Britain and Ireland Panorama - Tour of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales

from 

£2,950

per person
 
Duration: 16 Days
Destination: United Kingdom
Tour Provider: Trafalgar
Deal Code: DT1MHFS5

 

 

Description

Travel Highlights

Dive right into history, culture and spectacular scenery on this immersive England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland trip. Step in the shoes of Highland warriors, 12th-century monks and welcoming, warm Irish locals who’ll share the beauty and stories of their islands just for you.

Includes : 

  • All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
  • All porterage and restaurant gratuities
  • All transport and transfers shown
  • An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
  • Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
  • Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
  • Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
  • Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
  • Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
  • Optional Experiences and free time
  • Pick-up and drop-off when you stay at the Trafalgar recommended London hotel, booked through Trafalgar
  • Return ferry across the Irish Sea between Wales and Ireland
  • The services of a Trafalgar Local Host when you stay at Trafalgar's recommended London hotel.

Book with Confidence

  • FREE 3 day booking hold
  • FREE cancellation within 30 days*
  • FREE booking changes*
  • From £100 risk-free deposit*

Overview :

15 Nights Accommodation

21 Meals : 1 Be My Guest, 1 Farewell Dinner, 1 Regional Dinner, 1 Welcome Reception, 15 Breakfasts, 2 Dinners

Transport : All transport shown. VIP private door-to-door UK airport transfers included. *This service is excluded from UK-based trips.

The Trafalgar difference : 

CONNECT WITH LOCALS

Meet Farmer John and his wife Christine and enjoy a few hours of Cumbria farm-life with a traditional Be My Guest lunch and some Highland cow company thrown in for good measure.

STAYS WITH STORIES

Discover centuries of tumultuous history staying at the Maldron Shandon hotel, a building that has survived wars, fires and threats of demolition to become the grand hotel it is today.

DIVE INTO CULTURE

Learn how crystal is crafted at the House of Waterford Crystal during a workshop tour.

DIVE INTO CULTURE

Visit the Necropolis in Glasgow, one of Europe's most significant burial grounds.

DIVE INTO CULTURE

Visit the Guinness Storehouse to see how the world’s most famous stout is created then enjoy the distinctive taste of a perfectly chilled pint of Guinness.

Sightseeing :

Explore Edinburgh, the Isle of Skye, Dublin and Cobh with a Local Specialist

Discover York, Glasgow, Chester, Galway, Cork, Cardiff, Bath and Plymouth

Visit Shakespeare's Birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon, Edinburgh Castle, Isle of Skye, the Necropolis in Glasgow, the Guinness Storehouse, EPIC - The Irish Emigration Museum, Blarney Castle to kiss the stone, the Waterford Crystal Showroom, the Roman Baths in Bath, Glastonbury Abbey, the fishing village of Polperro and the ancient stone circle at Stonehenge

View Eilean Donan Castle, Anne Hathaway's thatched cottage, York Minster and the Mayflower Steps in Plymouth

See Galway Cathedral and the Principality Stadium in Cardiff

Scenic Drive around the Ring of Kerry

Tickets for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo are included on departures that coincide with performance dates

Itinerary Overview

Day 1

Journey to Stratford-upon-Avon and on to York

Venture through lush green Warwickshire bound for Stratford-upon-Avon to delve into the lyrical legacy of one of the world's favourite writers. Visit Shakespeare's Birthplace and Visitor Centre, and see Anne Hathaway's cottage, before arriving in York. Wander along its cobbled Shambles and see the magnificent York Minster, one of the greatest cathedrals in the world. This evening, we join our Travel Director and travel companions for a delicious Yorkshire dinner in our hotel.

 Hotel - Novotel Centre

 Included Meals - Welcome Reception

Day 2

Continue through Northumberland to Edinburgh

Journeying through Northumberland National Park’s dramatic landscapes, we arrive at the remarkably intact ruins of the 12th-century Jedburgh Abbey en route to the enchanting Scottish capital, Edinburgh. Tickets to see the spectacular Edinburgh Tattoo are included on departures that coincide with performance dates.

 Hotel - Holiday Inn

 Included Meals - Breakfast

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCE

Edinburgh by Night and Dinner

We'll drive into the old city of Edinburgh to see the city at night with photo opportunities of the Castle and the Grassmarket, famous for historic executions and when possible visit one of the most haunted graveyards and see the grave of Greyfriars Bobby, the famous Skye Terrier. Then, we'll make our way to a local restaurant for a delicious dinner and drink.

Adult Price: £42.00*

* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.

Day 3

Discover Enchanting Edinburgh

Join your Local Specialist this morning for a sightseeing tour through Auld Reekie's elegant New Town, Princes Street and the Royal Mile, enjoying views of the exquisite Palace of Holyroodhouse and Arthur's Seat. Embark on a guided visit of Edinburgh Castle, perched atop Castle Rock. Later, consider a traditional Scottish night out this evening, savouring up the flavours of haggis and exhilarating sounds of bagpipes which fill the air.

 Included Meals - Breakfast

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCE

Dinner And Drive To Historic Torphichen

Enjoy a scenic drive to the ancient village of Torphichen, associated with Scottish kings and Knights Templar. At the Torphichen Inn, your arrival will be toasted by our gracious host before enjoying an excellent dinner of local specialties and entertainment.

Adult Price: £56.00*

* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCE

Rosslyn Chapel

We’ll drive out of Edinburgh with our Local Specialist to the tiny village of Rosslyn, where we’ll hear the inside story of the famous Rosslyn Chapel. One of Scotland's most unusual 15th-century buildings, Rossyln is famed for its associations with the Knights Templar, the Masonic movement, and now 'The Da Vinci Code'.

Adult Price: £22.00*

* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCE

Scottish Show With Dinner

Tonight is your chance to put on that tartan and join us for an evening of singing, dancing and bagpipe playing at an internationally famous venue. You’ll enjoy delicious food and wine, join in the singing and watch a Highland dance or two. There's even a chance to sample Scotland’s national dish – haggis.

Adult Price: £62.00*

* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.

Day 4

Venture into the Scottish Highlands

Today, we travel across the Firth of Forth to St. Andrews to view its celebrated ancient university and explore centuries of golf heritage. Our next stop is Pitlochry on the banks of the Tummel River. You could choose to join an Optional Experience to visit Blair Castle, the ancestral home to the Dukes of Atholl. We continue to the Scottish Highlands, our home for two nights.

 Hotel - Laggan

 Included Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCE

Highland Farm Experience

Visit a real Highland sheep farm and meet Neil the Shepherd and his border collies. He’ll show you how he uses different whistles to command each dog to carry out different tasks. You’ll also have the opportunity to try your hand at feeding the lambs and discover his training techniques. Weather permitting.

Adult Price: £15.00*

* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCE

Pitlochry. Visit Of Blair Castle

Set in its own grounds against a backdrop of glorious scenery, we'll discover the ancient home of the Dukes of Atholl, home to Europe's last remaining private army. Unique amongst Scottish castles, Blair has hosted royalty from Mary Queen of Scots to Queen Victoria.

Adult Price: £20.00*

* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.

Day 5

Explore the Isle of Skye

Drive to the rugged coast of Scotland this morning, passing scenic Eilean Donan Castle. We cross to the Isle of Skye, admiring the spectacular scenery of the 'Garden of Skye' before enjoying free time for lunch. A Local Specialist will take us on a journey to admire the remarkable Cuillin Mountain. Cross back to the mainland and continue past the lochs and glens of the Scottish Highlands.

 Included Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6

Onwards to Loch Lomond and Glasgow’s Rich Legacy

Our first stop today is the World War II Commando Memorial, near Fort William, for views of Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis. Continue south through the 'Glen of Weeping', paying tribute to the MacDonald clansmen who were massacred for failing to pledge allegiance to Scotland's new monarchs. Arriving in Glasgow, we enjoy an orientation tour including views of the Cathedral and magnificent George Square. We'll also visit the Necropolis where we’ll Dive Into Culture and gain insights into one of Europe's most important 19th-century burial grounds.

 Hotel - Crowne Plaza

 Included Meals - Breakfast

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCE

Music City Tour and Meal

Join us tonight for a chance to explore more of Glasgow, get beneath its skin and learn about its music scene and folk culture. After a guided walking tour, we'll enjoy a two-course dinner with live music from the city's up-and-coming folk performers. Afterwards, an informal trad folk session will see us through the night.

Adult Price: £49.00*

* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCE

Loch Lomond Boat Trip

Discover the wild beauty of the 'Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond'. As we cruise across the loch, the skipper will share stories of the area and point out Rob Roy's cave as you relax and savour the stunning scenery.

Adult Price: £15.00*

* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.

Day 7

Through the Lake District to Liverpool

Cross the border into England and Connect With Locals, joining farmer John and his wife Christine on their Cumbrian working farm for a Be My Guest experience. Learn about traditional farming methods and enjoy lunch before continuing your journey through the beautiful Lake District and its landscapes that have inspired poets and painters for centuries. See Lake Windermere, England's largest lake, before travelling to Liverpool, the haunt of Britain's ‘Fab Four'.

 Hotel - Mercure Atlantic Tower

 Included Meals - Breakfast, Be My Guest

Day 8

Across the Irish Sea to Dublin

The half-timbered Tudor Rows in Chester are our first stop today as we travel to Holyhead in North Wales to catch our ferry across the Irish Sea to Dublin. Soak up Irish hospitality and delicious local flavours during a Regional Dinner at EPIC - the Irish Emigration Museum.

 Hotel - Clayton Ballsbridge

 Included Meals - Breakfast, Regional Dinner

Day 9

Admire Dublin’s Iconic Sights

Dive Into Culture and visit the Guinness Storehouse to learn about Ireland's famous brew, before delving into Dublin’s iconic sights with a Local Specialist. See Trinity College, St. Patrick's Cathedral and the stately Georgian Squares. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure or consider an Optional Experience at an Irish Cabaret.

 Included Meals - Breakfast

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCE

Dublin Dinner and Irish Show

Enjoy an evening of fine food and fun as Ireland’s history unfolds with comedy, song and dance. You’ll be tapping your toes and joining in the show, all in the spirit of Irish humour. And you’ll even be served an Irish coffee to round off your dinner.

Adult Price: €72.00*

* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCE

Experience the Ancient Monastic Site of Glendalough

Enjoy a visit to one of the most important monastic sites in Europe, which dates back to the 6th century. Your Local Specialist will tell tales and show you around this sacred area, famous for its tranquil beauty amidst the rolling countryside of County Wicklow, the garden of Ireland.

Adult Price: €25.00*

* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.

Day 10

On to Galway and Limerick

Journey to the West Coast and the vibrant cultural centre of Galway, where you will have an opportunity to see Galway Cathedral and Eyre Square, with its tribute to former US president John F. Kennedy, before travelling to Limerick.

 Hotel - Greenhills

 Included Meals - Breakfast

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCE

Bunratty Castle And Folk Park

Come on a visit to the 15th-century Bunratty Castle and admire its fine furnishings, antiques and paintings. With your Local Specialist, you’ll experience an Ireland of the past, as you wander through the folk park with its thatched cottages and smoky turf fires. In the village, we'll have free time to explore the quaint shops and relax in the local tea room.

Adult Price: €23.00*

* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCE

Irish Ceilidh Evening

Come along and experience the craic at a special ceilidh evening. Enjoy a drink and some local specialities, watch some traditional Irish dancing, and sing along to some familiar Irish melodies.

Adult Price: €64.00*

* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.

Day 11

Circle the Ring of Kerry and on to Cork

Admire Ireland's enduring scenic beauty on one of the most beautiful drives in the world, circling the spectacular Ring of Kerry. Later, we check into our Stays With Stories hotel, the historic Maldron Shandon. Originally Cork’s first general hospital opened in 1720, the building has a colourful history that has seen it survive wars, political upheaval, fire and calls for it to be demolished before it opened its doors as a grand hotel.

 Hotel - Maldron Shandon

 Inclded Meals - Breakfast

Day 12

The Sights of Blarney, Waterford and Wexford

In the pursuit of acquiring the 'gift of the gab', we visit Blarney Castle where you might kiss the famous Blarney Stone, before stopping in Cobh for a walking tour with a Local Specialist. This seaside city was the final port of call for the tragic Titanic on its fateful voyage. This afternoon, we Dive Into Culture during a visit to the House of Waterford Crystal and witness talented master craftsmen at work.

 Hotel - Maldron

 Included Meals - Breakfast

Day 13

Ferry across to Cardiff

We cross the Irish Sea to Wales and its capital, Cardiff, where we will see the Principality Stadium and view the Millennium Centre, National Assembly and Cardiff Castle.

 Hotel - Clayton

 Included Meals - Breakfast

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCE

Cardiff Castle Tour

You’ll explore this unique castle on a private tour and hear tales about the eclectic refurbishments. Done in the 1800s by architect William Burgess, his influences included Islamic art, Hans Christian Anderson's fairy tales and even Aesop's fables. You’ll also walk on the battlements and climb the 1,000-year-old Norman keep for superb views over Cardiff.

Adult Price: £21.00*

* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCE

Traditional Welsh Evening And Dinner

Join us for a traditional Welsh country dinner. We'll take you to a 14th century thatched inn called The Blue Anchor. While you're eating and enjoying your drink, you'll be entertained with a performance from a Welsh harpist.

Adult Price: £41.00*

* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCE

Welsh Evening

Enjoy an evening of Welsh music, culture and humour. The venue for the evening is a stunningly-renovated deconsecrated church. After a warm reception, we'll enjoy a first-class meal of seasonal Welsh specialities, sourced and produced locally. Quality wine or soft drinks are included and the meal will be accompanied by our enchanting Welsh harpist. You'll then be entertained by the finest local singers presenting the beautiful music of Wales.

Adult Price: £55.00*

* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.

Day 14

Enjoy Bath, Glastonbury and Plymouth

Cross the Severn Estuary to Bath, so named for the ancient Roman Baths that have made the city a popular retreat for centuries. Admire the elegant Georgian façades and visit the Roman Baths, before some free time to explore on your own. We wind our way to mystical Glastonbury to visit the 7th-century Abbey where King Arthur is believed to be buried. Later, we arrive in the city of Plymouth, our home for two nights.

 Hotel - Copthorne

 Included Meals - Breakfast

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCE

Devonshire Village And Dinner

We’ll drive to a beautiful village in Devon, where you’ll see cob walled houses with thatched roofs and the parish church, which dates back over 700 years. You’ll also savour a tasty pub dinner and meet the locals, in a 700-year-old village pub.

Adult Price: £39.00*

* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCE

Dartmoor Excursion and Dinner

A scenic drive across the mysterious moors takes us to the capital of the area, Princetown. Here we’ll see the infamous Dartmoor prison, before driving to a lovely old Inn for a drink and supper. Later, a Local Specialist will regale us with stories and legends about the area.

Adult Price: £41.00*

* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.

Day 15

A Day Exploring Coastal Villages

The springboard to a 'New World' takes centre stage as we start our day with an orientation of Plymouth. View the Mayflower Steps, where brave pilgrims embarked on their epic voyage to America, and see the Royal Citadel overlooking Plymouth Sound. Visit the fishing village of Polperro with its narrow streets and picturesque harbour, before enjoying a scenic drive through the brooding landscapes of Dartmoor, keeping a keen eye out for the area’s wild ponies. Our epic adventure through Britain and Ireland almost at its end, we join our travel companions and Travel Director for a memorable Farewell Dinner.

 Included Meals - Breakfast, Farewell Dinner

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCE

Plymouth Harbour Cruise

Relax on a boat trip round the harbour of one of England’s most famous seaports. As the commentary unfolds, we'll see the Mayflower steps monument, where the Pilgrim Fathers set sail for America. We'll enjoy panoramic vistas of Plymouth Hoe before entering the Royal Navy Dockyard, where we’ll see modern vessels of the Royal Navy.

Adult Price: £15.00*

* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.

Day 16

Journey to Prehistoric Stonehenge and return to London

Our return journey to London will see us cross the Salisbury Plain and visit the ancient mystical monoliths of Stonehenge, whose myths have yet to be fully revealed. This afternoon we close the curtain on a memorable journey with new friends.

 Included Meals - Breakfast

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Terms & Conditions

Prices listed are per person in Great British Pound, based on twin occupancy, rates for single occupancy may differ, Rates offered are including all discounts unless otherwise stated. All bookings are subject to availability. Other travel periods may be available. Some block out dates may apply. Rates may alter depending upon the dates requested and surcharges if applicable. Final booking confirmation only provided once payment has been processed. Contact our travel team for more details. Our Holiday Centre reserves the right to withdraw this promotion without notice at any time. Flights are not included. Pricing correct as at 4th Jan 2022