Britain and Ireland Experience

Prices From: $1712
Days: 15 days / 14 nights

The ultimate tour of Great Britain! Spend 12 days getting to know England, Wales and Scotland in depth visiting their grand cities, quaint towns and coastal villages. Scenic drives through the Cotswold Hills, Scottish Borderlands and HIghlands, Lochs Ness, north Wales and the Cornish Coast will take your breath away.

Itinerary

Tour Highlights

Experience the Britain and Ireland of a simpler time, through medieval castles and churches that have stood for centuries. Admire Ireland's breathtaking Ring of Kerry, stand in awe before the mysterious Stonehenge and roam the charming streets of Oxford, York, Durham, Dublin, Cardiff and Edinburgh.

Day 1 - London - Stonehenge - Bath - Cardiff
A warm welcome from your Tour Director as you leave London. Drive to Runnymede where the Magna Carta was signed and then through Windsor Great Park and past Windsor Castle. Then on to see the mysterious stone circle at Stonehenge before stopping in Salisbury with a chance to view the beautiful cathedral. Continue to the city of Bath to admire the elegant Georgian streets before crossing the Severn Bridge to Cardiff, capital of Wales and your hotel.

Hotel: Copthorne Cardiff (F)

Day 2 - Cardiff - Pembroke - Waterford
This morning after breakfast you will see Cardiff Castle before driving across South Wales via Carmarthen. Next head to Pembroke to view the castle, birthplace of Henry VII of the Tudor Dynasty. Here board your ferry for Rosslare in Ireland. On arrival drive to Waterford for dinner and an overnight stay. (Full Breakfast / Dinner)

Hotel: Waterford Marina (F)

Day 3 - Waterford - Blarney - Tralee
Today your first stop is a visit to the Waterford Crystal Showroom; afterwards drive along the splendid southern coast through the fishing port of Youghal and Cork. Nearby, stop to visit Blarney Castle so that you can kiss the stone and acquire the 'gift of the gab'! From here we continue over the Cork and Kerry Mountains to Tralee. Dine at your hotel this evening. (Full Breakfast / Dinner)

Hotel: Abbey Gate (MF)

Day 4 - Tralee - Ring of Kerry - Limerick
This morning drive around the Ring of Kerry, a wonderful landscape hewn by the last Ice Age with some of the most beautiful and unspoilt coastline in Ireland and containing Ireland's highest mountains. Then north to County Limerick through Adare, the prettiest village in Ireland, crossing the mighty Shannon to your hotel in Limerick, where you see St. Mary's Cathedral and King John's Castle. (Full Breakfast)

Hotel: Jurys Inn Limerick (F)

Day 5 - Limerick - Galway - Dublin (2 nights)
After a full Irish breakfast this morning you will have time to visit Bunratty Castle and folk park. Then drive across County Clare en route to view Galway Bay. Stop in Galway then head across Ireland's rich farmland to Dublin, Ireland's capital. (Full Breakfast)

Hotel: Jurys Inn Parnell St (MF)

Day 6 - Dublin sightseeing and at leisure
This morning's included sightseeing tour of Dublin's 'fair city' with a local expert guide shows you Trinity College, St. Patrick's Cathedral and historic Phoenix Park. The rest of your day is at leisure. For your last night in Ireland, why not join your fellow- companions at an Irish cabaret this evening? (Full Breakfast)

Day 7 - Dublin - Liverpool
Today enjoy a crossing on one of the world's largest passenger ferries across the Irish Sea, with magnificent views of Dublin Bay. Arrive in Holyhead on the Welsh Island of Anglesey. Cameras at the ready as you see the station with the longest name in the world, Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwlllant-ysiliogogogoch. Passing by the Snowdonia National Park you travel on to Chester where you will have time to walk along the Roman walls and admire the famous 'Chester Rows'. Then on to your hotel in Liverpool, home of the Beatles. (Full Breakfast / Dinner)

Hotel: Ibis Liverpool (ST)

Day 8 - Liverpool - Lake District - EDINBURGH (DUNFERMLINE) (2 nights)
Travel to the English Lake District and stop in pretty Grasmere to see the home of William Wordsworth in the village on the lake. Your next stop is at Gretna Green just across the Scottish border, the place where eloping couples could marry against their parents' wishes. Finally on to the hotel near Edinburgh, for a two night stay. (Full Breakfast)

Hotel: Holiday Inn Express (MF)

Day 9 - Edinburgh Sightseeing
Morning sightseeing with a local expert guide includes views of the imposing castle. You will also drive along elegant Princes Street with its views on to the Crag and Tail on which the castle and Royal Mile are built, and see the impressive monument to Sir Walter Scott. Edinburgh's New Town will also be included on your sightseeing tour. (Full Breakfast)

Day 10 - Edinburgh - York - Leeds
Through the Scottish Borderlands and across the River Tweed you stop to see the ruins of Jedburgh Abbey and then enjoy the views at Carter Bar. Driving into the Northumberland National Park inspect a section of the Emperor Hadrian's Wall at Heddon and then cross the River Tyne at Newcastle. Next on to York where an orientation tour shows you the Gothic Minster and the narrow cobbled street known as the Shambles. Then head to your hotel in Leeds. (Full Breakfast)

Hotel: Jurys Inn Leeds (F)

Day 11 - Leeds - Coventry - Shakespear Country
This morning drive into the heart of England, passing close to Sherwood Forest which is associated with the legendary Robin Hood, to the city of Coventry. Here see the two cathedrals one bombed during the second World War and the other built to replace it like a Phoenix rising from the ashes. Hear the story and see the statue of Lady Godiva before continuing to the hotel for dinner. (Full Breakfast / Dinner)

Hotel: Holiday Inn Express Warwick (F)

Day 12 - Shakespeare Country - Stratford - Oxford - London
Today see Anne Hathaway's thatched cottage en route to Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare's birthplace. Next a scenic drive through the Cotswolds to the little churchyard at Bladon to see Sir Winston Churchill's grave. Your final stop en route to London is at Oxford, the oldest university city in the British Isles. Then continue back to London, where you must bid farewell to your Tour Director and touring friends as this wonderful tour comes to an end. (Full Breakfast)

Optional Extras

Pre or post tour accommodation in London.

Tour Itinerary

britain and ireland experience escorted tour of britain

Prices

Prices

Dates and Rates

Departs London every Sat throughout the 2011 summer season.

Departs On	Returns On	Price in Pound	Price in Dollar
Tue, Apr 05, 2011	Sat, Apr 16, 2011	£1050	$1785
Tue, Apr 19, 2011	Sat, Apr 30, 2011	£1050	$1785
Tue, Apr 26, 2011	Sat, May 07, 2011	£1050	$1785
Tue, May 03, 2011	Sat, May 14, 2011	£1075	$1828
Tue, May 10, 2011	Sat, May 21, 2011	£1075	$1828
Tue, May 17, 2011	Sat, May 28, 2011	£1075	$1828
Tue, May 24, 2011	Sat, Jun 04, 2011	£1075	$1828
Tue, May 31, 2011	Sat, Jun 11, 2011	£1075	$1828
Tue, Jun 07, 2011	Sat, Jun 18, 2011	£1075	$1828
Tue, Jun 14, 2011	Sat, Jun 25, 2011	£1075	$1828
Tue, Jun 21, 2011	Sat, Jul 02, 2011	£1075	$1828
Tue, Jun 28, 2011	Sat, Jul 09, 2011	£1075	$1828
Tue, Jul 05, 2011	Sat, Jul 16, 2011	£1075	$1828
Tue, Jul 12, 2011	Sat, Jul 23, 2011	£1075	$1828
Tue, Jul 19, 2011	Sat, Jul 30, 2011	£1075	$1828
Tue, Jul 26, 2011	Sat, Aug 06, 2011	£1075	$1828
Sun, Jul 31, 2011	Thu, Aug 11, 2011	£1075	$1828
Tue, Aug 02, 2011	Sat, Aug 13, 2011	£1075	$1828
Sun, Aug 07, 2011	Thu, Aug 18, 2011	£1075	$1828
Tue, Aug 09, 2011	Sat, Aug 20, 2011	£1075	$1828
Sun, Aug 14, 2011	Thu, Aug 25, 2011	£1075	$1828
Tue, Aug 16, 2011	Sat, Aug 27, 2011	£1075	$1828
Tue, Aug 23, 2011	Sat, Sep 03, 2011	£1075	$1828
Tue, Aug 30, 2011	Sat, Sep 10, 2011	£1075	$1828
Tue, Sep 06, 2011	Sat, Sep 17, 2011	£1075	$1828
Tue, Sep 13, 2011	Sat, Sep 24, 2011	£1075	$1828
Tue, Sep 20, 2011	Sat, Oct 01, 2011	£1075	$1828
Tue, Sep 27, 2011	Sat, Oct 08, 2011	£1050	$1785
Tue, Oct 04, 2011	Sat, Oct 15, 2011	£1050	$1785

Prices are per person land only based on 2 people sharing a twin room.
Please ask for flight quotes from your preferred airport of departure.
Please ask for pricing in other currencies.

What's Included

What's Included

11 full English, Scottish or Irish breakfasts
4 three-course dinners

Accommodation in twin-bedded rooms with private facilities.
All hotel service charges, local taxes, baggage handling and hotel tips are included.
Touring by luxury air-conditioned coach with reclining seats.
Services throughout the tour of a professional Tour Director.
Specialised local guides in Edinburgh and Dublin.
Ferry across the Irish Sea from Wales to Ireland and return.
A stylish wallet, travel documents and Welcome on Tour book with map.

Images

Images

Map