• 5 Dinner (D)
• 17 Breakfast (B)

• London: You’ll need Essential Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)From?January 8, 2025, UK law means that if you’re entering/transiting through border control in the United Kingdom (UK) and Northern Ireland you’ll need an?Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)?before you travel. Confused? Don’t be – just read on here.
• London: A modular trip means fellow travellers will join and leave at various locations. There’ll be some goodbyes, sure, but there’ll also be plenty of hellos with new like-minded travellers.
• London: For this trip, you’ll need just two currencies – the British Pound and the Euro.
• Edinburgh: You’ll be on the road for around 2-3 hours between stops. We’ll check out some cities along the way, so that you can soak up some more of the localities in the British Isles. Either way, get ready for all the beautiful backdrops you’ll see.
• Edinburgh: You’ll cross the Irish Sea aboard a modern, high-speed ferry with comfy facilities. Best part? You’ll be able to leave the coach and explore the ferry and its food court during the 2-hour journey. We’ll hop back on the coach before disembarking.
• London: You’ll stay in a Twin share room (meaning you’ll be paired with a fellow traveller of the same gender, and will have two separate beds). If you’re booking your trip with a friend/travel companion – just let us know, so we can join your bookings and ensure you share a room. Need a lil’ more privacy? You’re welcome to opt for a single supplement if you like.

• Windsor: Walk the iconic tree-lined ‘Long Walk’ and take in the fantastic views of Windsor Castle. Keep your eyes peeled! You might even spot a royal if you’re lucky.
• Bath: Live out your Bridgerton dreams as you wander around Bath’s historic and regal architecture.
• Oxford: Wander around the quaint canals and streets of Oxford. And also the grounds of one of the most famous universities in the world!
• Stratford-upon-Avon: Explore the town that this legendary literature writer once called home. From Shakespeare’s birthplace to where we he was buried – you’ll find clues about his life scattered everywhere in this town.
• Liverpool: One for fans of The Beatles. Walk in the footsteps of the Fab Four and see all the iconic landmarks on this jaunt around Liverpool.
• York Minster: Explore this historic city and get to know its Viking and Roman roots. Check out highlights such as Clifford’s Tower and York Minster. 
• Edinburgh: Holyrood Palace. The Royal Mile. Edinburgh Castle. They’re all here to fill up your memory and Insta feed. 
• Mallaig: We’ll visit Helix Park, home to The Kelpies (horse statues, standing at 100ft tall & weighing more than 300 tonnes each). It’s a wonder to behold. Plus, there’s also an adventure play park with woodlands and boardwalks for some added fun. 
• Stirling: Explore the sights of Stirling and get a selfie with the memorial to the iconic Scottish knight.
• St. Andrews: If you like golf, you’ll love St Andrews. But if you think it spoils a nice walk in the park, there’s also Swilcan Bridge.
• Loch Ness: Sit back, relax and cruise along the loch with your Contiki crew. But keep your eyes peeled and camera ready for mythical ‘Nessie’.   
• Scottish Highlands: Ever wondered how native animal species – like the Scottish Red Squirrel, Lynx and Beavers – are reintroduced into the wild? Come learn about it all from an expert (who’ll also tell you how the Caledonian pine forest is being reforested too!). Every penny you spend here will directly support Trees for Life, a TreadRight supported project.
• Blarney Castle: Your chance to kiss the Blarney Stone and get the ‘gift of the gab’. And to visit the medieval Irish castle. 
• Cliffs of Moher: These rugged, photogenic cliffs have been the star of many films, including a Harry Potter one.
• Galway: Tread the cobbles of this well-loved Irish city with your new Contiki crew. See Lynch’s Castle, Eyre Square and all the best pubs.
• Derry/Londonderry: One for the history fans. Take a look around Ireland’s only walled city, built in the 17th Century.
• Giant’s Causeway: Sure, rock formations may sound a bit dull on paper, but this quirky natural wonder has to be seen to be believed.  
• Belfast: Hang with a local guide to see all the landmarks and learn about the city’s checkered history. 

Amble the Tudor streets of Stratford as you trace the life of William Shakespeare. See timber-framed houses near Shakespeare’s Birthplace and pay respects at Holy Trinity Church, where the Bard is laid to rest.

Gain insight into Elizabethan daily life, theatre traditions, and the market town prosperity that fostered England’s greatest playwright. Half-timbered facades, gabled roofs, and riverside willows set the tone for an evocative literary pilgrimage.

Join a guided panoramic tour of Liverpool to connect music, maritime, and modern culture. Pass the Albert Dock, the Liver Building, and sites tied to the Fab Four, from the Cavern Quarter to storied streets that shaped their sound.

Learn how Atlantic trade and migration forged the city’s identity, then enjoy bold public art and revitalized quays. The mix of Beatlemania lore and UNESCO-listed docklands creates a lively snapshot of Liverpool’s spirit.

Walk centuries-deep streets as you explore York’s walled heart. Gaze up at York Minster, weave through the medieval lanes of the Shambles, and climb to Clifford’s Tower for citywide views.

Hear tales of Roman Eboracum, Viking Jórvík, and medieval guilds that shaped trade and religion. Stone ramparts, timbered facades, and ringing church bells lend a richly layered ambience to this captivating northern city.

Pause amid rolling moorland to visit Hadrian’s Wall, the Roman Empire’s northern frontier. Walk along surviving stonework and turf, imagining legionaries guarding these windswept ridges nearly 2,000 years ago.

Absorb context about Roman Britain, fort networks like Housesteads, and the cultural interplay at the empire’s edge. The contrast of rugged fells and ordered masonry invites a reflective pause for photos and reflection.

Get your bearings as you walk the Royal Mile, with storybook closes dropping to the Old Town and views toward Holyrood Palace. See volcanic crags and steeples that sculpt Scotland’s dramatic capital.

Hear how Enlightenment thinkers, Jacobite intrigue, and literary giants shaped the city, while the skyline of Edinburgh Castle crowns the scene. Atmospheric wynds, bagpipe notes, and stone tenements reveal a city both historic and creative.

Stop to see The Kelpies, 30-metre-high stainless-steel horse heads shimmering over canal and parkland. Their mirrored plates capture shifting Scottish skies for striking photo moments.

Learn how these modern landmarks celebrate heavy horses that powered Scotland’s canals and industry. Engineering ingenuity and folklore merge here, creating a bold symbol of the nation’s working heritage and artistic ambition.

Explore Stirling’s historic core with views to Stirling Castle perched on a volcanic outcrop. Pause for photos of the hilltop Wallace Monument, commemorating the famed Scottish knight of the Wars of Independence.

Hear about pivotal battles at Stirling Bridge and Bannockburn and the city’s role as a medieval crossroads between Highlands and Lowlands. The blend of fortified rock and undulating farmland sets a stirring national stage.

Walk the windswept shoreline of St Andrews to view the Old Course and the iconic Swilcan Bridge. Roaming ruins and collegiate quadrangles reveal Scotland’s oldest university town.

Gain a sense of how linksland, medieval scholarship, and North Sea trade forged this small city’s global influence. Sea air, dunes, and stone arcades create an irresistible mix of coastal drama and academic tradition.

Cruise the dark waters of Loch Ness beneath steep, forested slopes, scanning for castle ruins and ripples on the surface. Onboard commentary connects landscape, legend, and Highland life.

Hear about the Caledonian Canal and the enduring tale of mythical ‘Nessie’, while crisp air and peat-scented breezes set the mood. This serene sailing offers sublime Highland perspectives from the water.

Visit a pioneering project to learn about Scottish rewilding: restoring Caledonian pine forests and habitats for species like red squirrels and beavers. Interactive exhibits and trails bring conservation to life.

Discover how native woodlands support biodiversity and capture carbon, and how local communities engage with the land. Every visit here supports on-the-ground restoration, making this a meaningful wildlife and conservation encounter.

Enter the medieval stronghold to visit Blarney Castle and gardens, climbing turreted passages to the famed Blarney Stone. Landscaped grounds, waterfalls, and arboretums enrich the scene.

Hear legends of eloquence granted to those who kiss the stone and learn how the MacCarthy clan shaped this fortress. Between battlements and lush glades, the castle blends folklore, heritage, and Irish charm.

Stand atop Atlantic ramparts as you take in the Cliffs of Moher, where sheer limestone walls plunge to foaming seas. Gulls wheel on updrafts and distant Aran Islands hover on the horizon.

Learn about the Burren’s geology, seabird colonies, and the lighthouse heritage along this wild coast. Sea spray, heather-scented breezes, and crashing surf compose an elemental Irish soundtrack.

Join a short stroll to tread Galway’s cobbles, from Eyre Square to the Spanish Arch. Spot Lynch’s Castle and colorful shopfronts while buskers set a lively west-coast rhythm.

Hear how merchant trade, Irish language culture, and folk music shaped the “City of the Tribes.” Pubs glow with session tunes, and stone quays evoke centuries of Atlantic crossings and community spirit.

Step onto intact ramparts as you walk Ireland’s only complete walled city. Views sweep over the Guildhall, Georgian streets, and the River Foyle from these 17th-century defenses.

Understand Plantation history, civic pride, and how craft and culture thrive within the walls today. Murals, spires, and cannon points reveal a city that honors its past while looking ahead.

Follow the path to walk the Giant’s Causeway, where interlocking basalt columns tumble into the sea. Hexagonal stones and foaming surf make for dramatic photo stops at this UNESCO World Heritage site.

Hear volcanic origin stories alongside Finn McCool folklore, and learn how ocean forces sculpt this surreal landscape. Cliff grasses, seabirds, and salt air complete a wild Antrim Coast encounter.

Join a guided panoramic tour to see Belfast’s key sights: City Hall, Queen’s Quarter, and the revitalized Titanic Quarter where the liner was built. Street art and shipyard cranes outline a confident, creative city.

Contextual commentary explores industrial heritage and recent transformation beyond the Troubles. Historic red-brick, elegant Victorian avenues, and cutting-edge waterfront architecture tell Belfast’s evolving story.

Join a local expert to trace Bristol’s street art through colorful lanes and harborside warehouses. Spot large-scale murals, stencil work, and pieces linked to Banksy’s legacy in the city where he rose.

Learn how port history, counterculture, and music scenes fuel Bristol’s creative energy. This urban gallery in the open air is an optional experience at additional cost, bookable with your Tour Manager on tour.

As evening falls, join a guided ghost walk through shadowy snickleways and churchyards. Hear macabre tales tied to medieval York, Viking lore, and echoing cloisters.

Storytellers conjure spectres and scandals amid candlelit stones, blending theatre with local history. This atmospheric ramble is an optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour.

Sample regional whiskies with a specialist who unpacks peat smoke, sherry casks, and Highlands vs. Islay character. Nose glasses, take measured sips, and learn proper tasting technique in a convivial setting.

Discover how barley, water, and oak craft Scotland’s signature spirit and decode labels from single malt to blended styles. This tutored tasting is an optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour.

Step inside Edinburgh Castle with a local guide to view the Crown Jewels, the Stone of Destiny, and the echoing castle esplanade overlooking the city.

Hear how volcanic geology, royal pageantry, and sieges shaped this fortress from the Middle Ages to modern times. This landmark visit is an optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour.

Meet a local ranger to explore Caledonian pinewoods around Rothiemurchus. Learn to spot red deer tracks, listen for crested tit calls, and understand how ancient forests support Highland wildlife.

Short walks and field insights reveal conservation work in the Cairngorms National Park. This nature-focused outing is an optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour.

Try your hand at archery and safe axe throwing under expert supervision amid Highland hills. Learn stance, aim, and release while soaking up crisp air and pine-scented trails.

Lighthearted competition and countryside views make this a fun active interlude during your time in the Highlands. This activity is an optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour.

Sit down to a home-style Scottish meal featuring hearty local produce, then enjoy live traditional music that brings stories and wit to life.

Meet warm hosts, learn dining customs, and savor the convivial spirit Glasgow is known for. This cultural supper is an optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour.

Pedal medieval Kilkenny with a guide, rolling past Kilkenny Castle, St Canice’s Cathedral, and narrow lanes rich in craft heritage.

Stories of guilds, sieges, and stone-cutting traditions accompany flat, easy cycling along the River Nore. This gentle ride is an optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour.

Head to Midleton to tour the Jameson Distillery, exploring copper stills, grain stores, and aging warehouses before a guided whiskey tasting.

Learn Ireland’s triple-distillation process and how casks shape vanilla, spice, and orchard-fruit notes. This spirited visit is an optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour.

Meet a local shepherd and watch skilled dogs work a flock across fields, guided by whistles and calls rooted in rural tradition. Warm up with a homemade farm lunch after the show.

Gain insight into pastoral life, breeding, and training on small Irish holdings. This authentic countryside encounter is an optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour.

Explore Titanic Belfast in the shipyard where RMS Titanic was designed and launched. Immersive galleries, historic slipways, and oral histories trace shipbuilding brilliance and tragedy.

From Edwardian design to Harland & Wolff engineering, the museum places the liner within Belfast’s industrial story. This landmark visit is an optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour.

Tour the Guinness Storehouse through malt, hops, and brewing craft before learning to pull the perfect pint. Exhibits rise around a glass atrium shaped like a pint.

Cap your visit with panoramic city views at the Gravity Bar as Dublin’s rooftops spread below. This iconic brewery experience is an optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour.

Gather one evening to share a farewell dinner of seasonal Irish dishes in a lively setting where conversation flows and toasts are made.

Expect warm hospitality, local produce, and a celebratory mood as you recount highlights of your journey. This convivial meal is an optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour.

Stroll the tree-lined avenue of the Long Walk for commanding views of Windsor Castle, the world’s largest inhabited fortress and a working royal residence. Pause along the riverside lawns and ornamental gates as deer-dotted parkland frames the castle’s towers.

Hear stories of monarchs from William the Conqueror to the present day while appreciating the blend of medieval battlements and baroque State Apartments. This leisurely exploration captures the pageantry of royal Windsor in an evocative, open-air setting.

Explore Bath’s creamy limestone streets, where sweeping terraces curve into the Royal Crescent and the Circus. Trace elegant colonnades to the Roman Baths, whose steaming waters have drawn visitors since antiquity.

Admire honey-hued facades designed by John Wood and learn how thermal springs shaped the city’s social life from Roman Spa to Georgian high society. The blend of regal Georgian architecture and ancient ritual gives Bath its distinctive, time-layered atmosphere.

Wander cobbled lanes past honeyed stone quads and spires as you walk the historic heart of Oxford. See landmarks like the Radcliffe Camera, the Sheldonian Theatre, and college courtyards that have inspired scholars for centuries.

Hear how traditions from tutorials to rowing shaped student life, and appreciate the city’s unique fusion of medieval halls and neoclassical libraries. This gentle orientation uncovers Oxford’s scholarly rhythm and dreaming spires in context.