You’ve traveled across the pond to England, Scotland & Ireland. Here you will discover three nations as captivating as they are different from one another. From currency, heritage, culture and traditions, these three places are about as fascinating as they come.
Tours typically begin in the celebrated city of London, where you will enjoy your first taste of life on the British Isles. View some of the most famous landmarks in the world including London Bridge, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace and more. Drive up the country, making stops in Stratford-Upon-Avon, York or perhaps Liverpool and into the proud nation of Scotland where you will visit Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aviemore. Continue your journey over to the Emerald Island and enjoy fascinating towns such as Kilkenny, Killarney, the Ring of Kerry and the cities of Dublin, Belfast, Derry and Galway. There is so much to see in England, Scotland & Ireland and we would love to show it off to you.
From the sacred halls of London to the lochs of Scotland and furthermore, to the magnetic personality of Ireland, there is so much to look forward to on this thrilling adventure. Gate 1 Travel’s longtime presence in these countries means you’ll gain a full understanding of the past, present, and future of these countries from our local Tour Managers.
England
The history of The Crown truly lives and breathes in every neighborhood of London. The architecture of this grand city spans the ages, from Westminster Abbey, whose origins date to the 10th century, to the 19th-century Gothic Revival splendor of the Houses of Parliament, to the modern bustling squares of Piccadilly and Trafalgar. London, and much of England, opens windows to the Norman, Tudor, Victorian and Edwardian Ages like few other places can and reveals the stately vestiges of what was once the mightiest empire on the planet, whether you’re exploring Windsor Castle, the oldest and biggest inhabited castle in the world, or Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Winston Churchill. If the nobility of England interests you or if you were a fan ofDownton Abbey, visit Highclere Castle, where the fictional Granthams grappled with the changing tides of history.
Before England was the center of its own mighty nation, it was merely an outpost to another great power: the Roman Empire. One of the most remarkable echoes of Rome’s presence here are the thermal mineral springs of Bath. Today, the city is also a rich repository of Georgian architecture; the city’s highlight is the Royal Crescent, a row of terraced houses forming an elegant crescent shape. Indeed, there is no shortage of grace in England, as the nation’s renowned bard, William Shakespeare, reminds you during a visit to his birthplace; Stratford-upon-Avon. If touring the playwright’s home keeps you yearning for additional academic pursuits, then a stop in Oxford to visit the university may satisfy you. The city’s renowned ivy-cloaked colleges comprise the second oldest university in the world and many of its alumni went on to change the world, including Stephen Hawking and Margaret Thatcher. It is now one of the most prestigious schools in the world.
Legendary English Lake Poet, John Keats, wrote that “A thing of beauty is a joy forever.” No doubt he was inspired by the Lake District, a dreamy expanse of rolling hills, farm villages and lakes. There is also ample beauty in the south of England, in the Cotswolds and coast of Cornwall. The tidy villages of the Cotswolds are among the most beautiful in the nation, clusters of stone houses topped by thatched roofs. Quaint English villages also line the dramatic coast of Cornwall, though St. Michael’s Mount, perched atop a granite causeway on a scenic tidal islet offshore, may just steal the scene.
Liverpool is mostly celebrated as the home of The Beatles, but it is also beloved for its setting on Liverpool Bay and its architecture. York Minster in the breathtaking, Viking-founded city of York was the crowning glory of medieval England. Still today, it is England’s largest Gothic cathedral. This masterpiece took 250 years to build and has a central tower that reaches 200 feet.
Scotland
Not far past the Roman Artifact of Hadrian’s Wall, the border of Scotland comes into view. Discover dramatic Scotland, a canvas of rivers, lakes, and sophisticated cities threaded among starkly beautiful highlands. We think you’ll be spellbound by Scotland’s soaring contours and wide-open splendor.
The capital, Edinburgh, provides insight into the Scottish heart and soul. The stunning Edinburgh Castle overlooks it all from a rocky perch while the Royal Mile stretches out to the country’s most treasured buildings: the Scottish Parliament, Museum of Scotland, and Holyrood Palace, the queen’s residence when she is in town. Glasgow, Scotland’s other cultural capital, was proclaimed the “Second City of the British Empire” during Victorian and Edwardian day. Its 19th and early 20th century buildings are testament to its former status, a rich blend of architectural styles.
The soul of Scotland fills the Scottish Highlands, an awe-inspiring terrain of rocky hills and emerald slopes where calls of ancient clans echo through forests and over lochs. The Cairngorms National Park is the centerpiece of the region, ideally explored from the enclave of Aviemore. It was near here at Culloden Battlefield that the Jacobites famously lost their battle with the British, losing their land to the empire. For unspoiled beauty, few experiences rival a drive through Glencoe, where precipitous mountains pierce the sky, rising over deep green valleys.
The Highlands are not all inland mountains and lakes. The coastal regions have their own unique beauty. Nestled on the shore of Loch Linnhe, the town of Fort William rests at the foot of Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest peak. Glen Nevis Valley skirts the mountain’s lush slopes and served as the pristine setting for movies such as Braveheart and Rob Roy. The seaside village of Ullapool provides a taste of life in the northwestern Highlands. Its cabbage trees might make you think you’re in the tropics for their resemblance to palm trees. Farther north, dramatic rocky coastlines point to the Castle and Gardens of Mey, once home to the Queen Mother, and Thurso, the northernmost town on the mainland and the gateway for a day-long cruise to the Orkney Islands, a rural archipelago with a history that dates back to the Viking Age.
On the west coast of the Highlands, the Inner Hebrides Islands beckon with their breathtaking vistas of jagged peaks, sparkling lochs, charming fishing villages and medieval castles. The Isle of Skye, connected to the mainland by a bridge in 1990, is the largest and closest to the mainland. On the Isle of Mull, spectacular sea cliffs and white-sand beaches greet you, reaching inland to jagged mountains of a rosy pink hue. The town of Tobermory is brimming with brightly colored shops, the perfect way to end a day after exploring the Isle of Iona, a sacred island where it is thought that monks created the famed illuminated Book of Kells.
Ireland
Enchanting Ireland is right. Ireland is a beautiful country known for a warm culture and lush greenery. While visiting Ireland with Gate 1 Travel you will experience many of the can’t miss spots including the capital city of Dublin, where you will enjoy a city tour and view St. Stephen’s Green, Phoenix Park and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Visit Trinity College to see the Book of Kells, one of the oldest books in the entire world and have free time to explore this bohemian town.
The Killarney National Park is where you will drive through the world-famous Ring of Kerry and see magnificent sites and charming towns on your way. The area is one of the most picturesque in Ireland and you will pass by villages Cahirciveen and Sneem and see their quaint colored houses. The most authentic fortress in Ireland, Bunratty Castle, has been restored to its former splendor while the Cliffs of Moher create an impressive wall of rock towering 700 ft. over the Atlantic. A journey north through the Irish countryside leads you to the Connemara National Park, a scenic expanse of mountains, grassland and woodland. Continue to Galway, a seafaring town that has become the fastest growing city on the entire European continent in recent years.
While heading to Northern Ireland, stop by the incredible natural volcanic formation of Giant’s Causeway before continuing to Derry where you will visit the medieval walls, Guildhall, Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall and St. Columb’s Cathedral. Next, restored historic buildings, ornate murals, European cafes and the Titanic Experience can all be found in the renaissance city of Belfast.
Uncover the Cultural and Natural Wonders of England, Scotland & Ireland with Gate 1!
There is no more rewarding an adventure than exploring England, Scotland & Ireland with Gate 1 Travel. Whether you’re planning your first or your fifth trip here, we’ve been showing travelers these places of unrivaled history and enriching culture for as long as we’re been in business. We are well suited to point you to the very best sites. Our long experience here also translates into unmatched value for you, no one can provide such a quality experience at such an affordable price. Join us!
Please Note: Sightseeing varies per itinerary.
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