Discover Great Britain and Ireland | Small Group Tours British Isles.

Immersed in rich history, vibrant culture, and breath-taking landscapes, Great Britain and Ireland stand as captivating destinations for travellers. Our small-group tours through the British Isles cater specifically to mature or senior travellers seeking to delve into the essence of Britain and Ireland through expertly guided intimate tours. Whether strolling through the historical sites of England, Scotland, and Ireland or retracing the footsteps of the Industrial Revolution, Odyssey Travellers’ meticulously curated tours offer an unparalleled exploration of the British heritage. While ensuring you visit iconic landmarks, we also pride ourselves on providing unique experiences that veer off the conventional tourist trails in our extensive collection of British tours.

Nestled in the picturesque British Isles, a small corner of the world with a significant global impact. For enthusiasts of English literature, iconic sites like Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, the Lake District, and Bath offer a literary journey through the realms of Shakespeare, Jane Austen, and the Romantic Poets. History buffs can explore medieval castles, the Tower of London, and St Paul’s Cathedral. In Scotland, immerse yourself in local culture with traditional delights like ‘neeps and tatties’, the Edinburgh military tattoo, and fine whiskey. Wales beckons with its charming yet often overlooked coastline, perfect for a leisurely walking tour.

Crossing over to Ireland via the St George’s Channel, Dublin unveils its historical gems such as the Book of Kells, O’Connell Street, and the majestic St Patrick’s Cathedral, providing insights into the country’s tumultuous past. Venture off the typical tourist trail to Northern Ireland, where the awe-inspiring Giant’s Causeway awaits. Throughout our travels, we carve out time to marvel at the breathtaking landscapes of the British Isles: the idyllic Cotswolds and its quaint villages in England, Wales’ rugged Snowdonia National Park, the captivating Scottish highlands with Loch Lomond, and Ireland’s natural wonders like the Cliffs of Moher and Killarney National Park along the Ring of Kerry.

Embark on an Odyssey tour to Scotland, Ireland, England, or Wales, each meticulously guided by a tour manager and often complemented by a local expert guide. Whether you are a first-time visitor exploring Ireland or a seasoned traveller venturing into the Scottish highlands, our dedicated tour directors craft detailed itineraries to ensure a seamless sightseeing experience. For those on walking tours spanning England, Scotland, and Ireland, your tour manager ensures a well-prepared excursion, from countryside hikes across rolling hills to leisurely breaks in charming villages. With over 100 departures annually, our small group tours of the British Isles cater to mature and senior travellers seeking enriching experiences in 2020-2021.

Articles about the British Isles

FAQs

Spring (late March to early June) and autumn (September to November) are the optimal seasons to visit the United Kingdom. During these times, the weather is typically warm and dry, offering visitors the chance to witness the blooming of beautiful spring flowers or the vibrant changing of leaves in autumn. This period also allows tourists to steer clear of the busier summer months, enhancing their overall experience.

Since 1983, Odyssey has been a distinguished provider of educational small group tours tailored for seniors, with group sizes typically ranging from 6 to 12 individuals, capped at a maximum of 18 travellers. Specializing in enriching educational, cultural, and heritage journeys, our programs are meticulously crafted to stimulate minds and push boundaries. Geared towards active and curious explorers, our tours offer a unique small group setting conducive to immersive learning experiences.

In urban centres, Odyssey accommodates guests in conveniently situated 3-4 star hotels, offering convenient access to public transportation. For smaller communities or rural settings, our preference leans towards family-operated hotels or cosy guesthouses. For extended tours where guests remain in one place throughout the itinerary, we opt for serviced apartments to provide a comfortable and homely setting for our travellers.

Odyssey Traveller specializes in catering to travelers aged 50, 60, 70, or 80 and above, whether they are exploring solo, with a partner, or in a group of friends. Your fellow travelers are likely to resonate with your interests, ensuring a shared experience in a setting of mutual understanding. Our programs are thoughtfully crafted with the mature traveler in focus. Even when journeying solo, you are never truly alone – during leisure time for exploration, there will be other solo travelers or couples eager to accompany you if you so desire. Notably, single travelers comprise about a third of our groups, with many becoming regular participants in our tours.

Odyssey specialises in educational small group tours, for seniors, typically groups between 6 to 12 people, and averages at 12 participants per tour, a mix of singles and couples.

 

Odyssey provides a curated selection of authentic small group tours, which are strategically priced to mirror the intimate nature of these experiences. Unlike larger tour operators accommodating groups of 18 or more, our small group tours typically consist of 6 to 12 individuals. This ensures a personalized setting where travelers can relish evening meals together around a single dinner table. By prioritizing smaller group sizes, we prioritize creating an atmosphere where our clients can immerse themselves fully in the unique and engaging experiences we offer, rather than aiming for the economies of scale achievable with larger groups on coaches – an aspect of travel that distinguishes our tours at Odyssey.

Odyssey tours are genuinely based around;

  • A Small group tour of less than 18 people for the mature traveller as holidays for a couple and holidays for solo travellers over 50.
  • Knowledgeable local expert guides and a great tour leader who has an interest in the theme of the tour.
  • Inclusive pricing, including all entrances, tipping and the majority of meals included. That means, no hidden extras with respect to cost. Transparent pricing of the single supplement for the single traveller.
  • A learning based escorted tour with a like minded fellow traveller.
  • Accommodation in 3 & 4 star hotels and self catering apartments.
  • A blend of group learning, touring activities and free time to explore a place further, whether on a discovery or walking holiday program.
  • No name badges or flags to follow when out and about.
  • Travel to places that extend your learning and curiosity, often where others will not follow.
  • Spending typically between 60 to 85% of the operating cost of the tour in the country visited, benefiting the local communities directly.

Odyssey welcome enquiries for private groups, at a minimum of 6 participants.

Odyssey Travel’s small group tours typically span 2 to 3 weeks, with stays of 2 to 3 nights in each location at quality 3 or 4 star hotels. These escorted tours offer a balanced mix of sightseeing and leisure time. Travelers have opportunities to break away from the group for a half or full day to explore independently or with companions before moving on to the next destination. For solo travelers over 50, Odyssey offers a wide selection of holidays, although they do not provide regular river cruises or specific solo travel tours.

Solo travelers booking Odyssey Travel tours will incur a single supplement fee, covering the cost of single occupancy accommodations with a double bed (single bed rooms are generally not available across Europe) or a single cabin on cruises. There are no extra charges beyond the single supplement for clients aged 50 and above booking solo travel packages, ensuring transparent pricing for all travelers.

Odyssey Traveller offers an array of captivating tours spanning the globe, including EuropeThe British IslesAsiaAfricaThe Middle East, and The Americas. Embark on an enchanting journey to witness the mystical Aurora Borealis in the remote corners of Norway, delve into the lush jungles of Madagascar to immerse yourself in its breathtaking landscapes and wildlife, or marvel at the ancient splendor of Machu Picchu in South America. For those intrigued by history, partake in a thematic exploration of Britain’s historic canals and railways. If cruising is your preference, join our unforgettable venture through Mongolia and Russia, featuring a 10-night river cruise from Moscow to St. Petersburg, or set sail on the legendary Nile River during our Egypt tour.

For travelers seeking adventures closer to home, we offer an exceptional selection of tours in Australia, ranging from Western Australia, South Australia, and the Northern Territory to Kata Tjuta, Outback Queensland, Kangaroo Island, Tasmania, and New Zealand. Explore the scenic wonders of both the North and South Islands, including the majestic landscapes along the east coast, the geothermal marvels of Rotorua, the serene beauty of Milford Sound, and the adrenaline-pumping activities in Queenstown.

Tours

Showing all 34 results

Small group tours Medieval England

A small group tour of England focused on Medieval England and Wales. Spend 21 days on this escorted tour with tour director and local guides travelling from Canterbury to Cambridge, passing through Winchester, Salisbury, Bristol, Hereford and Norwich along the way. Castles, villages, Cathedrals and churches all feature in the Medieval landscapes visited. 

22 days
Departing Apr, Sep

Devon and Cornwall, England

Our guided small group tour of Devon and Cornwall in England, designed for mature and senior travellers who are travelling with their partner or as a solo traveller. A journey filled with medieval treasures, charming fishing villages in the north Cornish coast, stunning cliff-top coastal views of the blue Atlantic, and atmospheric destinations traditionally linked to the legends of King Arthur.

17 days
Departing Sep, Apr

Walking Ancient Britain

A walking tour of England & the border of Wales. Explore on foot UNESCO World Heritage sites, Neolithic, Bronze age and Roman landscapes and the occasional Norman castle on your journey. Your tour director and tour guide walk you through the Brecon beacons, the Cotswolds and Welsh borders on this small group tour.

 

 

20 days
Departing May, Sep, Jun

England’s villages small group history tours for mature travellers

Guided tour of the  villages of England. The tour leader manages local guides to share their knowledge to give an authentic experience across England. This trip includes the UNESCO World heritage site of Avebury as well  as villages in Cornwall, Devon, Dartmoor the border of Wales and the Cotswolds.

 

 

19 days
Departing Jun, Sep

Channel Islands | A small group walking tour for seniors

Another Small group tour of the British isles of the Channel Islands. This fully escorted, small group walking tour, takes the active senior off the beaten path  with local guides to Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark and Herm.

Departing Sep, May

Tour of Wales

Join Odyssey Traveller on this tour small group guided tour of Wales, an unforgettable travel experience through varied landscapes from south Wales to north Wales and back, travelling on the coast overlooking the Irish Sea and through picturesque Welsh villages, starting in Cardiff city centre.

17 days
Departing Mar, Sep

Yorkshire, Northumberland and the Lake District

Small group tour for senior couples and mature solo travellers exploring Northern England. Not just the historic cities of Leeds, Newcastle and Manchester but the Viking shaped landscapes, villages and the Lake District are visited on this program.

25 days
Departing Sep, Mar

Canals and Railways in the Industrial Revolution Tour | Tours for Seniors in Britain

A small group tour of Wales, Scotland & England that traces the history of the journey that is the Industrial revolution. Knowledgeable local guides and your tour leader share their history with you on this escorted tour including Glasgow, London, New Lanark & Manchester, Liverpool and the Lake district.

 

23 days
Departing Oct, Apr, Sep

Opera Tour Europe | Theatre-Opera-Ballet and Classical Music Small Group Tour for Seniors

This 22-day small group program visits the major arts centres of Hamburg, Amsterdam, Paris, and London. We travel in winter avoiding crowds and enjoy a different perspective of the places visited. At Odyssey Traveller we have sought to assemble entry and show tickets to what many will consider the best arts experiences available in those cities during each program.

22 days
Departing Dec

Seven Ages of Britain, snapshots of Britain through the ages.

This guided small group tour starts in Scotland and finishes in England. On Orkney we have a day tour to the UNESCO World heritage site, Skara Brae, before travelling to city of York. Your tour leader continues to share the history from the Neolithic to the Victorian era. The tour concludes in the capital city, London.

22 days
Departing Apr, Aug

Small Group tours exploring the Treasures of Ireland

An escorted small group tour to Northern Ireland & Ireland, with local guides and itineraries that give authentic experiences Ireland‘s capital,  Dublin, including 1/2 day tour of  St Patricks cathedral and Trinity college. Destinations also Aran islands , Kerry plus the world heritage site, the giant’s causeway. Ireland tours for singles over 50 and couples.

 

 

18 days
Departing Aug, Apr, Sep
mount of Mont Saint Michel, France
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Anglo French Tour | Normandy, Brittany, Channel Islands tour

Our 21 night program has daily itineraries with plenty of authentic experiences provided by passionate local guides in the key destinations in France, Channel Islands and England for this small group of like minded people.  For Solo travellers minimal single supplement applies for this European tour.

Departing Apr, May, Sep

Agrarian and Industrial Britain | Small Group Tour for Mature Travellers

A small group tour of England that will explore the history of Agrarian and Industrial period. An escorted tour with a tour director and knowledgeable local guides take you on a 22 day trip to key places such as London, Bristol, Oxford & York, where the history was made.

 

 

23 days
Departing Apr

Scotland's West Coast small group tour

Explore the West of Scotland, join the gulf stream and visit and spend time with a small group educational tour for senior couples and mature solo travellers visiting with time to explore in depth, Skara Brae, Mull, Iona, Oban and Glasgow and the communities of the Atlantic. 

26 days
Departing Sep, Apr, May, Aug
Shakespeare Drama small group tour Stratford England
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World of Shakespeare | Small Group Tour

This small group tour for mature couples and solo travellers visits Shakespeare’s birthplace, Stratford upon Avon and Anne Hathaway’s cottage all form part of this small group tour escorted by a tour director and local guides sharing their knowledge on this guided tour. Included are performances in London at the Globe & RSC in Shakespeare’s Stratford upon Avon.

 

 

10 days
Departing May, Apr
Portree, Isle of Skye, Scotland
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Scottish Islands and Shetland small group tours for seniors

An escorted small group tour  for couples and solo travellers of the Scottish isles including the isle of Skye draws on local guides to share their knowledge of the destinations in this unique part of Scotland. UNESCO world heritage site are visited as breathtaking scenery and authentic experiences are shared in a group of like minded people on this guided tour of remote Scotland.

 

 

20 days
Departing May, Jul, Aug, Sep

Gardens of Ireland Small Group Tour

Ireland  a land of diverse and rich gardens from the dramatic Powerscourt to the impressive kitchen Garden of Kylemore Abbey and the secretive Anne’s Grove. Visit Dublin‘s historic Botanic Garden to the greenness of Killarney with its rugged Kerry peninsula and charming Muckross House.

Departing May

Habsburg Spain vs Tudor England: small group tour exploring 16th century history of England & Spain

This holiday with a leading tour operator allows the escorted tour for seniors to explore the life and times of the royal families responsible for making England and Spain so significant in the 16th century with local guides providing the travel experience for the detailed itineraries. We spend 10 days travelling from London to Madrid.

21 days
Departing May, Aug, Sep

Small Group Tour along the Wainwright Walking trail

Part of the small group tour of the British isles series, this walking tour goes west to east across England. The tour leader takes you into the national park of the UNESCO World heritage site in  the Lake district and the North Yorkshire moors. This trip concludes in York. It is designed for senior walkers seeking authentic experiences.

 

 

27 days
Departing Jun, Aug, May

Scotland's Great Trails Walking Tour

An escorted walking tour of Scotland. This trip is mainly in the Scottish Highlands. Your tour leader guides you to Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond and Craignorms National park with experienced local guides. The tour for mature couples and solo travellers finishes in Edinburgh with time to visit Edinburgh Castle and the Royal mile a UNESCO World heritage site.

 

13 days
Departing Jun, Aug, May

Vikings in Britain; small group tour

Vikings in Britain, escorted educational small group tour for senior couples and mature solo travellers who for 27 days explore Ireland, the isle of Man, Scotland and England and the viking history. 

28 days
Departing Jun, Sep, May, Aug

Queen Victoria's Great Britain: a small group tour

A small group tour of England that explores the history of Victorian Britain. This escorted tour spends time knowledgeable local guides with travellers in key destinations in England and Scotland that shaped the British isles in this period including a collection of UNESCO world heritage locations.

21 days
Departing Sep, Jun

British Gardens Small Group Tour including Chatsworth RHS show

This small group tour will explore gardens in Scotland and England with knowledgable local guides and a tour leader. We explore the gardens in and around Edinburgh, Chester, Stratford upon Avon – Shakespeare’s birthplace, Oxford and London in a 22 day tour.

16 days
Departing Jun

Rural Britain | Walking Small Group Tour

A walking tour into England, Scotland and Wales provides small group journeys with breathtaking scenery to destinations such as  Snowdonia national park ,  the UNESCO world heritage site Hadrians wall and the lake district.  each day tour provides authentic experiences often off the beaten path from our local guides.

 

22 days
Departing Sep, Jun

Liverpool, Newcastle, Glasgow

Spend 22 days in 3 cities in England and Scotland. Your tour leader and Knowledgeable local guides examine the history of these great cities. Liverpool & Glasgow faced onto the Irish sea, and Newcastle onto the North sea,  and all where connected to the city of London.

21 days
Departing Jun, Aug

Scotland small group tour | Tracing 5,000 years of history

This guided tour of Scotland with a tour leader and local guides includes the isle of Skye, Orkney islands, the Scottish highlands with breathtaking scenery. Edinburgh including the royal mile, Palace of Holyroodhouse, Fort William, Urquhart castle, Stirling castle, loch lomond, Hadrians wall and New Lanark also a UNESCO World heritage site.

 

22 days
Departing Jul, Sep, Jun, Aug

Jacobites, Scottish History small group mature travellers tour

Small group tour on the Jacobites commences in Edinburgh. During the 19 days you visit 19 locations including the Culloden battlefield as you travel from Edinburgh as far north as Inverness to finish in Glasgow.  Learn from 10 specialist guides about the Jacobites.

17 days
Departing Jul

Whisky and Other Scottish Wonders

A guided small group tour of Scotland is a day tour collection  that includes Edinburgh, the royal mile, Edinburgh castle, and the old town a UNESCO World heritage site Experience and learn about, Kellie castle, St Andrews, Skye,  Balmoral castle, Loch Lomond and Loch Ness as well touring the Scottish highlands to finish in Glasgow.

 

19 days
Departing Jul

Exploring Wales on foot : small group walking tours for seniors

A Walking tour of Wales with spectacular views across as you walk the millennial path across  the Irish sea or up in Snowdonia national park. This guided tour that provides insight into the history of each castle visited and breathtaking scenery enjoyed before exploring the capital of Wales, Cardiff with day tours of Wales from Cardiff. For seniors, couples or Solo interested in  small groups.

 

13 days
Departing Aug
Prehistoric Britain small group history tour
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Prehistoric Britain small group history tour including standing stones

This guided tour invites you to explore UNESCO World heritage sites at Skara Brae in the Orkneys, Isle of Skye, and Stonehenge in a prehistoric tour. This escorted tour has trips to key sites in Scotland, and the Irish sea in Wales such as Gower Peninsula and National Museum in Cardiff and England. Each day tour is supported by local guides.

 

21 days
Departing Aug

Roman Britain

On this small group tour explore with a tour director and local guides the world of Roman Britain. The Romans occupied Britain for some 400 years and left behind a lasting legacy from roads Hadrian’s wall to Roman Baths many are UNSECO World heritage listed.

22 days
Departing Aug

Ireland and Lake District walking small group tour

A guided small group tour for senior walkers that starts in the capital of Ireland, Dublin. This escorted tour with local guides also explores the Giant’s causeway, a UNESCO World heritage site. It transfers from Ireland to Scotland to head to walk in the National park of the Lake district. 

 

 

25 days
Departing Aug

Edinburgh Festival Fringe Small Group Tour

One of the few European tour companies to have in Scotland an escorted small group tour of Edinburgh during the fringe festival. As well attending performances, this trip includes time to  experience, the old town,  new town and the royal mile, a UNESCO world heritage site plus Edinburgh Castle and Palace of Holyroodhouse.

 

9 days
Departing Aug
Jane-Austen
Pre-guaranteed

Discovering the art and literature of England: Jane Austen, Shakespeare, and more

Stratford upon Avon, Shakespeares birthplace and Anne Hathaway’s cottage as well as the Lake district a UNESCO World site and Dicken’s London are part of guided tour for a small group tour of like minded people learning about the art and literature of England. Your tour leader and local guides share day tour itineraries to create a unique travel experience.

 

22 days
Departing Aug

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