Delve into the heritage, history and cultural wealth of the Old World on this 18-day journey through England, Scotland & Ireland. Each day will be packed with must-see destinations to satisfy avid history buffs, budding photographers, travel enthusiasts and myth-busters!
Get underway in London, England, where you can take in famous sights such as Trafalgar Square, The London Eye, Windsor Castle and more. Visit the impressive UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bath and marvel at Stonehenge, one of England's most important prehistoric monuments. Stay the night in Liverpool, the hometown of The Beatles, and walk the cobblestone streets of the historic town of Oxford, home to the oldest university in the English-speaking world.
Admire Edinburgh Castle and Hadrian’s Wall in beautiful Scotland. Discover the rugged Scottish Highlands, take in the birthplace of golf and savour traditional Scottish whisky at a local distillery. Travel down the Great Glen in Scotland, stopping at Stirling Castle, before seeing the highlights of vibrant Glasgow on a half-day guided tour, including a stop by Loch Ness.
Appreciate the breathtaking countryside views before you board a ferry to Dublin, Ireland, where you’ll enjoy a traditional Irish breakfast, see the stunning Cliffs of Moher, tour the largest two cathedrals in Ireland and maybe even taste real Guinness at a pub during leisure time.
This is the perfect way to experience the beauty and charm of some of the world's most iconic cities and villages, so get ready for the adventure of a lifetime with return international flights, 15 nights hotel accommodation, daily breakfast and more!
Want more? Add extra days to your itinerary with Arrive Early in London, England and Stay Behind in Dublin, Ireland packages.
Please note: Extra charges may apply. See the Important Info section and checkout cart for fees and details.
Today, depart for London, England!
Please note: Due to flight scheduling and availability, some customers may be required to depart on day 2, to arrive on day 2. Flight times will be indicated on your final documentation, which you will receive 4-6 weeks prior to departure.
Meals included: In-Flight
Upon arrival in London, make your own way to the hotel. If it is too early for check-in then luggage can be stored at the hotel while you explore this magnificent historic city.
Overnight: St Giles Hotel or similar, London
Meals included: None
This morning, travel to visit Windsor Castle. Along the way, you will pass through Thames Valley and Runnymede, where there are monuments of the Magna Carta and US President John F. Kennedy. Windsor Castle has been inhabited since the 12th century by royalty. From here, you can see the renowned College of Eton, one of the most exclusive schools in the country. Visit the beautiful Royal Chapel of St George (except during special ceremonies), an example of Gothic perpendicular style; The Royal Mausoleum; and the Royal Apartments, splendidly restored after the fire of 1992. Afterwards, return to London for a panoramic sightseeing tour, and take in famous sights such as Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Covent Garden, Regent Street, Oxford Street and more. You'll also see the Albert Memorial, Royal Albert Hall, Parliament House, and the London Eye Ferris wheel. Next, travel past the Tower of London, a medieval fortress built in the year 1078 by William the Conqueror (approximately an 80-kilometre travel day).
Overnight: St Giles Hotel or similar, London
Meals included: Breakfast
After breakfast, depart for the Georgian city of Bath. This UNESCO World Heritage Site boasts some of the most exquisite architectural and historical treasures in Europe including The Roman Baths with its 15th-century abbey and impressive Royal Crescent. The popularity of Bath has increased thanks to the reopening of its thermal spa, making it the only natural thermal bath in Britain that offers the possibility of bathing in temperate waters, as the Romans and Celts did 2000 years ago. Afterwards, continue to Stonehenge, one of the most important prehistoric sites in England. Return to London after an approximately 380-kilometre travel day.
Overnight: St Giles Hotel or similar, London
Meals included: Breakfast
Today your 400-kilometre travel day goes to York via Oxford, home to the University Of Oxford, the oldest university in the English-speaking world. It’s known as “the city of dreaming spires”, an expression coined by Matthew Arnold to describe the harmony in the architecture of university buildings. Upon arrival, you'll enjoy a panoramic tour of the city which includes Christ Church College, one of Oxford’s largest and popular. You'll also see the inner courtyards and the Cathedral, the smallest in the country.
Afterwards, continue to York which possesses magic and charm as a result of its outstanding architecture and more than 2000 years of history.
Overnight: Elmbank Hotel or similar, York
Meals included: Breakfast
Enjoy some free time this morning in York to explore the city on your own. Afterwards depart to Durham where an orientation tour will take you to the market square and the pioneering Romanesque Cathedral which, together with the Norman Castle, dominates the city.
As you travel onwards to Edinburgh you can admire Hadrian’s Wall, a defensive fortification in the Roman province of Britannia which began in 122AD in the reign of Emperor Hadrian.
Edinburgh is traditionally said to have been built on seven hills and sitting proudly atop one of these hills is the majestic Edinburgh Castle. Spacious and beautiful, Edinburgh is a city that knows how to combine the legacy of its mediaeval past with beautiful gardens, Georgian mansions and the modernity of its lively artistic life.
Today’s travel is approximately 350 kilometres.
Overnight: Ibis Budget Edinburgh Park or similar, Edinburgh
Meals included: Breakfast
Today, enjoy a half-day sightseeing tour of the city with a local guide. Visit Edinburgh Castle, which began construction in the 11th century, and Princes Street which is flanked by beautiful gardens and imposing Georgian buildings that separate the new city from the old. See the department store Jenners, the oldest in the city, followed by St. Giles Cathedral, founded in the 12th century. Enjoy the remainder of the day free at leisure.
Overnight: Ibis Budget Edinburgh Park or similar, Edinburgh
Meals included: Breakfast
This morning you'll depart for the Scottish Highlands, which is home to many historic castles, islands and lakes. Many of the symbols that make up the Scottish idiosyncrasy, such as the skirt, tartan plaid, bagpipes and feather cap come from this mountainous region. You'll stop in the city of St Andrews and see the ruins of what was the largest cathedral in the country before seeing the birthplace of golf at The Royal & Ancient Golf Club.
Afterwards, stop at a traditional whiskey distillery where you can sample local whiskey before continuing to Aviemore and checking into your hotel after an approximately 270-kilometre travel day.
Overnight: Angus Blairgowrie or similar, Aviemore
Meals included: Breakfast
After breakfast, journey onwards to the famous Loch Ness, where you will have some free time before travelling back to Aviemore. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure after a 100-kilometre travel day.
Overnight: Angus Blairgowrie or similar, Aviemore
Meals included: Breakfast
After breakfast, depart for Glasgow by travelling down the Great Glen which passes through Fort Augustus, Fort William and the dramatic Glen Coe Valley.
Afterwards, stop for a photo of Stirling Castle (entrance not included), this famous national monument is perched atop a hill and surrounded on three sides by cliffs. Most of the main buildings date back to the 15th and 16th centuries and the outer defences facing the city date to the early 18th century. Your journey then continues onward to Glasgow for the night after an approximately 315-kilometre travel day.
Overnight: Courtyard by Marriott Glasgow SEC or similar, Glasgow
Meals included: Breakfast
Today enjoy a half-day guided tour in the vibrant and energetic city of Glasgow known as the capital of style in Scotland, with its many art-deco restaurants, boutiques, and cultural centres. After seeing the highlights of Glasgow on tour, take the remainder of the day at leisure.
Overnight: Courtyard by Marriott Glasgow SEC or similar, Glasgow
Meals included: Breakfast
This morning depart to Windermere, in the heart of the Lake District, which offers fantastic views of the English countryside and surrounding mountains. You'll then travel to Liverpool, the hometown of the Beatles. After London, Liverpool has the second most theatres, museums and galleries with fabulous architectural heritage in the United Kingdom. Upon arrival, you'll transfer to your hotel in Liverpool and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure after an approximately 350-kilometre travel day.
Overnight: Stay City Liverpool Waterfront or similar, Liverpool
Meals included: Breakfast
This morning, head to Holyhead to board the ferry to Dublin (approximately 3 hours). Upon arrival, continue to Galway on an approximately 380-kilometre travel day. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure in the Irish town.
With more than eight centuries since its foundation, Galway (which means “stony river” in Gaillimh Gaelic) owes its name to the bed of stones of the Corrib, the river that crosses it. Some fascinating sites to consider visiting would be the Saint Nicholas' Collegiate Church, founded in 1320 thanks to the famous Lynch family (one of the 14 tribes of Galway) in honour of St Nicholas of Myra (patron saint of sailors), or perhaps see the Catholic Cathedral Of Our Lady Of The Assumption and St Nicholas, Lynch Castle, the Court of Justice and the Old Town Hall.
Overnight: Shearwater Hotel or similar, Galway
Meals included: Breakfast
Today start the day early with a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Cliffs Of Moher, which towers 214 metres above the level of the Atlantic Ocean at its highest point. Enjoy a brief stop in Limerick, the third most populated city in the country where King John’s Castle, one of its main attractions, stands out. You'll then continue onwards to Dublin for the night after an approximately 350-kilometre travel day.
Overnight: Stay City Dublin Tivoli or similar, Dublin
Meals included: Breakfast
This morning enjoy a traditional Irish breakfast before a half-day guided tour of St Patrick’s Cathedral, the largest of the two cathedrals in Ireland. The Cathedral of St Patrick was built next to a well in which, according to legend, St Patrick baptised those who converted from Paganism to Christianity. You'll also get a chance to look inside the ivy-covered stone buildings of Trinity College to see 'The Book of Kells' at the Old Library with its vast rows of antiquarian books. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure in the Irish capital city.
Overnight: Stay City Dublin Tivoli or similar, Dublin
Meals included: Breakfast
Today enjoy your last day free at leisure in Dublin where you can take some time to enjoy the city’s sensational dining, music and pub scenes.
Overnight: Stay City Dublin Tivoli or similar, Dublin
Meals included: Breakfast
Today you will be transferred to the airport for your return flight back home!
Please note: If your flight departs early then breakfast will be arranged for pick up from the hotel reception the night before.
Meals included: Breakfast; In-Flight
Please note: Some flights may arrive +1 day later.
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