Your tour of London, Edinburgh, and Dublin will lead you through three of Great Britain & Ireland's capital cities.  Experience the majesty of London with a tour of its palaces and landmarks.  Enjoy Edinburgh’s vast collections of medieval and Georgian architecture, and end your trip immersed in the charm of Dublin.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - London

Begin your vacation aboard a relaxing overnight flight bound for Great Britain.

Day 2 - London

Touch down in London, England’s magnificent capital. A Go Ahead representative greets you after you clear customs and accompanies you to your hotel. You’ll have the rest of the day to unpack, settle in and begin exploring London. Join your fellow travelers at an included dinner this evening. (B in flight, D)

Day 3 - London

A professional local guide leads this morning’s sightseeing tour of London. You’ll see the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Downing Street, Hyde Park and the gates of St. James’s Palace. This afternoon, join an optional excursion to Windsor Castle, a thousand-year-old royal retreat built by William the Conqueror after the Battle of Hastings. (B)

$85 USD

Windsor Castle A half-day excursion takes you to Windsor for a guided visit to the world’s largest inhabited castle.

Day 4 - London

Explore London on your own today; you might wish to take a stroll in the lovely Kensington Gardens. Alternatively, opt for an excursion to Stonehenge and Bath. (B)

$115 USD

Stonehenge & Bath Visit Stonehenge, perhaps England’s most mysterious landmark. Next stop is Bath, famous for its Georgian and Regency architecture. After your tour director shows you the town’s major sights, visit the public baths for which the town is named.

Day 5 - Edinburgh

Journey by train through the English countryside to the romantic lochs and hills of Scotland. As you approach the Scottish capital, you’ll pass under the dramatic Edinburgh castle; its foundation dates back to 850 B.C. Please note that train portage is not included. After hotel check-in, enjoy an included dinner. (B, D)

Day 6 - Edinburgh

A professional local guide leads this morning’s sightseeing tour down the medieval Royal Mile, along Princes Street, past the Scott Memorial and Holyroodhouse Palace, and up to towering Edinburgh Castle. The castle’s royal treasures include the Scottish crown jewels as well as the Stone of Destiny, a coronation symbol stolen and smuggled to England many centuries ago but returned in 1997. This afternoon, you might wish to continue your exploration of Edinburgh on your own, or join an optional excursion to Abbotsford House and the ruins of Melrose Abbey. (B)

$69 USD

Abbotsford House & Melrose Abbey Travel through the Borders region to the 19-century estate of Sir Walter Scott. The romantic-style home is known as Abbotsford House and now serves as a museum for the Scottish artifacts Scott collected throughout his lifetime. Please note: Access to Abbotsford House involves a short but steep walk.

Day 7 - Edinburgh

Spend the day exploring Edinburgh on your own or opt for an excursion to the coastal town of St. Andrews, pilgrimage site of the Middle Ages, and recognized by sports enthusiasts as the “Home of Golf.” (B)

$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 8 - Dublin

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Dublin, located on the banks of the River Liffey. Check in to your hotel and spend the remainder of the day exploring the Irish capital before an included dinner this evening. (B, D)

Day 9 - Dublin

Guided sightseeing of Dublin features a visit to St. Patrick’s Cathedral, founded by Ireland’s patron saint in A.D. 450. Then travel along the banks of the River Liffey; see the official residence of the Irish president in Phoenix Park. The tour ends with a visit to Trinity College. Within the college’s library is the famed Book of Kells, an illuminated text believed to have been written in the 8th century. (B)

Day 10 - Dublin

With a free day in Dublin, search for the perfect pint at the Guinness Storehouse or stroll through St. Stephen’s Green. Or join an optional full-day excursion to Powerscourt and the hillside ruins of Glendalough. This evening, experience traditional music, dance and food at our optional Irish Cabaret Night. (B)

$119 USD

Irish Cabaret Night Enjoy this special evening of traditional Irish food, music and live entertainment.

$99 USD

Powerscourt & Glendalough *A Go Ahead Favorite excursion!* County Wicklow has some of the wildest and most spectacular mountain scenery in Ireland, as well as many of the country’s most important historic sites

Day 11 - Dublin

Board your flight home. (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 and Ireland. 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 specific
entry requirements.

Health

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

Transportation / Walking on tour

Round-trip flights arrive in London and depart from Dublin. A flight is also included from Edinburgh to Dublin. Your transfer upon arrival in London is provided by Dot2Dot transfer service, and you can find them at a desk when you make your way through customs and baggage.

View airport map: http://www.goaheadtours.com/pdf/LHR_LGW_Terminal_Map.pdf

Included transportation on tour is by train (from London to Edinburgh) and by private motorcoach. When traveling by train there may be times when you will have to handle your own luggage, and you’ll find that lightweight luggage provides a distinct advantage.

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. It’s a lot more fun to explore London on the iconic double-decker buses.

Clothing & Packing Tips

Light, loose-fitting clothing that provides comfort when exploring the sights is essential for your tour. A sun hat, sunglasses and a sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers are recommended for sightseeing. It’s always a good idea to be prepared for any eventuality—a lightweight sports jacket and rainwear are advised. If you plan to visit an especially 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 outfitters for Go Ahead Tours. Please enter JY9220 in the field for Catalog Key Code when creating your account!”

Currency

The British pound and euro (in Ireland) are the currencies you will use 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 advise that you take credit cards, ATM/bank cards and traveler’s checks, which can be exchanged for cash at local banks. We suggest that you inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so they won’t confuse your purchases for fraudulent charges.

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 may only be paid in cash.