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The British Isles in Depth (9090)

23 Day Tour from London to London

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From the lively cities to the breathtaking scenery, you’ll discover the best of England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and Northern Ireland on this in-depth Britain and Ireland tour.

Britain and Ireland are known for their breathtaking scenery, and this tour will not disappoint. You’ll see the 100-mile Ring of Kerry, with its rugged and magnificent landscapes; stunning scenery on Ireland’s Dingle Peninsula; the spectacular 668-foot Cliffs of Moher; Northern Ireland’s awe-inspiring Giant’s Causeway, formed millions of years ago; and Brecon Beacons National Park, with its dramatic landscapes. Enjoy time in the Scottish Highlands, filled with dramatic landscapes, rolling farmland, picturesque seaside towns, and beautiful lochs (lakes).

Britain and Ireland are also known for their picturesque and historic towns and cities. On this Britain and Ireland tour, you’ll visit many of these towns, including Oxford, home to some of England’s most famous colleges; Stratford-upon-Avon, where you’ll get a glimpse into life in 16th-century England in Shakespeare’s hometown; York, England's most complete medieval city with its cobbled streets and the magnificent York Minster, England’s largest Gothic cathedral; Berwick-upon-Tweed, a peaceful coastal town with a turbulent past; Strathpeffer, known in its Victorian heyday as a spa resort; Looe, a pretty fishing village; the seaside town of Tramore; Bath, known for the excavations of Roman baths used for bathing and socializing 2,000 years ago; and many more. You’ll also visit the capitals—London, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Dublin, and Belfast.

These are just some of the many highlights of this tour through the British Isles. For value-minded vacationers, this is the perfect way to see England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and Northern Ireland!

From the lively cities to the breathtaking scenery, you’ll discover the best of England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and Northern Ireland on this in-depth Britain and Ireland tour!

To know more about the visas for this vacation, click here

 Tour Highlights

Sightseeing:

OXFORD
Walking tour

STRATFORD-UPON-AVON
Discover Shakespeare’s home town

YORK
Walking tour

EDINBURGH
Guided sightseeing, visit Edinburgh Castle

ST. ANDREWS
Visit the home of golf

PITLOCHRY
Visit the Highland resort

CULLODEN MOOR
See the battlefield

ISLE OF SKYE
Drive across the Inner Hebridean island

ARMADALE–MALLAIG
by ferry

GLASGOW
Orientation drive

CAIRNRYAN–BELFAST
by ferry

GIANT’S CAUSEWAY
See the amazing basalt columns

DERRY
Visit the walled city

BELLEEK
Guided tour of the pottery factory

GALWAY
Visit the seaside town

CLIFFS OF MOHER
Savor the spectacular views

KILLIMER–TARBERT
Cross the Shannon estuary by ferry

DINGLE PENINSULA DRIVE
See the Blasket Islands

KILLARNEY
Visit the popular resort town

RING OF KERRY
Scenic peninsula drive

BLARNEY
Visit the famous village

WATERFORD
Visit the home of the famous crystal

KILKENNY
Visit the colorful town

DUBLIN
Orientation drive

DUBLIN–HOLYHEAD
by ferry

CARDIFF
Orientation drive

BATH
Visit the elegant Georgian city

DARTMOOR
Visit Widecombe-in-the-Moor

PLYMOUTH
See the Mayflower Steps

CORNWALL
Visit Looe

STONEHENGE
Visit the prehistoric monument

BRIGHTON
Visit the seaside resort

Guides:

Host Service in London

Notes:

Headsets on tour except for London

UNESCO World Heritage

World Heritage Sites are designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for having cultural, historical, scientific or other form of significance. The sites are judged to contain cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity.

The following UNESCO World Heritage Sites can be seen or visited on this vacation:

  • City of Bath
  • Frontiers of the Roman Empire
  • Giant’s Causeway and Causeway Coast
  • Old and New Towns of Edinburgh
  • Stonehenge
Transportation:

Touring by private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi; round-trip Irish Sea crossings by day ferry; ferry across the Shannon estuary

 Meals

 Meals & Itinerary

Full English breakfast daily; 7 three-course dinners with choice of menus

 Itinerary

Day 1

ARRIVE IN LONDON, ENGLAND Check into your hotel. In the afternoon, there’s time to rest or to start exploring the lively British capital; uniformed hosts are available to help you make the most of your stay.

Day 2

LONDON What’s your pleasure? Today is devoted to exploring on your own or enjoying our exciting program of optional activities. You may choose to join a Local Guide for an optional morning sightseeing tour of the city’s famous landmarks: the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall’s mounted horseguards and the Prime Minister’s Downing Street residence, Piccadilly Circus, and Buckingham Palace. The highlight is a visit to St. Paul’s Cathedral, Sir Christopher Wren’s masterpiece built between 1675 and 1708. Later, maybe visit Windsor Castle or the Tower of London with its spectacular Crown Jewels. Tonight, we recommend our optional Taste of London excursion with dinner, followed by a guided illumination cruise on the River Thames.
Breakfast Breakfast

Day 3

LONDON–OXFORD–STRATFORD-UPON-AVON–WETHERBY Meet your Tour Director and travel companions and depart at 8 am for a memorable day of sightseeing, including a walking tour of Oxford, one of the country’s oldest seats of learning; then, skirt the Cotswold Hills to Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon. Take photos of Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and explore the town at your own pace. Overnight in Wetherby.
Breakfast Breakfast Dinner Dinner
Today’s Distance: 255 mi/ 410 km

Day 4

WETHERBY–YORK–NEWCASTLE This morning, head north 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. Stop for the night in Newcastle, once an important hub for the wool trade and coal mining and now a vibrant, modern city.
Breakfast Breakfast
Today’s Distance: 103 mi/ 166 km

Day 5

NEWCASTLE–BERWICK-UPON-TWEED–NORTH BERWICK, SCOTLAND–EDINBURGH On your way to Scotland, drive along the picturesque coastline to Berwick-upon-Tweed, situated just south of the Scottish border. This peaceful town suffered a turbulent past, and its Elizabethan walls, built to keep invading Scots from entering the town, could tell a curious tale. Stop for photographs of the Firth of Forth in pretty North Berwick before arriving in Edinburgh. Later, join an optional tour with dinner. For departures August 4 and August 18, tickets are included for tonight’s performance of the world-renowned Military Tattoo.
Breakfast Breakfast
Today’s Distance: 121 mi/ 195 km

Day 6

EDINBURGH A full day to enjoy the Scottish capital. Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide introduces you to the 200-year-old “New Town,” home to famous scientists, inventors, and novelists. In the “Old Town,” visit Edinburgh Castle to admire Scotland’s Crown Jewels. Afternoon at leisure. A suggestion for this evening: a traditional Scottish night out, with Highland dancers, bagpipers, and, of course, the Ceremony of the Haggis.
Breakfast Breakfast

Day 7

EDINBURGH–ST. ANDREWS–PITLOCHRY–CULLODEN MOOR–INVERNESS–STRATHPEFFER A day of memorable sightseeing. Take the elegant Forth Road Bridge to St. Andrews, whose Royal and Ancient Golf Club has given us the rules of golfing, then cross the Firth of Tay and, via Dundee and Perth, head into the Highlands, with a stop in the Victorian mountain resort of Pitlochry. Cross the battlefield of Culloden Moor with its memories of Bonnie Prince Charlie, then via Inverness, head for your Highland destination.
Breakfast Breakfast Dinner Dinner
Today’s Distance: 221 mi/ 355 km

Day 8

STRATHPEFFER. WEST COAST EXCURSION More spectacular Scottish scenery: Dornoch Firth, the Kyle of Sutherland, the Falls of Shin, the Mountains of Assynt, and Knockan Crag. Then, follow Strath Oykel for a visit to Ullapool, a remote fishing harbor on Loch Broom, before returning along Loch Glascarnoch. Our recommendation for this afternoon: join the optional Loch Ness Experience, which includes a cruise on the loch, followed by supper.
Breakfast Breakfast
Today’s Distance: 123 mi/ 198 km

Day 9

STRATHPEFFER–FORT WILLIAM–GLASGOW More heather-clad moors as you drive through the western Highlands all the way to Fort William beneath Ben Nevis. Glen Coe, where the MacDonald Clan was massacred in 1692, and a drive along the “Bonnie Banks” of Loch Lomond are scenic highlights on the way to Glasgow, Scotland’s great cultural city.
Breakfast Breakfast Dinner Dinner
Today’s Distance: 183 mi/ 295 km

Day 10

GLASGOW–ALLOWAY–BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND On this morning’s orientation drive through Scotland’s largest city, see the fine 12th-century cathedral, imposing university buildings, and elegant Georgian squares, built by wealthy tobacco barons. Later, stop at Alloway, the birthplace of Robert Burns, before boarding the ferry for the Irish Sea, crossing to Belfast.
Breakfast Breakfast
Today’s Distance: 100 mi/ 160 km

Day 11

BELFAST–GIANT’S CAUSEWAY–DERRY–SLIGO, IRELAND Take the scenic route along the Antrim Coast to awe-inspiring Giant’s Causeway, then let the province’s story unfold as you head for the city of Derry. Arrive in Sligo, tonight’s destination.
Breakfast Breakfast Dinner Dinner
Today’s Distance: 214 mi/ 344 km

Day 12

SLIGO–GALWAY–CLIFFS OF MOHER–ENNIS Travel south to Galway, a popular seaside destination and a buzzing cosmopolitan district with vibrant shops and a busy café and bar culture. Then, cross the limestone plateau of The Burren to visit the spectacular 668-foot Cliffs of Moher. Tonight, a chance to attend an optional medieval banquet at a historic castle.
Breakfast Breakfast
Today’s Distance: 161 mi/ 260 km

Day 13

ENNIS–DINGLE PENINSULA–KILLARNEY Via Clonderlaw Bay to Killimer for the ferry across the Shannon estuary. Breathtaking scenery this afternoon on the Dingle Peninsula, where the 32-mile Slea Head drive affords magnificent vistas of the Atlantic Ocean. Afternoon arrival in Killarney, your destination for the next two nights.
Breakfast Breakfast Dinner Dinner
Today’s Distance: 125 mi/ 201 km

Day 14

KILLARNEY. RING OF KERRY EXCURSION At Killorglin, join the road known as the Ring of Kerry for a 100-mile coastal panoramic drive featuring sparkling seascapes, mountains dotted with brightly painted farmhouses, winding lanes bordered with subtropical vegetation, and spectacular views of the Lakes of Killarney. Then, a special optional adventure: take a horse-drawn jaunting car along the national park lakeshore for pictures of Ross Castle. Later, enjoy the optional outing to Tralee for dinner and a performance at Siamsa Tire, Ireland’s National Folk Theatre.
Breakfast Breakfast
Today’s Distance: 100 mi / 160 km

Day 15

KILLARNEY–BLARNEY–DUNGARVAN–TRAMORE More scenic beauty as you head into County Cork. Stop in Blarney, famous for its Stone of Eloquence, with time at your leisure to see the castle, and shop for Irish crafts and handmade crystal. After lunch, drive past Cork, the country’s second-largest city. Finally, pass Dungarvan and travel along the Copper Coast to the seaside resort of Tramore. Tonight, maybe join an optional pub tour before dinner at your hotel.
Breakfast Breakfast Dinner Dinner
Today’s Distance: 131 mi/ 211 km

Day 16

TRAMORE–WATERFORD–KILKENNY–DUBLIN On your northbound journey pause in Waterford, famous for its exquisite crystal, and visit Kilkenny, one of Ireland’s prettiest towns with medieval cobblestone streets and Old-World charm. Afternoon arrival in Dublin—top off the day with an optional Irish cabaret evening including dinner, dance, song, and laughter.
Breakfast Breakfast
Today’s Distance: 128 mi/ 205 km

Day 17

DUBLIN A day in the “Fair City” starts off with an orientation drive through Ireland’s capital and includes statue-lined O’Connell Street, elegant Georgian squares, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The rest of the day is free to enjoy Dublin at leisure. This evening’s optional dinner excursion is to the famous Guinness Storehouse.
Breakfast Breakfast

Day 18

DUBLIN–CAERNARFON, WALES–LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND Take the ferry across the Irish Sea to Holyhead on the Welsh Isle of Anglesey with its tongue-twisting names. Explore North Wales on the way to Caernarfon where the castle saw the investiture of Charles as Prince of Wales, before arriving in Liverpool.
Breakfast Breakfast
Today’s Distance: 180 mi/ 290 km

Day 19

LIVERPOOL–BUILTH WELLS, WALES–BRECON–CARDIFF A day dedicated to Wales as you head south through the ancient market town of Builth Wells and Brecon Beacons National Park, land of salmon rivers and the Welsh mountain pony. In Cardiff, an orientation drive takes in Cathays Park with its splendid civic buildings and Cardiff Castle. Tonight’s optional excursion is an evening of Welsh entertainment and dinner.
Breakfast Breakfast
Today’s Distance: 174 mi/ 281 km

Day 20

CARDIFF–BATH, ENGLAND–GLASTONBURY–WIDECOMBE–PLYMOUTH Across the Severn Bridge to the elegant Georgian city of Bath, famed for its Roman relics. Into the West Country via Glastonbury and its legends of King Arthur, and wild and romantic Dartmoor with a visit to the picture-book village of Widecombe-in-the-Moor. Upon arrival in Plymouth, hear about Sir Francis Drake and see the Mayflower Steps, where the Pilgrim Fathers embarked in 1620.
Breakfast Breakfast Dinner Dinner
Today’s Distance: 198 mi/ 319 km

Day 21

PLYMOUTH. LOOE EXCURSION Today’s excursion takes you to the pretty fishing village and former smuggler’s port of Looe. Then, follow in the footsteps of Drake, Raleigh, and the Pilgrim Fathers on an optional cruise on Plymouth Sound, one of the world’s greatest natural harbors.
Breakfast Breakfast
Today’s Distance: 45 mi/ 65 km

Day 22

PLYMOUTH–STONEHENGE–LONDON An interesting day heading into Thomas Hardy’s Wessex and a visit to intriguing, prehistoric Stonehenge. Explore the visitor center with its imaginative exhibitions, then admire the magnificence of the monument up close. Return to London in the early evening. How about celebrating the success of your tour with a night out on the town?
Breakfast Breakfast
Today’s Distance: 215 mi/ 346 km

Day 23

LONDONYour vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Breakfast Breakfast

 Tour Director

With Cosmos, there’s no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of your Tour Director. Averaging over a decade... we’d like you to meet a Tour Director, who is representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your vacation.

SIMON KELLY

Escorting tours for more than 5 years

"I have been guiding with Globus since 2014 and I absolutely love it. I have always loved travelling because I think we get to see the best of people while they are relaxed and sharing new experiences every day. Showing people my home country of Ireland with all of its folklore, history, culture and quirks is always magical."

Tour Director -  SIMON KELLY

WILL COLLINS

Escorting tours for more than 20 years

"For more than 20 years now I've had the great pleasure of being a Globus and Cosmos tour guide. Nothing beats the joy of watching people from all walks of life get so excited about seeing an iconic site like the Tower of London or Ireland's Cliffs of Moher for the first time. Being central to this joy is what give us tour guides that great sense of satisfaction and reward from the work that we do and the friends we meet along the way."

Tour Director -  WILL COLLINS

 Accommodation

LONDON

NOVOTEL LONDON WEST

Hotel as shown or similar
First-Class
  Free Wifi

WETHERBY

MERCURE WETHERBY HOTEL

Hotel as shown or similar
First-Class
  Free Wifi

NEWCASTLE

LEONARDO HOTEL NEWCASTLE

Hotel as shown or similar
First-Class
  Free Wifi

EDINBURGH

LEONARDO HOTEL EDINBURGH MURRAYFIELD

Hotel as shown or similar
First-Class
  Free Wifi

STRATHPEFFER

BEN WYVIS HOTEL

Hotel as shown or similar
Superior Tourist-Class
  Free Wifi

GLASGOW

LEONARDO INN GLASGOW WEST END

Hotel as shown or similar
First-Class
  Free Wifi

BELFAST

LEONARDO HOTEL BELFAST

Hotel as shown or similar
First-Class
  Free Wifi

SLIGO

SOUTHERN HOTEL SLIGO

Hotel as shown or similar
Superior First-Class
  Free Wifi

ENNIS

AUBURN LODGE HOTEL

Hotel as shown or similar
Superior Tourist-Class
  Free Wifi

KILLARNEY

THE PARKAVON HOTEL

Hotel as shown or similar
First-Class
  Free Wifi

TRAMORE

MAJESTIC HOTEL

Hotel as shown or similar
First-Class
  Free Wifi

DUBLIN

THE BONNINGTON DUBLIN HOTEL

Hotel as shown or similar
First-Class
  Free Wifi

LIVERPOOL

LEONARDO HOTEL LIVERPOOL

Hotel as shown or similar
First-Class
  Free Wifi

CARDIFF

NOVOTEL CARDIFF

Hotel as shown or similar
First-Class
  Free Wifi

PLYMOUTH

LEONARDO HOTEL PLYMOUTH

Hotel as shown or similar
First-Class
  Free Wifi

LEEDS

HOLIDAY INN LEEDS - GARFORTH

Hotel as shown or similar
Moderate First-Class
  Free Wifi

LIMERICK

LIMERICK CITY HOTEL

Hotel as shown or similar
First-Class
  Free Wifi

 Optional Excursions

Contact your Travel Consultant for more information.
Price Ranges

$ ($50 USD and under)
$$ ($51 - $100 USD)
$$$ ($101 - $150 USD)
$$$$ (Over $150)



* The "Starting at" or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per passenger based on double occupancy and does not include airfare; additional fees/charges are not included. If a price is crossed out, the new price includes a limited time promotional offer(s) – please review current promotions or deals for additional information. Some tours require intra-vacation flights (and in some cases intra-vacation segments must be purchased from Cosmos).