Overview
Take your students across the pond for an immersive cultural exploration and educational tour of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and England. Stroll through cosmopolitan Dublin, see the Peace Wall on Belfast’s Shankill Road, and feel the cool North Atlantic breeze atop the unique rock formations of the Giant’s Causeway. Explore the ramparts of Edinburgh Castle, and in London, experience some of the most famous landmarks of the English-speaking world, like Big Ben and Buckingham Palace.
Itinerary
Day 1
Start tour
Day 2
Arrive in Dublin
Meet your Tour Director
Your 24-hour Tour Director will meet you at the airport and remain with your group until your final airport departure.
Dublin city walk
Get a friendly introduction to Dublin with your Tour Director. Cross the Ha’Penny Bridge, stroll through the lively Temple Bar district, and stop at the Molly Malone statue. Along the way, see Georgian squares, castles, and cathedrals that showcase the character of Ireland’s capital.
Day 3
Dublin guided sightseeing tour
Join a licensed guide to explore Dublin’s finest sights. Walk through Phoenix Park, Europe’s largest walled city park, home to red deer and the Phoenix Column. Visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral, where Ireland’s patron saint once baptized converts, and see O’Connell Street and Parnell Square. At Trinity College, Ireland’s oldest university, enter the Old Library’s Long Room to view the Book of Kells, an illuminated 9th-century manuscript of the four Gospels, famed for its intricate Celtic designs.
Day 4
Ferry to Holyhead across the Irish Sea
Day 5
Dove Cottage visit
An essential stop for fans of classic literature, Dove Cottage offers a rare glimpse inside the life of famed English poet, William Wordsworth. It was here, between 1799 and 1808, that Wordsworth wrote much of the poetry for which he is remembered today. The cottage remains mostly untouched from that time, with many of the Wordsworth’s household items still displayed. The adjacent Wordsworth Museum, The Jerwood Centre and the “half-wild” garden provide an even more detailed look at one of England’s true romanticists.
Travel to Edinburgh
Set on the southern shore of the Firth of Forth, Edinburgh has been the capital of Scotland since 1492. You can't help but imagine yourself in "auld lang syne" (times gone by) as you wander the cobblestone streets, craggy coast, and lush green spaces of Scotland. Today's Edinburgh is a hub for banking, and also well-known for festivals and universities that bring the city both tourists and acclaim. Described as one of the most beautiful cityscapes in the world, the Old and New Towns in Edinburgh became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995.
Edinburgh city walk
The capital of Scotland, Edinburgh is a city of steep streets, stone buildings, and dramatic views, all watched over by the imposing Edinburgh Castle. Follow your Tour Director along the Royal Mile, which runs from Holyrood Palace to the castle, passing St. Giles’ Cathedral, long a center of learning and civic life in the city’s Old Town.
Day 6
Edinburgh guided sightseeing tour
Explore Edinburgh, the historic and cultural heart of Scotland. Led by a licensed guide, walk the Royal Mile through the city’s Old Town, from Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Admire the elegant Georgian New Town, known for its neoclassical design, and gaze up at the 200-foot Sir Walter Scott Monument in East Princes Street Gardens, a tribute to one of Scotland’s greatest literary figures—and his loyal dog, Maida, immortalized below.
Edinburgh Castle visit
Perched atop an ancient volcanic rock, Edinburgh Castle commands the skyline with its imposing presence. Explore this medieval fortress, uncover its role in Scottish history, and take in sweeping views of the city below.
LEAP Scottish Steps
Learn the art of Scottish dancing at a social gathering, or Ceilidh, (pronounced “Kay-lay”). Dance to live music as an instructor shows you some traditional steps.
Day 7
Drive along Hadrian's Wall
Take a scenic drive along portions of Hadrian's Wall.
Travel to York
Visiting York is like walking thorough a living museum. Its medieval structures are impressively preserved in its timbered houses and winding, cobbled streets surrounded by the remains of the city walls. Founded by the Romans in 71 CE, York was, for a long time, a strategic point used by both Saxons and Vikings.
York Tour Director-led sightseeing tour
Charming York combines medieval mysteries with modern flair. Gothic buildings and cobblestone streets lead to bustling shopping districts; ancient stones make up the now-picturesque city walls. Explore the birthplace of Guy Fawkes with your Tour Director.
York Minster visit
Visit York Minster, which traces its origins from the early 7th Century, and features stained glass from the Middle Ages.
LEAP Who Rules?
Meet great Britons from history. Debate their merits and contributions to decide who is the greatest of them all!
Day 8
Travel to London via Windsor
Windsor Castle guided excursion
See how the King relaxes on this guided tour of the royal weekend estate, originally built as a fortress in the 11th century under William the Conqueror. Visit the East Terrace Gardens, marvel at the Gothic St. George’s Chapel, or peek into Queen Mary’s dollhouse with its perfect miniature furnishings.
Day 9
London guided sightseeing tour
Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Buckingham Palace
Ghost Tour (optional)
The dark streets of England's capital city await you, if you dare. Hear ghost stories and historic tales as you explore the haunted locales of London.
Day 10
Flight home from London
Already Included
Transportation to & from your destination
Hotel accommodations
Admissions to top attractions (details in itinerary)
Meals (unless otherwise noted on your itinerary)
WorldAssist staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help
Free high school credit for students who choose to complete WorldStrides free online coursework post-program
Professional development credits (CEUs) for educators
Guided sightseeing tours & city walks (details in itinerary)
Tips for local guides and drivers
Scenes from Ireland & Great Britain
Health & Safety
Additional health and safety measures may be available within your respective destination. Refer to your program-specific materials for complete details.
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance
WorldStrides provides over $2.5 million in financial assistance each year to thousands of families. Families with annual adjusted gross incomes of less than $85,000 may qualify. One simple call to Customer Service and you’ll know how much may be available for your trip even before signing up. Please note: financial assistance is given on a first-come, first-served basis.
Payment Plans
Advantage Payment Plan
At program sign-up you can opt to pay in full, or break up the cost of your trip with the Advantage Payment Plan. This plan allows you to pay a small initial deposit, then have your remaining payments spread out into affordable monthly amounts.
EZPay
We offer an EZPay option, which is a simple way to pay for your WorldStrides program by scheduling hassle-free, automatic drafts from your checking account. With EZPay, you'll never be late or miss an installment.
Fundraising Tools
Our easy-to-use tools put students in the driver's seat of their own fundraising efforts. Students can send e-cards, share links on social media, and even send out printed letters through WorldStrides' Gift of Education program. In one click friends and family members can make a direct donation to the trip - with 100% of the money raised going to offset their trip price. Thousands of students pay for their entire trip each year through the Gift of Education.
Also, WorldStrides makes program-specific scholarships available as well as other scholarship resources. Ask your Account Manager for more information about scholarships and fundraising tools.