Taste of Britain and Ireland

Overview
Itinerary
Hotels
The Experience
Reviews

4.7

Savor the very best of England, Scotland and Ireland

Get a great introduction to three great countries on this lively trip to England, Ireland, and Scotland. Enjoy a generous helping of the essential must-dos, with a hint of the unexpected.

Trip details

Tour start London

Tour end Dublin

Days

Nights

Meals

Available Promotions for this tour

Highlights

Windsor Castle

Visit the Queen's magnificent home, the longest-occupied palace in all of Europe.

Roman Baths

Discover why these mineral-rich hot springs have been a popular destination for more than 2,000 years.

Cliffs of Moher

Marvel at the stunning views from these cliffs, rising 700 feet above the Atlantic.

Foynes Flying Boat & Maritime Museum

This unique museum recalls the days of early air travel, and is also the home of Irish coffee.

Blarney Castle

Kiss the Blarney Stone and get the gift of gab at this historic castle, with beautiful gardens to enjoy.

Shakespeare's Birthplace

Learn all about the life and work of the Bard — and tour his birthplace at Stratford-Upon-Avon.

Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

Our August 2nd to August 16th departures get to enjoy the precision and performance of pipe and drum corps from around the world.

Titanic Belfast

Take a guided tour of central Belfast to see Victorian buildings, the imposing City Hall in Donegall Square, and the shipyards where RMS Titanic was built in 1912. Visit Titanic Belfast to learn about this ill-fated liner.

Tower of London

Explore the grand fortress that has served as a royal residence, a prison, an executioner's grounds — and even as a zoo, in its time.

Scotch Whiskey Experience

Visiting the Scotch Whisky Experience in Edinburgh offers an unforgettable journey through the rich history, craftsmanship, and tantalizing flavors of Scotland's national drink.

Itinerary

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Day 1London Tour | Tower of London

Your tour departs from your London hotel at 2:00 PM. Take a panoramic tour of central London to see famous landmarks including Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, and the Houses of Parliament. Visit the historic Tower of London to view the Crown Jewels. Enjoy a welcome drink with your group before dining independently.

Day 2Independent Sightseeing in London

Discover London’s iconic attractions at your own speed, as you please, with your choice of routes on a Hop-On, Hop-Off bus tour. Your evening is free to continue exploring and dining independently. (B)

Day 3Windsor Castle | Bath

Take a panoramic tour of Windsor before visiting Windsor Castle, the largest inhabited castle in the world and one of the King’s official residences. See the grandeur of the State Apartments, ceremonial rooms still used by the Royal Family today. Spend some free time in Windsor before traveling on to the beautiful city of Bath. Founded by the Romans and rich in elegant Georgian architecture, the city is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Tour the Roman Baths to discover why these hot springs have been popular since ancient times. (B, D)

Day 4Cotswolds Drive | Shakespeare’s Birthplace | Liverpool

Take in the Cotswolds, a quintessentially English region with gently rolling hills, colorful gardens, and honey-colored stone buildings. Stop in one of its many charming old market towns or traditional villages. Visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon to see an exhibition about his life and work, before walking through the house where he was born. Travel on to Liverpool and spend the evening exploring its rich pop-music history with dinner on your own. (B)

Day 5Lake District | Windermere Cruise

Travel through the Lake District, a region that has inspired numerous painters and writers, including William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter. Embark on a cruise along Lake Windermere to admire the stunning scenery of wooded isles and neighboring mountains. Spend some free time in a traditional Lakeland village. Pass through Gretna Green, just over the Scottish border, on your way to your hotel outside Edinburgh, where you’ll enjoy a free evening. (B)

Day 6Edinburgh Castle | City Tour | Scotch Whisky Experience*

Explore central Edinburgh on a panoramic tour; discover the Royal Mile, with its closely clustered medieval houses, and the 200-year-old New Town, with its elegant Georgian homes. Tour Edinburgh Castle to see the Crown Jewels of Scotland and the Stone of Destiny. Enjoy an evening of storytelling and whisky tasting at the Scotch Whisky Experience. (Departures from August 2 – 16 will instead experience the world-famous Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.) (B, D*)

Day 7Glasgow City Tour | Ferry to Belfast

Travel to Glasgow for a city tour, then take some free time to explore. Proceed to the harbor at Cairnryan for a short ferry ride to Ireland, and then to your Belfast hotel. (B, D)

Day 8Titanic Belfast | The Glyde Inn

Visit Titanic Belfast for a fascinating look at the building of the doomed ocean liner, which was crafted right in the city’s dockyards. Next, take a panoramic tour of this historic city. Visit the Glyde Inn for an early dinner with entertainment, before continuing on to Dublin. (B, D)

Day 9Independent Sightseeing in Dublin

Tour Dublin independently, on the Hop-On, Hop-Off bus tour. Use your voucher to visit your choice of one of Dublin’s top attractions: Guinness Storehouse, Teeling Distillery, EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, or the GPO Museum. You are free to dine as you wish this evening. (B)

Day 10Blarney Castle | Killarney

Visit Blarney Castle and kiss the famous stone. Then travel on to Macroom and into the mountainous scenery toward Killarney. After dinner at your hotel you might want to check out one of Killarney’s many pubs offering traditional music. (B, D)

Day 11Sheepdog Demonstration | Dingle | Kate Kearney’s Cottage

Head to the scenic Gap of Dunloe for a stop at Moriarty’s, a CIE Tours preferred shopping partner. Visit a sheep farm for a demonstration by highly skilled sheepdogs. Proceed on to the spectacular beauty and charm of the Dingle Peninsula, famed as the setting for “Ryan’s Daughter” and “Far and Away”. Take some free time to explore Dingle town. Later, go to Kate Kearney’s Cottage for an Irish night featuring dinner and traditional entertainment. (B, D)

Day 12Flying Boat Museum | Cliffs of Moher | Galway

Visit Foynes Flying Boat & Maritime Museum, which recalls the early days of air travel. Foynes is the home of Irish coffee, so you’ll learn how to make one and enjoy a sample. Take a ferry across the River Shannon, and drive to visit the Cliffs of Moher. Admire the limestone landscape of the Burren as you travel to vibrant Galway, where you’ll take a panoramic tour of the city center before dinner at your hotel. (B, D)

Day 13Dalkey | Fitzpatrick Castle Stay

Take a walking tour of the historic heart of Galway. Head east to Dublin for a stroll around Dalkey, an exclusive seaside suburb that’s home to such luminaries as singers Bono and Enya and the late writer Maeve Binchy. Enjoy a farewell dinner at your elegant castle hotel. (B, D)

Day 14Tour Ends in Dublin

Your tour ends after breakfast. (B) B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner *Meal counts vary on Tattoo departures, as the Scottish Evening is replaced with the Tattoo and an independent dinner. >

Where you’ll stay

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel London - Victoria London, England

DoubleTree Hotel London – Victoria offers comfortable guest rooms and suites. Enjoy standard and...

Bailbrook House Hotel Bath, UK

Started as a private residence in the early 1790s, the hotel retains all the glories of that era,...

Delta Hotels by Marriott Liverpool City Centre Liverpool, England

Modern city center hotel offering luxury accommodation with free Wi-Fi in all public areas. Newly-...

Macdonald Houstoun House Hotel Edinburgh, Scotland

This is the perfect country retreat, once visited by Mary Queen of Scots and the historic building...

AC Hotel by Marriott Belfast Belfast, Northern Ireland

AC Hotel Belfast is an urban retreat in a riverside location. Explore Belfast on foot with Titanic...

The Croke Park Hotel Dublin, Ireland

Opposite Croke Park Stadium, this luxury 4-star hotel features spacious rooms with 50-inch Smart...

Gleneagle Hotel Killarney, Ireland

Nestled in the heart of the picturesque Killarney town, the Gleneagle Hotel stands as a timeless...

The Galmont Hotel & Spa Galway, Ireland

The Galmont is one of Ireland's premier 4-star hotels, located in Galway City on the Wild Atlantic...

Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel Dublin, Ireland

Welcome to Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel Dublin. Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel offers guests tranquility,...

Inclusive package with no hidden extras

What's included?

Full daily breakfast and many meals*
Scottish & Irish entertainment
Transportation (Buses, shuttles & ferries)
Welcome drinks with your group
Free Wi-Fi on luxury coaches
All entrance fees to attractions
Comprehensive travel itinerary

*Breakfast is not included on Day 1

Our welcome gift to you

A travel backpack
Travel adapter
Rain poncho
Luggage strap and tags
Documents wallet

From our travelers

My travel agent recommended CIE Tours years ago and I have never been anything but happy with the way the trip is put together. I plan on touring with CIE Tours in the future.

Philip Kramer