Britain & Ireland Explorer (Classic, 15 Days)

Guide

York: Your Travel Director will show you the York Minster, the city walls and the medieval Shambles during your orientation of the city. Chester: During your orientation with your Travel Director see the Jubilee Clock, the cathedral, city walls and famous black and white Rows. Cardiff: Learn more about Wales' capital and cultural hub, Cardiff, as you enjoy an orientation of this vibrant city with your Travel Director.

Meals

16 Breakfast (B) 5 Dinner with Wine (DW) 1 Lunch (L) 1 Lunch with Wine (LW) York: In the evening, enjoy a Welcome Dinner and the chance to get to know your fellow travellers. Loch Lomond: Enjoy a light lunch and admire the oak woodlands and incredible scenery as you cruise one of Scotland's most beautiful lochs, a favourite nature spot of the locals. Dublin: Visit the Guinness Storehouse to learn about Ireland's national drink. Killarney: Choose from a fine selection of local restaurants on your Dine-Around Evening. Waterford: Celebrate the culmination of your escorted journey with wine, good cheer and palate-pleasing cuisine. County Tipperary: Meet entrepreneur Ailbhe and hear about her passion for sustainable farming. Learn about biodiversity, regenerative agriculture and the secret to crafting the most delicious honey on the island over a delicious Farm-to-Table lunch. Aibhe has been sharing her keen interest and experience in the various courses she has been running since 2015, putting sustainable farming at the heart of local education programs and contributing important research. Brookfield Farm's various activities all support sustainable farming practices, organically certified activities, habitat protection and tree planting initiatives. The Brookfield Farm experience advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education and UN Sustainable Development Goal 12: Sustainable Production and Consumption.

Others

Choose between two carefully selected activities Killarney: Enjoy a memorable ride on a horse-drawn jaunting car with the local jarveys as you explore the lush scenery of Killarney National Park. Killarney: Join a gentle hike with a nature guide in Killarney National Park and admire stunning mountains, lakes, woods and waterfalls. Stroll along the lake shore and past the impressive 15th Century Ross Castle and the famous Muckross Estate, a charming 19th Century mansion and grounds. Alternatively, enjoy a memorable ride on a horse-drawn jaunting car with the local jarveys. Blarney: Visit the lush gardens of the Blarney Castle estate with a senior gardener. Blarney: It is said that those who kiss the Blarney Stone are bestowed with the power to persuade, flatter and coax. But to do so, you must dangle from the ramparts! Visit Blarney Castle and see the famous Stone of Eloquence. Kildare: Join a working member of the famous Irish Stud Farm for a private, behind-the-scenes visit of the stud where many legendary racehorses were bred. After, stroll through the finest Japanese gardens in Europe, designed by master horticulturalists, Tassa and Minoru Eida. Waterford: Visit Waterford Crystal to learn more about the art of crystal carving that has been practised here since the late 1700s. See master craftsmen utilise traditional cutting and blowing methods at one of the few remaining artisan workshops. Bath: Visit the incredibly well-preserved Roman Baths. Discover 2000 years of history and learn how this hub of culture is pioneering new educational investments to benefit the community. Its school educational programme actively supports local schools and students to learn about the cultural heritage of the region. The Roman Baths experience advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education. Stratford-upon-Avon: Learn about the life of William Shakespeare, arguably history's most famous writer, when you visit his birthplace. Then enjoy some time to explore this pretty town with its iconic Tudor houses. Durham: See the castle and Romanesque cathedral. Hadrian's Wall: Stop to see part of the ancient wall that once marked the border of the Roman Empire. Edinburgh: Explore the city with your Local Expert as you travel along Princes Street to see the Scott Memorial, the neoclassical Adam facades of New Town and the official Scottish residence of the King, Palace of Holyroodhouse. Edinburgh: Your Local Expert walks with you inside the walls of the Edinburgh Castle to view the Scottish Crown Jewels, the Stone of Destiny and Mons Meg. Edinburgh: A hush descends and eyes turn to the castle. The skirl of the pipes rises and drums crack the night air as a tide of tunics and tartan flood from the drawbridge. For a limited time in August, witness the incredible spectacle of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. St. Andrews: Visit the university town where the famous beach scene from 'Chariots of Fire' was filmed and see the golf course where the sport was created. Inverness: See the River Ness, Inverness Castle and beautiful scenery as you explore the history of this Highland city. Loch Ness: Drive along the shores in search of the legendary monster. Grasmere: Learn about the life of the poet William Wordsworth and visit his grave. Liverpool: Stay in the home city of The Beatles. Conwy: See Conwy Castle, the magnificent medieval fortress still towering over the town after 700 years. Climb the restored spiral staircase, scale the great towers and walk a complete circle around the battlements. Admire the unbroken town walls of Conwy down and enjoy amazing views out across the craggy mountains of Snowdonia. The spectacular castle was built by King Edward I and his architect Master James of St George in just four years between 1283 and 1287. Holyhead: Set sail for Dublin. Dublin: A Local Expert will show you Dublin's elegant Georgian squares, O'Connell Street and the Custom House. Cashel: See the Rock of Cashel where St. Patrick preached. Killarney: Enjoy hearing of the history of Killarney during your city orientation. Ring of Kerry: Venture into a world of towering cliffs, lush lakelands and remote villages, as you journey the magical Ring of Kerry. Waterford: Explore the town and see Reginald's Tower and the remains of the city walls. Rosslare Harbour: Board your ferry to cross the Irish Sea. Bath: During an orientation you will see the Royal Crescent, Pulteney Bridge and Bath Abbey. Stonehenge: Walk around the strange and awe-inspiring monoliths that have reputedly stood for 5,000 years.

Transport

: Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches. Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available). You may purchase transfers from/to London Heathrow and Gatwick airports on arrival and departure days, or when additional night accommodation has been booked through Insight Vacations. Alternatively, please make your own way from/to the airport.

Accommodation

York: The Hilton York is situated within the city walls, close to the York Minster and the best this city has to offer. Edinburgh: Located in a Georgian terrace in the heart of the city, the Crowne Plaza Edinburgh - Royal Terrace is a short walk away Prince’s Street. Inverness: The traditional Columba Hotel provides enviable views over the River Ness and Inverness Castle. Bowness-on-Windermere: The Macdonald Old England Hotel & Spa is contained in a 17th century building and rests on the shores of Windermere, England’s largest lake. Chester: The Hallmark Hotel The Queen, Chester is set in a grand Victorian building and has just undergone a multi-million pound restoration. Dublin: Trinity City Hotel is situated on a historic site, in the heart of Dublin, adjacent to Trinity College Dublin. Killarney: In the heart of the town centre, the Killarney Plaza Hotel and Spa overlooks Killarney National Park and is the perfect location to enjoy the stunning scenery and the local 'craic.' Killarney: The 4-Star Killarney Avenue Hotel echoes old-world charm and is located in the heart of downtown Killarney. Waterford: Dooley's Hotel Waterford has been family-run for generations and is conveniently located inside Waterford’s City Centre. Cardiff: Clayton Hotel Cardiff is located in the heart of the city on St. Mary Street, just a short walk from Cardiff's premium sporting facility, Millennium Stadium.

Hygieneprotocol

All guests travelling with Insight Vacations through December 31, 2022 are required to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19, which may include a booster shot to keep the vaccination status current and valid, depending on the travel destination. Children not eligible for vaccination and/or booster at the time of travel must provide a verifiable and negative Covid-19 test result, taken within 72 hours prior to the start of the tour (taking time zones into consideration) for all tours departing until December 31, 2022. While highly recommended, COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters are no longer required for guests traveling with us from January 1, 2023 onward. It is your client’s responsibly to comply with specific vaccine and/or booster requirements imposed by airlines and/or authorities in the destinations visited, as well as requirements for accessing restaurants and venues, which may be more restrictive than the above. No refunds will be given if they are unable to undertake some or all of their vacation due to failure to comply with these requirements.

Others

Arrival and departure airport transfers. Other meals, snacks and drinks. Pre and post tour accommodation. Single supplement (Optional).

Flights

International and domestic flights not included.

Optional

Optional experiences are available on this tour for an additional cost and will be provided to you with your finalised travel documents.

Insurance

Insurance not included. Travel insurance is required for all of our tours.