Capital Highlights of Britain and Ireland—15 day tour
A tour of the historic and cultural highlights of the major cities and capitals of Britain and Ireland.
Included Highlights
- City Tours with Local Guides
- Tower of London
- Cambridge College
- York Minster
- Edinburgh Castle
- Scottish Entertainment Night
- Giant’s Causeway
- Trinity College, Dublin
- Irish Entertainment Night
- Cardiff Castle
- Roman Baths in Bath
- Stonehenge
Hotel Nights
- London 2
- York 1
- Edinburgh 2
- Ayr 1
- Belfast 2
- Dublin 3
- Cardiff 1
- Bath 1
- London 1
Day 1 London
Arrival at one of London’s airports. Meet and greet by a professional London guide who will accompany us by motor coach on a panoramic sightseeing tour of London. The tour will pass iconic landmarks including Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace.
Overnight London
Day 2 London
Our guide takes us on an in-depth tour of London today. Highlights include a 'flight' on the London Eye, a tour of Westminster Abbey, a cruise on the River Thames, a pub lunch and admission to the Tower of London. We may also want to experience a journey on the tube, a ride on a Red Double Decker Bus or a visit to one of the city's museums, many of which are free to enter. Tonight a pre-theatre dinner and tickets to a top West End performance, with private transfers, are included.
Overnight London
Day 3 Cambridge – York
This morning travel to the university city of Cambridge for an in depth walking tour, including a visit to one of the city's colleges. Continue to York where, after dinner in our hotel, we embark on a guided Ghost Walk of this "haunted" city.
Overnight York
Day 4 York – Durham – Edinburgh
Join our local guide for a morning tour of this remarkable and well-preserved city. Step back in time at the Jorvik Viking Centre with a journey through a reconstruction of Viking age streets, as they would have been in the year 975AD. Afterwards we meet an expert cathedral guide for a tour of stunning York Minster, one of the world's greatest cathedrals and the largest in northern Europe. This afternoon proceed to Edinburgh via the historic city of Durham.
Overnight Edinburgh
Day 5 Edinburgh
A local guide joins us for a morning tour of the city, which includes a visit to Edinburgh Castle. The castle stands guard over the city, captivating visitors with its ancient buildings and marvellous views. This afternoon is free for independent exploration. Tonight enjoy a Scottish themed dinner accompanied by traditional musical entertainment. Groups visiting Edinburgh in August may wish to include tickets to the world-famous spectacle of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
Overnight Edinburgh
Day 6 Ayr
A short journey brings us to Glasgow, Scotland's largest city. Glasgow is an exciting city with a wealth of heritage attractions and an impressive portfolio of museums and galleries. We visit St Mungo's Cathedral, the stunning Mackintosh House and the unique Burrell Collection before travelling to the coast for a stay in Ayrshire.
Overnight Ayr
Day 7 Burns Country – Culzean Castle and Gardens – Belfast
This morning begins with a stop in the village of Alloway to visit the birthplace cottage of Scotland's Bard, Robert Burns, and the medieval Brig o' Doon. Continuing south we devote the afternoon to visiting the magnificent Culzean Castle and its extensive grounds. In the early evening board a ferry for the crossing to Northern Ireland and the capital city of Belfast.
Overnight Belfast
Day 8 Giant's Causeway and The Glens of Antrim – Belfast
Today we take a drive along the scenic coastal road of Northern Ireland – an area of outstanding natural beauty. The diverse landscapes of the famous nine Glens of Antrim evoke images of a magical past shrouded in myth and legend. Discover such legends with a visit to the World Heritage Site of Giant's Causeway. Here we learn the story of Finn McCool and his rival Benandonner and take a walk around the fascinating honeycombed rock formations before returning to Belfast. Meet our local guide and enjoy an afternoon sightseeing tour of the city, including the revitalised Waterfront, the Grand Opera House and City Hall.
Overnight Belfast
Day 9 Bru Na Boinne – Dublin
This morning travel to southern Ireland. Near the border we learn about the Battle of the Boyne and go even further back in time with a visit to the World Heritage Site of Bru Na Boinne. Short transfers by mini-bus take us into Newgrange, a prehistoric tomb that is older than the Pyramids of Egypt or England's Stonehenge. Arrive in Dublin for an orientation tour of the city.
Overnight Dublin
Day 10 Dublin
Our guide takes us on a morning tour of this lively city. Visits are included to St Patrick's Cathedral as well as Trinity College where we see the famed illustrated medieval manuscript known as The Book of Kells. See O'Connell and Grafton Streets and stroll along the banks of the River Liffey. The afternoon is free to explore some of the city's other attractions such as The Jameson's Whiskey Centre or The Guinness Storehouse.
Overnight Dublin
Day 11 Dublin
A day at leisure in Dublin. Enjoy a coffee at Bewley's on Grafton Street, visit Dublin Castle, soak up the atmosphere of Temple Bar or pick up some souvenirs along O'Connell Street. Tonight enjoy an evening of traditional Irish food and musical entertainment.
Overnight Dublin
Day 12 Dublin – Cardiff
Catch the morning fast ferry to North Wales and admire the stunning mountain scenery as we travel through the Snowdonia National Park. Following the border between England and Wales our route takes us via the beautiful Wye Valley and on to the Welsh capital of Cardiff.
Overnight Cardiff
Day 13 Cardiff – Bath
A local guide joins us this morning for a tour of the city including visits to the impressive Millennium Stadium and Cardiff Castle, with its gothic towers and amazing Victorian interior. In the afternoon we explore the newly developed Cardiff Bay area where we are taken on a backstage tour of the Wales Millennium Centre, one of Europe's most innovative and vibrant performing arts centres. Leaving Cardiff we return to England and proceed to the city of Bath.
Overnight Bath
Day 14 Bath – Stonehenge – London
This morning meet a local guide for a tour of this glorious city, a World Heritage Site. It is unique with its hot springs, Roman Baths, splendid Abbey and Georgian stone crescents that have attracted visitors for centuries. After visiting the Roman Baths there will be time for last minute shopping before a visit to the mysterious stone circle of Stonehenge en route to London.
Overnight London
Day 15 London
Group transfer to the airport. We will be pleased to tailor your tour to suit your preferred arrival and departure airports.
You can find out more about our service on the Your Tour and Tour Price page. Please do email or call us to discuss your requirements. All quotations are provided free of charge and without obligation. We look forward to hearing from you.