Great Britain & Ireland | Classic | | 2024/2025

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Great Britain & Ireland | Classic | | 2024/2025



Tour Description:

Cross the Irish sea, explore historic cities shrouded in folklore and mystery, gawp at Ireland's breathtaking landscapes and appreciate a culture of cool from as far back as the Beatles. Through London, York, Glasgow, Liverpool, Dublin and more, this 16-day tour of Britain and Ireland includes entrance into awe-inspiring attractions aplenty, including puckering up for the Blarney stone, cruising across Loch Ness and enjoying your very own Liverpool City Tour. It'll be love at first London site.

Map for Great Britain & Ireland | Classic | | 2024/2025
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Dates & Pricing

Monday 23 Dec 24 — Tuesday 07 Jan 25Starting at $4,142Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Friday 27 Dec 24 — Saturday 11 Jan 25Starting at $3,353Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Saturday 28 Dec 24 — Sunday 12 Jan 25Starting at $2,762Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Tuesday 07 Jan 25 — Wednesday 22 Jan 25Starting at $3,596Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Tuesday 21 Jan 25 — Wednesday 05 Feb 25Starting at $3,253Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Tuesday 11 Feb 25 — Wednesday 26 Feb 25Starting at $2,568Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Thursday 27 Feb 25 — Friday 14 Mar 25Starting at $2,568Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Tuesday 11 Mar 25 — Wednesday 26 Mar 25Starting at $3,253Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Check Mark Icon Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.


Destination & Sightseeing

Dining Summary
5 Dinner (D)
15 Breakfast (B)

FAQs
London: Travelling to (and through) the UK & Northern Ireland? You’ll need Essential Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)From January 8, 2025, UK law means that if you’re entering/transiting through the United Kingdom (UK) and Northern Ireland you’ll need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before you travel. Confused? Don’t be – just read on here.
London: What currency do I need? For this trip, you’ll need just two currencies - the British Pound and the Euro.

Included Experience
Liverpool: One for fans of The Beatles. Walk in the footsteps of the Fab Four and see all the iconic landmarks on this jaunt around Liverpool.
York Minster: Explore this historic city and get to know its Viking and Roman roots. Check out highlights such as Clifford's Tower and York Minster.
St. Andrews: If you like golf, you’ll love St Andrews. But if you think it spoils a nice walk in the park, there’s also Swilcan Bridge.
Stirling: Explore the sights of Stirling and get a selfie with the memorial to the iconic Scottish knight.
Loch Ness: Sit back, relax and cruise along the loch with your Contiki crew. But keep your eyes peeled and camera ready for mythical ‘Nessie’.
Fort William: Heads up ‘Potterheads’. Keep your eyes peeled for the Hogwarts Express.
Blarney Castle: Your chance to kiss the Blarney Stone and get the ‘gift of the gab’. And to visit the medieval Irish castle.
Cliffs of Moher: These rugged, photogenic cliffs have been the star of many films, including a Harry Potter one.
Galway: Tread the cobbles of this well-loved Irish city with your new Contiki crew. See Lynch’s Castle, Eyre Square and all the best pubs.
Derry/Londonderry: One for the history fans. Take a look around Ireland’s only walled city, built in the 17th Century.
Giant's Causeway: Sure, rock formations may sound a bit dull on paper, but this quirky natural wonder has to be seen to be believed.
Belfast: Hang with a local guide to see all the landmarks and learn about the city’s checkered history.

ITINERARY

London to Manchester via Liverpool
Good morning dear Londonites! And welcome to your 16-day deep dive into all things Great Britain & Ireland. Big things are just around the corner. So big we've nicknamed one of them Big Ben. Chat all things Beatlemania & football in your best Scouse accent – this is the call of the day as we pull up in lively Liverpool. Tonight we’ll bed down in Manchester – Liverpool’s neighbouring city and fellow home of musical royalty. Dinner’s included tonight and after that, you’re free to explore. Just remember that toniiiiiight, you’re a rock and roll star.

Manchester to York
Lap up your last dose of Manchester before we go back to the time of the Vikings... in the traditional walled city of York. 2,000 years of history will unfold upon us as we amble down narrow lanes of York, exploring the Minster, the Shambles and Clifford’s Tower. For fans of folklore, sign up to a night of ghostly horrors and dark alleyways & prepare to be spooked.

York to Carlisle via Lake District
Even if the ghosts of York kept you awake all night, you're going to need to rise and shine and wave goodbye to the Harry Potter like setting of this ancient city. Whatever you do, don't Google this place before we arrive. It will spoil the surprise of its unfathomable beauty. Endless green hills, 16 serene lakes & streets of stone homes will have you pining for the country life. End the day in quaint and charming Carlisle, England's northern-most town before Scotland! Nothing like the northern air to cosy up and wake as fresh as a daisy the next morning for all our activities.

Carlisle to Edinburgh via Hadrian's Wall
Today we are in for some border hopping along the English/Scottish border to see the sights on our way to Edinburgh! But first we'll take a spectacular drive this morning to the Roman Empire’s impressive Hadrian’s Wall as well as English country charm in abundance. Back in the 21st Century we'll find ourselves in Edinburgh, a city that, although still simmering in ancient history, comes alive with music festivals, a rousing creative scene & fun bars. Top the day off with a Scottish meal, complete with a traditional bagpiper.

Edinburgh
Today is yours to roam free - but if you want to get the low down on the history of this city why not join our local guide for an optional tour of Edinburgh Castle (which is resting on an extinct volcano!!) to kickstart your love affair with this city. Or maybe you'll do a spot of tartan shopping on Princes Street or indulge in some whisky tasting.

Edinburgh to Inverness via St Andrews and Stirling
It's time to blaze a trail out of Edinburgh & head for Inverness. On the way to the main affair of the day we'll stop by St. Andrews, the birthplace of golf, would you believe? As well as Scotland’s oldest university town. We make a stop in Stirling, known for its famous Castle nestled right on a hill, and the town where William Wallace took on the English and yelled "Freeeedom!" Already blown away by the beauty of the rugged mountain scenery en route, we'll arrive in Inverness amped up for mystical tales.

Inverness via Loch Ness and Aviemore
We might be coming down from a high (geographically speaking) this morning, but as we seek out the stunning Loch Ness and Glenfinnan Viaduct, the mood will only be rising. We'll stop to see lovely Loch Ness, the most voluminous lake in the UK - containing more water than all the lakes of England and Wales combined! It's also rumoured to contain something else, something far more legendary which you're sure to have heard of... We'll also check out Aviemore, a picturesque jewel in the Cairngorms' crown - home to lochs, mountain trails and plenty of panoramic views. With breath-taking scenery still in mind, today's sights will leave you more than content with your day's discoveries.

Inverness to Glasgow
After a few days of remote and rugged goodness, a change of pace in Scotland's biggest city is sure to fire things up a notch. Feast your eyes on the railway viaduct – once a calling stop for the magical Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter films and the breathtaking waters of Loch Shiel, which seems to stretch on endlessly. Get involved with everything great about Glasgow. Live music on every corner, a gothic cathedral & plenty of quirky characters make this city unique. Tonight, you have the option to sign up for a delicious home-cooked meal for a truly local Glaswegian experience.

Glasgow to Dublin
Scotland, you've been unreal. If Ireland puts on half the show you did, we have many happy days ahead of us. We arrive in the port town of Larne, your first steps on Northern Irish soil, but not for long... So much more than the capital city, Dublin is a place of heritage, character, and more cute pubs than you could crawl in a week.  End the day with a lively night of festivities at the cobbled lanes of Temple Bar.

Dublin to Clonmel
That's us done with Dublin…for now. But fear not Dub-lovers, we'll get another taste of this fine place before our trip comes to an end. Break up your coach hangs with some bicycle time in a city sure to leave you wanting Irish in your blood. Explore the castle, a cathedral and take in all of the medieval charm that Kilkenny has to offer before we hit the road again. Welcome to Clonmel! But not before the chance to sample some of Ireland's famous whiskey at the Jameson's Distillery in Midleton. After we arrive in the evening, we'll tuck into an included dinner and then head off into town together to explore.

Clonmel to Galway
Clonmel, it's been fun, but we have to leave you now. Next up, we're off to an Irish city that was propelled into the pop culture stratosphere by none other than Ed Sheeran. Anyone wanna guess where? Irish folklore tells us there's a chunk of limestone built into a castle that grants its kissers the gift of the gab. Pucker up kids, we're paying her a visit! Whether heights are your cup of Irish Breakfast or not, these impressive cliff faces are not to be missed! From the moment we arrive in Galway, you'll understand why 2 nights were needed here. Everything you've dreamed Ireland to be is tucked into this small, atmospheric city. Step into a local pub and down Irish stew over live music and chats with locals. Outside will be just as lively, with buskers & colourful buildings lining the streets.

Galway
Try your tongue at some Gaelic and carry on exploring gorgeous Galway. Head up to Dún Aonghasa (the ruins of a prehistoric fortress) - make sure you take photos, this area is not for the faint-hearted! Irish life, you so sweet.

Galway to Derry/Londonderry
Goodbye Galway, hello more Irish eye-candy. Here the 17th century walls stand at 8 metres high speaking of times gone by when this area was in battle. Times may have changed, but we're still keen to soak up the history and learn a thing or two from our wise Local Guide.

Derry/Londonderry to Belfast
Today we've got a one way ticket to Belfast and a whole lot more exploration to do. UNESCO World Heritage site of the Giant’s Causeway - also known as those giant rock columns you've probably drooled over on Pinterest, needs to be seen to be believed. Get those hashtags ready, a snap with the group is essential on the mind-blowing natural formation. Next up - we'll arrive in Belfast. Concluding the day will be a driving tour and a trip to the Titanic museum where the world's most famous ship was built.

Belfast to Dublin
With one night left in Ireland and on tour, we're on the fast track to Dublin where our Irish fairytale first began. A promise is a promise. Here we are back in the city that started our Ireland infatuations. Use this second stint to do your missed critical activities such as visiting the Guinness Storehouse where you can learn how to pull a pint the Irish way. Tonight you can choose to end your week in Ireland at a Free Time Add-On farewell dinner.

Dublin to London
We leave Ireland today with leprechauns in our hearts and memories in our souls. Enjoy the roll back to London town as it will be the last bout our crew has together. We've crossed the Irish Sea, motored through Wales, passed the town of try-to-say-it-out-loud Llanfairpwllgwyngyll, and now we are back in London. That's all folks! Pass the tissues, say your goodbyes, and make plans for your next adventure. Unless, of course, there's talk of a reunion tour. Greek Islands, anyone?

Check Mark Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.