16 days in United Kingdom & Ireland Itinerary

Home to an impressive 25 World Heritage sites, the United Kingdom, which includes England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, has hundreds of museums to explore, thousands of parks and gardens to stroll through, and tens of thousands of communities to discover. From Land’s End in the south to John O’Groats in the north, the country is packed with tourist attractions that can fill a range of itineraries. With nearly 30 million tourists visiting every year, the UK is ranked among the top ten holiday destinations in the world. Known for its royalty, this country also represents a diverse patchwork of native and immigrant cultures. Although Britannia no longer rules the waves, it possesses a captivating history and a dynamic modern culture, both of which remain hugely influential on the rest of the world.

Gentle green hills, Guinness, leprechauns, and friendly folks characterize this small isle of a country. From the busy big city of Dublin to cozy countryside, the emerald isle harbors a varied natural landscape and is steeped in tradition. Visitors can immerse themselves in the native Irish language by visiting a Gaeltacht, or Irish-speaking region of the country, where traditional culture thrives. The Irish are known for being open and welcoming: from the moment you land to the moment you leave, you'll be greeted with "cead mile failte"--a hundred thousand welcomes.

A collection of three islands off the west coast near Galway Bay, Aran Islands provide an isolated bit of the country where traditional culture reigns. The islands' inhabitants mostly speak Irish as a first language, and all place names are primarily in Irish, with English translations. Visitors revel in the small-town feel, authentic pubs, and native Irish language. Because the islands contain lots of unpaved roads and farmland bordered by walls made of limestone rocks, they're best explored by bike or on foot.

Splashed by the crisp waters of the Atlantic and famed for its rugged natural scenery, the Dingle Peninsula features some of Ireland's highest mountains. Home to a large Irish-speaking population, the peninsula maintains its unhurried pace of life and a strong tradition of poetry, music, and storytelling. A place of many faces, the Dingle Peninsula boasts varied landscapes that include rocky hills, sandy beaches, ancient ruins, and staggering cliffs. To meet the locals and hear them tell stories in their native tongue, explore the small villages and their cozy pubs. Save time and avoid confusion on the road by purchasing a map of the peninsula, which provides both Irish and English versions of all place names.