Take in hundreds of years of history during this tour of some the most lovely landscapes in Ireland you’ll encounter small villages, medieval castles, literary enclaves, seaside cliffs- even a Celtic legend or two!

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - Limerick

Board your overnight flight to Ireland.

Day 2 - Limerick

Arrive in Shannon and meet your Go Ahead representative. Then transfer to your hotel in nearby Limerick, one of Ireland’s newly revitalized cities. Meet the rest of your group at an included dinner. (B in flight, D)

Day 3 - County Kerry

Travel through the rugged countryside of Western Ireland—land of myth and legend—to County Kerry. After hotel check-in, relax or explore the surroundings. (B, D)

Day 4 - County Kerry

See all the sights of Ireland’s Southwestern coast on today’s excursion around the 112-mile Ring of Kerry. View the towering peaks of Macgillycuddy’s Reeks, Ireland’s most stunning mountain range. Pass quaint villages, journey through forested hillsides and motor along rugged seaside cliffs. Then stop in the market town of Killarney, a premier resort town and the gateway to Killarney National Park. (B)

Day 5 - Kilkenny

On your way to Kilkenny, Ireland’s best-preserved medieval town, visit Blarney Castle for a chance to kiss the famous Blarney Stone. Travel through County Cork and visit the Queenstown Story Museum at Cobh, whose collections depict the story of Irish emigration during the Great Famine. (B)

Day 6 - Dublin

Begin the day with a visit to St. Canice’s Cathedral, followed by a walking tour of Kilkenny. Then drive to Dublin, where a local guide leads your sightseeing tour of Ireland’s timeless capital. Visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral, pass through Phoenix Park and see Dublin’s Georgian squares, as well as the famed Trinity College. (B, D)

Day 7 - Dublin

Spend free time in Dublin as you wish—retrace the steps of James Joyce or check out the Guinness Factory. Alternatively, join a half-day optional excursion to the monastic ruins of Glendalough, home of St. Kevin. (B)

$59 USD

Glendalough See Ireland's spectacular mountain scenery in County Wicklow, then walk through Glendalough to see St. Kevin's Cross.

Day 8 - Cheshire

Take a high-speed ferry across the Irish Sea to Holyhead, Wales. Visit 13th-century Conwy Castle, a classic example of medieval architecture, on your way to Cheshire. (B, D)

Day 9 - Cheshire

Visit Chester, one of England’s most fascinating medieval cities and one of the few with its fortified walls still intact. Your tour director leads a walking tour of this former Roman stronghold. Later, join an optional excursion to Liverpool, home of the Beatles. (B)

$85 USD

Liverpool The home of Beatle mania, Liverpool also has a deep British history, reaching back to it roots as a small medieval fishing village. On this half-day excursion, take a guided tour of the city's revitalized aspects.

Day 10 - Lakes District

This morning, head into England’s pastoral Lake District. Visit Dove Cottage, the home of William Wordsworth. (B, D)

Day 11 - Lakes District

Spend a free day relaxing in the Lake District, or join your tour director for an optional walking tour through the District.

$89 USD

Day in the Lakes *A Go Ahead Favorite excursion!* Travel through wooded valleys and lakeside villages on a day out in the Lakes, a scenic shire once heralded by the Romantic poets.

Day 12 - The Highlands

Continuing into Scotland, journey past evocative Loch Lomond, made famous by Sir Walter Scott, and travel through Glencoe, the gateway to the Scottish Highlands. (B, D)

Day 13 - The Highlands

On a full-day optional excursion today, you can visit one of the most iconic images of Scotland—the Eilean Donan Castle. Situated on an island at the point where three great sea lochs meet, the castle is now one of the most visited and important attractions in the Scottish highlands.  (B, D)

$99 USD

Eilean Donan Castle & Loch Ness *A Go Ahead Favorite excursion!* Set on a tiny island in the middle of a loch, one look at Eilean Donan Castle and you'll know why it's the world's most photographed castle.

Day 14 - Edinburgh

Drive through the Trossachs, home of Rob Roy, and visit Stirling Castle on your way to Edinburgh. Sample traditional food at tonight’s dinner. (B, D)

Day 15 - Edinburgh

Visit Edinburgh Castle and walk down the famous Royal Mile on your sightseeing tour of the Scottish capital. In the afternoon, opt for an excursion to St. Andrews, and in the evening enjoy traditional music at an optional Scottish Ceilidh. (B)

$115 USD

Scottish Ceilidh Enjoy this special evening of Scottish tradition. Along with a savory dinner of local favorites, the evening includes folk dancers, bagpipers, fiddlers, and the "Ceremony of the Haggis."

$99 USD

St. Andrews Set on Scotland’s picturesque coastline, St. Andrews is a renowned university town as well as the birthplace of golf.

Day 16 - Edinburgh

Board your flight home or extend your stay in Britain for three nights. (B)

Protect your investment with affordable travel protection

Basic Trip Cancellation/Interruption Coverage
Protect yourself in the event you need to cancel your trip or leave your tour unexpectedly due to an emergency. Or choose one of the comprehensive packages below, and receive a discounted rate!

TravelSafe Plus — For one low price, you’ll receive:

• Trip cancellation & interruption protection
• Medical & accident protection
• Baggage & property protection

TravelSafe Gold with Flight Cancellation Protection
Take advantage of the best possible deal for your investment dollar. For $60 USD more, you’ll get all of the above plus additional coverage (up to $1,000 USD) if the flight to your tour is cancelled due to reasons beyond your control.

Purchase your travel protection package early and receive an added benefit!
Purchase one of the above TravelSafe packages within 14 days of reserving your tour, and you’ll automatically receive AnyTime Travel Protection at no additional charge. This means you can cancel for any reason up to 72 hours prior to the departure of your initial flight and still protect your investment. You will be provided with a credit voucher towards your next Go Ahead tour.

What’s unique about these protection plans?

• Most primary travel protection companies don’t cover international travel.
• Under the AnyTime Travel Protection Plan, you can cancel for any reason and your investment is protected in the form of a credit voucher.
• Efekta travel protection covers lost or stolen cash while on tour.
• Efekta travel protection covers the cost towards replacement of valuable documents—such as passports, airline tickets and visas while on tour.
• In the event that your roommate cancels for a reason covered under the policy, you will be reimbursed for the single supplement fee, should you still choose to travel.
• The following policies are also available to be purchased separately:
  • Medical & Accident: $70 USD
  • Baggage & Property: $60 USD

Extended Protection Plan
The Extended Protection Plan allows you to purchase extended coverage for any travel you do before or after meeting up with your Go Ahead Tours tour group (with flights arranged by Go Ahead Tours).

For more detailed descriptions of the benefits available under Efekta Insurance International LTD's Travel Protection Plans please call 1-800-597-0350 or download a PDF copy of the Efekta Travel Protection booklet here.

Passport & Visa

This tour includes the following countries: England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales (on transfer). In order to enter these countries, U.S. citizens need a valid passport. The expiration date must extend at least six months beyond the date of your return to the United States. No visa is required for U.S. citizens. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your particular entry requirements.

Health

There are no major health risks when traveling to England, Ireland and Scotland. It is advisable to check with your health-care provider for the latest updates and overseas travel requirements.

Transportation / Walking on tour

Round-trip flights arrive in Shannon, Ireland, and depart from London, England. Transportation from Ireland to Wales (by ferry) is also included. All other transportation is serviced by private motorcoach.

Dublin and Edinburgh are both best explored on foot, although buses and taxis are plentiful. In London, you can’t get around without using the legendary, 12-line “tube,” connecting all the districts and attractions. You might want to mix up travel on the tube with some walking and bus travel. Don’t miss the chance to explore London on the iconic double-decker buses.

Clothing & Packing Tips

Light, loose-fitting clothing that provides comfort is essential for your tour. A sun hat, sunglasses and a sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers are recommended for sightseeing. It’s a good idea to be prepared for any eventuality—a lightweight sports jacket and rainwear are advised. If you plan to visit an elegant restaurant or attend the opera or theater, you will probably feel more comfortable with something more formal to wear. Also, remember that it is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).

Be sure to visit www.travelsmith.com, official outfitter for Go Ahead Tours. Please enter JY9220 in the field for Catalog Key Code when creating your account!

Currency

The euro (in Ireland) and the British pound are the currencies you will be using on your tour. Better rates of exchange are usually available in your destination countries rather than in the United States, although it is worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive. We strongly advise that you take credit cards, ATM/bank cards and traveler’s checks, which can be exchanged for cash at local banks, as needed. All are widely accepted. We suggest that you inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges. Please note: With the conversion to the euro, it has been increasingly difficult to exchange travelers checks outside of Europe’s major cities—both at banks and shops—and they often attract higher fees.

Tipping

At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Go Ahead Tour Director and driver a gratuity.

We recommend €2 per person per day for your driver and €4 to €6 per person per day for your tour director. If you have local guides on your tour, we recommend €1 per guide.

Tips can only be paid in cash.