Britain and Ireland Experience
Britain and Ireland Experience
Britain and Ireland Experience
12 Days Starting and ending in London
Visiting: London, Windsor, Bath, Cardiff, Pembroke, Rosslare Harbour, Waterford, Blarney, Tralee, Adare, Limerick, Shannon, Galway, Dublin, Holyhead, Liverpool, Altrincham, Lake District, Gretna Green, North Queensferry, Edinburgh, York, Bradford, Stratford-upon-Avon, Cheltenham, Oxford
Tour operator:
Tour code:
BIEXZM20
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Tour Overview
Travel through landscapes that have inspired world-famous writers and poets, from Shakespeare to Robert Burns. On this journey across England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, you’ll see medieval castles and cathedrals, wander past the famous Chester Rows and kiss the Blarney Stone. The idyllic settings of the Lake District, Dingle Peninsula and the Cotswolds give way to vibrant capitals and the little-known train station with the world’s longest name.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: London – Windsor – Bath – Cardiff
Location: London, Windsor, Bath, Cardiff
Accommodation: Copthorne Cardiff-Caerdydd
Accommodation Name: Copthorne Cardiff-Caerdydd
Meals Included: Dinner
All the highlights of Britain and Ireland lie ahead as your epic journey across two mystical islands kicks off in London. The 'Big Smoke’s' skyscrapers and boroughs give way to an idyllic countryside as you wind your way to Windsor. Arriving in Bath, you’ll admire the honey-coloured Georgian architecture which gives this ancient Roman city its elegant aspect. Cross the Severn Estuary, the border between England and tiny Wales, where tonight its capital sets the stage for the rest of your memorable holiday.
Day 2: Cardiff – Waterford
Location: Cardiff, Pembroke, Rosslare Harbour, Waterford
Accommodation: Treacy's
Accommodation Name: Treacy's
Meals Included: Breakfast
Join this morning’s Optional Experience to Cardiff Castle, a medieval fortress which has enjoyed a colourful history spanning centuries. Ancient ruins and lush countryside lie between the Welsh capital and your first stop in Pembroke. But first, your scenic drive will pass Carmarthen, the oldest town in Wales and, legend has it, the birthplace of Merlin. See the 11th-century Pembroke castle where King Henry VII, the first of the Tudor line, was born, then board your ferry across the Irish Sea to Ireland.
Day 3: Waterford – Blarney – Tralee
Location: Waterford, Blarney, Tralee
Accommodation: Hotel, Benners
Accommodation Name: Benners Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
The delicate crystal for which Waterford is so famous takes centre stage this morning during a visit to the Waterford Crystal Showroom. Leave all that Viking history behind and enjoy the charming scenery en route to Blarney Castle, where a quick kiss of the Blarney Stone will grant you the 'gift of the gab'. Your scenic drive continues past the Cork and Kerry Mountains. You’ll pass Killarney, where you could hop on an optional Jaunting Car ride, before continuing to Tralee, renowned for its annual Rose of Tralee International Festival.
Day 4: Tralee – Dingle Peninsula – Limerick – Shannon
Location: Tralee, Adare, Limerick, Shannon
Accommodation: Treacys Oakwood
Accommodation Name: Treacys Oakwood
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
There won't be a moment you're not fixated on this wild landscape of stone monuments, deserted beaches and verdant pastures. Today's drive through the Dingle Peninsula is one filled with tiny villages, colourful fishing harbours and landscapes that have inspired poetry. Those incredible views will linger long after you leave Ireland's most westerly point, but there's more to see as you head to the prettiest village in Ireland, Adare. Continue to Limerick to see its medieval-era St. Mary's Cathedral and view King John's Castle, before arriving at your hotel in Shannon where tonight you'll dine in your hotel.
Day 5: Shannon – Galway – Dublin
Location: Shannon, Galway, Dublin
Accommodation: Dublin One
Accommodation Name: Dublin One
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning join an Optional Experience to the 15th-century Bunratty Castle and Folk Park delving into what Ireland was like in the 19th-century. After a chinwag with the 'locals', drive through the wild landscapes of County Clare bound for Galway, the 'place of foreigners'. See its modern cathedral before heading to the whimsical Irish capital. This evening, an optional dinner and Irish show will have your toes tapping and taste buds craving another round of Irish coffee.
Day 6: Dublin Sightseeing And Free Time
Location: Dublin
Accommodation: Citywest
Accommodation Name: Dublin One
Meals Included: Breakfast
You’re in good hands this morning as your Local Specialist reveals all their secrets about this charismatic capital city with a small-town feel. View Trinity College, St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Dublin Castle, the 13th-century Norman fortress turned museum. This afternoon explore Dublin on your own or join an optional visit to one of the most important monastic sights in Europe. Your Local Specialist will bring the ancient stories of Glendalough to life and show you around the beautiful landscapes of the garden of Ireland.
Day 7: Dublin – Liverpool – Altrincham
Location: Dublin, Holyhead, Liverpool, Altrincham
Accommodation: Best Western Cresta Court
Accommodation Name: Mercure Haydock
Meals Included: Breakfast
Say a fond slán go fóill to the 'Emerald Isle', crossing the Irish Sea bound for Holyhead on the Welsh Island of Anglesey. Get ready for a tongue twister you could only capture in a panoramic shot. View the station boasting one of the longest names in the world, Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, then head through the north coast of Wales to Liverpool where the musical 'Fab Four' had their start. This evening we head to Altrincham in Manchester.
Day 8: Altrincham – Lake District – Edinburgh (Queensferry)
Location: Altrincham, Lake District, Gretna Green, North Queensferry
Accommodation: Doubletree by Hilton Edinburgh Queensferry Crossing.
Accommodation Name: Doubletree by Hilton Edinburgh Queensferry Crossing
Meals Included: Breakfast
After a busy week of sightseeing, you deserve an idyllic stop in 'the loveliest spot' that has inspired poetry and prose. Board an exclusive and optional cruise on Lake Windermere, skimming the northern coastline, deserted islands and Wray Castle. See the Lake District landscapes that William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter so admired before crossing the Scottish border bound for Gretna Green. Here you’ll learn how eloping couples would tie the knot over the legendary anvil against their parents’ wishes. Tonight, an Optional Experience could see you join your travel companions for a delicious traditional dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 9: Edinburgh Sightseeing And Free Time
Location: North Queensferry, Edinburgh
Accommodation: Doubletree by Hilton Edinburgh Queensferry Crossing.
Accommodation Name: Doubletree by Hilton Edinburgh Queensferry Crossing
Meals Included: Breakfast
Discover Edinburgh’s mystical allure which has captivated writers, poets, politicians and royalty. Your Local Specialist will guide this morning’s sightseeing tour past the Palace of Holyroodhouse and Edinburgh Castle. You’ll explore the medieval Royal Mile and cross the City to the grand Georgian boulevards of New Town. The rest of the day is free to explore Edinburgh on your terms. Consider joining one of two special Optional Experiences, visiting the mysterious Rosslyn Chapel or exploring what lies behind the impenetrable walls of Edinburgh Castle. This evening is your chance to enjoy delicious food and wine, join in the singing and watch a Highland dance or two. Time your visit to coincide with the Edinburgh Tattoo, and you'll get tickets included on certain departures!
Day 10: Edinburgh – York – Bradford
Location: Edinburgh, York, Bradford
Accommodation: Hotel, Leonardo
Accommodation Name: Leonardo
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Your journey south ventures through what was once referred to as 'The Debatable Lands' where all that remains of Jedburgh Abbey are its 12th-century ruins. Admire the expansive Cheviot Hills at Carter Bar, snapping a selfie at the Anglo-Scottish border. Continue into Northumberland National Park to view Hadrian’s Wall, the largest Roman archaeological feature anywhere in the world. Then cross the Tyne River at Newcastle and stop in York, where an orientation tour will reveal the city’s medieval heritage and spiritual heart, its Gothic Minster. Wander down the narrow cobbled Shambles, before enjoying dinner in a traditional York pub. Then continue to your hotel in Bradford where you'll lay your head for the evening.
Day 11: Bradford – Stratford-Upon-Avon – Cheltenham
Location: Bradford, Stratford-upon-Avon, Cheltenham
Accommodation: DoubleTree by Hilton
Accommodation Name: DoubleTree by Hilton
Meals Included: Breakfast
The streets and squares of Stratford-upon-Avon remain much as they did in the time of Shakespeare. Embark on your own exploration of the historic market town where England’s famous bard was born and buried. There’s time to join an Optional Experience to Warwick Castle and even see the firing of the greatest of medieval siege weapons, the Trebuchet.
Day 12: Cheltenham – Oxford – London
Location: Cheltenham, Oxford, London
Meals Included: Breakfast
Take a step back in time to the Cotswolds, a glorious collection of tiny thatched villages and rolling green hills. Your scenic drive through this historic corner of Britain will bring you to Bladon, where Sir Winston Churchill is buried in the unassuming churchyard at St. Martin's Church. Churchill, widely credited with delivering the British nation from the brink of defeat to victory in World War II, loved the Cotswolds and spent his retirement here. Next up is a visit to Oxford, England’s oldest university city. See several of its iconic landmarks before continuing south to London, where you’ll bid your Travel Director and new friends a fond farewell.
What's Included
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An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
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The services of a Costsaver Local Host if you stay at Costsaver's recommended London hotel
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Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
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Many meals and daily breakfasts included
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City orientation tours
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Audio headsets are provided throughout your holiday to enhance your included sightseeing experiences
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Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries
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Extensive variety of Choice Experiences
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On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised.
What's Not Included
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Optional Experiences
Optional experiences such as visits to Cardiff Castle, Bunratty Castle, and Folk Park, and a jaunting car ride in Killarney are not included.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and should be purchased separately.
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Gratuities
Gratuities for the Travel Director, Driver, and Local Specialists are not included.
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Flights
International and domestic flights are not included in the tour package.
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Visas and Entry Fees
Visas and entry fees to certain attractions are not included and must be arranged separately.
Mode of Transport
Travel in a luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries, and enjoy a scenic ferry ride across the Irish Sea.
Accommodation
Stay in cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted, including the Copthorne Cardiff-Caerdydd, Treacy's, Benners, Treacys Oakwood, Dublin One, Citywest, Best Western Cresta Court, Doubletree by Hilton Edinburgh Queensferry Crossing, and Leonardo.
Dining Summary
- 4 Dinner (D)
- 11 Breakfast (B)
Essentials
- View the Royal Castle
- Visit the Georgian spa town
- View Cardiff Castle
- Visit the Waterford Crystal Showroom
- Kiss the Blarney Stone
- View the prettiest village in Ireland
- View King John's Castle and see St. Mary's Cathedral
- See Galway Cathedral
- See St. Patrick's Cathedral, Christchurch Cathedral, the Georgian Squares and Trinity College with a Local Guide
- Visit the Beatles' hometown
- View the timbered buildings known as the 'Rows'
- Visit this picturesque region
- Visit this town, popular with eloping couples since 1754
- With your Local Guide, see Princes Street, the Royal Mile and the Castle
- View the Jedburgh Abbey ruins
- View the remains of the Roman wall
- View York Minster and stroll along the Shambles
- Visit the town of Shakespeare and see Anne Hathaway's cottage
- View Sir Winston Churchill's grave
- View the Bodleian Library
Check out our Q&As
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What type of transport is provided during the tour?
Travel is provided in a luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries, and there is also a scenic ferry ride across the Irish Sea.
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What kind of accommodation can I expect on this tour?
You will stay in cherry-picked hotels that are tried and trusted, including the Copthorne Cardiff-Caerdydd, Treacy's, Benners, Treacys Oakwood, Dublin One, Citywest, Best Western Cresta Court, Doubletree by Hilton Edinburgh Queensferry Crossing, and Leonardo.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Yes, many meals and daily breakfasts are included in the tour package.
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What kind of guided experiences are included?
The tour includes the services of an expert Travel Director and professional Driver, as well as city orientation tours and the use of audio headsets to enhance your sightseeing experiences.
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Are there any optional experiences available during the tour?
Yes, there is an extensive variety of Choice Optional Experiences available during the tour, such as visits to Cardiff Castle, Bunratty Castle, and Folk Park, and a jaunting car ride in Killarney.
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What is not included in the tour package?
Optional experiences, personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks, travel insurance, gratuities for the Travel Director, Driver, and Local Specialists, international and domestic flights, and visas and entry fees to certain attractions are not included.
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What can I expect on the first day of the tour?
On the first day, you will travel from London to Windsor, Bath, and Cardiff. You will admire the Georgian architecture in Bath and cross the Severn Estuary to reach Cardiff, where you will stay at the Copthorne Cardiff-Caerdydd hotel.
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What activities are planned for the second day?
On the second day, you can join an optional experience to Cardiff Castle, visit Pembroke Castle, and take a scenic drive through Carmarthen before boarding a ferry across the Irish Sea to Ireland. You will stay at Treacy's hotel in Waterford.
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What highlights are included in the visit to Waterford?
In Waterford, you will visit the Waterford Crystal Showroom and then travel to Blarney Castle to kiss the Blarney Stone. The day ends in Tralee, where you will stay at Benners hotel.
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What can I expect during the visit to Dublin?
In Dublin, a Local Specialist will guide you through the city, showing you Trinity College, St. Patrick's Cathedral, and Dublin Castle. You will have free time to explore or join an optional visit to Glendalough. You will stay at Citywest hotel.
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What is the itinerary for the visit to Edinburgh?
In Edinburgh, a Local Specialist will guide you past the Palace of Holyroodhouse and Edinburgh Castle. You will explore the medieval Royal Mile and New Town. Optional experiences include visiting Rosslyn Chapel or Edinburgh Castle. You will stay at Doubletree by Hilton Edinburgh Queensferry Crossing.
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What are the key attractions in York?
In York, you will see the city's medieval heritage, including the Gothic Minster and the narrow cobbled Shambles. You will stay at Leonardo hotel in Bradford.
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What can I expect on the final day of the tour?
On the final day, you will visit the Cotswolds, Bladon, and Oxford before returning to London. You will see Sir Winston Churchill's burial site and several iconic landmarks in Oxford.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
The beauty and joy of taking a guided vacation with Costsaver is that you get to meet, travel and make friends with people from all over the world.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Costsaver is part of The Travel Corporation, which has been in business for over 100 years.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Costsaver is proud to be a founding partner of the TreadRight Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation started in 2008. To date the charity has donated over US$2 million to assist underprivileged communities and support sustainable tourism initiatives around the globe.
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Low Deposit
Costsaver requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of costsaver charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
Why book with Barrhead?
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