An in depth tour of the British Isles, England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. This is a great tour for those looking to see all the highlights.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Wed. Board Your Overnight Transatlantic Flight.
Day 2 Thu. Arrival In London, England. Check into your hotel. In the afternoon there’s time to rest or to start exploring the lively British capital; uniformed hosts are available to help you make the most of your stay.
Day 3: Fri. London. A full day to enjoy our exciting program of optional activities. Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide includes all the famous landmarks: Knightsbridge with Harrods, the Houses of Parliament, and Big Ben beside the River Thames, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall's mounted horse guards and the Prime Minister's Downing Street, and Buckingham Palace. Highlights are a visit to St. Paul's Cathedral, and the ceremonial pageantry of the Guards, if held. This afternoon you may want to visit Windsor Castle or the Tower with its spectacular Crown Jewels, and tonight a leisurely cruise on the River Thames would be fun. (B)
Day 4: Sat. London-Stratford-Coventry. Meet your Tour Director and traveling companions and depart at 8 a.m. for a memorable day’s sightseeing: a photo opportunity at Hampton Court Palace; Runnymede, where King John sealed the Magna Carta; a walking tour in Oxford, one of the country’s oldest seats of learning; through the lovely Cotswold Hills. At Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon take your pictures of Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and explore the town at your own pace. Finally at Coventry, whose center had to be rebuilt after the devastation of World War II bombings, hear the tale of Lady Godiva and Peeping Tom, and admire the splendid modern cathedral. (B, D)
Day 5: Sun. Coventry-York-Scotch Corner. Leave the Midlands, passing the once-mighty Sherwood Forest, home of the legendary Robin Hood, and head north to York, England’s most complete medieval city. Stand in awe in front of the great structure of York Minster, then follow your Tour Director through a maze of quaint streets, including the narrow Shambles. Stop for the night near Richmond, gateway to the Yorkshire Dales made famous by James Herriot’s All Creatures Great and Small. (FB, D)
Day 6: Mon. Scotch Corner-Edinburgh, Scotland. Inspect a section of Hadrian’s Wall, the Roman coast-to-coast defense against marauding northern tribes, then motor through wild Northumberland National Park to the Scottish border. Stop for photos at Jedburgh, with glimpses of the house of Mary, Queen of Scots, and then Melrose with its 12th-century abbey ruins and connections with Robert the Bruce. Afternoon arrival at Edinburgh. A suggestion for this evening: a traditional Scottish night out with Highland dancers, bagpipers, and of course the Ceremony of the Haggis. (FB)
Day 7: Tue. Edinburgh. A full day to enjoy this “Prince of Cities.” Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide introduces you to the 200-year-old “New Town” and famous scientists, inventors and novelists. In the “Old Town”, drive up the narrow Royal Mile to Edinburgh Castle to admire Scotland’s Crown Jewels. Afternoon at leisure. For tour numbers 0804, 0811 and 0818 tickets are included for tonight's performance of the world-renowned Military Tattoo. (FB)
Day 8: Wed. Edinburgh-Highlands. A day of memorable sightseeing: St. Andrews, whose Royal and Ancient Golf Club has given us the rules of golfing; Braemar, home of the Royal Highland Games for over 900 years; Royal Deeside, where the Queen is an annual visitor; the battlefield of Culloden Moor with its memories of Bonnie Prince Charlie; Inverness, the Highland capital. Finally, skirt Loch Ness, looking out for the mysterious monster on the way to your Highland destination. (FB, D)
Day 9: Thu. Highlands. West Coast Excursion. More spectacular Scottish scenery. The lovely Falls of Shin; Dornoch Firth and the Kyle of Sutherland; then follow Strath Oykel for a visit to Ullapool, a remote fishing harbor on Loch Broom. Along Loch Glascarnoch, then visit a whisky distillery, where your guide explains the ancient art of converting barley, water, and yeast into a heart warming liquor. Your Tour Director will have suggestions for this evening’s dining. (FB)
Day 10: Fri. Highlands-Isle of Skye-Glasgow. More heather clad moors as you drive through the western Highlands to Lochalsh and the Inner Hebridean Isle of Skye. The route back to the mainland is by ferry across the Sound of Sleat to Mallaig, then breathtaking scenery all the way to Fort William beneath Ben Nevis. Glen Coe, where the MacDonald Clan was treacherously massacred by the Campbells in 1692, and a drive along the “Bonnie Banks” of Loch Lomond are scenic highlights on the way to Glasgow, Scotland’s great cultural city. (FB, D)
Day 11: Sat. Glasgow-Belfast, Northern Ireland. On this morning’s orientation drive through Scotland’s largest city, see the fine 12th-century cathedral, imposing university buildings and elegant Georgian Squares built by the wealthy tobacco barons. Later, stop at Alloway, the birthplace of Robert Burns, before boarding the ferry for the Irish Sea crossing to Belfast. Before checking into your hotel, join the “living history” orientation drive through this fascinating city in the company of a Local Guide. (FB, D)
Day 12: Sun. Belfast-Sligo, Ireland. Take the scenic route along the Antrim coast to awe-inspiring Giant’s Causeway, then let the province’s story unfold as you head for the city of Derry, and later Belleek Pottery Factory, renowned for its exquisite cream-colored Parian china. At Drumcliff see the grave of the native son and poet, W.B.Yeats, before arriving in Sligo, tonight’s destination. (FB, D)
Day 13: Mon. Sligo-Ennis. South to Knock, a village that attracts pilgrims from all over the world since the townsfolk saw apparitions, and Galway, on its beautiful bay, where you hear about the infamous Lynch Stone, commemorating the day Mayor James Lynch Fitzstephen hanged his son for murder. Cross the limestone plateau of The Burren to visit the spectacular 668-foot Cliffs of Moher. Tonight a chance to attend an optional banquet at Bunratty Castle. (FB)
Day 14: Tue. Ennis-Killarney-Kenmare. Via Clonderlaw Bay to Killimer for the ferry across the Shannon estuary. In County Kerry, plenty of time to visit the popular resort of Killarney. A special optional adventure would be a fun-filled horse-drawn jaunting car ride along the national park lakeshore for pictures of Ross Castle. Later, head for Kenmare, your destination for the next two nights. (FB, D)
Day 15: Wed. Kenmare. Ring Of Kerry Excursion. First, take your pictures of the Lakes of Killarney from Ladies View. At Killorglin join the road known as the “Ring of Kerry” for a 100-mile coastal panoramic drive: sparkling seascapes, mountains dotted with brightly colored farmhouses, winding lanes bordered with subtropical vegetation. The rest of the day is at leisure in Kenmare. (FB)
Day 16: Thu. Kenmare-Tramore. More scenic splendor as you head into County Cork. Stop in Blarney, famous for its Stone of Eloquence, with time at your leisure to see the castle, and shop for Irish crafts and handmade crystal. After lunch drive past Cork, the country’s second-largest city. Finally Dungarvan and along the Copper Coast to the seaside resort of Tramore. Tonight maybe an optional pub tour before dinner at your hotel. (FB, D)
Day 17: Fri. Tramore-Dublin. Highlights on your northbound journey: Waterford, famed for its exquisite crystal; Enniscorthy, site of the final battle of the Great Rebellion of 1798; a visit to Ireland’s oldest hand-weaving mill at Avoca; views of the Wicklow Mountains; finally Glendalough with its ruins of a center of Irish Christianity founded by St. Kevin. Afternoon arrival in Dublin. Celebrate the evening in real style at an optional Irish dinner and cabaret show. (FB)
Day 18: Sat. Dublin. A day in the “Fair City” starts off with an orientation drive through Eire’s capital and includes statue-lined O’Connell Street, elegant Georgian squares, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The rest of the day is free to enjoy Dublin at leisure. Top the day with an optional dinner evening at the Guinness Storehouse. (FB)
Day 19: Sun. Dublin-Wrexham, Wales. Across the Irish Sea to Holyhead on the Welsh Isle of Anglesey with its tongue-twisting place names. Follow the North Wales coast route to Chester, England, the historic county town on the River Dee. A walking tour takes you past Roman remains, black and white half-timbered buildings, and the two-tiered shopping arcades called the “Rows.” Spend the night at Wrexham back in Wales. (FB, D)
Day 20: Mon. Wrexham-Cardiff. An interesting southbound route through Wales: scenic Horseshoe Pass; Llangollen, home of an international competition for poets and minstrels; the market town of Ludlow; Brecon Beacons National Park; finally “The Valleys” whose iron ore and coal were the raw materials for the Industrial Revolution. In the Welsh capital an orientation drive takes in Cathays Park with its splendid civic buildings and Cardiff Castle. Your Tour Director will recommend tonight’s optional Welsh evening. (FB)
Day 21: Tue. Cardiff-Bath-Plymouth, England. Across the Severn Bridge to the elegant Georgian city of Bath famed for its Roman relics. Into the West Country via Glastonbury and its associations with King Arthur, and wild and romantic Dartmoor with a visit to the picture-book village of Widecombe in the Moor. Upon arrival in Plymouth hear about Sir Francis Drake and see the Mayflower Steps where the Pilgrim Fathers embarked in 1620. (FB, D)
Day 22: Wed. Plymouth. Cornwall Excursion. A day full of West Country sights as you head through Daphne Du Maurier's Cornwall. After viewing St. Michael's Mount, rising boldly out of the sea, take your photos at Land's End, then follow the Atlantic coast strewn with its derelict tin mines and recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before exploring the popular seaside resort of St. Ives. Your Tour Director will have suggestions for this evening. (FB)
Day 23: Thu. Plymouth-Brighton. An interesting day heading into Thomas Hardy’s Wessex and views of the intriguing prehistoric monument of Stonehenge. Take a break in Salisbury for a look at its vast cathedral, the ultimate in Early English Gothic. Stop for photos at historic Arundel, dominated by the Duke of Norfolk's huge castle before continuing on to the seaside resort of Brighton for overnight stay. (FB, D)
Day 24: Fri. Brighton-London. A leisurely last day on the road with time this morning for a seafront promenade stroll or to browse along The Lanes, a quaint area of narrow streets, renowned for its antique shops. Finally take the scenic route via the pretty market town of Lewes and pause for lunch in picturesque Royal Tunbridge Wells, before returning to London about 3 p.m. How about celebrating the success of your tour with a night out on the town? (FB)
Day 25: Sat. Your Homebound Flight Arrives The Same Day. (B)
Your Travel Package Includes:
SIGHTSEEING
Visits to Hampton Court Palace gardens, Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon, Coventry, Hadrian’s Wall, Jedburgh and Melrose, Edinburgh Castle, tickets for Edinburgh Military Tattoo (tour numbers 0804, 0811, 0818), St. Andrews, Braemar, Culloden, Inverness, Strathpeffer, Ullapool, Alloway, Giant’s Causeway, Derry, Belleek pottery factory, W.B.Yeats’ burial place, Sligo, Knock, Galway, Cliffs of Moher, Killarney, Kenmare, Blarney, Waterford, a handweaving mill at Avoca, Glendalough, Llangollen, Ludlow, Bath, Widecombe in the Moor, Plymouth, St. Ives, Salisbury, Arundel, Brighton, Lewes and Royal Tunbridge Wells; orientation drives in Glasgow, Dublin, Cardiff; walking tours in Oxford, York, Chester
SCENIC HIGHLIGHTS
Cotswold Hills, Northumberland National Park, Scottish Lowlands and Highlands, Loch Ness, Falls of Shin, Isle of Skye, Loch Lomond, Northern Ireland’s Antrim coast, The Burren, Lakes of Killarney and Ring of Kerry, Horseshoe Pass, Brecon Beacons and “The Valleys”, Dartmoor National Park, St. Michael’s Mount and Land's End, Stonehenge and Salisbury Plain.
* Inside visits are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges when applicable
GUIDES
Local Guides for city sightseeing in Edinburgh, a malt whisky distillery, Belfast; host service in London. Professional Tour Director while touring
TRANSPORTATION
Private first-class air-conditioned motorcoach. Isle of Skye ferry. Round trip Irish Sea crossings by day ferry. Ferry across the Shannon estuary.
QUALITY HOTELS
Rooms with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, porterage, tips, and service charges
LONDON Kensington Close (ST), COVENTRY Britannia Centre (ST), SCOTCH CORNER Quality (ST), EDINBURGH Learmonth (ST), HIGHLANDS Ben Wyvis (ST) at Strathpeffer, GLASGOW Quality (ST), BELFAST La Mon (F), SLIGO Southern (ST), ENNIS Auburn Lodge (ST), KENMARE Kenmare Bay (ST), TRAMORE Majestic (ST), DUBLIN Jurys Custom House Inn (ST), WREXHAM Ramada Plaza (F), CARDIFF Park Inn (F), PLYMOUTH Novotel (ST), BRIGHTON Royal Albion (ST)
MEALS
3 buffet breakfasts (B); 20 full English breakfasts (FB); 11 three-course dinners (D) with choice of menus and coffee.
OPTIONALS
Choice of optional excursions at reasonable prices to customize your own experience. Please find a detailed list in your travel documents.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
England
Scotland
Ireland
Cultural Journey
Military History
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