Romantic Britain & Ireland - Small Group

21 days
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4.6/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
97%
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Group Tour
Nurture your soul on this romantic tour of Oxford’s cobbled alleyways, Edinburgh’s Royal Mile and Dublin’s Guinness Storehouse. Spanning the stunning Lake District, Britain’s yesteryear Viking capital of York, Shakespeare’s birthplace in Stratford and William Wordsworth’s home village of Grasmere, this three week tour has it all. In Ireland, the lofty Cliffs ...

Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Choose between two carefully selected activities
    • Dartmoor National Park: Learn about the history of stone circles and indigenous traditions from your knowledgeable Local Expert and enjoy a scenic exploration across the rolling valleys of Dartmoor National Park.Alternatively, cruise the scenic Plymouth harbour, where 400 years ago the Mayflower set sail for America.
    • Plymouth: Set sail on a scenic cruise from Plymouthharbour, where the pilgrims left over 400 years ago.
    • : 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.
    • : Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
    • : "One food I really love introducing my guests to is haggis because it’s surprisingly really nice and they love hearing about how it’s made. "
    • : "Towering mountains, glittering lochs, beautiful forests, crumbling toothy ancient castles, rushing rivers, grand vistas, clear air... there's nowhere else like the Highlands, in how it looks but also how it feels: strong, bright, impressive and light."

What's this trip about?

    Nurture your soul on this romantic tour of Oxford’s cobbled alleyways, Edinburgh’s Royal Mile and Dublin’s Guinness Storehouse. Spanning the stunning Lake District, Britain’s yesteryear Viking capital of York, Shakespeare’s birthplace in Stratford and William Wordsworth’s home village of Grasmere, this three week tour has it all. In Ireland, the lofty Cliffs of Moher offer truly stunning vistas, while the Dine Around in Killarney experience serves up a traditional Sunday roast dinner—with all the trimmings. The journey through the Ring of Kerry boasts breathtaking views of mountains fading into the distant sea and after a stop at the famous kissing stone in Blarney Castle, Local Experts add some extra sparkle with a personal tour through the House of Waterford Crystal.

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizePrivate - your group only
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportAll internal transport included (including local flights)
Start CityLondon
End CityLondon

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • 50 Plus
  • Education / Learning

Destinations

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.
    • If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or 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.

Park Plaza Victoria, London.

Day 2: Oxford and Stratford

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 C...

Day 3: Lincoln and Medieval York

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.

Hilton York.

Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Day 4: The English Lakes to Edinburgh

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.

Crowne Plaza Edinburgh - Royal Terrace.

Breakfast

Day 5: Scotland’s Capital of Culture

Travel down the Royal Mile to see the Palace of Holyroodhouse — official Scottish residence of Her Majesty, the Queen - 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 Je...

Day 6: St. Andrews and Inverness

Cross the Firth of Forth into Fife and make your way to St. Andrews, passing the Old 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 P...

Day 7: Across the Sea to Skye

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.Afterwards, pause for a photo of Eilean Donan Castle, set idyllically on a headland on Loch Duich. Listen t...

Day 8: Loch Lomond and Glasgow

Return to the mainland and drive to the World War II Commando Memorial in the shadow of Ben Nevis. 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. En...

Day 9: Across the Irish Sea to Belfast

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, Queen's University, the Parliament...

Day 10: Dublin city sightseeing. Relaxed Start

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,' and see O’Connell Street, Dublin Castle and St. Patrick’s Cathedral, with your Local Expert.

Clayton Hotel Charlemont, Dublin.

Breakfast

Day 11: A pint of the 'Black Stuff'

Experience Ireland's national and 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 where you will learn to pour the perfect pint. The res...

Day 12: Galway, the Cliffs of Moher and Limerick

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.

The George Hotel Limerick.

Breakfast

Day 13: The Dingle Peninsula to Killarney Relaxed Start

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 via the picturesque thatched village of Adare. Enjoy more spectacular scenery as you make your way through th...

Day 14: Ring of Kerry Experience Relaxed Start

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 peac...

Day 15: Blarney Castle and Waterford

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 Wat...

Day 16: Across the Irish Sea to Cardiff

From Rosslare, take the ferry across the Irish Sea to Pembroke and continue on with a pleasant journey through the rural scenery of Pembrokeshire. Travel past the valleys of southern Wales to the capital, Cardiff, famous for its imposing castle and the brilliant Principality Stadium. Enjoy an orientation of the port city, upon the River Taff.

Clayton Hotel, Cardiff.

Breakfast

Day 17: Bath and Glastonbury

Cross the Severn Bridge to reach the City of Bath, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built above Britain's only thermal, mineral springs. Enjoy an orientation with your Travel Director, through the Georgian streets and crescents. Visit the Roman Baths and learn how this hu...

Day 18: The Cornish Coast

Explore Dartmoor with Insight Choice. Choose to join a scenic exploration of Dartmoor National Park. Alternatively, enjoy a scenic cruise of Plymouth harbour and see the Mayflower Steps, Barbican, Royal Citadel and Plymouth Hoe. In the evening, enjoy a glass of wine w...

Day 19: Salisbury Plain and Stonehenge

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 on your return to London where the rest of the evening is at your leisure.

Park Plaza Victoria, London.

Breakfast

Day 20: Homeward Bound

Your journey comes to an end after breakfast.

Breakfast

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Dates & Availability

Price From $7,250
Price per day$345
Last Updated: 6/25/2023

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

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Susan Redman

Dec 2024

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One the best tour and staff to this seasoned traveler.

Our tour director was superb, and managed our group of seasoned travelers very well. Madgri Gal was very professional, well versed and exhibited the perfect personal...

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Trusted Customer

Dec 2024

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Anonymous

Tour guide was excellent and very helpful. Had an excellent knowledge of the area and the specifics of the tour. Brilliant driver with excellent skills of driving i...

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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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Logistics

Accommodation

  • Park Plaza Victoria, London.
  • DoubleTree by Hilton Stratford-upon-Avon.
  • Hilton York.
  • Crowne Plaza Edinburgh - Royal Terrace.
  • Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness.
  • The Dunollie Hotel, Broadford.
  • Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow.
  • Europa Hotel, Belfast.
  • Clayton Hotel Charlemont, Dublin.
  • The George Hotel Limerick.
  • Killarney Plaza Hotel and Spa.
  • Granville Hotel, Waterford.
  • Clayton Hotel, Cardiff.
  • The Imperial Torquay (Sea view rooms).
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
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
Trip ID
insightvacations-SB908N18

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