Grand Tour of Britain & Ireland 2024
Tour Operator:
Tour Code:
90504
Start City:
London
End City:
London
Tour Style:
Tour Quality:
Budget
Tour Length:
18 days
Physical Rating:
3 - Explorer
Dates & Prices
| Start Date | End Date | Offers | Brochure Land Price | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, Apr 27, 2024 | Tuesday, May 14, 2024 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote | |
| Saturday, May 18, 2024 | Tuesday, Jun 04, 2024 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote | |
| Saturday, May 25, 2024 | Tuesday, Jun 11, 2024 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote | |
| Saturday, Jul 06, 2024 | Tuesday, Jul 23, 2024 | Get Lower Price | Get Quote |
Promotions
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Up to $500 Welcome Back Credit for Repeat Travelers
Up to $500 Welcome Back Credit for Repeat Travelers
Promotion Details
The Welcome Back Credit is awarded upon completion of Globus family of brands vacations. Credit amount can only be applied to the land/cruise or cruise only portion of a new Globus family of brands vacation (excluding 2022 Custom/Charter vacations). Credit amount is per person and must be redeemed for a future vacation with a deposit within 2 years from date of credit issue. Bookings can be made by calling the Globus family of brands, online, or by contacting your preferred travel advisor. Passenger must activate redemption credit prior to redemption. Combinable with all applicable consumer promotions except those with any Globus family of brands special discount programs. Credit must be applied before final payment on a future booking. Credit is not redeemable for cash, non-refundable deposit, airfare, transfers, travel insurance, prepaid gratuities, pre/post nights, or optional excursions and is non-transferrable. All federal, state, and local laws and regulations apply. Valid for all participating Globus family of brands offices. Additional restrictions may apply.
Tour Itinerary
Experience the best of England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales on this in-depth exploration tour of the British Isles. In between time in the major cities—London, Dublin, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Cardiff—visit some of the historic towns and witness some of the breathtaking scenery.On any tour through Britain and Ireland, you’d expect to visit ancient ruins, majestic castles, and historic sights. That’s why Cosmos has included visits to prehistoric Stonehenge; Bath, known for its Roman ruins and baths; Edinburgh Castle, dating to the 12th century, where you’ll admire Scotland’s Crown Jewels; Hadrian’s Wall, the remains of the fortifications built by the Romans 2,000 years ago to defend against marauding northern tribes; the Mayflower Steps in Plymouth, where the Pilgrim Fathers embarked in 1620; the battlefield of Culloden Moor, where in 1746, the last battle was fought on British soil; and more.You’d also expect to see stunning scenery and lush landscapes on a Britain and Ireland tour. That’s why Cosmos has included a drive around the Dingle Peninsula, a dramatic drive passing seaside villages, ancient monuments, and views of the Blasket Islands; a drive on the 100-mile Ring of Kerry, with its rugged and magnificent landscapes; the spectacular 668-foot Cliffs of Moher, where rugged cliffs drop into the ocean; a scenic drive along North Wales coast to England’s tranquil Lake District, recently awarded UNESCO World Heritage status; and drives through rich dairy farmland. In the Scottish Highlands, drive through the rolling terrain interspersed with lochs (lakes), picturesque towns, and the sparkling coastline. Watch for Nessie at Loch Ness, Scotland’s largest lake.Bustling cities, smaller towns, historic sights, breathtaking landscapes, and much more are offered on this incredible Britain and Ireland tour.
Adare , Bath , Cardiff , Cliffs of Moher , Dingle Peninsula , Dublin , Edinburgh , Fort William , Galway , Glasgow , Glastonbury , Gretna Green , Highlands , Inverness , Jedburgh , Killarney , Lake District , Leeds , Limerick , Liverpool , London , Pitlochry , Plymouth , Ring of Kerry , St. Andrews , Stonehenge , Stratford Upon Avon , Tenby , Tramore
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Day 1
ARRIVE IN LONDON, ENGLANDCheck into your hotel. In the afternoon, there is time to rest or to start exploring the lively British capital. Uniformed hosts are available to help you make the most of your stay.
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Day 2
LONDONWhat’s your pleasure? Today is devoted to exploring on your own or enjoying our exciting program of optional activities. You may choose to join a Local Guide for an optional morning sightseeing tour of the city’s famous landmarks: the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall’s mounted horseguards and the Prime Minister’s Downing Street residence, Piccadilly Circus, and Buckingham Palace. Later, maybe visit Windsor Castle or the Tower of London with its spectacular Crown Jewels. Tonight, we recommend our optional Taste of London excursion with dinner, followed by a guided illumination cruise on the River Thames. (B)
Meals: Breakfast -
Day 3
LONDON–STONEHENGE–WIDECOMBE–PLYMOUTHMeet your Tour Director and travel companions to depart at 8 am for the West Country. Cross the chalky terrain of Wiltshire and visit Stonehenge, one of England’s most intriguing mysteries. Explore the visitor center with its imaginative exhibitions, then admire the magnificence of the monument from up close. In the heart of Dartmoor National Park, ghostly setting for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Hound of the Baskervilles, visit quaint Widecombe-in-the-Moor. Later, in Plymouth, hear about Sir Francis Drake and see the Mayflower Steps, where the Pilgrim Fathers embarked in 1620.Today’s Distance: 222 mi/ 356 km (B,D)
Meals: Breakfast Dinner -
Day 4
PLYMOUTH–GLASTONBURY–BATH–CARDIFF, WALESVia Glastonbury and its legends of King Arthur to the elegant city of Bath, famed for its amazing Roman relics and Georgian buildings. Cross the spectacular Severn Bridge into Wales and head for the capital, Cardiff. Here, an orientation drive introduces you to all the major attractions: Cardiff Castle, Cathays Park, Millennium Stadium, and the stately civic buildings. Tonight, why not join an evening of Welsh entertainment and dining?Today’s Distance: 188 mi / 303 km (B)
Meals: Breakfast -
Day 5
CARDIFF–TENBY–TRAMORE, IRELANDEnjoy vistas of rich dairy farmland this morning on the way to the pretty seaside resort of Tenby. Then, on to Pembroke, departure point for the ferry across St. George’s Channel to Ireland. Arrive at Rosslare in just under four hours.Today’s Distance: 169 mi/ 272 km (B,D)
Meals: Breakfast Dinner -
Day 6
TRAMORE–BLARNEY–KILLARNEYToday, discover why Ireland is called the “Emerald Isle.” Drive along the southern coast, passing Cork, the country’s second-largest city. Stop in Blarney, famous for its Stone of Eloquence, with time to see the castle, and shop for Irish crafts and handmade crystal. Continue to the popular resort of Killarney. Today’s Distance: 134 mi/ 216 km (B)
Meals: Breakfast -
Day 7
KILLARNEY. RING OF KERRY EXCURSIONAt Killorglin, join the road known as the Ring of Kerry for a 100-mile coastal panoramic drive featuring sparkling seascapes, mountains dotted with brightly painted farmhouses, winding lanes bordered with subtropical vegetation, and spectacular views of the Lakes of Killarney from Ladies View. Back in Killarney, a special optional adventure: take a horse-drawn jaunting car along the national park lakeshore for pictures of Ross Castle.Today’s Distance: 100 mi/ 160 km (B)
Meals: Breakfast -
Day 8
KILLARNEY–DINGLE PENINSULA–ADARE–LIMERICKBreathtaking scenery this morning on the Dingle Peninsula, where the 32-mile Slea Head drive affords magnificent vistas of the Atlantic Ocean. See the Blasket Islands and hear about the way of life and unique literary achievements of its inhabitants prior to their evacuation in 1953. Then, travel via Adare, a village known for its prize-winning thatched cottages, to Limerick. Tonight, consider joining an optional medieval banquet at a historic castle.Today’s Distance: 154 mi/ 249 km (B)
Meals: Breakfast -
Day 9
LIMERICK–CLIFFS OF MOHER–GALWAY–DUBLINTake a scenic route this morning via the Cliffs of Moher and The Burren on the way to the port city of Galway, a popular seaside destination and a buzzing cosmopolitan district with vibrant shops and a busy café and bar culture. Continue across the mighty Shannon before arriving in Dublin. The optional dinner suggestion is a fun Irish cabaret evening with dinner, dance, and songs.Today’s Distance: 234 mi/ 377 km (B)
Meals: Breakfast -
Day 10
DUBLINA day in the “Fair City” starts with an orientation drive through Eire’s capital, including statue-lined O’Connell Street, elegant Georgian squares, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The afternoon is at leisure. Later, why not join an optional dinner at the Guinness Storehouse? (B)
Meals: Breakfast -
Day 11
DUBLIN–CAERNARFON, WALES–LIVERPOOL, ENGLANDTake the ferry across the Irish Sea to Holyhead on the Welsh Isle of Anglesey with its tongue-twisting names. Explore North Wales on the way to Caernarfon where the castle saw the investiture of Charles as Prince of Wales. Overnight in Liverpool, of Beatles fame and once the departure port of the great transatlantic liners.Today’s Distance: 130 mi/ 209 km (B)
Meals: Breakfast -
Day 12
LIVERPOOL–LAKE DISTRICT–GRETNA GREEN, SCOTLAND–GLASGOWDrive into the tranquil Lake District, often considered to be the finest of England’s national parks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then, visit Gretna Green, where the blacksmith used to wed runaway couples. Travel through the history-steeped Lowland Hills to Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city.Today’s Distance: 237 mi/ 381 km (B,D)
Meals: Breakfast Dinner -
Day 13
GLASGOW–FORT WILLIAM–INVERNESS–CULLODEN MOOR–HIGHLANDSSkirt the “Bonnie Banks” of Loch Lomond and head through wild Rannoch Moor into the Highlands. Pass through Glen Coe, where the MacDonald Clan was massacred in 1692, to Fort William beneath Ben Nevis. Then, the Great Glen for vistas of the Caledonian Canal, Loch Lochy, and Loch Oich. Follow the banks of Loch Ness, home of the timid and timeless Nessie. Continue via Inverness, the Highland capital and, on the way to tonight’s destination, stop at the battlefield of Culloden Moor with its memories of Bonnie Prince Charlie.Today’s Distance: 209 mi/ 336 km (B,D)
Meals: Breakfast Dinner -
Day 14
HIGHLANDS–PITLOCHRY–ST. ANDREWS–EDINBURGHDrive through more spectacular Highland scenery for a stop in the pretty Victorian mountain resort of Pitlochry. Then, travel via Perth and Dundee before crossing the Tay Bridge to St. Andrews, whose Royal and Ancient Golf Club, founded in 1754, has given us the rules of golfing. Continue through Fife and over the mighty Forth Road Bridge to spend the next two nights in Edinburgh. A suggestion for this evening: enjoy a traditional Scottish night out, with Highland dancers, bagpipers, and, of course, the Ceremony of the Haggis.Today’s Distance: 169 mi/ 272 km (B)
Meals: Breakfast -
Day 15
EDINBURGHA full day to enjoy the Scottish capital. Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide introduces you to the 200-year-old “New Town,” home to famous scientists, inventors, and novelists. In the “Old Town,” visit Edinburgh Castle to admire Scotland’s Crown Jewels. Later, consider an optional tour with dinner. For departure July 20 & 27 and August 3 & 10, tickets are included for tonight’s performance of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. (B)
Meals: Breakfast -
Day 16
EDINBURGH–JEDBURGH–YORK, ENGLAND–LEEDSAt Jedburgh, see the abbey ruins before heading towards the Cheviot Hills and the English border. Travel through wild Northumberland National Park and, on the way, see a section of Hadrian’s Wall, the Roman coast-to-coast defense against marauding northern tribes. In York, England’s most complete medieval city, stand in awe in front of the great structure of York Minster, then follow your Tour Director through a maze of quaint streets, including the narrow Shambles. Overnight is in Leeds.Today’s Distance: 220 mi/ 355 km (B,D)
Meals: Breakfast Dinner -
Day 17
LEEDS–STRATFORD-UPON-AVON–LONDONIn Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon, take photos of Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and explore the town at your own pace. After returning to London around 4 pm, how about celebrating the success of your tour with an optional night out on the town?Today’s Distance: 237 mi/ 385 km (B)
Meals: Breakfast -
Day 18
LONDONYour vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Meals: Breakfast
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Full English breakfast daily; 5 three-course dinners with choice of menus
OR Call Us For a Free Quote 1-800-935-2620
OR Call Us For a Free Quote 1-800-935-2620
Question: Do you include a walk-about of Buckingham Palace on this tour?
Question: Does the trip of British Isles, 18 days include travel from and to airport from London hotel?
Question: How many suitcases can I take with me on my trip?
Question: Is Airfare Included in the Price?
One hotel - Craiglynn was not a 3 star and should be taken off your list - otherwise all hotels were as expected.
We were very pleased with our Cosmos tour.
Overall, the trip was excellent and well-planned regarding a good coverage of two countries. Some complaints are related to the quality of food during prearranged dinners in the hotels. Otherwise, the entire trip and organization by the tour director was just perfect! The driver was excellent, too.
Our tour director was excellent! She was on top of everything and very helpful when needed. She was an encyclopedia of information. We would love to have her as a tour director again. One note: We lost our camera at Bath. When we reported it to our tour director, she called immediately back to the Cosmos head office. With their diligent help, our camera was waiting for us at the end of the trip - with all of our pictures and memories. The itinerary was superb! We were sorry we did not have more days, and decided that next time we will book more. The bus driver was unbelievable the way he could handle the bus. He always found the best spots for drop off/pick up. We have never felt so safe with a driver. The hotels, stops for meals, rooms, shopping, extra tour events were very well planned and rounded the trip out nicely. We will definitely refer Cosmos and Affordable Tours to friends and family. One suggestion: Optional name tags for everyone. We had a really good tour group; a lot of us are staying in touch after the trip. It just took us a while to get to know each other and remember names. Name tags would have helped.
Tour directors and driver did an excellent job. Overall it was a great trip.
Affordable Tours and Cosmos were excellent. The trip was exactly as advertised and better.
Britain is a fairly expensive place to visit. Using this tour allows one to experience so much of it very efficiently and therefore a very good buy.
Cosmos provides excellent service for your time and money. Hotels were sometimes not up to expectations.
Trip was great. Food was just OK, but consistent with Great Britain. Minor complaints about itinerary - too little time here, too much time there, etc. Better advance notice could be given of the optional excursions on the tour, and how much they would cost. We felt they were too expensive for the value.
Our tour guide is highly commendable. She is so knowledgeable in history of the places and very helpful to all our questions and problems encountered. So far, with my 6 travels in Europe and 3 in Asia & Asia Minor she is the best. Very well experienced and planned our daily tour accordingly. Our tour driver was also the best. Courteous and professional in dealing with his passengers.
I was very, very disappointed when they changed the last hotel room from the Novotel to the Kensington Close. My husband said it wasn\'t a room it was a closet. To get the second cot (not twin bed) in, the area was taken from the bathroom. When you sat on the toilet both elbows would touch the wall. Being there was just a runway down the center the only chair was under the TV, only if you were headless could you use it! It was just kind of a sour way to end a great trip.
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Beautiful tour. The tour guide was attentive and very knowledgeable. The coach driver was experienced and knew exactly where to go. Always amazed at driving skills and maneuvering the coach in tight places. Always book the optional excursions. They are worth every penny.