Britain & Ireland Experience
16 Days from $2,050 per person
Travel through landscapes that have inspired world-famous writers and poets. See medieval castles and cathedrals, the famous Chester Rows and Anne Hathaways' cottage. You'll also kiss the Blarney Stone, enjoy a ‘wee dram' and visit the birthplace of the Beatles.
Overview
Travel through landscapes that have inspired world-famous writers and poets. See medieval castles and cathedrals, the famous Chester Rows and Anne Hathaways' cottage. You'll also kiss the Blarney Stone, enjoy a ‘wee dram' and visit the birthplace of the Beatles.
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Day 1: USA - Europe
Board your overnight flight to Europe (not included). -
Day 2: Arrive London (2 Nights)
Relax after check-in or stroll through London and soak up the unique atmosphere. -
Day 3: London Free Time
Spend the day exploring Londons sights. -
Day 4: London – Windsor – Bath – Cardiff
This morning meet your Travel Director and traveling companions as you set off from London. Visit Windsor and view the impressive castle. See elegant Georgian architecture in the spa town of Bath. Cross the vast Severn Estuary to Cardiff, capital of Wales, where you dine tonight. -
Day 5: Cardiff – Pembroke – Waterford
Admire Cardiff Castle then journey through beautiful countryside via Carmarthen. See Pembroke Castle which is the birthplace of Henry Vll, founder of the Tudor Dynasty. Board your ferry from Pembroke to Rosslare, Ireland. Journey west to Waterford and dine tonight at your hotel. -
Day 6: Waterford – Blarney – Tralee
Visit the Waterford Crystal Showroom. Continue along the splendid southern coast through the picturesque fishing port of Youghal. Explore Blarney Castle – kiss the stone and acquire the ‘gift of the gab'. Cross over the Cork and the Kerry Mountains, then travel via Killarney to your hotel in Tralee. -
Day 7: Tralee – Dingle Peninsula – Limerick - Shannon (near Limerick)
This morning enjoy a scenic drive along the Dingle Peninsula. See the unspoilt and colorful villages and fishing harbors of Ireland's most westerly point. Travel north to County Limerick through Adare, the prettiest village in Ireland. Arrive in Limerick where you view St. Mary's Cathedral and King John's Castle. -
Day 8: Shannon (near Limerick) – Galway – Dublin (2 Nights)
This morning there is time to visit Bunratty Castle and folk park, where 19th century life is vividly recreated. Drive through beautiful County Clare to Galway. View the cathedral before heading across lush countryside to Dublin, Ireland's capital. Tonight why not join your traveling companions for an Irish Cabaret? -
Day 9: Dublin Sightseeing and Free Time
Your Local Specialist takes you on a sightseeing tour of Dublin with views of Trinity College, St. Patrick's Cathedral and Dublin Castle. Spend the rest of your day as you choose. -
Day 10: Dublin – Chester – Manchester
Cross the Irish Sea with magnificent views of Dublin Bay and arrive at Holyhead on the Welsh Island of Anglesey. Cameras at the ready as you view the station with one of the longest names in the world, Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwll llantysiliogogogoch. Enjoy the scenery of the north coast of Wales on the way to Chester, where you have time to walk along the medieval walls and appreciate the famous ‘Chester Rows'. Arrive later in Manchester. -
Day 11: Manchester – Lake District – Edinburgh (Peebles) (2 Nights)
Stop to view William Wordsworth's grave in the pretty Lake District village of Grasmere. Continue across the Scottish border and stop at Gretna Green, where eloping couples could marry against their parents' wishes. Your day ends at your hotel near Edinburgh. Tonight why not attend a lively Scottish banquet with traditional haggis and bagpipes? -
Day 12: Edinburgh Sightseeing and Free Time
This morning's sightseeing tour with your Local Specialist includes views of the Georgian New Town, Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle. Spend free time exploring on your own or join your Travel Director on an Optional Experience to the Royal Yacht Britannia in nearby Leith. During the Festival, tickets to the spectacular Edinburgh Tattoo are included. -
Day 13: Edinburgh (Peebles) – York – Leeds
This morning travel south through the Scottish Borderlands and stop to view the ruins of Jedburgh Abbey. Enjoy the views across the Cheviot Hills at Carter Bar and continue into Northumberland National Park where you view Hadrian's Wall at Heddon. Cross the River Tyne at Newcastle and stop at York for an orientation tour including the Gothic Minster and the narrow cobbled street known as the Shambles. Then continue to your hotel in Leeds. Dine tonight at your hotel. -
Day 14: Leeds – Stratford-upon-Avon – Warwick
This morning visit Stratford-upon-Avon where you have time to see the sights, including Anne Hathaway's cottage, and shop for souvenirs. In your free time why not visit Shakespeare's Birthplace and Visitor Center for an in-depth look at the great man's life? -
Day 15: Warwick – Oxford – London
Enjoy a scenic drive through the glorious Cotswolds to the little churchyard in Bladon, where Sir Winston Churchill is buried. See the sights of Oxford, the oldest university city in England, before continuing to London where you can say farewell to your Travel Director and traveling companions at the end of your memorable vacation. -
Day 16: Depart London
Today say goodbye to London as you return home with magical memories.
Request a Quote
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
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Add air to your reservation
Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.
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Definite Departure
- Edinburgh Tattoo
| Depart Date | Return Date | Price | Discount | Availability | Price | ||
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| 3 May 18 | 18 May 18 |
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$2,050pp | Call 1-877-622-9109 | |||
| 31 May 18 | 15 Jun 18 |
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$2,050pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 14 Jun 18 | 29 Jun 18 |
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$2,310pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 28 Jun 18 | 13 Jul 18 |
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$2,310pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
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Edinburgh Tattoo
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26 Jul 18 | 10 Aug 18 |
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$2,200pp | Request Quote Book Now | ||
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Edinburgh Tattoo
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2 Aug 18 | 17 Aug 18 | $2,200pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
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Edinburgh Tattoo
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9 Aug 18 | 24 Aug 18 |
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$2,480pp | Request Quote Book Now | ||
| 30 Aug 18 | 14 Sep 18 |
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$2,050pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 6 Sep 18 | 21 Sep 18 |
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$2,310pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 13 Sep 18 | 28 Sep 18 |
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$2,050pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 20 Sep 18 | 5 Oct 18 |
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$2,310pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 4 Oct 18 | 19 Oct 18 |
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$2,050pp | Request Quote Book Now |
- Edinburgh Tattoo: This departure includes the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo event.
Price is per person and is based on two people sharing a twin bedded room. Single rooms are available at a supplement.
Triple Room Discount: $10
Gratuities: Option to pre-pay gratuities for Travel Director and Driver $115 per person.
AARP Members are entitled to an exclusive Member Benefit Discount on all Grand European Travel vacations. Plus receive a free travel gift! Call Toll Free: 1-866-847-3858 for details.
Past Travelers: Save an additional 5% off the Land Only price of the vacation.
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Professional Travel Director
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WIFI on Coach and in Hotels
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Cultural Enrichment
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Expertly Selected Hotels
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Hotel Tips
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Personal Flight Options
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Breakfast Daily
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Sightseeing with Local Experts
Meal Summary
14 Full breakfasts, 4 Three course dinners, .Sightseeing Highlights
- View the castle
- Visit the Georgian spa city
- See the Millennium Stadium and view Cardiff Castle
- Visit the Crystal Showroom
- Visit this picturesque fishing port
- Kiss the Blarney Stone during your visit of Blarney Castle
- View the prettiest village in Ireland
- View St. Mary's Cathedral and King John's Castle
- View Galway Cathedral
- With your Local Specialist, see St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin Castle, Christchurch Cathedral, the glorious Georgian Squares, and Trinity College
- View the Tudor architecture
- Visit the village of Grasmere and view the grave of Wordsworth
- Visit Gretna Green, popular with eloping couples since 1754
- Sightseeing with your Local Specialist includes the main sights
- View the abbey ruins
- View the remains of the Roman wall
- View York Minster and stroll along the Shambles
- Visit the town of Shakespeare's birth and see Anne Hathaway's cottage
- View Sir Winston Churchill's grave
- View the Bodleian Library and Radcliffe Camera
Request a Quote
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
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Add air to your reservation
Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.
Reviews
Request a Quote
-
30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
-
Add air to your reservation
Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.
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Passports and Visas
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Currency
The currency in the UK is the Pound (£) and in Ireland is the Euro (€). While it’s a good idea to bring some money for when you first arrive, you’ll usually find a better exchange rate in your destination. The most convenient way to obtain cash is to use your ATM card at local banks in the UK and Ireland. We recommend you also bring a valid credit card for purchases while you are traveling. It is important that you inform your financial institutions of your travel plans before you leave home so they don’t flag your purchases as potentially fraudulent charges.
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Cuisine
English specialties include fish and chips, Yorkshire pudding, sausages, stilton cheese, and scones with clotted cream. Culinary experiences to not to miss include a traditional pub meal, afternoon tea, and full English breakfast. In larger cities like London you’ll also find restaurants serving a variety of international cuisine.
Irish national specialties including Irish stew, coddle, potato bread, corned beef and whiskey cake. Be sure to try an Irish breakfast, visit a chip shop for fresh fish and chips, and enjoy hearty lunch at a good local pub.
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Packing
The climate in the UK and Ireland is temperate, with regular rainfall throughout the year. We suggest packing a variety of lightweight clothing items that can be layered to save space in your suitcase and give you more options for how to dress. A few important items to bring include sturdy walking shoes and a waterproof jacket with a hood. For more helpful information please refer to our Packing Tips & Packing List.
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Tipping
Tipping in Britain and Ireland is less common than in the U.S. When dining out, some restaurants will add a service charge of 12.5 percent to your bill, especially for groups. If a service hasn’t been added, it’s appropriate to leave 10 – 15 percent gratuity.
At the end of your guided vacation, it’s customary to offer your motor coach driver and Travel Director a gratuity. We recommend €3.00 per person/per day for your driver and €5.00 per person/per day for your Travel Director. Recommended gratuity for a Local Host and Local Specialist is 1-2 euros per person, paid at the conclusion of each guided visit. A convenient option is to prepay your tips before your departure.
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Baggage
Baggage on our trips is restricted to one large suitcase per person with dimensions not exceeding 30x19x10 inches and a maximum weight of 50 pounds. You are also permitted one piece of hand luggage, which should be small enough to fit under your coach seat or on the small overhead shelf compartment. Please note that luggage with an adjustable handle and wheels will not fit in the overhead compartment of the coach. Hotel porterage is included in your vacation.
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Health and Fitness
You will need to be comfortable on your feet, walking and standing for up to three hours in various weather conditions. All of our vacations involve walking, often on cobblestone and uneven surfaces in historic city centers. In order to get the most out of your vacation you need to be able to comfortably walk 1-3 miles unassisted in one day, be in good condition and be able to keep pace with the group.
If you need any medications, it is important that you bring enough to last you the whole trip and keep them in your carry-on bag while you travel.
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Insurance
We highly recommend our optional Travel Protection Plan, which allows you to cancel for any reason up to 24 hours before departure. The plan also includes trip interruption, baggage loss or delay, and medical and emergency assistance. Click here for a summary of coverage details, terms and conditions.
Request a Quote
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
-
Add air to your reservation
Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.
