ESSENTIAL BRITAIN AND IRELAND

Posted on by Kenneth Reece, Agent of Modern Travel Professionals

Don’t think you can see the top sights of Britain and Ireland in 10 days? Sharpen your pencils to cross off your bucket-list destinations in five fabulous countries. A jolly good time awaits in England, Scotland, and Wales, plus both territories of Ireland, as you explore the lively capital cities of each and the thatched-roof-dotted countryside in between. Coast through rolling hills, ferry across legendary waterways, and skip down cobblestone streets to discover the wonders of Stonehenge, Waterford, York, and more on this essential tour of Britain and Ireland. Along the way, you’ll drink in the sights of fairytale castles and storybook settings as well as the locally brewed ales, strong Irish coffees, and perfectly aged Scotch whiskies passionately poured in every pub. Factor in time to shop for bits and bobs and taste local favorites like fish and chips, and you’d be off your trolley not to come along!

June 2023 Photo: Kenneth Reece

All This. Included.

We’ve packed everything you need for the perfect vacation—from hand-selected hotels and dining to the friendly expertise of Globus Tour Directors and Local Guides (with headsets to hear every word), to seamless transportation between destinations and VIP access to the world’s most iconic sites! Touring by private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi.

Globus takes you beyond the guidebooks with more ways to discover each destination.

  1. Every Globus tour includes their exclusive Local Favorites, specially included to share the authentic experiences that make each destination unique. Get to know the locals and local flavors you might just miss on your own!
  2. Discover something unexpected and unforgettable in the special way only Globus can share—with sightseeing highlights to off-the-beaten-path surprises to out-of-this world moments you’ll remember for a lifetime!
  3. Explore or relax as you please, or choose exciting options available at MyGlobus. Get local maps and free time tips on your GlobusGO mobile app. Your Tour Director can suggest the perfect way to design your day!
At Globus, we create tours with just the right balance of included features – from Local Favorites to VIP access at must-see sites – and free time. We’re all about hidden gems, not hidden charges. That’s why we throw in more visits, toss in more experiences and include more sightseeing, all in the price of the tour package. We also rest where the action is. Every Globus tour itinerary features hotels in the heart of each destination. And, when you know the ropes of travel, you also know how to get in front of them. We work hard behind the scenes to get our travelers front and center at the world’s greatest sights. As a result, we minimize lines and wait times. Plus, with the world’s best Tour Directors leading the way, we maximize the scene, scenery and overall enjoyment for each and every traveler.

Globus takes you beyond the guidebooks with more ways to discover each destination.

 Local Favorites Every Globus tour includes our exclusive Local Favorites, specially included to share the authentic experiences that make each destination unique. Get to know the locals and local flavors you might just miss on your own!

Tour Highlights Discover something unexpected and unforgettable in the special way only Globus can share—with sightseeing highlights to off-the-beaten-path surprises to out-of-this world moments you’ll remember for a lifetime!

Enhanced Free Time Explore or relax as you please, or choose exciting options available at MyGlobus. Get local maps and free time tips on your GlobusGO mobile app. Your Tour Director can suggest the perfect way to design your day!

DAY ONE: Arrive in London, England

Welcome to London!

Uniformed Globus Hosts will be waiting to welcome you. Free time this afternoon.

DAY TWO: London-Stonehenge-Bath-Newport, Wales

Ancient Stones & Spa Days

LONDON Meet your Tour Director and travel companions at 8 am and drive to Stonehenge.
STONEHENGE Visit the prehistoric monument.
BATH Visit the excavations of the Roman Baths.

Breakfast & Dinner are included today.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT

CULTURAL GEMS The traditions of one ancient Roman ritual are in full flow in Bath. Amid the remarkable Roman and Georgian architecture and the best-preserved Roman Baths of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, a good spa day is never hard to find in one of the “Best Spa Towns in Europe.” The city of Bath sits above geothermal springs that bubble up from the limestone below. Bath also turns up the heat with some of Britain’s grandest Georgian buildings, a mecca for elite 18th-century society.

June 2016

DAY THREE: Newport-Cardiff-Waterford, Ireland

Welsh Dragons, Daffodils & Castles

CARDIFF Morning visit to Cardiff Castle.
PEMBROKE Ferry crossing St. George’s Channel to Rosslare.

Breakfast & Dinner are included today.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT

CAPITAL CITY Explore the Welsh capital, see many historic buildings and discover its 2,000-year history of invasions, abductions and conflicts from 1st century AD when the Romans built the first series of forts.

DAY FOUR: Waterford-Kilkenny-Dublin

Cut Glass & Cobblestones

WATERFORD Take a guided tour of the House of Waterford Crystal.
KILKENNY See one of Ireland’s most quaint towns with medieval cobblestones.

Breakfast is included today.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT

ART & ARCHITECTURE Discover over 800 years of Irish history at Kilkenny Castle, walk the halls of art and artifacts and browse the walls of tapestries and treasures in this unique landmark building that was home to the Butler family for centuries.

While we include many excursions and must-see sights on your trip, you may wish to explore other options to enhance your free time. Below is a selection of excursions that may be available for purchase on your tour.

DAY FIVE: Dublin

Ireland’s Capital City

DUBLIN Take a morning orientation drive to see O’Connell Street, Georgian squares, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and Trinity College. Free time this afternoon.

Breakfast is included today.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT

CITY SIGHTS “In Dublin’s fair city where girls are so pretty” you’ll also find great personality and charm. The charisma of Dubliners and the bounty of pubs here is matched only by the gorgeous Georgian Squares, 12th-century St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and the legendary library of Trinity College.

DAY SIX: Dublin-Belfast, Northern Ireland-Edinburgh, Scotland

Irish Crossings

BELFAST Pause at the magnificent City Hall before crossing the North Channel to Scotland’s Cairnryan.

Breakfast is included today.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT

CITY SIGHTS Northern Ireland’s capital city of Belfast has seen its share of the ‘Troubles’ but its tenacity, tireless industry and timeless traditions are easy to see. Hear how shipbuilding ruled and Irish linen was king. In the port city where the Titanic was built, a bold rebirth of arts and architecture thrive amid historic castles and churches drawing visitors from around the globe.

DAY SEVEN: Edinburgh

Drummers, Pipers & Precious Jewels

EDINBURGH Morning city sightseeing with a Local Guide includes the New Town, the Old Town, and a visit to Edinburgh Castle to see Scotland’s Crown Jewels. Free time this afternoon.
EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO Attend the world-renowned Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo performance. (Departures July 27 through August 18 only).

Breakfast is included today.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT

MUSIC & MASTERPIECES Ascend to Castle Rock to explore Edinburgh Castle, one of the most important historical strongholds in the Kingdom of Scotland, with an 11,000-year history as “the most besieged place in Great Britain.” Here you’ll find the royal regalia and Scotland’s Crown Jewels. The Castle forms the background of the spectacular Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, an extravaganza of bagpipes and drums performed en masse in August each year.

DAY EIGHT: Edinburgh-Jedburgh-York, England

Augustine’s Monks & Medieval Markets

JEDBURGH Take photos at the Augustinian abbey ruins. Drive into Northumberland National Park and see a section of Hadrian’s Wall.
YORK See York Minster on a guided walk through The Shambles.

Breakfast and Dinner are included today.

LOCAL FAVORITE

HISTORIC SPOT While strolling the cobblestones of York’s Shambles, it’s easy to imagine the medieval butchers’ shops and boisterous crowds bartering for beef and bones outside the 14th-century timber-framed windows. The Shambles is one of the best-preserved medieval shopping streets in Europe and said to have been the inspiration behind Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley – and today is a colorful gathering place with cheerful cafés and quirky boutiques brimming with the sweet aromas of chocolate, pastries, and pies.

DAY NINE: York-Stratford-Upon-Avon-London

Mr. & Mrs. Shakespeare

STRATFORD-UPON-AVON See Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace.

Breakfast is included today.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT

A LEGEND SLEPT HERE Ah, young love! Even more true as Shakespeare’s fiancée was eight years his senior. See Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, the family home where the bard’s wife-to-be was born and courted by young Will. Built more than 500 years ago, much of the original structure remains. Visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace and family home in the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon. Hear tales about his family life, marriage, and children with a close look at fascinating artifacts in a world-class collection assembled by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.

DAY TEN: London

Safe travels until we meet again!

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

Breakfast is included today.

This sounds like an amazing tour of England, Ireland & Scotland. I would probably fly in a night or two early and/or a night or two later and take in more of London…I love London! If you are ready to explore this amazing part of the world, let me know and I’ll get a personalized quote over to you!

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Published by Kenneth Reece, Agent of Modern Travel Professionals

Hi, I’m Kenneth Reece — and I help make unforgettable vacations feel effortless. With 50 cruises under my belt (and more in the works!), I specialize in bucket-list travel experiences for grown-up travelers who want something a little more meaningful, a little more personal, and a lot more fun. Whether you're cruising the blue waters of the Caribbean, exploring the stunning coastlines of Alaska, or soaking in the magic of Europe one cobblestone street at a time — I’m here to help you plan a trip you’ll always remember. Lately, river cruising has completely captured my heart. There’s just something special about waking up each morning in a new European town, with your floating boutique hotel waiting to take you to the next charming stop. I love pairing these river cruises with guided land tours for a perfect balance of sightseeing and relaxation. Princess Cruises has long been one of my favorites at sea, but I’ve sailed with many cruise lines and know how to match each client with the right one for them. I’ve also experienced the Disney magic around the world — from Disneyland and Walt Disney World to Tokyo and Paris — and I bring that same sense of wonder and thoughtful planning into everything I do. Whether you're celebrating a milestone, traveling solo, or just need help making sense of all the choices out there, I’m here to be your guide. I love helping clients as much — or as little — as they prefer. From the first conversation to the moment you return home, you’ll know someone has your back. Let’s make your next trip easy, exciting, and completely tailored to you.