A single sovereign state comprising the four countries of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom packs a wealth of history, culture and scenery into a surface area only slightly larger than the state of Minnesota. Our specialists have journeyed extensively around Great Britain and Northern Ireland, gathering ideas for how you can visit and combine the UK’s highlights for your vacation.
One of the most rewarding aspects of a trip to the UK can be exploring its countries’ cultural quirks, their varying landscapes, and the stormy history connecting them. We can recommend experiences such as watching one of the Bard’s plays at the reconstructed Shakespeare’s Globe in London, salmon fishing with a ghillie in the Cairngorms, and gaining a resident’s perspective on Belfast’s political divisions on a black cab tour. You might find yourself standing on the basalt columns of Northern Ireland’s Giant’s Causeway, or heading to England’s languid Cotswolds, where villages of honeysuckle-bedecked cottages resist the hand of time.
The best time to visit the United Kingdom is in spring (late March to early June) and autumn (September to November), when it’s usually warm and dry. You’ll see beautiful spring flowers or the leaves changing hue in autumn, and avoid the much busier summer period.
However, the UK can be visited at any time of year, as its climate is relatively temperate and, in general, doesn’t experience extremes during either summer or winter. The highest temperatures are experienced in the summer, but these rarely rise above 86°F.
Winter (December to February) can also be an enjoyable time to visit. Although some attractions close in mountainous areas and in the north (and most of Scotland), where there’s likely to be snow, the main cities remain fully open and will be quieter for sightseeing.
United Kingdom Packages
UK and Ireland
9 Days
Start and end in London! With the In-depth Cultural tour United Kingdom and Ireland, you have a 9 days tour package taking you through London, England and 12 other destinations in Europe. United Kingdom and Ireland includes accommodation in a hotel as well as an expert guide, insurance, meals, transport and more.
Highland Fling
5 Days
Start and end in Edinburgh! With the In-depth Cultural tour 5 Day Skye & Highland Fling, you have a 5 days tour package taking you through Edinburgh, Scotland and 14 other destinations in Scotland. 5 Day Skye & Highland Fling includes an expert guide, transport.
Essential Britain
12 Days
Start and end in London! With the In-depth Cultural tour Essential Britain, you have a 12 days tour package taking you through London, England and 20 other destinations in Europe. Essential Britain includes accommodation in a hotel as well as an expert guide, meals, transport and more.
Celtic Highlights
13 Days
Start and end in Glasgow! With the In-depth Cultural tour Celtic Highlights, you have a 13 days tour package taking you through Glasgow, Scotland and 17 other destinations in Europe. Celtic Highlights includes accommodation, an expert guide, meals, transport.
Cycle Cork
8 Days
Start in Cork and end in Killarney! With the Bicycle tour West Cork Coastal Classic 8-Day Cycle Holiday, you have a 8 days tour package taking you through Cork, Ireland and 6 other destinations in Ireland. West Cork Coastal Classic 8-Day Cycle Holiday includes accommodation in a hotel as well as flights, meals, transport and more.
Journey of Whiskey
5 Days
Start and end in Cork! With the Food & Culinary tour Water of Life: A Journey of Irish Whiskey, you have a 5 days tour package taking you through Cork, Ireland. Water of Life: A Journey of Irish Whiskey includes accommodation, an expert guide, meals, transport and more.
Best International Flights
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