperial Torquay (Sea view rooms)
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Start the day by crossing the Salisbury Plain and stop to visit the mysterious megaliths of Stonehenge, the world's most famous prehistoric monument, its true meaning lost in the mists of time. Your escorted journey draws to a close upon return to the hotel in London.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Trip Inclusions

  • Oxford: See the spires and colleges of this world-famous university town.
  • Stratford-upon-Avon: Learn about the life of William Shakespeare, arguably history's most famous writer, when you visit his birthplace. Then enjoy some time to explore this pretty town with its iconic Tudor houses.
  • York: Your Travel Director will show you the York Minster, the city walls and the medieval Shambles during your orientation of the city.
  • Grasmere: Learn about the life of the poet William Wordsworth and visit his grave.
  • Edinburgh: Explore Edinburgh Castle with your Local Expert to see the Scottish Crown Jewels and the Mons Meg up close.
  • Edinburgh: Explore the city with your Local Expert as you travel along Princes Street to see the Scott Memorial, the neoclassical Adam facades of New Town and the official Scottish residence of the King, Palace of Holyroodhouse.
  • Edinburgh: A hush descends, and eyes turn to the castle. The skirl of the pipes rises and drums crack the night air as a tide of tunics and tartan flood from the drawbridge. For a limited time in August, witness the incredible spectacle of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
  • St. Andrews: Spend time in St Andrews, a coastal university town shaped by old quadrangles, sea air and open links. Walk to the stretch of West Sands Beach where Chariots of Fire filmed its iconic scene, then look across the Old Course, regarded as the birthplace of modern golf.
  • Pitlochry: Visit this town, famous for its salmon leap.
  • Inverness: With your Travel Director, see the River Ness, Inverness Castle and beautiful scenery as you explore the history of this Highland city.
  • Loch Ness: Board your cruise on a loch stretching 37 kilometres through the Great Glen Fault, created by tectonic shifts millions of years ago. Its deepest point reaches 230 m (754 ft) and visibility is near zero due to peat content, conditions that have long inspired tales of Nessie, the elusive Loch Ness Monster. Pass Aldourie Castle and hear how this natural trench fuels both hydroelectric power and global fascination.
  • Fort William: Stop at the World War II Commando Memorial near Fort William, where bronze figures stand against a sweep of Highland landscape. From this quiet hillside, you get one of the clearest views of Ben Nevis, its ridges rising sharply above the glen.
  • Eilean Donan: Stop for a photo of this gorgeous castle built on an island in the Loch.
  • Glasgow: Led by your Travel Director, take an easy orientation through Glasgow, where broad streets and bold Victorian architecture set the tone. Pause in George Square to take in its statues and grand civic buildings before continuing to St Mungo's Cathedral, its dark stone and soaring interior hinting at the city's medieval roots.
  • Belfast: Meet Hilda, a true Belfast local, who has lived in the same house her entire life. During your panoramic tour, hear about the history of the city and learn why Hilda is proud of its progress and current prosperity. You'll explore iconic sights like the Big Fish at Donegall Quay, the Titanic Quarter, and the famous Samson and Goliath cranes. Along the way, you'll also visit Belfast City Hall and see murals in various locations that reflect the political sentiments of the local residents.
  • Dublin: See Dublin's elegant Georgian squares, O'Connell Street and the Custom House with a Local Expert
  • Galway: Fascinating stories and interesting locals take centre stage on your orientation of the historic heart of Galway. Visit the Lynch Memorial Window. Then make your way to the Church of St. Nicholas - the largest medieval parish church in Ireland in continuous use, Spanish Arch and Eyre Square.
  • Cliffs of Moher: Towering cliffs and the dramatic sea, the Cliffs of Moher has inspired countless travellers. Visit the Exhibition Centre and look out over the Wild Atlantic Way from these majestic cliffs that rise over 700 feet high. Gain insights from your Travel Director into the cliffs' geology, history and the species that find sanctuary in its nooks and crannies.
  • Limerick: See King John's Castle, St. Mary's Cathedral and the treaty stone.
  • Killarney: Take a gentle orientation through Killarney as your Travel Director brings the town's history to life. Streets lined with shopfronts, church spires and the curve of the surrounding mountains help you place the stories being shared.
  • Ring of Kerry: Venture into a world of towering cliffs, lush lakelands, beaches, fields dotted with sheep, rocky coastline, remote villages and historical sites, as you journey the magical Ring of Kerry. This 111-mile circular route is the best place to admire Ireland's scenic beauty and truly one of the most beautiful drives in the world.
  • Waterford: Explore the town and see Reginald's Tower and the remains of the city walls.
  • Rosslare Harbour: Board your ferry to cross the Irish Sea.
  • Cardiff: Learn more about Wales' capital and cultural hub, Cardiff, as you enjoy an orientation of this vibrant city.
  • Bath: During an orientation you will see the Royal Crescent, Pulteney Bridge and Bath Abbey.
  • Bath: Visit the Roman Baths, one of the best-preserved ancient bathhouses in Northern Europe whose waters still flow today. Enjoy a personal exploration of the site, including the Sacred Spring, original Great Bath, temple remains and museum displays of artefacts uncovered on site. This complex offers a clear view of public bathing and religious practices during the Roman occupation of Britain nearly 2,000 years ago.
  • Glastonbury: Explore the town rumored to be the resting place of legendary King Arthur and the Holy Grail, and location of one of the world's largest music festivals.
  • Stonehenge: Walk around the strange, awe-inspiring megaliths that have reputedly stood for 5,000 years.
  • Blarney: It is said that those who kiss the Blarney Stone, the famous stone of eloquence, are bestowed with the power to persuade, flatter and coax. Take your turn at giving it a peck knowing that the stone was sourced from 330-million-year-old limestone.
  • Waterford: Visit Waterford Crystal to learn more about the art of crystal carving that has been practised here since the late 1700s. See master crafters utilise traditional cutting and blowing methods at one of the few remaining artisan workshops.

Choose between two carefully selected activities

  • Dartmoor National Park: Visit Dartmoor to learn about the history of stone circles and indigenous traditions from your knowledgeable Local Expert on a scenic exploration.
  • Plymouth: Set sail on a relaxing cruise from Plymouth harbour, where the pilgrims left over 400 years ago.

  • Ring of Kerry: Meet John, a seaweed advocate and educator for a seaweed foraging walk at Atlantic Irish Seaweed. Stroll along the shore learning about how they work to protect the fragile ecosystem of the wild Atlantic Irish coasts through their educational courses and passion for the local environment. Irish Atlantic Seaweed's environmental policy is to respect, enjoy and protect the natural wonders that surround them, and promote the sustainable use of Ireland's fragile marine ecosystems. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water.

  • Air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom
  • An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
  • Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
  • All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
  • We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door
  • From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with a local specialty representing the destination.
  • Complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi where available

  • Stratford-upon-Avon: Savour British cuisine with dinner at a local restaurant.
  • Pitlochry: Atholl Palace, built as a Victorian Baronial retreat over 130 years ago, hosts your afternoon tea. You'll be welcomed into the banqueting room to enjoy a traditional afternoon tea accompanied by sandwiches, scones, Scottish shortbread and traditional Scottish tablet.
  • Dublin: Visit the Guinness Storehouse to learn about Ireland's national drink.
  • Killarney: There's nothing quite as homely as the Irish tradition of a Sunday roast, served with all the trimmings.
  • Killarney: Choose from a fine selection of local restaurants on your Dine-Around evening.
  • Torquay: Blend a little wine with great cooking and good company for a rousing dinner.
  • Dining Summary: 8 Dinners (D), 17 Breakfasts (B), 1 Afternoon Tea (AT)

  • Itinerary and inclusions are subject to change
  • Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included
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