Highlights of England, Scotland & Ireland
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From modern to medieval and green to Gothic, explore the best of Great Britain and Ireland’s landscapes and landmarks.
Our travelers love this tour as their first time out of the country—or as an energetic way to experience as much of England, Scotland, and Ireland as they can. No wonder it’s one of our most popular trips. You’ll launch your Anglophile adventure in cosmopolitan London, where you’ll get to meet Big Ben and the Tower of London before boarding a train through the hilly English countryside to Edinburgh, Scotland. There, let the Georgian and Victorian architecture transport you back in time through cobblestone streets. Finish your trip with a feast for the eyes as you ferry to Ireland’s cliffs, swathed in a hundred hues of green. And, if London’s calling you, take the early arrival option and enjoy two more days in the city to explore its rich heritage—and rank your favorite chip shops.
Your tour package includes
- 10 nights in handpicked hotels
- 10 breakfasts
- 4 dinners with beer or wine
- 6 sightseeing tours
- Expert Tour Director & local guides
Included highlights
- Trafalgar Square
- Big Ben
- Buckingham Palace
- Edinburgh Castle
- Local pub culture
An expert specializing in tours of this region is here to help.
Day-by-day itinerary
Print itineraryBoard your overnight flight to London today.
Welcome to England! If you arrive between noon and 6 p.m., we recommend you treat yourself to afternoon tea—the traditional British meal of cakes, biscuits, dainty sandwiches, and, of course, tea.
Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers for a welcome dinner, served with beer or wine.
London’s been settled for almost 2,000 years, and its history winds through Roman, Anglo-Saxon, and Viking rule. Your guided tour takes you through the relics, landmarks, and stories of this vibrant and cosmopolitan city of contrasts.
- Pass the grand Trafalgar Square commemorating the British naval victory over France and Spain in 1805. Keep your eye out for the square’s four bronze lion statues guarding Nelson’s Column, as well as the National Gallery art museum.
- Gaze up at the dome and spires of St. Paul’s Cathedral, perched atop Ludgate Hill. The Anglican cathedral, once the tallest building in London, has held services for state funerals, jubilee celebrations, and the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer.
- See Westminster Abbey, the setting for royal coronations since 1066 and the final resting place of William Shakespeare, Isaac Newton, and many other luminaries.
- View the city’s defining landmarks, including Big Ben—the Great Bell of the clock at the north end of the Palace of Westminster and London’s unofficial calling card. You’ll also pass the Tower of London, home to the Crown Jewels of England, but also lions and a polar bear during its time as a menagerie of exotic wild animals.
- Take in the contrast of old and new when you pass by Tower Bridge, the largest bascule bridge ever completed at the time, and the London Eye—the larger-than-life observation wheel that’s quickly become symbolic of the city.
- Stop by Buckingham Palace, the royal residence in London where you may catch the Changing of the Guard ceremony—just look for the distinctive red tunics and tall bearskin caps.
Can’t get enough of castles and kings? Add the excursion to Windsor Castle for a fascinating peek into the royal goings-on at the world’s longest-inhabited castle, as well as the historic market town of Windsor.
Not joining the excursion? Enjoy a free afternoon in London to shop and dine in posh Covent Garden in the West End or head to Shoreditch for its vibrant art and street food scene. Your Tour Director is also your go-to source for recommendations.
Windsor Castle
From $125 per person
Journey by train through the English countryside and past the lochs—or lakes—and rolling hills of Scotland. Watch ancient castles, cathedrals, and villages drift in and out of view as the train winds to your destination in Edinburgh.
Tonight, sit down with your fellow travelers for an included dinner, served with beer or wine.
Please note: Porterage is not included for the train transfers. Travelers must be comfortable lifting and carrying all luggage over steps, onto platforms, and into luggage storage.
Nestled between the rivers Almond and Esk, Edinburgh emerges from a series of hills and rocky ridges, earning its nickname Athens of the North. Get to know the Scottish capital and all its medieval beauty on a tour led by a local expert.
- View the elegant, dramatic neoclassical and Georgian architecture in New Town. The ornate sandstone and granite structures surrounding oasis-like gardens and green spaces became a model for European urban planning.
- Contrast New Town’s grace with Old Town’s rustic Royal Mile, which runs between Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace—the official residence of British monarchs in Scotland. Here, you’ll cross moody narrow streets and alleys, known as “closes,” flanked by brooding stone buildings and timeworn cathedrals.
- Pass the towering Sir Walter Scott monument—paying homage to the Ivanhoe and Rob Roy scribe—one of the largest monuments devoted to an author in the world.
- Ascend to Castle Rock and enter Edinburgh Castle. Standing on an extinct volcano at the top of the Royal Mile, it houses the Scottish crown jewels and Stone of Scone—in use since the 13th century for coronation of the monarchs of England, Great Britain, and the United Kingdom.
Looking to be swept away by the wild romance of the Scottish Borders region? Add an excursion and join fellow literature lovers for a quest to the home of Sir Walter Scott and the Gothic ruins of Melrose Abbey.
Prefer to see more of Edinburgh? Use your free afternoon in the city to go back and wander the winding streets of Old Town. If you’re feeling adventurous, perhaps consider a spooky stroll through the tunnels that weave underneath the city. Of course, there’s always tucking into a booth in a cozy cafe and lingering over tea and shortbread.
Please note: The order of today's activities are subject to change.
Abbotsford House & Melrose Abbey
From $109 per person
Travel through the jewel-green landscapes of Northern England, stopping along the way to enjoy a break in one of the Lake District’s charming towns. This seductive side of England has inspired adventure seekers and poets alike with its mountainous landscape, lakes, and peat bogs.
Then, continue to Liverpool and enjoy a free evening in the city to unwind by the waterfront.
Travel through northern Wales and stop in the village of Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, which is the longest-named place in Europe. Then, continue to Holyhead and board a ferry across the Irish Sea to Dublin.
As soon as you step off the ferry in Dublin, you’ll understand dramatist Lady Gregory’s claim that “I feel more and more the time wasted that is not spent in Ireland.” You’ll take a comprehensive tour of Ireland’s capital city with a local guide and get a taste of the country’s rich history and craic—that trademark acerbic banter.
- Stop in Phoenix Park, an expanse of woodlands, sprawling lawns, the occasional fallow deer, and site of the presidential residence. You’ll also pass by the Guinness Brewery and should you find yourself with a pint of the famous brew in hand, remember to sip it slowly.
- Step inside the soaring St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Ireland’s largest church, and gaze up at its stained-glass windows shimmering with depictions of biblical scenes and saints.
- Feast your eyes on the verdant and flowering landscaping throughout St. Stephen’s Green, a peaceful retreat, and admire the ivy-covered Georgian architecture of Merrion Square as you go.
- See Trinity College, alma mater of notables from Oscar Wilde to Samuel Beckett, and walk past Grafton Street to the Molly Malone statue. Hum the traditional Irish song dedicated to this figure of local folklore before continuing to the Temple Bar district’s lined with colorful buildings and cobblestone streets buzzing with street performers and artisans.
If the Temple Bar district has you clamoring for more quintessential Irish merriment, join the excursion for a dinner and a showcase of the thundering rhythms and precise footwork of Irish dance.
Prefer a quieter night? Use your free time this evening for a sunset stroll along the River Liffey, or head to Ha’Penny Bridge for a breathtaking nighttime view of the city.
Traditional Irish Dinner & Show
From $109 per person
Resume your journey through the Emerald Isle today. You’ll roll through lush green landscapes, storybook villages, and the farmlands that dot Ireland’s countryside.
- Make a photo stop at the famed Rock of Cashel in County Tipperrary, an ancient fortification surrounding a medieval cathedral standing above the limestone outcrops.
- Gain the gift of gab — or so the legends promise — when you enter Blarney Castle to kiss the legendary Blarney Stone.
Continue to County Kerry and sit down for an included dinner this evening, served with beer or wine.
Set out on the Ring of Kerry, a 112-mile coastal route that covers some of Ireland’s most spectacular scenery as it winds around the Iveragh Peninsula. Expect your breath to catch with every rugged mile of coastal vistas and windswept beaches.
- Pass the pristine Lakes of Killarney in Killarney National Park and gaze across Dingle Bay. On a clear day, the lakes’ crystal-clear waters reflect the surrounding forests and hills.
- Try not to blink so you won’t miss a moment of the ever-changing views of mountains, beaches, and the Atlantic Ocean.
- Explore the quaint villages that line the Ring of Kerry, including the village of Sneem, with its candy-colored storefronts.
This morning, travel north to walk the mesmerizing coastline of the Cliffs of Moher. Perched along Ireland’s west coast, the weathered cliffs extend for about five miles and are marked by jagged rock formations and abundant birdlife. Walking close to the cliffs’ edge is a thrilling but dizzying experience due to the sheer drop, but you can rest assured that the view’s just as good from the well-maintained walking paths.
Continue to Dublin this afternoon and celebrate your trip during a farewell dinner, served with beer or wine.
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Board your overnight flight to London today.
Welcome to England! Meet your Tour Director and fellow early arrival travelers as you enjoy a welcome drink this evening.
Exclusively offered on this tour for our early arrivals, join an excursion to the iconic and mysterious Stonehenge, whose 4,000-year-old monoliths have bewitched visitors.
Prefer to stay in town and explore? Check out the lesser-known street food markets, like Maltby Street Market or Druid Street Market, or stroll the tranquil canals of Little Venice, a peaceful enclave with narrowboats, waterside cafes, and whimsical houseboats.
Stonehenge & Salisbury
From $149 per person
Your early arrival has you with the day to yourself. Get a head start on exploring London before tomorrow’s tour of the city’s major monuments. Check out chic Notting Hill or the emerging art scene in Graffik Gallery.
Meet up with the rest of your tour group and get to know everyone during tonight’s welcome dinner, served with beer or wine. Tomorrow, you’ll all set off together for the main tour starting right where you are, London, before continuing to Edinburgh and beyond.
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Hotels, flights & FAQ
Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.Hotels
We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.This boutique-styled hotel is located in the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea in Central London. Guests enjoy the fitness room, a beautifully lan...
This modern hotel is located in the New Town of Edinburgh. Guests enjoy the lounge bar, the relaxing Great Room, and convenient location. Nearby, you’...
This unique hotel is located along the River Mersey in Liverpool’s commercial district. Guests enjoy free Wi-Fi, a restaurant, and a bar. Nearby, you’...
This boutique hotel is located in Dublin’s city center. Guests enjoy the bistro, a gym, and the hotel bar. Nearby, you’ll find EPIC The Irish Emigrat...
This elegant hotel is located in Tralee, County Kerry, along the Wild Atlantic Way. Guests enjoy the manicured gardens and an intimate second-floor ba...
Flights
- Round-trip flight for your tour
- Airport transfers at your destination
- A great price locked in today
- 24/7 support from our dedicated service team
- Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
- Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
- Find out more about flights
FAQ
Print FAQ- In order to enter the United Kingdom and Ireland, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
- We recommend having at least one blank passport page for entry stamps.
- There is no visa required for U.S. or Canadian citizens.
- If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
- You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code BES.
- Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in London and depart from Dublin.
- Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost if they are arriving or departing on the standard day.
- When you arrive in London, a driver from a private chauffeur service will be standing at the arrival hall with your name on a message board. If you do not see your driver, please be patient and stay in the arrivals area. They may be assisting another traveler who has also just arrived and will be back shortly.
Physical Activity Level
- This is a moderate physical activity-level tour. You can expect casual walks and plenty of time to explore throughout the course of the tour.
Tour Pacing
This is a brisk-paced tour. The pace of a tour itinerary considers how often you’ll switch hotels, the amount of planned daily activities, and how you’ll get from place to place. You can expect:
- Two 1-night stays
- Most days full of included activities (more if you add excursions)
- Most transportation by motor coach
- Some transportation by train and ferry
- Daily bus time varies and can be lengthy
Walking, Terrain & Physical Requirements
- Travelers should be prepared to walk 2 miles per day over varying terrain—this includes city streets, cobblestones, some stairs and hills.
- Cobblestone streets can become slick when wet.
- Access to Edinburgh Castle will involve walking half a mile up a steep hill.
- While visiting Blarney Castle, travelers have the opportunity to kiss the Blarney Stone. In order to kiss the Blarney Stone, travelers must climb 128 very steep, narrow stairs.
- Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance.
- Please Note: Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
Climate Considerations
- Travelers can expect cool, cloudy, and rainy days throughout the year, with occasional heatwaves in the summer months (June-September).
Physical Activity & Tour Pace Questions
- Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special mobility or luggage handling assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group enjoys a smooth and informative journey, and they can’t be relied on to provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
- This tour moves at a reasonable pace to avoid missing scheduled stops. The rest of the group cannot miss any scheduled activities because of the needs of an individual.
- Due to the pace and physical activity level of this tour, mobility aids such as wheelchairs or walkers will be difficult to use and are not recommended. Please notify Go Ahead Tours before your departure if you plan to bring these on tour with you.
- If you have mobility concerns or tour pace questions, please visit our Help Center or send a message to our Customer Experience Team. We’re here to help!
- This tour includes various modes of transportation including trains, ferries, and private motor coach. Some modes of transportation will have raised platforms or steps and often not provide access to ramps or lifts.
- A train ride from London to Edinburgh and ferry ride from Holyhead to Dublin are included in the price of your tour.
- All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.
- European train stations typically operate similarly to airports where security measures, such as baggage and body scanners, are common. Platforms are often spread out across large distances and require travelers to manage their luggage on escalators or stairs. Porterage services are not offered on train transfers and luggage storage on trains is extremely limited. Please keep in mind that trains may only be stopping at the stations for a few minutes; speed with loading and unloading may be imperative.
- Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one personal item per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which include a train and ferry.
- Some airlines may impose additional charges if you exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
- Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights.
- Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
- Travelers must manage their own luggage throughout tour as porters are not guaranteed. This includes at hotels, getting on trains, and boarding ferries.
- Luggage storage on trains is extremely limited, and often requires travelers to lift their suitcases onto storage racks, sometimes above the seats.
- We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
- A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
- You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
- It is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).
- We recommend packing a reusable water bottle to cut down on single use plastic waste.
- We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
- We recommend packing your Insurance Card (from your primary insurance provider) in your carry on luggage.
- Go Ahead handpicks every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm.
- Accommodations are typically three and four star hotels.
- All accommodations include a private bathroom.
- Most rooms will include a safe for valuables.
- Your hotels will have Wifi, but it may be limited to common areas.
- Elevators in hotels are not guaranteed.
- Some hotels on this tour require travelers to walk with their luggage a few blocks as buses cannot drop travelers off right out front.
- Please be advised that the strength of the air conditioning in European hotels/buildings is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada.
- We cannot guarantee that your hotel accommodations will have laundry services or facilities. We recommend checking directly with the hotel once they are confirmed about 30 days prior to departure.
- Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date.
- Excursions are available for purchase prior to departure, and most excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour directly through your mobile app for an additional $10 USD.
- We recommend purchasing excursions at least 3 days prior to your tour departure. Please note some excursions have advance booking deadlines. Check your tour itinerary for more information to ensure you don’t miss the deadline to add them.
- Optional excursions may be canceled on tour due to reasons like low enrollment, weather or unexpected closures. If an excursion you signed up for is canceled by Go Ahead Tours, you will be refunded the full cost of the excursion. Please note it may take up to 60 days for your refund to be processed.
- Your Tour Director may offer their own optional excursions which can only be purchased on tour via cash (in local currency).
- At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website at cdc.gov.
- If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies, please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to departure by logging into your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
- If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour, as well as any possible delays encountered.
- Most of our itineraries include headsets used during certain sightseeing tours so travelers can hear their guides or Tour Director. If you use an assisted listening device, such as a hearing aid or cochlear implant, please visit our Help Center for more information or contact our customer experience team. Please note that at this time not all our destinations offer headsets due to supplier limitations.
- The water is safe to drink throughout your tour unless posted otherwise.
- You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code BES.
- This tour includes 4 dinners. Included meals may be plated set menus, buffet or family style depending on the location. Dinners include one glass of beer, wine, or soft drink and water, coffee and tea.
- Breakfast each morning is also included at the hotel and is typically buffet style with hot and cold options.
- For traditional English fare at a reasonable price, try a pub meal of fish and chips or bangers and mash. Stilton cheese, steak and kidney pie, and Cumberland sausages are also worth a try. Sip afternoon tea with delicious finger sandwiches and scones at Harrods in London for the ultimate in English tradition.
- Modern-day London boasts an array of diverse international restaurants. Popular options for the adventurous palate include Indian, Thai, Chinese, Indonesian, Greek, and West African cuisine.
- Scottish cuisine relies on readily available ingredients like game, dairy, and fish, with little use of exotic spices. Pickled kippers and smoked salmon are popular, as well as hearty dishes like Scotch broth (a stew of meat and root vegetables) and haggis (a savory pudding of sheep innards). Scotch whisky is a legendary local spirit, and Scottish ales are world-famous.
- Irish pubs serve up hearty lunches, such as a traditional stew of bacon and boiled cabbage. Soda bread is delicious, very filling, and served with many meals. Nibble a scone at afternoon tea, with a pat of high-quality butter from County Kerry. Guinness stout is an international sensation, but locals might favor Murphy’s, depending on where you are.
- Dublin has seen something of a culinary revolution in recent times, and the city now boasts an impressive array of new restaurants offering exciting cuisine with Continental Europe, Asian, and even American influences.
- At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in US dollars or local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
- We recommend tipping the equivalent of $10USD to $12USD per person, per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
- If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
- Tips can only be paid in cash.
- The cost of porterage is included in your tour price, and it is not necessary to tip baggage handlers.
- You will use the pound sterling in the United Kingdom and the euro in Ireland.
- Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, but you may choose to order some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
- We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
- You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
- Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
- International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you don't already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
- Plan ahead and bring cash to tip your tour director, local guides, and bus drivers. We also recommend keeping coins in the local currency on hand, as some public bathrooms may charge a fee for use.
- To ensure you feel prepared before traveling on tour, we strongly recommend you download the EF Go Ahead Tours mobile app. The app is free and provides important deadlines, entry requirements, your detailed itinerary, packing tips and more. You can also connect with fellow travelers through the chat feature in the app.
- Wifi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
- There is no Wifi on any of the motor coaches.
- Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.
- Your Tour Director will be leading your group throughout your journey. You will have the same Tour Director throughout your tour.
- The role of the Tour Director is not only to provide information and context on the destinations you visit, but also to confirm services, coordinate inclusions, prepare each days’ activities and support travelers while on tour. As such, they must focus on the success of the group, and cannot provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
- One of the benefits of traveling with EF Go Ahead Tours is our on tour emergency support team.
- Our extensive network of offices around the world, and our integration of ISO 31000: Risk Management Guidelines, help our dedicated 24/7 Emergency Service teams anticipate and address on-tour challenges in a flexible and iterative way.
- This team supports travelers and Tour Directors using a combination of extensive training, simulations, incident response planning, and decades of experience to help manage emergencies if they arise, ranging from personal health concerns or injuries to major world events.
- As needed, On Tour Support can facilitate additional support for travelers on tour, arrange assistance from outside specialists, and liaise with local and international authorities to help solve on-the-ground issues. In addition, the team is dedicated to supporting and facilitating communication between travelers and families in the event of an emergency while on the road or at home.
- When you travel with EF Go Ahead Tours, you’ll make a positive impact on the places you visit, and the people and animals you meet along the way. That’s because our three core Responsible Travel commitments—protecting the environment, supporting local communities, and promoting animal welfare—are at the heart of every tour we offer
- Travel, when done responsibly, can make an enormous socio-economic impact to communities. To maximize your impact, eat at locally owned restaurants and shop at local businesses. Ask your Tour Director to point out restaurants they recommend
- Prepare for your trip: be aware of the monetary norms such as tipping and negotiating in a market, learn about the destination’s forms of etiquette, and take some time to learn a few words in the local language
- When interacting with locals, make sure to ask people for permission before you take their picture, and approach cultural differences with empathy and an open mind
- EF Go Ahead Tours encourages our travelers to limit their waste while on the road, especially single use plastics. You can avoid single use plastics by packing your own toiletries, using electronic documents, and bringing a reusable water bottle and shopping bag. If you need to use plastics or paper, please recycle
- Environment: On this tour, we recommend the use of a reusable water bottle, as the local drinking water is safe for travelers. Your Tour Director can provide additional guidance on local water standards. Make sure to bring a reusable water bottle to cut down on single use plastics.
- Environment: When visiting national parks, reserves, or other protected areas, please do not remove anything from the natural environment or leave any litter. Carry out what you carried in.
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4.7 out of 5 stars