Wonders of Britain and Ireland
Experience Overview
All the highlights and some special travel surprises feature on this in-depth journey around the UK and Ireland. Feel the pride of the Welsh people, see the seat where Irish kings once ruled and sample a pint of the favorite local brew during a tour of the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin.
Highlights
Dining Summary
- 14 Breakfast (B)
- 5 Dinner (D)
Authentic Dining
- Dublin: 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.
Be My Guest
- Kenmare: Join the O'Sullivan Family and their Kerry Cows for a dinner of Irish Stew at Molly Gallivan's 200-Year Old Cottage.
Dive Into Culture
- Waterford: Learn how crystal is crafted at the House of Waterford Crystal during a workshop tour.
Iconic Experience
- Stonehenge: Walk around the strange and awe-inspiring monoliths that have reputedly stood for 5,000 years.
- Blarney: It is said that those who kiss the Blarney Stone, the famous stone of eloquence, are bestowed with the power to persuade, flatter and coax. Take your turn at giving it a peck knowing that the stone was sourced from 330-million-year-old limestone.
- Dublin: A Local Specialist will show you Dublin's elegant Georgian squares, O'Connell Street and the Custom House.
- Cashel: See the Rock of Cashel where St. Patrick preached.
- Lake District: Drive through the hauntingly beautiful Lakes District, immortalized by literary greats of the Romantic Movement.
- Gretna Green: Visit the famous spot where runaway lovers were married.
- Alnwick: See the impressive Alnwick Castle and Tenantry Column during a visit of this traditional county town.
- Stratford-upon-Avon: Learn about the life of William Shakespeare, arguably history's most famous writer, when you visit his birthplace. Then enjoy some time to explore this pretty town with its iconic Tudor houses.
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®
- Bath: Visit the incredibly well-preserved Roman Baths. Discover 2000 years of history and learn how this hub of culture is pioneering new educational investments to benefit the community. Its school educational program actively supports local schools and students to learn about the cultural heritage of the region. The Roman Baths experience advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education.
Must-see Highlights
- Explore London, Dublin and Edinburgh with a Local Specialist
- Discover Bath, Cardiff, Chester, York and Oxford
- Visit Stonehenge, the Roman Baths, the Waterford Crystal Showroom, Blarney Castle to kiss the stone, the Rock of Cashel, Gretna Green, Edinburgh Castle and Shakespeare's Birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon
- View the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Alnwick Castle, York Minster, Anne Hathaway's cottage and Sir Winston Churchill's grave at Bladon
- See St. Patrick's Cathedral, the Georgian Squares in Dublin and the Lake District's magnificent scenery
- Scenic Drive of the Ring of Kerry
- Tickets for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo are included on departures that coincide with performance dates
Top Rated Highlights
- Bath: Admire UNESCO-listed Bath, with its elegant Georgian façades and the bimillenial Roman Baths from which the city takes its name.
- Cardiff: Learn more about Wales' capital and cultural hub, Cardiff, as you enjoy an orientation of this vibrant city with your Travel Director.
- Ring of Kerry: Admire Ireland's enduring scenic beauty on one of the most beautiful drives in the world.
- Chester: See the Jubilee Clock, cathedral, city walls, and famous black and white Rows.
- Edinburgh: Explore the city with your Local Specialist as you travel along Princes Street to see the Scott Memorial, the neoclassical Adam facades of New Town and the official Scottish residence of the King, Palace of Holyroodhouse.
- York: Your Travel Director will show you the York Minster, the city walls and the medieval Shambles during your orientation of the city.
- Oxford: See the spires and colleges of this world-famous university town.
What's Included
- An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
- London: The services of a Brendan Vacations Local Host when you stay at Brendan Vacations' recommended London hotel
- London: Pick-up and drop-off when you stay at the Brendan Vacations recommended London hotel, booked through Brendan Vacations
- Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
- All porterage and restaurant gratuities
- All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
- Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
- Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
- Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
- Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
- Return ferry across the Irish Sea between Wales and Ireland
- Optional Experiences and free time
- On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.
Trip Details
Product Code: 29558
Tour Type: Group Tour
Accommodation: Deluxe
Transport: Private
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Family, 55+, Luxury
Tour Operator:
Brendan Vacations (CA)
Supplier Code: 34.61B
Starts: London, United Kingdom
Finishes: London, United Kingdom
Duration: 15 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Easy
Includes
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $5,775 ($385 /day)
Itinerary
The cosmopolitan capital of London rolls out its red carpet with all the pomp and pageantry you're unlikely to encounter anywhere else in the world. Spend the day ambling along its grand boulevards and past iconic sights as you familiarise yourself with the city's bustling atmosphere.
Accommodation: Park Plaza County Hall London
Join a Local Specialist today to explore the city's favorite landmarks. See Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace, before spending the rest of the day at leisure to delve into the city's history, culture, art and architecture.
Accommodation: Park Plaza County Hall London
Meals: Breakfast
Ponder the mysteries of the ancient megaliths of Stonehenge, before driving west to Bath to visit the Roman Baths on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Cross the Severn Estuary to Cardiff, then view the Wales Millennium Center and the National Assembly at Cardiff Bay. Later, enjoy warm hospitality and traditional Welsh pub fare and drinks at a rousing dinner.
Accommodation: Leonardo Hotel Cardiff
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning, view the Principality Stadium during your orientation of Cardiff. Enjoy some leisure time in this modern capital. Perhaps visit the Victorian Gothic fantasy of Cardiff Castle at the heart of the city. Cross the Irish Sea by ferry to the 'Emerald Isle' and travel to historic Waterford, where you'll dine in your hotel tonight.
Accommodation: Waterford Marina Hotel, The Fitzwilton Hotel Waterford
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Dive Into Culture and watch the master crafters of the renowned House of Waterford Crystal. Then, kiss the Blarney Stone to acquire the 'gift of the gab', before traveling to the picturesque town of Killarney.
Accommodation: Hotel Killarney
Meals: Breakfast
Today, experience the enduring beauty of Ireland's most scenic coastal drive around the Iveragh Peninsula – the emerald green hills, centuries-old stone villages and vivid blue seascapes provide an exquisite backdrop for your leisurely drive around what has become known as the Ring of Kerry. See Daniel O'Connell's Cahirsiveen, the fishing village of Waterville, the Black Valley and Moll's Gap with its panoramic views. Later, meet the O'Sullivan family at Molly Gallivan’s 200-year-old cottage, sharing a memorable Be My Guest experience.
Accommodation: Hotel Killarney
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Celtic art and history take center stage this morning as you visit the Rock of Cashel in County Tipperary, the seat of Irish kings for centuries. Perched atop a limestone outcrop in the Golden Vale, the historic ruins house one of the most remarkable collections of Celtic art and medieval architecture in Europe. Arrive this afternoon in Dublin, where you will join your Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour to see Trinity College, St. Patrick's Cathedral and the stately Georgian Squares. This evening, consider joining an Optional Experience to enjoy the rousing sounds of an Irish cabaret.
Accommodation: Hampton by Hilton Dublin City Center
Meals: Breakfast
Dive Into Culture to discover the fascinating 250-year-old story of Guinness at its original home, the Guinness Storehouse. Then, top it off with a taste in their Gravity Bar while you enjoy the panoramic views of Dublin. The rest of the day is yours to soak up the cozy atmosphere of the Irish capital. Ramble through the buzzing streets of Temple Bar or visit Grafton Street, famous for its colorful street performers.
Accommodation: Hampton by Hilton Dublin City Center
Meals: Breakfast
Board the ferry to Wales. Admire the spectacular landscape of Snowdonia National Park as you travel to the ancient city of Chester, with its characteristic Tudor Rows and medieval walls. Arrive later in Liverpool, the haunt of the 'Fab Four', joining your companions for a tasty dinner.
Accommodation: Leonardo Hotel Liverpool, Leonardo Hotel Manchester Piccadilly
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
The beautiful landscape, which for centuries inspired the Romantic poets, provides a mesmerizing backdrop for your scenic drive from the lush green hills of Lancashire to the Lake District. Skirt the shores of England's largest lake, Windermere, as you travel through countryside made famous by poet William Wordsworth. Cross the Scottish border and visit the runaway wedding capital that is Gretna Green. This evening, you arrive in beguiling Edinburgh, where you'll spend the next two nights.
Accommodation: Apex City of Edinburgh Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Join a Local Specialist this morning for a memorable sightseeing tour of this captivating capital, including a visit to Edinburgh Castle, perched high above the city on Castle Rock. See Auld Reekie's Royal Mile and the elegant Palace of Holyroodhouse in the shadow of Arthur's Seat, and admire the Georgian façades in Edinburgh's New Town. Tickets to see the spectacular Edinburgh Tattoo are included on departures that coincide with performance dates.
Accommodation: Apex City of Edinburgh Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Journey south to the medieval market town of Alnwick with its impressive castle and Tenantry Column, upon which the Percy Lion sits and surveys the town. Marvel at the magnificent scenery as you cross Northumberland and the River Tyne at Newcastle en route to York where you’ll walk through the charming Shambles, see the medieval walls and York Minster, one of the greatest cathedrals in the world.
Accommodation: Novotel Center
Meals: Breakfast
Visit Shakespeare's Birthplace and Visitor Center in Stratford-upon-Avon to see where the 'Avon Bard' was born and raised. View Anne Hathaway's thatched cottage. This evening, join your fellow travelers for dinner.
Accommodation: Mercure Warwickshire Walton Hall Hotel and Spa, Stratford Manor
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Journey to the Cotswolds this morning and visit the little churchyard at Bladon where Sir Winston Churchill is buried. Arriving in Oxford, the oldest university city in the British Isles, you'll enjoy an orientation tour of the city to view the Radcliffe Camera and the Bodleian Library and visit one of the university's famous colleges (when open). Return to London this afternoon.
Accommodation: Park Plaza County Hall London
Meals: Breakfast
For now, it's time to say farewell to your travel companions at the end of a memorable holiday as you prepare to return home with treasured memories.
Meals: Breakfast
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Tour Operator
Brendan Vacations (CA)
In Business Since 1931
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