The Best of Britain & Ireland

ARRIVE IN LONDON, ENGLAND Destination Title

London, United Kingdom

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

LONDON Destination Title

London, United Kingdom

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

Breakfast

Novotel London West Hotel

OXFORD Destination Title

Oxford, United Kingdom

Meet your Tour Director and traveling companions and depart at 8 am for Oxford. A walking tour takes in the colleges where Britain’s elite receive their outstanding education. Then, travel through the lovely Cotswold Hills to Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon. Take photos of Anne Hathaway's Cottage and explore the town at your own pace.

LEEDS Destination Title

Leeds, United Kingdom

Overnight in Leeds this evening. Today’s Distance: 263 mi/ 423 km

Breakfast, Dinner

Holiday Inn Leeds Garforth

YORK Destination Title

York, United Kingdom

This morning, head north to York. Stand in front of the great structure of York Minster, then follow your Tour Director through a maze of quaint streets, including the narrow Shambles.

Durham Destination Title

Durham, United Kingdom

Next, visit Durham, a captivating city with its dramatic cathedral and castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

NEWCASTLE Destination Title

Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom

Stop for the night in Newcastle. Today’s Distance: 118 mi/ 186 km

Breakfast, Dinner

Jurys Inn Gateshead

NEWCASTLE–JEDBURGH, SCOTLAND–EDINBURGH Destination Title

Edinburgh, United Kingdom

See a section of Hadrian’s Wall, then motor through wild Northumberland National Park to the Scottish border. Stop for photos at Jedburgh before arriving in Edinburgh. Here, sightseeing with a Local Guide introduces you to the 200-year-old “New Town.” In the “Old Town,” visit EDINBURGH CASTLE to admire Scotland’s Crown Jewels. A suggestion for this evening: a traditional Scottish night out with Highland dancers, bagpipers, and, of course, the Ceremony of the Haggis. Today’s Distance: 117 mi/ 188 km

Breakfast

Courtyard Edinburgh West Hotel

EDINBURGH Destination Title

Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Your choice today: an optional morning excursion to Rosslyn Chapel, made world-famous by Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code, and also one of Scotland’s most remarkable buildings. You will have ample time to visit the 15th-century medieval chapel and the visitor center, and to take photographs of the ruins of Rosslyn Castle.

Later, another unique optional opportunity: board the former Royal Yacht Britannia, which was once the perfect royal residence for glittering state visits and family holidays. Tour five decks and see how the Royal Family and crew of 240 lived and worked on board.

Dinner rounds off this optional evening. For departure numbers 0802 through 0823, tickets are included for tonight’s performance of the world-renowned Military Tattoo.

Breakfast

Courtyard Edinburgh West Hotel

GRETNA GREEN–LAKE DISTRICT, ENGLAND Destination Title

Gretna Green, United Kingdom

South through the history-steeped Lowland Hills and a visit to Gretna Green, where the blacksmith used to wed runaway couples. Drive through beautiful scenery in the Lake District, considered to be the finest of England’s national parks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

CHESTER–WREXHAM, WALES Destination Title

Chester, United Kingdom

In Chester, the historic county town on the Dee River, your walking tour takes in the Roman remains, black and white half-timbered buildings, and the two-tiered shopping arcades called the “Rows". Overnight in Wrexham, Wales Today’s Distance: 268 mi/ 431 km

Breakfast, Dinner

Ramada Plaza Wrexham

SNOWDOWNIA NATIONAL PARK Destination Title

Betws-y-coed, United Kingdom

A scenic North Wales drive through the incomparable landscapes of Snowdonia National Park brings you to lovely Betws-y-Coed. Then, head over spectacular Llanberis Pass and, finally, across Britannia Bridge to the Isle of Anglesey. Take your photos at tongue-twisting Llanfairpwllgwyngyll;

HOLYHEAD-DUBLIN Destination Title

Dublin, Ireland

Board the ferry at Holyhead and cross the Irish Sea. Overnight in Dublin.

Breakfast

The Bonnington Dublin Hotel

DUBLIN Destination Title

Dublin, Ireland

A day in the “Fair City” starts off with an orientation drive through Eire’s capital and includes statue-lined O’Connell Street, elegant Georgian squares, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy Dublin at leisure. Why not join an optional dinner evening at the Guinness Storehouse?

Breakfast

The Bonnington Dublin Hotel

GALWAY Destination Title

Galway, Ireland

Head for dairy-farm country in the center of the “Emerald Isle". Stop in Galway, a popular seaside destination and a buzzing cosmopolitan center with colorful shops and a busy café and bar culture.

cliffs of moher Destination Title

Cliffs of Moher, Ireland

Next, cross the limestone plateau of The Burren to visit the spectacular 668-foot Cliffs of Moher.

ENNIS Destination Title

Ennis, Ireland

Then head for Ennis, in county Clare. Tonight’s optional opportunity: a medieval banquet at a historic castle. Today’s Distance: 214 mi/ 344 km

Breakfast

Auburn Lodge Hotel

ADARE Destination Title

Adare, Ireland

Stop for photos in Adare, a village known for its prize-winning thatched cottages and monastic ruins.

RING OF KERRY Destination Title

Kerry, Ireland

In County Kerry, join the road known as the Ring of Kerry for a 100-mile coastal panoramic drive. Focus your camera on sparkling seascapes, mountains dotted with brightly colored farmhouses, winding lanes, and views of the Lakes of Killarney from Ladies View. Later, in Killarney, discover why this is such a popular resort.

KILLARNEY Destination Title

Killarney/Ireland, Ireland

Later, in Killarney, discover why this is such a popular resort. Today’s Distance: 189 mi/ 304 km

Breakfast, Dinner

Killarney Court Hotel

BLARNEY Destination Title

Blarney, Ireland

Cross the Kerry Mountains and through County Cork to Blarney, famous for its magical Stone of Eloquence. Time to see the castle, and shop for Irish crafts and handmade crystal.

Tramore Destination Title

Tramore, Ireland

Drive past Cork, the country’s second-largest city, and via Dungarvan to Tramore. Why not join an optional pub tour before dinner at your hotel? Today’s Distance: 131 mi/ 210 km

Breakfast, Dinner

Majestic Hotel

CARDIFF Destination Title

Cardiff, United Kingdom

An early start for the short drive to Rosslare. In just under four hours, you cross St. George’s Channel by ferry to South Wales. Continue through rich dairy farmland to Cardiff, where an orientation drive introduces you to the capital’s major attractions: Cardiff Castle, Cathays Park, Millennium Stadium, and the stately civic buildings. Tonight, why not join an evening of Welsh entertainment and dinner? Today’s Distance: 242 mi/ 390 km

Breakfast

Novotel Cardiff Hotel

CARDIFF–BATH, ENGLAND–STONEHENGE–LONDON Destination Title

London, United Kingdom

A day packed with highlights begins as you cross the spectacular Severn Bridge into England. Stop in the elegant Georgian city of Bath, famous for its Roman relics, before visiting Stonehenge, still an intriguing mystery. Explore the visitor center with its imaginative exhibitions, then admire the magnificence of the monument up close. After returning to London around 3:30 pm, how about celebrating the success of your tour with a night out on the town? Today’s Distance: 171 mi/ 275 km

Breakfast

Holiday Inn London-Kensington High Street

LONDON Destination Title

London, United Kingdom

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

Breakfast

ALL guests must carefully verify the existing identification requirements for their particular travel situation DIRECTLY WITH THEIR LOCAL CONSULATES OR EMBASSIES or with a visa service, as these requirements may change. Guests without proper documentation may be denied entry and will not be entitled to a refund

• 45-22 days prior to commencement of services: 20% of total price*
• 21-8 days prior to commencement of services: 30% of total price*
• 7-1 days prior to commencement of services: 50% of total price*
• On departure day and later: 100% of total price*
• *Total price does not include any Instant Purchase Air or Instant Purchase Air service fees, which are non-refundable after 24 hours from purchase. Intra-vacation air is non-refundable after final payment.
• Cancellation fees may also apply to any additional services, including extra night accommodations, independently supplied services, and optional excursions reserved prior to, during, and after the tour. If flight changes, including, but not limited to, flight cancellations or name changes, are requested after full land and air deposits are received, revision fees, change fees, or airline cancellation fees will apply.
• In many instances, airline revision or change fees can be up to $300, but in some instances may be up to 100% of the ticket price. Cancellation penalties will be quoted at time of cancellation.
• All cancellations must be received in writing prior to tour departure. The cancellation policy will apply according to the date that the cancellation notification is received. The MINIMUM cancellation penalty is the deposit amount.
• The purchase to trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended.

• Land only “from price” is per person based on two people sharing a room together and does not include airfare unless expressly stated.
• All prices are in US Dollars.
• A $250 non-refundable, non-transferable, per-person, per-vacation deposit is required to reserve space for you, with some limited exceptions, as noted below. Payment of the deposit indicates you have read and accepted theseall Terms & Conditions. Your booking is not confirmed until the deposit payment is processed and you receive a confirmation invoice.
• Final payment is due 45 days prior to departure, with some limited exceptions, as noted below. Within the final payment date, payment in full is required at time of booking to reserve space. Reservations (land, cruise, and air) are canceled if final payment is not received by the due date. The payment policy may vary for group reservations.
• Additional deposits or payments are required for international air added to the start and/or end of your vacation and/or for intra-vacation air, as specified in the itinerary (“air-inclusive vacations”). Air-inclusive vacation pricing is guaranteed upon receipt of full land plus air deposit or land deposit plus full airfare price, depending on type of airfare purchased (Flex-Air or Instant Purchase Air).
• For complete terms and conditions please visit the Globus Terms & Conditions for more information.