tour of england scotland and ireland

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Exploring Britain & Ireland

About this tour.

Travel to some of the world’s most magnificent cities and through the magical countryside of Britain and Ireland. This comprehensive journey takes you through rolling farmland and across the Irish Sea, through England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Marvel at the mystery of Stonehenge. Experience a traditional afternoon tea in London. Be mesmerized by the breathtaking landscapes of Ireland’s Ring of Kerry, the rolling hills of the Scottish Borders, and the medieval “shambles” of York. Admire the ancient Roman ruins in elegant Bath. Get acquainted with Britain’s pageantry in the royal cities of Edinburgh and London.

Your Tour Includes

• 7 Handpicked Accommodations
• 6 Choice on Tour Options

Included Highlights

• High Speed Train

Your Tour at a Glance

13 Breakfasts

Travel Style

Best time for travel, customize your tour.

Optional Excursions

Starting at $65.00

Activity Level

• Level This Tour

For specific details about this tour's activity level and other info to know before you book your trip, click here.

Best Time for Travel Exploring Britain & Ireland featuring England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales

While just about any month is great to visit Great Britain and Ireland, there are a few prime times of the year for the Exploring Britain & Ireland tour. Here are some recommendations from our destination experts.

Spring: Visiting Britain and Ireland in the spring promises fewer crowds and comfortable temperatures. The countryside comes alive with flowers and shades of green.

Summer: Summer is a wonderful time to visit the region. You’ll find the countries bustling with summer activity and very welcoming.

Fall: Enjoy the turn of the season as crowds thin and the beautiful colors of fall start to appear.

Travel Styles

Highlights and inclusions.

Must-See Inclusions:

Ponder ancient mysteries at Stonehenge.

Experience the Ring of Kerry, one of the world’s great coastal roads.

• Explore the Roman Bath Museum's 2,000-year-old elaborate spas.

Tour York’s incredible Minster, the largest Gothic cathedral in Northern Europe.

Cultural Experiences:

Behold the sights of Killarney on a traditional jaunting car.

Enjoy an evening of traditional Irish song and dance in Dublin.

Culinary Inclusions:

Delve into Scottish culture with a whiskey inspired dinner.

Explore Wales’ rich cultural heritage at an evening of Welsh music, poetry and cuisine.

Experience a traditional afternoon tea in London.

Enjoy Yorkshire’s famous ales during an interactive tasting.

• Afternoon Tea
• Cardiff Castle
• Welsh Evening
• Blarney Castle
• Ring of Kerry
• Jaunting Car Ride
• Traditional Irish Night

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• No booking fee, *no change fees
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Getting Prepared

Know before you go, travel tips, enhance your tour.

• Choice On Tour

Pre and Post Night Stay

Unique Experience

Cultural Experiences

Enhance Your Trip

• Tour Extensions

Today in Dublin, you have the choice between two activities. First you may choose to join a local expert and familiarize yourself with the “Fair City” of Dublin during a coach tour highlighting the top sights! Visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral, O’Connell Street, Grafton Street and Phoenix Park, and see the city's trademark – magnificent rows of stately Georgian town homes. Your other option is to join a local guide on an intimate walking tour of Dublin’s historic center. Explore O’Connell Street and the Grand Central Post Office, site of the 1916 Uprising. Walk along the River Liffey and learn about the important role this river played in Dublin’s history. Explore Grafton Street before discovering the rich history of St. Stephen’s Green.

This afternoon in Cardiff you have the choice between two activities. First, you can choose to visit St Fagan's National Museum of History, an open-air museum chronicling the history, culture and the architecture of the Welsh people. Located on the edge of the city, this museum contains over 40 original buildings from different historical times, including workers' terraced cottages, farmhouses, shops, a chapel and old schoolhouse. In addition, there is a re-created Celtic village, and the 16th century manor houses and gardens to explore. Or, you can choose to have time at leisure to explore Cardiff's historical center further, including its shops and restaurants.

While in Waterford you have the choice between two activities. First, you can choose to visit Waterford Crystal’s impressive new factory and see first-hand the centuries-old tradition of Irish crystal making. Feel the heat of the furnace and marvel at the skills of the craftsmen on a guided tour of the facility. After the tour, perhaps you’ll indulge your passion for the world’s most famous crystal in the factory’s lavish retail store, which houses the largest collection of Waterford Crystal found anywhere in the world! Or, you can choose to join a local guide and explore 1,100 years of Waterford's history. From the Vikings to the Victorians, discover why Ireland’s oldest city is also one of its most important in terms of history, culture, and trade.

Hotel-Apex Grassmarket Hotel

Hotel-Aloft Dublin City

Step into the formal world of the British Monarchy when you visit the stately and expansive Windsor Castle. His Majesty King Charles III uses Windsor as both a private home and as a Royal residence where formal duties of state are performed. Windsor’s 1,000 rooms comprise the largest inhabited castle in the world. It dates back to the 1070s, when William the Conqueror built the original wooden structure, now replaced by the grand stone edifices. Explore one of Britain’s most visited historic buildings, its precincts, and the State Apartments, which house a delightful collection of Royal art treasures. Enjoy time for lunch in the quaint town of Windsor before heading back to London. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit the castle that houses so much British history and lore is not to be missed!

Join us for a rollicking evening of tastes, sights and sounds that are classically Scottish. Feast on a banquet prepared from a selection of local recipes. Your taste buds will savor the true flavor and goodness of this distinctive country. Tonight will be filled with entertainment including Highland pipers and dancers who deliver the very best in Scottish music, song and dance. Be prepared for a Scottish night of food, fun and many fond memories!

Explore the Roman Bath Museum's 2,000-year-old elaborate spas.

Accommodations

Arrive earlier.

Pre Night: Apex Grassmarket Hotel From $125 per night

Apex Grassmarket Hotel

Doubletree by hilton york, leonardo royal hotel london tower bridge, hilton cardiff, granville hotel, scotts hotel killarney.

Nights 10-11

Aloft Dublin City

Nights 12-13

Stay Longer

Post Night: Aloft Dublin City From $130 per night

Trip Reviews

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Highlights of England, Scotland & Ireland

4.7 out of 5 stars

You have up to 60 days to get a full refund

Feel good about putting a tour on the calendar today: Enroll in AutoPay or pay in full when you book, and if you change your mind,  you’ll get your money back .†

From modern to medieval and green to Gothic, explore the best of Great Britain and Ireland’s landscapes and landmarks.

Our travelers love this tour as their first time out of the country—or as an energetic way to experience as much of England, Scotland, and Ireland as they can. No wonder it’s one of our most popular trips. You’ll launch your Anglophile adventure in cosmopolitan London, where you’ll get to meet Big Ben and the Tower of London before boarding a train through the hilly English countryside to Edinburgh, Scotland. There, let the Georgian and Victorian architecture transport you back in time through cobblestone streets. Finish your trip with a feast for the eyes as you ferry to Ireland’s cliffs, swathed in a hundred hues of green. And, if London’s calling you, take the early arrival option and enjoy two more days in the city to explore its rich heritage—and rank your favorite chip shops.

Your tour package includes

• 10 nights in handpicked hotels
• 10 breakfasts
• 4 dinners with beer or wine
• 6 sightseeing tours
• Expert Tour Director & local guides

Included highlights

• Trafalgar Square
• Buckingham Palace
• Edinburgh Castle
• Local pub culture

An expert specializing in tours of this region is here to help.

Day-by-day itinerary

Board your overnight flight to London today.

Welcome to England! If you arrive between noon and 6 p.m., we recommend you treat yourself to afternoon tea—the traditional British meal of cakes, biscuits, dainty sandwiches, and, of course, tea.  

Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers for a welcome dinner, served with beer or wine. 

London’s been settled for almost 2,000 years, and its history winds through Roman, Anglo-Saxon, and Viking rule. Your guided tour takes you through the relics, landmarks, and stories of this vibrant and cosmopolitan city of contrasts. 

• Pass the grand Trafalgar Square commemorating the British naval victory over France and Spain in 1805. Keep your eye out for the square’s four bronze lion statues guarding Nelson’s Column, as well as the National Gallery art museum. 
• Gaze up at the dome and spires of St. Paul’s Cathedral, perched atop Ludgate Hill. The Anglican cathedral, once the tallest building in London, has held services for state funerals, jubilee celebrations, and the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer.  
• See Westminster Abbey, the setting for royal coronations since 1066 and the final resting place of William Shakespeare, Isaac Newton, and many other luminaries.  
• View the city’s defining landmarks, including Big Ben—the Great Bell of the clock at the north end of the Palace of Westminster and London’s unofficial calling card. You’ll also pass the Tower of London, home to the Crown Jewels of England, but also lions and a polar bear during its time as a menagerie of exotic wild animals.  
• Take in the contrast of old and new when you pass by Tower Bridge, the largest bascule bridge ever completed at the time, and the London Eye—the larger-than-life observation wheel that’s quickly become symbolic of the city.  
• Stop by Buckingham Palace, the royal residence in London where you may catch the Changing of the Guard ceremony—just look for the distinctive red tunics and tall bearskin caps.  

Can’t get enough of castles and kings? Add the excursion to Windsor Castle for a fascinating peek into the royal goings-on at the world’s longest-inhabited castle, as well as the historic market town of Windsor. 

Not joining the excursion? Enjoy a free afternoon in London to shop and dine in posh Covent Garden in the West End or head to Shoreditch for its vibrant art and street food scene. Your Tour Director is also your go-to source for recommendations.  

Windsor Castle

From $125 per person

Journey by train through the English countryside and past the lochs—or lakes—and rolling hills of Scotland. Watch ancient castles, cathedrals, and villages drift in and out of view as the train winds to your destination in Edinburg.  

Tonight, sit down with your fellow travelers for an included dinner, served with beer or wine. 

Please note: Porterage is not included for the train transfers. Travelers must be comfortable lifting and carrying all luggage over steps, onto platforms, and into luggage storage.   

Nestled between the rivers Almond and Esk, Edinburgh emerges from a series of hills and rocky ridges, earning its nickname Athens of the North. Get to know the Scottish capital and all its medieval beauty on a tour led by a local expert.

• View the elegant, dramatic neoclassical and Georgian architecture in New Town. The ornate sandstone and granite structures surrounding oasis-like gardens and green spaces became a model for European urban planning.
• Contrast New Town’s grace with Old Town’s rustic Royal Mile, which runs between Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace—the official residence of British monarchs in Scotland. Here, you’ll cross moody narrow streets and alleys, known as “closes,” flanked by brooding stone buildings and timeworn cathedrals.
• Pass the towering Sir Walter Scott monument—paying homage to the Ivanhoe and Rob Roy scribe—one of the largest monuments devoted to an author in the world.
• Ascend to Castle Rock and enter Edinburgh Castle. Standing on an extinct volcano at the top of the Royal Mile, it houses the Scottish crown jewels and Stone of Scone—in use since the 13th century for coronation of the monarchs of England, Great Britain, and the United Kingdom.

Looking to be swept away by the wild romance of the Scottish Borders region? Add an excursion and join fellow literature lovers for a quest to the home of Sir Walter Scott and the Gothic ruins of Melrose Abbey.

Prefer to see more of Edinburgh? Use your free afternoon in the city to go back and wander the winding streets of Old Town. If you’re feeling adventurous, perhaps consider a spooky stroll through the tunnels that weave underneath the city. Of course, there’s always tucking into a booth in a cozy cafe and lingering over tea and shortbread.

Please note: The order of today's activities are subject to change.

Abbotsford House & Melrose Abbey

From $109 per person

Travel through the jewel-green landscapes of Northern England, stopping along the way to enjoy a break in one of the Lake District’s charming towns. This seductive side of England has inspired adventure seekers and poets alike with its mountainous landscape, lakes, and peat bogs. 

Then, continue to Liverpool and enjoy a free evening in the city to unwind by the waterfront or add a fab (four) excursion down memory (and Penny) lane with a visit to the Beatles Story Museum.  

Travel through northern Wales and stop in the village of Llanfair­pwllgwyngyll­gogery­chwyrn­drobwll­llan­tysilio­gogo­goch, which is the longest-named place in Europe. Then, continue to Holyhead and board a ferry across the Irish Sea to Dublin. 

As soon as you step off the ferry in Dublin, you’ll understand dramatist Lady Gregory’s claim that “I feel more and more the time wasted that is not spent in Ireland.” You’ll take a comprehensive tour of Ireland’s capital city with a local guide and get a taste of the country’s rich history and craic—that trademark acerbic banter.  

• Stop in Phoenix Park, an expanse of woodlands, sprawling lawns, the occasional fallow deer, and site of the presidential residence. You’ll also pass by the Guinness Brewery and should you find yourself with a pint of the famous brew in hand, remember to sip it slowly. 
• Step inside the soaring St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Ireland’s largest church, and gaze up at its stained-glass windows shimmering with depictions of biblical scenes and saints. 
• Feast your eyes on the verdant and flowering landscaping throughout St. Stephen’s Green, a peaceful retreat, and admire the ivy-covered Georgian architecture of Merrion Square as you go. 
• See Trinity College, alma mater of notables from Oscar Wilde to Samuel Beckett, and walk past Grafton Street to the Molly Malone statue. Hum the traditional Irish song dedicated to this figure of local folklore before continuing to the Temple Bar district’s lined with colorful buildings and cobblestone streets buzzing with street performers and artisans.  

If the Temple Bar district has you clamoring for more quintessential Irish merriment, join the excursion for a dinner and a showcase of the thundering rhythms and precise footwork of Irish dance.   

Prefer a quieter night? Use your free time this evening for a sunset stroll along the River Liffey, or head to Ha’Penny Bridge for a breathtaking nighttime view of the city.  

Traditional Irish Dinner & Show

Resume your journey through the Emerald Isle today. You’ll roll through lush green landscapes, storybook villages, and the farmlands that dot Ireland’s countryside.  

• Make a photo stop at the famed Rock of Cashel in County Tipperrary, an ancient fortification surrounding a medieval cathedral standing above the limestone outcrops. 
• Gain the gift of gab — or so the legends promise — when you enter Blarney Castle to kiss the legendary Blarney Stone. 

Continue to County Kerry and sit down for an included dinner this evening, served with beer or wine. 

Set out on the Ring of Kerry, a 112-mile coastal route that covers some of Ireland’s most spectacular scenery as it winds around the Iveragh Peninsula. Expect your breath to catch with every rugged mile of coastal vistas and windswept beaches.  

• Pass the pristine Lakes of Killarney in Killarney National Park and gaze across Dingle Bay. On a clear day, the lakes’ crystal-clear waters reflect the surrounding forests and hills. 
• Try not to blink so you won’t miss a moment of the ever-changing views of mountains, beaches, and the Atlantic Ocean. 
• Explore the quaint villages that line the Ring of Kerry, including the village of Sneem, with its candy-colored storefronts. 

This morning, travel north to walk the mesmerizing coastline of the Cliffs of Moher. Perched along Ireland’s west coast, the weathered cliffs extend for about five miles and are marked by jagged rock formations and abundant birdlife. Walking close to the cliffs’ edge is a thrilling but dizzying experience due to the sheer drop, but you can rest assured that the view’s just as good from the well-maintained walking paths.  

Continue to Dublin this afternoon and celebrate your trip during a farewell dinner, served with beer or wine. 

Transfer to the airport for your flight home. 

Board your overnight flight to London today. 

Welcome to England! Meet your Tour Director and fellow early arrival travelers as you enjoy a welcome drink this evening. 

Exclusively offered on this tour for our early arrivals, join an excursion to the iconic and mysterious Stonehenge, whose 4,000-year-old monoliths have bewitched visitors. 

Prefer to stay in town and explore? Check out the lesser-known street food markets, like Maltby Street Market or Druid Street Market, or stroll the tranquil canals of Little Venice, a peaceful enclave with narrowboats, waterside cafes, and whimsical houseboats. 

Stonehenge & Salisbury

From $149 per person

Your early arrival has you with the day to yourself. Get a head start on exploring London before tomorrow’s tour of the city’s major monuments. Check out chic Notting Hill or the emerging art scene in Graffik Gallery. 

Meet up with the rest of your tour group and get to know everyone during tonight’s welcome dinner, served with beer or wine. Tomorrow, you’ll all set off together for the main tour starting right where you are, London, before continuing to Edinburgh and beyond.  

Book for just $99 down

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Overall rating 4.7 out of 5

5 out of 5 stars

Great tour guide, Lexi. She was patient and kind. Really knew her stuff. She was able to put out fires, troubleshoot missing items, and get everyone to the right place at the right time. She was able to arrange an Outlander Tour and an Irish dinner. Not very much time in Scotland. They arranged ev...

The tour was awesome. The destinations in each country were well thought out and provided an excellent glimpse of the history of these countries. Our tour guide was exceptional throughout the tour and our group unanimously knighted our tour guide Sir Alex!

Traveler photos

Hotels, flights & FAQ

This boutique-styled hotel is located in the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea in Central London. Guests enjoy the fitness room, a beautifully lan...

This modern hotel is located in the New Town of Edinburgh. Guests enjoy the lounge bar, the relaxing Great Room, and convenient location. Nearby, you’...

This unique hotel is located along the River Mersey in Liverpool’s commercial district. Guests enjoy free Wi-Fi, a restaurant, and a bar. Nearby, you’...

This boutique hotel is located in Dublin’s city center. Guests enjoy the bistro, a gym, and the hotel bar. Nearby, you’ll find EPIC The Irish Emigrat...

This elegant hotel is located in Tralee, County Kerry, along the Wild Atlantic Way. Guests enjoy the manicured gardens and an intimate second-floor ba...

• Round-trip flight for your tour
• Airport transfers at your destination
• A great price locked in today
• 24/7 support from our dedicated service team
• Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
• Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
• Find out more about flights
• In order to enter the United Kingdom and Ireland, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
• We recommend having at least one blank passport page for entry stamps.
• There is no visa required for U.S. or Canadian citizens.
• If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
• You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code BES.
• Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in London and depart from Dublin.
• Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost if they are arriving or departing on the standard day.
• When you arrive in London, a driver from a private chauffeur service will be standing at the arrival hall with your name on a message board. If you do not see your driver, please be patient and stay in the arrivals area. They may be assisting another traveler who has also just arrived and will be back shortly.

Physical Activity Level

• This is a moderate physical activity-level tour. You can expect casual walks and plenty of time to explore throughout the course of the tour.

Tour Pacing

This is a brisk-paced tour. The pace of a tour itinerary considers how often you’ll switch hotels, the amount of planned daily activities, and how you’ll get from place to place. You can expect:

• Two 1-night stays
• Most days full of included activities (more if you add excursions)
• Most transportation by motor coach
• Some transportation by train and ferry
• Daily bus time varies and can be lengthy

Walking, Terrain & Physical Requirements

• Travelers should be prepared to walk 2 miles per day over varying terrain—this includes city streets, cobblestones, some stairs and hills.
• Cobblestone streets can become slick when wet.
• Access to Edinburgh Castle will involve walking half a mile up a steep hill.
• While visiting Blarney Castle, travelers have the opportunity to kiss the Blarney Stone. In order to kiss the Blarney Stone, travelers must climb 128 very steep, narrow stairs.
• Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance.
• Please Note: Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.

Climate Considerations

• Travelers can expect cool, cloudy, and rainy days throughout the year, with occasional heatwaves in the summer months (June-September).

Physical Activity & Tour Pace Questions

• Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special mobility or luggage handling assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group enjoys a smooth and informative journey, and they can’t be relied on to provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
• This tour moves at a reasonable pace to avoid missing scheduled stops. The rest of the group cannot miss any scheduled activities because of the needs of an individual.
• Due to the pace and physical activity level of this tour, mobility aids such as wheelchairs or walkers will be difficult to use and are not recommended. Please notify Go Ahead Tours before your departure if you plan to bring these on tour with you.
• If you have mobility concerns or tour pace questions, please visit our Help Center or send a message to our Customer Experience Team. We’re here to help!
• This tour includes various modes of transportation including trains, ferries, and private motor coach. Some modes of transportation will have raised platforms or steps and often not provide access to ramps or lifts.
• A train ride from London to Edinburgh and ferry ride from Holyhead to Dublin are included in the price of your tour.
• All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.
• European train stations typically operate similarly to airports where security measures, such as baggage and body scanners, are common. Platforms are often spread out across large distances and require travelers to manage their luggage on escalators or stairs. Porterage services are not offered on train transfers and luggage storage on trains is extremely limited. Please keep in mind that trains may only be stopping at the stations for a few minutes; speed with loading and unloading may be imperative.
• Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one personal item per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which include a train and ferry.
• Some airlines may impose additional charges if you exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
• Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights.
• Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
• Travelers must manage their own luggage throughout tour as porters are not guaranteed. This includes at hotels, getting on trains, and boarding ferries.
• Luggage storage on trains is extremely limited, and often requires travelers to lift their suitcases onto storage racks, sometimes above the seats.
• We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
• A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
• You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
• It is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).
• We recommend packing a reusable water bottle to cut down on single use plastic waste.
• We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
• We recommend packing your Insurance Card (from your primary insurance provider) in your carry on luggage.
• Go Ahead handpicks every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm.
• Accommodations are typically three and four star hotels.
• All accommodations include a private bathroom.
• Most rooms will include a safe for valuables.
• Your hotels will have Wifi, but it may be limited to common areas.
• Elevators in hotels are not guaranteed.
• Some hotels on this tour require travelers to walk with their luggage a few blocks as buses cannot drop travelers off right out front.
• Please be advised that the strength of the air conditioning in European hotels/buildings is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada.
• We cannot guarantee that your hotel accommodations will have laundry services or facilities. We recommend checking directly with the hotel once they are confirmed about 30 days prior to departure.
• Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date.
• Excursions are available for purchase prior to departure, and most excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour directly through your mobile app for an additional $10 USD.
• We recommend purchasing excursions at least 3 days prior to your tour departure. Please note some excursions have advance booking deadlines. Check your tour itinerary for more information to ensure you don’t miss the deadline to add them.
• Optional excursions may be canceled on tour due to reasons like low enrollment, weather or unexpected closures. If an excursion you signed up for is canceled by Go Ahead Tours, you will be refunded the full cost of the excursion. Please note it may take up to 60 days for your refund to be processed.
• Your Tour Director may offer their own optional excursions which can only be purchased on tour via cash (in local currency).
• At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website at cdc.gov .
• If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies, please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to departure by logging into your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
• If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour, as well as any possible delays encountered.
• Most of our itineraries include headsets used during certain sightseeing tours so travelers can hear their guides or Tour Director. If you use an assisted listening device, such as a hearing aid or cochlear implant, please contact our customer experience team as we may be able to provide alternative solutions to best suit your needs. Please note that at this time not all our destinations offer headsets due to supplier limitations.
• The water is safe to drink throughout your tour unless posted otherwise.
• This tour includes 4 dinners. Included meals may be plated set menus, buffet or family style depending on the location. Dinners include one glass of beer, wine, or soft drink and water, coffee and tea.
• Breakfast each morning is also included at the hotel and is typically buffet style with hot and cold options.
• For traditional English fare at a reasonable price, try a pub meal of fish and chips or bangers and mash. Stilton cheese, steak and kidney pie, and Cumberland sausages are also worth a try. Sip afternoon tea with delicious finger sandwiches and scones at Harrods in London for the ultimate in English tradition.
• Modern-day London boasts an array of diverse international restaurants. Popular options for the adventurous palate include Indian, Thai, Chinese, Indonesian, Greek, and West African cuisine.
• Scottish cuisine relies on readily available ingredients like game, dairy, and fish, with little use of exotic spices. Pickled kippers and smoked salmon are popular, as well as hearty dishes like Scotch broth (a stew of meat and root vegetables) and haggis (a savory pudding of sheep innards). Scotch whisky is a legendary local spirit, and Scottish ales are world-famous.
• Irish pubs serve up hearty lunches, such as a traditional stew of bacon and boiled cabbage. Soda bread is delicious, very filling, and served with many meals. Nibble a scone at afternoon tea, with a pat of high-quality butter from County Kerry. Guinness stout is an international sensation, but locals might favor Murphy’s, depending on where you are.
• Dublin has seen something of a culinary revolution in recent times, and the city now boasts an impressive array of new restaurants offering exciting cuisine with Continental Europe, Asian, and even American influences.
• At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in US dollars or local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
• We recommend tipping the equivalent of $10USD to $12USD per person, per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
• If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
• Tips can only be paid in cash.
• The cost of porterage is included in your tour price, and it is not necessary to tip baggage handlers.
• You will use the pound sterling in the United Kingdom and the euro in Ireland.
• Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, but you may choose to order some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
• We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
• You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
• Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
• International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you don't already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
• Plan ahead and bring cash to tip your tour director, local guides, and bus drivers. We also recommend keeping coins in the local currency on hand, as some public bathrooms may charge a fee for use.
• To ensure you feel prepared before traveling on tour, we strongly recommend you download the EF Go Ahead Tours mobile app. The app is free and provides important deadlines, entry requirements, your detailed itinerary, packing tips and more. You can also connect with fellow travelers through the chat feature in the app.
• Wifi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
• There is no Wifi on any of the motor coaches.
• Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.
• Your Tour Director will be leading your group throughout your journey. You will have the same Tour Director throughout your tour.
• The role of the Tour Director is not only to provide information and context on the destinations you visit, but also to confirm services, coordinate inclusions, prepare each days’ activities and support travelers while on tour. As such, they must focus on the success of the group, and cannot provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
• One of the benefits of traveling with EF Go Ahead Tours is our on tour emergency support team.
• Our extensive network of offices around the world, and our integration of ISO 31000: Risk Management Guidelines, help our dedicated 24/7 Emergency Service teams anticipate and address on-tour challenges in a flexible and iterative way.
• This team supports travelers and Tour Directors using a combination of extensive training, simulations, incident response planning, and decades of experience to help manage emergencies if they arise, ranging from personal health concerns or injuries to major world events.
• As needed, On Tour Support can facilitate additional support for travelers on tour, arrange assistance from outside specialists, and liaise with local and international authorities to help solve on-the-ground issues. In addition, the team is dedicated to supporting and facilitating communication between travelers and families in the event of an emergency while on the road or at home.
• The United Kingdom and Ireland are on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), which is 5 hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET).
• When it’s noon in New York, it’s 5pm on tour.
• When you travel with EF Go Ahead Tours, you’ll make a positive impact on the places you visit, and the people and animals you meet along the way. That’s because our three core Responsible Travel commitments—protecting the environment, supporting local communities, and promoting animal welfare—are at the heart of every tour we offer
• Travel, when done responsibly, can make an enormous socio-economic impact to communities. To maximize your impact, eat at locally owned restaurants and shop at local businesses. Ask your Tour Director to point out restaurants they recommend
• Prepare for your trip: be aware of the monetary norms such as tipping and negotiating in a market, learn about the destination’s forms of etiquette, and take some time to learn a few words in the local language
• When interacting with locals, make sure to ask people for permission before you take their picture, and approach cultural differences with empathy and an open mind
• EF Go Ahead Tours encourages our travelers to limit their waste while on the road, especially single use plastics. You can avoid single use plastics by packing your own toiletries, using electronic documents, and bringing a reusable water bottle and shopping bag. If you need to use plastics or paper, please recycle
• Environment: On this tour, we recommend the use of a reusable water bottle, as the local drinking water is safe for travelers. Your Tour Director can provide additional guidance on local water standards. Make sure to bring a reusable water bottle to cut down on single use plastics.
• Environment: When visiting national parks, reserves, or other protected areas, please do not remove anything from the natural environment or leave any litter. Carry out what you carried in.

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The Ultimate London-Scotland-Ireland Itinerary

Last Updated on December 6, 2023

by Maggie Turansky

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. That means if you click a link and make a purchase, we may make a small commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, see our privacy policy.

Travelling through the British Isles is something many people want to do in their lifetimes. And it’s no surprise as to why. England, Scotland, and Ireland not only have a fascinating history that dates back thousands of years, but is home to both bucolic natural scenery and some of the world’s most vibrant and diverse cities. With so much to see and do in a seemingly small landmass, it can be hard to plan out the perfect London-Scotland-Ireland itinerary.

Luckily, I’m here to help. Read on to find out the best places to visit in Great Britain and Ireland and where you should spend your time!

Table of Contents

Planning a Trip to England, Ireland and Scotland

If you’re wondering about the best way to see England, Scotland and Ireland, then make sure to follow the tips and tricks outlined below.

Though it can be fairly easy to travel around this area, there are a number of logistical things and considerations to take into account in order to make the most out of your trip.

Everything from the time of year you visit to the mode of transport you use to get around can make an impact on your trip, so we’ve taken the time to outline all major options out there.

Best Time to Visit the United Kingdom and Ireland

Contrary to popular belief, it is not always cold and rainy in Britain and Ireland. The weather tends to be mild in the British Isles no matter what time of year, with no extreme variance between the seasons.

However, there are some seasons to travel to this beautiful corner of the world that are better than others which is important to consider when wondering how to plan a trip to England, Ireland and Scotland.

Summer is the most popular time to plan a trip. The days are long and the weather is as warm as it can be.

Highs in most of England and Ireland in the summer average around 20-22ºC (68-72ºF) and you can expect highs in Scotland to be about 15-17ºC (59-63°F). Though there are definitely rainy days, you can generally expect more sunshine this time of year than in other seasons.

While the weather is fantastic (for Britain) in the summer, it is also the busiest time for tourism. That means that the prettiest cities and towns will be filled with people and accommodation will book out well in advance. Prices are likely to be higher as well.

If you plan to go to Edinburgh, it is best to avoid the city during the month of August when its world-famous Fringe Festival is going on (unless you specifically want to visit for this occasion). Accommodation books out months in advance and it can be absolutely packed with people.

Autumn could arguably be the best time to visit Britain and Ireland because you get fewer crowds and decent weather. It doesn’t tend to get properly cold in the British Isles until November, so if you don’t mind a bit of rain and needing to wear a jacket outside , then autumn might be the best bet for you.

Along with the beautiful colours of the changing leaves, average highs in England and Ireland land somewhere around 10-17ºC (50-63ºF) and 8-14ºC (46-57ºF) in Scotland. Plan your visit for late September to early October and you very well might get some beautiful sunny days that are over 20ºC!

Spring in Britain and Ireland can be quite chilly still as the weather doesn’t start warming up properly until mid to late May and doesn’t consistently stay warm until June.

It can be quite rainy, windy, and miserable through most of the spring and even a bit dreary as the leaves don’t return to the trees until May. If you’re travelling in the spring, expect highs to be between 9-14ºC (48-57ºF) in England and Ireland and 7-13ºC (45-55ºF) in Scotland.

Winter is the coldest and darkest month in England, Scotland, and Ireland. While the majority of the isles don’t get a lot of snow, it does get dark quite early (around 3 or 4 PM depending on where you are) and it can be extremely wet and rainy.

Snow and sleet are common so make sure to pack accordingly. Average high temperatures in England and Ireland in winter clock in around 5-7ºC (41-45ºF) and 0-5ºC (32-41ºF) in Scotland.

Winter in Britain and Ireland can be miserable, however, many do like to travel around Christmas time in order to enjoy the decorations and markets scattered throughout the cities.

Cities like London and Edinburgh have wonderful Christmas markets and carnivals set up, but most major towns and cities all throughout this England-Scotland-Ireland itinerary will have something to fill you with holiday cheer.

How to Get Around

When it comes to planning a trip around England, Ireland, and Scotland, many people assume that it is easy to see a great portion of all three countries relying solely on the train. While the train network, especially in England, is extensive, it can be very expensive and they don’t always connect to smaller towns and more rural areas.

We recommend relying on the train and public transport systems while visiting England and then hiring a car once you arrive in Scotland and Ireland respectively if you’re following this itinerary. Both of the countries are noticeably more rural than England and don’t have as extensive of a train network.

The bus is also another option and there are more reliable bus connections within Ireland and Scotland than there are with the train.

Bus tickets can also be considerably less expensive than train tickets, however, it is almost always cheaper to book tickets for both at least a little bit in advance instead of on the day of travel. We suggest looking on Omio to book tickets for trains and buses in the UK

If you can drive, however, and your budget allows for it, then we would seriously recommend you hire a car in Ireland and Scotland . There are many places on this Ireland and Scotland itinerary that are much easier reached if you have your own mode of transportation.

Having a rental car not only allows you to get to more off-the-beaten-path and hard-to-reach areas, but it also gives you more flexibility. Nobody likes to be at the mercy of irregular bus timetables! You can browse car rental options here.

It can also be worth taking out an excess insurance policy with iCarHireInsurance to ensure you don’t need to pay a cent if you get into an accident. This will be significantly cheaper than taking out additional insurance from the car rental company.

It is worth knowing that the majority of rental cars available have a manual transmission. If you can only drive automatic, you need to expect to pay a little bit more for that! Also, this goes without saying, all three countries drive on the left-hand side of the road.

Finally, are you considering taking out a travel insurance policy before your trip? World Nomads   offers flexible and simple travel insurance policies with coverage for more than 150 activities that you can buy or extend while on the road.

3-Week London-Scotland-Ireland Itinerary

In order to get a good feel for each country, we recommend you spend at least one week in each of them. Obviously, you could easily spend weeks exploring all three countries on their own, but then that is what future trips are for!

If you have a shorter period of time, why not make it solely a London-Scotland-Ireland itinerary? While we recommend spending as much time in the massive city that is England’s capital as possible, you can see all of the biggest tourist attractions of London in just three or 4 days before taking the train or flying up to Scotland.

Week 1: England

London — the capital of the United Kingdom — is the most logical starting point for this itinerary. London is an absolutely massive city and while most visitors only spend a couple of days exploring, we would recommend that you spend the entirety of your week in England solely staying in London .

While there is certainly more to England than London, due to its central location as a transport hub, it is easy to visit other English cities as a day trip by train. And also a week in the city allows you to dig deeper and see beyond the main tourist draws and get a glimpse at how and where locals actually live in this diverse metropolis.

If you have never visited London before, then it is only understandable that you might want to spend a couple of days seeing everything that makes The Big Smoke so famous. Take the time to visit Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London and the Houses of Parliament.

If you plan on visiting many paid attractions, then consider investing in a London Go City Pass that includes entry to several of the most popular places in the city and will save you money if you visit enough places!

Enjoy free entry into some of the best museums in the world like the British Museum, Science Museum, and the Victoria and Albert Museum. And, if you can, be sure to catch a West End show.

If these are the only things you plan on doing, then we suggest planning to stay in Central or West London (neighbourhoods like Soho, Kensington, and Knightsbridge) in order to avoid wasting valuable time sitting on the tube or bus.

Many first-time visitors to London grossly underestimate the city’s size and expect everything to be quite close to each other when, in reality, travel times in the city can take a very long time.

One benefit to spending one week in London, however, is that you will have time not only to do that traditional “touristy” things but also be able to get a little bit off the tourist trail and significantly reduce your overall London trip cost .

After you’ve spent your first couple of days exploring Central London and the museums, take a journey east and hang out with the hipsters in Shoreditch, walk along Regent’s Canal to London Fields, or see some live music in Camden.

London is much more than what is displayed in movies and in the media — it is easily one of the most multicultural cities in the world and has close to 9 million residents. Take the time to realise that London is not solely British and you won’t be disappointed.

Another benefit to spending one week in London is that it gives you the opportunity to take some day trips to other English cities. London is very different from the rest of the country, so it can be a really great experience to see how other cities function in England. Cities like Oxford , Cambridge , and Brighton are very popular day-trips from London and are all within about an hour’s train journey.

If you want to visit some less touristy cities that are still easy to do as a day trip, we would recommend getting up early and catching a train to Bristol or Bath in the west, which is a very cool and completely underrated city with an amazing craft beer and arts scene. Or, if you want to see a beautiful walled medieval city, head north to York , which can also easily be visited as a day trip from London.

If you don’t want to spend your entire week in England completely in London, then we would actually recommend spending five nights in the capital before spending two nights in York. There, you can spend one day exploring the city and another venturing out into the beautiful Yorkshire countryside.

Where to Stay in London

It really depends on what you want to do and see in order to find the best area to stay in London . These are our suggestions for some of our favourite areas of the city:

Z Hotel Soho  – cool boutique hotel located right in the centre of Soho. The rooms have been stylishly decorated and there are a number of great cafes, restaurants and bars nearby. 

Astor Hyde Park Hostel   – great budget option in this area offering a mix of dorm and private rooms. The hostel has a brilliant common area, large kitchen and cheap breakfast available with proceeds going to charity. 

Eden Plaza Kensington   – a mid-range hotel located just a few minutes walk from the Science Museum and the Natural History Museum. Also well connected with nearby Tube stations.

Shoreditch: 

Prime Backpackers Angel  – this hostel is located in Angel, just a short walk along the canal to lively and bustling Shoreditch. They have a range of great dorm and private rooms available and come quite highly rated. 

The Hoxton   – boutique hotel with funky and stylish rooms, located only a few minutes from Old Street Tube Station. Downstairs is a popular bar and restaurant that gets busy on weekends, however, rooms are completely soundproof. 

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse other London hotels.

Week 2: Scotland

After spending one week in London and exploring England, it is time to head north to Scotland. You can reach Scotland either by taking the train — which is incredibly scenic, though expensive — or flying, which is often cheaper. If driving, there are a number of great stops between London and Edinburgh to check out!

Begin your adventures in Scotland by spending two days in Edinburgh , the Scottish capital. This beautiful city has an incredible history but it is quite compact and easy to get around — and it’s drastically different from London!

Take the time to walk the Royal Mile, tour Edinburgh Castle, swill some single-malt whiskey in a convivial pub, or maybe let your inner Harry Potter nerd run wild at Greyfriars Kirkyard!

After spending two days in Edinburgh, it’s time to venture into the Scottish Highlands and to explore the largest city there: Inverness. Inverness has the feeling of a small town and the main tourist appeal is its proximity to Loch Ness , however, it is very much worth exploring in its own right.

Spend one day in Inverness itself and another on a day trip from Inverness to Culloden Battlefield, Cawdor Castle, or the famous Loch Ness.

From Inverness, it’s time to get in the car and drive to one of the most beautiful areas of Scotland and a top place to visit in the country: the Isle of Skye . Though many people treat Skye as a simple day trip or stopover spot, it is quite large and really deserves to be explored fully.

That is why we recommend spending 2 full days here in order to see some of the main attractions while also getting a bit off the beaten path. There are some really fantastic hikes to do on Skye as well, so make sure you have proper boots!

After you have spent a wonderful two days exploring the beautiful Isle of Skye, head back to Edinburgh of one night before catching a flight to the Emerald Isle.

Where to Stay in Scotland

Apart from the traditional accommodation options listed below, you can find a number of private rentals in Scotland such as this contemporary cottage on the Isle of Skye or this charming riverside cottage in Inverness.

Edinburgh  

Cityroomz Edinburgh — Located in the heart of the city, this small hotel had a number of rooms on offer and comes very highly rated.

Castle Rock Hostel   — This small, centrally located hostel continues to be one of the highest-rated places to stay in Edinburgh. They have a number of rooms on offer, from dorm beds to privates, a friendly staff, and are a great option for both budget and solo travellers.  

Torridon Guest House – a quaint bed and breakfast that is a great place to stay in Inverness. It is within a short walking distance of the city centre and a good option if you don’t want to stay in a hostel.

Black Isle Hostel  – a great hostel offering dorms and private rooms that is a fantastic option if travelling solo and if you want to meet other travellers. 

Isle of Skye 

An-Airidh Bed & Breakfast Portree – located in Portree, this is a cosy bed and breakfast with plentyof great rooms, a hearty breakfast and friendly owners. Perfect for mid-range visitors.

Skyewalker Hostel — one of the top-rated hostels in all of Scotland, it’s excellently located, they have a number of different room options, a friendly staff, and they sometimes organise social events in the evening. 

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse other Scotland hotels

Week 3: Ireland

Ireland is a country that fills many people with visions of rolling green hills, pastoral beauty, and incredibly friendly people — and upon visiting you will find that it certainly delivers!

While most people spend one week in Ireland going a pretty standard route from Dublin south to Cork and then following the coast up to Galway , we suggest that you venture on a path less taken when you get to this portion of the London-Scotland-Ireland itinerary.

It is easiest to begin your Ireland trip in Dublin, the capital of the Republic of Ireland. Dublin is a large and dynamic city with many layers, however, it can be quite expensive for tourists and there aren’t a plethora of things to do.

Two days in Dublin should be more than sufficient to see the main sites such as Trinity College, Temple Bar, and the Guinness Storehouse.

From Dublin, instead of following all too many tourists ahead of you and going south, it’s time to instead head west for the naturally stunning Connemara region in County Galway.

Situated on Ireland’s west coast, Connemara is famed for its rugged scenery, mountainous and boggy terrain, and unique Gaelic culture.  Though Connemara is your eventual destination, there are a number of interesting stops you can make in the drive along the way.

Spending two days in Connemara will give you time to experience all of the fantastic things to do in this beautiful peninsula.

You can spend the day driving the famous scenic Sky Road outside of Clifden, explore charming fishing villages like Roundstone and Letterfrack, lie on the pristine white sand of Dog’s Bay Beach, and visit the gorgeous and historic Kylemore Abbey.

The final stop sees you in the wonderful Irish city of Galway. There are a number of great things to do here from exploring the main sites like the Spanish Arch and Eyre Square, whiskey tasting at Garavans Pub, listening to traditional Irish music in the trendy West End, and eating at some of Ireland’s top restaurants.

Spend two days exploring Galway city and one more day to take a day trip to one of Ireland’s most famous natural attractions: the Cliffs of Moher . These amazing cliffs are a popular spot for a reason: they are absolutely stunning. Avoid the tourist crowds by trying to get there early, you won’t be sorry!

Where to Stay in Ireland

Apart from the traditional accommodation listed below, you can find a number of private rental properties in Ireland including this stunning city-centre flat in Dublin or this lovely restored barn in Connemara.

Hotel 7 – This perfectly located boutique hotel is the ideal place to stay if you’re looking for a bit more comfort in Dublin. Situated within easy walking distance of some main attractions, they have a number of plush rooms available and a restaurant and bar on site.

Jacobs Inn – This centrally located hostel is a great place for solo and budget travellers. As one of the best-rated hostels in Dublin, they have a range of dorm rooms and privates available and they also organise social events. 

Island View B&B  – Located in the small seaside village of Roundstone, this B&B is the perfect base to explore all that Connemara has to offer. They offer a tasty and filling breakfast and the rooms were clean and comfortable. This is absolutely one of the best places to stay in Connemara. 

Galway  

The Stop B&B   – This is a great bed and breakfast located in the Claddagh neighbourhood of Galway. Though the location is more quiet and residential, it was only about a ten-minute walk to the city centre and even closer to Galway’s vibrant west end. They also have a fantastic breakfast in the morning, included in the room rate. 

Kinlay Eyre Square Hostel – Centrally located just off of Galway’s Eyre Square, this is one of the top-rated hostels in Galway City. They have both dorm and private rooms on offer and also include breakfast in their nightly rate. It’s a fantastic option for both budget and solo travellers alike. 

Additional Information

If you have more time to devote to your itinerary, it can be worth adding a week onto all three countries or forgoing visiting one country altogether.

If you want to see more of England, consider spending a week in the beautiful southwestern region of Cornwall (there are a number of great stops from London to Cornwall to explore!) or heading north to the perennially popular Lake District. The latter makes more sense for an England-Scotland itinerary.

If you have more time and want to spend it in Scotland, consider adding on the Orkney Islands or driving all or part of the North Coast 500 route – this will allow you to see some of the most beautiful areas of the country where few tourists ever venture.

If you want to spend more time in Ireland or want only an Ireland-Scotland itinerary, you can head south from Dublin and spend time in Cork and the Ring of Kerry before tacking on Galway City and Connemara or alternatively head north from Dublin to Belfast and explore Northern Ireland!

Planning the perfect itinerary for England, Scotland and Ireland can be difficult as there is so much to see in each country. With these suggestions, however, you are sure to have the trip of a lifetime!

Are you trying to plan a trip to England, Scotland and Ireland? Have any questions about this itinerary? Let us know in the comments!

Related Posts:

The Perfect Cambridge Day Trip from London Itinerary

The Perfect One Day in Inverness Itinerary

10-Day Ireland Itinerary: 3 Road Trip Routes

About Maggie Turansky

Maggie is a co-founder and writer for The World Was Here First. Originally from the US, she has lived in five different countries and has travelled to dozens more, both solo and with her partner, Michael. She particularly loves exploring Spain and spending time in the Caucasus and the Baltics. Read more about Maggie

I am a widower and solo traveller of 76 years old can you recommend a company that would cater to my age group to see england scotland and Ireland, would it be better to take a cruise on small ship or land tour. I want to spend some time in London as well. It’s been thirty years since Ive been there. I realize this may be too much for one trip but not sure I would ever get back. I am not one to organize tours on my own look forward to hearing from you martin taffel

Hello Maggie,

Hope you are doing great and thank you for having chat blog which would help travelers like us.

We are a family of three adults and fan of Manchester United. We are planning to travel in September/October to see or 2 matches of Man U then travel to Scotland and Ireland. . I also want to know how could travel to the three places, train or air would be better. We are coming from Singapore. Any tips and guidance for us would be good.

Thank you very much Seli

Hi Selvi, if you don’t want to drive yourself, I’d recommend taking the train from London to Manchester and the same onward to Scotland. Then it’s a quick flight to Ireland 🙂

Thanks for the ideas and feedback. This helps stop the head spinning.

One question as we are planning something in June or July 2024 ( I know need to get going), but it will be a family of 3 (2 adults and 1 14YR Old Son). Knowing all cool viewing points will not always be as fun for a 14 year old, any thoughts/suggestions for his consideration?

Hi Tom, maybe plan to spend more time in the cities rather than in the country? There are lots of things that could be of interest to a teenager depending on what your son likes!

Love your recommendations! We will likely visit England, Scotland and Wales in a three to four week trip. Any thoughts about a brief Wales tour? My ancestors are from Llanddulas and we’ve never been to Wales.

I saw you suggested Ireland and Scotland if you only plan to spend 10 days, but what do you think about Ireland and England? I’d love to know your thoughts.

Thank you so much for the great info! My husband and I just booked a trip in and out of London from 9/12-10/16. We plan to do 2 weeks in England and a week each in Scotland and Ireland. He has roots in County Cork so we definitely want to go there. Can you help with an itinerary? Since we’re flying in and out of London, do you recommend one week in the city and one week in the countryside? We definitely want to go to Bath. York, Cambridge, Oxford and maybe the Cotswalds? What do you suggest? Also, is there a ferry from Scotland to Ireland and how are the roads in the rural areas of these two countries? We’ve never driven on the UK side of the road. Will we need a car at all in England? Thank you so much! Debbie

Hello Maggie, I enjoyed your article. My wife and I are planning a Sept 2023 trip to Scotland/London area. Will spend 14 days or so. Wondering if we fly into a Scottish airport or London on a RT ticket from Seattle, WA? The only thing in England we want to see is Sudeley Castle (family relationship), then it’s off to Scotland for 11-12 days (focused on highlands), probably by train then rental car. We could do Sudeley on front end or back. Any suggestions? Thanks!

I am planning a 13 days trip to the UK in January.

I want to understand if I should do both Scotland and Ireland with london.

Please guide.

Thanks for your super helpful blog! I have just a couple of questions:

– Would you recommend separate car hires for Scottland and Ireland? – If you recommend separate car hires, would you recommend travel to Ireland from Scottland via ferry, or plane?

Hello Maggie,visiting Europe for the first time- London – Paris – Italy – would love some advise from you Is the Oliver plaza hotel a good choice to stay in London We are considering 3 to 4 days in London ( sight seeing the most famous sites) – traveling to Paris via the eurostar – 4 day stay in Paris- need advise on hotel close to normal sight seeing- then Italy Rome-pissa -Venice- any and all advise is welcome Thanking you in advance for your help! Adriana

Greetings Maggie! We have a reunion meeting in Belfast on 16-20 Sept 2022. I am flying from New York to Heathrow with connection to Belfast. After the reunion we want to explore Wales and Edinburg and Loch Ness (20-22 Sept) then back to London for return flight to NY. Would appreciate if you could recommend a good itinerary (I don’t drive manual so driving is not for me) taking the ferry from Belfast to Wales and maybe by air to Edinburg (pls suggest the best transport to take). Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

Wonderful information. I have a 1 week trip to London in August and want to spend 2 days in Ireland. My family is from County Fermanagh but I am not sure I can get that far in such a short time and still enjoy it leisurely. Any must do’s or suggestions?? I am not too interested in Dublin.

Spending 2 days in Ireland will definitely be a bit rushed, especially when you consider travel times. I would recommend planning to visit another time if you’re strapped for time on this trip 🙂

Hello Maggie we are 6 people from India all 60 plus of age want to visit London & Countryside in second half of June for around 12 nights what can be best ittenary for the same.My daughter living in London suggested Isle of Wright,Cotswold & Scotland

Hi Maggie- My son is graduating from college and we are planning to go to Ireland, Wales and London. We have approximately 2 weeks. We fly into Dublin and will finish up in London. I’m going home then and he’s heading over to the continent for another 10 days before he returns home to Chicago. I’m considering renting a car in Ireland so we can have more flexibility getting to more places “off the beaten path”. Any advice? Thanks!!

Hi Patrice – sounds like you’re planning a really memorable trip! I think that renting a car in Ireland (and in Wales, too) is a great idea as it will give you a lot more flexibility. Hope you have a great time!

I’m returning to the British Isles in April with my husband & son, as we will be visiting our older son studying in Swansea, Wales. Do you have any recommendations/links for a bed & breakfast or hotel in Swansea and for a bed & breakfast in Dublin, Ireland? Thank you for your kind consideration.

Hi there Maggie,

Thank you for this interesting read! I’ve actually been wanting to do a eng-sct-irl tour like this for quite a while (due in part to being a huge Harry Potter nerd), but I’ve never actually looked into it until now. Your itinerary guide has been really informative!

I know it’s almost impossible to say, BUT if you were to give a ballpark cost figure for the full tour for a single traveler hiring a car, what would it be?

Thanks again! And best wishes.

Thanks for your comment, Jason! We actually have a few cost guides that you might find helpful when coming up with a rough budget. England: https://www.theworldwasherefirst.com/england-trip-cost/ Scotland: https://www.theworldwasherefirst.com/trip-to-scotland-cost/ Ireland: https://www.theworldwasherefirst.com/ireland-trip-cost/

Great article, thank you. In terms of a budget for the three locations, do you have anything on this? Many thanks, Ken

Hi Ken! We actually have separate budget guides for England ( https://www.theworldwasherefirst.com/england-trip-cost/ ), Scotland ( https://www.theworldwasherefirst.com/trip-to-scotland-cost/ ) and Ireland ( https://www.theworldwasherefirst.com/ireland-trip-cost/ ). To help you even further we also have budget guides specifically for London ( https://www.theworldwasherefirst.com/london-trip-cost/ ), Edinburgh ( https://www.theworldwasherefirst.com/prices-in-edinburgh/ ) and Dublin ( https://www.theworldwasherefirst.com/prices-in-dublin/ ). Hope this helps!

Dear Maggie, thank you so much for putting this information out. 6 of us (3 couples family) want to plan a vacation to these locations in June 2022. This really helps us. My mother in law was from England and my husband and siblings want to see it all again. Fingers crossed. Thank you, Barbara

Thanks for your comment, Barbara! Really hope you’re able to have a fantastic trip 🙂

Dear Maggie, This is wonderful information. Thank you so very much. I along with 3 other nurses who have worked off and on together for over 30 years are planning a 6 week trip through England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland. Your tips have helped me with the planning of this trip. Thank you again,

Thanks for your comment, Terry! So happy that we’ve been able to help you plan your trip and I hope that you’re able to have an unforgettable adventure.

Hello, we are considering a 4 week trip for our family of 5, and I was wondering how your 6 weeks went? I am starting to think 4 weeks isn’t enough time

I am planning a trip to the U.K next year. I’m planning on moving to the U.K from Maryland. Where are the best location to settle down. It’s just me and no kids.

Hi Felicia, thanks for your comment! Where you plan to live in the UK really depends on what you’re after. There’s quite a lot of options so make sure to do some research and see where you like the most when you’re visiting next year 🙂

My husband and I are hoping to travel next year to London, Scotland and Ireland. This was a very informative and helpful article. We unfortunately will only have two weeks and not three to do this trip so we may leave off Ireland. Any suggestions on how to spilt the 3 of them in a 2 week period or do you suggest skipping one for a later time date by itself? Thank you

Hi Vicki, thanks for your comment! If you only have two weeks, I think the right move is to only concentrate on England and Scotland and leave Ireland for another trip. It is way better to visit fewer places and actually get to see and experience them then feel as if you have to rush through too many places and not really get the most out of them. Hope this helps and you’re able to have a great trip in the future!

Thanks for your tips etc on visiting Scotland/Ireland. A question can I rent a car in Scotland go over to Ireland leaving the car behind and pick up another car with the same rental company. Thus saving Ferry costs for the car. Whick port do you advise to use?

Regards Sakkie

Hi Sakkie, I’m not aware of any particular companies that you could do this with — you’ll need to contact a few yourself. Hope you have a great trip!

hello maggie,me and my wife are leaving USA,first time for our 30th anniversary.taking 2 1/2 weeks.wanted to visit all 3 places plus amsterdam,and normandy.was planning on flying to all of them,we heard it was the less expensive and doing small day tours in each.3 days in each,London,Edinburgh,dublin,amsterdam and normandy,all in may 2021.think too much?trying to plan a headstart.

Hi Jeffery, I think if you want to visit all of these places in 2.5 weeks it’s going to be a bit too much. Personally, I would limit yourself to just England and Scotland and maybe Ireland and save continental Europe for another trip 🙂 I think you will be able to enjoy the places you visit more this way.

Wondering what the best itinerary would be for 17 day trip. We would fly into the suggested city and rent a car for sure. Looking to get all 3 in and definitely want to see all the highlights. Any recommendations ?

H John, if you have 17 days, I would follow the 3-week itinerary that I’ve lined out and just pick one or two places that don’t interest you in order to meet your time constraints.

Dear Maggie, Thanks for the great information I’m planning for my short vacation (one week ) trip to London . North iceland and Scotland. Do you have any idea or suggestions for this short period ?? Regards Joanne

Hi Joanne, that is a lot of places to pack into one week! I would honestly only suggest sticking to the capital cities (London, Edinburgh, Belfast) and maybe take a day trip or two from them. That would allow you to get a good feel for the places without cramming too much in. Hope you have a great time!

Wonderfully insightful and helpful information on traveling the British Isles. I am planning an 18 day trip next September for my wife and I. Following your suggestions, I think 3 days in London would be enough for us to see many of the important and historic sights there. Then we would take the train to Edinburgh and stay for 2 or 3 days (maybe a short trip to St. Andrews one of those days). Then off to Inverness and the Isle of Skye for 2 days. I’d like to know if you think Glasgow is a must see. If not, we will simply head to Ireland and have a few more days to spend there.

I like the idea of Air BnB sites, but have no experience with them and want to make sure there is no concern necessary. I am a bit cautious at this point.

I’m looking forward to your response and any further/additional suggestions for helpful information.

Best regards, Pat

Thanks for your comment, Pat! I’m glad you’ve found this information helpful and it sounds like you’re planning a great trip. A lot of people tend to skip Glasgow when visiting Scotland (I, myself, have never been) as I don’t believe it has the same kind of beauty and historical sites that you can find in Edinburgh or elsewhere in the country. It is pretty up and coming, however, and there is a great music scene (so I’ve heard), so it all depends on what you’re after.

As for Airbnb, I have stayed in many many Airbnb properties all over the world and have never once had any sort of safety issue. It is actually my preferred kind of accommodation and I use it more often than not. All I would say is make sure you read the reviews of whichever property you want to stay in so you know what to expect. But there isn’t anything to worry about 🙂

Hope this helps!

Maggie, I really enjoyed your discussion and suggested itinerary. I is a great start for us. We are planning a five week trip to England, Scotland and Ireland (hopefully including Northern Ireland). A bit of Wales if we can fit it in would be nice. We are deciding between May and September. Do you have any recommendation/preference? I was thinking September since we would be heading pretty far north in Scotland. Also, do you have any thoughts on additional places to add for a trip of this length. We would likely limit our time in London to two-three days max. Both my wife Sue and I have visited London multiple times, but that is the extent of her travels to Britain. I have seen a fair share of the West Country and South Wales, but would appreciate any thoughts from an expert on how to expand your suggested itinerary. FYI, I have been no further north than the Cotswolds and have not seen Oxford/Cambridge/York and only limited places in Kent/Sussex/Hampshire/Dorset. Thanks in advance.

Thanks for your comment, Bob. I think that planning to go in September is a better bet, the weather is more consistently warm then — May can be really cold throughout Britain. If you’ve already been to London, then I would recommend spending some time in Cambridge and York. The Lake District could be a good option for you, as well, especially if you like nature. I hope you have a great trip!

Thank you so much for such informative articles (I’ve read several of them tonight)!

My husband and I are celebrating our 40th anniversary this December. We never had a honeymoon, so we have been planning a trip to Ireland and Scotland in March/April of 2020.

After reading this article, however, I’m thinking we might be better off to wait until Fall of 2020. ?

I have been looking into tour group trips, but none of them seem to be what we really want. After waiting all this time to go on a trip we’ve dreamed all our lives, I want it to be as special as can be. You have given me the courage to try and plan a trip myself and even hire a car! ?

Thank you again for the insightful advice.

Hi Lorrie, thanks so much for your comment and I am so happy that I’ve inspired you to travel independently for your 40th anniversary “honeymoon!” I’m sure you and your husband will have an amazing time! If you have any questions regarding your trip, please don’t hesitate to get in touch 🙂

we plan to travel to London 14 days on 19dec2019 onwsrds for Christmas celebration n New year 2020 and knowing that daylights short..about 4pm will b dark..

We don’t plan to drive.. can u recommend which date shall we stay in London ? will like to travel to Paris, Scotland or any better suggestion.

Regards Amie

Hey Amie, you can stay in London on any of these days but keep in mind that virtually everything shuts down on Christmas (25 Dec), including all public transport. Other than that, I’m sure you will have a great time — there are lots of markets and fun, festive things to explore that time of year. Just make sure to pack warm clothes!

We are planning a 10 days trip to London Scotland and Ireland.Please suggest an itinerary.

10 days in all three of London, Scotland, and Ireland is going to be too rushed. I would suggest concentrating on either London and Scotland or Scotland and Ireland depending on what interests you most. Hope you have a great trip!

Hi Maggie, Planning a 2.5 week trip and a friend has offered for me to use her vehicle (starting point West London). Would this be a good option or will I be wasting time driving long distances?

Hi Stephanie, if you have the option to borrow your friend’s car for the trip, I would definitely recommend it! Driving in London can be a nightmare, but otherwise, you will have so much more flexibility on your itinerary without being beholden to bus and train timetables. The UK is a small country, so no drives are really that long, either. And you can always find somewhere great to stop along the way!

Hi Maggie! We are looking for a 2 week trip to all 3 places. London we only want to do a few days and see the highlights. Then Scotland and Ireland. We want to stay a night in a castle in Scotland. Ireland we have to kiss the Blarney Stone. Touristy stuff as we have never been. Guinness and Jameson yours too! Ideas?

Hey Maureen, sounds like you’ve got a great trip planned! Hope you have a great time 🙂

Dear Maggie, Read your wonderful and infomative blog. Planning a trip to England, Scotland and Ireland in Mid September for family of 4 adults , a 4 years child and a 8 months baby.

We have only 2 weeks to spend. Please recommended some suggestions and an itinerary. Would like self driving in Scotland and Ireland.

Glad you found the information helpful! While the above itinerary is 3 weeks long, it is entirely possible to cut it down to 2 weeks if you just decide to skip some of the destinations that don’t interest you. For instance, you can only spend a couple of days in London, and skip one destination from each Scotland and Ireland and you will be able to plan to perfect 2-week trip. Hope you and your family have a great time!

Dear Maggie, Happy New Year! Your information is great but I was wondering if you have info on just navigating travel to these beautiful cities via train or other types of transportation between your suggested cities What is your opinion of taking a ferry to one of our selected city? I will be traveling with my 16-year-old daughter and will not be renting a car. I would be too freaked out and make our trip unbearable. We have been to London but never to Scotland or Ireland. We are traveling from Los Angeles and look for to making this a reality. Our travel will be in June of 2019. Great Article and look forward to reading more of your articles.

Happy New Year, Rosemarie! Thanks for your comment 🙂 Depending on where you want to go in Ireland/Scotland, renting a car isn’t entirely necessary, it can just make things more convenient if you want to visit more rural areas. Bus and train connections between the bigger cities in both countries are frequent and reliable, so you shouldn’t need to worry much about that. I’m not sure where you plan to take a ferry to, however, in my experience, the ferries are large, clean, and comfortable and tend to operate on time. If you’re not renting a car, you can also take day tours from all of the bigger cities/towns to visit more difficult-to-reach areas as well. I hope this helps you plan your trip! If you have any more questions, don’t hesitate to send us an email 🙂

Hi Maggie, my husband and I are planning a trip Oct 1-15 for his work to Tenby, Wales. He will have to work each day and I would love to see the UK, my daughter is planning on flying for one week of our stay and just wondering how we could see Ireland-Scotland-London in a 7 day period or is that too much to see in such a short time? Would love your suggestions!!

Hi Pam, thanks for your comment! I personally wouldn’t recommend trying to cram a visit to England, Scotland and Ireland into one 7-day trip – you’re likely not going to get a lot out of it and will spend more of your time travelling between places rather than actually seeing anything. I would recommend staying simply in England and Scotland (or just one of them) and then plan to visit Ireland some other time when you have enough time to properly dedicate to it.

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Tours of England, Ireland, & Scotland

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Idyllic countrysides, charming villages, and colorful cities will capture your imagination and admiration of the British Isles. From royal palaces to sheer cliffsides, the range of beauty that these countries have to offer is on full display. Start your remarkable adventure to the British Isles by customizing your England, Ireland, and Scotland tour.

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Describe your dream England, Ireland, and Scotland tour .

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14  Day Custom Tour

Dynamic pricing from  $6,365

English tea, Scottish lochs, and kissing the Blarney stone. Dramatic coastal drives, evocative medieval castles, and endless green hills. London, Edinburgh, Dublin. Welcome to three of the world’s most distinctive countries. Welcome to a tour of their quirks and idiosyncrasies. Featuring city sights and rural landscapes, this two-week odyssey is all about the contrasts, stretching from regal London to the Cliffs of Moher.

10  Day Custom Tour

Dynamic pricing from  $4,545

Indulge in a love affair across fascinating cliffs and rolling verdant hills, elegant castles and winding medieval lanes during your personalized romantic tour of England, Scotland, and Ireland. Charming villages set the scene for an enchanting exploration. Sophisticated cities unravel the layers of their past among honey-colored stone, soaring towers, and hints of powerful monarchs. Fanciful stories capture your passion in the works of Shakespeare. Guinness highlights the essential flavors and cultural heritage of an entire city. Relax, discover, indulge, and get inspired each day with your unwavering romance. Zicasso offers a variety of England, Ireland, and Scotland tours. Be sure to browse the trips reviews for England, Ireland, and Scotland.

12  Day Custom Tour

Dynamic pricing from  $5,455

Hallowed halls and boisterous bars, Scotch-Irish brogues and the aristocratic lilt of Shakespearean England, England, Scotland, and Ireland are filled with the sights and sounds that remind you of a different, nobler past. Whether you’ve been searching for medieval castles or modern luxury, the whispers of the past or the songs of the present, search no more: it’s all right here.

The fascinating majesty of the past will inspire adults and children alike during your England, Ireland, and Scotland family tour. The sensational history of knights and royalty feeds into captivating folklore. Follow in the footsteps of famous wizards and find an immersive ambiance radiating from mystical monoliths. Your family tour of the United Kingdom and Ireland will boast impressive insight into palaces and armories, artifacts, and medieval lanes.

15  Day Custom Tour

Dynamic pricing from  $6,820

From high tea to High Crosses, from the River Shannon to the River Thames, from Buckingham Palace to Edinburgh Castle: the destinations are filled with the places and the people that are the hallmark to an unforgettable vacation tour of the British Isles. This is the place of perfectly made Irish coffees and the mysteries of Stonehenge, where St. Patrick converted a country and Jane Austen created her most famous characters, where the words of the Bard flow to the melodies of bagpipes. The British Isles is where memories are made, and where time itself seems to stand still.

17  Day Custom Tour

Dynamic pricing from  $7,730

This 17-day tour is handcrafted for senior travelers, with two-night stays in eight unique destinations. It is a journey through Irish coastline, thatched villages, Georgian splendor, Scottish Highlands and islands, beautiful capitals, medieval outposts, and Shakespearean tales. Ireland, Scotland, and England love to showcase their differences from each other. These are three countries distinguished by their cultural nuances, unique histories, and once in a lifetime experiences.

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England, Scotland & Ireland

Spend your days taking in stunning landscapes, iconic sights, and rich history and your nights with a pint at pubs that feel like living museums. From quaint countrysides to bustling cities, this is where jolly good meets good craic.

Picture yourself

Looking out at Big Ben from high atop the London Eye

Reading Harry Potter in the café where it was written

Learning to play the bagpipes from a pro (kilt optional)

Hiking through the picturesque Scottish Highlands

Pouring the perfect pint at the Guinness Storehouse

What you'll get

Round-trip flights & airport transfers (or book 'em yourself)

15 nights in handpicked accommodations

15 breakfasts

Expert Tour Director

24/7 Support

5 insider city tours with a local guide

Entrance to Edinburgh Castle

Admission to the Titanic Museum

Visit to Giant’s Causeway

Board your overnight flight bound for London. Your adventure begins tomorrow, so sit back, shut your eyes, and do as the English do and try and catch some “zeds.”

Welcome to London. Home of the royal fam, tea, a wonderfully different form of the English language, and the largest city in Western Europe. Brimming with history and unique architecture, you’ll soon understand why it’s one of the most visited cities in the world.

In the evening, it’s time for your Welcome Dinner. Enjoy local cuisine and drinks with fellow travelers at an authentic local spot. Then it’s on to wherever your new friends and the party takes you.

Today's highlights:

• Land at the airport and meet a waiting EF representative.
• Transfer to your hotel to check in and check out your room.
• Get familiar with the area around your hotel with an introductory walk with your Tour Director including the River Thames, Trafalgar & Leicester Squares, and Covent Garden.

Go big and go British today as a local guide takes you all around town for the inside scoop on London’s iconic palaces, churches, castles, and yes, even a big old clock.

• Dive into thousands of years of London’s secrets with a local guide.
• Immerse yourself in London’s rich history at gorgeous landmarks from the Tower of London and St. Paul’s Cathedral to Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament.
• Experience a royal ritual during the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace.
• Wave hello to Big Ben, the bell inside the famous clock tower.

Ride Europe’s tallest Ferris wheel for panoramic views before enjoying a traditional English tea. This excursion is  pre-book  only; if your trip is less than fourteen days away, please call 800-766-2645 to purchase.

Use this free day to check out and check off anything you may have missed in one of the world’s greatest cities. Dive in and act like you belong with some local slang, try some famous fare (looking at you fish and chips), and explore until you’re too knackered (tired) to continue.

Free time suggestions

The British Museum: Discover over 2 million years of human history at this free museum. With over 8 million objects and counting, it is one of the largest and most comprehensive collections in existence—so don’t expect to see it all. Westminster Abbey: This historic, royal church is the traditional place of coronation and burial for British monarchs. The mainly Gothic façade leads to a gorgeous array of paintings, stained glass, and artifacts. Get yourself a ticket and you’ll be treated to more than just a house of worship.

Board your private coach to Liverpool, home of the Beatles, Liverpool Football Club and waterfront nightlife. En route, make a stop in William Shakespeare’s hometown for lunch.

• Make your way to Liverpool via private coach.
• Stop in the little town of Stratford-upon-Avon to tour the birthplace of William Shakespeare.
• Arrive in Liverpool and explore the area with your tour director.
• The Beatles: Cue up your Beatles playlist and see the band members’ childhood homes and some of the places that inspired their music, like Strawberry Field.

For being a center of innovation and invention for centuries, Liverpool sure is humble. They only invented the first lifeboat station, the first School for the Blind, and the first High School for Girls after all. (And too many more to type.) Today’s your chance to explore this city on your own and go beyond the Beatles.

English Breakfast : Start your morning strong with a full fry-up: eggs, bacon, sausage, tomatoes, baked beans, mushrooms, toast, black pudding, and a cup of tea or coffee. Good luck eating it all!

Albert Dock : Hang out during your free day at Albert Dock, a complex of dock buildings and warehouses with cool museums, restaurants, and bars.

North Wales Adventure (extra cost)

Wales is a hidden gem of a country. This full day trip whisks you to the seaside town of Conwy, the rolling green Snowdonia National Park, and finally, to Betws-Y-Coed to grab a quaint pint and some pub food. Why wait? Save money by booking this optional excursion before your trip departs.

Board your morning bus, it’s Scotland time! Built on two extinct volcanoes, the capital, Edinburgh, is an enchanting labyrinth of narrow alleyways, cozy pubs, and storybook castles. Feel free to nap, but be sure to peep the English countryside out your window as you pass through the stunning Lake District National Park.

• Wind through the hilly lake-studded expanse of Northern England’s Lake District National Park.
• Make a pit stop for lunch on your own in Windermere—a cute little town that’s home to England’s largest lake.
• Arrive in Edinburgh and stretch your legs with a little walk around town with your Tour Director.

Get an in-depth look at Scottish history and modern day life with a guided sightseeing tour of Edinburgh.

• View the Scottish Crown Jewels in Edinburgh Castle.
• Walk the Great Hall and see the armor, swords and medieval decor that line the walls.
• Visit the Elephant House Cafe, where the first Harry Potter book was written.

Scottish Bagpipe Lesson & Dinner (extra cost)

Only one thing really sounds like Scotland: bagpipes. Today you’ll learn how to play one yourself. Watch a demonstration by a world-class piper, take a lesson, and let ‘er rip over a three-course dinner and drinks. Why wait? Save money by booking this optional excursion before your trip departs.

Take a day to explore Edinburgh your way. Get your Gothic architecture on, hit the pubs, or try and figure out what exactly haggis is (let us know if you get an answer on that one).

Brew Lab: This specialty shop serves up delicious artisanal coffee. It’s also the perfect place to sample the wares of some other indie Edinburgh icons, including soup from Union of Genius and cakes from Lovecrumbs. Arthur’s Seat: Visible from pretty much everywhere in the city, this extinct volcanic peak is a relatively easy hike with a killer view. Old Town: Walk the winding streets lined with everything from candy-colored shops to local pubs to souvenir shops.

Next stop: Glasgow, Scotland. Edinburgh may be the capital, but Glasgow is the biggest city in the country. You know what they say: the bigger the Scottish city, the thicker the Scottish accent. The best part: you’re getting there in the most kilt-tastic way possible—with a hike through the Scottish Highlands and a stop in a castle on the way. Prepare your eyes for lovely Glaswegian Victorian architecture, and prepare your ears for that delightful accent.

• Hike through the Scottish Highlands—a mountainous region that’s so beautiful it should be on display in a giant museum or something.
• Open the gate and enter Doune Castle to see the phenomenally preserved fortress built in the 1300s, and (much, much) later used as the set for Monty Python and the Holy Grail .
• Arrive in Glasgow and see what all the fuss is about.
• Tour Glasgow’s cultural touchpoints that range from “supremely old” to “OMG that is sooo old,” including Kelvingrove Art Gallery, George Square, and Glasgow Cathedral.

You’ve had some good times in Great Britain (we hope you now see why they don’t just call it Britain), because now you’re off to a different British Isle: Ireland. Specifically, the green and welcoming country of Northern Ireland. A ferry will take all you wee lads and lasses across the Irish Sea and then it’s onwards to explore the capital city of Belfast.

• Jig on over to Northern Ireland via ferry and bus.
• Learn about Belfast’s long struggles caught between the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom in a guided tour of the city’s must-see sights.

It’s time to go big—really big. Like Giant’s Causeway big. Some (scientists) say this unique geological formation is result of an ancient volcanic fissure eruption, others (everyone else) believe that an Irish giant by the name of Finn MacCool built it—so he could fight a Scottish giant. Either way, it’s a stunningly beautiful spot to watch the crashing sea. After your visit to Giant’s Causeway, you’ll have time to visit the Titanic Museum.

• Journey to the end of Northern Ireland to see the Giant’s Causeway—on a clear day you can see Scotland from here.
• Walk among the nearly 40,000 basalt rock columns of the Causeway.
• Pass by the infamous dockyards where the Titanic was built over one hundred years ago, and get inside the Titanic Museum to view its very cool exhibits and learn more about the doomed ship.

Say goodbye to Ireland and hello to… also Ireland. Yep, you’re leaving behind Northern Ireland (and the UK) and headed to Dublin, the capital of the Republic of Ireland (or, just Ireland, as we call it). Today, see the best Dublin has to offer with a local guide on a tour of the city. In the afternoon, tour the Guinness Brewery and order a “pint of Gat” (that’s how the cool kids order a Guinness).

• Board your morning bus from Belfast to Dublin.
• Enter St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the 800-year-old church named after the famous saint.
• Pass by Trinity College, one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious universities, home to the storied library that inspired Hogwarts’ own.
• Sample Dublin’s natural beauty and urban escape at Phoenix Park—the largest park in Europe.
• Tour the pint-glass shaped Guinness Storehouse, learn how the famous stout became Ireland’s favorite beer, then enjoy an included one on the house.

Today is a free day in Dublin to do as you please. Take a stroll to St. Stephen’s Green, Grafton Street, and Temple bar, where pub culture, literary history, and all-around charm await. Whatever you do, make sure to make friends with the locals—they’re so friendly and always happy to chat.

Book of Kells: Head back to Trinity College for a chance to see the Book of Kells—a pristine 1,200-year old illustrated collection of biblical stories—up-close. Jameson Distillery: Sick of stout? Switch things up in favor of the strong stuff with a guided tour and whiskey tasting at the Jameson Distillery Bow St.

You’re off to Galway, a city famous for live music, street performers, and art shows. On the way, stop at the Cliffs of Moher for breathtaking views of the coastline.

• Gawk at the Cliffs of Moher—limestone walls of rock that dominate the coast for five miles and rise to staggering heights of 700 feet
• Arrive in beautiful Galway and take it all in on a walk along the banks of the River Corrib, gaze at the picture perfect Galway Bay, then get stoked for a night out in a new town.

Quay Street: Quay Street is a pub-crawler’s heaven. Pick a starting point, have a pint, and see where it takes you. Buskers: Busking, or street performing, is basically Galway’s favorite pastime. Catch the best fiddle player you’ve ever seen on one corner, and a blazing banjoist on the next.

Raise your glass, here’s to one more rowdy day in the British Isles! We know you’ll make it count. Before heading out for the day, take a moment to reflect on all the Guinness, rolling meadows, hearty food, and  craic  you’ve had. Ready? Go make some memories!

Eyre Square: The end of the rainbow in Galway leads to Eyre Square—a bustling center of shops, cafes, and art, though no known pot of gold sightings—yet. Irish Coffee: Vodka Red Bull’s Irish cousin packs a caffeinated punch of coffee, whiskey, and Bailey’s. Please enjoy responsibly.

Farewell Dinner Share some last laughs and revisit the best moments of the trip at this included farewell dinner with the group.

Afternoon on the Aran Islands (extra cost)

Take a ferry ride to the Aran Islands, where old traditions and iconic Irish countryside are hanging on strong. Don't miss Dún Aengus, a 2,000-year-old fort with walls that go right to the edge of a cliff high above the sea. Why wait? Save money by booking this optional excursion before your trip departs.

Slán libh, a cháirde! Translation: Goodbye, friends. Before you head to the airport, make sure to take one more group photo and grab that final drink. But this isn’t goodbye because you can always get the gang back together for another trip soon. Or if you’re feeling adventurous, we have a couple ways to keep your vacation going.

EXTEND YOUR TRIP 2 WAYS

1. Double the fun A lot of our trips line up back to back! Give us a call—we can help you add another and save big while you're at it.

2. Go ahead or stay behind Extending your trip is easy! During checkout, you'll have the option to fly to (or from) the gateway of your choice for an additional fee. We'll adjust your flights accordingly, but you'll be responsible to take care of your transportation, hotels, and other logistics outside of tour.

Note: Depending on your desired gateways, additional fees may apply.

Dream Trip!

This trip was amazing!! The views were breathtaking everywhere we went. There were many things planned throughout the trip, but there was also enough free time to go see what you wanted. Fabrice was a great tour director as well!

I loved this trip with all my heart ❤️ I met people who I surprisingly connected well with and got to experience my lifelong dream!

This trip was absolutely amazing! I loved Scotland & north wales the best! Just learning about the history & culture was spectacular

This trip was a once and a lifetime experience! Fab was an amazing tour guide and really helped us to immerse into the culture there. I made so many great friends and great memories that I will have for the rest of my life.

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British Isles Travel - Taste of Britain & Ireland

14 DAYS / 13 NIGHTS

Day 1London Tour | Tower of London

Day 2independent touring in london, day 3 windsor castle | bath, day 4 cotswold drive | shakespeare's birthplace | liverpool, day 5 lake district | windermere cruise, day 6 edinburgh castle | city tour | scotch whisky experience*.

Day 7 Glasgow City Tour | Ferry to Belfast

Take some time this morning to explore central Belfast on your own. Then learn all about Belfast's shipbuilding history and the ill-fated RMS Titanic at Titanic Belfast where you can experience the history of this ocean liner through interactive displays. In the evening, stop at The Glyde Inn for a drink and dinner with entertainment. (B, D)

Day 9Independent Sightseeing in Dublin

Day 10blarney castle | killarney, day 11sheepdog demonstration | dingle peninsula | irish night, day 12 flying boat museum | cliffs of moher, day 13 dalkey | fitzpatrick castle stay, day 14 tour ends in dublin.

• All local taxes, hotel service charges & handling of one suitcase per person
• Full daily breakfast and many meals*
• Scottish & Irish entertainment
• Transportation (Buses, shuttles & ferries)
• Welcome drinks with your group
• Free Wi-Fi on luxury coaches
• All entrance fees to attractions
• Comprehensive travel itinerary
• Doubletree Victoria  | London (2)  
• Bailrook Hotel | Bath (1)  
• Delta by Marriott Liverpool City Centre | Liverpool (1)  
• Macdonald Houston House Hotel | Edinburgh (2)  
• Holiday Inn Belfast City Centre   | Belfast  (1)  
• Croke  Park Hotel | Dublin (2)  
• The Gleneagle Hotel | Killarney (2)  
• Galmont Hotel | Galway (1)  
• Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel,  Killiney  | Dublin (1)  

Price per person sharing a twin or triple room. ONLY ONE TRIPLE ROOM IS AVAILABLE PER DEPARTURE - BOOK EARLY. Save 10% per person on coach land tour prices if you are 8 & under 17 and traveling with at least one full fare paying passenger. Airfare is available from many cities. Just ask.

Call +1-800-221-2474 9AM - 5PM Mon-Fri Eastern Time Please Email Us For Information

Cancellation Penalties: Airfare up to 100%; Land: Penalties per person apply: 70 days or longer: Forfeiture of deposit 69 - 46 days: 35% per person 45 - 8 days: 45% per person 7 - 1 days: 60% per person, On day of departure: 100% per person Travel Insurance

Price per person sharing a twin or triple room. ONLY ONE TRIPLE ROOM IS AVAILABLE PER DEPARTURE - BOOK EARLY. Save 10% per person on coach land tour prices if you are 8 & under 17 and traveling with at least one full fare paying passenger. Airfare is available from many cities. Just ask. Call +1-800-221-2474 9AM - 5PM Mon-Fri Eastern Time Please Email Us For Information

• 10 Day Small Group Ireland Tour
• 9 Day Irish Explorer
• 7 nights Tour Irish Gold
• Scottish and Irish Dream

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Printer-friendly Tour Itinerary Iconic Scenes of Britain and Ireland Tour 2025

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Please note when booking flights for this tour: The Iconic Britain & Ireland Tour starts in London, England , and ends in Dublin, Ireland (Departure Airport: Dublin Airport).

Day 1 Itinerary

Arrive and make your way independently to the Hotel Riu Plaza London Victoria . (Arrival Transfers not included).

Your Tour Manager will be in the hotel lobby area during the morning and afternoon to answer any questions you may have, offer advice on what to do and see during your time in London, as well as let you know the details of the welcome dinner this evening.

Most trans-Atlantic flights arrive in the early morning, and your room may not be ready for you. In this case, leave your luggage with the concierge and take the opportunity to discuss with your Tour Manager some suggestions for lunch and for you to begin exploring London on your own.

This evening, meet your fellow tour guests and enjoy a welcome dinner hosted by your Tour Manager at Hotel Riu Plaza London Victoria .

Overnight at Hotel Riu Plaza London Victoria . Situated in the bustling centre of the city, Hotel Riu Plaza London Victoria serves as an ideal starting point to explore the dynamic British capital.

Included Today

• Welcome Dinner
• Hotel Riu Plaza London Victoria

Day 2 Itinerary

Your Tour Manager will be available in the lobby of the Hotel Riu Plaza London Victoria after breakfast and in the afternoon today to answer any questions. They will have advice for you on what to see and do during your free time in London today. You can also ask them for suggestions on the best places to dine this evening.

Enjoy some free time in London , a city with a seemingly endless abundance of historic buildings and world-famous landmarks, including the Tower of London, Big Ben, Trafalgar Square and Buckingham Palace.

Tonight you will overnight in Hotel Riu Plaza London Victoria .

Day 3 Itinerary

After breakfast, meet up with your Tour Driver and depart for the city of Bristol. Travel along one of Britain's most scenic regions, the Cotswolds. Made up of a series of rolling hills and picturesque rural landscapes, the Cotswolds is located in England's central southwest and spans across the borders of several English counties.

Visit Stonehenge . Scholars and archaeologists have been amazed by the mysteries surrounding Stonehenge for centuries. Built during the Neolithic Period over an estimated span of 1,500 years, it is made up of approximately 100 colossal upright stones arranged in a circular pattern.

Visit The Roman Baths . Located in Somerset, England, the Roman Baths are an ancient and well-preserved site that gives us a glimpse into the lives of the Romans who lived there between 60 and 70 AD. See the treasure trove of artefacts that were uncovered at the site, such as Roman jewellery, coins, and tools.

Enjoy some free time in Bath City . Venture to the heart of the historic city and take in the vibrant atmosphere and stunning Georgian buildings. Or, take time to unwind in the tranquillity of Henrietta Park or the Sydney Gardens, along the majestic River Avon.

Tonight you will overnight and dine at Clayton Hotel Bristol . Located in the vibrant heart of Bristol, the hotel provides an excellent starting point for visitors to explore the city. With easy access to Bristol's shopping district and the lively Harbourside area.

• Evening Dinner
• The Roman Baths
• Clayton Hotel Bristol

Day 4 Itinerary

After a hearty breakfast, we will depart for Birmingham City. Heading north, we will pass by Gloucester, Cheltenham and Worcester.

Take a journey on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway . Embark on a picturesque train journey from Cheltenham to Broadway, where you'll be treated to breathtaking vistas throughout. Take in the stunning scenery of the Vale of Evesham, the majestic Malvern Hills, and even glimpses of Wales.

Indulge in the quintessentially English and delicious experience of the Classic Afternoon Tea at Broadway Hotel . Delight in the freshly baked homemade scones, accompanied by Cornish clotted cream and strawberry jam. Savour the assortment of finger sandwiches, and sweet treats from the pastry kitchen with a choice of tea or coffee.

Visit Shakespeare's Birthplace . Located on Henley Street in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England, Shakespeare's Birthplace is a meticulously restored 16th-century house. It is said to be where the renowned playwright, William Shakespeare, was born in 1564 and spent his early years.

Tonight you will overnight and dine at Clayton Hotel Birmingham . Located in the heart of Birmingham City Centre, a brief stroll away from the Bullring and Grand Central centres, the Clayton Hotel Birmingham is the ideal location for anyone looking to explore England's "second city".

• Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway
• Afternoon Tea at Broadway Hotel
• Shakespeare's Birthplace
• Clayton Hotel Birmingham

Day 5 Itinerary

After breakfast this morning, we will continue our journey north towards the city of Manchester. Your journey today will take you across the Peak District. Made up of a region of highlands and moorlands that form a national park in central England, the area is famous for its stunning natural beauty, as well as containing what some call "the purest natural mineral water in the world".

Take a guided tour of Chatsworth House . Nestled in the picturesque landscapes of Derbyshire, England, Chatsworth House is a stunning mansion that showcases both history and grandeur. It was built in the mid-16th century, and today takes visitors on a captivating journey through time and art.

Set sail on a Manchester River Cruise . Explore the rich history of the Manchester Ship Canal and River Irwell, and uncover the stories of trade, industry, and transportation that shaped the region.

Tonight you will overnight and dine at Maldron Hotel Manchester City . Conveniently located in the vibrant city centre, Maldron Hotel Manchester City provides easy access to all that Manchester has to offer.

• Chatsworth House
• Manchester River Cruises
• Maldron Hotel Manchester City

Day 6 Itinerary

After breakfast this morning, we will depart for the city of Newcastle, located in England's northeast.

Your Tour Manager will take you on a tour of York City. Venture through the historic streets of the city including Aldwark, Bootham, Hornpot Lane and Davygate. York's most famous street, known as The Shambles, showcases an array of well-preserved medieval buildings, including some that trace their origins back to the 14th century. Your Tour Manager will also take you on a tour of York Minster . Initially constructed in the 7th century, York Minster has long been the focal point of Christianity in northern England. The structure we see today was completed in 1472.

Travelling north from York to Newcastle, you will pass by the Angel of the North — a statue standing 66 foot tall and said to represent the hopes and dreams of the people of the north.

Tonight you will overnight and dine at Maldron Hotel Newcastle . Nestled in the bustling heart of Newcastle City Centre, Maldron Hotel Newcastle is a four-star accommodation offering an ideal base for visitors to the area.

Included today:

• York Minster
• Maldron Hotel Newcastle

Day 7 Itinerary

This morning after a hearty breakfast will continue northwards, crossing the English border and into Scotland at Carter Bar.

Visit Jedburgh Abbey . Established around 1138 by David I, Jedburgh Abbey was created as a home for Augustinian canons. Due to its proximity to the English border, the abbey faced frequent attacks from invading border armies. Today, visitors can explore the abbey's visitor centre and stroll through the nearby herb garden.

Visit Rosslyn Chapel . Located just outside the Scottish city of Edinburgh, Rosslyn Chapel dates back to the 15th-century by Sir William St Clair.

Tonight you will overnight and dine at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Edinburgh City , the perfect base for anyone looking to explore Scotland's capital.

• Jedburgh Abbey
• Rosslyn Chapel
• DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Edinburgh

Day 8 Itinerary

After a hearty Scottish breakfast, depart on a panoramic tour of Edinburgh City , with a local Edinburgh Step-on Guide.

Visit Holyrood Palace . Known as the official Scottish residence of the British Royal Family. Adjacent to the palace is Holyrood Park and Arthur's Seat — a volcano that has been extinct for millions of years.

Take a visit to the Scottish Parliament. This modern building was opened in 2004 after decades of Scottish calls for self-determination.

Enjoy an afternoon visit to Edinburgh Castle , dating from the 12th century that has been a fortress, royal palace and prison through its turbulent past. It houses the oldest crown jewels of Britain - The Honours of Scotland.

Enjoy the afternoon free as you explore the Royal Mile, the main thoroughfare of medieval Edinburgh.

Tonight, you will overnight and dine in the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Edinburgh City .

• Edinburgh City Step-on Guide
• Holyrood Palace
• Edinburgh Castle

Day 9 Itinerary

Depart for Glasgow City via Stirling and Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park .

Visit Stirling Castle . One of the largest and most historically important castles in Scotland. The majority of the structure, as it stands today, dates back to the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. The outer defences, facing the town of Stirling, were constructed in the 18th-century. In its lifetime, Stirling Castle has suffered at least eight sieges, most of which took place during the Wars of Scottish Independence.

Witness the stunning beauty of Loch Lomond . Take in the Bonnie Banks of Scotland's largest lake, on board a leisurely cruise.

Continue on to Glasgow City .

Evening free in Glasgow City . Enjoy Glasgow's famous Cathedral Quarter. With its pre-industrial roots, Glasgow is now a modern and vibrant city. The great inventors James Watt and Charles Macintosh were born here, to name a few.

Tonight you will overnight and dine at Maldron Hotel Glasgow City . This brand new city centre hotel is the ideal 4-star base to check out all that Glasgow has to offer.

• Stirling Castle
• Loch Lomond Cruise
• Maldron Hotel Glasgow City

Day 10 Itinerary

Tour Glasgow City with your Tour Manager, and discover Glasgow's key landmarks as well as its hidden gem. Take in the unique architecture, ranging from Medieval to post-modern, and uncover the history of this once troubled city; from its 18th-century heyday as a commercial and trading hub to its economic decline of the late 20th century. The real essence of Glasgow is found in its people, affectionately known as 'Glaswegians', they are renowned for their unique 'patter'; a slang and accent combined that is almost impenetrable to the outside world. Your Tour Manager can give you a general breakdown of the patter, this will come in handy should you converse with a Glaswegian that you may otherwise struggle to understand.

Visit Glasgow Cathedral . A truly rare example of an almost complete 13th century church.

Depart for Cairnryan.

Check-in at Ferry Terminal 1 hour prior to sailing time.

1530 Journey by Ferry to Belfast Port across the North Channel to Belfast Port.

Welcome to Northern Ireland!

Tonight you will overnight and dine at Maldron Hotel Belfast . Set just one mile from the Belfast City Botanic Gardens, and a 12-minute walk from the vibrant Belfast Waterfront.

• Glasgow Cathedral
• Ferry to Belfast
• Maldron Hotel Belfast

Day 11 Itinerary

Tour of Belfast City - Northern Ireland's capital; with your Tour Manager to see and hear all about the history of this once-troubled city — including the Belfast Murals of the Loyalist Shankill Road and Nationalist Falls Road. The city was the only city in Ireland to fully experience the Industrial Revolution. Linen, rope making, tobacco and most famously shipbuilding including the building of the Titanic Belfast on the Harland & Wolff shipyard, were the main industries. The Troubles took their toll on the economic life of Belfast, but the past fifteen years of peace have returned much prosperity, while the genuine friendliness of the city never left.

Depart for the historic fortified city of Derry/Londonderry City located on the River Foyle. The city fortifications are amongst the best preserved in Europe. The city walls are up to 8 metres in height and in places are 9 metres wide and were completed in 1618 to defend the city from Gaelic chieftains in Donegal.

On the spectacular North Antrim Coast visit Giant's Causeway . This prehistoric geological phenomenon is the subject of many myths and legends. There are an estimated 37,000 basalt columns extending from cliffs down into the sea.

Continue onto Derry/Londonderry City .

Tonight you will overnight and dine at Everglades Hotel . Standing as a gateway to the northwest of Ireland, and featuring stunning views across the River Foyle towards the hills of Donegal, the Everglades Hotel is a luxury four-star stay.

• Irish Breakfast
• Giant's Causeway
• Everglades Hotel

Day 12 Itinerary

Join up with your local Derry/Londonderry City guide as they walk you through the historic city of Derry. Also known as Londonderry, which remains its legal name, Derry/Londonderry City is Northern Ireland's second-largest city (after Belfast), and is famed for being the only remaining completely intact walled city in Ireland. Built, between 1613 and 1619, as a means of protecting the city against invasion from the English and Scottish, the walls form a walkway through the inner city. Ranging in height from 12 to 35 feet, you can walk across them and view the city from above as your guide lays out the turbulent history of this once troubled region of Northern Ireland.

Continue south to Galway City , known as the "City of the Tribes". Just a few miles outside Derry you will cross the border into Donegal and you are now in the Republic of Ireland. Donegal is a spectacularly rugged county in the very North-West of Ireland has very much its own distinct cultural identity and the locals are fond of the expression - "Up here it's different"

Travel on through Sligo with its distinctive high plateau mountain of Ben Bulben , which featured so prominently in the poetry of W.B. Yeats, one of the foremost figures in 20th-century literature.

Visit Drumcliffe . Located in County Sligo, this is the picturesque final resting place of W.B. Yeats. Here you can read the epitaph on the grave of one of Ireland's greatest poets.

Travel on via Mayo, famous for its important pilgrimage sites including Knock Shrine and Croagh Patrick Mountain, where since ancient times pilgrims have climbed its rocky slopes to the summit in honour of St. Patrick, who it is said fasted and prayed for 40 days on this windswept peak.

Continue on along the shores of Lough Corrib, the largest lake in the Republic of Ireland and is considered by many as the best fishing lake in Europe, to Galway City , a vibrant bustling harbour town with medieval origins and with a long tradition of Irish language, music, song, and dance.

Tonight you will overnight and dine at Menlo Park Hotel . Located just outside Galway City, this sleek and modern hotel is set in an idyllic location.

• Derry City Walking Guide
• Menlo Park Hotel

Day 13 Itinerary

Tour the wilds of Connemara, a vast expanse of mountains, bogs, heathlands, and lakes dotted with small fishing villages west of Galway City .

Your journey today will take you via the villages of Oughterard, Maam Cross, and Recess before travelling up the spectacular Inagh Valley, with the 12 Bens of Connemara on your left and the Maumturks Mountains on your right as you travel to the village Leenane on the shores of Killary Harbour, Ireland's only fjord.

Visit Kylemore Abbey . An historic building nestled at the base of Duchruach Mountain, on the northern shore of Lough Pollacappul — in the heart of the Connemara Mountains. It is regarded as one of Ireland's most romantic buildings.

Travel on via Letterfrack to Connemara National Park, where you will have the opportunity for spectacular views of Connemara's hills, bays and inlets.

Return east to Galway City .

Tonight you will overnight and dine at Menlo Park Hotel .

• Kylemore Abbey

Day 14 Itinerary

This morning, after breakfast, you will begin one of the great coastal scenic routes of the world down the Atlantic west coast of Clare to the world-famous Killarney Town , on the edge of Killarney National Park.

Travelling down the Atlantic seaboard, our journey will take you via Galway Bay, Dunguaire Castle at Kinvarra (This is a drive-by only and only noted for its scenic location overlooking Galway Bay) and Ballyvaughan.

See The Burren , which is Gaelic for rocky land—an apt name for this vast limestone plateau. In the 1640s, Cromwell's surveyor described it as "a savage land, yielding neither water enough to drown a man, nor tree to hang him, nor soil enough to bury".

Visit Cliffs of Moher . Braced against the ocean, on the coast of County Clare. Here you will stand on the dramatic 702ft (214m) high and 9 miles (14km) long cliffs, a Wild Atlantic Way signature discovery point, to gaze out on the vastness of the Atlantic Ocean.

Continue down the Atlantic coast via the coastal towns and villages of Ennistymon and Lahinch before turning east to Limerick to visit the beautiful, thatched village of Adare , considered by many as Ireland's prettiest village and home to the 2027 Ryder Cup.

Cross the Limerick/Kerry border, and you are now in the "Kingdom of Kerry" and you will travel on to Killarney.

Tonight you will overnight and dine at Dromhall Hotel . Located in the ideal location, between the Ring of Kerry and Killarney Town centre, this hotel has been a popular port of call for guests to the area since the 1960s.

• Cliffs of Moher
• Dromhall Hotel

Day 15 Itinerary

Tour the Ring Of Kerry . Officially known as the Iveragh Peninsula, it is a captivating journey of spectacular mountain and coastal scenery dotted with colourful small towns and villages. You will travel via Killorglin, Glenbeigh, Cahersiveen, Waterville, Coomakesta Pass with its magnificent views over Derrynane, home of Daniel O' Connell, known as "The Liberator", to Caherdaniel.

Visit Blind Piper Pub . Here you will have a traditional Irish Pub Lunch . Located in the village of Caherdaniel, locals and visitors alike have been drinking here since 1865. Who is the Blind Piper, you may ask? The Blind Piper is Mici Cumba O'Sullivan, who was born nearby in 1835 and became one of Ireland's most famous pipers.

Travel on via the hamlet of Castlecove, the colourful village of Sneem and on via Moll's Gap, Ladies View, Killarney National Park and along the Lakes of Killarney to Killarney Town .

Tonight you will overnight and dine at Dromhall Hotel .

• Ring of Kerry
• Blind Piper Pub

Day 16 Itinerary

This morning, after breakfast, you will journey north to Dublin. Your route will first take you east to the "county bounds" under the wild Derrynasaggart Mountains, sometimes referred to as the Cork/Kerry Mountains and made famous in the ballad — "Whiskey in the Jar" — to Cork, known as the Rebel County.

Visit Blarney Castle . Built on this site in 1446 by Dermot McCarthy. You will have the chance to kiss the legendary Blarney Stone. You will also have an opportunity to shop at Blarney Woollen Mills , boasting a huge selection of Irish arts, crafts and produce.

Cross the River Blackwater and enjoy the breath-taking views of the Golden Vale, the name given to some of Ireland's finest rolling pastureland, and the Galtee Mountains on the Tipperary/Limerick border.

Visit The Rock of Cashel . Rising dramatically from the grassy plains of county Tipperary. This was the seat of kings and medieval bishops for 900 years and flourished until the early 17th century. Brian Ború was crowned King of Munster here in 977, before becoming High King of Ireland in 1002.

Travel on via "The Curragh" a flat open plain of common land, the home of the Irish Defence Forces and world-renowned for Irish horse racing, breeding, and training.

Continue on to Dublin City .

Tonight you will overnight and dine at Gresham Riu Plaza Hotel , located in a grand Georgian building on Dublin City's main street; O'Connell Street. This is a luxury hotel in a dream location.

• Blarney Castle
• The Rock of Cashel
• Gresham Riu Plaza Hotel

Day 17 Itinerary

Enjoy a visit to EPIC: The Irish Emigration Museum . Voted, recently, as "Europe's Leading Tourist Attraction", this museum tour tells the story behind the millions of people who fled, or were forced from, Ireland over the past three centuries. Located in Dublin's Docklands..

Visit Christ Church Cathedral . Founded by the Viking King Sitric almost 1000 years ago in 1034. The cathedral crypt is one of the largest in the UK and Ireland, dating back to the 12th Century. Here, in the crypt, you can see the mummified remains of the Cat and the Rat which were found in the cathedral organ, and a rare 14th century copy of the Magna Carta.

Visit Guinness Storehouse . With an address at the world-famous St. James's Gate. Here you will tour the world-renowned brewery and enjoy a perfect complimentary pint of Guinness in the Gravity Bar — located at the top of a glass tower that commands spectacular views of Dublin City .

Visit Taylors Three Rock . Take in an evening of traditional Irish song, music, laughter, and dance while also indulging in a wide variety of mouthwatering Irish dishes. The audience is treated to breath-taking performances by their resident band and traditional Irish dancers, who never fail to entertain.

Tonight you will overnight and dine at Gresham Riu Plaza Hotel .

• Taylors Three Rock Dinner and Show
• EPIC: The Irish Emigration Museum
• Christ Church Cathedral
• The Guinness Storehouse

Day 18: Departure

Today marks the end of The Iconic Britain and Ireland Tour.

After a final great Irish breakfast this morning, there will be 3 group airport transfers between 0500 and 1100 to get you to Dublin Airport for your return flight home. Turas sàbhailte dhuibh (safe journey).

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10 Day UK and Ireland Tour of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales

10 days, 5 countries and 15 cities

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9 Breakfasts, 3 Dinners

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Short on travel time but want to see all the Britain and Ireland highlights? This trip delivers the genius of Shakespeare, Waterford crystal creations in Ireland and a hearty Welsh dinner at a local vineyard, with a side of ancient history, in just over one week.

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10 days itinerary trip from London to London visiting 5 countries and 15 cities

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About this trip

Sightseeing highlights.

Explore Edinburgh, Belfast and Dublin with a Local Specialist

Discover York, Glasgow, Cardiff and Bath

Visit Shakespeare's Birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon, Gretna Green, Edinburgh Castle, Guinness Storehouse, the Irish National Stud and Japanese Garden, the Waterford Crystal Showroom, the Roman Baths in Bath and the ancient stone circle at Stonehenge

View York Minster, Glasgow Cathedral and George Square, City Hall in Belfast, Kilkenny Castle and Gardens

See the Principality Stadium in Cardiff

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Pick-up and drop-off when you stay at the Trafalgar recommended London hotel, booked through Trafalgar

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Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals

Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras

Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing

Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)

Ferry across the Irish Sea from Scotland to Northern Ireland

Ferry across the Irish Sea from Ireland to South Wales

Optional Experiences and free time

On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.

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Every one of our tours includes at least one conscious travel experience that supports one or more of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS). Look out for yours within the day-by-day trip itinerary.

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Travel knowing our 4-point climate action plan will ensure net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

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Your tour directly supports local communities by visiting family-run businesses, UNESCO sites and places of cultural significance.

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Every part of our business, from trip design to how we run our offices, aligns to our 5-year sustainability strategy which ensures a positive impact on people, the planet and wildlife.

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Our not-for-profit, the TreadRight Foundation, invests in nature-based solutions to address climate change.

You’ll make a positive impact to people, planet and wildlife on this tour

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How the 2025 Lions squad is shaping up after Six Nations

Six Nations saw players like Immanuel Feyi-Waboso throw themselves into Lions mix. So, who is currently on plane to Australia?

Following Andy Farrell’s announcement as British and Irish Lions coach in January, Telegraph Sport selected what the touring party would look like if picked then .

After a Six Nations campaign that included an English resurgence and Ireland winning once again, the squad is revisited to see who forced their way into the squad and who has fallen away:

Andrew Porter (Ireland), Ellis Genge (England), Pierre Schoeman (Scotland)

There is no change here from the squad selected before the Six Nations, with all three showing their might. Genge missed the opening two rounds due to injury but became a rock for England, as Porter and Schoeman were throughout the championship for Ireland and Scotland respectively.

Dewi Lake (Wales), Dan Sheehan (Ireland), Ronan Kelleher (Ireland)

Injured for the whole Six Nations, there is still plenty of time for Lake to earn a spot. If all the home nations’ hookers are fit and firing, the Welshman will be among the three best. Pre-tournament, George Turner was picked but Kelleher’s performances off the bench for Ireland have seen him usurp the Scot.

Zander Fagerson (Scotland), Tadhg Furlong (Ireland), Finlay Bealham (Ireland)

Pre-tournament, Fagerson and Furlong led the pack and were streets ahead of the rest. Although solid, Fagerson did not quite kick on as expected but still makes the squad. Initially, Sale prop Asher Opoku-Fordjour was selected as a bolter, which could still happen, but moving to loosehead with the Under-20s has muddied the waters.

George Martin (England), Maro Itoje (England), Joe McCarthy (Ireland), Tadhg Beirne (Ireland), Dafydd Jenkins (Wales), Scott Cummings (Scotland)

Fairly straightforward here: the two English locks, the Irish pair, plus a Welshman and a Scot. Martin and Itoje were among England’s best in the Six Nations while the same could be said of McCarthy and Beirne with Ireland. The contribution of Jenkins in a defeated cause was always notable while Cummings is in on work-rate alone, finishing among the Six Nations’ top tacklers.

Jac Morgan (Wales), Tommy Reffell (Wales), Ben Earl (England), Caelan Doris (Ireland), Josh van der Flier (Ireland), Ollie Chessum (England)

Just two switches here from the team selected before the championship, with Van der Flier rediscovering some of his best form and Chessum’s switch to blindside proving a success. Reffell was Wales’ stand-out player in the Six Nations while Earl laid down an incredibly convincing case for player of the tournament. Morgan, injured for the whole championship like Lake, remains a shoo-in if fully fit and back at his World Cup best; a captaincy candidate, too.

Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland), Tomos Williams (Wales), Alex Mitchell (England)

Gibson-Park and Mitchell, picked before the Six Nations, did enough to maintain their positions but Gareth Davies did not after some ponderous showings off the bench. Williams looked incredibly lively around the fringes for Wales and it would be interesting to see how he flourished behind a better pack. There are a host of other candidates who could emerge, but Ben White of Scotland will push this trio, too.

Finn Russell (Scotland), George Ford (England), Jack Crowley (Ireland)

The scenario which sees Marcus Smith miss out on selection is a very unlikely one. But, these three are picked on form and merit, with Smith having missed a large chunk of the tournament due to injury. Russell starred for Scotland while Crowley looked as though he had enough class to fill Johnny Sexton’s boots, even if the 24-year-old was a little overawed at Twickenham. And Ford was one of England’s best across the five games.

Bundee Aki (Ireland), Ollie Lawrence (England), Garry Ringrose (Ireland), Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland)

No change here from what was picked pre-championship. Ringrose’s injury meant that we barely saw anything of him but with still over a year to go until the Lions tour it would take a brave person to bet against him boarding the plane to Australia. Aki continued his scintillating World Cup form, Lawrence proved his class in Lyon and against Ireland, and Tuipulotu’s absence was keenly felt by Scotland. Huw Jones and Robbie Henshaw will provide more-than-able back-up.

James Lowe (Ireland), Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland), Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (England), Mack Hansen (Ireland)

One change from the pre-championship selection, with one of the finds of the Six Nations, Feyi-Waboso, muscling his way in over the injured Darcy Graham. The Scot is a fabulous wing and will still push this quartet all the way for selection should he regain form and fitness, but the emergence of Feyi-Waboso has put a spanner in the works. The Exeter wing touched world class in the limited gametime he had for England and his presence was sorely missed in Lyon. Lowe and Van der Merwe are almost automatic selections at this point while Hansen established himself as one of the world’s best wings over the past two years. Despite missing the whole Six Nations due to injury, the Connacht man has enough credit in the bank.

Hugo Keenan (Ireland), Blair Kinghorn (Scotland)

Perhaps the most high-profile switch since before the Six Nations, and maybe the position the most up for grabs, too. Keenan missed two of Ireland’s matches due to injury but has proven himself a class above and retains his spot. Freddie Steward is a victim of his England dropping but, in many respects, what Andy Farrell desires from his full-back will dictate Steward’s selection. If he wants a paragon of solidity, then Steward could earn a call-up; equally, if Farrell seeks a more intrepid player, then nothing is stopping George Furbank from putting his hat in the ring. As it is, Blair Kinghorn and Keenan are the two most rounded, in-form full-backs currently available to Farrell.

Player total by nation: Ireland 16, England 9, Scotland 7, Wales 5

You’ve now seen who Charles would pick for the Lions squad, if it was named today. What do you think? Would you make any changes? Tell us in the comments section below:

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Netherlands to host Ireland and Scotland in T20I tri-series before World Cup

• ESPNcricinfo staff

Netherlands will host Ireland and Scotland in a T20 tri-series as part of the three teams' preparations for the T20 World Cup, which begins on June 2. The tri-series will take place in Amstelveen from May 18 to 24, with matches on all days other than May 21.

The all-European tri-series will follow a pure round-robin format, with no final, with each team meeting the others twice.

Ireland, who completed an all-format home series against Afghanistan earlier this month, have three home T20Is lined up against Pakistan in May before they travel to the Netherlands this tri-series. For Scotland and Netherlands, who have recently played 50-overs games in World Cup League 2, the tri-series is their last chance to tune up their T20I plans before they head to the West Indies and the USA for the World Cup.

"We are excited to host this Tri-Series as part of our preparation for the T20 World Cup played in America and the West Indies in June," Roland Lefebvre, high performance director at the KNCB (Royal Dutch Cricket Association), said. "Twenty teams will be competing in this year's event which makes this World Cup a truly global event, with more than a billion TV viewers worldwide. The Netherlands team will be aiming to emulate the success they had in Australia in 2022."

In the World Cup, Ireland have been drawn in Group A alongside Canada, India, Pakistan and USA; Scotland in Group B alongside Australia, England, Namibia and Oman; and Netherlands in Group D alongside Bangladesh, Nepal, South Africa and Sri Lanka.

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Scotland 0-1 Northern Ireland: Conor Bradley strikes winner as Scotland’s Euro 2024 preparations take another blow

Updated 26/03/2024 at 23:35 GMT

Conor Bradley struck his first international goal as Michael O'Neill's Northern Ireland earned a 1-0 victory over Scotland at Hampden Park. The Liverpool defender netted in the first half, and that proved the difference as Steve Clarke's side extended their winless run to seven games. It's another blow to their preparations for the European Championships in Germany this summer.

Conor Bradley of Northern Ireland celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the international friendly match between Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Image credit: Getty Images

'We can't keep doing this' - Robertson disappointed at Scotland collapse in Netherlands

23/03/2024 at 00:06

Talking Point - Toothless Scotland demonstrate need for more forward-thinking

Player of the match - conor bradley, northern ireland, player ratings, match highlights, late flurry sees netherlands hammer scotland in friendly led by reijnders stunner.

23/03/2024 at 00:44

England drawn with Rep of Ireland in Nations League, Scotland to face Portugal

08/02/2024 at 23:47

England draw Denmark, Serbia and Slovenia, Scotland to play hosts Germany in opening game

03/12/2023 at 00:17

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Scotland vs Northern Ireland. International Match.

7:45pm, Tuesday 26th March 2024.

Hampden Park.

Northern Ireland 1

• C Bradley ( 32' 32nd minute )
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Scotland 0-1 Northern Ireland: Conor Bradley goal adds to Scots woes as Andy Robertson suffers another injury

Match report as Scotland lose 1-0 to Northern Ireland; Nathan Patterson gifts Conor Bradley the winner for the visitors; Scotland lose captain Andy Robertson to injury in the first half; Steve Clarke's side are without a win in their last seven games

Digital Sports Journalist @AlisonGConroy

Wednesday 27 March 2024 10:44, UK

Scotland's winless run continued as they fell to defeat against Northern Ireland as captain Andy Robertson was forced off injured.

Boyd hopeful for Scotland despite latest lossSteve Clarke was looking for a reaction from his players after a "sore" 4-0 defeat to the Netherlands and they started brightly at Hampden Park.

Ryan Christie fired wide and Lyndon Dykes came close but a mistake from Nathan Patterson gifted Northern Ireland a surprise opener.

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The defender passed the ball to Conor Bradley to fire in his first international goal before Robertson was forced off with an ankle injury, sparking fears for both Clarke and Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.

Scotland are now without a win in seven for the first time since 2005, while the victory was Northern Ireland's first at Hampden Park for 50 years.

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Robertson fears as Scotland struggles continue

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Scotland had the best of the opening stages at Hampden Park as they looked to end their long winless run.

Christie fired wide and Dykes came close after Bailey Peacock-Farrell spilled the ball, but Northern Ireland's defence saved the goalkeeper by clearing the ball.

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The visitors rarely threatened but took a surprise lead in the 32nd minute after an error from Patterson.

The Scotland defender tried to nutmeg Bradley but passed straight to him in the box and his deflected strike landed in the back of the net.

Clarke's side were then dealt another blow with Robertson forced off with an ankle injury after a challenge from Trai Hume, the captain leaving the pitch with his head tucked into his shirt to hide his pain.

As the boos rang around Hampden Park, Northern Ireland should have then doubled their lead before the break. The ball fell to Shea Charles inside the box but the Southampton midfielder fired wide.

• Steve Clarke made two changes from Scotland’s 4-0 defeat to the Netherlands with Lyndon Dykes and Liam Cooper replacing Lawrence Shankland and Rayn Porteous.
• Northern Ireland made three changes. Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Daniel Ballard and Ali McCann all started at Hampden Park..

Scotland struggled to show the form that had secured automatic qualification for Euro 2024 and Billy Gilmour showed his frustration as he picked up a deserved booking for a late challenged on Brodie Spencer.

The hosts then did look like they may find a way back into the match, but their final ball was poor as John McGinn and Jack Hendry spurned chances.

With the final whistle approaching, Peacock-Farrell tipped Lewis Ferguson's ball over before fellow substitute Lawrence Shankland somehow missed the target with his header.

'I'm not counting'

Scotland manager Steve Clarke insisted he is not too concerned about Scotland's winless run:

"The performance was ok, the result was obviously disappointing because we wanted to win the game.

"Credit to Northern Ireland, I thought they were excellent and played well and defended for their life.

"The got the goal with the deflected and defended well, we didn't find enough to get the goal to equalise or go on and win the game.

"I'm not counting, we're going to be ready in June and that will be the most important thing."

On Andy Robertson's injury Clarke said: "He's just come off the pitch, let the injury take its course.

"He'll go back to his club and they'll assess it and hopefully it's not too serious."

O'Neill hails Northern Ireland performance

Michael O'Neill was delighted with the victory and Conor Bradley's first international goal:

"We played him a little higher up and it was a bit more difficult for him but he gave us energy and his goal was a brilliant finish.

"The energy and distance the team covered was fantastic. Defensively we were excellent, we weathered a storm and threatened on the counter-attack. It was a brilliant goal from Conor and we contained Scotland well.

"The team is still maturing but it was a brilliant performance from the lads."

Boyd hopeful for Scotland despite latest loss

Former Scotland striker Kris Boyd on Sky Sports News:

"The Scotland fans may have been a bit spoiled with recent results, but to boo this group of players off the pitch was really disappointing.

"They don't deserve it because they've taken us to back-to-back Euros.

"Yes it's been a bad camp and they couldn't break down a stubborn Northern Ireland side, but they don't deserve to be booed off the pitch.

"Scotland have failed to break down a Northern Ireland team that are very solid, I don't think that will be the case against Germany, Hungary and Switzerland.

"They'll come and have a go at Scotland and it might just suit them with the players Scotland have got."

What's next for Scotland and Northern Ireland?

Scotland play two more international friendlies against Gibraltar on June 3 and Finland on June 7 before Clarke's final 23-player squad for Euro 2024 has to be confirmed on Sunday June 8.

The tournament starts on Friday June 14 with Scotland facing hosts Germany ; kick-off 8pm.

Northern Ireland 's next scheduled fixtures are in September. They face a Nations League double header against Luxembourg (September 5) and Bulgaria (September 8).

The Super 6 Rollover hits a whopping £1,000,000! Play for free, entries by 3pm Saturday March 30.

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England, Scotland and Ireland end Dublin

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Places You’ll See

• Introduction
• Day 1 London
• Day 2 London
• Day 3 London, Cambridge, York, Durham
• Day 4 Durham, Alnwick, Edinburgh
• Day 5 Edinburgh, Inverness, Loch Ness, Fort Augustus, Glasgow
• Day 6 Glasgow, Belfast, Dublin
• Day 7 Dublin
• Day 8 Dublin, Powerscourt, Kilkenny, Cashel, Cork
• Day 9 Cork, Kinsale, Killarney, Limerick
• Day 10 Limerick, Mohers Cliffs, Galway
• Day 11 Galway, Clonmacnoise, Dublin
• Day 12 Dublin

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