Great Britain and Ireland

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.

ibis Manchester Centre Princess Street (or similar)

• London
• Liverpool
• Manchester

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.

Holiday Inn Express Wakefield (or similar)

• Manchester
• York

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.

Ibis Carlisle City Centre Hotel (or similar)

• York
• Lake District National Park
• Carlisle

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.

Ibis Edinburgh Centre South Bridge (or similar)

• Carlisle
• Hadrian's Wall
• Edinburgh

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.

Ibis Edinburgh Centre South Bridge (or similar)

• Edinburgh

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.

Columba Hotel Inverness (or similar)

• Edinburgh
• St. Andrews
• Stirling
• Inverness

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.

Columba Hotel Inverness (or similar)

• Inverness
• Loch Ness
• Aviemore
• Inverness

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.

Ibis Glasgow City Centre Sauchiehall Street Hotel (or similar)

• Inverness
• Glenfinnan Viaduct
• Glasgow

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.

Travelodge Plus Dublin City Centre (or similar)

• Glasgow
• Larne
• Dublin

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.

Talbot Hotel Clonmel (or similar)

• Dublin
• Kilkenny
• Clonmel

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.

Travelodge Galway City Hotel (or similar)

• Clonmel
• Blarney
• Cliffs of Moher
• Galway

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.

Travelodge Galway City Hotel (or similar)

• Galway

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.

Holiday Inn Express Derry (or similar)

• Galway
• Derry/Londonderry

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.

Ramada by Wyndham Belfast City Centre (or similar)

• Derry/Londonderry
• Giant's Causeway
• Belfast

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.

Travelodge Plus Dublin City Centre (or similar)

• Belfast
• Dublin

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?

• Dublin
• Wales
• London