Great Britain & Southern Ireland

Print Email

Detailed Trip Description

Enjoy 17 Days Great Britain & Southern Ireland tour featuring sightseeing and many activities in England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. During your stay in London you will have the opportunity to see the Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London & Westminster Abbey. While in Windsor, explore the Windsor Castle, an then stop by University town in Oxford. Take a walking tour of the city of York, where you will see the ministry and then see Hadrian's Wall in the Northumberland National Park. Then you will stop by Edinburgh where you will see the Edinburgh Castle, the Holyrood Palace and the Royal Mile: Visit Loch Ness and Loch Lomond and visit and tour a whisky distillery (subject to availability) during your time in the Scottish Highlands. Also, you will have the opportunity to see Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain while in Scottish Highlands. The fun begins in Scottish Highlands as you embark on scenic drives including the Whisky Trail and Royal Deeside. You will also visit Loch Ness and Loch Lomond during your time there. Make your way to Liverpool where you are invited to check out the famous sights of The Beatles on a Magical Mystery Tour with our local guide. On the last portion of the trip, stop in Gretna Green where you will enter into a Museum and take part in an historic wedding ceremony. Before stopping in Wales and enjoying a scenic drive through Snowdonia National Park, you are invited to stop in Chester to visit the Tudor town. Llanfairpwllgwyngyll - visit the town with the longest name in the UK: Wales. Then embark on a visit to Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin. While there, you will also be stopping by Trinity College, the Monument of Light, Parnell Square and St. Stephen's Green. You will see Galway, an old fishing town, the Cliffs of Mohler, take a scneic drive on the King of Kerry while in Killarney and also see the Killarney National Park. Stop by Blarney, the home of the Blarney stone, see the entrance to the Port Heritage Centre, last port of call for the ill-fated Titanic while in Cobh, take a guided tour of Jameson's Whisky distillery in Midleton. See the Rock of Cashel, and Kilkenny Castle and St. Canice's Cathedral while in Kilkenny.

Print Email
 

Trip Itinerary

Day 1 - On the Plane

 
Depart for Europe.
Commercial Flight

Your exciting European trip begins.

On the Plane Commercial Flight picture

Day 2 - London

 
Arrive London.
Hotel

Check-in to your hotel after 2pm.

Sightseeing

Then enjoy the day exploring London. Tonight, meet your Contiki Tour Manager and fellow travellers for a pre-departure meeting.


Day 3 - Oxford

 
London to Oxford.
Sightseeing

A warm welcome from your Contiki crew as we begin with a city tour of London. See Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London and Westminster Abbey before heading west to the Royal town of Windsor.

Sightseeing

A chance to view the famous castle before continuing to the university town of Oxford. ( Dinner )


Day 4 - York

 
Oxford to York.
Bus

We journey north past the Peak District to the historic city of York.

Sightseeing

See Roman, Viking and medieval history in this famous walled city. An included walking tour by day.

Hunting

A chance to go ghost hunting at night after our pub dinner. ( Breakfast, Dinner )


Day 5 - Edinburgh

 
York to Edinburgh.
Sightseeing

Today we take a trip to the foot of the Pennine Mountains to view Hadrian's Wall.

Bus

North into Bonnie Scotland for a scenic drive to the vibrant city of Edinburgh.

Sightseeing

Enjoy a first glimpse of the city on our including sightseeing tour this evening. ( Breakfast, Dinner )


Day 6 - Edinburgh

 
Sightseeing

Today a chance to explore the city sights such as the Castle and Holyrood Palace, or perhaps walk the Royal Mile and shop for tartan and shortbread along Princes Street.

Food and Dining

Tonight why not try some haggis and experience the sound of bagpipes at a local Scottish Evening? ( Breakfast )


Day 7 - Edinburgh

 
Edinburgh to Scottish Highlands.
Bus

Today we head north for the Dee Valley in the Grampian Mountains, close to Balmoral Castle.

Sightseeing

Enjoy the spectacular drive along the Whisky Trail to our home tonight in the beautiful Highlands. ( Breakfast, Dinner )


Day 8 - Glasgow

 
Scottish Highlands to Glasgow.
Sightseeing

First stop this morning is the famous Loch Ness. We continue south past Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain, and through Glencoe before stopping on the shores of Loch Lomond.

River or Barge Cruise

A chance to cruise on the lake before heading to Glasgow, situated on the banks of the river Clyde. ( Breakfast )


Day 9 - Liverpool

 
Glasgow to Liverpool.
Sightseeing

Heading south, we pause at Gretna Green before leaving Scotland behind and travelling to Liverpool.

Sightseeing

This afternoon, enjoy our included Magical Mystery Tour of memorable Beatles sights with a local guide.

Food and Dining

Tonight, why not join us for dinner in town? (Breakfast)


Day 10 - Dublin

 
Liverpool to Dublin.
Sightseeing

We head to Chester to enjoy this Roman town and its Tudor architecture. We cross the border to Wales and stop for lunch at a seaside town on the North coast.

After then take our ferry to Dublin. (Breakfast, Dinner)


Day 11 - Galway

 
Dublin to Galway.
Sightseeing

We'll start the day with an included visit to Kilmainham Gaol, covering some of the most heroic and tragic events in Ireland's emergence as a modern country.

Sightseeing

Then maybe visit the Guinness Storehouse to see how the "black stuff" is made and sample a pint or two at the Gravity Bar.

Bus

Later, we head for the lively sea-side town of Galway. ( Breakfast, Dinner )


Day 12 - Galway

 
Sightseeing

A full day to spend relaxing in a picture-perfect and quintessentially Irish town. (Breakfast)


Day 13 - Killarney

 
Galway to Killarney.
Sightseeing

This morning we make a stop at the awesome 210m (700 ft) sheer cliffs of Moher before continuing to the quaint town of Killarney.

National Parks

Take the opportunity to ride in a jaunting car through Killarney National Park and up to Muckross House.

Food and Dining

Then perhaps enjoy some Celtic music at a local pub after dinner. ( Breakfast, Dinner )


Day 14 - Cork

 
Killarney to Cork.
Sightseeing

Enjoy a scenic drive along the Ring of Kerry this morning before a chance to get the gift of the gab at Blarney Castle.

Sightseeing

This afternoon enjoy time to explore the cosmopolitan city of Cork. ( Breakfast, Dinner )


Day 15 - Kilkenny

 
Cork to Kilkenny.
Sightseeing

Our first stop today is Cobh, the last port of call for the ill-fated Titanic.

Sightseeing

We stop at Midleton, for a guided tour of the Jamesons Whiskey distillery before driving past the Rock of Cashel.

Sightseeing

Arriving at Kilkenny, why not take a guided tour of the medieval town including Kilkenny Castle and St. Canice's Cathedral. ( Breakfast )


Day 16 - Dublin

 
Kilkenny to Dublin.
Sightseeing

Arriving into Dublin around lunchtime, you have the chance to take a guided tour of Trinity College during which you will see the Book of Kells.

Food and Dining

Enjoy free time this afternoon to soak up Dublin's unique atmosphere before revving things up tonight with an opportunity to sample a traditional Irish meal and Irish dancing at one of Dublin's best pubs. ( Breakfast )


Day 17 - London

 
Dublin to London.

Leaving Ireland, we travel across the Irish Sea by ferry to Wales, arriving into London at approximately 8.00pm where your tour ends. ( Breakfast )


Request more info

Not the trip you were looking for?

Click here to find experts to book your trip (it's free!)

Submit Inquiry to Travel Specialist

Trips you may also be interested in

London, Paris and Amsterdam 10 day trip
Start off in London where you can take a ride on the London Eye, see the Changing of the Guards and take a day-trip to Stonehenge. Then take a 2-hour train to Paris and visit its world-class museums, dine in small (but gourmet) restaurants, and have a romantic evening stroll ...
Best WWII Tour Yet!
This is a 7 to 11 day land tour that follows the US troops from staging area in England through drop zones and beaches of D-Day in France. Then continues with action in the Netherlands, Belgium (Battle of Bulge), Germany,Luxembourg, Austrian bunkers of 3rd Reich and to the Eagle's Nest. ...
Ireland As You Please
This getaway allows you to capture the best of the counties in the southern half of the island staying in all hotels along the way! This is a popular route that takes in the best of Ireland, from busy towns to breathtaking landscapes. Galway Travel Guide and Trip Planner
Around Ireland in 13 Days
It is said that Ireland, once visited, is never forgotten – from the seemingly endless shades of green in the landscape of to the friendliest people on the planet, this action-packed itinerary features some of the top highlights for getting the best feel for Ireland in a short amount of ...
Search for travel inspiration