What will my days look like?

Days are full. Most start with breakfast, then the main sights with a local guide or your tour leader. Afternoons often leave free time to wander, stop for a coffee or join an optional extra. Expect a fair amount of walking: some days mean two or three hours on your feet, so bring comfortable shoes.

Who will I be travelling with?

Travellers from all over the world, of different ages and backgrounds, who share a wish to see more. Up to 51 people share this tour, and most know each other’s names within a few days.

What are the hotels like?

Mostly 3 and 4 star, all clean, comfortable and well located, with private en-suite bathrooms. They are chosen so you sleep well and are ready for the next day. The destinations come first, but the hotels are never an afterthought.

How active is this tour?

You carry your own luggage, sometimes up hotel stairs. Some walking tours run for up to three hours, and a few sites have plenty of steps. The itinerary and the activity level at the top of this page show whether the pace suits you.

How do optional extras work?

Optional extras run in the tour’s free time, and your tour leader tells you what is on offer as the tour goes. Some are booked with your tour leader on the day. Others sell in advance and must be bought before the tour starts: to add one of those, mention it in your booking notes and we confirm it with your seats. Each extra in the Optional extras section says which way it is booked.

Will I have time to explore on my own?

Yes. The itinerary builds in free time to wander at your own pace, and your tour leader can point you to the places that suit you, so you are never left to work it all out alone.

What support do I have while I’m on tour?

Your tour leader travels with you from start to finish. They know the places most visitors miss, can suggest a restaurant before you ask, and deal with whatever crops up on the way. Transport and hotels are all arranged for you. There is also an emergency number staffed 24 hours a day, and our team in Dubai is there to help.

How do I book Best of UK & Ireland?

Press Book now, choose a date, your travellers and rooms, and give your name, email and mobile. We hold your seats and email your booking reference straight away; you then add each traveller as their passport shows on your booking page. Our Dubai team confirms the seats with the tour operator, then emails you a secure payment link. Nothing is charged when you book.

Once the tour operator confirms your seats. We email you a secure payment link for the total in AED, and your booking is complete when it is paid. To pay in instalments, say so in your booking notes.

Is the price per person?

Yes. Prices are per person sharing a double or twin room. Travelling alone? A single room costs the supplement shown next to each date.

Are flights included?

Only when the tour lists them under what is included. We can book flights from the UAE to the start city and home from the end city with your tour.

That depends on your passport and the countries on the route. Our visa team arranges Schengen and other visas for UAE residents, and can apply for yours once the tour is booked.

13 days · United Kingdom, Ireland

Best of UK & Ireland

From AED 14,025per person, twin share

Choose a dateTravellers

Total2 travellersAED 32,280

Book now

Nothing to pay until your seats are confirmed

See all 23 dates and prices

Thirteen days through England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland, with ancient history, fairytale towns, mystical tales and otherworldly landscapes.

Duration: 13 Days / 12 Nights
Route: Starts and ends in London
2 countries on this tour: United Kingdom
Ireland
Activity level: Moderate (3 of 5); A fast 13-day coach tour across five countries, with three free days built in and guided walking tours of up to three hours on cobbled streets
Accommodation: 12 nights in 3- and 4-star hotels across Wales, England, Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland
Meals: 12 breakfasts and 6 dinners
Group: Group tour, up to 51
Guide: English-speaking tour leader throughout, plus a local guide in Belfast
Transport: Air-conditioned coach
Best time to go: Runs March to October: cool in spring, warmest June to August, mild in autumn. Expect more rain in Ireland, Wales and Scotland than in southern England

Tour overview

This tour of the UK and Ireland is rich in myths, legends and scenery. Historic cities line the route: Bath, Liverpool, Dublin, Belfast, Edinburgh and York. Among the landscapes are the Cliffs of Moher, the Giant’s Causeway and the Scottish Highlands. Along the way you visit Shakespeare’s hometown, kiss the Blarney Stone and take a cruise through Cambridge.

Highlights

Bath, known for its history and architecture
A driving tour of Cardiff
Stratford-upon-Avon, where Shakespeare was born
A driving tour of Liverpool’s top sights
Conwy, a Welsh castle town
The village with Europe’s longest name
Waterford, Ireland’s oldest city
Blarney Castle, where you kiss the Blarney Stone

Show all 20 highlights

A stop in Adare, a village in Ireland
Limerick, with the Treaty Stone and King John’s Castle
The Cliffs of Moher
Free time in Galway
Derry, the second-largest city in Northern Ireland
The Giant’s Causeway, a natural wonder
A locally-guided tour of Belfast
A photo stop at Glencoe
The shores of Loch Ness
A Scottish whisky distillery
York, a historic city
Punting along the River Cam in Cambridge

Route and hotels

Where the tour goes and where you sleep, night by night.

Hotel stays, in orderOn the wayStart or endBy roadBy boatAbout 3,130 km by roadMap data: © OpenStreetMap contributors; OpenMapTiles, OpenFreeMap; terrain Mapzen; roads OSRM

London
Day 1 · start
Stonehenge
Day 1 · on the way
Bath
Day 1 · on the way
Cardiff
1 night · Day 1
Clayton Hotel Cardiff
Stratford-upon-Avon
Day 2 · on the way
Liverpool
1 night · Day 2
ibis Liverpool Centre Albert Dock
Dublin
2 nights · Days 3–4
Clayton Hotel Leopardstown
Waterford
Day 5 · on the way

Show all 25 stops

Blarney Castle
Day 5 · on the way
Killarney
2 nights · Days 5–6
The Parkavon Hotel Killarney
Cliffs of Moher
Day 7 · on the way
County Sligo
Day 7 · on the way
Galway
1 night · Day 7
Imperial Hotel
County Sligo
Day 8 · on the way
Derry
Day 8 · on the way
Giant’s Causeway
Day 8 · on the way
Belfast
1 night · Day 8
Clayton Hotel Belfast
Scottish Highlands
1 night · Day 9
Muthu Ben Doran
Glencoe
Day 10 · on the way
Loch Ness
Day 10 · on the way
Edinburgh
2 nights · Days 10–11
Novotel Edinburgh Park
Alnwick
Day 12 · on the way
York
1 night · Day 12
ibis York Centre
Cambridge
Day 13 · on the way
London
Day 13 · end

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1
London – Stonehenge – Bath – Cardiff
Dinner included
Your tour of the UK and Ireland begins with the journey from London to Stonehenge, where you have the option to explore the ancient site, which has stood for thousands of years. From there, the route continues to Bath, a historic city, for a look at the Roman baths, before crossing into Wales. The day ends in the capital, Cardiff, with a driving tour.
Included
- Guided visit to Bath, including Bath Abbey and Pulteney Bridge
- Driving tour of Cardiff
Optional extras
- Stonehenge · AED 150 per person
Travel
London → Bath → Cardiff by coach
Overnight
Cardiff
Hotel
Clayton Hotel Cardiff
Day 2
Cardiff – Stratford-upon-Avon – Liverpool
Breakfast included
After breakfast, the tour continues to Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare’s hometown, where an optional excursion visits his childhood home ahead of afternoon tea at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Liverpool follows next, home to Liverpool football club and the Beatles, with a driving tour taking in the city’s well-known sights. The evening is free to explore on your own, or you can join the optional Beatles Story excursion.
Included
- Free time in Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare’s birthplace
- Driving tour of Liverpool, including the Albert Dock and sites linked to the Beatles
Optional extras
- Shakespeare’s Birthplace & Afternoon Tea Experience · AED 245 per person
- The Beatles Story & Museum · AED 105 per person
Travel
Cardiff → Stratford-upon-Avon → Liverpool by coach
Overnight
Liverpool
Hotel
ibis Liverpool Centre Albert Dock
Day 3
Liverpool – Dublin
Breakfast included
The morning brings a driving tour of more of Liverpool’s sights, before the ferry crossing over the Irish Sea to Dublin. On the way to the ferry, stops in Conwy take in its castle, plus the village whose name is the longest in Europe, Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch. From there, it is on to Dublin, where you have free time this evening in a city with 1,000 years of history.
Included
- Lunch stop in Conwy, a walled Welsh town with a 13th-century castle
- Photo stop at the village with the longest name in Europe
- Ferry crossing to Dublin
Travel
Liverpool → Conwy → ferry to Dublin
Overnight
Dublin
Hotel
Clayton Hotel Leopardstown
Day 4
Dublin: Free Day
Breakfast included
Dublin offers a free day, with three optional excursions on hand. The Ireland’s Identity tour covers the country’s history, the Whiskey & Guinness Experience takes in the Guinness Storehouse, and a third choice is an evening centred on Irish food, music and dancing. All three can be booked together as the Full Irish Experience. They are popular, so booking ahead is essential.
Included
- Free day in Dublin to explore at your own pace
Optional extras
- Ireland’s Identity · AED 340 per person
- Whiskey & Guinness Experience · AED 295 per person
- Irish Music Evening · AED 295 per person
- Full Irish Experience · AED 850 per person
Overnight
Dublin
Hotel
Clayton Hotel Leopardstown
Day 5
Dublin – Waterford – Blarney Castle – Killarney
Breakfast and dinner included
Leaving Dublin, the route heads to Waterford, Ireland’s oldest city, then on to Blarney Castle. Visitors can kiss the Blarney Stone for the traditional ‘gift of the gab’. The castle itself was built nearly 600 years ago and is one of Ireland’s best-known attractions. The day ends in County Kerry, where the group settles into the hotel for the evening, with dinner included.
Included
- Visit to Waterford, Ireland’s oldest city
- Visit to Blarney Castle, home of the Blarney Stone
Travel
Dublin → Waterford → Blarney Castle → Killarney by coach
Overnight
Killarney
Hotel
The Parkavon Hotel Killarney
Day 6
Killarney: Free Day
Breakfast included
Killarney is free to enjoy at your own pace, or you can join the optional Ring of Kerry day trip, a circular route around County Kerry that takes in coastal views and green pastures. The trip calls at Kerry Bog Village and crosses Killarney National Park on a jaunting, or carriage, ride.
Included
- Free day in Killarney to explore at your own pace
Optional extras
- Ring of Kerry Day Trip · AED 255 per person
Overnight
Killarney
Hotel
The Parkavon Hotel Killarney
Day 7
Killarney – Cliffs of Moher – Galway – County Sligo
Breakfast included
The drive follows the Wild Atlantic Way and calls at Adare, often described as Ireland’s prettiest village, before continuing through Limerick to the Cliffs of Moher for views over the coast. Galway comes next, a lively city known for oysters, live music and nightlife, where you can explore on your own or join the optional Tales of Galway excursion. The day ends with the drive north to County Sligo for an overnight stay.
Included
- Photo stop in Adare, known for its thatched cottages
- Stop in Limerick to see the Treaty Stone and King John’s Castle
- Views of the Cliffs of Moher
- Free time in Galway
Optional extras
- Tales of Galway · AED 150 per person
Travel
Killarney → Adare → Limerick → the Cliffs of Moher → Galway → County Sligo by coach
Overnight
Galway
Hotel
Imperial Hotel
Day 8
County Sligo – Derry – Giant’s Causeway – Belfast
Breakfast and dinner included
Derry is the first stop as the tour crosses into Northern Ireland, for a look at its culture, art and historic walls around the old city. The next stop is Giant’s Causeway, a network of interlocking columns formed by ancient volcanic activity. Belfast, the capital, is the last stop of the day, where a local guide leads a tour of key attractions by coach and on foot, sharing the city’s history along the way, followed by dinner with the group. The Titanic Belfast Experience happens either today or tomorrow, depending on the time of year.
Included
- Visit to Derry and its historic city walls
- Walk among the basalt columns of the Giant’s Causeway
- Locally guided driving and walking tour of Belfast
Travel
County Sligo → Derry → the Giant’s Causeway → Belfast by coach
Overnight
Belfast
Hotel
Clayton Hotel Belfast
Day 9
Belfast – Highlands
Breakfast and dinner included
Belfast starts with free time in the morning, or you can join the optional Titanic Belfast Experience. From there, the route crosses the Sea of Moyle to Scotland, the land of whisky, haggis and tartan. Back on dry land, the day continues to the Scottish Highlands, taking in a whisky distillery tour with a tasting along the way, and an included dinner afterwards.
Included
- Free time in Belfast
- Scottish whisky distillery tour and tasting
Optional extras
- Titanic Belfast Experience · AED 155 per person
Travel
Belfast → ferry → the Scottish Highlands
Overnight
Scottish Highlands
Hotel
Muthu Ben Doran
Day 10
Highlands – Glencoe – Loch Ness – Edinburgh
Breakfast and dinner included
The journey continues into the Highlands for a further look at the region, with a stop at Glencoe before reaching Loch Ness, home to the Loch Ness monster. An optional cruise on the Loch gives you the chance to look for Nessie. The day ends in Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital, with an included dinner alongside the group.
Included
- Stop at Glencoe, one of Scotland’s most scenic valleys
- Visit to Loch Ness
Optional extras
- Loch Ness Cruise · AED 125 per person
Travel
The Highlands → Glencoe → Loch Ness → Edinburgh by coach
Overnight
Edinburgh
Hotel
Novotel Edinburgh Park
Day 11
Edinburgh: Free Day
Breakfast included
You have the whole day to spend however you like. The optional Conquer the Capital excursion takes in Edinburgh Castle for those who want to see more of the city, or there is an optional half-day sightseeing tour of Stirling. In the evening, an optional Scottish dinner and storytelling experience offers a taste of traditional Scottish cooking.
Included
- Free day in Edinburgh to explore at your own pace
Optional extras
- Sights of Stirling · AED 125 per person
- Conquer the Capital Edinburgh · AED 225 per person
- Heart of Scotland: Dinner, Show & Storytelling · AED 375 per person
Overnight
Edinburgh
Hotel
Novotel Edinburgh Park
Day 12
Edinburgh – Alnwick – York
Breakfast and dinner included
The morning heads back into England, with the option to visit Alnwick Castle, used as a filming location for several films and television shows, including Harry Potter and Downton Abbey. The day continues to York, home to York Minster, said to be the largest Gothic cathedral found in the north of Europe, and known for its cobbled streets and medieval architecture. A farewell dinner with the group rounds off the evening.
Included
- Visit to York’s historic streets and city walls
Optional extras
- Alnwick Castle Only · AED 120 per person
- Alnwick Garden Only · AED 90 per person
- Alnwick Castle & Gardens · AED 180 per person
Travel
Edinburgh → Alnwick → York by coach
Overnight
York
Hotel
ibis York Centre
Day 13
York – Cambridge – London
Breakfast included
On the last day of your UK and Ireland tour, the route heads to Cambridge, a historic university town, where you go punting on the River Cam in the traditional way. The tour then returns to London, where it concludes. It is worth exchanging contact details with the travelling companions you have met along the way.
Included
- Punting trip along the River Cam in Cambridge
Travel
York → Cambridge → London by coach

Dates & prices

Prices per person, sharing a double or twin room. A single room costs the supplement shown.

Mon 29 Mar – Sat 10 Apr 2027
Available
AED 16,140
Single room +AED 7,140
Book Mon 29 Mar – Sat 10 Apr 2027
Mon 19 Apr – Sat 1 May 2027
Available
AED 15,590
Single room +AED 7,140
Book Mon 19 Apr – Sat 1 May 2027
Mon 26 Apr – Sat 8 May 2027
Available
AED 16,140
Single room +AED 7,140
Book Mon 26 Apr – Sat 8 May 2027
Mon 3 May – Sat 15 May 2027
Available
AED 15,590
Single room +AED 7,140
Book Mon 3 May – Sat 15 May 2027
Mon 17 May – Sat 29 May 2027
Available
AED 15,590
Single room +AED 7,140
Book Mon 17 May – Sat 29 May 2027
Mon 24 May – Sat 5 Jun 2027
Available
AED 15,590
Single room +AED 7,140
Book Mon 24 May – Sat 5 Jun 2027
Mon 31 May – Sat 12 Jun 2027
Available
AED 15,590
Single room +AED 7,140
Book Mon 31 May – Sat 12 Jun 2027
Mon 7 Jun – Sat 19 Jun 2027
Available
AED 16,140
Single room +AED 7,140
Book Mon 7 Jun – Sat 19 Jun 2027
Mon 14 Jun – Sat 26 Jun 2027
Available
AED 15,590
Single room +AED 7,140
Book Mon 14 Jun – Sat 26 Jun 2027
Mon 21 Jun – Sat 3 Jul 2027
Available
AED 16,140
Single room +AED 7,140
Book Mon 21 Jun – Sat 3 Jul 2027

Show all 23 dates

Mon 5 Jul – Sat 17 Jul 2027
Available
AED 15,590
Single room +AED 7,140
Book Mon 5 Jul – Sat 17 Jul 2027
Mon 19 Jul – Sat 31 Jul 2027
Available
AED 15,590
Single room +AED 7,140
Book Mon 19 Jul – Sat 31 Jul 2027
Mon 26 Jul – Sat 7 Aug 2027
Available
AED 15,590
Single room +AED 7,140
Book Mon 26 Jul – Sat 7 Aug 2027
Mon 9 Aug – Sat 21 Aug 2027
Available
AED 16,140
Single room +AED 7,140
Book Mon 9 Aug – Sat 21 Aug 2027
Mon 16 Aug – Sat 28 Aug 2027
AvailableBest price
AED 14,025
Single room +AED 7,140
Book Mon 16 Aug – Sat 28 Aug 2027
Mon 23 Aug – Sat 4 Sept 2027
Available
AED 15,590
Single room +AED 7,140
Book Mon 23 Aug – Sat 4 Sept 2027
Mon 30 Aug – Sat 11 Sept 2027
Available
AED 15,590
Single room +AED 7,140
Book Mon 30 Aug – Sat 11 Sept 2027
Mon 6 Sept – Sat 18 Sept 2027
Available
AED 16,140
Single room +AED 7,140
Book Mon 6 Sept – Sat 18 Sept 2027
Mon 13 Sept – Sat 25 Sept 2027
Available
AED 15,590
Single room +AED 7,140
Book Mon 13 Sept – Sat 25 Sept 2027
Mon 20 Sept – Sat 2 Oct 2027
Available
AED 15,590
Single room +AED 7,140
Book Mon 20 Sept – Sat 2 Oct 2027
Mon 27 Sept – Sat 9 Oct 2027
Available
AED 15,590
Single room +AED 7,140
Book Mon 27 Sept – Sat 9 Oct 2027
Mon 4 Oct – Sat 16 Oct 2027
Available
AED 14,855
Single room +AED 7,140
Book Mon 4 Oct – Sat 16 Oct 2027
Mon 11 Oct – Sat 23 Oct 2027
Available
AED 14,855
Single room +AED 7,140
Book Mon 11 Oct – Sat 23 Oct 2027

What’s included

Included

12 nights in mostly 3-star and 4-star hotels, in twin rooms with a private bathroom
A room to yourself for a single supplement, subject to availability
12 breakfasts and 6 dinners, with a vegetarian option at every meal on request
A modern coach with air conditioning, reclining seats and a toilet
Public transport the tour uses, except on free days
Guided from start to finish

Not included

Flights to the start of the tour and home from the end: we can book them from Dubai
Travel insurance: take out a policy that suits your trip

Optional extras

Excursions and upgrades you can add to the tour. Prices are per person.

Stonehenge
Day 1AED 150per person
A closer look at Stonehenge with your tour leader, the 5,000-year-old circle of standing stones whose purpose is still debated by historians. £30, booked with your tour leader on the day.
See day 1 in the itinerary
Shakespeare’s Birthplace & Afternoon Tea Experience
Day 2AED 245per person
A visit to William Shakespeare’s birthplace, the house where he was born and grew up, followed by afternoon tea with scones, clotted cream and cucumber sandwiches at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. £49, booked with your tour leader on the day.
See day 2 in the itinerary
The Beatles Story & Museum
Day 2AED 105per person
Entry to the Beatles Story at Liverpool’s Albert Dock, the world’s largest permanent exhibition on the band, with an audio guide narrated by John Lennon’s sister, Julia. £21, booked with your tour leader on the day.
See day 2 in the itinerary
Ireland’s Identity
Day 4AED 340per person
A tour of Dublin’s history and culture with your tour leader: Glasnevin Cemetery, the EPIC Irish Emigration Museum, then the GPO Museum on O’Connell Street, with free time for lunch afterwards. €80, booked with your tour leader on the day.
See day 4 in the itinerary
Whiskey & Guinness Experience
Day 4AED 295per person
A tour and tasting session at the Pearse Lyons Distillery, housed in a former church, followed by a visit to the Guinness Storehouse to learn how Ireland’s best-known beer is made. €69, booked with your tour leader on the day.
See day 4 in the itinerary
Irish Music Evening
Day 4AED 295per person
A traditional Irish dinner at a Dublin pub, with live music and dancing, plus return transport to your hotel. €69, booked with your tour leader on the day.
See day 4 in the itinerary
Full Irish Experience
Day 4AED 850per person
All three Dublin optional extras combined into one day: Ireland’s Identity in the morning, the Whiskey & Guinness Experience in the afternoon, and the Irish Music Evening to finish. €199. Book it before the tour: add it to your booking notes.
See day 4 in the itinerary
Ring of Kerry Day Trip
Day 6AED 255per person
A scenic drive around the Ring of Kerry with stops at Ladies View, Caherdaniel and Moll’s Gap, a visit to the Kerry Bog Village Museum, and a jaunting ride that takes you through Killarney National Park. €60, booked with your tour leader on the day.
See day 6 in the itinerary
Tales of Galway
Day 7AED 150per person
An evening of storytelling and live Irish music in a historic Galway pub, with a pint of Guinness or an alternative drink included. €35, booked with your tour leader on the day.
See day 7 in the itinerary
Titanic Belfast Experience
Day 9AED 155per person
Interactive galleries on the Titanic’s construction, maiden voyage and sinking, with full-scale reconstructions and special effects, in the city where she was built. £31, booked with your tour leader on the day.
See day 9 in the itinerary
Loch Ness Cruise
Day 10AED 125per person
A one-hour cruise on Loch Ness with your tour leader, taking in the scenery and keeping an eye out for the loch’s famous resident. £25, booked with your tour leader on the day.
See day 10 in the itinerary
Sights of Stirling
Day 11AED 125per person
A half day in Stirling with your tour leader: a photo stop at the Kelpies, a climb up the Wallace Monument for views across the valley, and a look at Stirling Castle before a short orientation tour of the old town. £25, booked with your tour leader on the day.
See day 11 in the itinerary
Conquer the Capital Edinburgh
Day 11AED 225per person
A walk through Edinburgh with your tour leader, including entry to Edinburgh Castle and a stroll along the Royal Mile past Greyfriars Bobby and St Giles’ Cathedral. £45, booked with your tour leader on the day.
See day 11 in the itinerary
Heart of Scotland: Dinner, Show & Storytelling
Day 11AED 375per person
An evening of Scottish hospitality: a three-course dinner, live folk music, storytelling and the ceremonial address to a haggis, in a small, informal setting. £75, booked with your tour leader on the day.
See day 11 in the itinerary
Alnwick Castle Only
Day 12AED 120per person
Entry to Alnwick Castle, the home of the Duke of Northumberland and the setting for Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films, with a guided tour of its history. £24, booked with your tour leader on the day.
See day 12 in the itinerary
Alnwick Garden Only
Day 12AED 90per person
Entry to the Alnwick Garden: 12 acres of grounds, including the world’s largest cherry blossom orchard, a rose garden and an ornamental garden. £18, booked with your tour leader on the day.
See day 12 in the itinerary
Alnwick Castle & Gardens
Day 12AED 180per person
Entry to both Alnwick Castle and the Alnwick Garden, combining the castle’s history with 12 acres of gardens, orchards and water features. £36, booked with your tour leader on the day.
See day 12 in the itinerary

To add an extra, mention it in your booking notes, and we confirm it with your seats before you pay. Some are booked with your tour leader on the day instead: their description says so.

Traveller reviews

No reviews yet

Travelled on this tour with us? Be the first to tell other travellers how it went.

Good to know

Practical details to read before you travel.

Passport & visas
This tour crosses between the United Kingdom (England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland) and the Republic of Ireland, each with its own entry rules; neither is in the Schengen area.
UAE passport holders apply for a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) online before travelling; EU, US, Canadian and Australian passport holders use the same ETA. Most other nationalities living in the UAE need a UK Standard Visitor visa, applied for in Dubai, with 15 to 20 working days to process after your appointment.
Ireland has its own, separate visa. Whether you need one depends on your passport, and our visa team checks and applies on your behalf. Because the tour crosses between Northern Ireland and the Republic, you need entry permission for both the UK and Ireland: our visa team handles both applications when you book.
Flights and timings
Flights to and from London aren’t included. Day 1 starts at 06:30 outside the Novotel London Greenwich hotel, next to Greenwich station. With a 06:30 start, fly in the day before: the Novotel and the Ibis Greenwich are both right at the pick-up point. Your tour leader’s contact details reach you about a week before you travel, in case you have trouble getting there. Two ferry crossings, Liverpool to Dublin and Belfast to Scotland, are built into the coach journey and do not need separate booking.
The tour ends back in London on day 13, in the early evening.
Our team can book your flights from Dubai to match.
Meals and dietary needs
Breakfast is included every day except day 1, and dinner on six evenings, including welcome and farewell dinners. Lunch is on you, other than a stop included in Conwy on day 3, which leaves room to try local pubs and cafes along the way.
Tell us about any dietary needs, halal included, when you book, and we pass them on before the tour.
Money
You will use two currencies on this tour: the pound sterling in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and the euro in the Republic of Ireland. Cards are widely accepted in both, so you need little cash day to day.
Optional extras booked on tour are paid to your tour leader in cash or by card, in the currency shown.
Weather and packing
This tour runs March to October across five countries, so pack layers you can adjust through the day and a proper rain jacket: Ireland, Wales and Scotland see rain in any month. Comfortable, broken-in shoes matter most, given walking tours of up to three hours on cobbled streets in Bath, York and elsewhere.
Free days and optional extras
Three days are free for you to spend as you choose: in Dublin, Killarney and Edinburgh. Dublin and Killarney each have a full day of optional excursions on offer, and some must be pre-booked at least two weeks ahead because of limited numbers, so tell us early if you want to join one.

Plan your trip

Our Dubai team arranges what goes around the tour, so it is booked in one place.

Visas
Check the visa for each country on the route. Our visa team in Dubai applies for UAE residents once the tour is booked. For Ireland, ask them what your passport needs.
United Kingdom visa Ask our visa team
Flights
Flights are not included. We can book them with the tour: Dubai to London and back. Tick “Flights” when you book and we quote them with your confirmation.
Book and add flights
Pay in instalments
Split the cost with Tabby or Tamara, or over 3 to 12 months on a UAE bank credit card for bookings from AED 1,000.
How instalments work

Book this tour

Book in a minute. Your seats are held as soon as you book; you name the other travellers and pay once we have confirmed them.

Your trip

Date

TravellersPriced per person
Travellers2
Rooms1 double room

Lead traveller

Full name, as on the passport

Mobile

Remember my details on this device for next time

Total for 2 travellersNothing to pay nowAED 32,280

I accept the booking terms and the cancellation policy.

You add the other travellers’ details after booking. See our privacy policy.

Questions before you book? Our support team is on WhatsApp +971 4 589 0001.

Questions about this tour

What will my days look like?
Days are full. Most start with breakfast, then the main sights with a local guide or your tour leader. Afternoons often leave free time to wander, stop for a coffee or join an optional extra. Expect a fair amount of walking: some days mean two or three hours on your feet, so bring comfortable shoes.
Who will I be travelling with?
Travellers from all over the world, of different ages and backgrounds, who share a wish to see more. Up to 51 people share this tour, and most know each other’s names within a few days.
What are the hotels like?
Mostly 3 and 4 star, all clean, comfortable and well located, with private en-suite bathrooms. They are chosen so you sleep well and are ready for the next day. The destinations come first, but the hotels are never an afterthought.
How active is this tour?
You carry your own luggage, sometimes up hotel stairs. Some walking tours run for up to three hours, and a few sites have plenty of steps. The itinerary and the activity level at the top of this page show whether the pace suits you.
How do optional extras work?
Optional extras run in the tour’s free time, and your tour leader tells you what is on offer as the tour goes. Some are booked with your tour leader on the day. Others sell in advance and must be bought before the tour starts: to add one of those, mention it in your booking notes and we confirm it with your seats. Each extra in the Optional extras section says which way it is booked.
Will I have time to explore on my own?
Yes. The itinerary builds in free time to wander at your own pace, and your tour leader can point you to the places that suit you, so you are never left to work it all out alone.
What support do I have while I’m on tour?
Your tour leader travels with you from start to finish. They know the places most visitors miss, can suggest a restaurant before you ask, and deal with whatever crops up on the way. Transport and hotels are all arranged for you.
There is also an emergency number staffed 24 hours a day, and our team in Dubai is there to help.
How do I book Best of UK & Ireland?
Press Book now, choose a date, your travellers and rooms, and give your name, email and mobile. We hold your seats and email your booking reference straight away; you then add each traveller as their passport shows on your booking page. Our Dubai team confirms the seats with the tour operator, then emails you a secure payment link. Nothing is charged when you book.
When do I pay?
Once the tour operator confirms your seats. We email you a secure payment link for the total in AED, and your booking is complete when it is paid. To pay in instalments, say so in your booking notes.
Is the price per person?
Yes. Prices are per person sharing a double or twin room. Travelling alone? A single room costs the supplement shown next to each date.
Are flights included?
Only when the tour lists them under what is included. We can book flights from the UAE to the start city and home from the end city with your tour.
Do I need a visa?
That depends on your passport and the countries on the route. Our visa team arranges Schengen and other visas for UAE residents, and can apply for yours once the tour is booked.

From AED 14,025per person, twin share

Choose a dateTravellers

Total2 travellersAED 32,280

Book now

Nothing to pay until your seats are confirmed

See all 23 dates and prices

Seats held as soon as you book
Pay by secure link once confirmed
Visas and flights from our Dubai team

Questions? Our support team is on WhatsApp or +971 4 589 0001.

Payment plans

Take the trip now. Pay for it in pieces.

Every booking qualifies, from holidays and tours to visas. Spread it over 3 to 12 months at 0% on a credit card plan, or with Tabby or Tamara; some banks add a one-time processing fee.

Credit card plans from AED 1,000
Tabby and Tamara, no minimum
Terms from 3 to 12 months

See plans and fees

Find your bank’s plan

1 country
7 days · United Kingdom
Great Britain
England, Scotland and Wales in seven days, taking in destinations shaped by history, culture, myth and legend.
FromAED 6,865 per person
Next: Tue 22 Dec 2026
1 country
7 days · United Kingdom
Great Britain Christmas
A festive season trip through England, Scotland and Wales, with Christmas Day in Edinburgh.
FromAED 8,520 per person
Next: Tue 22 Dec 2026
1 country
7 days · United Kingdom
Great Britain New Year
Great Britain over Hogmanay, as the Scots call New Year’s Eve, with celebrations in Edinburgh.
FromAED 8,195 per person
Next: Tue 29 Dec 2026

From AED 14,025per person, twin share

Book now

Tour overview

Highlights

Route and hotels

Day-by-day itinerary

London – Stonehenge – Bath – Cardiff

Included

Optional extras

Cardiff – Stratford-upon-Avon – Liverpool

Included

Optional extras

Liverpool – Dublin

Included

Dublin: Free Day

Included

Optional extras

Dublin – Waterford – Blarney Castle – Killarney

Included

Killarney: Free Day

Included

Optional extras

Killarney – Cliffs of Moher – Galway – County Sligo

Included

Optional extras

County Sligo – Derry – Giant’s Causeway – Belfast

Included

Belfast – Highlands

Included

Optional extras

Highlands – Glencoe – Loch Ness – Edinburgh

Included

Optional extras

Edinburgh: Free Day

Included

Optional extras

Edinburgh – Alnwick – York

Included

Optional extras

York – Cambridge – London

Included

Dates & prices

What’s included

Included

Not included

Optional extras

Stonehenge

Shakespeare’s Birthplace & Afternoon Tea Experience

The Beatles Story & Museum

Ireland’s Identity

Whiskey & Guinness Experience

Irish Music Evening

Full Irish Experience

Ring of Kerry Day Trip

Tales of Galway

Titanic Belfast Experience

Loch Ness Cruise

Sights of Stirling

Conquer the Capital Edinburgh

Heart of Scotland: Dinner, Show & Storytelling

Alnwick Castle Only

Alnwick Garden Only

Alnwick Castle & Gardens

Traveller reviews

Good to know

Passport & visas

Flights and timings

Meals and dietary needs

Money

Weather and packing

Free days and optional extras

Plan your trip

Visas

Flights

Pay in instalments

Book this tour

Your trip

Questions about this tour

What will my days look like?

Who will I be travelling with?

What are the hotels like?

How active is this tour?