Britain and Ireland Panorama
Description:
Tour Options:
Itinerary:
- Day 1
- Day 2
- Day 3
- Day 4
- Day 5
- Day 6
- Day 7
- Day 8
- Day 9
- Day 10
- Day 11
- Day 12
- Day 13
- Day 14
- Day 15
- Day 16
- Day 17
- Day 18
- Day 19
Arrive London
Welcome to the multicultural melting pot that is London – its culture and heritage shaped by the nations that once contributed to its great empire are found around every turn. Spend your day easing into the energy of a cosmopolitan city that effortlessly blends old and new and is the perfect springboard to a grand adventure through Britain and Ireland.
Accommodation: Hilton Kensington
Discover Historic London
Join your Local Specialist today to see the iconic sights, including Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, meandering through the picturesque Royal Parks, shopping for the best of British wares on Carnaby Street or delving into natural history and royal heritage at one of the many fascinating museums.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hilton Kensington
Journey to Stratford-upon-Avon and on to York
Meet your Travel Director this morning and travel to Stratford-upon-Avon. Venture through the lush green countryside of Warwickshire to Stratford-upon-Avon to delve into the lyrical legacy of one of the world's favorite writers. Visit Shakespeare's Birthplace and Visitor Center and see Anne Hathaway's cottage, before arriving in York. Wander along its cobbled Shambles and ancient city walls, and see the magnificent York Minster, one of the greatest cathedrals in the world. This evening, join your Travel Director and travel companions for a delicious dinner in your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Novotel Center
Continue through Northumberland to Edinburgh
Journeying through Northumberland National Park’s dramatic landscapes, arrive at the remarkably intact ruins of the 12th-century Jedburgh Abbey en route to the enchanting Scottish capital, Edinburgh. Tickets to The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo are included on departures that align with performance dates.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Holiday Inn
Discover Enchanting Edinburgh
Join your Local Specialist this morning for a sightseeing tour through Auld Reekie's elegant New Town, Princes Street and the Royal Mile, enjoying views of the exquisite Palace of Holyroodhouse and Arthur's Seat. Embark on a visit of Edinburgh Castle, perched atop Castle Rock.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Holiday Inn
Venture into the Scottish Highlands
Today, travel across the Firth of Forth to St. Andrews to view its celebrated ancient university and explore centuries of golf heritage. Your next stop is Pitlochry on the banks of the Tummel River. You could choose to join an Optional Experience to visit Blair Castle, the ancestral home to the Dukes of Atholl. Continue to the Scottish Highlands, your home for two nights.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Laggan
Explore the Isle of Skye
Drive to the rugged coast of Scotland this morning, passing scenic Eilean Donan Castle. You'll cross to the Isle of Skye, and admire the spectacular scenery before enjoying free time for lunch. A Local Specialist will take you on a journey to admire the remarkable Cuillin Mountain. Cross back to the mainland and continue past the lochs and glens of the Scottish Highlands.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Laggan
Onwards to Loch Lomond and Glasgow’s Rich Legacy
Your first stop today is the World War II Commando Memorial, near Fort William, for views of Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis. Continue south through the 'Glen of Weeping', paying tribute to the MacDonald clansmen who were massacred for failing to pledge allegiance to Scotland's new monarchs. Arriving in Glasgow, you'll enjoy an orientation tour including views of the Cathedral and magnificent George Square. You'll also visit the Necropolis and Dive Into Culture gaining insights into one of Europe's most important 19th-century burial grounds.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Crowne Plaza
Through the Lake District to Liverpool
Cross the border into England and Connect With Locals, joining Christine on her Cumbrian working farm for a Be My Guest lunch, before continuing your journey through the beautiful Lake District and its landscapes that have inspired poets and painters for centuries. See Lake Windermere, England's largest lake, before traveling to Liverpool, the haunt of Britain's ‘Fab Four'.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Atlantic Tower Hotel Liverpool by Sunday
Across the Irish Sea to Dublin
Start your day in Chester, where you’ll see the city’s distinctive Tudor Rows and walk its medieval streets. Continue through North Wales to Holyhead, where you’ll board the ferry to Dublin. Over the next four days, you’ll explore the highlights of Ireland—from its historic cities to rural landscapes—getting to know the culture, stories and local character of this diverse country.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Clayton Ballsbridge
Admire Dublin’s Iconic Sights
Delve into Dublin’s iconic sights with a Local Specialist. See Trinity College, St. Patrick's Cathedral and the stately Georgian Squares. Enjoy some time at leisure or consider a trip to Glendalough. Then Dive Into Culture and visit the Guinness Storehouse to learn about Ireland's famous brew. This evening you could choose to join an Optional Experience at an Irish Cabaret.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Clayton Ballsbridge
On to Galway and Limerick
Journey to the West Coast and the vibrant cultural center of Galway, where you will have an opportunity to see Galway Cathedral and Eyre Square, with its tribute to former US president John F. Kennedy, before traveling to Limerick.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Radisson Blu Hotel and Spa, Limerick
Circle the Ring of Kerry and on to Cork
Admire Ireland's enduring scenic beauty on one of the most beautiful drives in the world, circling the spectacular Ring of Kerry.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Radisson Blu Hotel and Spa, Cork
The Sights of Blarney, Waterford and Wexford
In the pursuit of acquiring the 'gift of the gab', visit Blarney Castle where you might kiss the famous Blarney Stone, before stopping in Cobh for a walking tour with a Local Specialist. This seaside city was the final port of call for the tragic Titanic on its fateful voyage. This afternoon, you'll Dive Into Culture during a visit to the House of Waterford Crystal and witness talented master crafters at work.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Ferrycarrig
Ferry across to Cardiff
Cross the Irish Sea to Wales and its capital, Cardiff, where you will visit the University of Wales, Principality Stadium, City Hall and the National Museum.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Clayton
Enjoy Bath, Glastonbury and Plymouth
Cross the Severn Estuary to Bath, so named for the ancient Roman Baths that have made the city a popular retreat for centuries. Admire the elegant Georgian facades and visit the Roman Baths, before some free time to explore on your own. Wind your way to mystical Glastonbury to visit the 7th-century Abbey where King Arthur is believed to be buried. Later, arrive in the city of Plymouth, your home for two nights.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Copthorne
A Day Exploring Coastal Villages
The springboard to a 'New World' takes center stage as you start your day with an orientation of Plymouth. View the Mayflower Steps, where brave pilgrims embarked on their epic voyage to America, and see the Royal Citadel overlooking Plymouth Sound. Visit the fishing village of Polperro with its narrow streets and picturesque harbor, before enjoying a scenic drive through the brooding landscapes of Dartmoor, keeping a keen eye out for the area’s wild ponies. Your epic adventure through Britain and Ireland is almost at its end, join your travel companions and Travel Director for a memorable dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Copthorne
Journey to Prehistoric Stonehenge and return to London
Meander across the Salisbury Plain and visit the mystical ancient megaliths of Stonehenge, whose myths have yet to be fully revealed. Journey back to London this afternoon where you will spend your final evening at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Park Plaza Riverbank
Cheerio London
Say a fond farewell to Britain and Ireland as you prepare to return home with treasured memories of your trip.
Meals: Breakfast
Highlights:
Inclusions:
- All transport and transfers shown
- London: The services of a Trafalgar Local Host when you stay at Trafalgar's recommended London hotel
- An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
- Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
- All porterage and restaurant gratuities
- All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
- Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
- Must-see sightseeing
- Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
- Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
- Return ferry across the Irish Sea between Wales and Ireland
- Optional Experiences and free time
- On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized
