Wonders of Britain and Ireland Summer 2024

Wonders of Britain and Ireland Summer 2024

215 Views
15 Days From

$4725

$3827

Wonders of Britain and Ireland Summer 2024

15 Days Starting and ending in London

Visiting: London, Stonehenge, Bath, Cardiff, Waterford, Blarney, Killarney, Ring of Kerry, Cashel, Dublin, Chester, Liverpool, Lake District, Gretna Green, Edinburgh, Alnwick, York, Stratford-upon-Avon, Oxford

Tour operator:

Brendan Vacations

Tour code:

BIBIZN19

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

25 - 48

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

6-99

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians

Tour operated in:
English
Trip Styles:

UK tours by Coach

Activities:

Sightseeing

From:
$4725
$3827 Operator discount: -$717 Exclusive Tourhub Members Discount: -$180 -19%

NB: Prices correct on 06-Jun-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

All the highlights and some special travel surprises feature on this in-depth UK and Ireland trip. 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 Brewery in Dublin.

Highlights

  • Kenmare: Enjoy a Be My Guest dinner of Irish Stew at Molly Gallivan’s 200-year-old cottage with the O'Sullivan family and their Kerry cows

  • Dublin: Visit the Guinness Storehouse to see how the world’s most famous stout is created and enjoy a perfectly chilled pint of Guinness

  • Waterford: Learn how crystal is crafted at the House of Waterford Crystal during a workshop tour

  • Stonehenge: Walk around the strange and awe-inspiring monoliths that have reputedly stood for 5,000 years

  • Bath: Admire UNESCO-listed Bath, with its elegant Georgian facades and the bimillenial Roman Baths

  • Blarney: Kiss the Blarney Stone at Blarney Castle and receive the gift of eloquence

  • Ring of Kerry: Admire Ireland’s enduring scenic beauty on one of the most beautiful drives in the world

  • Edinburgh: Explore the city with a Local Specialist, including a visit to Edinburgh Castle

  • 14 Breakfast (B)

  • 5 Dinner (D)

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Itinerary

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Day 1: Welcome To London

Location: London

Accommodation: Park Plaza County Hall

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.

Day 2: Discover The Sights Of London

Location: London

Accommodation: Park Plaza County Hall

Meals Included: Breakfast

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.

Day 3: Stonehenge And Bath And On To Cardfiff

Randolfo Santos
Steven Eastham
Diego Alberto Etchevarne
Sun Travels And Resorts (Sun travels)
Val Rossi

Location: London, Stonehenge, Bath, Cardiff

Accommodation: Leonardo Hotel Cardiff, Park Inn by Radisson City Center

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Meet your Travel Director this morning and stop to ponder the mysteries of the ancient megaliths of Stonehenge, before driving west to Bath. 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 Welcome Dinner.

Day 4: Onwards To Waterford

Sun Travels And Resorts (Sun travels)
Val Rossi

Location: Cardiff, Waterford

Accommodation: Waterford Marina Hotel, Fitzwilton

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, we view the Principality Stadium during our 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. We cross the Irish Sea by ferry to the 'Emerald Isle' and travel to historic Waterford, where we'll dine in our hotel tonight.

Day 5: Admire Blarney Castle And Journey To Killarney Dive Into Culture

Location: Waterford, Blarney, Killarney

Accommodation: Hotel Killarney

Meals Included: Breakfast

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.

Day 6: A Day On The Ring Of Kerry Connect With Locals

Location: Killarney, Ring of Kerry, Killarney

Accommodation: Hotel Killarney

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Today we 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 our 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, we Connect With Locals at Molly Gallivan’s 200-year-old cottage, sharing a memorable Be My Guest experience with the O'Sullivan family and their Kerry cows.

Day 7: Journey To Cultural Dublin

Location: Killarney, Cashel, Dublin

Accommodation: Hampton by Hilton Dublin City Center., Hotel Riu Plaza The Gresham Dublin

Meals Included: Breakfast

Celtic art and history take center stage this morning as we 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. We arrive this afternoon in Dublin, where we will join our 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.

Day 8: Dublin Your Way Dive Into Culture

Location: Dublin

Accommodation: Hampton by Hilton Dublin City Center., Hotel Riu Plaza The Gresham Dublin

Meals Included: 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.

Day 9: The Sights Of Chester And Liverpool

Location: Dublin, Chester, Liverpool

Accommodation: Leonardo Hotel Liverpool, Leonardo Hotel Manchester Central, Leonardo Hotel Manchester Piccadilly

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

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. We arrive later in Liverpool, the haunt of the 'Fab Four', joining our companions for a tasty dinner.

Day 10: Through The Lake District To Edinburgh

Location: Liverpool, Lake District, Gretna Green, Edinburgh

Accommodation: Apex City

Meals Included: Breakfast

The beautiful landscape, which for centuries inspired the Romantic poets, provides a mesmerizing backdrop for our scenic drive from the lush green hills of Lancashire to the Lake District. Skirt the shores of England's largest lake, Windermere, as we travel through countryside made famous by poet William Wordsworth. We cross the Scottish border and visit the runaway wedding capital that is Gretna Green. This evening, we arrive in beguiling Edinburgh, where we'll spend the next two nights.

Day 11: Discover Remarkable Edinburgh

Location: Edinburgh

Accommodation: Apex City

Meals Included: 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.

Day 12: Venture To York

Location: Edinburgh, Alnwick, York

Accommodation: Novotel Center

Meals Included: Breakfast

We 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.

Day 13: On To Shakespeare’S Stratford-Upon-Avon

Location: York, Stratford-upon-Avon

Accommodation: Mercure Warwickshire Walton Hall Hotel and Spa, Stratford Manor

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

We 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 we join our fellow travelers and Travel Director for a Farewell Dinner.

Day 14: Journey Through The Cotswolds To Oxford And London

Location: Stratford-upon-Avon, Oxford, London

Accommodation: Park Plaza Riverbank, Park Plaza County Hall

Meals Included: Breakfast

Journey to the Cotswolds this morning and the little churchyard at Bladon where Sir Winston Churchill is buried. Arriving in Oxford, the oldest university city in the British Isles, we'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). We return to London this afternoon.

Day 15: Goodbye London

Location: London

Meals Included: Breakfast

For now, it's time to say farewell to our travel companions at the end of a memorable holiday as we prepare to return home with treasured memories.

What's Included

  • London: The services of a Brendan Vacations Local Host when you stay at Brendan Vacations's recommended London hotel

  • London: Pick-up and drop-off when you stay at the Brendan Vacations recommended London hotel, booked through Brendan Vacations

  • An expert Travel Director and professional Driver

  • 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)

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What's Not Included

International airfare to and from the start and end of the tour is not included.

Mode of Transport

Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)

Accommodation

Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted

Check out our Q&As

  • Is there seat rotation on the coach?

    Yes, your Travel Director will implement a seat rotation system, whereby all guests will rotate their seats on the coach daily. This allows for everyone to experience the spectacular views from different seats, and you’ll have a better opportunity to get to know your fellow travelers.

  • Is luggage handling provided?

    On Guided Vacations and Private Chauffeur Vacations, all luggage handling is provided at no extra charge. One suitcase per person will be brought to your hotel room.

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes! Our hotels are personally selected by Managing Director Catherine Reilly and personally known for their quality, impeccable service and comfort, with the majority of them having air-conditioning. Note: A few hotels may not have air conditioning due to the colder climate.

  • What are the coaches like?

    We pride ourselves on having the finest fleet of fuel-efficient, fully air-conditioned coaches – all with reclining seats and on-board restrooms. The high vantage point from your coach’s window means you can take in all the glorious scenery, whether it’s a vast rural landscape or an urban city center. We also have on board WiFi.

  • Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?

    Brendan Vacations is an active supporter of the Treadright® Foundation, a not-for-profit organization established in 2008. So far, the charity has donated more than $2 million to help underprivileged communities and support sustainable tourism around the world.

  • How many people will be on my trip?

    You’ll find an average of 40 to 45 guests on trips throughout Europe.

  • Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

    The beauty of taking a guided vacation with us is you’ll have the opportunity to meet and travel with people from all over the globe.

  • Will I have free time?

    Each itinerary offers the perfect balance of downtime and discoveries. We also give you the opportunity to tailor your trip with Optional Experiences.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Yes. If you are travelling solo but would be happy to share your rook with another traveller of the same gender, we offer 'Twin-share' pricing on our trips. However, if you prefer the privacy of your own room, you can opt for our single supplement. The cost will depend on your trip and can be found in the pricing section of the itinerary.

  • How much luggage can I bring?

    On Guided Vacations, you can bring one suitcase per person with the dimensions of 76cm x 46cm x 25cm (30" x 18" x 10") and weight not exceeding 23kg (50 lbs) due to the limited space on the coach. You can also bring one piece of hand luggage, provided it is small enough to take on the coach and does not have telescopic handles.

  • What is a Travel Director?

    Our Travel Directors come from a variety of backgrounds, but they all share a passion for travel and their homelands. These experienced professionals show you what the guidebooks can't - a true insider's perspective of Ireland and Scotland. Each Travel Director has been through a bespoke training program, and many have at least five years' experience under their belt.

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Travel documents (important information, itinerary and any relevant vouchers) will be provided 7-10 days prior to your trip's departure.

  • What if I have special dietary requirements?

    We can accommodate guests who are vegetarian and can assist with diabetic, gluten-free and other medically-recommended diets. Please advise us at time of booking. Unfortunately, we're unable to supply meals in accordance with strict religious requirements. We cannot provide salt-free, Kosher, Halal, requests for specific dietary supplements such as soy milk, and high protein or low-carb meals.

Reviews of this operator

Krista Erickson (Google Reviewer)  

Do you want to see...

23-Apr-2020

Do you want to see Ireland your way? Brendan Vacations did an amazing job setting us up with a Self-Drive through the county. They reserved a Hertz vehicle which we found the rental process to be seamless, placed us in wonderful hotels near city centers per our request and even suggested some places to visit and eat. We tend to be bucket list seekers so climbing Ireland’s country highpoint Carrauntoohil in beautiful County Kerry was a highlight of our trip. Our next stop is Scotland and hiking up Ben Nevis with the help of Brendan Vacations the true Celtic Experts.

Mackenzie Gerber (Google Reviewer)  

Brendan Vacations made all my...

23-Apr-2020

Brendan Vacations made all my Ireland dreams come true. My husband and I took a Private Chauffeur trip last August and we think back on it almost daily. The level of service and detail from our Chauffeur to the people behind the scenes scheduling our activities and hotels made it easy for us just to relax the entire time. Thank you to the amazing Brendan team for an unforgettable vacation.

Katie Jessup (Google Reviewer)  

This last summer I planned...

23-Apr-2020

This last summer I planned a trip to take my family to Ireland, being from England the United Kingdom has always been very special to me I just love the outdoors and the people. Living in the US my family have never visited Ireland before so I decided I wanted to plan with them a trip where we could explore this this amazing place. When we started writing down the key places that we wanted to visit we realized it was a lot from Belfast to Derry, Dublin to Galway and Killarney to Cork I was just not sure how I could piece all of this together. I decided I would look for help and the team at Brendan vacations were my superstars, all I had to do was give them my itinerary and they took care of everything else for me. They made our trip so easy and effortless to plan and they offered little extras because they knew we were a multi-generational family traveling together. They even helped us book and plan activities while we were visiting Ireland from the Cliffs of Moher to the Giants Causeway. By far my favorite moment was seeing my 7 year old daughter's face when we had the opportunity to take a horse drawn carriage ride through Killarney National Park, without my Brendan vacation specialist recommending this to me we would have missed out and I know it was a highlight for little Charlie. Thank you Brendan vacations for taking our trip personally and truly helping create memories that will last us a lifetime. We are already talking about going back to Ireland and our next adventure.

Tara Ward-Burgess (Google Reviewer)  

We recently took a 13...

16-May-2024

We recently took a 13 day chauffeured tour of Ireland. Brendan Vacations scheduled our chauffeur through Pat Keough Tours and our driver, Andy Burke, was outstanding. If we mentioned particular places of interest along the way Andy would find a way to make it happen. He has the best sense of humor, is professional, and very knowledgeable. We hope to use Andy for future trips.

Tam (Google Reviewer)  

Brendan Vacations is amazing!!! In...

28-Apr-2020

Brendan Vacations is amazing!!! In my opinion it was the only way to fully experience Ireland. We did a private chauffeur trip with our family. There were 4 adults and 3 children ranging from 7 to 12 years old and all of us were completely entertained the entire time. From the moment we were picked up at the airport it was clear that then attention to details was unmatched. We were able to be completely immersed into the incredible culture and people of Ireland. The tour took us around most of the country from the city of Dublin to the picturesque town of Killarney. We experience the Majestic Cliffs of Moher from a unique perspective taking a ferry ride along the coastline which was beautiful. Next we went to the AMAZING Ashford castle which was straight out of a story book. There were so things to do, our family loved fishing, zipplining, horseback riding and falconry. Throughout our trip we went on walking tours in the cities, stayed in enchanting castles and manars, and even horse drawn carriage ride through a historic park surrounded by lakes and beautiful scenery. Everyday we saw unbelievable countrysides, had yummy stews and Irish ales. The people were all welcoming and nice in every city and town. Our chauffeur made us feel comfortable and was professional which made the trip fun and relaxing throughout our many adventures. Ireland was full of rich history, memorable landscapes, music and dancing. We can't thank Brendan Vacations enough for making our vacation stress free and so unforgettable, what an adventure!

Amy Yarruhs (Google Reviewer)  

I did the Irish Highlights...

02-Feb-2024

I did the Irish Highlights tour last October and it blew any expectations I had of guided tours out of the water! It was my first time out of the US and they made it so easy and comfortable. Our Travel Director, Maeve, and Driver, Stevie, were absolutely wonderful and super knowledgeable. The whole trip was very organized and well-planned. There were 2 main experiences that stand out to me as different than other tour companies. The first were the Make Travel Matter experiences which were hosted by locals and focused on sustainability (a huge plus for me) and their Be My Guest experience where we got to eat in celebrity chef, Catherine Fulvio's farmhouse! I still dream about her cooking months later. All in all, I would highly recommend Brendan Vacations and I can't wait to visit Ireland again.

1 Dates & Availability

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Aug 04, 2024 - Aug 18, 2024
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Aug 30, 2024 - Sep 13, 2024
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Sep 08, 2024 - Sep 22, 2024
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Operator discount: -$717

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Sep 13, 2024 - Sep 27, 2024
$4725 $4503

Operator discount: -$10

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Sep 15, 2024 - Sep 29, 2024
$4725 $3827

Operator discount: -$717

Exclusive Tourhub Members Discount: -$180

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Sep 20, 2024 - Oct 04, 2024
$4675 $4455

Operator discount: -$10

Exclusive Tourhub Members Discount: -$210

Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    Brendan Vacations requires a minimum deposit of 200 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of brendan vacations charges.

    Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.

    At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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