Experience all the highlights of England, Scotland and Ireland on this Tour of the British Isles. Starting with three days in London, you will get to enjoy a tour of the city on foot with your professional guide. Enjoy a tour tour some of the English highlights outside of the city on a shared tour, and have fun exploring by yourself, indulging in some shopping (check out our suggestions in the itinerary) and visiting sites of particular interest to you. Then explore the bucolic region of the Cotswolds with prime sites such as the city of Windsor, Bath, Wells and the Unesco world heritage site of Stonehenge. The next destination on your tour is the designated area of beauty of the Lake District - and more precisely, Windermere. Kick back and absorb all of the magnificent views on a full day discovery of the area. Take time out perusing the gift shops, or relax with a cream tea in one of the tea rooms (or perhaps a traditional ale in an English pub is more your style?), or take to the hills on a self guided walk/hike (options for length and level of difficulty) in this picturesque setting.

From the Lake District, make your way by train to Edinburgh, Scotland. Think of Scotland and you probably think castles, whisky, tartan, highlands and lochs. It is indeed all this - and so much more...Over your 4 days trip in Edinburgh, immerse yourself in the cosmopolitan feel of Edinburgh, soaking in its history as you stroll down the royal mile and visit Edinburgh castle. On a number of shared sightseeing tours you will get to visit a whisky distillery, the medieval town of Stirling, explore Lough Lomand national Park and St Andrew's and other traditional fishing villages in the area.

After your flight from Edinburgh to Dublin (not included in tour price), experience the mythical beauty and heritage of the Emerald Isle. From the metropolis of Dublin to the more relaxed city of Galway and the stunning area of Connemara and the Burren, you will see the real Ireland. Spend three days in the capital, and see the sites you are personally interested in with your two day Dublin pass, as well as enjoying an excursion to the suburbs of Dublin, taking in Dublin Bay and Malahide Castle to the north. Enjoy a self guided walk through Galway town, before venturing out the the surrounding countryside on excursions to both Connemara and the Burren - two very unique and scenic areas.

This tour of the British Isles brings all of the highlights of England, Scotland and Ireland together, in one comprehensive trip, with a mix of shared and private sightseeing tours, private airport and train station transfers and train connections between cities. A perfect, relaxing and stress-free way to see it all.

Enjoy an airport transfer with private vehicle and driver. A welcome package with your vouchers, a city map, train tickets (if relevant) and any other touristic information that we deem you may find useful will be waiting for you upon your arrival at your first hotel on your trip. The London Underground, or ‘the tube’ as it is universally known to Londoners, is normally the quickest and easiest way of getting round London. Greater London is served by 12 tube lines, along with the independent (though linked) and privately owned DLR and an interconnected rail network. The first tube train operates at around 5:30am Monday to Saturday and around 7am Sunday; the last train leaves between 11:30pm and 12:30am depending on the day, the station and the line. Remember that any train heading from left to right on the map is designated as eastbound, and any train heading from top to bottom is southbound- no matter how many squiggles and turns it makes. If your two stations are not on the same line, you need to note the nearest station where the two lines intersect, and it is here that you must change trains. Step out into this fantastic city and explore with your travel card - the best way to see London! One of the world's great cities, vibrant London manages to shine in the greyest weather and its diversity defies a simple definition. This sprawling city has drawn people for centuries, looking for something and finding the unexpected. It's one of the world's most international cities and its influences blend to create something uniquely wonderful. Let your Guide know your particular interests and he/she will help you discover the city in a new way. Learn how to take the "tube", explore the cobblestone streets, gardens, and markets, and be a Londoner for a day! Your Guide will meet you at your hotel. Please note that one should wear comfortable shoes and a hat; suitable for children. (No entrance fees included) Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price).

Internationally recognized interior designers have orchestrated The Mandeville Hotel bedrooms for the utmost comfort. Each bedroom exudes style and has been furnished with luxurious fabrics and wall coverings from some of the leading design houses. The Mandeville Hotel is based in the ever-fashionable Marylebone Village,within a few minutes walk of some of London's most exciting shops, art galleries and antique shops of Mayfair. The hotel is perfectly located near some of the world famous auction houses such as Sotheby or Christies and renowned Harley Street clinics, making this hotel an excellent choice for your leisure, cultural and corporate stay in London. The Mandeville Hotelprides itself on offering a highly personalized service under the direction of its expert management team. Great design is the key to the hotel, providing guests with a sophisticated and stylish environment.

London is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. An important settlement for two millennia, London's history goes back to its founding by the Romans. Since its settlement, London has been part of many important movements and phenomena throughout history, such as the English Renaissance, the Industrial Revolution, and the Gothic Revival. London is one of the world's leading business, financial and cultural centres, and its influence in politics, education, entertainment, media, fashion and the arts contribute to its status as a major global city. London boasts four World Heritage Sites: The Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey and St. Margaret's Church; the Tower of London; the historic settlement of Greenwich; and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. The city is a major tourist destination both for domestic and overseas visitors.

A visit to the magnificent medieval Warwick Castle, most of whose amazing towers and ramparts are still intact. Warwick Castle will take you back through its 1,000 year history as you enter over the footbridge to a bygone world of banquets, battles and ceremony. Visit the Tussaud"s waxwork, or if you"re feeling brave visit the spine-chilling dungeons where prisoners were tortured. You might wish to stroll through the Castle"s delightful and lovingly tended gardens set in the peaceful surroundings of England"s finest medieval Castle. During the summer months, archery, falconry and jousting take place.
Steeped in history and heritage the area of England known as the Cotswolds is a charming blend of cottages with honey-coloured walls and thatched roofs, market towns with crooked half-timbered houses lining the High Street, and ancient stone crosses, all set in the gently rolling hills ("wolds") that are so typically English in character.
We then travel through the rolling Warwickshire hills to Stratford-upon-Avon, a market town at the edge of the Forest of Arden made famous for being the birthplace of the world-famous playwright William Shakespeare. We"ll visit the Tudor-style birthplace of William Shakespeare, gaining a fascinating insight into his childhood with its typical parlour, bedrooms, kitchen, buttery and of course the glove-maker"s workshop used by John, Shakespeare"s father.
The colleges in Oxford date back to the 13th century and among its famous students were Bill Clinton, C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkein and Lewis Carroll. We take you on a fascinating walking tour through the cobbled streets of Oxford to see the Bodleian Library and the picture-perfect college courtyards, for which Oxford is justifiably famous.

Admission to Warwick Castle, Christ Church college and Shakespeare's Birthplace is included in the tour price.

Enjoy lunch at leisure (not included in tour price). Continue your full day tour. Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). Overnight at The Mandeville (4*).

Enjoy a time at leisure. Most London museums have free entry. Spend your time hopping on and off the tube and visit a couple of my recommended highlights: The British Museum (Holburn Underground station), The National Gallery (Trafalgar Square, Charing Cross Underground station), the Victoria & Albert (South Kensington Underground station), The Wallace Collection (Bond Street station) or the London Transport Museum (Covent Garden). Or, while away your time shopping in the markets: Camden, Spittalfields, Portobello (weekends only) or the Borough Market (Thurs, Fri and Sat). Enjoy lunch at leisure (not included in tour price). Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel. Within walking distance to your central London hotel, enjoy a fantastic meal out at one of the best restaurants in the West End. A few suggestions: J Sheekey, an incredibly smart seafood restaurant, Lindsay House, specializing in Irish cuisine, Mildred's, London's best veggie restaurant, Sketch, the trendiest place in London, specializing in some of the best french food you'll ever taste, or for those looking for something simple and cheerful, enjoy a nice meal out at Zipangu. Overnight at The Mandeville (4*).

Enjoy a full day excursion outside of Edinburgh. Our journey takes us North over the Forth Road Bridge to Falkland. Take a step back in time in this traditional Scottish village, look in awe at the renowned renaissance architecture of the King's Palace and relax with a coffee. Travelling east on country roads we will have lunch at St Andrews, the home of golf, Scotland's oldest university town and ecclesiastical centre. With an extended stop of two hours or more, you can explore the Old Course (Golf), the ruins of St Andrews Cathedral or the Bishop's Castle. This beautiful seaside town also holds a high reputation for arts and crafts and has excellent shopping. Our afternoon takes us into the East Neuk of Fife. This is a delightful, yet sometimes forgotten part of Scotland, where we have time to visit some of the picturesque fishing villages en route back to Edinburgh. (Tour includes transportation by deluxe minicoach, professional guide, visit Falkland village and Palace, visit St Andrews and its famous Old Course golf course, visit beautiful fishing villages of Fife). Return around 6:30 pm to Edinburgh. Enjoy lunch at leisure (not included in tour price). Continue your full day tour. Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price).

Situated in the Old Town neighborhood of Edinburgh, this property is near Our Dynamic Earth, Arthur's Seat, and Scottish Parliament. Other nearby points of interest include Edinburgh Castle. Guestrooms have complimentary high-speed (wired) Internet access, slippers, and air conditioning; bathrooms include shower/tub combinations and hair dryers. At Macdonald Holyrood Hotel recreational amenities include an indoor pool, a health club, and a sauna. The property also provides a restaurant, a business center, and a concierge desk.

Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland, and considered one of the most charming cities on Earth. Regardless of the time of year, there is plenty to see and do. The city is breathtakingly beautiful, on multiple levels with strayed buildings in brooding grey granite. Eclectic bars, fine dining, and national art collections and museums can be found all over the city. The vast student population keeps the atmosphere upbeat and vibrant, even in the downpours that periodically soak the city.

You will be met at your hotel by our driver for your transfer to Edinburgh airport in good time for your check in. Upon arrival at Dublin train station, you will be met by your driver to transfer you to your accommodation. We will take you on a guided tour of Dublin City today. Our guide will show you Dublin’s major attractions such as Trinity College and the Book of Kells, perhaps the world’s most beautifully illustrated book. In the city centre region there is also St Patrick's Cathedral, Christchurch and the famous Guinness Brewery. There are a host of shopping and museums and galleries to explore in the historical Georgian district near St Stephens Green. We highly recommend the National Museum, Natural History Museum and the National Gallery to name a few. (Entrance fees not included). Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price).

Davenport (4*) Featuring a magnificent facade dating to 1863, this elegant boutique hotel is traditionally styled in keeping with the original building. Ideally located at Merrion Square in the heart of Georgian Dublin, The Davenport is within strolling distance of Trinity College, the National Art Gallery, St Stephen's Green and the shopping district of Grafton Street.

The history, charming Georgian architecture and the host of more earthy entertainment on offer will all entice you to Dublin, but it is the people that will leave the biggest impression on you.

Explore Dublin as you wish with a 2 day Dublin Pass giving you fast track and free entry to over 30 of Dublin's top attractions as well as over 25 special offers in restaurants, shops, tours, theatres and other entertainment venues. Take the morning to discover the suburbs of Dublin. In a shared tour, you will pass the famous Abbey Theatre and head out across the north of the city to the 14th century Castle at Malahide. The Castle, which is set in magnificent gardens, has some of the finest Irish period furniture and contains famous portraits from the National Art Gallery. Continue on to the award winning village of Malahide, then trace the coastline to the fishing village of Howth. Enjoy magnificent views of Dublin Bay from Howth Head. Return to Dublin along the coast, via north city villages whose lore and legend are recounted by your guide. Enjoy lunch at leisure (not included in tour price). Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel. Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). Overnight at Davenport Hotel (4*).

Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel. Enjoy lunch at leisure (not included in tour price). Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). Overnight at Davenport Hotel (4*).

Upon arrival at Dublin train station, you will be met by your driver to transfer you to your accommodation. Enjoy the train ride from Dublin to Galway . Train journey is approximately 2 hours 30 mins. Train station transfer with private vehicle and Driver Guide. Walk along high Street in Galway for a pleasurable way to pass an hour or two. Start at Kenny's Bookshop on High Street. The labyrinth is both an art gallery and quality bookshop with second hand and new books. All along the short cobblestoned stretch of the road, known as High street are small, interesting unique shops. Kelly's Crafts has a good range of goods, especially knits and pottery. Three Bags Full will sell you the wool to knit your own sweater or jacket. A left turn at the bottom of High Street brings you to Cross Street and The Silver Lining Gift Shop which sells glassware, China and novelty gift items. Traditions sells Aran knits, and across the road in the Curiousity Corner, the shelves are spilling over with all kinds of lovely, unusual gifts. To the right of High Street, is La Maison, a shop selling quality European made gifts. Opposite is Judy Green's Pottery Workshop selling pretty, handthrown pottery. Large items can be wrapped and posted home to you. Exclusive, very attractive designer knitwear is sold at Margaret Joyce in Quay Street directly opposite is Twice as Nice, where one can find a fine selection of vintage linen, lace and clothes. The Quay Lane Gallery is a small shop at the bottom of Quay Street which sells framed prints, as well as original work. Next door is Cobwebs, widely considered the prettiest shop in Galway with a delightful, seemingly infinite stock of pretty goods on display. Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price).

Park House Hotel, Galway is conveniently located in the heart of Galway's city centre. The hotel blends the warmth and personality of a boutique hotel with the style and luxury of a contemporary 4 Star international hotel. Guest accommodation comprises of 84 rooms divided into superior & deluxe rooms, suites and serviced apartments. The award-winning Park Restaurant is a favourite with locals and guests.

Galway, called Gailimh in Irish, with a population of over 70,000, is Ireland's fourth largest city and is a major hub for visits to West Ireland. It has long since been known as "The City of the Tribes" and this title could not be more appropriate these days, given the multicultural vibrancy of present-day Galway. Galway is a perfect base for seeing the West Ireland, but it is also worth a visit in itself. Although it has only a few typical sightseeing spots what makes it a wonderful place to stay is the atmosphere, the culture, the people, the events. The pedestrian shopping area south of Eyre Square, is a pleasant place to walk around. And if the traditional Irish rain starts, just visit the Eyre Square shopping center, where they have put a roof above parts of the old town wall and so included them into the shopping mall, a beautiful combination of old and new.

Enjoy a seashore walk only five minutes stroll from the city centre. Cross the Wolfe Tome Bridge at the bottom of Quay Street, turn left and walk towards the ocean. You can walk along by the seashore to the end of Salthill Promenade at Blackrock, with views out to Galway bay and back to the city centre. The walk is approx. 1.5 miles/ 2 km. Enjoy a full day excursion to the impressive cliffs of Moher and the Burren - a very special place of natural beauty. Taking you along Galway Bay, your first stop is at the fishing village of Kinvara to see Dungaire Castle. From here, we continue into the Burren, home to 75% of Ireland's native flora and the location of numerous ancient monuments - many of which we visit including the Gleninsheen Wedge Tomb, the 5,800 year old Poulnabrone Dolmen and Ballyalban Fairy Fort. We will also stop at Kilfenora to see the famous Celtic Crosses and then make our way to the 200 metre high and 8km's long cliffs of Moher. Enjoy stunning views over the Atlantic Ocean and the Aran Islands and take your time to soak up the natural beauty of the Cliffs of Moher. At the Cliffs you will have and a guided tour and 2 hours free to enjoy the site. Enjoy lunch at leisure (not included in tour price). Continue your full day tour. Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). Overnight at Park House (4*).

Enjoy a full day excursion to the wild landscape of Connemara and on to the village of Cong. The first stop is at Ross Errily Friary - a hidden but atmospheric 14th century monastery. We then head to Cong Village for a guided walking tour through Cong Woods to see Ashford Castle. Entering Connemara on the Lough Nafooey route allows you to see the stark beauty of the hidden valley of Connemara before arriving at the Atlantic Ocean. The tour then continues to Kylemore Abbey and back home to Galway via the picturesque Inagh Valley. Enjoy lunch at leisure (not included in tour price). Continue your full day tour. Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). Overnight at Park House (4*).

Sit back and relax on your private transfer from Galway to Dublin. Kensington Tours donates a portion of proceeds to our charitable initiative www.kensingtoncares.com which supports education-based initiatives in disadvantaged communities.

Depart from Dublin airport ---end of itinerary.