Self-Drive Highlights of England, Wales & Ireland - 11 Days

Day 2: Drive to Moreton-in-Marsh via Oxford & Blenheim Palace

Say goodbye to London, as this morning, you'll pick up a rental car and set off on the two-hour drive west toward Oxford, located in central-southern England. Take a break from driving to pay a visit to the historic Oxford University. Founded in the 11th century, this is the second-oldest university in the world. A highlight is Bodleian Library, Oxford's main research library (it houses over 13 million books). 

Later, continue north another 30 minutes to the 18th-century Blenheim Palace. The seat of the Dukes of Marlborough, this is one of the United Kingdom's finest manor homes, and here you'll enjoy afternoon tea complemented by Champagne and delectable cakes. You can also explore the manor's landscaped gardens, admire its collection of art and artifacts, visit the Butterfly House (home to butterfly species from around the world), and meander through the Marlborough Hedge Maze.

Afterward, another 30 minutes takes you deeper into the English countryside and the famous Cotswolds. This rural area of southern England encompasses six counties and enjoys Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) conservation status. The region is denoted by rolling green hills, medieval villages, and various sites of cultural and historical interest. You'll be staying in one such charming village, Moreton-in-Marsh.

Day 4: Tenby Ghost Walk & Caldey Island Tour, Drive to Portmeirion

Rise and shine! This morning you'll embark on the famous two-hour guided tour known as "The Ghost Walk and Story of Tenby." During this jaunt around town, which begins at Lifeboat Tavern in Tudor Square, you'll learn all about local history, myths, and lore. This includes tales about ghosts, fairies, witches, and strange Pembrokeshire customs, along with omens, mysteries, and murder. Your guide will offer up a mix of lighthearted stories and haunting tales during this leisurely walk, which also includes stops to take pictures at magnificent viewpoints.

Next, hop on a ferry to Caldey Island for a private, guided three-hour tour. Take a relaxed walk during which you'll pass landmarks spanning the island's settled history, from the sixth century to the present day. Visit the old priory and churches like St Illtud's and St David's, and view the outside of Caldey Abbey, a whitewashed monastery built in 1910. Afterward, return to the mainland and drive 3.5 hours north up through Wales to the whimsical, Italianate-style village of Portmeirion, where you'll overnight.

Day 5: Explore Portmeirion & Harlech Castle, Drive to Conwy

Take the morning to discover the charms of Portmeirion on a self-guided tour. This popular Italian-inspired village in northern Wales was designed and built by famed Welsh architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis between 1925 and 1975. A guided or self-guided walk along the cobbles will get you acquainted with the charming town, which also features a beautiful coastal path.

The Central Plaza, Japanese Gardens, and Battery Square are great places to stroll, or take an architectural walk past the Gothic Pavilion, Hercules Hall, and Bristol Collenade. Plus, don't miss the Art Deco Hotel Portmeirion, a perfect spot for a fancy meal. And if there's interest, you might enjoy a scenic walk in the Gyllt woodland for the wild gardens on display.

Around 20 minutes outside town, you'll find Harlech Castle. This UNESCO-listed 13th-century fortress is one of the finest examples of medieval military architecture in Europe. The castle was originally built atop cliffs that plunged straight down to the ocean, but water levels have receded so much that the ocean is now two-thirds of a mile away. It has also been the site of several important battles and Celtic legends, which you'll discover during a walk around the structure. After the visit, hop in the car and drive an hour north along the coast to Conwy, a historic market town and your next port of call.

Day 7: Ferry to Dublin (Ireland), Guided City Tour

After breakfast, you'll set off across the Isle of Anglesey to reach the Welsh town of Holyhead. There, you'll drop off your rental car and board a ferry for the three-hour ride across the Irish Sea to Dublin. Welcome to Ireland! This capital is a gem of a city whose streets are filled with equal parts of history and modernity. There's excitement around every corner and culture to spare, plus no shortage of awe-inspiring architecture that dates back centuries. At the terminal, a driver will meet you for the ride to your hotel. Then, meet a guide for a tour of Dublin's historic streets.

During this two-hour walk led by a local historian, you'll learn about the city's growth from a Gaelic village through its settlement by the Vikings, Normans, and English and to the modern city it is today. The walk begins at the iconic Gresham Hotel, and from there, you'll stop at highlights like the statue of James Joyce, the 393-foot (120 m) Spire of Light, and the monument dedicated to "The Liberator," Daniel O'Connell, who won Catholic emancipation for Ireland.

Then, see a more modern side of Dublin as you cross the River Liffey to the Silicon Docks, the European home of giant tech companies. The tour continues to hotbeds of Irish culture and history like the Temple Bar district, the 19th-century Olympia Theatre, and the 15th-century Dublin Castle. It finishes with visits to City Hall, Wood Quay (the remains of the largest Viking settlement outside Scandinavia), and the 11th-century Christchurch Cathedral.

Day 8: Dublin Literary Tour

Today, you'll discover another cornerstone of Irish culture: its literary tradition. This three-hour walking tour takes you down Dublin's historic streets, which feel right out of a novel. The tour covers the city's most illustrious writers, including James Joyce, Samuel Beckett, W.B. Yeats, and Oscar Wilde.

It begins in Merrion Square, the cultural heart of the city and the home of Oscar Wilde. Here you'll learn about the religious and social atmosphere of 19th and early 20th-century Dublin and how it affected the writers of the time. Your guide will then lead you to the National Library and Trinity College, perhaps stopping along the way at the favorite pub of Wilde, Beckett, and Joyce. While walking these hallowed streets and seeing historic sights, you'll discuss the educational and cultural establishment that was fundamental to the development of literary culture in Dublin.

Much of the tour focuses on James Joyce. You and your guide will visit several places that serve as the setting for his most famous novel, "Ulysses." You'll also stop by the hotel where Joyce met his wife, as well as a beautiful little shop that figures prominently in the book and is run by a passionate group of Joycean enthusiasts. At the conclusion of the tour, you can read a scene from the great novel in the very place the episode is set. Afterward, head to a pub for a drink and discussion about the novel and other literary landmarks in the area.

Day 10: Drive to Limerick via the Rock of Cashel

The penultimate day of your adventure takes you two hours west to Limerick, detouring slightly south to stop en route at one of Ireland's most important landmarks, the Rock of Cashel. Steeped in folklore and myth, the site houses the remains of a 12th-century ecclesiastical site, though legends say it dates back to the fifth century and has ties to Saint Patrick.

Continue to Limerick, a port city on the banks of the River Shannon with a dramatic history. It begins with the arrival of the Vikings in the ninth century and includes brutal sieges during the Williamite War in the 17th century, the prosperous Georgian era of the 18th century, and the tragic Great Irish Famine of the 19th century. Upon arrival, you'll check into your hotel and can do some sightseeing.

Famous attractions you can visit here include the 13th-century King John's Castle and the adjacent St Munchin's Church, a Gothic cathedral. There's also the Limerick City Museum, which recounts the story of the city through exhibits from the Stone Age through the 1916 Easter Rebellion. If you arrive on the weekend, visit the Limerick Milk Market, a farmers' market where vendors sell a wide range of products, including meats, cheeses, fresh produce, bread, juices, and more. For some culture, head to the Limerick City Gallery of Art, one of the leading contemporary galleries in Ireland.

Day 11: Drive to Shannon, Depart 

This scenic little corner of Ireland is the end of the road. Wake up early and enjoy a hearty Irish breakfast at the hotel before it's time to drive to nearby Shannon Airport, drop your rental car, and catch your flight home. Safe travels!

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