The Best of Britain & Ireland

15 days
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Group Tour
On this Best of Britain & Ireland tour, see Britain’s and Ireland’s highlights—from the bustling cities to the small towns and from the breathtaking scenery to the ancient ruins. Traveling through the lands of queens, kings, and leprechauns, begin and end in London and pass through England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. On this Britain and Ireland tour, ...
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Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

What's this trip about?

    On this Best of Britain & Ireland tour, see Britain’s and Ireland’s highlights—from the bustling cities to the small towns and from the breathtaking scenery to the ancient ruins. Traveling through the lands of queens, kings, and leprechauns, begin and end in London and pass through England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. On this Britain and Ireland tour, stop in some historic towns and cities, including Oxford, home to some of England’s most famous colleges; York, England's most complete medieval city with its cobbled streets and the magnificent York Minster, England’s largest Gothic cathedral; Stratford-upon-Avon, birthplace of Shakespeare; Chester, where a walking tour highlights its Roman remains and black and white half-timbered buildings; Adare, founded in medieval times and known today as one of Ireland’s prettiest villages; and Bath, known for the excavations of Roman baths used for bathing and socializing 2,000 years ago. Britain and Ireland are known for their green countryside and stunning scenery, and on this Britain and Ireland tour, you’ll witness some of their gorgeous landscapes. Travel through the incomparable landscapes of Snowdonia National Park in Wales, with picturesque villages, mountains, and lakes. Follow Ireland’s Ring of Kerry, a 100-mile panoramic drive with sparkling seascapes, brightly hued farmhouses, and the breathtaking panorama of the Lakes of Killarney. Visit the spectacular 668-feet Cliffs of Moher, with breathtaking views of rugged cliffs dropping into the ocean. Drive through the Cotswolds, with the rolling hills and picturesque villages, Northumberland National Park, with its wide-open spaces, and the serene Lake District, England’s largest natural park. All of this and more—including time in Dublin and Edinburgh—await you on this brilliant vacation in Briain and Ireland!

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeStandard Group - 25 + people
Age range6 years and up
Flights and transport
Start City LONDON, ENGLAND
End CityLONDON

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • 50 Plus

Destinations

Attractions

  • Bath
  • Britain
  • Cardiff
  • Chester
  • Cotswolds
  • Dublin
  • Edinburgh
  • Edinburgh
  • Galway
  • Hadrian's Wall
  • Lake District
  • London
  • Oxford
  • Snowdonia
  • Stonehenge
  • York

Activities

  • Culture

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Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1: ARRIVE IN LONDON, ENGLAND

Check into your hotel. In the afternoon, there’s time to rest or start exploring the lively British capital. Uniformed hosts are available to help you make the most of your stay.

Day 2: LONDON

Today is free for exploring on your own or enjoying our exciting program of optional activities. London’s calling with an optional morning sightseeing tour with a Local Guide to see the city’s famous landmarks: the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben beside the River Tha...

Day 3: LONDON–OXFORD–STRATFORD-UPON-AVON–LEEDS

Meet your Tour Director and traveling companions and depart at 8 am for Oxford. A walking tour takes in the colleges where Britain’s elite receive their outstanding education. Then, travel through the lovely Cotswold Hills to Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon. Take p...

Day 4: LEEDS–YORK–THIRSK–NEWCASTLE

This morning, head north to York. Stand in front of the great structure of York Minster, then follow your Tour Director through a maze of quaint streets, including the narrow Shambles. Leaving York, head north and spend some free time in the charming market town of Th...

Day 5: NEWCASTLE–JEDBURGH, SCOTLAND–EDINBURGH

See a section of Hadrian’s Wall, then motor through wild Northumberland National Park to the Scottish border. Stop for photos at Jedburgh before arriving in Edinburgh. Here, sightseeing with a Local Guide introduces you to the 200-year-old “New Town.” In the “Old Town...

Day 6: EDINBURGH

Your choice of optional excursions today: this morning put on your best detective hat and get ready to decipher the cryptic symbols and spellbinding mysteries of 15th-century Rosslyn Chapel, one of Scotland's most enigmatic places. This afternoon discover what life wa...

Day 7: EDINBURGH–GRETNA GREEN–LAKE DISTRICT, ENGLAND–CHESTER–WREXHAM, WALES

South through the history-steeped Lowland Hills and a visit to Gretna Green, where the blacksmith used to wed runaway couples. Drive through beautiful scenery in the Lake District, considered to be the finest of England’s national parks and a UNESCO World Heritage Sit...

Day 8: WREXHAM–BETWS-Y-COED–DUBLIN, IRELAND

A scenic North Wales drive through the incomparable landscapes of Snowdonia National Park brings you to lovely Betws-y-Coed. Then, head over spectacular Llanberis Pass and, finally, across Britannia Bridge to the Isle of Anglesey. Take your photos at tongue-twisting L...

Day 9: DUBLIN

A day in the “Fair City” starts off with an orientation drive through Eire’s capital and includes statue-lined O’Connell Street, elegant Georgian squares, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy Dublin at leisure. This evening, raise ...

Day 10: DUBLIN–GALWAY–CLIFFS OF MOHER–SHANNON

Head for dairy-farm country in the heart of the “Emerald Isle.” Stop in Galway, a popular seaside destination and a buzzing cosmopolitan district with vibrant shops and a busy café and bar culture. Then, cross the limestone plateau of The Burren to visit the spectacul...

Day 11: SHANNON–ADARE–RING OF KERRY–KILLARNEY

Stop for photos in Adare, a village known for its prize-winning thatched cottages and monastic ruins. In County Kerry, join the road known as the Ring of Kerry for a 100-mile coastal panoramic drive. Focus your camera on sparkling seascapes, mountains dotted with brig...

Day 12: KILLARNEY–BLARNEY–DUNGARVAN–TRAMORE

Cross the Kerry Mountains and through County Cork to Blarney, famous for its magical Stone of Eloquence. Time to see the castle, and shop for Irish crafts and handmade crystal. Drive past Cork, the country’s second-largest city, and via Dungarvan to Tramore. Enjoy a b...

Day 13: TRAMORE–CARDIFF, WALES

An early start for the short drive to Rosslare. In just under four hours, you cross St. George’s Channel by ferry to South Wales. Continue through rich dairy farmland to Cardiff, where an orientation drive introduces you to the capital’s major attractions: Cardiff Castle, Cathays Park, Millennium Stadium, and the stately civic buildings. Today’s Distance: 159 mi/ 257 km (Breakfast)

Day 14: CARDIFF–BATH, ENGLAND–STONEHENGE–LONDON

A day packed with highlights begins as you cross the spectacular Severn Bridge into England. Stop in the elegant Georgian city of Bath, famous for its Roman relics, before visiting Stonehenge, still an intriguing mystery. Explore the visitor centre with its imaginativ...

Day 15: LONDON

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)

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Dates & Availability

Price From $3,329
Price per day$222
Last Updated: 3/5/2025
Departure Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Availability
20 Apr 2025
04 May 2025
$3,329
04 May 2025
18 May 2025
$3,529
18 May 2025
01 Jun 2025
$3,529
01 Jun 2025
15 Jun 2025
$3,529
15 Jun 2025
29 Jun 2025
$3,529
29 Jun 2025
13 Jul 2025
$3,529
13 Jul 2025
27 Jul 2025
$3,529
27 Jul 2025
10 Aug 2025
$3,769
10 Aug 2025
24 Aug 2025
$3,769
24 Aug 2025
07 Sep 2025
$3,529

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Cosmos.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Jun 2023

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Jun 2020

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Excellent Experience and Excellent Guide

I would highly recommend this company and some trips to Scandinavia and Baltic. The countries are amazing, the service and our guide Ausra Paukste was really the bes...

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Sep 2018

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Logistics

Accommodation

Copthorne Tara Hotel London

Novotel London West

Leonardo Hotel Bradford

Maldron Hotel Newcastle

Courtyard by Marriott Edinburgh West

Ramada Plaza Wrexham

The Bonnington Dublin Hotel

Treacys Oakwood Hotel

Killarney Court Hotel

Majestic Hotel

Novotel Cardiff

Travel Insurance
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Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
6 years and up
Additional Information
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Trip ID
COSMOS-9010

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