Compare British & Irish Grandeur by CIE Tours vs Britain & Ireland Explorer - Small Group Small Group by Insight Vacations
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| Trip |
4.5 | Great
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 14 days | 15 days |
| Price From | $ 2,824 | $ 5,895 |
| Price Per Day | $ 202 | $ 393 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Group tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Airfare included |
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| Meals Included |
13 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches and 8 Dinners |
N/A |
| Description |
Start and end in London on this in-depth vacation! Discover Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon, medieval York and mighty Alnwick Castle before spending two nights in Edinburgh. Cross to Ireland to explore the Giant’s Causeway, Cliffs of Moher, Killarney, Blarney and Waterford. Travel through South Wales, stopping at Bath and Stonehenge and end with a night or two in London. |
Discover the ancient Roman Baths of Bath with their healing waters, learn to pour a pint like a pro at Dublin’s Guinness Storehouse and take an exclusive behind the scenes tour of the National Stud Farm in Kildare — the epicenter of Ireland’s thoroughbred horse breeding history. This all-encompassing tour showcases the regal heritage of Edinburgh Castle, the stunning beauty of England’s Lake District, the historic grandeur of Durham’s Romanesque cathedral and the rolling hills of Pembrokeshire in Wales. Pay homage to the literary legacy of Shakespeare as you visit his birthplace in Stratford Upon Avon, tour the medieval Shambles of old York, admire the ancient border of the Roman Empire at Hadrian’s Wall and set sail from Holyhead to Dublin, on this journey through Great Britain and Ireland. |
Day 1: London Arrival & Tour
Meals: Dinner
Your vacation starts at your London hotel at 2:00 pm when you meet your tour director. Head out on a panoramic tour of central London to see famous landmarks including Piccadilly Circus, Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar Square, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Join your tour director for a welcome drink and discuss your trip before dinner.
Day 2: Hampton Court Palace & Free Time in London
Meals: Breakfast
This morning discover the magnificence of Hampton Court Palace, Henry VIII's favorite royal residence. Move at your own pace through the breath-taking grandeur of Henry's State Rooms, vast Tudor kitchens and more. The afternoon and evening are free so you may use your included Oyster card to explore central London by public transport.
Day 3: Cambridge & York Minster Tour
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Take a stroll around Cambridge to view some of the famous university colleges, including King’s College, and the Mathematical Bridge over the River Cam. Head north to York for a walking tour to appreciate narrow streets and medieval houses. The stately York Minster, with towers and stained glass, is the highlight of the walk. Check in to your hotel and relax before dinner.
Day 4: Alnwick Castle & Edinburgh Evening
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Head north to visit Alnwick Castle, the second largest inhabited castle in England. View the lavish State Rooms with a stunning array of artifacts, an exhibit on Downton Abbey, and take a stroll through Alnwick Garden. Travel through the Northumberland National Park and on to your hotel near Edinburgh where you’ll experience a Scottish Evening with bagpipes and fun music.
Day 5: Edinburgh Castle & Guided City Tour
Meals: Breakfast
Discover Edinburgh’s highlights on a city tour. See the elegant Georgian “New Town” with spacious streets and the compact medieval city along the Royal Mile. Tour Edinburgh Castle to view the Crown Jewels of Scotland and the Stone of Destiny. The rest of the day is free for independent activities. On August 06 to 20 departures, experience the world-famous Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
Day 6: Ferry to Ireland & Titanic Belfast
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
This morning will be an early start as you drive to Cairnryan for a short ferry ride to Belfast. Tour the city highlights to see Victorian buildings, the impressive City Hall and the shipyards where RMS Titanic was built in 1912. Visit Titanic Belfast to learn about this ill-fated famous liner through state-of-the-art displays. Pub dinner at the Cultra Inn on the grounds of Culloden Hotel.
Day 7: Giant’s Causeway & Derry Walk
Meals: Breakfast
Travel along the scenic coastal route of the Nine Glens of Antrim and visit the Giant's Causeway, hexagonal columns formed over 60 million years ago. Stop for photos at the ruins of Dunluce Castle and head to Derry for a walking tour around the medieval city walls with a local guide. Drive south to your Victorian hotel located on Dublin Bay, a few miles from the city.
Day 8: Dublin Tour & Taylor’s Three Rock Pub
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
This morning tour central Dublin to see spacious Georgian squares and streets, landmark public buildings and graceful townhouses. Take a guided walking tour of Trinity College’s campus and view the priceless Book of Kells. The afternoon is free and in the evening enjoy dinner at Taylor’s Three Rock Pub followed by Irish music and dance.
Day 9: Blarney Castle & Killarney
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Travel south, pausing for photos at the stately Rock of Cashel, with 12th century church ruins. Just outside Cork, visit the famous Blarney Castle and climb to the ramparts to kiss the “Stone of Eloquence.” You may shop at the Blarney Woollen Mills for quality Irish-made goods. Continue your drive to Killarney, famous for its exquisite location.
Day 10: Ring of Kerry & Sheepdogs
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Drive to the delightful town of Kenmare for a look around and savor a casual lunch. Travel along part of the awesome Ring of Kerry route to view spectacular scenery at Moll’s Gap and at Ladies’ View. Stop at a sheep farm to see demonstrations of sheep herding and shearing before returning to Killarney where the evening is free.
Day 11: Jameson Whiskey & Waterford Crystal
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Head east to Midleton to tour the Jameson Experience, a journey through the story and making of Irish whiskey. Enjoy a sample at the end of the tour. Travel to Waterford and at the House of Waterford Crystal see how glass is blown and cut by master craftspeople. In the evening take a gentle walking tour with a local guide to discover the history of this old port city.
Day 12: South Wales & Cardiff Castle
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Depart Waterford early this morning to catch the ferry from Rosslare to Pembroke Dock. Journey through the gentle, green countryside to Cardiff, the capital of Wales. Head to Cardiff Castle, developed in Roman times and transformed into an elaborate 19th century Gothic-style residence, for a tour of the magnificent and varied chambers. In the evening head to a Welsh evening for dinner and local music and entertainment.
Day 13: Roman Baths & Stonehenge
Meals: Breakfast
This morning drive east to explore the mineral-rich hot springs at Bath. Tour the Roman Baths and Pump Room, first built by the Romans 2,000 years ago and revived during the 18th century. Drive to Salisbury Plain to view the prehistoric circle of vast monoliths at Stonehenge. Continue to London and check in to your hotel. The evening is at leisure.
Day 14: Tour ends in London
Meals: Breakfast
Your tour ends after breakfast.
Day 1: Welcome to London
Welcome to London. After checking into your hotel, the afternoon is free to enjoy a city that is famous for its pomp and pageantry. Perhaps relax with a walk along the Serpentine in Hyde Park or window shop in the elegant boutiques of Knightsbridge? Alternatively, you may want to stroll along the Thames to the iconic Tower Bridge and Tower of London.
Day 2: Stratford-upon-Avon and Medieval York
At 07:30, meet your Travel Director and journey to Stratford, beautifully situated on the River Avon. Visit the birthplace of William Shakespeare, full of interesting memorabilia and artefacts relating to his life. Continue on to York where you walk within the old city walls to the crooked houses of the Shambles and see York Minster, England’s largest medieval cathedral. Join your Travel Director for a warm and friendly Welcome Dinner with drinks and the opportunity to mingle over a pleasant evening of dinner and wine.
Day 3: Durham, Hadrian's Wall and Edinburgh Relaxed Start
Stop in Durham to see the castle and Romanesque cathedral. Then view part of Hadrian's Wall, Britain's most impressive Roman monument, once spanning 80 miles from coast-to-coast, marking the northern frontier of the mighty Roman Empire. Cross the Scottish border to reach the elegant Scottish capital, Edinburgh.
Day 4: Scotland’s Capital of Culture
Journey down the Royal Mile to see the Palace of Holyroodhouse - official Scottish residence of Her Majesty, the Queen - before crossing over to New Town. Next, walk with your Local Expert inside Edinburgh Castle for spectacular views of the town and to see Scotland's Crown Jewels, the Stone of Destiny and Mons Meg. The afternoon is free to shop on Princes Street. In the evening, select departures will enjoy the spectacle of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo – a colourful mixture of historic battles and military manoeuvres with pipes and drums.
Day 5: St. Andrews and Inverness
Cross the Firth of Forth into Fife. Make your way to St. Andrews, home to the Old Course and birthplace of golf.Enjoy free time to explore. Perhaps stroll to West Sands Beach where the famous 'Chariots of Fire' scene was filmed?Your travels continue as you cross the Tay river, passing the charming Victorian resort town of Pitlochry, famous for its salmon run. Travel via Blair Atholl and past the Grampian Mountains to the sparkling Spey Valley. Later, continue to Inverness and your hotel.
Day 6: Loch Ness and Glencoe
In the morning, travel along Loch Ness and hear tales of the famous Nessie. Continue your journey through some of the most stunning scenery in all of Scotland, found in the region of Glencoe. Reach the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond and admire the incredible scenery as you cruise what is arguably one of Scotland's most beautiful lochs, while enjoying a light lunch. Cross the English border before arriving at your lakeside hotel.
Day 7: The English Lakes to Chester Relaxed Start
In the morning, discover the beauty of the Lake District. Continue to your hotel in Chester. In the afternoon, why not join The Beatles City Tour Optional Experience in Liverpool?
Day 8: North Wales and over to Dublin Relaxed Start
In the morning, step back into Roman times in Chester, where you see the city’s ancient encircling walls and remarkable 13th century black and white Rows. Continue through Wales, passing the massive Conwy Castle before crossing over to the Isle of Anglesey. The village with the longest name in Europe will be visible - see if you are able to read it aloud! From the port of Holyhead, set sail for Dublin in Ireland.
Day 9: In Dublin’s Fair City
Before it opens to the public, experience Ireland's national, world-famous drink with a guided visit to the Guinness Storehouse. Gain a fascinating insight into the history and traditions behind its production and enjoy a private masterclass and tasting, where you will learn to pour the perfect pint. Later, become acquainted with Dublin’s elegant squares during sightseeing with a Local Expert. See famous O’Connell Street, the Custom House and Dublin Castle. For the rest of the afternoon, you are free to soak up the Irish atmosphere or browse the shops along Grafton Street.
Day 10: From Dublin to Killarney
Travel to Ireland's premier thoroughbred horse breeding region for a fascinating, behind-the-scenes visit of the National Stud with an equine professional. You then visit the acclaimed 100-year-old Japanese Gardens, where you can 'journey through life.' Cross the rolling pastures that encircle Tipperary to Brookfield Farm and join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Meet Ailbhe Gerrard, a passionate farmer and beekeper, who shares her secrets to crafting the most delicious and sustainable honey of the island over a delicious Farm-to-Table lunch. At night, your Dine-Around Evening offers authentic and intimate dining with your friends, from a hand-picked selection of fine local restaurants.
Day 11: Ring of Kerry Experience Relaxed Start
In the morning, join a delightful trip around the Ring of Kerry, a world of towering cliffs, lush lakelands and remote villages. Get a sense of the unhurried pace of Irish life as you pass through Ireland’s highest mountain range and make your way to the three peaceful Lakes of Killarney. Explore Killarney with Insight Choice. Choose a memorable ride on a horse-drawn jaunting car with the local jarveys. Alternatively, join a gentle hike with a Local Expert along the lake shore and past the grounds of Ross Castle, admiring the incredible scenery of the National Park. While there aren't any mountains to climb, walkers should be fit, have good walking shoes or boots, sunscreen and rain gear.
Day 12: Blarney Castle and Waterford
Explore Blarney with Insight Choice. Choose to climb up the ramparts and see the famous Stone of Eloquence. Alternatively, visit the lush gardens of the estate with a senior gardener. Travel on through the scenic port of Dungarvan to the historic walled city of Waterford, with its 11th century Reginald Tower. Enjoy a guided visit of the world-famous House of Waterford Crystal and meet a master craftsman. In the evening, after miles of fun and fascinating sights, spirits will be high during your Celebration Dinner. Toast to your newfound friends — Sláinte!
Day 13: Across the Irish Sea to Cardiff
From the port of Rosslare, board your ferry to cross the Irish Sea. A pleasant drive will then take you into the rural scenery of Pembrokeshire. Continue past the valleys of southern Wales to the capital, Cardiff, famous for its imposing castle and brilliant Principality Stadium.
Day 14: Roman Baths and Stonehenge
Visit the well-preserved Roman Baths, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, pioneering new educational investments to benefit the community. Your journey continues across Salisbury Plain for a visit to mysterious Stonehenge - no-one can be sure why they were built, or even how prehistoric man could move such huge blocks of stone. Upon your return to London you are at leisure for the rest of the day.
Day 15: Homeward Bound
Your journey comes to an end after breakfast.
