Britain and Ireland Highlights (No London Overnights)

Customer Reviews

• TC

  Toedtlidr

  · December 29th, 2025
  I waited 7 months to write this review to ensure a more practical and balanced perspective. This was a super fast tour of Britain; England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales; we travelled in May 2025. There was no included transport from Heathrow to Park Plaza Riverbank Hotel near Vauxhall Bridge. It was $175 USD just one way. The first night there was NO greeting dinner or reception with the tour guide. The 2nd day of the tour our female tour guide announced she would only use What’s App as the means of communication to guests. Since we use our IPad mini with an ESim card we were excluded from all communications (What’s App only makes products for phone users with an attached phone number) and also What’s App is a Meta product that we are opposed to using. The tour guide refused to accommodate us by using text or email which made us feel instantaneously excluded from basic travel information. I use a IPad mini because I am sight impaired. Then we (all 48 of us) jumped into the bus and drove 254 miles from London to Stratford upon Avon and then to Harrogate. The bus was cramped (my husband and I are in our 60’s, average height and we are both thin), your legs hit the seat ahead of you and I could feel the breath of the passenger behind me on my hair. The next day was drive to the Lake District (208 miles) where we took a chilly and short boat cruise on Lake Windermere, stopped at Ambleside and Gretna Green. The next day we drove 47 miles to Glasgow for 2 nights where we visited Edinburgh Castle (crowded!!!) and Rosslyn Chapel. The day next we took the ferry (The bus drives directly on to the ferry) from Scotland to Belfast, Northern, Ireland (which is still part of the EU). We bus toured Belfast and stopped at the Titanic Museum. Then we drove 245 miles to Dublin where we stayed at the Clayton Hotel for 2 nights. We went to the Old Punch Bowl in Dublin for dinner which was optional. The next morning we went to the Guinness Storehouse and then drove out to Glendalough, which was optional. There was a fatality on the country road on the way to Glendalough, so the coach driver did a 35 point turn around, went back to the highway and got us around the crash. That night we did the optional dinner at Taylor Irish Cabaret. The next day we travelled 107 miles to Waterford. We stopped at the Irish National Stud farm which was interesting but their Japanese gardens were better than Portland’s Japanese garden! Then we stopped at Kilkenny and visited the castle. In Waterford we toured the Waterford Crystal factory. That night we had the optional dinner at a cute place by the coast. The next day we again boarded another deluxe ferry to travel to Cardiff, Wales where went to the Cardiff Castle. Later that day we went to a Welsh winery in the country where the owner and his family served us dinner. The last day we drove to Bath, England, then on to Stonehenge (super crowded!!!!) and back to the hotel. Overall it was a pretty good tour with the exception of feeling purposefully excluded from communique and the lack of airport transfers, which you had to pay extra for. (Most tours include airport transfers as part of the package cost) The tour guide was quite mediocre who seemed to put in the most minimal effort possible. We tipped as per suggestion, but I think we should have left her less because that is what we felt we got, effort wise. All the optional excursions cost $951 for two people.
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  Trafalgar commented on this review

  Thank you for travelling with us and for taking the time to share such a considered and detailed review of your experience. We appreciate that you waited before submitting your feedback in order to provide a balanced perspective, and we are grateful for... Show more
  Trip date: May 2025
• JM

  john

  · September 28th, 2025
  good tour, guide and driver were excellent,...
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  Trafalgar commented on this review

  Thank you very much for travelling with us and for sharing your feedback. We are pleased to hear that you enjoyed the tour overall and that both your guide and driver made a positive impression. They work hard to ensure our guests feel supported... Show more
  Trip date: September 2025
• 

  David

  · September 19th, 2025
  This tour was a fantastic opporunity to see and...
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  Trafalgar commented on this review

  Thank you very much for travelling with us and for sharing such thoughtful feedback. We are delighted to hear that you found the tour a fantastic opportunity to experience the highlights of the UK and Ireland. It is wonderful to know that the itinerary... Show more
  Trip date: September 2025
• 

  Ruslana

  · August 31st, 2025
  Everything was as expected. Our guide Paul was absolutely stunning. Our driver Alex was great. Our hotels were very good. And we've seen everything and even more. Of course, such kind of trips are quite hectic - you're running from place to place to see more, but if your plan is not rush anywhere you'll also find something pleasant to enjoy. I definitely recommend it!
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  Trafalgar commented on this review

  We appreciate your feedback based on your experience while on tour. A great Travel Director is essential to our guests' overall enjoyment and comfort on any of our trips. For this reason, we take great care to select our team members for their passion... Show more
  Trip date: August 2025
• KC

  Kathleen

  · August 1st, 2025
  It was really good but think it should be a day or so longer. It was quite rushed and couple of times didn't have time to change for dinner. Overall, would definitely recommend it. We saw some fab places. Simone was excellent and a brillant Guide, happy, and put everyone at ease.
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  Trafalgar commented on this review

  Thank you for sharing your experience we are so pleased you have enjoyed your Britain and Ireland Highlights tour. We hope you will join us on your next travel adventure.
  Trip date: July 2025
• KD

  Karen

  · July 31st, 2025
  The tour itself was EXACTLY what was advertised. Our Tour Director and drivers were very very good. The 1 star is because after giving them my money in October 2024, about 6 weeks prior to leaving I am given paperwork that says I can take one checked bag and an 11x12x6inch hand bag. No hand luggage with wheels as it will not fit in the overhead and must go under the seat. I am going to five countries. England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and Wales. Temperatures could have ranged with highs of 80s to mid 50s. Fortunately temps were moderate and even. So packing a variety of clothing, weather gear, meds and items ladies need seemed appropriate. I am a size 14. No room left for additional items. So I called " customer service" to get some help, ideas, suggestions and answers about the restrictions on luggage. Absolutely no help, called several times, told me to speak to my tour director, they will contact me as soon as 12 days before departure. Contacted a couple of days before leaving by text or email. Just an introduction. I took a Foldie. Others came to London early or were extending their tours after and paid the hotel additional to store their bags as they were trying to comply. Many of us bought luggage on the trip. All we had to do was handle it ourselves. Unnecessary anxiety and frustration caused by Trafalgar for not having a functional customer service department. All they did was answer the phone and direct me to my Tour Director. Who I did not have name or contact info and they were on another tour. They have their drivers loading and unloading the checked bag. The hotel porters must be contracted to only handle 1 piece of luggage per guest. Additionally they are saving fuel costs without the additional weight of luggage on the bus. Someone reached out to me, telling me that I could check with my Tour Director on the tour about my concerns, they will be able to help. I was already on the bus and had been for a few days. This customer service person texted me a few times. She was several days late as she did not bother to see I was already on the tour. Frustrating I was going for my 75th birthday to the counties of my ancestors. I booked in October for that time period. Otherwise I would have cancelled and gotten my money back, I bought the travel insurance. The problem being all other tour companies for those dates are booked. July 19-29 I have traveled. This was totally unnecessary anxiety and frustration. Horrible company. Never again!!!
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  Trafalgar commented on this review

  Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed feedback. While we are pleased to hear that the tour itself met your expectations and that you found both the Travel Director and Coach Drivers to be very good, we are sorry to learn of the... Show more
  Trip date: July 2025
• KU

  Kyle

  · June 9th, 2025
  Very enjoyable tour. Our travel director, Paul...
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  Trafalgar commented on this review

  Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback and your kind words in regard to our on The Road Team. Thank you for being our guest.
  Trip date: May 2025
• 

  T

  · May 27th, 2025
  Issues with hotel in Glasgow, not up to the...
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  Trafalgar commented on this review

  Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us. We sincerely apologise that the hotels did not meet your expectations and acknowledge the variations in hotel standards between countries. We source professional and reputable establishments... Show more
  Trip date: May 2025
• PB

  PARKAN

  · May 13th, 2025
  Just as I expected. Was awesome
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  Trafalgar commented on this review

  Thank you for being our guest and travelling with Trafalgar.
  Trip date: May 2025
• DM

  Debra

  · July 8th, 2024
  John and Ian were great. It’s a great way to get around a place you don’t know. I would have liked to spend more time in some areas. There were a lot more excursions I had to pay to attend than I expected
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  Trafalgar commented on this review

  Thank you for your valuable feedback. We appreciate your input and are glad you received exceptional service from our On The Road Teams. They are a valuable asset to our company. Visiting several incredible cities and sights within a limited timeframe... Show more
  Trip date: June 2024