Castles & Kingdoms
Castles & Kingdoms
Castles & Kingdoms
21 Days Starting in London, England and ending in Shannon, Ireland
Visiting: London, Bath, York, Lake District, Edinburgh, Belfast, Giant's Causeway, Dublin, Dublin, Northern Ireland, Glendalough, Kilkenny, Cashel, Blarney, Killarney, Ring of Kerry, Dingle Peninsula, Adare, Limerick, Cliffs of Moher, Galway, Ashford Castle, Shannon
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Cultural, Foodie and Wine Tours, Gardens & Nature Tours, History
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on the "Castles & Kingdoms" tour, a luxurious journey through England, Northern Ireland, and the United Kingdom. Begin in London with a royal welcome and explore iconic landmarks like Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and the Tower of London. Marvel at the ancient Stonehenge, stroll through the Georgian streets of Bath, and visit the historic Roman Baths or the Jane Austen Centre. Discover the medieval wonders of York, the poetic Lake District, and the majestic Alnwick Castle. In Edinburgh, delve into 900 years of history at Edinburgh Castle and enjoy a private bagpipe performance. Cross to Belfast for a Titanic Museum visit and a private tour of the Giant's Causeway. Conclude in Ireland with visits to Dublin, the Cliffs of Moher, and the regal Ashford Castle, where you'll experience falconry and dine in royal style. This tour offers a blend of history, culture, and luxury, ensuring an unforgettable experience.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To London
Location: London
Accommodation: The Rubens at the Palace, London.
Accommodation Name: The Rubens at the Palace, London.
Meals Included: Dinner
Your UK luxury tour begins with a private chauffeur to your five-star hotel, Rubens at the Palace. Here you are welcomed with the royal treatment from their red tail-coated doormen. Tonight, enjoy sumptuous British fare at the English Grill Restaurant.
Day 2: Traditions And Treasures Of London
Location: London
Accommodation: The Rubens at the Palace, London.
Accommodation Name: The Rubens at the Palace, London.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Hear the bells of Big Ben and admire the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. View bustling Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus before visiting the Household Cavalry Museum. After the sun sets and London lights up, you’re treated to a private, after-hours tour of the Tower of London and the historic Ceremony of the Keys.
Day 3: Stonehenge And Georgian Bath Relaxed Start
Location: Bath
Accommodation: Francis Hotel, Bath.
Accommodation Name: Francis Hotel, Bath.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Savour a Relaxed Start before standing in awe of mysterious Stonehenge, Britain's best-known UNESCO World Heritage Site. Immerse yourself further into British history as you travel to Bath. Stroll the streets lined with Georgian architecture feeling as though you’ve stepped into a classic English novel.
Day 4: Explore Bath Relaxed Start
Location: Bath
Accommodation: Francis Hotel, Bath.
Accommodation Name: Francis Hotel, Bath.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Personalise your day with a visit to the Jane Austen Centre or visit the Roman Baths and Georgian Pump Room, Britain’s only natural hot springs. Share the highlights of your morning over locally sourced dishes at the Michelin-starred Olive Tree restaurant.
Day 5: Cotswolds, Stratford-Upon-Avon And York
Location: York
Accommodation: The Grand Hotel & Spa, York.
Accommodation Name: The Grand Hotel & Spa, York.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Travel through a storybook of rolling hills in the Cotswolds toward Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of Shakespeare, and admire quaint Tudor cottages. Your day concludes in York where cobbled streets, classic tearooms and Gothic buildings lure you further into the past.
Day 6: Medieval Wonders Of York Relaxed Start
Location: York
Accommodation: The Grand Hotel & Spa, York.
Accommodation Name: The Grand Hotel & Spa, York.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Step back into the Middle Ages in York joining an expert-led tour of the York Minster or a walk on the 13th-century city walls. Enter the stately Castle Howard through landscaped gardens before sitting down to a traditional English afternoon tea and private tour of the house.
Day 7: The Wild And Poetic Lake District
Location: Lake District
Accommodation: Merewood Country House Hotel, Lake District.
Accommodation Name: Merewood Country House Hotel, Lake District.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Let the beauty of the Lake District inspire you as you cruise shimmering Ullswater Lake, taking in some of the best views of this region. Later, check into the lovingly restored country house overlooking Lake Windermere.
Day 8: Alnwick Castle
Location: Edinburgh
Accommodation: Kimpton Charlotte Square, Edinburgh.
Accommodation Name: Kimpton Charlotte Square, Edinburgh.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Discover majestic Alnwick Castle’s magnificent interiors with a Local Expert before exploring Edinburgh's beautiful, walkable city. Should you visit during August, witness The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, one of the most spectacular military concerts and celebration of the history, heritage and colours of Scotland’s regiments.
Day 9: Highlights Of Beautiful Edinburgh
Location: Edinburgh
Accommodation: Kimpton Charlotte Square, Edinburgh.
Accommodation Name: Kimpton Charlotte Square, Edinburgh.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Explore the grounds of Edinburgh’s “castle on the hill,” as your guide unlocks more than 900-years of history. Personalise your afternoon visiting the 17th-century Mary King's Close or with a stimulating whisky tasting. After a private performance from a former bagpiper to the Royals, a seasonal meal of fine dishes at award-winning Dine Edinburgh rounds off your final day.
Day 10: Edinburgh To Belfast
Location: Belfast
Accommodation: Grand Central Hotel, Belfast.
Accommodation Name: Grand Central Hotel, Belfast.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Journey to your luxurious hotel in Belfast for a relaxing three-night stay in the heart of the city centre. Pop up to The Observatory bar where glittering views stretch into the distance. Get to know the tastes of the town at a local restaurant.
Day 11: Highlights Of Belfast
Location: Belfast
Accommodation: Grand Central Hotel, Belfast.
Accommodation Name: Grand Central Hotel, Belfast.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Visit the world-class Titanic Museum for a vivid picture of the past , before customising your time in Belfast. Step out with Local Expert and explore the City Hall, prestigious Queen's University and Parliament Building at Stormont or meet a local artist to discover Belfast’s progressive street art.
Day 12: Giant's Causeway And Londonderry
Location: Giant's Causeway
Accommodation: Grand Central Hotel, Belfast.
Accommodation Name: Grand Central Hotel, Belfast.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Experience Northern Ireland's most spectacular geological wonder, the UNESCO Listed Giant's Causeway on a private tour with a Local Ranger. On arrival in Londonderry, Local Guide Ronan, one of Northern Ireland's best storytellers, will captivate you with his deep knowledge of history and politics.
Day 13: Strangford Lough And Vibrant Dublin Relaxed Start
Location: Dublin
Accommodation: Dylan Hotel, Dublin.
Accommodation Name: Dylan Hotel, Dublin.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Continue to Dublin and explore the Guinness Storehouse learning how to pull the perfect pint or visit Pearse Lyons Distillery for a private tour and a cocktail.
Day 14: A Truly Irish Experience
Location: Dublin, Northern Ireland
Accommodation: Dylan Hotel, Dublin.
Accommodation Name: Dylan Hotel, Dublin.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
A visit to Trinity College unveils the 9th century Book of Kells. At a VIP, after-hours visit to the Little Museum of Dublin, sip Prosecco with the museum founder Trevor White as he shares his local stories.
Day 15: Glendalough To Kilkenny Relaxed Start
Location: Dublin, Glendalough, Kilkenny
Accommodation: Lyrath Estate, Kilkenny.
Accommodation Name: Lyrath Estate, Kilkenny.
Meals Included: Breakfast
After a Relaxed Start, explore Glendalough, the "glen of two lakes" with a Local Expert. Stroll Kilkenny’s Medieval Mile linking Kilkenny Castle and St. Canice’s Cathedral. Your own historic residence, Lyrath Estate, is set within sprawling acres of lakes, gardens and woodlands.
Day 16: Banter In Blarney
Location: Kilkenny, Cashel, Blarney, Killarney
Accommodation: The Dunloe Hotel & Gardens
Accommodation Name: The Dunloe Hotel & Gardens
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
See monastic Ireland in Cashel, famous for the spectacular Rock of Cashel, also known as St. Patrick's Rock. Visit Blarney Castle to take part in the legend of kissing the Blarney Stone. This evening join the locals at a home hosted dinner with entertainment and dancing.
Day 17: Scenic Ring Of Kerry Relaxed Start
Location: Killarney, Ring of Kerry, Killarney
Accommodation: The Dunloe Hotel & Gardens
Accommodation Name: The Dunloe Hotel & Gardens
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Journey into Killarney National Park, winding along the iconic Ring of Kerry. Travel back in time with a traditional jaunting car ride, enjoying views of Ireland's highest Mountain Range, the MacGillycuddy's Reeks. Explore the town of Kenmare before indulging in a gourmet lunch at the Park Hotel.
Day 18: Exploring Limerick Relaxed Start
Location: Killarney, Dingle Peninsula, Adare, Limerick
Accommodation: Ashford Castle, Cong.
Accommodation Name: The Savoy Hotel, Limerick.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Admire dramatic mountains and windswept sands along Dingle Peninsula. In Adare, discover the charming thatched-roof cottages, castles and abbeys before continuing to Limerick to see the best of the city including St. Mary's Cathedral and Limerick's Treaty Stone.
Day 19: Regal County Mayo Relaxed Start
Location: Limerick, Cliffs of Moher, Galway, Ashford Castle
Accommodation Name: Ashford Castle, Cong.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Breathtaking views continue through County Clare to the Cliffs of Moher and Galway. Your stay at the 5-star Ashford Castle begins with a royal welcome as a lone piper escorts you over the drawbridge to this estate, once home to the Guinness family. Tonight, savour specialties from a seasonal menu at the Castle’s Cullen's at the Cottage.
Day 20: Majestic Ashford Castle Relaxed Start
Location: Ashford Castle
Accommodation Name: Ashford Castle, Cong.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Indulge in another Relaxed Start with the option of breakfast in-bed room service. Get acquainted with elegant birds of prey at the oldest established falconry school in Ireland or delve into the Castle’s history on a guided historical tour. Then treat yourself to a spa or stroll the magnificent castle grounds. End the last full day of your Belfast to Shannon luxury tour dining in style at the esteemed George V Dining Room.
Day 21: Depart Shannon
Location: Shannon
Meals Included: Breakfast
Conclude your travels in Ireland with a private transfer to Shannon Airport.
What's Included
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Meals
Enjoy 20 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 8 dinners throughout the tour.
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Activities
Choose between two carefully selected activities in various locations.
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Local Expert Guides
In select destinations, our network of Local Expert Guides will illuminate your journey on a deeper level.
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Hotel Amenities
Included at all hotels are hotel taxes, porterage, tips, and complimentary hotel Wi-Fi.
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Transfers
Transfers are included on your journey start and end dates, and where additional accommodation has been booked in advance through Luxury Gold.
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Exclusive Experiences
Experience exclusive activities such as the Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London, a private tour of The Little Museum of Dublin, and a traditional English afternoon tea at Castle Howard.
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Accommodation
Stay in luxurious accommodations such as The Rubens at the Palace in London, Francis Hotel in Bath, The Grand Hotel & Spa in York, and Ashford Castle in Cong.
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Personal Assistance
Enjoy seamless personal assistance throughout your journey with a Travel Concierge.
What's Not Included
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Flights
International and domestic flights are not included.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.
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Optional Activities
Optional activities not listed in the itinerary are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended to be purchased separately.
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Visa Fees
Visa fees and other travel documentation costs are not included.
Mode of Transport
Enjoy seamless transportation with private chauffeurs, luxury coaches, and included transfers on your journey start and end dates, ensuring a comfortable and stress-free travel experience.
Accommodation
Stay in luxurious accommodations including The Rubens at the Palace in London, Francis Hotel in Bath, The Grand Hotel & Spa in York, and the remarkable Ashford Castle in Ireland, among others.
Check out our Q&As
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What unique experiences are included in the tour?
The tour includes several unique experiences such as a private, after-hours tour of the Tower of London and the historic Ceremony of the Keys, a visit to the Jane Austen Centre or the Roman Baths in Bath, a traditional English afternoon tea at Castle Howard, a private tour of the Titanic Belfast museum, and a falconry experience at Ashford Castle.
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Are there any special dining experiences included?
Yes, the tour includes several special dining experiences such as a Michelin-starred lunch at the Olive Tree restaurant in Bath, a traditional English afternoon tea at Castle Howard, a gourmet lunch at the Park Hotel in Kenmare, and a final dinner at the George V Dining Room in Ashford Castle.
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What kind of accommodation can I expect during the tour?
The tour offers luxurious accommodations at five-star hotels such as The Rubens at the Palace in London, Francis Hotel in Bath, The Grand Hotel & Spa in York, Merewood Country House Hotel in the Lake District, Kimpton Charlotte Square in Edinburgh, Grand Central Hotel in Belfast, Dylan Hotel in Dublin, Lyrath Estate in Kilkenny, The Dunloe Hotel & Gardens in Killarney, and Ashford Castle in Cong.
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What activities are available in Edinburgh?
In Edinburgh, you can explore the grounds of Edinburgh Castle, visit the 17th-century Mary King's Close, enjoy a whisky tasting, and experience a private performance from a former bagpiper to the Royals.
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Is there any flexibility in the itinerary?
Yes, the tour offers some flexibility with options to personalize your experience. For example, in Bath, you can choose to visit the Jane Austen Centre or the Roman Baths. In Edinburgh, you can choose between visiting Mary King's Close or enjoying a whisky tasting.
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What kind of transportation is included?
The tour includes private transfers at the start and end of your journey, as well as transportation between destinations. Additionally, a traditional jaunting car ride is included in Killarney National Park.
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Are there any special events or performances included?
Yes, if you visit Edinburgh during August, you can witness The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, a spectacular military concert and celebration of Scotland's regiments.
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What kind of guided tours are included?
The tour includes guided tours with Local Experts at various locations such as the York Minster, Alnwick Castle, the Giant's Causeway, and the Cliffs of Moher. Additionally, there are guided historical tours at Ashford Castle and a tour of the Titanic Belfast museum.
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What are some of the scenic highlights of the tour?
Scenic highlights of the tour include a cruise on Ullswater Lake in the Lake District, a drive through the Cotswolds, a visit to the Cliffs of Moher, and a journey along the iconic Ring of Kerry.
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Are there any special cultural experiences included?
Yes, the tour includes cultural experiences such as a visit to the Little Museum of Dublin with its founder Trevor White, a home-hosted dinner with locals in Killarney, and a tour of Belfast's street art with a local artist.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Absolutely! We are very selective in who we work with and choose to only use hotels that take the health and well-being of our guests as seriously as we do and agree to meet expected guidelines and specifications. We only work with establishments that we are confident will consistently adhere to our standards.
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Which countries does Luxury Gold visit?
We offer incredible luxury trips in Europe, North America, South America, Hawaii, South-East Asia, the Indian sub-continent (including India, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka), Australia and New Zealand.
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What other modes of transport does Luxury Gold use?
A Luxury Gold tour will include touring on high-speed trains, alpine cable cars, hydrofoils, river cruisers and horse-drawn carriages, in addition to our high-deck luxury coaches with extra legroom.
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Who travels with Luxury Gold?
We are delighted to welcome guests who have a shared love of travel, adventure, entertainment and exploration. A mix of solo travellers, couples, and groups of friends and family join us from all over the English-speaking world.
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What is the role of the Well-Being Director?
Working closely together with your Travelling Concierge, the Well-Being Director* will help make sure all necessary protocols are followed to ensure the health and wellbeing of all our guests. This includes our enhanced screening and hygiene protocols, complying with distancing and other requirements set by government authorities. They are also there to support our guests & answer any questions.
Reviews of this operator
Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Luxury Gold requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of luxury gold charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.