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- 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. Locations Visited: London GB.
- Day 2 London to Stratford-Upon-Avon At 08:00, meet your Travel Director at the trip's hotel in London. After a warm welcome, settle into your luxury coach and head westward through the green Chiltern Hills. Stop in Oxford, where your Travel Director will introduce you to the City of Dreaming Spires, home to the world's most famous university. With time at leisure, why not enjoy a visit to the renowned Ashmolean Museum or browse through the local indoor market? Continue via pretty Cotswolds villages to Stratford-upon-Avon. Visit the half-timbered house where William Shakespeare was born, now a museum full of memorabilia relating to his life. Later, join your Travel Director and fellow travelers at a local restaurant for a warm and friendly dinner with drinks. Locations Visited: London GB, Oxford GB, Cotswolds GB, Stratford-upon-Avon GB.
- Day 3 Medieval York A leisurely drive brings you to the historic city of York; its story going back to the time of the Romans and the Vikings. Inside the ancient city walls, see York Minster, the largest medieval church in northern Europe. Explore the maze of narrow streets to the topsy-turvy Shambles, where warped, overhanging timber-framed houses lean so far that they almost touch! Spend the rest of the day at leisure. Locations Visited: Stratford-upon-Avon GB, York GB.
- Day 4 By the Lakes to Edinburgh Travel across the Yorkshire Dales and wild Pennines to the picturesque Lake District. A scenic wonderland awaits, with rugged mountains and tranquil waters that inspired a host of English poets, including Wordsworth, Coleridge, Tennyson and Shelley. After a visit to Wordsworth’s grave in the village of Grasmere, cross into Scotland and stop briefly at Gretna Green. This is the famous spot where runaway lovers were married over the anvil at the blacksmith's shop. Then it’s on to the majestic Scottish capital where you could join an Optional Experience at a Scottish cultural dinner complete with ceilidh. Locations Visited: York GB, Lake District GB, Grasmere GB, Gretna Green GB, Edinburgh GB.
- Day 5 Scotland's City of Culture Join a Local Expert for a trip along Princes Street to see the ornate Victorian Gothic monument to Sir Walter Scott and the elegant 18th century New Town with its classical Adam facades. Over in the Old Town, see the Palace of Holyroodhouse - the official Scottish residence of His Majesty, The King and visit the castle, home of Mons Meg, the Stone of Destiny and the Honours of Scotland - Scotland's glittering Crown Jewels. The rest of the day is at leisure. Perhaps research your family tartan in the Tartan Center or visit the art treasures in the National Gallery?In the evening, select departures will attend The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo - a colorful mix of pipes and drums, dance and display, set against the floodlit backdrop of Edinburgh Castle. Locations Visited: Edinburgh GB.
- Day 6 Fife and Aberdeen 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? Alternately, wander to St. Andrews University where the love story of Kate Middleton meeting her Prince Charming began. Test your senses on a visit to a local Whisky Distillery for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience before continuing to our hotel in Aberdeen, a 19th-century baronial mansion located within 30 acres of stunning grounds. Locations Visited: Edinburgh GB, St. Andrews GB, Aberdeen GB.
- Day 7 Aberdeen to Wick Travel through Scotland’s northeast, where barley fields and coastal villages reflect a deep-rooted whisky tradition. Arrive at Loch Ness, deeper than the North Sea in parts and vast enough to hold all of England’s lakes combined. Cruise across the storied waters of Loch Ness, passing Bona Lighthouse at the loch’s northern tip, once vital to navigation in the 19th century. Your Travel Director shares the loch’s geological secrets and enduring tales of Nessie, still the subject of scientific study and local lore. Continue north to Wick, a fishing port that once led Europe in herring exports. Just before arriving, look out for Ebenezer Place, the world’s shortest street at just 2.06 m (6.7 ft). Locations Visited: Aberdeen GB, Loch Ness GB, Wick GB.
- Day 8 Orkney Islands Experience Start the day by boarding the ferry to the beautiful Orkney Islands where the countryside is breathtakingly majestic and the tranquility supports a quieter pace of life. Here the hardy locals say they live ‘below the wind and above the water.’ Your Travel Director accompanies you as you visit the small chapel built by Italian prisoners during World War II, the old Norse Town of Kirkwall, 5000-year-old village of Skara Brae and the mysterious Ring of Brodgar. Locations Visited: Wick GB, Orkney Islands GB.
- Day 9 Over the Sea to Skye Relax and enjoy the stunning landscapes of lochs and mountains on your way to the fishing town of Ullapool. Continue alongside Loch Carron and through Glen Carron, before crossing to the magical Isle of Skye - the largest and most beautiful island of the Inner Hebrides. Hear the story of the song 'Over the Sea to Skye,' which tells of young Flora MacDonald and how she helped to rescue Bonnie Prince Charlie, who fled in disguise after his defeat at Culloden. Admire the scenic splendor on the way to your hotel in Broadford. Locations Visited: Wick GB, Ullapool GB, Skye GB.
- Day 10 Loch Lomond to Glasgow Return to the mainland to see the remote Eilean Donan Castle, which under a clear sky offers a perfect reflection in its loch. Move on to the WWII Commando Memorial for a chance to view Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain. Continue on to the Valley of Glencoe, its dramatic peaks still echoing with the ghastly cries of massacred clansmen. Stop on the Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond, known as the 'Queen of Scottish Lakes' according to Sir Walter Scott, before arriving in Glasgow. Locations Visited: Skye GB, Eilean Donan GB, Fort William GB, Glencoe GB, Glasgow GB.
- Day 11 Walk in the Giant’s Steps on the way to Derry/Londonderry Cross the Irish Sea with views of the Isle of Arran en route. On arrival in Northern Ireland, travel to the UNESCO-listed Giant’s Causeway, where over 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns were formed by volcanic activity over 60 million years ago. Walk across this striking geological landscape, one of the country’s most recognized natural wonders. Later, continue to Londonderry, Northern Ireland’s only remaining walled city, where centuries of history are preserved within its original 17th-century ramparts. Locations Visited: Glasgow GB, Giant's Causeway GB, Londonderry GB.
- Day 12 Sligo Bay In the morning, meet Ronan, one of the nation’s great storytellers, as he takes you inside Derry/Londonderry’s well-preserved walls, still topped with cannons. Walk down steep Shipquay Street, with its elegant Georgian houses, to the Gothic Guildhall. Later, cross the border into Donegal to see O’Donnell’s Castle and enjoy time at leisure in this historic town, set where the River Eske flows into Donegal Bay. Once a stronghold of the powerful O’Donnell clan, Donegal offers a glimpse into Ireland’s Gaelic past before you continue to your country retreat on the scenic shores of Sligo Bay. Locations Visited: Londonderry GB, Sligo Bay IE.
- Day 13 Galway and Limerick Experience the beautiful rugged landscape of Connemara, a wonderland of rivers, lakes and silent hills. Continue to Galway, where your Travel Director will show you St. Nicholas Cathedral, the Spanish Arch and Eyre Square, dedicated to the late US President John F. Kennedy. Move onto your hotel in Limerick, famous for rhymes, lace and Georgian houses. Locations Visited: Sligo IE, Connemara IE, Galway IE, Limerick IE.
- Day 14 Adare to Killarney Start the day with an exploration of Limerick where you will see King John's Castle, St. Mary's Cathedral and the Treaty Stone. Continue your journey through the land of song and legend via the picturesque thatched village of Adare, into County Kerry. As a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, meet John and Freda, passionate restaurant owners. Learn how their farm-to-table concept operates and enjoy a delicious meal made from fresh ingredients all sourced within a five-mile radius. At night your Dine-Around Evening offers you authentic and intimate dining as you choose from a hand-picked selection of local restaurants, ranging in style and ambiance. Locations Visited: Limerick IE, Adare IE, Killarney IE.
- Day 15 Ring of Kerry Experience In the morning, enjoy a trip around the Ring of Kerry, one of the world’s most scenic journeys. See towering cliffs, lush lakelands, remote villages, Ireland’s highest mountain range and the three peaceful Lakes of Killarney. With time at leisure, perhaps hire a bicycle and take advantage of the many cycle trails that Killarney has to offer around the lake or through the National Park? Locations Visited: Killarney IE, Ring of Kerry IE.
- Day 16 Blarney Castle and Cork Cross the rugged Derrynasaggart Mountains this morning and head for Blarney. Visit the ruined 15th century castle that is home to the famous Stone of Eloquence. It is said that those whose lips caress the Stone of Eloquence are bestowed with the power to persuade, flatter and coax. Continue on to Cork, Ireland's second most populous city, built on the River Lee. Perhaps enjoy a city tour before checking into your hotel. Locations Visited: Killarney IE, Blarney Castle IE, Cork IE.
- Day 17 Kilkenny and Dublin Travel to the medieval city of Kilkenny to visit Kilkenny Castle. Learn how the castle was built in 1195 after the Norman Conquest of Ireland and admire its beautifully restored Victorian era rooms. Continue to Ireland’s lively capital, Dublin, and spend a leisurely evening relaxing, exploring or perhaps taking in a famous Irish cabaret? Locations Visited: Cork IE, Kilkenny IE, Dublin IE.
- Day 18 In Dublin’s Fair City Experience Ireland's national, world-famous drink with a visit to the Guinness Storehouse. Gain a fascinating insight into the history and traditions behind its production. Then meet your Local Expert who will show you the sights of the city, including Dublin's elegant Georgian squares, O’Connell Street and the Custom House. The afternoon is at leisure. Locations Visited: Dublin IE.
- Day 19 Across the Irish Sea to Liverpool Cross the Irish Sea for a stop in Wales and see Conwy Castle. Return to England and stop in Liverpool for an orientation of the city. Consider an Optional Experience tour featuring the history of The Beatles. Locations Visited: Dublin IE, Conwy GB, Liverpool GB.
- Day 20 The Welsh Marches to Cardiff Continue through the countryside to the Welsh capital of Cardiff. On arrival, enjoy an orientation of the city, seeing the University of Wales, the Principality Stadium, City Hall and the National Museum, landmarks that reflect Cardiff’s cultural and civic heart. Locations Visited: Liverpool GB, Cardiff GB.
- Day 21 Bath and Somerset Cross the soaring Severn Bridge to reach the elegant Georgian city of Bath, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built in amphitheater-style on the surrounding hills. An orientation of the city will show you the impressive Pulteney Bridge and gothic Bath Abbey, famous for the sculpture of angels climbing Jacob's Ladder before a visit to the well-preserved Roman Baths. Journey on to Somerset, visit Wells Cathedral, as you make your way to Plymouth for the night. Locations Visited: Cardiff GB, Bath GB, Wells GB, Plymouth GB.
- Day 22 Discover Dartmoor Explore Dartmoor with Insight Choice. Choose to join a scenic exploration of Dartmoor National Park. Alternatively, cruise the scenic Plymouth harbor, where 400 years ago the Mayflower set sail for America. Back in Plymouth, enjoy a glass of wine and a delectable Celebration Dinner with your newfound friends as you toast to an inspiring journey. Locations Visited: Plymouth GB, Dartmoor GB, Plymouth GB.
- Day 23 Ancient Stonehenge to London Travel across Salisbury Plain to visit the prehistoric and mysterious Stonehenge, where the strange and awe-inspiring monoliths are reputed to be up to 5,000 years old. Return to your hotel in London for a final evening at leisure. Locations Visited: Plymouth GB, Stonehenge GB, London GB.
- Day 24 Homeward Bound Your journey comes to an end after breakfast. Locations Visited: London GB.
Name: Britain & Ireland Discovery - Small Group
Brand: Insight
Quality: Superior First Class
Tour Type: Escorted
Start City: London
End City: London
Location Summary: London, GB
Oxford, GB
Cotswolds, GB
Stratford-upon-Avon, GB
York, GB
Lake District, GB
Grasmere, GB
Gretna Green, GB
Edinburgh, GB
St. Andrews, GB
Aberdeen, GB
Loch Ness, GB
Wick, GB
Orkney Islands, GB
Ullapool, GB
Skye, GB
Eilean Donan, GB
Fort William, GB
Glencoe, GB
Glasgow, GB
Giant's Causeway, GB
Londonderry, GB
Sligo Bay, IE
Sligo, IE
Connemara, IE
Galway, IE
Limerick, IE
Adare, IE
Killarney, IE
Ring of Kerry, IE
Blarney Castle, IE
Cork, IE
Kilkenny, IE
Dublin, IE
Conwy, GB
Liverpool, GB
Cardiff, GB
Bath, GB
Wells, GB
Plymouth, GB
Dartmoor, GB
Stonehenge, GB
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Highlights
- Dining Summary - 23 Breakfast (B). 11 Dinner (D). 1 Lunch (L).
- Top Rated Highlights - Oxford: See the spires and colleges of this world-famous university town.. Stratford-upon-Avon: Learn about the life of William Shakespeare, arguably history's most famous writer, when you visit his birthplace. Then enjoy some time to explore this pretty town with its iconic Tudor houses.. York: Your Travel Director will show you the York Minster, the city walls and the medieval Shambles during your orientation of the city.. Grasmere: Learn about the life of the poet William Wordsworth and visit his grave.. Gretna Green: Visit the spot where runaway lovers were married.. Edinburgh: Explore Edinburgh Castle with your Local Expert to see the Scottish Crown Jewels and the Mons Meg up close.. Edinburgh: Explore the city with your Local Expert as you travel along Princes Street to see the Scott Memorial, the neoclassical Adam facades of New Town and the official Scottish residence of the King, Palace of Holyroodhouse.. Edinburgh: A hush descends, and eyes turn to the castle. The skirl of the pipes rises and drums crack the night air as a tide of tunics and tartan flood from the drawbridge. For a limited time in August, witness the incredible spectacle of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.. St. Andrews: Spend time in St Andrews, a coastal university town shaped by old quadrangles, sea air and open links. Walk to the stretch of West Sands Beach where Chariots of Fire filmed its iconic scene, then look across the Old Course, regarded as the birthplace of modern golf.. Loch Ness: Board your cruise on a loch stretching 37 kilometers through the Great Glen Fault, created by tectonic shifts millions of years ago. Its deepest point reaches 230 m (754 ft) and visibility is near zero due to peat content, conditions that have long inspired tales of Nessie, the elusive Loch Ness Monster. Pass Aldourie Castle and hear how this natural trench fuels both hydroelectric power and global fascination. . Wick: See the world's shortest street, Ebenezer Place.. Orkney Islands: Visit the Italian Chapel, Kirkwall, the prehistoric homes of Skara Brae and the stone circle of Brodgar on a full day across the islands.. Eilean Donan: Stop for a photo of this gorgeous castle built on an island in the Loch.. Glasgow: Led by your Travel Director, take an easy orientation through Glasgow, where broad streets and bold Victorian architecture set the tone. Pause in George Square to take in its statues and grand civic buildings before continuing to St Mungo’s Cathedral, its dark stone and soaring interior hinting at the city’s medieval roots.. Giant's Causeway: Visit Northern Ireland’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site, formed by volcanic activity over 60 million years ago. Walk across thousands of interlocking basalt columns, shaped by nature and renowned for their striking geometric appearance.. Cairnryan: Board your ferry to cross the Irish Sea.. Sligo Bay: The area surrounding the town of Sligo was home to one of Ireland's most famous literary figures, the poet William Butler Yeats. On your journey into town, you’ll quickly see why Yeats was inspired by the scenic beauty of the area. Explore its rich medieval history as well as its shops on an orientation with your Travel Director.. Galway: Fascinating stories and interesting locals take center stage on your orientation of the historic heart of Galway. Visit the Lynch Memorial Window. Then make your way to the Church of St. Nicholas - the largest medieval parish church in Ireland in continuous use, Spanish Arch and Eyre Square. . Limerick: See King John's Castle, St. Mary's Cathedral and the treaty stone.. Adare: Experience a village walk through the main street lined with thatched cottages.. Ring of Kerry: Venture into a world of towering cliffs, lush lakelands, beaches, fields dotted with sheep, rocky coastline, remote villages and historical sites, as you journey the magical Ring of Kerry. This 111-mile circular route is the best place to admire Ireland's scenic beauty and truly one of the most beautiful drives in the world.. Blarney: It is said that those who kiss the Blarney Stone, the famous stone of eloquence, are bestowed with the power to persuade, flatter and coax. Take your turn at giving it a peck knowing that the stone was sourced from 330-million-year-old limestone.. Cork: Ireland's second city - "Rebel Cork" dates back to the 7th century. Your Travel Director will show you the Grand Parade and South Mall, along with City Hall and the Opera House on an insightful orientation tour encompassing the development of the religious settlement of St. Finbarr, to Viking raiding and settlement, to the creation of the Norman city and Merchant Princes. . Dublin: See Dublin's elegant Georgian squares, O'Connell Street and the Custom House with a Local Expert. Dublin: Board the ferry to return to mainland Britain.. Conwy: See Conwy Castle, the magnificent medieval fortress still towering over the town after 700 years. Climb the restored spiral staircase, scale the great towers and walk a complete circle around the battlements. Admire the unbroken town walls of Conwy down and enjoy amazing views out across the craggy mountains of Snowdonia. The spectacular castle was built by King Edward I and his architect Master James of St George in just four years between 1283 and 1287.. Liverpool: Stay in the home city of The Beatles.. Cardiff: Learn more about Wales' capital and cultural hub, Cardiff, as you enjoy an orientation of this vibrant city.. Bath: During an orientation you will see the Royal Crescent, Pulteney Bridge and Bath Abbey.. Bath: Visit the Roman Baths, one of the best-preserved ancient bathhouses in Northern Europe whose waters still flow today. Enjoy a personal exploration of the site, including the Sacred Spring, original Great Bath, temple remains and museum displays of artifacts uncovered on site. This complex offers a clear view of public bathing and religious practices during the Roman occupation of Britain nearly 2,000 years ago.. Wells: Explore Wells Cathedral, where soaring scissor arches and the tranquil Chapter House offer an up-close look at one of England’s finest Gothic treasures.. Plymouth: During an orientation tour with your Travel Director, see Plymouth Hoe and the Citadel before continuing to the Barbican and Mayflower Steps. Afterward, explore a quaint Cornish fishing village..
- Authentic Dining - Stratford-upon-Avon: Savor British cuisine with dinner at a local restaurant.. Killarney: Choose from a fine selection of local restaurants on your Dine-Around evening.. Dublin: Visit the Guinness Storehouse to learn about Ireland's national drink. . Plymouth: Celebrate the culmination of your travels in style with delicious wine and local cuisine..
- Make Travel Matter - Montrose: At Arbikie Highland Estate, go behind the scenes of the world’s first climate-positive distillery on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Set beside windswept Lunan Bay, you’ll meet the Stirling family and discover how they transform heritage crops into award-winning spirits using pioneering sustainable methods. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land.. Killarney: Meet passionate guesthouse owners John and Freda at their beautiful home in Killarney, where you'll hear more about their farm-to-table concept, while enjoying a delicious meal made from fresh ingredients sourced within a five mile radius. John and Freda have a policy that all food is sourced locally from farms and the coast of the Emerald Isle. They educate their visitors about sustainable consumption and the benefits of eating fresh homegrown produce. This experience advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption & Production..
- Insight Experiences - Derry/Londonderry: There's no better way to experience sightseeing than with one of Northern Ireland's best storytellers, Ronan, as he takes you on a tour inside the city walls. See the Gothic Guildhall and the Georgian houses of Shipquay Street.. Kilkenny: Visit Kilkenny Castle to learn the history of this magnificent castle and that of the powerful Ormonde family that came to call it home for so many centuries. Amble through the Picture Gallery, library, drawing room, nursery and bedrooms decorated in 1830s splendor as well as the rolling parkland formal terraced rose garden, woodlands and man-made lake..
- Insight Choice - Dartmoor National Park: Visit Dartmoor to learn about the history of stone circles and indigenous traditions from your knowledgeable Local Expert on a scenic exploration. . Plymouth: Set sail on a relaxing cruise from Plymouth harbor, where the pilgrims left over 400 years ago..
- Choice Highlights - Choose between two carefully selected activities. Dartmoor National Park: Visit Dartmoor to learn about the history of stone circles and indigenous traditions from your knowledgeable Local Expert on a scenic exploration. . Plymouth: Set sail on a relaxing cruise from Plymouth harbor, where the pilgrims left over 400 years ago..
