Duration: 13 Days
Beloved music, literature, and poetry; lively traditions, customs, and conversation; smooth Guinness, whisky, and ale—they all flow from the banks of one legendary river to another on this immersive tour of Ireland, Scotland, and England. From the ancient villages along the Shannon to the cathedrals and castles lining the Thames, this tour of Ireland and Britain invites you to splash about in four distinctive countries and cultures. Enjoy the scenic Ring of Kerry, follow the sounds of haunting bagpipes in Edinburgh’s quirky quarters, and quote famous verse as you stroll around Shakespeare’s birthplace in the English countryside. With a compass pointed toward enlightenment and enchantment, this holiday to Ireland and Britain is overflowing with seaside scenery, Highland history, and cobblestone charisma.
Traveller Notes
We’ve packed everything you need for the perfect vacation, from hand-selected hotels and dining to the friendly expertise of Globus Tour Directors and Local Guides (with headsets to hear every word), to seamless transportation between destinations and VIP access to the world’s most iconic sites! Touring by private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi; Irish Sea ferry.
PLUS, your tour includes your choice of excursions in Alnwick so you can plan your day your way.
Cead mile failte-a hundred-thousand welcomes!
Free time. At 6pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)
Ireland's Capital City
DUBLIN Take a morning orientation drive to see O'Connell Street, Georgian squares, St. Patrick's Cathedral, and Trinity College. Free time this afternoon. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CITY SIGHTS "In Dublin's fair city where girls are so pretty" you'll also find great personality and charm. The charisma of Dubliners and the bounty of pubs here is matched only by the gorgeous Georgian Squares, 12th-century St. Patrick's Cathedral, and Trinity College.
The Winner's Circle
KILDARE Visit the world renowned Irish National Stud.
CASHEL See the Rock of Cashel, where St. Patrick preached.
KILLARNEY Free time. 191 mi / 308 km (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURE & TRADITION The Irish National Stud is home to the long tradition of Ireland's love of horses. This horse breeding facility in County Kildare, considered the beating heart of Ireland's thoroughbred industry, continues to inspire all who visit. Hear about some of the world's most magnificent champion stallions that have made racing history since the turn of the 20th century.
Irish Eyes & Cheeky Rhymes
RING OF KERRY Panoramic drive around part of Ireland's southwestern peninsula.
ADARE Stop at the quaint village to see its pretty thatched cottages. 167 mi / 268 km (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
NATURAL WONDERS Explore the emerald tapestries of green fields and ocean views that make other coastlines green with envy. The Ring of Kerry begins and ends in Killarney, taking you on a trip along the southwest coast of Ireland. Discover a paradise of panoramic cliffs, lush landscapes, and breathtaking beaches of the Iveragh Peninsula.
Notes Above High Sea
CLIFFS OF MOHER Visit the 668-foot-high cliffs above the Atlantic Ocean.
GALWAY Free time.
SLIGO Free time this evening. 188 mi / 302 km (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
PICTURE PERFECT Feast your eyes on a stunning spectacle of sea and sky on the Cliffs of Moher on the Wild Atlantic Way. Try to resist the inspiration that has moved artists, poets, and scientists throughout the ages as you stand on the edge of 320 million years of geologic perfection on the rugged coastline of County Clare.
Derry Girls & Daring Giants
DERRY [LF] Walk on the city walls with a local guide.
GIANT'S CAUSEWAY See more than 40,000 interlocking basalt columns formed millions of years ago. 200 mi / 322 km (B)
LOCAL FAVOURITE
HISTORIC SPOT Derry is known as the only remaining completely walled medieval city in Ireland and one of the best-preserved walled cities in Europe. Walk around the 17th-century fortification masterpiece with 7 gates and 24 cannons while also discovering a city full of history, heritage, and culture.
Strait to Scotland
BELFAST Visit the Titanic Experience
Take a ferry crossing to the maritime port of Cairnryan on Scotland's west coast en route to Edinburgh. 132 mi / 212 km (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
EPIC RIDE The North Channel (also called the Irish Channel) connects northeast Ireland to the southwestern coast of Scotland. The North Channel is part of the Ocean's Seven, a set of seven long-distance open-water swims, although most who cross rely on the many ferries that run between Belfast and Cairnryan, the Scottish village with a proud maritime history, including building sections of the floating Mulberry Harbours built to support the D-Day invasion of Normandy.
Drummers, Pipers & Precious Jewels
EDINBURGH Morning city sightseeing with a Local Guide includes the New Town, the Old Town, and a visit to Edinburgh Castle to see Scotland's Crown Jewels. Free time this afternoon.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
THE ROYAL EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO Unpack your plaid! Edinburgh Military Tattoo performances included on departures July 30, August 6 and 13. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
MUSIC & MASTERPIECES Ascend to Castle Rock to explore Edinburgh Castle, one of the most important historical strongholds in the Kingdom of Scotland, with an 11,000-year history as "the most besieged place in Great Britain." Here, you'll find the royal regalia and Scotland's Crown Jewels. The Castle forms the background of the spectacular Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, an extravaganza of bagpipes and drums performed en masse in August each year.
Spend Your Day Your Way in Alnwick
ALNWICK Explore Alnwick on an included YourChoice Excursion.
TAKE YOUR PICK
Explore your way today with your choice of excursions:
CASTLE DELIGHT Alnwick Castle is the second largest inhabited castle in England and has been the home to the Duke of Northumberland's family, the Percys, for over 700 years. In recent years it has taken a starring role in a number of film and television productions - including Downton Abbey and Harry Potter.
OR:
BLOOMING MARVELOUS The Alnwick Garden is one of the world's most ambitious new gardens. The vision of the Duchess of Northumberland is a truly 21st century experience full of imagination, inspiration, and fun.
YORK See York Minster and browse the shops of The Shambles. 214 mi / 344 km (B)
Plays & Pints
STRATFORD-UPON-AVON See Anne Hathaway's Cottage and visit Shakespeare's Birthplace.
COTSWOLDS Scenic drive followed by [LF] at a local pub. 156 mi / 251 km (B,D)
LOCAL FAVOURITE
LOCAL TASTES Quench your thirst with local ales and ciders while tasting traditional pub fayre prepared following century old recipes. Nothing eases homesickness like hearty cooked food concocted with care and love like grandma used to make. Just like home away from home!
Mysterious Monuments
STONEHENGE Visit the pre-historic monument 176 mi / 283 km (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORY & MYSTERY Ponder the who, what, why, and how of Stonehenge, one of the most impressive prehistoric megalithic monuments in the world. Its sheer size and sophisticated architectural design have earned it legendary reverence as the most famous prehistoric monument in the world. Although its original purpose is a mystery, the concentric monuments hold spiritual significance for people from around the world who gather at the massive stone circles to celebrate the summer solstice.
The Royal Treatment
LONDON Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide includes the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall, Prime Minister's Downing Street residence, Piccadilly Circus, and Buckingham Palace. Free time this afternoon. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SITES See the legendary landmarks of England's historic capital city. Walk where voices have rung out for centuries in Parliament Square and where chimes rise high above you with the ringing of Big Ben's quarter bells. See Westminster Abbey, where royal coronations, weddings, and funerals have made history.
Safe travels until we meet again!
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
