2024: The British Isles in Depth (9090)

23 Day Tour from London to London

 
From the lively cities to the breathtaking scenery, you'll discover the best of England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and Northern Ireland on this in-depth Britain and Ireland tour.

Britain and Ireland are known for their breathtaking scenery, and this tour will not disappoint. You'll see the 100-mile Ring of Kerry, with its rugged and magnificent landscapes; stunning scenery on Ireland's Dingle Peninsula; the spectacular 668-foot Cliffs of Moher; Northern Ireland's awe-inspiring Giant's Causeway, formed millions of years ago; and Brecon Beacons National Park, with its dramatic landscapes. Enjoy time in the Scottish Highlands, filled with dramatic landscapes, rolling farmland, picturesque seaside towns, and beautiful lochs (lakes).

Britain and Ireland are also known for their picturesque and historic towns and cities. On this Britain and Ireland tour, you'll visit many of these towns, including Oxford, home to some of England's most famous colleges; Stratford-upon-Avon, where you'll get a glimpse into life in 16th-century England in Shakespeare's hometown; York, England's most complete medieval city with its cobbled streets and the magnificent York Minster, England's largest Gothic cathedral; Berwick-upon-Tweed, a peaceful coastal town with a turbulent past; Strathpeffer, known in its Victorian heyday as a spa resort; Looe, a pretty fishing village; the seaside town of Tramore; Bath, known for the excavations of Roman baths used for bathing and socializing 2,000 years ago; and many more. You'll also visit the capitals-London, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Dublin, and Belfast.

These are just some of the many highlights of this tour through the British Isles. For value-minded vacationers, this is the perfect way to see England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and Northern Ireland!

From the lively cities to the breathtaking scenery, you'll discover the best of England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and Northern Ireland on this in-depth Britain and Ireland tour!

Call (800) 658-0869 for more information or to book today! Mention code 16840950

Tour Operator
Cosmos
 
Duration
23 Days
Escorted
Escorted - Yes
DayDestinationDescription
Day 1LondonCheck into your hotel. In the afternoon, there's time to rest or to start exploring the lively British capital; uniformed hosts are available to help you make the most of your stay.
Day 2LondonWhat's your pleasure? Today is devoted to 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 River Thames. (B)
Day 3WETHERBYMeet your Tour Director and travel companions and depart at 8 am for a memorable day of sightseeing, including a walking tour of Oxford, one of the country's oldest seats of learning; then, skirt the Cotswold Hills to Shakespeare's Stratford-upon-Avon. Take photos of Anne Hathaway's Cottage and explore the town at your own pace. Overnight in Wetherby. (B,D)
Today's Distance: 255 mi/ 410 km
Day 4NewcastleThis morning, head north to York, England's most complete medieval city. Stand in awe in front of the great structure of York Minster, then follow your Tour Director through a maze of quaint streets, including the narrow Shambles. Stop for the night in Newcastle, once an important hub for the wool trade and coal mining and now a vibrant, modern city. (B)
Today's Distance: 103 mi/ 166 km
Day 5EdinburghOn your way to Scotland, drive along the picturesque coastline to Berwick-upon-Tweed, situated just south of the Scottish border. This peaceful town suffered a turbulent past, and its Elizabethan walls, built to keep invading Scots from entering the town, could tell a curious tale. Stop for photographs of the Firth of Forth in pretty North Berwick before arriving in Edinburgh. Later, join an optional tour with dinner. For departures August 4 and August 18, tickets are included for tonight's performance of the world-renowned Military Tattoo. (B)
Today's Distance: 121 mi/ 195 km
Day 6EdinburghA full day to enjoy the Scottish capital. Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide introduces you to the 200-year-old 'New Town,' home to famous scientists, inventors, and novelists. In the 'Old Town,' visit Edinburgh Castle to admire Scotland's Crown Jewels. Afternoon at leisure. A suggestion for this evening: a traditional Scottish night out, with Highland dancers, bagpipers, and, of course, the Ceremony of the Haggis. (B)
Day 7StrathpefferA day of memorable sightseeing. Take the elegant Forth Road Bridge to St. Andrews, whose Royal and Ancient Golf Club has given us the rules of golfing, then cross the Firth of Tay and, via Dundee and Perth, head into the Highlands, with a stop in the Victorian mountain resort of Pitlochry. Cross the battlefield of Culloden Moor with its memories of Bonnie Prince Charlie, then via Inverness, head for your Highland destination. (B,D)
Today's Distance: 221 mi/ 355 km
Day 8StrathpefferMore spectacular Scottish scenery: Dornoch Firth, the Kyle of Sutherland, the Falls of Shin, the Mountains of Assynt, and Knockan Crag. Then, follow Strath Oykel for a visit to Ullapool, a remote fishing harbor on Loch Broom, before returning along Loch Glascarnoch. Our recommendation for this afternoon: join the optional Loch Ness Experience, which includes a cruise on the loch, followed by supper. (B)
Today's Distance: 123 mi/ 198 km
Day 9Strathpeffer-FORT WILLIAM-GLASGOW More heather-clad moors as you drive through the western Highlands all the way to Fort William beneath Ben Nevis. Glen Coe, where the MacDonald Clan was massacred in 1692, and a drive along the 'Bonnie Banks' of Loch Lomond are scenic highlights on the way to Glasgow, Scotland's great cultural city. (B,D)
Today's Distance: 183 mi/ 295 km
Day 10BelfastOn this morning's orientation drive through Scotland's largest city, see the fine 12th-century cathedral, imposing university buildings, and elegant Georgian squares, built by wealthy tobacco barons. Later, stop at Alloway, the birthplace of Robert Burns, before boarding the ferry for the Irish Sea, crossing to Belfast. (B)
Today's Distance: 100 mi/ 160 km
Day 11SligoTake the scenic route along the Antrim Coast to awe-inspiring Giant's Causeway, then let the province's story unfold as you head for the city of Derry. Later, visit Belleek Pottery, renowned for its exquisite cream-colored Parian china, before arriving in Sligo, tonight's destination. (B,D)
Today's Distance: 214 mi/ 344 km
Day 12EnnisTravel south to Galway, a popular seaside destination and a buzzing cosmopolitan district with vibrant shops and a busy cafe and bar culture. Then, cross the limestone plateau of The Burren to visit the spectacular 668-foot Cliffs of Moher. Tonight, a chance to attend an optional medieval banquet at a historic castle. (B)
Today's Distance: 161 mi/ 260 km
Day 13KillarneyVia Clonderlaw Bay to Killimer for the ferry across the Shannon estuary. Breathtaking scenery this afternoon on the Dingle Peninsula, where the 32-mile Slea Head drive affords magnificent vistas of the Atlantic Ocean. Afternoon arrival in Killarney, your destination for the next two nights. (B,D)
Today's Distance: 125 mi/ 201 km
Day 14KillarneyAt Killorglin, join the road known as the Ring of Kerry for a 100-mile coastal panoramic drive featuring sparkling seascapes, mountains dotted with brightly painted farmhouses, winding lanes bordered with subtropical vegetation, and spectacular views of the Lakes of Killarney. Then, a special optional adventure: take a horse-drawn jaunting car along the national park lakeshore for pictures of Ross Castle. Later, enjoy the optional outing to Tralee for dinner and a performance at Siamsa Tire, Ireland's National Folk Theatre. (B)
Today's Distance: 100 mi / 160 km
Day 15TramoreMore scenic beauty as you head into County Cork. Stop in Blarney, famous for its Stone of Eloquence, with time at your leisure to see the castle, and shop for Irish crafts and handmade crystal. After lunch, drive past Cork, the country's second-largest city. Finally, pass Dungarvan and travel along the Copper Coast to the seaside resort of Tramore. Tonight, maybe join an optional pub tour before dinner at your hotel. (B,D)
Today's Distance: 131 mi/ 211 km
Day 16DublinOn your northbound journey pause in Waterford, famous for its exquisite crystal, and visit Kilkenny, one of Ireland's prettiest towns with medieval cobblestone streets and Old-World charm. Afternoon arrival in Dublin-top off the day with an optional Irish cabaret evening including dinner, dance, song, and laughter. (B)
Today's Distance: 128 mi/ 205 km
Day 17DublinA day in the 'Fair City' starts off with an orientation drive through Ireland's capital and includes statue-lined O'Connell Street, elegant Georgian squares, and St. Patrick's Cathedral. The rest of the day is free to enjoy Dublin at leisure. This evening's optional dinner excursion is to the famous Guinness Storehouse. (B)
Day 18LiverpoolTake the ferry across the Irish Sea to Holyhead on the Welsh Isle of Anglesey with its tongue-twisting names. Explore North Wales on the way to Caernarvon where the castle saw the investiture of Charles as Prince of Wales, before arriving in Liverpool. (B)
Today's Distance: 180 mi/ 290 km
Day 19CardiffA day dedicated to Wales as you head south through the ancient market town of Builth Wells and Brecon Beacons National Park, land of salmon rivers and the Welsh mountain pony. In Cardiff, an orientation drive takes in Cathays Park with its splendid civic buildings and Cardiff Castle. Tonight's optional excursion is an evening of Welsh entertainment and dinner. (B)
Today's Distance: 174 mi/ 281 km
Day 20PlymouthAcross the Severn Bridge to the elegant Georgian city of Bath, famed for its Roman relics. Into the West Country via Glastonbury and its legends of King Arthur, and wild and romantic Dartmoor with a visit to the picture-book village of Widecombe-in-the-Moor. Upon arrival in Plymouth, hear about Sir Francis Drake and see the Mayflower Steps, where the Pilgrim Fathers embarked in 1620. (B,D)
Today's Distance: 198 mi/ 319 km
Day 21PlymouthToday's excursion takes you to the pretty fishing village and former smuggler's port of Looe. Then, follow in the footsteps of Drake, Raleigh, and the Pilgrim Fathers on an optional cruise on Plymouth Sound, one of the world's greatest natural harbors. (B)
Today's Distance: 45 mi/ 65 km
Day 22LondonAn interesting day heading into Thomas Hardy's Wessex and a visit to intriguing, prehistoric Stonehenge. Explore the visitor center with its imaginative exhibitions, then admire the magnificence of the monument up close. Return to London in the early evening. How about celebrating the success of your tour with a night out on the town? (B)
Today's Distance: 215 mi/ 346 km
Day 23LondonYour vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
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