Britain and Ireland Experience
Europe
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Travel through landscapes that have inspired world-famous writers and poets, from Shakespeare to Robert Burns. On this journey across England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, you’ll see medieval castles and cathedrals, wander past the famous Chester Rows and kiss the Blarney Stone. The idyllic settings of the Lake District, Dingle Peninsula and the Cotswolds give way to vibrant capitals and the little-known train station with the world’s longest name.
Availability
From 18/05/2025 to 09/10/2025
Departure dates & prices
Dates
Availability
Price
What's included
An expert Travel Director and professional Driver.
The services of a Costsaver Local Host if you stay at Costsaver's recommended London hotel.
Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted.
Many meals and daily breakfasts included.
City orientation tours.
Audio headsets are provided throughout your holiday to enhance your included sightseeing experiences.
Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries.
Extensive variety of Choice Experiences.
On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised.
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Itinerary
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Day 1 London - Windsor - Bath - Cardiff All the highlights of Britain and Ireland lie ahead as your epic journey across two mystical islands kicks off in London. The 'Big Smoke's' skyscrapers and boroughs give way to an idyllic countryside as you wind your way to Windsor. Arriving in Bath, you'll admire the honey-coloured Georgian architecture which gives this ancient Roman city its elegant aspect. Cross the Severn Estuary, the border between England and tiny Wales, where tonight its capital sets the stage for the rest of your memorable holiday.
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Day 2 Cardiff - Waterford Join this morning's Optional Experience to Cardiff Castle, a medieval fortress which has enjoyed a colourful history spanning centuries. Ancient ruins and lush countryside lie between the Welsh capital and your first stop in Pembroke. But first, your scenic drive will pass Carmarthen, the oldest town in Wales and, legend has it, the birthplace of Merlin. See the 11th-century Pembroke castle where King Henry VII, the first of the Tudor line, was born, then board your ferry across the Irish Sea to Ireland.
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Day 3 Waterford - Blarney - Tralee The delicate crystal for which Waterford is so famous takes centre stage this morning during a visit to the Waterford Crystal Showroom. Leave all that Viking history behind and enjoy the charming scenery en route to Blarney Castle, where a quick kiss of the Blarney Stone will grant you the 'gift of the gab'. Your scenic drive continues past the Cork and Kerry Mountains. You'll pass Killarney, where you could hop on an optional Jaunting Car ride, before continuing to Tralee, renowned for its annual Rose of Tralee International Festival.
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Day 4 Tralee - Dingle Peninsula - Limerick - Shannon There won't be a moment you're not fixated on this wild landscape of stone monuments, deserted beaches and verdant pastures. Today's drive through the Dingle Peninsula is one filled with tiny villages, colourful fishing harbours and landscapes that have inspired poetry. Those incredible views will linger long after you leave Ireland's most westerly point, but there's more to see as you head to the prettiest village in Ireland, Adare. Continue to Limerick to see its medieval-era St. Mary's Cathedral and view King John's Castle, before arriving at your hotel in Shannon where tonight you'll dine in your hotel.
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Day 5 Shannon - Galway - Dublin This morning join an Optional Experience to the 15th-century Bunratty Castle and Folk Park delving into what Ireland was like in the 19th-century. After a chinwag with the 'locals', drive through the wild landscapes of County Clare bound for Galway, the 'place of foreigners'. See its modern cathedral before heading to the whimsical Irish capital. This evening, an optional dinner and Irish show will have your toes tapping and taste buds craving another round of Irish coffee.
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Day 6 Dublin sightseeing and free time You're in good hands this morning as your Local Specialist reveals all their secrets about this charismatic capital city with a small-town feel. View Trinity College, St. Patrick's Cathedral and Dublin Castle, the 13th-century Norman fortress turned museum. This afternoon explore Dublin on your own or join an optional visit to one of the most important monastic sights in Europe. Your Local Specialist will bring the ancient stories of Glendalough to life and show you around the beautiful landscapes of the garden of Ireland.
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Day 7 Dublin - Liverpool - Haydock Say a fond sl?n go f?ill to the 'Emerald Isle', crossing the Irish Sea bound for Holyhead on the Welsh Island of Anglesey. Get ready for a tongue twister you could only capture in a panoramic shot. View the station boasting one of the longest names in the world, Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, then head through the north coast of Wales to Liverpool where the musical 'Fab Four' had their start. This evening we head to Haydock in St. Helen's.
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Day 8 Haydock - Lake District - Edinburgh (Queensferry) After a busy week of sightseeing, you deserve an idyllic stop in 'the loveliest spot' that has inspired poetry and prose. Board an exclusive and optional cruise on Lake Windermere, skimming the northern coastline, deserted islands and Wray Castle. See the Lake District landscapes that William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter so admired before crossing the Scottish border bound for Gretna Green. Here you'll learn how eloping couples would tie the knot over the legendary anvil against their parents' wishes. Tonight, an Optional Experience could see you join your travel companions for a delicious traditional dinner at a local restaurant.
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Day 9 Edinburgh sightseeing and free time Discover Edinburgh's mystical allure which has captivated writers, poets, politicians and royalty. Your Local Specialist will guide this morning's sightseeing tour past the Palace of Holyroodhouse and Edinburgh Castle. You'll explore the medieval Royal Mile and cross the City to the grand Georgian boulevards of New Town. The rest of the day is free to explore Edinburgh on your terms. Consider joining one of two special Optional Experiences, visiting the mysterious Rosslyn Chapel or exploring what lies behind the impenetrable walls of Edinburgh Castle. This evening is your chance to enjoy delicious food and wine, join in the singing and watch a Highland dance or two. Time your visit to coincide with The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, and you'll get tickets included on certain departures!
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Day 10 Edinburgh - York - Bradford Your journey south ventures through what was once referred to as 'The Debatable Lands' where all that remains of Jedburgh Abbey are its 12th-century ruins. Admire the expansive Cheviot Hills at Carter Bar, snapping a selfie at the Anglo-Scottish border. Continue into Northumberland National Park to view Hadrian's Wall, the largest Roman archaeological feature anywhere in the world. Then cross the Tyne River at Newcastle and stop in York, where an orientation tour will reveal the city's medieval heritage and spiritual heart, its Gothic Minster. Wander down the narrow cobbled Shambles, before enjoying dinner in a traditional York pub. Then continue to your hotel in Bradford where you'll lay your head for the evening.
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Day 11 Bradford - Stratford-upon-Avon - Cheltenham The streets and squares of Stratford-upon-Avon remain much as they did in the time of Shakespeare. Embark on your own exploration of the historic market town where England's famous bard was born and buried. There's time to join an Optional Experience to Warwick Castle and even see the firing of the greatest of medieval siege weapons, the Trebuchet.
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Day 12 Cheltenham - Oxford - London Take a step back in time to the Cotswolds, a glorious collection of tiny thatched villages and rolling green hills. Your scenic drive through this historic corner of Britain will bring you to Bladon, where Sir Winston Churchill is buried in the unassuming churchyard at St. Martin's Church. Churchill, widely credited with delivering the British nation from the brink of defeat to victory in World War II, loved the Cotswolds and spent his retirement here. Next up is a visit to Oxford, England's oldest university city. See several of its iconic landmarks before continuing south to London, where you'll bid your Travel Director and new friends a fond farewell. Dining Summary
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4 - Dinner
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11 - Breakfast Essentials View the Royal Castle Visit the Georgian spa town View Cardiff Castle Visit the Waterford Crystal Showroom Kiss the Blarney Stone View the prettiest village in Ireland View King John's Castle and see St. Mary's Cathedral See Galway Cathedral See St. Patrick's Cathedral, Christchurch Cathedral, the Georgian Squares and Trinity College with a Local Guide Visit the Beatles' hometown View the timbered buildings known as the 'Rows' Visit this picturesque region Visit this town, popular with eloping couples since 1754 With your Local Guide, see Princes Street, the Royal Mile and the Castle View the Jedburgh Abbey ruins View the remains of the Roman wall View York Minster and stroll along the Shambles Visit the town of Shakespeare and see Anne Hathaway's cottage View Sir Winston Churchill's grave View the Bodleian Library
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