The itinerary of this unique tour takes you to the highlights of
Britain and Ireland. It starts in the cosmopolitan London and where you
can explore the colourfull past of this country. View the stunning
countryside of the Highlands and the lovely city of Edinburgh. Get to
know the Irish charm and traditions and visit the lively streets of
Dublin and Waterford. This tour offers you the major and most beautiful
sights of both countries.
Day 1 Depart USABoard your overnight transatlantic flight
Day 2 Arrive in London, England
Welcome to London! After checking into the hotel, there is time is at leisure to relax and unwind.
Day 3 London/ Stratford / York
Greetings from our Tour Director this morning as we begin our drive
through the Oxfordshire countryside to Stratford-upon-Avon. On arrival
we see Anne Hathaway’s cottage in Shottery, and then visit the house
where Shakespeare was born. This afternoon continue to Viking York
where a walking tour takes us through the historic streets to the
cobbled Shambles, around the city walls and to the magnificent York
Minster. This evening we will enjoy a Welcome Drink before dinner with
our Tour Director and fellow travelers. (CB,D)
Day 4 York / Lake District / Glasgow, Scotland
Enjoy a drive
through Yorkshire Dales National Park to the quaint villages and scenic
glory of the Lake District. Continue along the shores of Lake
Windermere. Our Tour Director will show us a hidden treasure on our
journey! Later, we cross the border into Scotland and drive through the
Southern Uplands to Glasgow. On our orientation tour we will see George
Square, the cathedral and the River Clyde. (FB)
Day 5 Edinburgh Excursion
After breakfast our morning drive
brings us to Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital. A guided sightseeing tour
shows us Princes Street, the Royal Mile, views of Holyrood House in
front of Arthur’s Seat, once home of Mary Queen of Scots, the new
Scottish Parliament and a guided visit to Edinburgh’s imposing castle.
Then there is time at leisure to explore or shop before driving back to
Glasgow. This evening we will enjoy a Highlight Dinner with traditional
hospitality in a local restaurant. (FB,HD)
Day 6 Glasgow / Belfast, Northern Ireland / Dublin, Ireland
An
early start today as we drive past Robert Burns’ cottage and his
monument at Alloway. Then on along the rugged Ayrshire coast, past the
Isle of Ailsa Craig, and past Turnberry to Stranraer. Here board the
ferry to Belfast in Northern Ireland. On arrival in Belfast, a
sightseeing tour with a local guide shows us both sides of this
fascinating city including the City Hall and Queen’s University as well
as the dock where the Titanic was built. Then we’re on our way south,
crossing the River Boyne at Drogheda and on to Dublin, the lively Irish
capital, where we stay for two nights. (FB)
Day 7 Dublin Sightseeing and at Leisure
Our morning
sightseeing tour in this “fair city” with a local expert shows us
Trinity College, the Bank of Ireland, which used to be Ireland’s House
of Parliament, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Phoenix Park and the Georgian
Squares. We discover that Dublin has one of the fastest growing
populations of any European capital city. The rest of your day is at
leisure. You may wish to shop for Irish tweeds and linen in O’Connell
or Henry Streets, browse through the shops on Grafton Street or maybe
take a trip to Glendalough, the Glen of the two lakes. (FB)
Day 8 Dublin / Kildare / Waterford
After a good Irish
breakfast, our first stop will be at the Irish National Stud Farm
located outside the town of Kildare. Here we will enjoy a guided
walking tour conducted by a member of the friendly staff, through the
tranquillity of the grounds and gardens. See world-class stallions and
have time to visit the glorious Japanese Garden. Then we travel on
Irish country roads through the “Boreens” to medieval Kilkenny to see
its ancient castle. Later, continue our drive to the Waterford Crystal
Showroom where we have an included visit to see the beautiful displays
of crystal glass before we continue on to our hotel for tonight. (FB)
Day 9 Waterford / Cardiff, Wales
An early start this morning
as we drive to Rosslare Harbour where we board the ferry to Pembroke in
South Wales, seat of the Tudor dynasty. We drive along the heritage
coast and continue on to the Welsh capital, Cardiff. Here we stop to
view its historic castle and see the Millennium Stadium Cardiff Arms
Park. Tonight, we enjoy a Farewell Dinner with our Tour Director and
newfound friends. (FB,FD)
Day 10 Cardiff / Bath, England / Stonehenge / London
This
morning we cross the Severn Bridge into England, heading to the
glorious city of Bath. An orientation tour shows us its graceful
terraces and includes a visit to the Baths dating from Roman times.
Continue to the mysterious monolithic stone circle at Stonehenge – a
World Heritage site. Then we continue to Salisbury with time to view
its impressive cathedral with the tallest spire in Britain. Finally we
return to London in the afternoon. The night is at leisure to explore
this lively city, its pubs and restaurants. (FB)
Day 11 Depart London
This morning after breakfast, time to
bid farewell to London and our fellow travelers as our memorable tour
comes to an end. (BB)
CB= Continental Breakfast, FB or BB= Breakfast, FD=Farewell Dinner, D=Dinner, HD=Highlight DInner
Hotels on this tour:
Hilton Olympia, London
Holiday Inn, York
Radisson SAS, Glasgow
Trinity Capital, Dublin
The Belfry, Waterford
Park Inn City Centre, Cardiff
|
