Britain and Ireland Grandeur

23 days
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4.6/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
96%
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Group Tour
There’s more to most UK and Ireland trips than the iconic sights. On this journey, you’ll trace the footsteps of giants and feel the salty spray of the Cliffs of Moher, smell the mossy walls of medieval castles and enjoy a toe-tapping, heart-stirring Gaelic song along the way.

Overview

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

Highlights

    • Explore London, Londonderry, Belfast, Dublin and Edinburgh with a Local Specialist
    • DiscoverPlymouth, Bath, Cardiff, Limerick, Galway, Sligo, Chester, Glasgow and York
    • Visit the ancient stone circle at Stonehenge, the Roman Baths in Bath, Waterford Crystal Showroom, Blarney Castle, the magnificent Cliffs of Moher, the Giant's Causeway, Guinness Storehouse, Falkirk Wheel, Isle of Skye, Edinburgh Castle, Alnwick and Shakespeare's Birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon
    • View the Mayflower Steps in Plymouth, the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, St. Mary's Cathedral and King John's Castle in Limerick, the scenic Lake District, the 18th hole at St. Andrews, Eilean Donan Castle, Culloden Battlefield and York Minster
    • See Galway Cathedral
    • Scenic Drive on a Cornish Excursion, experience the Ring of Kerry
    • Tickets for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo are included on departures that coincide with performance dates.
    • Connect With Locals
    • Dive into Culture
    • Dive Into Culture

What's this trip about?

    There’s more to most UK and Ireland trips than the iconic sights. On this journey, you’ll trace the footsteps of giants and feel the salty spray of the Cliffs of Moher, smell the mossy walls of medieval castles and enjoy a toe-tapping, heart-stirring Gaelic song along the way.

Details

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

Travel Themes

  • 50 plus
  • Cultural
  • Education / Learning
  • Small Ship Cruise

Destinations

Attractions

  • Bath
  • Belfast
  • Cardiff
  • Dublin
  • Edinburgh
  • Galway
  • London
  • York

Activities

  • Culture
  • Historic sightseeing

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to London

The cosmopolitan capital that is London is yours to explore today - the perfect launch pad to discover what's great about Great Britain. Spend the day relaxing in the Royal Parks, amble along the Thames or visit one of the many museums showcasing the art, culture and antiquities of what was once the British Empire.

Day 2: Explore the Sights of London

Join a Local Specialist to see Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey.

Day 3: Journey to Stonehenge and on to Plymouth

Meet your Travel Director today before journeying west to the Wiltshire landscapes of Salisbury Plain where you'll ponder the myths of the ancient mystical monoliths at Stonehenge which remain largely unsolved to to this day. Continuing through Devon, arrive in the historic naval port of Plymouth, your home for the next two nights.

Day 4: Discover the Cornish Peninsula

Embark on an orientation tour and see the Royal Citadel and Mayflower Steps. Explore the Cornish peninsula and visit the seaside villages of Looe and Polperro.

Day 5: Soak up Bath and off to Cardiff

Arriving in Bath, we admire the city's stylish Georgian façades and visit the ancient Roman Baths from which it derives its name. We continue to the vibrant Welsh capital, Cardiff, where we’ll have a free evening to enjoy this modern city's proud heritage.

Day 6: Cross the Irish Sea to Waterford

This morning, we explore Cardiff's iconic sights – the Principality Stadium, Millennium Centre and Victorian fantasy castle before crossing the Irish Sea to Waterford, most famous for the delicate crystal that graces elegant homes the world over. This evening we dine in our hotel.

Day 7: Onwards to Blarney and Killarney

Our first stop today is at the House of Waterford Crystal where we Dive Into Culture, watching a demonstration with master craftsmen. In pursuit of the ‘gift of the gab', we journey to Blarney Castle where you'll have the chance to kiss the Blarney Stone, before arriving later in picturesque Killarney.

Day 8: A Day on the Ring of Kerry

Ireland's enduring natural beauty accompanies our leisurely drive circling the enchanting Ring of Kerry. We pass the fishing village of Waterville, Moll's Gap and the Black Valley – renowned for being the last place in Ireland without power and telephone networks.

Day 9: Off to Limerick, the Majestic Cliffs of Moher and Galway

We stop in Limerick and view St. Mary's Cathedral, the Treaty Stone and King John's Castle. Next up is an unforgettable MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at the Cliffs of Moher where rugged cliffs plunge into the Atlantic, creating a beautifully dramatic coastline which ...

Day 10: Venture into County Donegal

This morning see the great stone Galway Cathedral and stroll through Eyre Square, a tribute to former US president John F. Kennedy, who visited Galway in 1963. Enjoy an orientation of Sligo on your way to Donegal to see its 15th-century castle and explore the city your way before dining at your hotel.

Day 11: Explore Londonderry, the Giant’s Causeway and Belfast

We cross the Irish border into Northern Ireland, joining a Local Specialist in Londonderry to stroll along its 17th-century city walls. See the street murals of the Bogside before continuing to the mythical stepping stones of the Giant's Causeway for a MAKE TRAVEL MAT...

Day 12: On the road to Dublin

We spend the morning with a Local Specialist 'Cabbie' who will take us on a journey through the recent history of Belfast in their taxi. Heading south to Dublin later, we see St. Patrick's Cathedral and other iconic sights in the company of a Local Specialist. Tonight...

Day 13: See the Sights of Dublin

Beat the crowds and gain entry to the Guinness Storehouse before general admission. Here you’ll Dive Into Culture and embark on a tour and tasting technique demonstration. The rest of the day is yours to explore the Irish capital. Amble along Grafton Street with its colourful performers, head to Temple Bar or stroll through Phoenix Park, Dublin's playground.

Day 14: Ferry across to Historic Chester and Liverpool

Cross the Irish Sea to Wales and continue to the ancient town of Chester, where your orientation tour will take you past its Roman walls and famous half-timbered Tudor Rows. Later, we head to the haunt of the 'Fab Four', edgy Liverpool, where we'll spend the night.

Day 15: Continue to the Beautiful Lake District

Head north to the idyllic Lake District, which has inspired poets and writers for centuries, and admire the spectacular surrounds of Lake Windermere.

Day 16: Journey North to Glasgow

The runaway wedding capital, Gretna Green is our first stop today, where we'll tread in the footsteps of eloping couples who would take their vows over the Marriage Anvil. We arrive in Glasgow for an orientation tour including views of the Cathedral and magnificent Ge...

Day 17: Over the Sea to Skye

Journey past the site of the tragic 1692 massacre at Glencoe, known as the 'Glen of the Weeping' and see Britain's highest mountain – Ben Nevis. We'll view the 13th-century Eilean Donan Castle, where three lochs meet, before visiting the Isle of Skye.

Day 18: The Sights of Loch Ness and Culloden in the Scottish Highlands

Travel through the scenic Scottish Highlands via Glen Shiel and along the banks of Loch Ness, home to the mythical monster affectionately known as 'Nessie'. View the site of the bloody Battle of Culloden, where Bonnie Prince Charlie and his army of Jacobites were defeated in 1746.

Day 19: Onwards to Edinburgh

We continue south and stop in Pitlochry before travelling to the historic town of St. Andrews, home to the oldest golf course in the world. We cross the Firth of Forth to the enchanting Scottish capital, Edinburgh, our home for the next two nights. Tickets to see the spectacular Edinburgh Tattoo are included on departures that coincide with performance dates.

Day 20: Explore Edinburgh Castle

Join a Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour including a visit to Edinburgh Castle, overlooking the town from Castle Rock. See the Royal Mile, Palace of Holyroodhouse and new Scottish Parliament building.

Day 21: Uncover York’s Treasures

Visit the medieval market town of Alnwick before stopping in York where we'll embark on an orientation walk along the picturesque Shambles and to York Minster, one of the greatest cathedrals in the world. This evening Connect With Locals over dinner at a Be My Guest experience, a grand private home of a Yorkshire family enjoying traditional flavours and hospitality.

Day 22: Journey to Stratford-upon-Avon and on to London

Travel to Stratford-upon-Avon to view Anne Hathaway's thatched cottage and visit Shakespeare's Birthplace and Visitor Centre before returning to London this afternoon for our last evening at leisure.

Day 23: Farewell London

We leave the bright lights of Old Blighty behind after an epic encounter with Britain and Ireland.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $5,350
Price per day$233
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.

Trafalgar Reviews & Ratings

4.6/5  Excellent
Excellent
34,479
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Average
2,748
Disappointing
838
Terrible
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J

James Armstrong

Sep 2023

Written on

Britain and Ireland Grandeur

Way over priced, a very poor value for the experience.

T

Trusted Customer

Sep 2023

Written on

Britain and Ireland Grandeur

See remarks at top of this page.

W

William Fitzgerald

Aug 2023

Written on

Britain and Ireland Grandeur

For anyone who has the time for a three week tour and wants to visit Great Britain and Ireland they will be hard pressed to fine a better and more thorough tour than...

D

Dianne Dixon-Brown

Jul 2023

Written on

Britain and Ireland Grandeur

Too many passengers crammed onto the bus.

D

Dina Nicklason

Jul 2023

Written on

Britain and Ireland Grandeur

The itinerary was intense, but we saw So much. Enjoyed our hotels. We would have brought fewer clothes if we had known that laundry was available often enough. In Lo...

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Trafalgar

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At Trafalgar, we passionately believe in the power of travel to broaden the mind and build bridges between people. By sharing with you the hidden places not mentioned in guidebooks, the local people you wouldn’t otherwise meet, and the traditions you may not have experienced by yourself, we ensure that you get the ‘insider’ view, an authentic and enhanced experience you simply could not have had on your own.

It is this dedication to taking our guests beyond the obvious sights that has helped us grow over the past 65 years into one of the most trusted and successful international guided vacation/holiday companies in the world. From Europe to the United States, South America to South Africa, and with the recent addition of Asia, we pride ourselves on uncovering the hidden gems, cultural highlights and not-to-be-missed attractions of the places you visit. We’ll help you delve deep into the heart of each city and capture the true essence of each new destination.

We are committed to establishing lasting relationships with our guests by exceeding their expectations the first time and every time, through consistently outstanding quality of service, experience and value.

We're proud to be the most globally awarded guided travel company. Every year, we win some of the most prestigious travel accolades around the world – from the Travel Globes to the Agents' Choice Awards. We've collected 46 major travel awards over the last five years alone, as well as the Gold Trusted Merchant Award from independent reviews provider Feefo.

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About the company:

As the world’s most awarded and loved travel company, Trafalgar unlocks the best of the world for every traveller. From the iconic sites to breaking bread with locals at private Be My Guest experiences, guests can be assured of a dream holiday without the stress of 'what ifs'. Committed to Make Travel Matter, Trafalgar aims to make a positive impact on locals, communities and wildlife visited, and the planet we call home. With tried and tested tours, created by local travel experts in destination and enjoyed by more than 5million happy guests, Trafalgar’s proud to be recognised by its Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award.

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

 

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What they’re known for
Tours and experiences that include everything from the iconic sites to breaking bread with locals, guided by expert travel directors.

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Logistics

Accommodation

  • Hilton Kensington
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 .
Meals Included
  • 1 Be My Guest
  • 1 Welcome Reception
  • 22 Breakfasts
  • 6 Dinners
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
  • All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
  • All porterage and restaurant gratuities
  • An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
  • Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
  • Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
  • Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
  • Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
  • Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
  • Optional Experiences and free time
  • Pick-up and drop-off when you stay at the Trafalgar recommended London hotel, booked through Trafalgar
  • Return ferry across the Irish Sea between Wales and Ireland
  • The services of a Trafalgar Local Host when you stay at Trafalgar's recommended London hotel.
Trip ID
trafalgar-BIGTN18

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