Insight Premium Tours

A well paced tour with two-night stays in the contrasting cities of Edinburgh, Dublin and Killarney; plus a variation in pace with two different Irish ferry crossings to Dublin and from Rosslare.

Name of Tour: Britain & Ireland Explorer
Duration: 13 Days
Exclusive Price Discounts are shown below

Itinerary

DAY 1 – LONDON – YORK
After a warm welcome from your Tour Director, drive through the Oxfordshire countryside into the ‘heart of England’ to Stratford-upon-Avon to visit the birthplace of the Bard, William Shakespeare. Head north to York, the ancient capital of Viking Britain, and see history unfold before your eyes as you pass the crooked houses of the ‘Shambles’ to reach York Minster, England’s largest medieval cathedral. Settle into the hotel with a Welcome Drink with your fellow travellers.
Hotel: Quality. (D)

DAY 2 – YORK – EDINBURGH
Stop off in Durham to see the castle and the fine Romanesque cathedral before moving on to see Hadrian’s Wall, Britain’s most impressive Roman monument. Cross the wild Northumberland moors into Scotland, passing Jedburgh Abbey and the house of the ill-fated Mary Queen of Scots en route to the capital of Edinburgh, your base for two nights.
Hotel: Royal Terrace. (B)

DAY 3 – EDINBURGH SIGHTSEEING
A guided tour visits the castle which dominates the city from its rocky crag, and drives down the Royal Mile, past the venerable St Giles’ Cathedral, to see the Queen’s Holyroodhouse Palace before crossing over to the 18th century New Town. The afternoon provides time to shop on Princes Street. Tonight, selected departures enjoy the Military Tattoo – a colourful mixture of historic battles and modern military manoeuvres, complete with pipes and drums. (B)

DAY 4 – EDINBURGH – HIGHLANDS
Cross the Firth of Forth to St Andrews, where golf was born in the 15th century, before heading to Perth to visit the famous Caithness Glass Factory. Later, visit a whisky distillery where the local water, the finest malt and age-old skills combine to produce a ‘wee dram’ for you to taste. Cross the Grampian Mountains for a warm Highland welcome at your hotel in Newtonmore. Enjoy a Highlight Dinner with haggis, accompanied by the sound of the bagpipes.
Hotel: Highlander. (B,HD)

DAY 5 – HIGHLANDS – LAKE DISTRICT
Mountains and glens greet you as you drive through dramatic Glencoe. On the ‘bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond’ you’ll board a guided Highlight cruise on one of Scotland’s most beautiful lochs. Afterwards, continue south through Glasgow into the Southern Uplands of Scotland before crossing the border to arrive at your hotel in the beautiful English Lake District.
Hotel: Windermere Hydro. (B,D)

DAY 6 – LAKE DISTRICT – WARRINGTON
Time to enjoy the beauty of the Lake District, its fells, lakes and valleys combining to make it one of England’s best loved regions. There is time take a cruise on Lake Windermere, before stopping in Grasmere where the Lakeland poet William Wordsworth is buried. Then it’s on to Warrington for the evening.
Hotel: Daresbury Park. (B,D)

DAY 7 – WARRINGTON – DUBLIN
Step back into Roman times in Chester, where you will see the city’s ancient encircling walls and its remarkable 13th century black and white galleried ‘Rows’, now shopping arcades. Continue into Wales, glimpsing the massive Conwy Castle before crossing the Menai Straits to pass through the world-famous village with the very Welsh name of Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch. From Holyhead, sail across the sea to Ireland and its capital, Dublin, for a two-night stay.
Hotel: Quality/Academy Plaza. (B)

DAY 8 – DUBLIN SIGHTSEEING
A local guide will show you Dublin’s elegant Georgian squares and the equally impressive castle, which you will visit (if open). Also see the Irish President’s home in Phoenix Park, famous O’Connell Street and the historic Customs House. The afternoon is yours to shop in elegant Grafton Street or to continue sightseeing. In the evening, consider an Irish cabaret show and dinner. (B)

DAY 9 – DUBLIN – KILLARNEY
Drive to County Kildare, Ireland’s premier thoroughbred horse region, for a guided tour of the National Stud, and admire the adjoining Japanese Gardens. View one of the great sights of Ireland, the Rock of Cashel, as you cross the rolling pastures which encircle Tipperary, which is immortalised in the famous song, before continuing on to Killarney.
Hotel: Killarney Avenue & Towers. (B,D)

DAY 10 – RING OF KERRY EXCURSION
An excursion takes you around the magical Ring of Kerry, a world of towering cliffs, lush lake lands and remote villages. As you pass through Ireland’s highest mountain range, the MacGillicuddy Reeks, a sense of the unhurried pace of Irish life will surround you, especially as you reach the three peaceful Lakes of Killarney. In the afternoon, perhaps take an optional ride with the locals on one of Killarney’s jaunting cars. (B)

DAY 11 – KILLARNEY – WATERFORD
Cross the rugged Derrynasaggart Mountains to Blarney, and visit the woollen mill and the ancient castle, where you’ll never be lost for words after kissing the famous Blarney Stone. Travel on through the scenic port of Dungarvan to Waterford, where you can admire a sparkling display of crystal before settling into your hotel for the night.
Hotel: Dooleys. (B,D)

DAY 12 – WATERFORD – CARDIFF
Drive to Rosslare to take the ferry across the Irish Sea to Pembroke. Continue past the valleys of South Wales to the Welsh capital, Cardiff, famous for its imposing castle and the brilliant Millennium Stadium.
Hotel: Copthorne. (B)

DAY 13 – CARDIFF – LONDON
Cross the Severn bridge, spanning the Bristol channel between England and Wales, then on to Bath with its Georgian streets and crescents, and visit the Roman Baths. Cross Salisbury Plain and stop to visit the mysterious megaliths of Stonehenge. From here, travel to London, where the tour ends. (B)

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