The Best of Britain & Ireland
Discover many wonders on this fabulous affordable 15-day Best of Britain & Ireland tour that shows you the best of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. Departing and returning from London, visit England’s Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon, Leeds, York and Newcastle. Stops in Scotland include the abbey ruins in Jedburgh, Gretna Green and the legendary city of Edinburgh. While in Wales, visit Wrexham and Cardiff and see the landscapes of Snowdonia National Park. Spotlighted in Ireland, is Dublin, Galway, the Cliffs of Moher, Ennia, the Ring of Kerry, Killarney, Blarney and Tramore.
Highlights include historic towns, quaint villages, medieval cities and dramatic landscapes. Feel welcome by the warm and friendly people of Britain and Ireland. Immerse yourself in the region as Celtic history, culture and legends come alive. Tour the famous Edinburgh Castle, enjoy a visit on the elegant Royal Yacht Britannia, the Gretna Green Lake District, the scenic Ring of Kerry, delightful Bath, prehistoric Stonehenge and more. Experience this delightful economic tour to some of the world’s most historic places.
15 Days • fr. $3,229
Tour Includes
- A walking tour of Oxford
- Discover Shakespeare’s home town in Stratford-upon-Avon
- A walking tour in York
- A visit to Durham, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- See a section of the Roman remains of Hadrian's Wall
- See the abbey ruins at Jedburgh
- A guided city tour of Edinburgh including Edinburgh Castle
- Drive through the UNESCO World Heritage landscape in the Gretna Green Lake District
- A walking tour of Chester
- A visit to Betws-y-coed in Snowdonia National Park
- Ferry from Holyhead to Dublin
- An orientation tour of Dublin
- A visit to Galway
- The dramatic Cliffs of Moher
- A visit to the town of Adare to view the thatched cottages
- A scenic drive around the Ring of Kerry
- A visit to Killarney
- A visit to Blarney
- A ferry ride from Rosslare to Pembroke
- An orientation tour of Cardiff
- A visit to Bath
- A visit to Stonehenge
- Private, deluxe, air-conditioned motorcoach while touring with free Wi-Fi.
Not Included
- Gratuities are included for services during the land stay of your vacation, except on Cosmos Lite vacations and unless otherwise noted. This includes wait staff at included meals, and porterage at hotels for one suitcase per person. Gratuities for your Tour Director, Local Hosts®, Local Guides, driver, and ship’s crew are not included in the vacation price (unless otherwise noted in pricing details) and are discretionary.
- All items of a personal nature (room service, beverages, telephone charges, laundry, special food requests, etc.) and meals not specified on the tour itinerary are not included and must be paid by the client.
- All rates exclude airfare unless expressly noted.
Meal Inclusions
Hotel Details
- Novotel London West Hotel in London, England (2 nights)
- Holiday Inn Leeds Garforth in Leeds, England (1 night)
- Jurys Inn Gateshead in Gateshead (New Castle), England (1 night)
- Courtyard Edinburgh West in Edinburgh, Scotland (2 nights)
- Ramada Plaza Wrexham in Wrexham, Wales (1 night)
- The Bonnington Dublin Hotel in Dublin, Ireland (2 nights)
- Auburn Lodge Hotel in Ennis, Ireland (1 night)
- Killarney Court Hotel in Killarney, Ireland (1 night)
- Majestic Hotel in Tramore-Waterford, Ireland (1 night)
- Novotel Cardiff Hotel in Cardiff, Wales (1 night)
- Holiday Inn London Kensington High Street in london, England (1 night)
- The hotels listed are intended to be used on all departures however Cosmos reserves the right to substitute other hotels than those listed. If a change becomes necessary for any reason, the hotel substituted will be of equivalent quality to those listed. No refunds are provided for hotel changes and full cancellation penalties apply.
Day 1
ARRIVE IN LONDON, ENGLAND Location Information Description
London, United Kingdom
Check into your hotel. In the afternoon, there’s time to rest or start exploring the lively British capital. Uniformed hosts are available to help you make the most of your stay.
Day 2
LONDON Location Information Description
London, United Kingdom
Today is free for 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. The highlight is a visit to St. Paul’s Cathedral, Sir Christopher Wren’s masterpiece built between 1675 and 1708. 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 Thames River.
Breakfast
Novotel London West Hotel
Day 3
OXFORD Location Information Description
Oxford, United Kingdom
Meet your Tour Director and traveling companions and depart at 8 am for Oxford. A walking tour takes in the colleges where Britain’s elite receive their outstanding education. Then, travel through the lovely Cotswold Hills to Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon. Take photos of Anne Hathaway's Cottage and explore the town at your own pace.
LEEDS Location Information Description
Leeds, United Kingdom
Overnight in Leeds this evening. Today’s Distance: 263 mi/ 423 km
Breakfast, Dinner
Holiday Inn Leeds Garforth
Day 4
YORK Location Information Description
York, United Kingdom
This morning, head north to York. Stand in front of the great structure of York Minster, then follow your Tour Director through a maze of quaint streets, including the narrow Shambles.
Durham Location Information Description
Durham, United Kingdom
Next, visit Durham, a captivating city with its dramatic cathedral and castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
NEWCASTLE Location Information Description
Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
Stop for the night in Newcastle. Today’s Distance: 118 mi/ 186 km
Breakfast, Dinner
Jurys Inn Gateshead
Day 5
NEWCASTLE–JEDBURGH, SCOTLAND–EDINBURGH Location Information Description
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
See a section of Hadrian’s Wall, then motor through wild Northumberland National Park to the Scottish border. Stop for photos at Jedburgh before arriving in Edinburgh. Here, sightseeing with a Local Guide introduces you to the 200-year-old “New Town.” In the “Old Town,” visit EDINBURGH CASTLE to admire Scotland’s Crown Jewels. A suggestion for this evening: a traditional Scottish night out with Highland dancers, bagpipers, and, of course, the Ceremony of the Haggis. Today’s Distance: 117 mi/ 188 km
Breakfast
Courtyard Edinburgh West Hotel
Day 6
EDINBURGH Location Information Description
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Your choice today: an optional morning excursion to Rosslyn Chapel, made world-famous by Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code, and also one of Scotland’s most remarkable buildings. You will have ample time to visit the 15th-century medieval chapel and the visitor center, and to take photographs of the ruins of Rosslyn Castle.
Later, another unique optional opportunity: board the former Royal Yacht Britannia, which was once the perfect royal residence for glittering state visits and family holidays. Tour five decks and see how the Royal Family and crew of 240 lived and worked on board.
Dinner rounds off this optional evening. For departure numbers 0802 through 0823, tickets are included for tonight’s performance of the world-renowned Military Tattoo.
Breakfast
Courtyard Edinburgh West Hotel
Day 7
GRETNA GREEN–LAKE DISTRICT, ENGLAND Location Information Description
Gretna Green, United Kingdom
South through the history-steeped Lowland Hills and a visit to Gretna Green, where the blacksmith used to wed runaway couples. Drive through beautiful scenery in the Lake District, considered to be the finest of England’s national parks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
CHESTER–WREXHAM, WALES Location Information Description
Chester, United Kingdom
In Chester, the historic county town on the Dee River, your walking tour takes in the Roman remains, black and white half-timbered buildings, and the two-tiered shopping arcades called the “Rows". Overnight in Wrexham, Wales Today’s Distance: 268 mi/ 431 km
Breakfast, Dinner
Ramada Plaza Wrexham
Day 8
SNOWDOWNIA NATIONAL PARK Location Information Description
Betws-y-coed, United Kingdom
A scenic North Wales drive through the incomparable landscapes of Snowdonia National Park brings you to lovely Betws-y-Coed. Then, head over spectacular Llanberis Pass and, finally, across Britannia Bridge to the Isle of Anglesey. Take your photos at tongue-twisting Llanfairpwllgwyngyll;
HOLYHEAD-DUBLIN Location Information Description
Dublin, Ireland
Board the ferry at Holyhead and cross the Irish Sea. Overnight in Dublin.
Breakfast
The Bonnington Dublin Hotel
Day 9
DUBLIN Location Information Description
Dublin, Ireland
A day in the “Fair City” starts off with an orientation drive through Eire’s capital and includes statue-lined O’Connell Street, elegant Georgian squares, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy Dublin at leisure. Why not join an optional dinner evening at the Guinness Storehouse?
Breakfast
The Bonnington Dublin Hotel
Day 10
GALWAY Location Information Description
Galway, Ireland
Head for dairy-farm country in the center of the “Emerald Isle". Stop in Galway, a popular seaside destination and a buzzing cosmopolitan center with colorful shops and a busy café and bar culture.
cliffs of moher Location Information Description
Cliffs of Moher, Ireland
Next, cross the limestone plateau of The Burren to visit the spectacular 668-foot Cliffs of Moher.
ENNIS Location Information Description
Ennis, Ireland
Then head for Ennis, in county Clare. Tonight’s optional opportunity: a medieval banquet at a historic castle. Today’s Distance: 214 mi/ 344 km
Breakfast
Auburn Lodge Hotel
Day 11
ADARE Location Information Description
Adare, Ireland
Stop for photos in Adare, a village known for its prize-winning thatched cottages and monastic ruins.
RING OF KERRY Location Information Description
Kerry, Ireland
In County Kerry, join the road known as the Ring of Kerry for a 100-mile coastal panoramic drive. Focus your camera on sparkling seascapes, mountains dotted with brightly colored farmhouses, winding lanes, and views of the Lakes of Killarney from Ladies View. Later, in Killarney, discover why this is such a popular resort.
KILLARNEY Location Information Description
Killarney/Ireland, Ireland
Later, in Killarney, discover why this is such a popular resort. Today’s Distance: 189 mi/ 304 km
Breakfast, Dinner
Killarney Court Hotel
Day 12
BLARNEY Location Information Description
Blarney, Ireland
Cross the Kerry Mountains and through County Cork to Blarney, famous for its magical Stone of Eloquence. Time to see the castle, and shop for Irish crafts and handmade crystal.
Tramore Location Information Description
Tramore, Ireland
Drive past Cork, the country’s second-largest city, and via Dungarvan to Tramore. Why not join an optional pub tour before dinner at your hotel? Today’s Distance: 131 mi/ 210 km
Breakfast, Dinner
Majestic Hotel
Day 13
CARDIFF Location Information Description
Cardiff, United Kingdom
An early start for the short drive to Rosslare. In just under four hours, you cross St. George’s Channel by ferry to South Wales. Continue through rich dairy farmland to Cardiff, where an orientation drive introduces you to the capital’s major attractions: Cardiff Castle, Cathays Park, Millennium Stadium, and the stately civic buildings. Tonight, why not join an evening of Welsh entertainment and dinner? Today’s Distance: 242 mi/ 390 km
Breakfast
Novotel Cardiff Hotel
Day 14
CARDIFF–BATH, ENGLAND–STONEHENGE–LONDON Location Information Description
London, United Kingdom
A day packed with highlights begins as you cross the spectacular Severn Bridge into England. Stop in the elegant Georgian city of Bath, famous for its Roman relics, before visiting Stonehenge, still an intriguing mystery. Explore the visitor center with its imaginative exhibitions, then admire the magnificence of the monument up close. After returning to London around 3:30 pm, how about celebrating the success of your tour with a night out on the town? Today’s Distance: 171 mi/ 275 km
Breakfast
Holiday Inn London-Kensington High Street
Day 15
LONDON Location Information Description
London, United Kingdom
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Breakfast
Important information:
Important Information
Cancellation Policy
- 45-22 days prior to commencement of services: 20% of total price*
- 21-8 days prior to commencement of services: 30% of total price*
- 7-1 days prior to commencement of services: 50% of total price*
- On departure day and later: 100% of total price*
- *Total price does not include any Instant Purchase Air or Instant Purchase Air service fees, which are non-refundable after 24 hours from purchase. Intra-vacation air is non-refundable after final payment.
- Cancellation fees may also apply to any additional services, including extra night accommodations, independently supplied services, and optional excursions reserved prior to, during, and after the tour. If flight changes, including, but not limited to, flight cancellations or name changes, are requested after full land and air deposits are received, revision fees, change fees, or airline cancellation fees will apply.
- In many instances, airline revision or change fees can be up to $300, but in some instances may be up to 100% of the ticket price. Cancellation penalties will be quoted at time of cancellation.
- All cancellations must be received in writing prior to tour departure. The cancellation policy will apply according to the date that the cancellation notification is received. The MINIMUM cancellation penalty is the deposit amount.
- The purchase to trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended.
Terms and Conditions
- Land only “from price” is per person based on two people sharing a room together and does not include airfare unless expressly stated.
- All prices are in US Dollars.
- A $250 non-refundable, non-transferable, per-person, per-vacation deposit is required to reserve space for you, with some limited exceptions, as noted below. Payment of the deposit indicates you have read and accepted theseall Terms & Conditions. Your booking is not confirmed until the deposit payment is processed and you receive a confirmation invoice.
- Final payment is due 45 days prior to departure, with some limited exceptions, as noted below. Within the final payment date, payment in full is required at time of booking to reserve space. Reservations (land, cruise, and air) are canceled if final payment is not received by the due date. The payment policy may vary for group reservations.
- Additional deposits or payments are required for international air added to the start and/or end of your vacation and/or for intra-vacation air, as specified in the itinerary (“air-inclusive vacations”). Air-inclusive vacation pricing is guaranteed upon receipt of full land plus air deposit or land deposit plus full airfare price, depending on type of airfare purchased (Flex-Air or Instant Purchase Air).
- For complete terms and conditions please visit the Globus Terms & Conditions for more information.