Britain & Ireland Explorer - Classic Group Classic Group

15 days
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4.6/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
97%
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Group Tour
Discover the ancient Roman Baths of Bath with their healing waters, learn to pour a pint like a pro at Dublin’s Guinness Storehouse and take an exclusive behind the scenes tour of the National Stud Farm in Kildare — the epicenter of Ireland’s thoroughbred horse breeding history. This all-encompassing tour showcases the regal heritage of Edinburgh Castle, the ...

Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Wheelchair Accessible
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

    • Choose between two carefully selected activities
    • Killarney: Enjoy a memorable ride on a horse-drawn jaunting car with the local jarveys as you explore the lush scenery of Killarney National Park.
    • Killarney: Join a gentle hike with a nature guide in Killarney National Park and admire stunning mountains, lakes, woods and waterfalls. Stroll along the lake shore and past the impressive 15th Century Ross Castle and the famous Muckross Estate, a charming 19th Century mansion and grounds.Alternatively, enjoy a memorable ride on a horse-drawn jaunting car with the local jarveys.
    • Choose between two carefully selected activities
    • Blarney: Visit the lush gardens of the Blarney Castle estate with a senior gardener.
    • Blarney: It is said that those who kiss the Blarney Stone are bestowed with the power to persuade, flatter and coax. But to do so, you must dangle from the ramparts! Visit Blarney Castle and see the famous Stone of Eloquence.
    • : Our Well-Being Directors take a proactive approach to your welfare ensuring all well-being regulations are met (available on tours with 21 or more guests).
    • : Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
    • : Experience enhanced hygiene protocols to align with the latest guidance following COVID-19.All Travel Directors, Well-Being Directors and Drivers have completed training in enhancedwell-being and hygiene protocols.
    • : We only work with establishments we are confident will consistently adhere to our high well-being standards, which include hotels, restaurants and sight-seeing venues.

What's this trip about?

    Discover the ancient Roman Baths of Bath with their healing waters, learn to pour a pint like a pro at Dublin’s Guinness Storehouse and take an exclusive behind the scenes tour of the National Stud Farm in Kildare — the epicenter of Ireland’s thoroughbred horse breeding history. This all-encompassing tour showcases the regal heritage of Edinburgh Castle, the stunning beauty of England’s Lake District, the historic grandeur of Durham’s Romanesque cathedral and the rolling hills of Pembrokeshire in Wales. Pay homage to the literary legacy of Shakespeare as you visit his birthplace in Stratford Upon Avon, tour the medieval Shambles of old York, admire the ancient border of the Roman Empire at Hadrian’s Wall and set sail from Holyhead to Dublin, on this journey through Great Britain and Ireland.

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeIntimate group - 12 max
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportAll internal transport included (including local flights)
Start CityUnited Kingdom
End CityLondon

Travel Themes

  • 50 plus
  • Cultural
  • Education / Learning

Destinations

Attractions

  • Bath
  • Chester
  • Dublin
  • Edinburgh
  • London
  • York

Activities

  • Culture
  • Historic sightseeing

Trip includes

    • Our highly-skilled Travel Director will ensure your journey is seamless, serving as your expert guide, consummate organiser, and friend overseas.
    • Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
    • We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
    • Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
    • Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
    • From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
    • You may purchase transfers from/to London Heathrow and Gatwick airports on arrival and departure days, or when additional night accommodation has been booked through Insight Vacations. Alternatively, please make your own way from/to the airport.

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to London

Welcome to London. After checking into your hotel, the afternoon is free to enjoy a city that is famous for its pomp and pageantry. Perhaps relax with a walk along the Serpentine in Hyde Park or window shop in the elegant boutiques of Knightsbridge? Alternatively, you may want to stroll along the Thames to the iconic Tower Bridge and Tower of London.

Day 2: Stratford-upon-Avon and Medieval York

At 07:30, meet your Travel Director and journey to Stratford, beautifully situated on the River Avon. Visit the birthplace of William Shakespeare, full of interesting memorabilia and artefacts relating to his life. Continue on to York where you walk within the old cit...

Day 3: Durham, Hadrian's Wall and Edinburgh Relaxed Start

Stop in Durham to see the castle and Romanesque cathedral. Then view part of Hadrian's Wall, Britain's most impressive Roman monument, once spanning 80 miles from coast-to-coast, marking the northern frontier of the mighty Roman Empire. Cross the Scottish border to reach the elegant Scottish capital, Edinburgh.

Day 4: Scotland’s Capital of Culture

Journey down the Royal Mile to see the Palace of Holyroodhouse - official Scottish residence of Her Majesty, the Queen - before crossing over to New Town. Next, walk with your Local Expert inside Edinburgh Castle for spectacular views of the town and to see Scotland's ...

Day 5: St. Andrews and Inverness

Cross the Firth of Forth into Fife. Make your way to St. Andrews, home to the Old Course and birthplace of golf.Enjoy free time to explore. Perhaps stroll to West Sands Beach where the famous 'Chariots of Fire' scene was filmed?Your travels continue as you cross the T...

Day 6: Loch Ness and Glencoe

In the morning, travel along Loch Ness and hear tales of the famous Nessie. Continue your journey through some of the most stunning scenery in all of Scotland, found in the region of Glencoe. Reach the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond and admire the incredible scenery as y...

Day 7: The English Lakes to Chester Relaxed Start

In the morning, discover the beauty of the Lake District. Continue to your hotel in Chester. In the afternoon, why not join The Beatles City Tour Optional Experience in Liverpool?

Day 8: North Wales and over to Dublin Relaxed Start

In the morning, step back into Roman times in Chester, where you see the city’s ancient encircling walls and remarkable 13th century black and white Rows. Continue through Wales, passing the massive Conwy Castle before crossing over to the Isle of Anglesey. The villag...

Day 9: In Dublin’s Fair City

Before it opens to the public, experience Ireland's national, world-famous drink with a guided visit to the Guinness Storehouse. Gain a fascinating insight into the history and traditions behind its production and enjoy a private masterclass and tasting, where you wil...

Day 10: From Dublin to Killarney

Travel to Ireland's premier thoroughbred horse breeding region for a fascinating, behind-the-scenes visit of the National Stud with an equine professional. You then visit the acclaimed 100-year-old Japanese Gardens, where you can 'journey through life.' Cross the roll...

Day 11: Ring of Kerry Experience Relaxed Start

In the morning, join a delightful trip around the Ring of Kerry, a world of towering cliffs, lush lakelands and remote villages. Get a sense of the unhurried pace of Irish life as you pass through Ireland’s highest mountain range and make your way to the three peacefu...

Day 12: Blarney Castle and Waterford

Explore Blarney with Insight Choice. Choose to climb up the ramparts and see the famous Stone of Eloquence. Alternatively, visit the lush gardens of the estate with a senior gardener. Travel on through the scenic port of Dungarvan to the historic walled city of Waterf...

Day 13: Across the Irish Sea to Cardiff

From the port of Rosslare, board your ferry to cross the Irish Sea. A pleasant drive will then take you into the rural scenery of Pembrokeshire. Continue past the valleys of southern Wales to the capital, Cardiff, famous for its imposing castle and brilliant Principality Stadium.

Day 14: Roman Baths and Stonehenge

Visit the well-preserved Roman Baths, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, pioneering new educational investments to benefit the community. Your journey continues across Salisbury Plain for a visit to mysterious Stonehenge - no-one can be sure why they were built, or eve...

Day 15: Homeward Bound

Your journey comes to an end after breakfast.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $5,325
Price per day$355
Last Updated: 10/14/2024

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Insight Vacations Reviews & Ratings

4.6/5  Excellent
Excellent
13,450
Great
2,915
Average
934
Disappointing
256
Terrible
216
D

Donna Arcieri

Sep 2023

Written on

Britain & Ireland Explorer

Hit all the places we wanted.

T

Trusted Customer

Aug 2023

Written on

Britain & Ireland Explorer

A very busy schedule from morning until evening. A lot of bus travel too. Again a couple of hotels need to be changed. Dinners were not great in the hotels. Why ...

T

Trusted Customer

Jul 2023

Written on

Britain & Ireland Explorer

Overall trip was great, Felt we could have spent more time in places especially Bath. Couple stops we did not need to see, Horse stud farm and Brookfield farms. Wa...

M

Marilyn Fowler

Jul 2023

Written on

Britain & Ireland Explorer

The stops were okay but we would have preferred staying at the more popular areas and not in the crappy areas. We were so surprised at the extra charges for excursio...

K

Karen Clark

Jul 2023

Written on

Britain & Ireland Explorer

Kept it interesting throughout the tour

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Nov 2024

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Excellent itinerary with small group size. 10/10 recommendation.

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Tour Operator

Insight Vacations

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As the global leader in premium tours, Insight Vacations delivers all the sights and insights of destinations up close and personal. Each tour is crafted in true comfort and style with premium 5 and 4 star hotels, small groups and customized coaches with extra leg room. The brand’s category leading dining options including the unique dine-around and dine-at-home experiences means that guests enjoy a culinary journey through the places they visit. An extensive Vegetarian option across all tour series further compliments the elevated dining offering. With a Make Travel Matter Experience®, that creates a positive impact for both the visitor and visited, plus also supports the United Nations sustainable Development Goals, included on each and every trip, Insight Vacations leads the way in immersive responsible travel.

Insight Vacations is part of the family-owned and run The Travel Corporation (TTC), driven by service for over one hundred years.

Why we love this operator
They really care about everyone's individual needs on each tour and they have an incredible attention to detail.
What they’re known for
Premium worldwide tours for curious travelers who want to get closer to the destination in comfort and style.

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Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
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Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
Trip ID
insightvacations-B904N18

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