Insight > Britain and Ireland Explorer

Britain and Ireland Explorer
17 Days starting from $3,399

Countries Visited:
England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland

 

Length: 17 Days
Type: First Class Tour
Category: Britain and Ireland
Operator: Insight
Tour Code: B904
   
 
About This Tour


A well paced tour with two-night stays in the contrasting cities of Edinburgh, Dublin and Killarney; plus a variation in pace with two different Irish ferry crossings to Dublin and from Rosslare.

 
  • What's Included
  • Itinerary
  • Dates & Prices
  • Sightseeing Highlights
  • SPECIALS

Insight's First Class Services

  • Escorted by a professional Tour Director (hosted by Insight staff in London)
  • Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with onboard toilet
  • Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage
  • Insight Traveler document wallet, map book journal and information packLondon airport arrival and departure transfer

Quality Dining

  • Traditional Highland Dinner with Scottish entertainment (HD)
  • 2 Continental (CB) & 13 full Breakfasts (B) and 5 three-course Evening Meals with choice, or buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)

17 Days ~ England ~ Scotland ~ Wales ~ Ireland

Tour Pace
A well paced tour with two-night stays in the contrasting cities of Edinburgh, Dublin and Killarney; plus a variation in pace with two different Irish ferry crossings to Dublin and from Rosslare.

DAY 1 – DEPART USA
Overnight flight to London.

DAY 2 – ARRIVE LONDON
Welcome to London! On arrival you are transferred to your London tour hotel.
Hotel: Thistle Marble Arch.

DAY 3 – LONDON SIGHTSEEING
Your half day sightseeing tour shows you Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. The afternoon is free to explore or shop. (B)

DAY 4 – LONDON – YORK
After a warm welcome from your Tour Director, drive through the Oxfordshire countryside into the ‘heart of England’ to Stratford-upon-Avon to visit the birthplace of the Bard, William Shakespeare. Head north to York, the ancient capital of Viking Britain, and see history unfold before your eyes as you pass the crooked houses of the ‘Shambles’ to reach York Minster, England’s largest medieval cathedral. Settle into the hotel with a Welcome Drink with your fellow travelers.
Hotel: Quality. (CB,D)

DAY 5 – YORK – EDINBURGH
Stop off in Durham to see the castle and the fine Romanesque cathedral before moving on to see Hadrian’s Wall, Britain’s most impressive Roman monument. Cross the wild Northumberland moors into Scotland, passing Jedburgh Abbey and the house of the ill-fated Mary Queen of Scots en route to the capital of Edinburgh, your base for two nights.
Hotel: Royal Terrace. (B)

DAY 6 – EDINBURGH SIGHTSEEING
A guided tour visits the castle which dominates the city from its rocky crag, and drives down the Royal Mile, past the venerable St Giles’ Cathedral, to see the Queen’s Holyroodhouse Palace before crossing over to the 18th century New Town. The afternoon provides time to shop on Princes Street. Tonight, selected departures enjoy the Military Tattoo – a colorful mixture of historic battles and modern military manoeuvres, complete with pipes and drums. (B)

DAY 7 – EDINBURGH – HIGHLANDS
Cross the Firth of Forth to St Andrews, where golf was born in the 15th century, before heading to Perth to visit the famous Caithness Glass Factory. Later, visit a whisky distillery where the local water, the finest malt and age-old skills combine to produce a ‘wee dram’ for you to taste. Cross the Grampian Mountains for a warm Highland welcome at your hotel in Newtonmore. Enjoy a Highlight Dinner with haggis, accompanied by the sound of the bagpipes.
Hotel: Highlander. (B,HD)

DAY 8 – HIGHLANDS – LAKE DISTRICT
Mountains and glens greet you as you drive through dramatic Glencoe. On the ‘bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond’ you’ll board a guided Highlight cruise on one of Scotland’s most beautiful lochs. Afterwards, continue south through Glasgow into the Southern Uplands of Scotland before crossing the border to arrive at your hotel in the beautiful English Lake District.
Hotel: Windermere Hydro. (B,D)

DAY 9 – LAKE DISTRICT – WARRINGTON
Time to enjoy the beauty of the Lake District, its fells, lakes and valleys combining to make it one of England’s best loved regions. There is time take a cruise on Lake Windermere, before stopping in Grasmere where the Lakeland poet William Wordsworth is buried. Then it’s on to Warrington for the evening.
Hotel: Daresbury Park. (B,D)

DAY 10 – WARRINGTON – DUBLIN
Step back into Roman times in Chester, where you will see the city’s ancient encircling walls and its remarkable 13th century black and white galleried ‘Rows’, now shopping arcades. Continue into Wales, glimpsing the massive Conwy Castle before crossing the Menai Straits to pass through the world-famous village with the very Welsh name of Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch. From Holyhead, sail across the sea to Ireland and its capital, Dublin, for a two-night stay.
Hotel: Quality/Academy Plaza. (B)

DAY 11 – DUBLIN SIGHTSEEING
A local guide will show you Dublin’s elegant Georgian squares and the impressive castle, which you will visit (if open). Also see the Irish President’s home in Phoenix Park, famous O’Connell Street and the Customs House. The afternoon is yours to shop in Grafton Street or to continue sightseeing. In the evening, consider an Irish cabaret show and dinner. (B)

DAY 12 – DUBLIN – KILLARNEY
Drive to County Kildare, Ireland’s premier thoroughbred horse region, for a guided tour of the National Stud, and admire the adjoining Japanese Gardens. View one of the great sights of Ireland, the Rock of Cashel, as you cross the rolling pastures which encircle Tipperary, which is immortalised in the famous song, before continuing on to Killarney.
Hotel: Killarney Avenue & Towers. (B,D)

DAY 13 – RING OF KERRY EXCURSION
An excursion takes you around the magical Ring of Kerry, a world of towering cliffs, lush lake lands and remote villages. Pass through Ireland’s highest mountain range, and enjoy a sense of the unhurried pace of Irish life as you reach the three peaceful Lakes of Killarney. Later, perhaps take an optional ride with the locals on one of Killarney’s jaunting cars. (B)

DAY 14 – KILLARNEY – WATERFORD
Cross the rugged Derrynasaggart Mountains to Blarney, and visit the woollen mill and the ancient castle, where you’ll never be lost for words after kissing the famous Blarney Stone. Travel on through the scenic port of Dungarvan to Waterford, where you can admire a sparkling display of crystal before settling into your hotel for the night.
Hotel: Dooleys. (B,D)

DAY 15 – WATERFORD – CARDIFF
Drive to Rosslare to take the ferry across the Irish Sea to Pembroke. Continue past the valleys of South Wales to the Welsh capital, Cardiff, famous for its imposing castle and the brilliant Millennium Stadium.
Hotel: Copthorne. (B)

DAY 16 – CARDIFF – LONDON
Cross the Severn bridge, spanning the Bristol channel between Wales and England, then on to the Georgian streets of Bath where you visit the Roman Baths. Cross Salisbury Plain to visit mysterious Stonehenge before returning to London.
Hotel: Thistle Marble Arch. (B)

DAY 17 – RETURN TO USA
Your tour ends with transfers to the airport. (CB)


To speak to one of our live, experienced travel consultants, Call us now at 1-800-942-3301.

Airfare Disclaimer
A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link.

Documents
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

         
Touring Date
Land Only
Land + Air
Single
(Land Only)
Single
(Land + Air)
4/9/2009 - 4/25/2009
$3,625
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4/16/2009 - 5/2/2009
$3,690
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4/23/2009 - 5/9/2009
$3,725
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4/25/2009 - 5/11/2009
$3,750
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4/30/2009 - 5/16/2009
$3,750
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5/2/2009 - 5/18/2009
$3,750
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5/7/2009 - 5/23/2009
$3,750
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5/9/2009 - 5/25/2009
$3,750
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5/14/2009 - 5/30/2009
$3,750
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5/16/2009 - 6/1/2009
$3,750
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5/21/2009 - 6/6/2009
$3,750
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5/23/2009 - 6/8/2009
$3,750
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5/28/2009 - 6/13/2009
$3,750
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5/30/2009 - 6/15/2009
$3,750
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6/4/2009 - 6/20/2009
$3,750
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6/6/2009 - 6/22/2009
$3,750
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6/11/2009 - 6/27/2009
$3,750
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6/13/2009 - 6/29/2009
$3,750
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6/18/2009 - 7/4/2009
$3,750
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6/20/2009 - 7/6/2009
$3,775
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6/25/2009 - 7/11/2009
$3,775
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6/27/2009 - 7/13/2009
$3,775
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7/2/2009 - 7/18/2009
$3,775
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7/4/2009 - 7/20/2009
$3,775
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7/9/2009 - 7/25/2009
$3,775
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7/11/2009 - 7/27/2009
$3,775
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7/16/2009 - 8/1/2009
$3,775
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7/18/2009 - 8/3/2009
$3,775
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7/23/2009 - 8/8/2009
$3,775
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7/25/2009 - 8/10/2009
$3,775
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7/30/2009 - 8/15/2009
$3,775
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8/1/2009 - 8/17/2009
$3,775
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8/6/2009 - 8/22/2009
$3,835
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8/8/2009 - 8/24/2009
$3,835
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8/13/2009 - 8/29/2009
$3,835
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8/15/2009 - 8/31/2009
$3,835
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8/20/2009 - 9/5/2009
$3,825
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8/22/2009 - 9/7/2009
$3,825
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8/27/2009 - 9/12/2009
$3,750
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8/29/2009 - 9/14/2009
$3,750
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9/3/2009 - 9/19/2009
$3,750
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9/5/2009 - 9/21/2009
$3,750
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9/10/2009 - 9/26/2009
$3,750
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9/12/2009 - 9/28/2009
$3,750
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9/17/2009 - 10/3/2009
$3,750
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9/24/2009 - 10/10/2009
$3,690
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10/1/2009 - 10/17/2009
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Hotels
The hotels on this tour vary from modern and conveniently located hotels like the Quality in both York and Dublin, to the beautifully located Windermere Hydro in the Lake District and the simple style of the Highlander in Scotland.

Fellow Passengers
Experienced and first-time travelers will all enjoy this tour as it is a comprehensive introduction to the highlights of England, Scotland and Ireland – especially for those with a love of the history and tradition.

Highlights
The Scottish experience with a beautiful cruise on Loch Lomond and bagpipes at the Highland evening, the unhurried pace and beauty of Ireland and the delights of the English countryside are all memorable.

Enjoy our Premium Highlights plus these extra tour features

Excursions & Sights

  • See all the sights of London’s West End including Buckingham Palace
  • Enter York’s medieval city walls to see the Minster & the tilting houses of the ‘Shambles’
  • See Durham’s Castle and fine Romanesque Cathedral
  • See part of the Roman built Hadrian’s Wall
  • See Jedburgh’s ruined Abbey Cross Edinburgh’s New Town & drive the Royal Mile to Holyroodhouse Palace
  • Visit St Andrews to see the famous golf course
  • Visit Caithness Glass FactoryTour a Whisky Distillery, including a taste
  • Drive through dramatic Glencoe
  • Stop in the scenic Lake District town of Grasmere to visit Wordsworth’s grave
  • See Chester’s ‘Rows’ & city walls
  • See the Customs House
  • See the Rock of Cashel Kiss the stone at Blarney Castle
  • Visit Waterford Crystal showroom
  • See Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium and Castle
  • Cross the mighty Severn bridge
  • Scenic drives – English Lake District, Ring of Kerry, Scottish Highlands, Grampian Mountains

Guided City Tours

  • In-depth sightseeing tours in London, Edinburgh & DublinOrientation tours in Stratford, York, Durham, Chester, Bath, & Waterford

Insight's First Class Services

  • Escorted by a professional Tour Director (hosted by Insight staff in London)
  • Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with onboard toilet
  • Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage
  • Insight Traveler document wallet, map book journal and information packLondon airport arrival and departure transfer

Quality Dining

  • Traditional Highland Dinner with Scottish entertainment (HD)
  • 2 Continental (CB) & 13 full Breakfasts (B) and 5 three-course Evening Meals with choice, or buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)

CURRENT SPECIALS:

Great Savings and Discounts

EARLY PAYMENT DISCOUNTS

SAVE UP TO 10%: Insight sells its tours in many countries worldwide so the most popular tours fill very quickly. Don’t be disappointed, book early! You’ll be assured of the tours you want, andthe earlier you pay, the more you SAVE!

Here’s how...

Pay 4 months prior to tour departure date to SAVE 2.5%

Pay 7 months prior to tour departure date to SAVE 5%

Pay 10 months prior to tour departure date to SAVE 7.5%

Pay 12 months prior to tour departure date to SAVE 10%

Tours must be paid in full for this discount to apply. Discounts apply to the land-only portion of your tour. Tour prices may change in future brochures. Exceptions: 1. Does not apply to additional accommodation, airfares or flight supplements, Easy Pace London & Countryside, Easy Pace London & Paris, Easy Pace London, Paris & Rome, Egypt tours, Israel tours, Jordan tours, the 3 Night Greek Island Cruise & Athens Extension, and Greek tours which include a Mediterranean cruise. 2. Does not apply to tours with River Cruises.

FAMILY SAVINGS

YOUNG TRAVELLERS SAVE 10% AGED 5-17 YEARS :Travel broadens the mind and enhances those special relationships. Insight offers you the opportunity of

sharing your happy holiday memories with your children or grandchildren. This discount applies to the Land Only portion of your tour. Young Travellers must be under the age of 18 years old on the tour departure date, and MUST be accompanied by an adult (limit of one Young Traveller Discount per room). On all escorted tours, children under 5 years old are NOT accepted. The Young Traveller must be the specified age at the time of travel to be eligible for this discount. This discount cannot be combined with our Groups Discount. Exceptions: 1. Does not apply to additional accommodation, airfares or flight supplements, Easy Pace London & Countryside, Easy Pace London & Paris, Easy Pace London, Paris & Rome, Egypt tours, Israel tours, Jordan tours, the 3 Night Greek Island Cruise & Athens Extension,

and Greek tours which include a Mediterranean cruise. 2. Does not apply to tours with River Cruises.

GROUP DISCOUNTS

5 OR MORE – SAVE 5%: If a group of 5 to 8 people travel together a discount of 5% per person applies to the Land Only portion of your tour. So it pays to get together with your family and friends!

SAVE $$$ FOR 9 OR MORE : If you have a group of 9 or more people travelling together on the same scheduled tour, then you automatically qualify for big savings! Your savings will be determined by the number of people travelling so ask call for details. You may also reserve a tour departure exclusively for your group! Some restrictions apply. Please contact our Groups Department 1-866-475-7023.

These discounts cannot be combined with Frequent Traveller, Family Savings or Triple Room Discounts. To qualify, names of all passengers travelling must be advised to Insight at the time of booking. Exceptions: 1. Does not apply to additional accommodation, airfares or flight supplements, Easy Pace London & Countryside, Easy Pace London & Paris, Easy Pace London, Paris & Rome, Egypt tours, Israel tours, Jordan tours, the 3 Night Greek Island Cruise & Athens Extension,

and Greek tours which include a Mediterranean cruise. 2. Does not apply to tours with River Cruises.  

SINGLE TRAVELLER SAVING

SAVE UP TO $2850 PER PERSON with Insight’s Room Mate Matching service Insight believes travelling solo should not cost you more! That’s why for people travelling alone on an Insight coach tour, we'll match you with someone of the same gender, so you don't have to pay the single room supplement. If we fail to match you, we'll provide a single room at no extra cost. Please note there is a no-smoking policy in all shared rooms. Exceptions: 1. Does not apply to additional accommodation, airfares or flight supplements, Easy Pace London & Countryside, Easy Pace London & Paris, Easy Pace London, Paris & Rome, Egypt tours, Israel tours, Jordan tours, the 3 Night Greek Island Cruise & Athens Extension, and Greek tours which include a Mediterranean cruise. 2. Does not apply to tours with River Cruises. 3. Does not apply to Irish Elegance.

TRIPLE ROOM DISCOUNTS: When three people travel together and share one room,

each of the three enjoys a discount off the tour price. See the Triple Room Reductions on the itinerary of your choice. This discount only applies to tours featuring the “Share a Triple Room” reduction on the itinerary pages. Note the third bed will, on occasions, be a foldaway.

FREQUENT TRAVELLER SAVING

SAVE 5% OFF YOUR NEXT TOUR: Most first-time travellers go on vacation with Insight again and again. In recognition of our loyal customers, Insight now extends to all clients automatic membership into our Premier Plus Club, as well as a 5% Discount off the Land portion of their next Insight trip. Insight’s Premier Plus Club & 5% Discount is not available retroactively. Only one voucher is available per person, per tour, per year and only one voucher can be redeemed against each further tour

booking. This discount cannot be combined with our Groups Discount.  Exceptions: 1. Does not apply to additional accommodation, airfares or flight supplements, Easy Pace London & Countryside, Easy Pace London & Paris, Easy Pace London, Paris & Rome, Egypt tours, Israel tours, Jordan tours, the 3 Night Greek Island Cruise & Athens Extension, and Greek tours which include a Mediterranean cruise.

EXTRA TOUR DISCOUNTS

SAVE $$$ON YOUR 2ND TOUR: Book two Insight vacations, each 7 days or longer and you will receive a reduction of 5%off the cheaper of the two tours. Both tours must be booked at the same time. This discount is per person.

COMPLIMENTARY TRANSFERS: Save up to $135 per couple on LONDON taxi fares

FREE LONDON RETURN : Passengers taking the 'Land only' option on our Discovery

tours may return to London by Insight motorcoach at NO EXTRA CHARGE, instead of departing from Paris. Offer applies to the final day of the following Discovery tours:  E920, E910, E933, E914, E912, E913, E916 & G916. Accommodations will be

required, as arrival in London is late afternoon/early evening.

SMALL GROUPS ADVANTAGE : Many tour operators fill their tours with up to 53 passengers. This means more congestion and less leg room on the coach as seats are configured more closely. At Insight we have a

maximum of only 40 guests per tour.

INSIGHT'S GUARANTEES

PRICE GUARANTEE: With Insight, you don’t need to worry about currency fluctuations. Once we receive your full deposit, your land tour price is guaranteed and protected against any increases. (Excludes pre-registration for tours in future brochures and any imposed fuel surcharges or Government Taxes.

TOUR GUARANTEE FOR LAND TRAVEL: To assist you when booking our airline offers and taking our great early payment savings, Insight has designated a large number of tours which we guarantee will operate on the scheduled date, unless circumstances occur beyond our control. Look for Tour Guarantee (TG symbol) on the itinerary of your choice indicating applicable dates. All other featured departures are planned to operate however, for operational reasons, may be subject to re- scheduling with at least 50 days notice (between May 1st & September 30th).


   
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