Britain and Ireland Highlights (No London Overnights)

Traveler Reviews

• DH

  Dave2.0•June 2026
  What we got to see? Great. Our tour guide? Great. Value of tour company? POOR Almost everything was extra....
  What we got to see? Great. Our tour guide? Great. Value of tour company? POOR Almost everything was extra. Most meals on your own or extra. Most events optional and extra. Opposite of Viking. But. Today. Not happy with your company. We did not pay extra for a an external tour guide today. Turns out. It was on our bus but we couldn’t join without paying more. If it was a guided tour at a location? OK. It wasn’t. It was on our bus. And we sat in a hotel lobby for three hours while seeing shared pictures from “first class” passengers with the best and most scenic pictures of the trip. And in a location with essentially no shops. Because. The location was solely for the scenery. We got to see all of that after 8 hours in a bus to get here… from our hotel windows or a short walk around the hotel. We didn’t get to see the area at all that we came for. That’s just wrong!Show more
  Traveled in June 2026
  

  Reply from: Trafalgar

  Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback following your tour with Trafalgar. We are pleased to read that you enjoyed the sights and found both your Travel Director to be great throughout your journey. However, we are truly sorry to learn of your disappointment with aspects of the itinerary and how the day was experienced. We understand your concerns regarding optional experiences and the structure of inclusions. We offer a range of Optional Experiences designed to enrich your journey and allow you to tailor your trip to your interests. These experiences provide unique insights into the local culture and add exciting highlights during your travels. Please know that these options are entirely voluntary and can be booked at your convenience. We recognise that not every traveller wishes to include every optional activity, therefore guests have the opportunity to stay in at that hotel and relax or explore the visiting town on their own. We are also sorry to read of your disappointment regarding the arrangements on the day in question and the feeling that your expectations were not met. Your comments have been shared with the relevant teams for further review, as we understand how important it is that guests feel fully informed and able to make the most of each destination. We appreciate you bringing this to our attention and thank you once again for your feedback.

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• 

  Harvey5.0•April 2026
  This trip was absolutely fantastic! Our travel director Gary was excellent in his knowledge of areas we were...
  This trip was absolutely fantastic! Our travel director Gary was excellent in his knowledge of areas we were traveling. He was very professional and was someone you could count on if you had any concerns or questions. I can not say enough accolades of praise for Gary. The coach was comfortable, with professional drivers. Time at attractions was reasonably paced. Just a great time and I am glad I booked this trip.Show more
  Traveled in February 2026
  

  Reply from: Trafalgar

  Thank you very much for your wonderful feedback, and for choosing to travel with us. We are delighted to hear that your journey was such a fantastic experience and that the Travel Director made such a positive impression. It is wonderful to know that his knowledge, professionalism and support helped you feel confident and well cared for throughout your trip. Your kind words will certainly be shared with him. We are also pleased that you found the coach comfortable and the drivers professional, and that the pacing of the itinerary allowed you to fully enjoy the attractions along the way. Thank you once again for travelling with us. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you on another journey in the future.

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• TC

  Toedtlidr3.0•December 2025
  I waited 7 months to write this review to ensure a more practical and balanced perspective. This was a super fast...
  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.Show more
  Traveled in May 2025
  

  Reply from: Trafalgar

  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 the effort you have taken to outline both the highlights and the areas of concern from your tour. We are pleased to hear that, overall, you found the itinerary to be a good overview of Britain and Ireland and that many of the included visits and destinations were enjoyable. We also appreciate your recognition of the coach driver’s professionalism in managing a difficult and unexpected situation on the road, as well as your comments on several of the sightseeing experiences along the way. That said, we are genuinely sorry to learn that you felt excluded from communications during the tour. We understand how important clear and accessible communication is, particularly when travelling at a fast pace, and we regret the frustration and distress this caused you. Your comments regarding the reliance on a single messaging platform and the lack of flexibility have been noted and will be shared with the relevant teams for review. We also acknowledge your disappointment regarding the absence of included airport transfers at the start of the tour, the lack of a welcome gathering on the first evening, and the overall comfort levels on the coach. We understand how these elements can significantly affect the enjoyment of the journey, especially on longer travel days. Your feedback on the Travel Director’s performance and the perceived value of Optional Experiences has likewise been noted. While we appreciate and value your feedback, if you would like a direct response to your comments or would like your concerns reviewed further, we kindly ask that you contact our Guest Relations Department by email at globalguestrelations@ttc.com. They will be best placed to look into your experience in more detail. Thank you again for sharing your honest feedback. It is through insights such as yours that we are able to review our processes and continue to improve the experience we offer to our guests.

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• IS

  Izabella1.0•December 2025
  Worst customer service I've ever experienced with a travel company. My mom and I originally paid for a river cruise...
  Worst customer service I've ever experienced with a travel company. My mom and I originally paid for a river cruise in August, but decided it was too expensive. We tried to change trips WITHIN the company and they wanted to charge us a cancelation fee. We were pissed, naturally. We decided we no longer wanted to travel with Trofalgar and spent a month trying to cancel. We called almost every day and no one could tell us where our funds went. After a month, they decided to deduct AGAIN. It cost us 500$ each in cancelation fees instead of 250$. Absolutely terrible company. Do not recommend. ​Show more
  Traveled in December 2025
  

  Reply from: Trafalgar

  Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We are sorry to read about your experience and understand how frustrating it must have been to encounter difficulties while changing and subsequently cancelling your booking. We also regret the confusion surrounding the cancellation fees and the time it took to receive clarity regarding your funds. Providing clear communication and efficient support is important to us, and we are sorry that your experience did not reflect this. Your comments have been shared with the relevant teams for review as we continue to improve our service and processes. Thank you again for bringing your concerns to our attention.

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• JM

  john4.0•September 2025
  good tour, guide and driver were excellent, Novetel was not worth stopping at to many maintenance issues, no wifi,...
  good tour, guide and driver were excellent, Novetel was not worth stopping at to many maintenance issues, no wifi, not even tissues in the room. Would have like more time in Cardiff did not really get enough time to inspect city.Show more
  Traveled in September 2025
  

  Reply from: Trafalgar

  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 throughout their journey, so your kind words will be greatly appreciated. We are sorry to learn that your stay at the Novotel did not meet expectations. Your comments regarding maintenance issues, lack of amenities and the absence of Wi-Fi have been noted and will be shared with our accommodation team for review with the hotel. We also appreciate your feedback about the time spent in Cardiff, and we will certainly take this into consideration when reviewing our itineraries. Thank you again for your thoughtful comments. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back on another trip in the future.

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• 

  David5.0•September 2025
  This tour was a fantastic opporunity to see and experience the UK and Ireland. Realizing it was a "highlights" tour,...
  This tour was a fantastic opporunity to see and experience the UK and Ireland. Realizing it was a "highlights" tour, I understood it would sometimes move quickly, and now I have an appetite for a more extensive look at some of the places we saw, particularly Scotland. Our tour director, Selene Tomlinson, was supurb. We encbountered a couple of cancellations and delays for reasons beyond her control, and she was tireless in coming up with alternatives that ensured our opitmum experience.Show more
  Traveled in September 2025
  

  Reply from: Trafalgar

  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 has inspired you to explore certain places further, especially Scotland. Your kind words about the Travel Director are truly appreciated. We are very pleased that her professionalism, adaptability and dedication helped ensure you still enjoyed the best possible experience despite the unexpected cancellations and delays. We will be sure to pass on your compliments to her. Thank you again for choosing to travel with us. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you on another journey, perhaps one that allows you to delve deeper into the destinations that captured your interest.

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• 

  Ruslana5.0•August 2025
  Everything was as expected. Our guide Paul was absolutely stunning. Our driver Alex was great. Our hotels were very...
  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!Show more
  Traveled in August 2025
  

  Reply from: Trafalgar

  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 for travel and their in-depth knowledge of their given regions. As such, we are pleased that the Travel Director has done so well to serve you. We value your patronage and would like to thank you for choosing Trafalgar. Thank you for being our guest.

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• KC

  Kathleen4.0•August 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...
  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.Show more
  Traveled in July 2025
  

  Reply from: Trafalgar

  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.

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• KD

  Karen1.0•July 2025
  The tour itself was EXACTLY what was advertised. Our Tour Director and drivers were very very good. The 1 star is...
  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!!!Show more
  Traveled in July 2025
  

  Reply from: Trafalgar

  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 frustration and stress caused by the luggage policy and your experience in trying to obtain assistance prior to departure. We understand how important it is to feel properly supported when preparing for a trip, particularly one as meaningful as your 75th birthday and a journey tracing your ancestral roots. We regret the anxiety this situation caused and any sense of being let down by our service. Your comments regarding the clarity and timing of the luggage communication, as well as the challenges faced when trying to speak with a representative who could offer meaningful guidance, are of great concern to us. This is certainly not the experience we strive to provide, and we apologise for the impact this had on your holiday preparations and peace of mind. Please be assured that we have shared your feedback with the relevant teams so that we can review our communication processes and pre-trip support. Clear and timely information particularly around important matters such as luggage is essential, and we’re sorry this was not your experience. We value your feedback, even more so given the significance of this trip for you. While we regret that this has led to a decision not to travel with us again, we remain thankful that you gave us the opportunity to be part of such a special milestone.

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• KU

  Kyle5.0•June 2025
  Very enjoyable tour. Our travel director, Paul Fleming, is hugely entertaining and a great guide.
  Traveled in May 2025
  

  Reply from: Trafalgar

  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.

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