ESSENTIAL BRITAIN & IRELAND

10 Day Tour from London to London ~ October 5-15, 2024

VACATION OVERVIEW

Don’t think you can see the top sights of Britain and Ireland in 10 days? Sharpen your pencils to cross off your bucket-list destinations in five fabulous countries. A jolly good time awaits in England, Scotland, and Wales, plus both territories of Ireland, as you explore the lively capital cities of each and the thatched-roof-dotted countryside in between. Coast through rolling hills, ferry across legendary waterways, and skip down cobblestone streets to discover the wonders of Stonehenge, Waterford, York, and more on this essential tour of Britain and Ireland. Along the way, you’ll drink in the sights of fairytale castles and storybook settings as well as the locally brewed ales, strong Irish coffees, and perfectly aged Scotch whiskies passionately poured in every pub. Factor in time to shop for bits and bobs and taste local favorites like fish and chips, and you’d be off your trolley not to come along!

WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THIS TRIP

• Superior hotel accommodations
• Experienced tour director and local guides
• First class motorcoach with free WiFi
• VIP access, skip the lines to the world's most iconic sites
• Buffet breakfast daily
• 3 dinners

ITINERARY

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5 OVERNIGHT FLIGHT (Flight not included in tour price)

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6 ARRIVE IN LONDON, ENGLAND

Welcome to London! Uniformed Globus Hosts will be waiting to welcome you. Free time this afternoon.

MONDAY OCTOBER 7 LONDON–STONEHENGE–BATH–NEWPORT, WALES

Meet your Tour Director and travel companions at 8 am and drive to Stonehenge.
STONEHENGE Visit the prehistoric monument.
BATH Visit the excavations of the Roman Baths.
Travel~164 miles

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURAL GEMS The traditions of one ancient Roman ritual are in full flow in Bath. Amid the remarkable Roman and Georgian architecture and the best-preserved Roman Baths of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, a good spa day is never hard to find in one of the “Best Spa Towns in Europe.” The city of Bath sits above geothermal springs that bubble up from the limestone below. Bath also turns up the heat with some of Britain's grandest Georgian buildings, a mecca for elite 18th-century society.

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8 NEWPORT–CARDIFF–WATERFORD, IRELAND

Morning visit to Cardiff Castle.
PEMBROKE Ferry crossing St. George’s Channel to Rosslare.
Travel~168 miles

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CAPITAL CITY Explore the Welsh capital, see many historic buildings and discover its 2,000-year history of invasions, abductions and conflicts from 1st century AD when the Romans built the first series of forts.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9 WATERFORD–KILKENNY–DUBLIN

Take a guided tour of the House of Waterford Crystal.
KILKENNY See one of Ireland’s most quaint towns with medieval cobblestones.
Travel~115 miles

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ART & ARCHITECTURE Discover over 800 years of Irish history at Kilkenny Castle, walk the halls of art and artifacts and browse the walls of tapestries and treasures in this unique landmark building that was home to the Butler family for centuries.

Meals Included: Breakfast

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10 DUBLIN

Take a morning orientation drive to see O’Connell Street, Georgian squares, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and Trinity College. Free time this afternoon.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CITY SIGHTS “In Dublin’s fair city where girls are so pretty” you’ll also find great personality and charm. The charisma of Dubliners and the bounty of pubs here is matched only by the gorgeous Georgian Squares, 12th-century St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and the legendary library of Trinity College.
Meals Included: Breakfast

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11 DUBLIN–BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND–EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND

Pause at the magnificent City Hall before crossing the North Channel to Scotland's Cairnryan.
Travel 234 miles

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CITY SIGHTS Northern Ireland’s capital city of Belfast has seen its share of the ‘Troubles’ but its tenacity, tireless industry and timeless traditions are easy to see. Hear how shipbuilding ruled and Irish linen was king. In the port city where the Titanic was built, a bold rebirth of arts and architecture thrive amid historic castles and churches drawing visitors from around the globe.

Meals Included: Breakfast

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12 EDINBURGH

Morning city sightseeing with a Local Guide includes the New Town, the Old Town, and a visit to Edinburgh Castle to see Scotland’s Crown Jewels. Free time this afternoon.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
MUSIC & MASTERPIECES Ascend to Castle Rock to explore Edinburgh Castle, one of the most important historical strongholds in the Kingdom of Scotland, with an 11,000-year history as "the most besieged place in Great Britain." Here you’ll find the royal regalia and Scotland’s Crown Jewels. The Castle forms the background of the spectacular Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, an extravaganza of bagpipes and drums performed en masse in August each year.

Meals Included: Breakfast

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13 EDINBURGH–JEDBURGH–YORK, ENGLAND

Take photos at the Augustinian abbey ruins. Drive into Northumberland National Park and see a section of Hadrian’s Wall.
YORK See York Minster on a guided walk through The Shambles.
Travel~198 miles

LOCAL FAVORITE
HISTORIC SPOT While strolling the cobblestones of York’s Shambles, it’s easy to imagine the medieval butchers' shops and boisterous crowds bartering for beef and bones outside the 14th-century timber-framed windows. The Shambles is one of the best-preserved medieval shopping streets in Europe and said to have been the inspiration behind Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley – and today is a colorful gathering place with cheerful cafés and quirky boutiques brimming with the sweet aromas of chocolate, pastries, and pies.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

MONDAY, OCTOBER 14 YORK–STRATFORD-UPON-AVON–LONDON

See Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace.
Travel~260 miles

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
A LEGEND SLEPT HERE Ah, young love! Even more true as Shakespeare’s fiancée was eight years his senior. See Anne Hathaway's Cottage, the family home where the bard’s wife-to-be was born and courted by young Will. Built more than 500 years ago, much of the original structure remains. Visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace and family home in the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon. Hear tales about his family life, marriage, and children with a close look at fascinating artifacts in a world-class collection assembled by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.

Meals Included: Breakfast

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15 LONDON

Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

Meals Included: Breakfast