NEW YEAR SALE! Britain & Ireland - Featuring the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

Day 1: London, England - Tour Begins
Your journey opens in the regal city of London. A capital of culture and commerce, the city blends traditional with modern. Tonight, meet your fellow travellers for a welcome dinner.

Day 2: London
Discover the pageantry of London as we join a local guide for a city tour. See Big Ben, Westminster, Whitehall, Hyde Park and Buckingham Palace. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure to explore this iconic city or perhaps partake in an optional excursion to Windsor Castle.

Day 3: London - Stonehenge - Bath - Cardiff, Wales

Travel to Stonehenge, the mysterious formation that dates back to the Stone Age. Explore various theories on how the colossal stones arrived at the location and their purpose. Continue to the elegant Georgian town of Bath to visit the Roman Bath Museum’s 2,000-year-old elaborate spas. Enjoy some time to stroll through Bath’s cobblestone streets and soak in its old-world atmosphere. Your day ends in the Welsh capital of Cardiff.

Day 4: Cardiff - Ferry to Ireland - Waterford

Join a local expert on a leisurely-paced walking tour of Cardiff. Learn about the city’s deep ties to the coal industry, its connection to ancient Rome and its famous Victorian shopping arcades. Take in the beautiful countryside of Wales en route to the coastal village of Fishguard. There we board the ferry for Ireland, crossing the Irish Sea. Upon arrival in Rosslare, travel to Waterford, your home for the evening.

Day 5: Waterford - Blarney - Killarney
This morning, it’s your choice! Tour the House of Waterford Crystal factory featuring a fascinating visitor’s centre and a retail store housing the largest collection of Waterford Crystal in the world -OR- enjoy a leisurely-paced walking tour of Ireland’s oldest city and discover its rich Viking, Norman and Cromwellian history. Later, travel to historic Blarney Castle. Make your way to the top of the castle, lie back and kiss the famous Blarney Stone. Legend has it that if you do, you will be blessed with the "gift of eloquence." This evening it’s Diner’s Choice…tonight’s dinner is included and you’ll choose the perfect spot from a "menu" of Killarney’s great restaurants.

Day 6: Killarney - Ring of Kerry - Killarney
This morning explore Killarney National Park on a traditional jaunting car ride.* Then travel along the glorious Ring of Kerry where you’ll find some of Ireland’s most magical scenery. Pause for a moment at the Gap of Dunloe to browse for traditional Irish handcrafted goods. As we continue our journey, marvel at the vistas created by windswept cliffs, rugged mountains, lakes and picturesque villages. Later, see border collies in action during a traditional sheepdog demonstration at a family-run farm.

Day 7: Killarney - Rock of Cashel - Dublin
Today we venture through the “Golden Vale” en route to the awe-inspiring Rock of Cashel. Be amazed by its imposing facade and visit the spot where St. Patrick preached. End your day in the exciting city of Dublin, with time to discover the city’s charm on your own.

Day 8: Dublin

Discover Dublin’s past and present on a locally guided tour highlighting the Bank of Ireland, O’Connell Street, Grafton Street, Phoenix Park and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Later, experience for yourself the welcoming nature of the Irish as you set out to explore the “Fair City” on your own. Tonight, give traditional Irish cuisine a modern twist during a cooking class and dinner at one of Dublin’s premier culinary institutions. Top off the evening by making your very own Irish coffee!

Day 9: Dublin - Ferry to Wales - Cheshire

Ferry across the Irish Sea to Holyhead, Wales. As you traverse northern Wales, pass Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, the town with the longest name in the world. Make a stop at majestic Caernarfon Castle, where Charles was crowned Prince of Wales. Then, continue through the Welsh countryside and discover some of the most magnificent scenery in all of Britain. Tonight, experience dinner at a traditional English carvery.

Day 10: Cheshire - Lake District - Gretna Green, Scotland - Edinburgh
Travel north into England’s scenic Lake District. Here you’ll feel the inspirational appeal of the region’s quintessential English villages, Lake Windermere, Ambleside and Grasmere. Crossing into Scotland, stop in the town of Gretna Green where generations of runaway couples eloped. Continue to Edinburgh, Scotland’s majestic capital city.

Day 11: Edinburgh

Today it’s your choice! Come to know this regal city during a locally guided panoramic city coach tour -OR- for a different perspective, join a local expert and explore the city on foot. Both tours include a visit to Edinburgh Castle, home of the Scottish Crown Jewels, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse,** the Queen’s official residence in Edinburgh and former home of Mary, Queen of Scots. Later this evening, take your seat at the spectacular, world-famous Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, one of Scotland’s greatest events.

Day 12: Edinburgh - York, England

En route to England, visit Hadrian’s Wall. Construction of this ancient structure began in A.D. 122 and since that time, it has served as the northern border of the Roman Empire. Continue to the historic city of York. Find yourself surrounded by the charms of history as you explore its quaint narrow streets. Walk on the famous “Shambles” and see the magnificent 13th-century Minster.

Day 13: York - Stratford-upon-Avon

Journey to charming Stratford-upon-Avon. Step back in time as we visit William Shakespeare’s birthplace. Afterward, it’s your choice! Tour Anne Hathaway's thatch-roofed cottage, the childhood home of the author's wife -OR- set out on a leisurely cruise along the Avon River. This evening we gather to say farewell to this captivating region over dinner.

Day 14: Stratford-upon-Avon - Tour Ends
Depart today with many fond memories of lovely Britain and Ireland.

Book your holiday before 8 January 2020 and SAVE up to 15%!

Departure dates - 01 Aug 2020, 14 Aug 2020, 15 Aug 2020 :

• Was $5,449 pp twin share, NOW from $4,632 pp twin share
• Was $7,199 sole use, NOW from $6,119 sole use

Get in quick, three departures already sold out - limited seats left on these last departures! Freecall our local travel team on 1300 414 198 for more details or to book your tour.

• Day 1 to 2: Radisson Blu Edwardian, Grafton
• Day 3: Hilton Cardiff
• Day 4: Tower Hotel Waterford
• Day 5 to 6: Scotts Hotel Killarney
• Day 7 to 8: Herbert Park Hotel
• Day 9: Grosvenor Pulford Hotel & Spa
• Day 10 to 11: Apex Grassmarket Hotel
• Day 12: Doubletree By Hilton York
• Day 13: Mercure Warwickshire Walton Hall Hotel & Spa

*hotels based on 01 August 2020 departure and are subject to change for alternative departure dates.

Tour Activity Level:

The activity level for this tour is 3. This tour includes moderate physical activity. The itinerary blends some longer days with shorter days and more leisure time. Walking tours, as well as walking slightly longer distances, up stairs or on uneven walking surfaces should be expected.

Are airport and hotel transfers available?

Passengers can purchase transfers (for the first and last day of the tour) at an additional cost starting at $120 per person, roundtrip. Some restrictions may apply. All transfers leave at prescheduled times.

What is not included in the tour price?

The land price does not include international air travel to and from Australia, airline fees, airport or departure taxes, transfers, visas, customary end-of-trip gratuities.

Do I need to tip on my tour?

Whilst tipping may not be expected in Australia, in most other countries you will visit it is customary to tip. This is a way of thanking and rewarding the staff that looked after you on your tour.

Can I purchase pre-paid tipping?

From the 1st of January 2020, Collette is pleased to offer a pre-paid tipping option for guests travelling after 1st May 2020. This allows guests to purchase the package up to 45 days prior to departure and know that all tipping is covered.

How much does pre-paid tipping cost?

The tipping package will vary due to tour length and inclusions. A classic style tour will cost approximately $11 per person, per day and Explorations style tour will be approximately $14 per person, per day. An additional $3 per person will be added for each additional guide that the tour may include. Please contact our reservations team to find out exactly how much the pre-paid package will cost for your tour.