Description

The leisurely pace and beauty of the Irish countryside blends with historic English towns, Welsh hospitality and the austere Scottish Highlands, for a truly memorable exploration of the British Isles.

Your Fly & Tour Package Includes:

·         Return economy class flights from Sydney to London

·         1 night’s accommodation in London

·         13 day Britain & Ireland Explorer guided holiday with Insight Vacations

·         Includes stylish accommodation, exceptional service, included touring & more

·         Airline taxes, porterage & airport transfers

Insight Experiences:

Kildare: Join an equine professional for a behind-the-scenes look at the Irish National Stud. Then visit the finest Japanese Gardens in Europe, for a ‘journey through life' as you wander by the beautiful floral displays.

Top Rated Highlights:

Hadrian's Wall: Stop to see part of the ancient wall that once marked the border of the Roman Empire.

Edinburgh: Explore the city with your Local Expert 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 Queen, Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Loch Ness: Hear tales of the famous Nessie as you drive along Scotland's famous loch.

Ring of Kerry: Venture into a world of towering cliffs, lush lakelands and remote villages, as you travel the Ring of Kerry.

Blarney: Visit the castle and climb the battlements for a chance to kiss the Blarney Stone and gain the gift of eloquence.

Bath: The Roman Baths have existed for over 2,000 years and are now one of the best-preserved Roman remains in the world. Learn the importance of this historic site, still used as a center for bathing and socialising.

Stonehenge: Visit the mysterious circle of upright stones, which stands as strong today as it did 5,000 years ago.

Authentic Dining:

Loch Lomond: Enjoy a light lunch and admire the oak woodlands and incredible scenery as you cruise one of Scotland's most beautiful lochs, a favourite nature spot of the local's.

Dublin: Before it opens to the public, visit the Guinness Storehouse to learn about Ireland's national drink. Experience a private masterclass and learn to pour the perfect pint.

Killarney: Choose from a fine selection of local restaurants on your Dine-Around Evening.

Waterford: Celebrate the culmination of your escorted journey with wine, good cheer and palate-pleasing cuisine.

Dining Summary: 12 Breakfasts (B), 1 Lunch (L), 3 Dinners (D) and 3 Dinners with Wine (DW) all with tea or coffee. 

Tour Itinerary:

DAY 1    STRATFORD AND MEDIEVAL YORK.

At 07:15, meet your Travel Director at The Grosvenor Hotel in London and journey to Stratford, beautifully situated on the River Avon. Visit the birthplace of William Shakespeare, full of interesting memorabilia and artefacts relating to his life. Continue on to York where you walk within the old city walls to the crooked houses of the Shambles and see York Minster, England’s largest medieval cathedral. Join your Travel Director for a warm and friendly Welcome Dinner with drinks and the opportunity to mingle over a pleasant evening of dinner and wine.

Hotel: Hilton York.

Meals: Dinner with Wine

DAY 2    DURHAM, HADRIAN'S WALL AND EDINBURGH.

Stop in Durham to see the castle and Romanesque cathedral. Then view part of Hadrian's Wall, Britain's most impressive Roman monument once spanning 80 miles from coast-to-coast, marking the northern frontier of the mighty Roman Empire. Cross the Scottish border to reach the elegant Scottish capital, Edinburgh.

Hotel: Crowne Plaza Edinburgh - Royal Terrace.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 3    SCOTLAND’S CAPITAL OF CULTURE.

Journey down the Royal Mile to see the Palace of Holyroodhouse - official Scottish residence of Her Majesty, the Queen - before crossing over to New Town. Next, walk with your Local Expert inside Edinburgh Castle for spectacular views of the town and to see Scotland's Crown Jewels, the Stone of Destiny and Mons Meg. The afternoon is free to shop on Princes Street. In the evening, select departures will enjoy the spectacle of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo – a colourful mixture of historic battles and military manoeuvres with pipes and drums.

Hotel: Crowne Plaza Edinburgh - Royal Terrace.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 4    ST. ANDREWS AND INVERNESS.

Cross the Firth of Forth into Fife and make your way to St. Andrews, passing the Old Course where golf was born in the 15th century. Enjoy free time to explore, perhaps stroll to West Sands Beach where the famous 'Chariots of Fire' scene was filmed. Your travels continue as you cross the Tay river passing the charming Victorian resort town of Pitlochry, famous for its salmon run. Travel via Blair Atholl and past the Grampian Mountains to the sparkling Spey Valley. Later, continue to Inverness and your hotel.

Hotel: Columba Hotel, Inverness.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 5    LOCH NESS AND GLENCOE.

In the morning, travel along Loch Ness and hear tales of the famous Nessie. Continue your journey through some of the most stunning scenery in all of Scotland found in the region of Glencoe. Reach the Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond and absorb the incredible scenery as you cruise what is arguably one of Scotland's most beautiful lochs, while enjoying a light lunch. Cross the English border before arriving at your lakeside hotel.

Hotel: Macdonald Old England Hotel & Spa, Bowness-on-Windermere.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6    ENGLISH LAKES TO CHESTER.

In the morning, discover the beauty of the Lake District. Continue to your hotel in Chester. Perhaps spend the afternoon by joining a Liverpool and The Beatles City Tour Optional Experience?

Hotel: Hallmark Hotel The Queen, Chester.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 7    NORTH WALES AND OVER TO DUBLIN.

In the morning, step back into Roman times in Chester where you see the city’s ancient encircling walls and remarkable 13th century black and white Rows.Continue through Wales, passing the massive Conwy Castle before crossing over to the Isle of Anglesey. The village with the longest name in Europe will be visible - see if you are able to read it aloud! From the port of Holyhead, set sail for Dublin in Ireland.

Hotel: Trinity City Hotel/Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Dublin.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 8    IN DUBLIN’S FAIR CITY.

Before it opens to the public, experience Ireland's national and world-famous drink with a guided visit to the Guinness Storehouse. Gain a fascinating insight into the history and traditions behind its production and enjoy a private masterclass where you will learn to pour the perfect pint. Later, become acquainted with Dublin’s elegant squares during sightseeing with a Local Expert. See famous O’Connell Street, the Custom House and Dublin Castle. For the rest of the afternoon, you are free to soak up the Irish atmosphere or browse the shops along Grafton Street.

Hotel: Trinity City Hotel/Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Dublin.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 9    FROM DUBLIN TO KILLARNEY.

Travel to Ireland's premier thoroughbred horse breeding region for a fascinating, behind-the-scenes visit of the National Stud with an equine professional. You then visit the acclaimed 100-year-old Japanese Gardens where you can 'journey through life'. Continue to view the Rock of Cashel, crowned with the noblest group of medieval monuments in Ireland. Cross the rolling pastures that encircle Tipperary before reaching Killarney. At night, your Dine-Around Evening offers authentic and intimate dining with your friends, from a hand-picked selection of fine local restaurants.

Hotel: Killarney Plaza Hotel and Spa/Killarney Avenue Hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

DAY 10  RING OF KERRY EXPERIENCE.

In the morning, join a delightful trip around the Ring of Kerry, a world of towering cliffs, lush lakelands and remote villages. Get a sense of the unhurried pace of Irish life as you pass through Ireland’s highest mountain range and make your way to the three peaceful Lakes of Killarney. In the afternoon, perhaps take an optional ride with the locals on one of Killarney’s jaunting cars?

Hotel: Killarney Plaza Hotel and Spa/Killarney Avenue Hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 11  BLARNEY CASTLE AND WATERFORD.

Start the day visiting Blarney Castle, home of the famous Stone of Eloquence - once kissed, never forgotten! Travel on through the scenic port of Dungarvan to the historic walled city of Waterford, with its 11th century Reginald Tower. Enjoy a guided visit of the world-famous crystal factory and to meet a master craftsman. In the evening, after miles of fun and fascinating sights, spirits will be high during your Celebration Dinner. Toast to your newfound friends - Sláinte!

Hotel: Dooley's Hotel Waterford.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

DAY 12  ACROSS THE IRISH SEA TO CARDIFF.

From the port of Rosslare, board your ferry to cross the Irish Sea. A pleasant drive will then take you into the rural scenery of Pembrokeshire. Continue past the valleys of southern Wales to the capital, Cardiff, famous for its imposing castle and brilliant Principality Stadium.

Hotel: Clayton Hotel Cardiff.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 13  ROMAN BATHS AND STONEHENGE.

Cross the Severn Bridge to reach the City of Bath, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its Georgian streets and crescents. Visit the Roman Baths and Pump Room built above on of Britain’s hot, mineral springs. See the incredibly well-preserved remains of one of the greatest spas of the ancient world, still flowing with the natural hot water from the springs below. Your journey continues across Salisbury Plain for a visit to mysterious Stonehenge - no-one can be sure why they were built, or even how prehistoric man could move such huge blocks of stone. Your exploration of Britain and Ireland draws to a close upon your return to The Grosvenor Hotel in London.

Meals: Breakfast