Tour Uk & Ireland Christmas & New Year - 13 Days | Visit United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Accommodation

12 nights’ accommodation in twin rooms with private en-suite facilities Single travellers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room. We use a variety of hotels in each of the destinations on this tour, hotels are selected closer to departure. Once booked, a confirmed list of hotels will be sent to you along with your Tour Leader announcement, 3-5 days prior to departure.

Meals

12 breakfasts 6 dinners *Vegetarian options available for all meals on request *Option to exclude pork and/or beef *Jain and Kosher are not available for this tour.

Transport

Modern air conditioned coach with reclining seats, TV for showing DVDs, and toilet Any public transport used as part of the tour (excludes free days) Please note the coach buses are not wheelchair accessible.

Guide

Services of your Expat tour leader, who will be on hand with advice and tips to ensure that you get the most from your trip

Others

23 Experiences! Orientation tour of Bath Free time in the evening to enjoy Cardiff Absorb the atmosphere in Ireland’s oldest city Visit Blarney Castle and kiss the Blarney Stone Visit Adare; Ireland’s prettiest village Visit Limerick; see the treaty Stone & King John’s Castle Marvel at the views at the Cliffs of Moher Enjoy free time in vibrant Galway Visit Derry; Northern Ireland’s second-largest city Explore the magnificent Giant’s Causeway Enjoy a locally guided tour of Belfast Whiskey distillery tour and tasting in one of Scotland’s oldest distilleries Drive through the Highlands and spot Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest peak Marvel at the beauty of the Highlands in Glen Coe Glimpse the beauty of Loch Ness Experience Hogmanay in Edinburgh Walking tour of York Enjoy a punting trip along the River Cam Visit Stratford-Upon-Avon; birthplace of Shakespeare See Liverpool’s top sights on a driving tour Visit Conwy; a Welsh castle town Enjoy a photo stop at the village with Europe’s longest name Embark on a driving tour of Dublin All taxes and fees Free Expat Explore tour souvenir – a memorable gift of your once in a lifetime trip.

Not included:

Insurance

When you sign up for an Expat Explore tour, you are required to secure adequate travel insurance cover for the duration of your trip. If you cannot provide Expat Explore with proof of adequate travel insurance prior to the start of your tour, you will not be permitted to embark on day one. The requirements include the following coverage: Trip Interruption Trip Delay Medical Expenses Quarantine Expenses and Emergency Evacuation/Repatriation The insurance must also cover medical costs and a medically imposed quarantine if the insured or someone the insured has come into contact with, tests positive for COVID-19. Before you book your tour, you’re welcome to obtain a quote with Tour Radar’s insurance partner, Cover Genius.

Optional

Optional excursions are not included in the tour cost. All optional excursions are booked on tour and paid in cash to your tour leader, unless stated otherwise. Please note, certain optional excursions are subject to availability and could change as a result. Some optional excursions need to be pre-booked, please contact us to find out more

Flights

You will be responsible for booking your own international and/or domestic flights. We additionally recommend you do not book your airfare until your place on the tour is confirmed. Please make sure to check the times that your tour will start and end before booking your flights.

Others

Arrival and departure airport transfers are not included in the tour cost. Please contact us for a link to Welcome Pickups Pre and post-tour accommodation is not included in the tour cost. Please contact us for a link to booking.com. Single supplement (Optional). Please contact our Travel Experts for a quote. Tipping.

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: London - Stonehenge - Bath - Cardiff
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: London - Stonehenge - Bath - Cardiff

Welcome to the first day of this Christmas & New Year tour! The tour begins first thing this morning as it departs Greenwich. The first stop is Stonehenge, which offers the opportunity to discover this ancient archaeological phenomenon’s many myths and legends on an optional tour. From one historical site to the next - welcome to Bath! This beautiful and historic city is famous for the Roman baths built during the reign of the Empire. Learn more about Bath on an orientation tour. Later, settle in for the night in Cardiff, the capital of Wales. Enjoy an included welcome dinner together with the rest of the group.
Day 2 Day 2: Stratford-Upon-Avon - Liverpool
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Stratford-Upon-Avon - Liverpool

Today’s adventure begins with a visit to Stratford-upon-Avon; home of William Shakespeare! Enjoy free time to explore this 800-year-old market town. Or, join the optional excursion to see Shakespeare’s childhood home. Then, travel to Liverpool, the British port city famous for football and The Beatles! Be dazzled by the Christmas lights while exploring the city in your free time this evening. Football fans can delight in the home of Liverpool and Everton football clubs, while music lovers enjoy the city’s deep connection with The Beatles at the Cavern Club, where they played hundreds of times. An optional visit to The Beatles Story & Museum is also highly recommended for a unique and detailed insight into this iconic band’s history.
Day 3 Day 3: Liverpool - Dublin
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Liverpool - Dublin

This morning, take a driving tour of Liverpool’s most famous sights, including Albert Dock, Penny Lane and John Lennon’s house. Stop at Strawberry Field, the inspiration for The Beatles’ single Strawberry Fields Forever. Then, travel back to Wales for a visit to Conwy, a walled market town known for its impressive 13th century castle. Next, enjoy a photo stop in the town that boasts the longest place name in Europe - Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch! Then, board a ferry across the Irish Sea to Ireland! Arrive in Dublin, the bustling capital city, and enjoy a free evening. Why not soak up the Christmas Eve atmosphere at one the many pubs in the iconic Temple Bar neighbourhood?
Day 4 Day 4: Dublin - Free Day (Christmas Day)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Dublin - Free Day (Christmas Day)

Merry Christmas to you! Or Nollaig Shona Duit as they say in Irish! There is so much to see and do in this beautiful city. Some very brave locals head down to Forty Foot on Christmas morning and have a swim in the Irish Sea. This freezing tradition has been happening for some 250 years! Take time to meander through the streets and soak up the twinkling Christmas lights and festive music. Make sure that this Christmas in Ireland is one to remember! Later, enjoy a delicious Christmas dinner with the rest of the group.
Day 5 Day 5: Waterford - Blarney Castle - Killarney Area
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Waterford - Blarney Castle - Killarney Area

Leave the bustling, festive city of Dublin and travel to the oldest city in Ireland; Waterford. This city was first settled by the Vikings in 914 AD! Enjoy free time to explore and grab some lunch. Then, head to the famous 15th century Blarney Castle! Will you be brave enough to hang over the edge and kiss the Blarney Stone for the ‘gift of the gab’? The last stop for the day and home for the night is Killarney. With some free time in the afternoon, why not walk through the beautiful town centre and feel the Christmas spirit all around? Sit down for a meal at the hotel this evening and experience that warm Irish hospitality!
Day 6 Day 6: Ring Of Kerry: Free Day
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Ring Of Kerry: Free Day

Enjoy a free day in this beautiful part of Ireland! Choose to join the optional Ring of Kerry excursion for a truly unforgettable experience. Any trip to Ireland is synonymous with rolling green hills, charming villages and breathtaking coastal views, and the Ring of Kerry absolutely ticks all these boxes. Get blown away by the scenery of this gorgeous green valley and picturesque stretches of coastline. En route, stop in picture-postcard villages and quaint towns. Here, stroll down the high streets, relax in charming cafés or browse the souvenir shops. Attend a sheepdog show and enjoy a jaunting (carriage) ride to take in the stunning scenery of Killarney National Park.
Day 7 Day 7: Adare - Limerick - Cliffs Of Moher - Galway - Ballina
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Adare - Limerick - Cliffs Of Moher - Galway - Ballina

Today is filled with more epic scenery as the coach drives up the Wild Atlantic Way coastal road. Stop along the way in Adare, described as the ‘prettiest village in Ireland’. Then, visit Limerick to see the Treaty Stone and King John’s Castle. The next stop is a must-see on any trip to Ireland - the Cliffs of Moher. These cliffs rise over 200m above the sea, and the views are nothing short of spectacular! Later, reach Galway and enjoy free time to explore this charming harbour city. Don’t miss the opportunity to listen to live traditional Irish music in one of the pubs here! Finally, travel to tonight’s accommodation in Ballina.
Day 8 Day 8: Derry/Londonderry - Giant’S Causeway - Belfast
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Derry/Londonderry - Giant’S Causeway - Belfast

Today, the journey continues to Northern Ireland. First stop is Derry/Londonderry, a city famous for the 17th century Derry Walls, which remain intact to this day. Next up is the Giant’s Causeway; an awe-inspiring natural phenomenon brimming with myths and legends.Today’s final stop is Belfast. Embark on a driving and walking tour with a local guide who will highlight some of the city’s most famous attractions and explain its history. Belfast is shaking off its reputation that lingered after the times of The Troubles and has transformed into a modern city with a rich cultural heritage. Fans of Game of Thrones will be pleased to know that a large portion of the series was filmed here!
Day 9 Day 9: Belfast - Scottish Highlands
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Belfast - Scottish Highlands

Explore more of Belfast with some free time this morning. Later, travel across the Sea of Moyle via ferry to a brand new country - Scotland! Scotland is rich in history, from famous battles and towering castles to Celtic legends. It is also known and beloved for its unique and distinct culture. Admire the scenery as the tour travels on to the accommodation for the evening in the picturesque Highlands. On the way, look forward to visiting one of Scotland’s oldest licensed distilleries. Sample some authentic Scottish whisky during a tasting experience!
Day 10 Day 10: Glen Coe - Loch Ness - Edinburgh (New Year’S Eve/Hogmanay)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Glen Coe - Loch Ness - Edinburgh (New Year’S Eve/Hogmanay)

While exploring the stunning Scottish Highlands landscape, visit the famous Loch Ness! To get a better look at the home of the mythical Loch Ness monster, join an optional cruise on the loch. See the Urquhart Castle ruins from the water and try to spot “Nessie”! Admire the last of the Highland views en route to Edinburgh, Scotland’s magical capital city. This evening, celebrate Hogmanay (what the Scots call the last day of the year) and ring in the New Year, Edinburgh style! This tour includes a ticket to the official Hogmanay celebration, described as ‘the ultimate party’. Marvel at the fireworks at midnight which light up the sky with Edinburgh Castle as an epic backdrop!
Day 11 Day 11: Edinburgh - Free Day (New Year’S Day)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: Edinburgh - Free Day (New Year’S Day)

It’s a brand new year! Today offers a full free day to explore Edinburgh at your own place. Revisit some of the places seen yesterday or take a walk around Edinburgh’s cobbled streets and pop into a pub or two. Alternatively, see Edinburgh’s highlights on today’s optional excursion! Learn more about this fascinating city during a visit to Calton Hill, see Holyrood Palace, wander along the Royal Mile and see St. Giles’ Cathedral and finish off with time to explore Edinburgh Castle! This evening, why not experience the Spirit of Scotland - an optional evening of delicious Scottish food and traditional entertainment?
Day 12 Day 12: York - Yorkshire
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 12: York - Yorkshire

Say goodbye to Scotland and head back to England. On the way, stop at Scott’s View - a viewpoint in the Scottish Borders. After crossing the border, enjoy a photo stop at the impressive Angel of the North sculpture. Later, arrive in York. Founded by the Romans, York is a centuries-old, walled city which is home to the largest gothic cathedral in northern Europe. This charming city is full of winding cobbled streets lined with small boutiques selling all manner of fascinating souvenirs and sweet treats. Join your tour leader on a walking tour to see York’s most famous and historic sights, before heading to tonight’s accommodation in Yorkshire. Enjoy an included dinner at the hotel this evening.
Day 13 Day 13: Cambridge - London
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 13: Cambridge - London

It may be the last day of this adventure-packed Christmas and New Year tour, but it’s far from over! On the way back to London, visit the fascinating city of Cambridge. The University of Cambridge was founded here in 1209, and is the world’s fourth-oldest surviving university. Walk in the footsteps of the world’s brightest minds! Charles Darwin, John Milton, William Wordsworth, Sir Isaac Newton, Stephen Hawking and David Attenborough are all Cambridge alumni. While here, take part in the age-old tradition of punting down the river in a wooden punt boat! Travel to London in the early evening and bid farewell to your fellow travellers after a memorable start to the New Year!

+10

13 days tour

Uk & Ireland Christmas & New Year - 13 Days

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Uk & Ireland Christmas & New Year - 13 Days

Day 1: London - Stonehenge - Bath - Cardiff

Day 2: Stratford-Upon-Avon - Liverpool

Day 3: Liverpool - Dublin

Day 4: Dublin - Free Day (Christmas Day)

Day 5: Waterford - Blarney Castle - Killarney Area

Day 6: Ring Of Kerry: Free Day

Day 7: Adare - Limerick - Cliffs Of Moher - Galway - Ballina

Day 8: Derry/Londonderry - Giant’S Causeway - Belfast

Day 9: Belfast - Scottish Highlands

Day 10: Glen Coe - Loch Ness - Edinburgh (New Year’S Eve/Hogmanay)

Day 11: Edinburgh - Free Day (New Year’S Day)

Day 12: York - Yorkshire

Day 13: Cambridge - London

Experience Style

Accomodation level

Experience Type

Physical Rating

Age range

Who talk about us:

Best cities to travel to

America

Europe

Asia

Africa

Oceania