British Isles Explorer: England, Scotland, and Ireland

Flight from your preferred airport to London.

Welcome to Great Britain! Arrive in London and meet your TFT staff, who will join you for the remainder of your journey. After getting settled into your hotel in the heart of the city, we’ll take a walking tour of downtown London to familiarize ourselves with the main sights, including the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, 10 Downing Street, the River Thames, and of course Big Ben! Finish off the day with your very first taste of British cuisine at one of our favorite local pubs.

The impressive Tower of London awaits today. Once home to some of England’s most notorious prisoners and now housing the Crown Jewels, this is a must-see and a student favorite! We’ll receive a guided tour from the Yeoman Warder guards at the Tower before crossing Tower Bridge (also known as London Bridge). After a delicious lunch in the always-busy Borough Market, we’ll explore the Southbank neighborhood and visit Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. Top it all off with a ride on the London Eye, the massive Ferris Wheel that gives the best views over all of London!

We’ll spend today enjoying some of London’s finest traditions, beginning with the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. For lunch, visit the amazing food trucks in Camden Market, which serve cuisine from all over the world. Take some time to hunt for treasures in the Market before choosing from several afternoon options. We understand that student travelers have diverse interests and needs, so our staff do their very best to accommodate everyone’s must-sees. Readers of Sherlock Holmes can visit 221B Baker Street; Harry Potter fans can visit Platform 9 ¾ at King’s Cross Station; or they can walk in the footsteps of the Beatles at Abbey Road. After dinner, enjoy a night out in London’s hip West End Theatre District or perhaps at Shakespeare’s Globe!

A leisurely train ride brings us from London to Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland. After getting settled in, explore this beautiful city’s top attraction, the Edinburgh Castle. Of course, the views from the UNESCO World Heritage site at Calton Hill aren’t to be missed. For dinner, try traditional Scottish cuisine–Haggis, anyone?

Stroll down the Royal Mile to the Queen’s summer residence at Holyroodhouse Palace. Adventurous travelers will then have the opportunity to climb all the way up to Arthur’s Seat, which boasts the best views over all Edinburgh. After a refreshing picnic lunch, students will be able to spend their final afternoon as they choose, for example visiting the Scottish National Museum or with a Harry Potter-themed tour of the city. We’ll celebrate the end of an amazing trip with an upscale dinner at one of our favorite local restaurants, featuring, as always, authentic local cuisine and great atmosphere.

A short flight will bring us from Edinburgh to Galway, home to Irish traditions and picturesque scenery. Upon our arrival, we’ll take a walking tour of this quaint village to see famous sights like the Spanish Arch, Quay Street, Kirwan Lane, and Eyre Square. During dinner at a classic Irish pub, students can watch live music performances at a traditional sessiún.

Ride the ferry out to the Aran Islands to step back in time to nearly 5,000 years ago, when the Pagans called these islands home. We’ll have a guided bike tour of the island of Inis Mor, where no cars are allowed and the pace of life is just a little slower. Our local guide will bring us to the 5000-year-old ring fort Dun Aengus, the Pagan Burial Mounds, and show us around the charming village of Inis Mor. (An alternative will be offered for those not comfortable on a bike.) After some free time to explore the village, we’ll ride the ferry back to the mainland and return to Galway for dinner and an evening walk for ice cream.

On our final day in Ireland, students will have time for any last-minute activities they missed before we head out to the coast to see the spectacular Cliffs of Moher. Plunging into the sea from heights of over 700 feet, the Cliffs will give students an appreciation for Ireland’s world-famous landscapes. Celebrate the end of an amazing trip with an upscale Medieval Banquet at a real castle! Be serenaded by minstrels as you eat, get dressed up in traditional garb, enjoy ancient recipes, and someone will even be crowned King and Queen!

Your TFT guides will accompany you to the airport and assist you with check-in for your flight. Wave goodbye as you head through security and sit back and relax on your flight home.