Britain & Ireland in Depth
This 26-day vacation offers our most complete view of the British Isles. In England, enjoy visits to London, Canterbury, the seaside resort of Brighton, mysterious Stonehenge, historic Plymouth, and ancient Bath. See the Welsh capital of Cardiff, then take a ferry to picturesque Ireland for visits to Waterford, Blarney, Killarney, the Ring of Kerry, the Giant's Causeway, Belfast, and Dublin. Back across the Irish Sea and through North Wales to the walled city of Chester in England. Travel north to see the highlights of Scotland, including the "Bonnie Banks"? of Loch Lomond, the Isle of Skye, Inverewe Gardens, Inverness, pretty Braemar, and elegant Edinburgh. Back in England, time to experience the towns of York and Stratford-upon-Avon before visiting Blenheim Palace on your way back to London.
Details
- Tour Operator
- Globus
- Duration
- 26 Days
- Escorted
- Escorted - Yes
| Day | Destination | Description |
| Day 1 | Board your overnight transatlantic flight | (Sun.) Board your overnight transatlantic flight. |
| Day 2 | London | (Mon.) Uniformed Globus Hosts are available to help you make the most of your stay. |
| Day 3 | London | (Tue.) After a hearty English breakfast, morning sightseeing with a Local Guide includes all the famous landmarks: Knightsbridge with Harrods, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben beside the River Thames, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall's mounted horseguards and the Prime Minister's Downing Street, and Buckingham Palace. Highlights are a visit to ST. PAUL'S CATHEDRAL, and the ceremonial pageantry of the Changing of the Guard, if held. Free time in the afternoon for independent activities or to join an optional excursion to Windsor Castle or the Tower of London with its fabulous Crown Jewels. Tonight, maybe an optional dinner followed by a cruise on the River Thames? (FB) |
| Day 4 | Brighton | (Wed.) Meet your Tour Director and traveling companions and depart London at 8 a.m. Drive through the orchards of Kent to visit CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL, where you hear about the Black Prince and Thomas a Becket. Stop in the quaint town of Battle, site of William the Conqueror's decisive victory in 1066, on the way to the Regency seaside resort of Brighton for a tour of the exotic ROYAL PAVILION, the lavish oriental palace built for the Prince Regent in the early 1800s. Before dinner tonight join your Tour Director for a toast to happy touring with a congenial group. (FB,D) |
| Day 5 | Plymouth | (Thu.) Catch glimpses of Arundel Castle on the way to picturesque Winchester with its magnificent cathedral, burial place of novelist Jane Austen of Pride and Prejudice fame. Visit prehistoric STONEHENGE before entering the glorious West Country with a stop at the picturebook village of Widecombe in the Moor as you head across wild and romantic Dartmoor. Upon arrival in Plymouth, where the next two nights are spent, hear about Sir Francis Drake and see the Mayflower Steps where the Pilgrim Fathers embarked in 1620. (FB,D) |
| Day 6 | Plymouth | (Fri.) A day full of West Country sights as you head through Daphne Du Maurier's Cornwall. After viewing St. Michael's Mount, rising boldly out of the sea, take your photos at Land's End, then follow the Atlantic Coast strewn with its derelict tin mines and recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before exploring the popular seaside resort of St. Ives. Back in Plymouth, your Tour Director will arrange an optional evening visit to a local inn for dinner. (FB) |
| Day 7 | Newport | (Sat.) At Glastonbury hear about its associations with King Arthur. In the elegant Georgian city of Bath see the amazing excavations of the ROMAN BATHS. Cross the Severn Road Bridge for a late afternoon arrival in Wales. (FB,D) |
| Day 8 | Waterford | (Sun.) A morning orientation drive in Cardiff features the castle, Cathays Park, and the stately civic buildings. Cross St. George's Channel to Rosslare in Ireland and proceed to Waterford, a stronghold founded by the Danish Vikings in 853. (FB,D) |
| Day 9 | Killarney | (Mon.) A fascinating visit to the worldfamous WATERFORD CRYSTAL FACTORY, then via the port city of Cork to Blarney, renowned for its magical Stone of Eloquence. Time here to visit the castle and shop before continuing to Killarney, your Kerry base for the next three nights. (FB,D) |
| Day 10 | Killarney | (Tue.) A full day to relax. There are plenty of things to do: your Tour Director will help you plan. If you feel a little adventurous we recommend joining our optional excursion that includes a fun-filled, horsedrawn jaunting car ride through the National Park to Ross Castle; a boat ride to Innisfallen Abbey and across the lakes to Muckross House. After lunch on your own the excursion continues with a visit to the house and gardens, returning to your hotel mid afternoon. (FB) |
| Day 11 | Killarney | (Wed.) Start a scenic day with a drive to Killorglin on Dingle Bay, the setting for Ryan's Daughter, and join the spectacular "Ring of Kerry" for a 100-mile panoramic drive around the island's southwestern tip. Take your photos of the Lakes of Killarney from Ladies View. Later, join an entertaining optional evening in Tralee with dinner and tickets for the National Folk Theatre. (FB) |
| Day 12 | Limerick | (Thu.) Breathtaking scenery on Dingle Peninsula, where the 32-mile Slea Head drive affords magnificent Atlantic Ocean vistas. At the BLASKET ISLANDS CENTRE learn about the way of life on the remote islands evacuated by its inhabitants in 1953. Via quaint Adare with its pretty thatched cottages head for the city of Limerick. Tonight's optional recommendation: a medieval banquet. (FB) |
| Day 13 | Sligo | (Fri.) Motor to the spectacular CLIFFS OF MOHER, rising 668 feet above the Atlantic. Via the limestone plateau of The Burren you reach Galway and hear about the infamous Lynch Stone, commemorating the day Mayor James Lynch Fitzstephen hanged his son for murder. Pass through the region featured in the film The Quiet Man and visit Knock, a village that attracts pilgrims from all over the world. Spend the night in Sligo. (FB,D) |
| Day 14 | Belfast | (Sat.) A fascinating day today: the grave of native son and poet W.B. Yeats in Drumcliff; BELLEEK POTTERY FACTORY, renowned for its exquisite cream-colored Parian china; then let the province's story unfold as you head for awe-inspiring GIANT'S CAUSEWAY composed of thousands of strangely symmetrical basalt columns jutting out to sea. Overnight at the vibrant modern city of Belfast. (FB,D) |
| Day 15 | Dublin | (Sun.) This morning's highlight is a "living history" orientation drive through the city, brought to life by your Local Guide. Follow the shores of Strangford Lough to Downpatrick and visit the inspiring SAINT PATRICK CENTRE. Drive in the lee of the Mountains of Mourne to Newry and cross once more into the Republic. Landscapes strewn with Ireland's typical round towers line the route to the Irish capital. Tonight, take your Tour Director's dining recommendation. (FB) |
| Day 16 | Dublin | (Mon.) Your orientation drive in the "Fair City" includes statue-lined O'Connell Street, elegant Georgian squares, and St. Patrick's Cathedral. Then a highlight visit to TRINITY COLLEGE with the famous Book of Kells. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. Top the day with an optional dinner evening at the Guinness Storehouse. (FB) |
| Day 17 | Chester | (Tue.) Back across the Irish Sea from Dun Laoghaire to Holyhead on the Welsh Isle of Anglesey, where a photo stop at tongue-twisting Llanfair... is a must. On your walking tour in the walled city of Chester, see the Roman remains, black and white half-timbered buildings, the cathedral, and the two-tiered shopping arcades called the "Rows." (FB,D) |
| Day 18 | Glasgow | (Wed.) Focus now on the tranquil Lake District, and after a break in William Wordsworth's beloved Grasmere head north for the Scottish border. On the way through the history-steeped Lowland Hills, visit Gretna Green, where the blacksmith used to wed runaway couples. In Glasgow, your city drive takes in the fine 12th-century cathedral, imposing university buildings, and elegant Georgian Squares, built by the wealthy tobacco barons. (FB,D) |
| Day 19 | Inverness | (Thu.) Follow the "Bonnie Banks" of Loch Lomond and enter the Highlands. Proceed via Rannoch Moor, Glen Coe, and Fort William, then follow the "Road to the Isles." At Mallaig board your ferry for the crossing to the Isle of Skye, where you visit the MUSEUM OF THE ISLES at the Clan Donald Centre. Return to the mainland and later watch out for the monster as you trace the shores of Loch Ness on the way to the Highland capital. (FB,D) |
| Day 20 | Inverness | (Fri.) Further into the remote Highlands for a day of spectacular Scottish scenery. Trace the shores of Loch Maree to INVEREWE GARDEN, with subtropical plants encouraged by the warm Gulf Stream. Follow the trails created by Osgood Mackenzie more than 120 years ago. Drive along Loch Glascarnoch for the day's final highlight visit to a MALT WHISKY DISTILLERY. Ask your Tour Director for this evening's dining suggestions. (FB) |
| Day 21 | Edinburgh | (Sat.) Main features today: the battlefield of Culloden Moor; vast expanses of heather in the Grampian Mountains; Braemar, home of the Royal Highland Games; St. Andrews, whose Royal and Ancient Golf Club, founded in 1754, has given us the rules of golfing; finally over the elegant Forth Road Bridge to Edinburgh. Tonight an optional Scottish evening with Highland dancers, bagpipers and the Ceremony of the Haggis. For departure numbers 0716 through 0806 tickets are included for tonight's performance of the world-renowned MILITARY TATTOO. (FB) |
| Day 22 | Edinburgh | (Sun.) Morning city sightseeing with a Local Guide introduces you to the 200-year-old "New Town" and famous scientists, inventors, and novelists. In the "Old Town," drive up the narrow Royal Mile to EDINBURGH CASTLE to admire Scotland's Crown Jewels, then explore HOLYROOD PALACE (except when the Queen is in residence). The afternoon is free to enjoy this "Prince of Cities" at your own pace. Later, a unique optional experience: board the former Royal Yacht Britannia, which for the Queen was once the perfect royal residence for glittering state visits and family holidays. Tour five decks and see how the Royal Family and crew of 240 lived and worked on board. Dinner rounds off this optional evening. (FB) |
| Day 23 | York | (Mon.) This morning, visit the Duke and Duchess of Roxburghe's FLOORS CASTLE, and later pass the house of Mary, Queen of Scots, and the abbey ruins at Jedburgh. Through wild Northumberland National Park to inspect a section of Hadrian's Wall, the Roman coast-to-coast defense against marauding northern tribes, and south to York, England's most complete medieval city. Stand in awe in front of the great structure of York Minster, then follow your Tour Director through a maze of quaint streets, including the narrow Shambles. The afternoon is free to relax and enjoy the city at your own pace. (FB,D) |
| Day 24 | Stratford | (Tue.) Skirt Robin Hood's Sherwood Forest on the way to Coventry. Here listen to the tale of Lady Godiva and Peeping Tom and view the splendid modern cathedral which rose from the rubble of severe World War II bombings. In Stratford-upon-Avon take your pictures of Anne Hathaway's Cottage and visit SHAKESPEARE'S BIRTHPLACE. (FB,D) |
| Day 25 | London | (Wed.) Drive through the lovely Cotswold Hills to quaint medieval Stow-on-the-Wold. A final spectacular highlight: enjoy a guided tour of magnificent BLENHEIM PALACE, home of the 11th Duke of Marlborough and birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, and afterwards time to explore the Capability Brown landscaped parkland. After returning to London around 4 p.m., how about celebrating the success of your vacation by taking in a West End show? (FB) |
| Day 26 | Return Home | (Thu.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (FB) |
- Dates/Pricing
- Lodging
LONDON Novotel London West (F) BRIGHTON Hilton Metropole (SF) PLYMOUTH Holiday Inn (SF) NEWPORT Hilton (F) WATERFORD Fitzwilton (F) KILLARNEY Scotts (F) LIMERICK Hilton (SF) SLIGO Clarion (SF) BELFAST Hilton (D) DUBLIN Clarion (SF) CHESTER St. David's Park (SF) at Ewloe GLASGOW Thistle (F) INVERNESS Columba (F) EDINBURGH Carlton (SF) YORK Novotel (F) STRATFORD Holiday Inn (SF) LONDON Ramada Hyde Park (F)
- Disclaimer
- Popular Departure - due to itinerary and time of year, this departure historically sells out quickly. Early booking is encouraged.
US$ Price Details
Applicable air fare taxes and fees
Single room supplement:
$1075Triple room reduction per person:
$144Extra nights per person in London:
Apr.: in single room $142, in twin room $86, in triple room $75
May-Oct.: in single room $232, in twin room $165, in triple room $146
Our volume buying power saves you money!
-We may be able to provide you with flight arrangements from your gateway city.
-Additional accommodations before or after your tour may be available at our low prices.Departure/arrival taxes and fares from other cities will be advised at the time of booking.
Price Guarantee: All vacation prices are based on rates (including foreign exchange rates) expected to be in effect at the time of departure. Prices are subject to increase without notice if such rates change prior to departure. The current price will be confirmed at the time of reservation. However, once Globus has received your deposit for any vacation departing during the current year, that land price is guaranteed, and any subsequent land cost increases are at our expense, not including any government tax increases. Airfares included as part of air-inclusive vacation prices are guaranteed when we receive confirmation of air itinerary and full payment. Vacation prices are per person, based on double occupancy. Single room supplements and triple room reductions may be applicable.
Not included in the tour price: Federal Inspection Fees for the U.S. Customs and immigration; International Air Transportation Tax; agricultural tax; any other taxes; security fee; airport taxes and fees; passports; visas and vaccinations; tips to your tour director; tour host; tour driver; local city guides; gratuities on ferries, trains and cruise ships; laundry; telephone; mini bar; alcohol; beverages and food not on the regular table d'hote menu (these extra items will be billed to you before leaving the hotel or restaurant); optional excursions; porterage at airports; travel protection; excess baggage fees; all other items of a personal nature.
