Uncover Dublin - 3 nights from $1,259.00 per person, 1 Aug 2026 - 24 Sep 2026.
A charming and cosmopolitan city, the delights of Dublin are many and varied; from superb cultural and historical attractions to an exuberant party scene, the heart of the Irish Republic has something to offer each and every visitor.
Located in the heart of Dublin, in a historic building on the famous O’Connell Street, the hotel is becoming one of the city's emblematic sites. Offering a range of facilities including a bar, restaurant and function rooms and featuring standard rooms to Suites a range of accommodation options with modern furnishings and Wi-Fi await at the Hotel Riu Plaza The Gresham.
The Guinness Storehouse - Connoiseur Experience. Enjoy a self-guided tour & our exclusive Connoisseur Experience, A tasting and storytelling journey, delving deeper into the origins and tastes of Guinness. Strictly over 18s. Finishing with a pint of Guinness or soft drink in the Gravity bar.
01 Aug - 24 Sep 26
Stay price: $1,259.00
Includes: Breakfast daily; The Guinness Storehouse - Connoiseur Experience.
Note: Blackout dates apply. 23-30 Aug 26. Airfares & transfers are additional.
Be among the exciting hub of activity in Dublin while staying at The Mont. Featuring stylish, comfortable rooms and buzzing onsite bar and restaurant options, the hotel is in an ideal location being and only five minutes to Grafton Street and adjacent to Trinity College.
Hop on Hop off Dublin 24 Hours Bus Tour: Hear interesting facts about the capital with multi-language audio commentary. More than 25 hop-on, hop-off stops so you can really get to know the city. Something for everyone: from Georgian architecture, modern art & literature to whiskey and Guinness.
01 Aug - 24 Sep 26
Stay price: $1,359.00
Includes: Breakfast daily; Hop on Hop Off Dublin 24 Hours Bus Tour
Note: Blackout dates apply. 29-30 Aug 26. Airfares & transfers are additional.
When to go: The weather in the UK and Ireland varies throughout the year and they experience four distinct seasons, at times overlapping. There’s always a reason to visit in any season.
Summer June to August) is the warmest season, with long sunny days and cooler evenings. Take advantage of the extra daylight hours to explore quaint country villages or dine alfresco.
In autumn (September to November), the temperature starts to dip and nights become colder. It’s a beautiful time to visit though – the countryside is ablaze with colour as autumn leaves turn riotous shades of yellow, orange and red.
Winter (December to February) bring shorter days and cold conditions, often with rain and sometimes snow. It also brings Christmas, a magical time of year with markets, mulled wine and hot chocolate.
In spring (March to May), the days slowly get longer and temperatures warmer. It can still be quite wet and windy, however, spring showers bring May flowers and the Chelsea Flower Show!
Getting around: The best way to discover the UK and Ireland is by car or rail. Self-drive holidays allow you to explore at your own pace. Remember in the UK and Ireland, driving is also on the left hand side of the road. Travelling by train is a scenic and relaxing way to see the country and adds a sense of adventure to your trip.
Sporting Venues & Events: A must for any sports fan is a visit to some of the world’s most iconic sporting venues. Join a tour of Wimbledon to learn the tournaments history and get up close to the Championship trophies. Watch England play a game of soccer at Wembley, take a tour of world-famous stadiums like Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge or visit Lord’s, the home of cricket. Golf alficionados will relish the opportunity to play a round of the world’s oldest golf course, St Andrews. Catch a game of Gaelic football while in Ireland.
Historic Castles & Palaces: Your holiday to the UK and Ireland would not be complete without visiting some of the most famous castles and palaces in the world. Explore the homes of the British Royal Family. Visit Buckingham Palace, the official residence of Queen Elizabeth II. Uncover the long history at Windsor Castle and the family’s Scottish home, Balmoral Castle. In Ireland, discover Blarney Castle and kiss the legendary Blarney Stone. Learn about the rich history of Edinburgh Castle, the city’s most popular tourist attraction.
Festivals & Events: Discover a year round calendar of world famous festivals throughout the UK and Ireland. Plan your trip to Scotland to feel the beat of the drum at the famous Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, held each year in August. See some of the world’s biggest pop stars and rock bands at the Glastonbury Festival. Experience the art, culture and music at the Fringe Festivals held in Edinburgh and Dublin. Soak up the party-like atmosphere at the Notting Hill Carnival, one of the biggest street carnivals in the world.
Theatres & Musicals: No visit to London would be complete without seeing a dazzling musical or smash-hit play in London’s West End, home to more than 40 theatres. See blockbuster hits such as the award winning Wicked, the ever popular Mamma Mia or Agatha Christies Mousetrap, the world’s longest running production. See where the plays of William Shakespeare were first performed at London’s Globe Theatre. Take in some of the world’s finest actors of the Royal Shakespeare Company at the Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Pub Culture: Pub culture in the UK and Ireland has a very long history, but at its heart is a sense of camaraderie and friendship. It’s very easy to while away a sunny afternoon with a pint of bitter ale at a typical English country pub or while listening to the infectious rhythm of traditional Irish music with a glass of ‘the black stuff’ in a cosy bar in Ireland. There’s no better place to learn about the culture and tradition of a city or town, even if you don’t drink alcohol!
Crafted for Those ‘Supported When You Sell’ Moments
You’ve not got long to secure your clients the lowest price they’ll see on Back-Roads’ 2026 tours.
Save $275 per person on selected UK & Ireland itineraries when booked by 19 November 2025.*
Below are some of the unforgettable moments your clients can look forward to…
The Emerald Isle
Iconic Ireland & Northern Ireland
Crafted for those ‘just woken up in a castle’ moments—uncover the legends along Belfast’s storied streets, admire the wild coastline, and feel the basalt under your feet at the Giant’s Causeway.
Enchanted Eastern England
Heritage, history & hidden corners
Crafted for those ‘behind-the-scenes at The National Stud’ moments—soak up royal heritage at Sandringham, wander Cambridge’s college Backs, and enjoy England’s pastoral charm.
A Scottish Journey
Misty mountains, folklore & whisky
Crafted for those ‘peaceful journeys through misty glens’ moments—explore Skye’s dramatic cliffs, wander historic villages, and learn the craft behind Scotland’s legendary whisky culture.
Wonders of Wales
Castles, coastline & culture
Crafted for those ‘feeling the heartbeat of historic railways’ moments—snack in Snowdonia-edge tea rooms, traverse scenic routes, and admire the Gothic splendour of St Davids.
This March, in partnership with VisitBritain, we’re celebrating a different side of Britain, one that goes beyond the cities and into the landscapes, stories and local experiences that make the destination truly unforgettable.
From dramatic coastlines and national parks to historic market towns, whisky distilleries and countryside drives, these journeys are designed to slow the pace and explore Britain’s regions in a deeper, more meaningful way.
Self-drive itineraries across England, Wales and Scotland allow travellers to uncover iconic sights alongside hidden gems, travelling at their own pace while enjoying carefully curated accommodation and experiences along the way.
North East England & Scottish Borders
11-Day Self-Drive Journey
Discover the rich history and cultural heritage of northern England and southern Scotland, travelling through historic cities, medieval towns and scenic countryside.
Highlights include:
Manchester, York, Durham, Newcastle, Carlisle, Dumfries and Edinburgh.
Package includes:
2 nights in Manchester at INNSiDE by Meliá Manchester with private day tour
2 nights in York at DoubleTree by Hilton York with 24-hour Hop-On Hop-Off Bus
1 night in Durham at Hotel Indigo Durham
1 night in Newcastle at INNSiDE Newcastle
1 night in Carlisle at Carlisle Station Hotel
1 night in Dumfries at Holiday Inn Dumfries
2 nights in Edinburgh at Virgin Hotel Edinburgh
From $3,599 per person twin share
Travel dates: April – December 2026
On sale until 30 April 2026
Midlands, Cardiff & Southern Wales
10-Day Self-Drive Journey
Travel through Wales and central England exploring historic castles, scenic villages, national parks and literary landmarks.
Highlights include:
Cardiff, Swansea, Brecon Beacons, Worcester, Stratford-upon-Avon, Birmingham, Ironbridge and the Peak District.
Package includes:
2 nights in Cardiff at Hilton Cardiff
1 night in Swansea at Mercure Swansea Hotel
1 night in Brecon Beacons region
1 night in Worcester at Worcester Bank House Hotel Spa & Golf
2 nights in Stratford-upon-Avon at DoubleTree by Hilton with river cruise and audio tour
1 night in Birmingham with private walking tour
1 night in Ironbridge at Best Western Valley Hotel
1 night in the Peak District at Best Western Plus Buxton Lee Wood Hotel
From $2,899 per person twin share
Travel dates: April – December 2026
On sale until 30 April 2026
Scotland: Edinburgh to Inverness
10-Day Self-Drive Journey
A scenic journey through Scotland’s castles, whisky regions and coastal landscapes, travelling from the capital into the heart of the Highlands.
Highlights include:
Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen, Inverness and Pitlochry.
Package includes:
2 nights in Edinburgh at Virgin Hotel Edinburgh with Palace of Holyroodhouse entry
1 night in Dundee at Hotel Indigo Dundee
2 nights in Aberdeen with North East Highland Coastal Trail tour
1 night in Inverness with Cairngorms National Park & Speyside Whisky tour
1 night in Pitlochry at Fonab Castle Hotel & Spa
2 nights in Edinburgh with Hadrian’s Wall & Scottish Borders tour
From $5,499 per person twin share
Travel dates: April – December 2026
On sale until 30 April 2026
North West England & Northern Wales
10-Day Self-Drive Journey
Combine historic cities, dramatic landscapes and cultural icons on a journey through Northern England and North Wales.
Highlights include:
Manchester, the Lake District, Liverpool, Wrexham, Snowdonia and Chester.
Package includes:
2 nights in Manchester with private walking tour
2 nights in Windermere in the Lake District
2 nights in Liverpool with Beatles Story Museum entry
1 night in Wrexham
1 night in Conwy
1 night in Chester
From $1,959 per person twin share
Travel dates: April – December 2026
On sale until 30 April 2026
Optional Experiences Across Britain
Enhance the journey with unique regional experiences including:
Lake District day tours and Snowdonia excursions
Liverpool Beatles experiences and stadium tours
Edinburgh Highlands and Loch Ness adventures
York historic walking tours and castle visits
Isle of Skye and Scottish Highlands day tours
Football matches and West End shows are also available on request.
Price from
Per person
Dates
Depart:
1 August 2026
Return:
6 April 2026