United Kingdom, Ireland and Northern France

Duration

15 Days

Physical rate

Moderate

Starting city

London

Available

April 2024 / October 2024

Cities to visit: London; Cambridge; York; County Durham, England; Alnwick; Edinburgh; Inverness; Fort Augustus, Highland; Glasgow; Belfast; Dublin; Caernarfon, Wales; Liverpool; Stratford; Oxford, Inglaterra; ; Mont Saint Michel; Saint Malo; Dinan; Rennes; Angers; Tours; Villandry, Centre; Amboise, Centro Valle de Loira; Chenonceaux, castle; Chambord; Paris

Video Gallery


Detailed day by day description

Introduction

This tour is part of our flexible coach touring range, guaranteed with a minimum of 2 people. Once the tour is booked, it is guaranteed so it will definitely go ahead, and will never cancel.

This tour is guided in English only. Please note if English speaking attendance numbers are low, the tour can become bilingual either accompanied by two tour leaders, one for each language, or a single tour leader providing explanations in both languages.

The tour offers flexibility, allowing you to customize it to your preferences. By clicking 'Quote or Book,' you will have the choice to select your desired start and end dates and destinations within the tour's defined parameters. Given this flexibility, it's important to note that the same people, tour guides or drivers may not be on your entire journey.

Day
Welcome to Europamundo! We’ll transfer you to the hotel and you’ll have some free time. In the afternoon, you’ll find information about the start of your tour on the boards located at the hotel reception.
IMPORTANT: Please note that hotel check-in time is typically at 14:00 p.m. If you need early room access, consider booking an additional night at the start of your trip.
If you have booked additional nights, your room will be prepared upon arrival, but your trip guide will generally only contact you when the scheduled activities begin. At reception, you’ll find a sign with contact details and assistance hours for our staff. Until the tour begins, your schedule is free, and the hotel staff can assist with any inquiries.
Optional activities: During your trip, your guide may offer optional activities. We recommend booking these activities well in advance through the Europamundo app or your "My Trip" link to ensure availability. Last-minute bookings may result in limited availability (e.g., tickets, coach seats).
Note: The timings in this itinerary are indicative. The guide may adjust schedules as needed to make sure you have the best experience.
City tour of London. We’ll start our tour first thing in the morning. The itinerary will vary depending on the local guides, traffic, and weather. You’ll visit Hyde Park, Oxford Street, the City, St Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London, the Thames, Piccadilly Circus, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, and Buckingham Palace. During the tour, we’ll stop at Buckingham Palace to watch the changing of the guard (though sometimes this ceremony does not take place). We’ll end the tour in the city center. In the afternoon, you´ll have free time, with the option to join our guide for an excursion to Windsor Castle.
06:00 p.m. We’ll meet at Piccadilly Circus for a guided walk through Leicester Square, Chinatown, and Soho, enjoying its vibrant atmosphere, theaters, and entertainment.
08:30 p.m. We’ll return by bus to the hotel from Piccadilly.
Note: In some cases, the evening program might be organized for the previous day, upon arrival in London.
Total distance covered: 480 km.

Scenery: Picturesque countryside with hills and woods.
07:30 a.m. - Departure from London. We’ll head north, traveling through the English countryside.
10:00 a.m. - Cambridge. You’ll have time to admire the beautiful colleges and have lunch.
12:30 p.m. - Departure from Cambridge. We’ll continue north, passing through agricultural fields and the legendary Sherwood Forest, former home of Robin Hood.
3:30 p.m. - York. We’ll see the ancient Roman walls and walk towards the cathedral. You’ll have time to explore the lively shopping streets.
5:30 p.m. - Departure from York. We’ll resume our journey north.
7:30 p.m. - Durham. This impressive medieval city invites you to stroll its cobbled streets and discover its cathedral and castle, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Accommodation.
Total distance covered: 230 km.
Scenery: Beautiful castles and sea views as we cross into Scotland.
08:30 a.m. - Departure from Durham. We’ll travel to the north of England, skirting the edge of Newcastle.
09:45 a.m. - Arrival in Alnwick. This medieval town is dominated by its large castle and beautiful gardens, famously featured in the Harry Potter films. Enjoy time to visit the castle (admission not included) or stroll around.
Note: The castle is closed during winter months (01 October-31 March).
11:15 a.m. - Departure from Alnwick. We’ll cross into Scotland.
01:15 p.m. - Edinburgh. As Scotland’s capital and one of the most vibrant cities in Northern Europe, Edinburgh’s monumental center has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The castle overlooks the city’s steep streets and parks. The city comes to life in the summertime during the "Edinburgh Festival" and its various shows. You will have free time at leisure.
05:30 p.m. – Panoramic city tour with a local guide (occasionally, this tour may be done upon arrival in the city). Afterwards, we will provide a transfer to the hotel.
Total distance covered: 530 km.

Scenery: Magnificent scenery of towering, often snow-capped mountains and deep, serene lakes. Keep your camera handy.
Note: We recommend you take warm clothing with you to fully enjoy the boat trip. Timetables for this section may change depending on the schedule for crossing Loch Ness. Adverse weather conditions may sometimes prevent the boat trip.
07:30 a.m. - Departure from Edinburgh. We’ll head towards the Northern Highlands of Scotland, crossing the bridge above River Forth. Along the way, we’ll see the unique Highland Cattle.
09:30 a.m. - Pitlochry. Enjoy a stroll and a coffee in this charming Victorian village.
10:00 a.m. - Departure from Pitlochry. We’ll travel through the Eastern Highlands, enjoying the beautiful landscapes of Cairngorms National Park and passing through Inverness.
01:45 p.m. - Brachla (Clansman Harbor). Take some time to capture photographs and perhaps spot the legendary Nessie. Around 02:00 p.m., we’ll embark on a boat trip on Loch Ness (included). We’ll visit Urquhart Castle, exploring the ruins of this imposing medieval fortress overlooking the lake (admission included).
03:00 p.m. – We’ll continue our journey, skirting lakes and passing high snowy mountains. Along the way, we’ll go through Fort Augustus and Fort William, a tourist hub at the foot of Ben Nevis, the highest summit in the United Kingdom. We’ll also enjoy stunning views across Glencoe. Our final lake will be the picturesque Loch Lomond.
08:00 p.m. - Glasgow. We recommend a walk around the center of this vibrant city.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Groups arriving in Edinburgh from the 15th of November until the end of February will follow this adjusted itinerary due to the shorter days and frequent snow on the roads:
08:00 a.m. - Departure from Edinburgh to Pitlochry (09:45 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.), a picturesque city in the heart of the Scottish region known for its whisky production. We will visit a traditional whisky distillery (admission included). Our journey will continue to Stirling (12:30 p.m. - 03:30 p.m.), where we will explore the impressive historic center dominated by the grand Stirling Castle (tickets included). This castle is one of the most significant in Scotland, having witnessed numerous historical events, including battles and the coronation of several kings. After lunch, we’ll stop to photograph The Kelpies, enormous sculptures of two horse heads inspired by Scottish mythology. Finally, we’ll continue to Glasgow. We’ll arrive at around 05:00 p.m. and you’ll have time to stroll through the city center before settling into your accommodation.
Total distance covered: 295 km.
Scenery: Seaside, hills, and woods.
Note: Remember to keep your passport handy; you may need when we embark. Both Scotland and Northern Ireland print their own banknotes, which work fine in their regions but are often not accepted in England and can’t be exchanged internationally. In other words, you won’t be able to exchange any leftover Scottish or Irish pound bills outside the United Kingdom. Make sure you don’t have any remaining bills when you leave Scotland or after passing through Belfast. Please note that timetables for this part of the journey may vary depending on the ferry.
08:00 a.m. - Departure from Glasgow. We will start with a short bus ride out of the city, traveling to the west coast of Scotland. In Cairnryan, we will board a modern ferry to Ireland, which typically departs at 11:30 a.m. The crossing will take just over two hours. The ferry will offer modern amenities, including shops and bars where you can enjoy lunch.
01:45 p.m. - Arrival in Belfast, a city known for its Victorian architecture and the complex history between Protestants and Catholics. We’ll go for a walk and visit the famous murals dividing the Catholic and Protestant neighborhoods.
04:30 p.m. - Departure from Belfast. We’ll continue our journey to the Republic of Ireland.
06:30 p.m. - Arrival at the hotel in Dublin.
Dublin – Panoramic tour of the city. Our guide will tell us all about Dublin´s rich history, including its Georgian neighborhoods, bustling city center streets, and the University. Enjoy free time in the afternoon to explore the Irish capital at your leisure. You can stroll along the banks of the River Liffey, visit various museums, or explore the famous Guinness Storehouse (admission not included).
Note: Occasionally, depending on our arrival time in Dublin and the daylight hours, the tour may take place the previous afternoon.
Total distance covered: 200 km.
Scenery: We’ll pass through Wales, enjoying beautiful maritime landscapes along the Irish Sea. Remember to keep your passport handy, as it may be required to enter the United Kingdom.
06:45 a.m. - Departure from the hotel to board the modern ferry, which departs at 08:05 a.m. The crossing will take approximately three and a half hours. Occasionally, due to technical reasons or bad weather, we may take a different ferry. In which case, the schedule will be adjusted accordingly.
11:30 a.m. – We’ll disembark in Holyhead, a port on an island in North Wales.
12:15 p.m. - Caernarfon. After crossing the Britannia Bridge, we’ll arrive at this coastal town, a World Heritage Site, featuring a spectacular castle that dominates the bay and medieval streets. This is where heirs to the British throne, such as the Prince of Wales, have been crowned since the 14th century. Enjoy some time to explore and have lunch.
01:30 p.m. - Departure from Caernarfon. We’ll follow the coast towards England.
04:30 p.m. - Liverpool. Enjoy a short bus tour through this World Heritage Site with the second-largest port in the United Kingdom, famous for the Beatles. We recommend visiting the Beatles Museum (admission not included).
Total distance traveled by road: 440 km.

Scenery: Pleasant hilly landscapes.
Notes: We advise you to prepare a carry-on bag for the night on board as suitcases will remain inside the coach. Bring your passport with you; it is required to enter France.
08:00 a.m. - Departure from Liverpool. We’ll head towards the center of England.
11:00 a.m. - Stratford-upon-Avon. This charming town, where Shakespeare was born, boasts beautiful gardens and Tudor houses. You’ll have time to visit his birthplace (admission not included), take a stroll, and have lunch.
01:00 p.m. - Departure from Stratford. We’ll journey through the picturesque Cotswolds, with its rolling hills and thatched cottages.
02:30 p.m. - Oxford. Free time to explore this prestigious university city and its impressive colleges. Take a leisurely stroll around.
04:30 p.m. - Departure from Oxford.
06:30 p.m. - Portsmouth. We’ll embark on a modern ferry. Ensure you have your documents ready. The ship offers all the amenities of a cruise ship, including game rooms, a discotheque, stores, restaurants, and lounge areas. Accommodation will be in en-suite double cabins with bunk beds. The scheduled departure of our ship is at 08:30 p.m. Thursday morning breakfast on the ship is not included.
Notes:
-On rare occasions, due to limited availability of double cabins, the night crossing may be done on an alternative ferry.
-If there are few English-speaking passengers on board, the guide for the journey between Portsmouth and Mont Saint-Michel may not be fluent in English.
Total distance covered: 270 km.
Scenery: Beautiful landscapes of hills, with a spectacular arrival at Mont-Saint-Michel.
08:00 a.m. – We’ll disembark in the Port of Caen or Saint-Malo and continue towards Mont-Saint-Michel.
09:45 a.m. - Mont-Saint-Michel. We’ll arrive at “The Marvel”, surrounded by the ocean. Be sure to stroll through its streets and visit the abbey, which is often surrounded by water during high tide.
Note: Bus traffic is regulated, and the bus parking area is outside the city. We will access the city by shuttle bus from the parking area.
01:00 p.m. – Departure from Mont-Saint-Michel. We’ll move on to Brittany.
01:45 p.m. - Saint-Malo - a seaside city surrounded by imposing walls with an active and beautiful port. Time to walk and have lunch.
03:45 p.m. – Departure from Saint-Malo.
04:15 p.m. - Dinan. Arrival and time to explore this beautiful medieval town.
05:30 p.m. - Departure from Dinan. We’ll journey through the interior of Brittany.
06:30 p.m. - Rennes. Arrival and accommodation. Free time to explore the capital of Brittany. We suggest taking a walk through its monumental historic center.
Total distance covered: 335 km.
Scenery: Today, we will follow the course of the Loire River, passing through many fascinating towns and castles.
08:00 a.m. - Departure from Rennes.
10:00 a.m. - Angers. Enjoy some time exploring this city on the banks of the Loire. You can visit the castle, which features fascinating Apocalypse tapestry.
11:45 a.m. - Departure from Angers, continuing our journey through the peaceful countryside.
01:45 p.m. – Tours – capital of the region. You can have a walk in its historic center beside the Loire. There will be time for lunch.
03:30 p.m. - Departure from Tours.
04:00 p.m. - Villandry. Admission to the gardens of this grand palace is included. These gardens are considered among the most beautiful in France.
05:30 p.m. - Departure from Villandry.
06:15 p.m. - Arrival in Amboise, a picturesque town in the Loire Valley with a fascinating medieval quarter. Dinner and accommodation included.
Note: Due to limited hotel capacity in Amboise, accommodation may be provided in Tours.
Total distance covered: 258 km.
Scenery: Get your cameras ready as we cruise along the scenic River Loire, dotted with picturesque villages and stunning castles along our route.
Today, we will explore the Loire Valley region in greater depth. Our journey will begin with a morning stroll from Amboise to the Château du Clos Lucé, where Leonardo da Vinci spent his final three years (tickets not included).
10:30 a.m. – Departure from Amboise.
11:00 a.m. – Chenonceau. Spanning the river Cher like a bridge, many consider this to be the most beautiful castle in the Loire Valley. Its interior is also splendidly well-preserved. Tickets included.
12:30 p.m. – Departure from Chenonceau. We will continue our journey along charming local roads towards Chambord.
01:30 p.m. – Chambord. Time available to explore the park of this immense Loire castle and have lunch.
03:30 p.m. - Departure from Chambord.
06:00 p.m. - Paris.
Total distance covered: 80 km
07:45 hrs. - Paris – departure.
08:30 hrs. - Versailles – Arrival to the Palace of Versailles (admission not included, long waits for tickets due to influx on some occasions). Immense Palace that belonged to the French kings; a good way to get acquainted with the culture and history of France.
11:30 hrs. - Versailles – departure - (the departure might be later in case of a long wait to enter the palace). Upon returning to Paris we head to Montmartre and taking a small cable car (included) we go up to this bohemian artists´ neighborhood to see the Basilica of the Sacred Heart and take a walk through its square and alleys.
15:00 hrs. - With a local guide we will begin the city tour of Paris lasting 2 and a half hours. During the visit you will be able to see the Arc de Triomphe, Champs Elysées, Madelaine, Place de la Concorde, Opera, Louvre Museum, Tower St. Jacques, town hall, Ile de la Cite with the Notre Dame cathedral, Latin quarter, Pantheon, Sorbonne, Luxembourg gardens, Invalides, Military School, Champ de Mars-Eiffel Tower, banks of the Seine. We will make brief stops near the Invalides and the Champ de Mars. At the end of the city tour, we will return to the hotel, making a stop in the city center, so that people who still want to take advantage of their free time in Paris can get off the bus.
In the end of this very complete day, optionally, the guide will suggest you attend a cabaret or variety show in the evening, the Moulin Rouge or the Paradis Latin.
Note: due to the tourist complexity of Paris, the order of the services offered in the city may vary.
08.30 hrs.- Departure from the hotel. We go to the EIFFEL TOWER , we include the ticket to go up to the second floor of this impressive metal monument ( in some cases there are long waits to gain access due to massive influx ). The second floor is considered to be the one with the best view, due to the optimal altitude in relation to the buildings below (on the third floor, they are less visible) and the general perspective (obviously more limited on the first floor). When the weather permits, it is estimated that it is possible to see up to 70 km away.
After descending the tower we include a boat trip along the Seine River . Magnificent views of the main monuments and bridges of Paris on the majestic river. Journey of approximately an hour and a quarter.
Free time later. Please note that transfers back to the hotel are not included after the river cruise, allowing you the flexibility to return at your own pace and preference.
Note: in some cases the waits to go up the Eiffel Tower are long. Thus the climb may take place at a different time (or on Sunday), if it is considered convenient for organizational reasons.
After breakfast, our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories.
Note: Please be aware that the hotel check-out time is usually 10:00 a.m. You can leave your luggage in reception upon check-out, allowing you to explore the city without carrying your bags. You can retrieve your luggage at your convenience later in the day. If you require additional time to use your room, we recommend booking an extra night at the end of your tour.

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From AUD 3,987