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Essential Britain & Ireland

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Operated by Globus
Tripcode: GB
Overview
Destination:
United Kingdom
Start:London, United Kingdom
Finish:London, United Kingdom
Duration:10 days
Type:Group tour (max 24)
Style:
Small group,
Travel Period
April 2025 - October 2026
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 favourites like fish and chips, and you’d be off your trolley not to come along!

Traveller Notes
We’ve packed everything you need for the perfect holiday, from hand-selected hotels and dining to the friendly expertise of Globus Tour Directors and Local Guides (with headsets to hear every word), to seamless transportation between destinations and VIP access to the world’s most iconic sites! Touring by private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi; Irish Sea ferry.
Standard inclusions
  • 9 breakfasts.
  • 3 dinners.
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Itinerary
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Day 1 - ARRIVE IN LONDON, ENGLAND
Welcome to London! Uniformed Globus Hosts will be waiting to welcome you. Free time this afternoon.
Day 2 - LONDON-STONEHENGE-BATH-NEWPORT, WALES
Ancient Stones & Spa Days LONDON 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. 164 mi / 264 km (B,D) 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.
Day 3 - NEWPORT-CARDIFF-WATERFORD, IRELAND
Welsh Dragons, Daffodils & Castles CARDIFF Morning visit to Cardiff Castle. PEMBROKE Ferry crossing St. George's Channel to Rosslare. 168 mi / 271 km (B,D) 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.
Day 4 - WATERFORD-KILKENNY-DUBLIN
Cut Glass & Cobblestones WATERFORD Take a guided tour of the House of Waterford Crystal. KILKENNY See one of Ireland's most quaint towns with medieval cobblestones. 115 mi / 195 km (B) TOUR HIGHLIGHT HISTORIC SPOT Time to explore the city of Kilkenny, referred to as the "Marble City" because of the widespread use of local black limestone to construct many local buildings. The "Medieval Mile" is the city's main thoroughfare and is lined with medieval landmarks, quaint shops and charming pubs. Today Kilkenny is renowned for its active arts and crafts scene.
Day 5 - DUBLIN
Ireland's Capital City DUBLIN Take a morning orientation drive to see O'Connell Street, Georgian squares, St. Patrick's Cathedral, and Trinity College. Free time this afternoon. (B) 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 Trinity College.
Day 6 - DUBLIN-BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND-EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND
Irish Crossings BELFAST Pause at the magnificent City Hall before crossing the North Channel to Scotland's Cairnryan. 234 mi / 376 km (B) 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.
Day 7 - EDINBURGH
Drummers, Pipers & Precious Jewels 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 THE ROYAL EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO Unpack your Plaid! Edinburgh Military Tattoo performances included on departures July 26, 27, 29, August 2, 3, 5, 9, 10, 12, 16 and 17. (B) 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 a 1,100-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 Tattoo, an extravaganza of bagpipes and drums performed en masse in August each year.
Day 8 - EDINBURGH-JEDBURGH-YORK, ENGLAND
Augustine's Monks & Medieval Markets JEDBURGH 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 [LF] a guided walk through The Shambles. 198 mi / 318 km (B,D) LOCAL FAVOURITE 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 colourful gathering place with cheerful cafés and quirky boutiques brimming with the sweet aromas of chocolate, pastries, and pies.
Day 9 - YORK-STRATFORD-UPON-AVON-LONDON
Mr. & Mrs. Shakespeare STRATFORD-UPON-AVON See Anne Hathaway's Cottage and visit Shakespeare's Birthplace. 260 mi / 418 km (B) 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.
Day 10 - LONDON.
Safe travels until we meet again! Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
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Travellers

Operator
Globus

At Globus, we’re not just hooked on travel as a destination, but on the way travel makes you feel. Our promise is to craft adventures you’ll want to re-live forever. Our story began more than 90 years ago, when a young Swiss Antonio Mantegazza began transporting tourists across Lake Lugano on his rowboat, sharing stories and revealing local secrets along the way. On that lake, Globus was born. Discovering a passion for tourism and a knack for business, Antonio’s services expanded beyond river transport to bus touring, from Switzerland to Europe and then, the world. After 90 years curating travel wonderment, our passion for curating the perfect trip remains. At Globus, we have the experience and local knowledge to craft immersive adventures that make you feel alive. Expect to see all the major sites, but then go deeper, to the beating heart of every new discovery. As they say, when you’re in the moment, it’s not what you know, but who you know, and you’ll quickly discover our Tour Directors know all the local secrets and insider tips. Let us connect you with a new world of people, places and experiences that will ignite your imagination. It's time to tour with Globus.

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9 nights
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