historic beauty!

Essential Britain & Ireland

From * Per Person
9 Nights
*
Limited Time Special Offer
*

See the very best of Ireland, Scotland, England & Wales

From bustling cities, to lush countryside, to quaint medieval villages - explore Ireland, Scotland, England, and Wales front to back. See Stonehenge, Cardiff Castle, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Edinburgh Castle, and much more. This 10-day journey is the perfect blend of guided tours, convenience, and free time for exploration.

What's Included

  • Round-trip economy class air to London (LHR)
  • Round-trip airport transfers
  • Accommodations in hotels listed, or similar:
    • 1 night in London, England at Park Plaza Westminster Bridge or the Hilton London Metropole
    • 1 night in Newport, Wales at the Coldra Court Hotel by Celtic Manor
    • 1 night in Waterford, Ireland at the Tower Hotel
    • 2 nights in Dublin, Ireland at the Gibson Hotel or North Star Hotel
    • 2 nights in Edinburgh, Scotland at the Marriott Courtyard or Mercure Edinburgh Princes Street
    • 1 night in York, England at the Mercure York Fairfield Manor or the Holiday Inn York
    • 1 night in London, England at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge or the Hilton London Metropole
  • Sightseeing as described in the itinerary, including the following:
    • Visit to Stonehenge & the Roman Baths
    • Orientation drive in Cardiff
    • Irish Coffee demonstration in Waterford
    • Guided tour of the House of Waterford Crystal
    • Visit to Kilkenny Castle
    • Orientation drive of Dublin & Belfast
    • Edinburgh guided sightseeing tour including a visit to Edinburgh Castle
    • Walking Tour of York
    • Visit to Shakespeare’s birthplace
  • Full English breakfast daily and 3 dinners
  • Transportation by private first-class air-conditioned motorcoach with complimentary Wi-Fi
  • Ferry transportation across St. George's Channel and the North Channel
  • Services of a professional tour director
  • Hotel taxes, porterage, tips, and service charges
**Note: Children must be 8 years or older at time of travel.

Please Note:

  • August 2 through August 23 Departures - Edinburgh Military Tattoo ticket is included
  • Your sightseeing may be moved to an alternate day due to events in the city
Great Ways to Explore
  • Experience the highlights of all of the countries that make up the British Isles. 

  • Enjoy guided tours, ferry rides, and the convenience of being driven to and from each destination in a luxurious motorcoach. 
  • Immerse yourself in history at the Roman Baths, Edinburgh Castle, and York Minster.

  • See breathtaking natural beauty at Northumberland National Park and the Mountains of Mourne.

  • Stop in Stratford-Upon-Avon, the fascinating Elizabethan hometown of William Shakespeare.

Package Overview

This is an escorted tour. It’s perfect if you prefer not to do your own driving and want to see as many sights as you can during your vacation. 

Please note:

GOOD NEWS - The local tour operator will no longer require a COVID-19 vaccination for travelers as of March 1, 2023.  For travelers departing before March 1, the tour operator requires that travelers aged 12 and older provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination in the form of written documentation (paper or electronic copy), in English, for all vacations. Proof of vaccination must be completed at least 14 days prior to the tour start date. *Exceptions apply to children who do not qualify for vaccination.

Pack your bags, charge your camera, and embark on the journey of a lifetime! This incredible 10-day guided vacation allows you to see the "must-see" highlights of the UK, as well as the extraordinary nooks and crannies that are nestled in-between. Stand in front of spectacular landscapes, stroll through bustling cities, and see fascinating architecture up-close. Begin your adventure in sophisticated London, then enjoy overnights in Newport, Wales; Waterford and Dublin, Ireland; Edinburgh, Scotland; and York, England. 

Watch storybook pages unfold before your eyes as you explore 2,000-year-old Cardiff Castle in Wales and 12th-century Edinburgh Castle in Scotland. Enjoy detailed tours of these majestic castles, climb up their fairytale-like towers, and catch a glimpse of the Scottish Crown Jewels! Go even farther back in time during your visits to the Roman Baths, constructed around 70 AD, and to the mysterious wonder that is Stonehenge. Trace the footsteps of the one-and-only William Shakespeare in his birthplace, Stratford-Upon-Avon, and have lunch in this historic Elizabethan town! Next, see skilled craftsmen at work at the famous House of Waterford Crystal in Waterford, and then again at Ireland's oldest hand-weaving mill at Avoca. The fun doesn't end there. Enjoy visits to York Minster, Northumberland National Park, Hadrian's Wall, Glendalough, and more!

You may be thinking, "all of these tours and excursions sound amazing, but will I have time to explore the cities, themselves?" The answer is: absolutely. These cities are packed with culture, history, and art that one must see to believe. Enjoy orientation tours of Cardiff, Dublin, and Belfast, relax on a city tour of Edinburgh, and stroll through York on a fun walking tour. Was there a sight you hoped to spend more time visiting? Not to worry, you'll have tons of free time to explore at your own pace. 

Please Note:

  • July 29 - August 19 Departures - Edinburgh Military Tattoo ticket included (departures July 29, August 5, August 12, and August 19 will attend the Edinburgh Military Tattoo performance on Saturday)
  • June 20 departure - Stonehenge will be closed due to Summer Solstice, and a visit to Salisbury Cathedral will be included instead.

Show Detailed Itinerary

Please note that some recommendations in the following suggested itinerary may not be included in your package. Check What's Included above for full details on inclusions.

Check availability to see price.
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Per Person
9
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Package ID: PK-GC4P-SH-GLGB-LHR
We have selected the most economical flight schedule for you. Please note that shorter and more convenient flight options may be available at an additional cost.

Advertised vacation package prices are per person based on two people traveling together, unless otherwise noted. Advertised package rates are based on select departures as noted on the booking calendar above, were available via the Great Value Vacations website and may not represent current prices.

Vacation packages include round-trip economy class airfare on valid international carriers as noted in specific package inclusions and as indicated on booking engine calendar, which may also include code share flight agreements between carriers as indicated during the booking process. Carriers may vary based on city of origin.

Air fares are based on a 14-day advance purchase and include round-trip economy class airfare, including carrier and government-imposed taxes and fees, and the September 11th Security Fee of $5.60 per enplanement originating at a U.S. airport. Fluctuations in exchange rates may affect some taxes or fees. Other departure dates and origins are available at slightly higher rates. Fares apply to North American originating passengers only, and are not eligible for accrual of frequent flyer points/mileage. Seats are limited and fares may not be available on all flights. Child/infant discounts are not available, and stopovers are not permitted. Advance seat selection is controlled by the carrier(s), and may not be available on all flights. Baggage fees may apply; please check with carrier for specific policies.

Vacation packages are subject to availability, are capacity controlled, may not be available on every date or on all flights, and may be restricted to certain hotel room and car categories. Higher rates may also be available throughout travel period. Full payment is required at the time of reservation. Rates cannot be combined with any other discount/promotion, and are valid for new bookings only. Offers may be changed or withdrawn at any time without notice. Website contains special pricing that is exclusively for Internet sale only. Bookings made through our call center may incur a concierge fee of up to $25 per person.

Escorted vacation packages are per person based on two travelers (unless otherwise specified), and typically include hotel accommodations; transportation with professional driver/guide; sightseeing as listed, some meals, local taxes, hotel service charges and porterage of one (1) suitcase per person, due to limited capacity on motor coaches. Space is limited and prices may be restricted to certain travel dates, length of stay or room type. Driver and guide gratuities are not included, and are at the discretion of the traveler. Terms and conditions apply. Minimum child ages and handicapped traveler restrictions may apply on escorted tours; please call for details.

Promo Code Offer Details: All promotions are subject to availability, valid for new bookings only, cannot be combined with any other promotion, discount, voucher or any other offers, and are not redeemable for cash. Offers are available for phone bookings via our reservation agents as well as online. This promo code can be input online on the payment screen. The call center is open Monday through Friday 9AM – 9PM ET, Saturdays 10AM – 6PM ET. Discounts will apply only once per passenger and are not valid for airfare only, or any other products or services. If a flight reservation is changed or cancelled, the original fare basis rules apply (plus any increase in fare). Additional restrictions may apply.

Cancellations/Changes: Rates are non-refundable. Substantial restrictions apply for cancellation/change, and depend upon the package type. Trip protection is recommended.

Call 1-800-896-4600 or go to /travel/terms-and-conditions for full details on change/cancellation policy. 

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