|| Britain & Ireland ||
15 Nights / 16 Days visiting
Itinerary :
Day01:London – Stratford – Coventry – York
Arrive at London. Drive through the scenic Cotswolds to Stratford-upon-Avon to visit Shakespeare’s birthplace and see Anne Hathaway’s thatched cottage. Then to Coventry, where we will view both the old and new cathedrals. Later we continue to York.
Day02: York – Northumberland – Edinburgh
This morning our drive through the Northumberland National Park takes us for a stop at a section of Hadrian’s Wall. Then into Scotland and through the borders to the ruins of Jedburgh Abbey. Soon we reach Edinburgh.
Day03: Edinburgh sightseeing & at leisure
Our morning sightseeing tour with a local guide includes the elegant New Town, Princes Street, the Royal Mile, views of Holyrood House and Arthur’s Seat and a guided visit of the apartments inside Edinburgh Castle. During the Festival, we include tickets to the spectacular Edinburgh Tattoo. Tonight, there’s a chance to enjoy a traditional Scottish night out with haggis, dancing and bagpipes!.
Day04: Edinburgh – St Andrews – Scottish Highlands
We drive across the magnificent Forth Bridge to St. Andrews and its celebrated golf course and ancient university. We stop at the 18th hole before crossing the Tay at Dundee and continuing via Perth to charming Pitlochry, famous for excellent salmon fishing. Then through the heather-clad heart of the Scottish highlands and past Blair Castle, ancestral home of the Dukes of Athol,to our friendly hotel in Laggan for dinner this evening.
Day05: Scottish Highlands – Loch Ness – Isle of Skye
First to the famous battle site of Culloden and then on to Scotland’s most famous loch, Loch Ness. We take in the breathtaking scenery whilst looking out for the monster, and stop to take stunning photographs. Then to the Kyle of Lochalsh where we cross the sea to Skye! This afternoon there is an opportunity to see the spectacular scenery of the Trotternish Peninsula before we enjoy dinner in our hotel.
Day06: Isle of Skye – Loch Lomond – Glasgow
First to Fort William to see the ‘Vale of Weeping’ at Glencoe, site of the famous massacre by the Campbell clan. Then through Scotland’s finest scenery to Loch Lomond and down to Glasgow, where on arrival we will enjoy an orientation tour including George Square, the cathedral and the River Clyde. But, as well, we will discover a Hidden Treasure that this city has to offer! This evening, we enjoy Scottish hospitality at our Highlight Dinner in a local restaurant, before going to our hotel.
Day07: Glasgow – Lake District – Liverpool
South to the English border to Gretna Green where eloping couples would marry against their parents’ wishes. Then through the English Lake District to Grasmere, where Wordsworth is buried, and along the shores of Lake Windermere. Finally to Chester, where a walking tour with our Tour Director will include the galleried ‘Rows’ before we continue to our Liverpool hotel.
Day08: Liverpool – Dublin
We drive along the North Wales coast to the Island of Anglesey stopping at the Welsh Llanfairpwll Railway Station. Then to Holyhead for our ferry to Dublin.
Day09: Dublin sightseeing & at leisure
With a local guide our sightseeing comprises a visit to Trinity College where we will see the beautiful Book of Kells, and we see St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Phoenix Park. The rest of your day is at leisure and tonight, why not join your travelling companions for an evening of Irish entertainment at a cabaret.
Day10: Dublin – Galway – Limerick
We travel to the West coast and cross the mighty Shannon River as we drive past Athlone and Ballinasloe on our way to Galway Bay. We drive on to Limerick where we will have the chance to visit Bunratty Castle and folk park. Tonight why not try out an Irish ceildh.
Day11: Limerick – Ring of Kerry – Killarney/Kenmare
Today we experience Ireland’s most scenic coastal drive, around the Ring of Kerry, County Kerry’s largest peninsula, where its varied landscape is truly a photographer’s delight. Finally, late in the afternoon, we arrive at our hotel.
Day12: Killarney/Kenmare – Waterford
This morning we drive over the Cork and Kerry Mountains to Blarney Castle where we will enjoy an included visit and have the chance to kiss the famous stone and acquire the ‘gift of the gab’. Then to Waterford where we visit the Waterford Crystal Showroom.
Day13: Waterford – Cardiff
We drive to Rosslare to board our ferry and cruise across the Irish Sea. On arrival in Pembroke, where Henry VII of the Tudors was born, we will start our journey across Wales to Cardiff, the Welsh capital, where we will view the famous castle before we head to our hotel.
Day14: Cardiff – Bath – Plymouth
We cross the Severn Bridge into England and drive to historic Bath where an orientation includes a visit to the Roman Baths. Next we drive to King Arthur’s Glastonbury to see the site of his legendary tomb. Then we stop for a delicious cream tea with scones and cream before continuing to Plymouth.
Day15: St. Michael's Mount and St. Ives excursion
Today we drive west to the area of Penzance for views of St. Michaels Mount. Then to St. Ives, the bustling artists colony, before driving through north Cornwall and the bleak Bodmin Moor.
Day16: Plymouth – Salisbury – London
This morning we visit Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain and see Salisbury Cathedral’s tall spire, before returning to London via Windsor and Runnymede, where our tour must come to an end.
Arrive at London. Drive through the scenic Cotswolds to Stratford-upon-Avon to visit Shakespeare’s birthplace and see Anne Hathaway’s thatched cottage. Then to Coventry, where we will view both the old and new cathedrals. Later we continue to York.
Day02: York – Northumberland – Edinburgh
This morning our drive through the Northumberland National Park takes us for a stop at a section of Hadrian’s Wall. Then into Scotland and through the borders to the ruins of Jedburgh Abbey. Soon we reach Edinburgh.
Day03: Edinburgh sightseeing & at leisure
Our morning sightseeing tour with a local guide includes the elegant New Town, Princes Street, the Royal Mile, views of Holyrood House and Arthur’s Seat and a guided visit of the apartments inside Edinburgh Castle. During the Festival, we include tickets to the spectacular Edinburgh Tattoo. Tonight, there’s a chance to enjoy a traditional Scottish night out with haggis, dancing and bagpipes!.
Day04: Edinburgh – St Andrews – Scottish Highlands
We drive across the magnificent Forth Bridge to St. Andrews and its celebrated golf course and ancient university. We stop at the 18th hole before crossing the Tay at Dundee and continuing via Perth to charming Pitlochry, famous for excellent salmon fishing. Then through the heather-clad heart of the Scottish highlands and past Blair Castle, ancestral home of the Dukes of Athol,to our friendly hotel in Laggan for dinner this evening.
Day05: Scottish Highlands – Loch Ness – Isle of Skye
First to the famous battle site of Culloden and then on to Scotland’s most famous loch, Loch Ness. We take in the breathtaking scenery whilst looking out for the monster, and stop to take stunning photographs. Then to the Kyle of Lochalsh where we cross the sea to Skye! This afternoon there is an opportunity to see the spectacular scenery of the Trotternish Peninsula before we enjoy dinner in our hotel.
Day06: Isle of Skye – Loch Lomond – Glasgow
First to Fort William to see the ‘Vale of Weeping’ at Glencoe, site of the famous massacre by the Campbell clan. Then through Scotland’s finest scenery to Loch Lomond and down to Glasgow, where on arrival we will enjoy an orientation tour including George Square, the cathedral and the River Clyde. But, as well, we will discover a Hidden Treasure that this city has to offer! This evening, we enjoy Scottish hospitality at our Highlight Dinner in a local restaurant, before going to our hotel.
Day07: Glasgow – Lake District – Liverpool
South to the English border to Gretna Green where eloping couples would marry against their parents’ wishes. Then through the English Lake District to Grasmere, where Wordsworth is buried, and along the shores of Lake Windermere. Finally to Chester, where a walking tour with our Tour Director will include the galleried ‘Rows’ before we continue to our Liverpool hotel.
Day08: Liverpool – Dublin
We drive along the North Wales coast to the Island of Anglesey stopping at the Welsh Llanfairpwll Railway Station. Then to Holyhead for our ferry to Dublin.
Day09: Dublin sightseeing & at leisure
With a local guide our sightseeing comprises a visit to Trinity College where we will see the beautiful Book of Kells, and we see St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Phoenix Park. The rest of your day is at leisure and tonight, why not join your travelling companions for an evening of Irish entertainment at a cabaret.
Day10: Dublin – Galway – Limerick
We travel to the West coast and cross the mighty Shannon River as we drive past Athlone and Ballinasloe on our way to Galway Bay. We drive on to Limerick where we will have the chance to visit Bunratty Castle and folk park. Tonight why not try out an Irish ceildh.
Day11: Limerick – Ring of Kerry – Killarney/Kenmare
Today we experience Ireland’s most scenic coastal drive, around the Ring of Kerry, County Kerry’s largest peninsula, where its varied landscape is truly a photographer’s delight. Finally, late in the afternoon, we arrive at our hotel.
Day12: Killarney/Kenmare – Waterford
This morning we drive over the Cork and Kerry Mountains to Blarney Castle where we will enjoy an included visit and have the chance to kiss the famous stone and acquire the ‘gift of the gab’. Then to Waterford where we visit the Waterford Crystal Showroom.
Day13: Waterford – Cardiff
We drive to Rosslare to board our ferry and cruise across the Irish Sea. On arrival in Pembroke, where Henry VII of the Tudors was born, we will start our journey across Wales to Cardiff, the Welsh capital, where we will view the famous castle before we head to our hotel.
Day14: Cardiff – Bath – Plymouth
We cross the Severn Bridge into England and drive to historic Bath where an orientation includes a visit to the Roman Baths. Next we drive to King Arthur’s Glastonbury to see the site of his legendary tomb. Then we stop for a delicious cream tea with scones and cream before continuing to Plymouth.
Day15: St. Michael's Mount and St. Ives excursion
Today we drive west to the area of Penzance for views of St. Michaels Mount. Then to St. Ives, the bustling artists colony, before driving through north Cornwall and the bleak Bodmin Moor.
Day16: Plymouth – Salisbury – London
This morning we visit Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain and see Salisbury Cathedral’s tall spire, before returning to London via Windsor and Runnymede, where our tour must come to an end.