Exploring Britain & Ireland - Itinerary
Experience the capital cities of the United Kingdom and Ireland on this delightfully picturesque tour. Begin in magnificent London and see Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, and perhaps the changing of the guard. Venture out on your own to explore Hyde Park, ride the London Eye, or catch a theater performance in the West End. Pause to contemplate the mystery of Stonehenge and visit the elaborate 1st century spas and the Roman Bath Museum in the elegant Georgian town of Bath.
Travel by ferry to Ireland and climb to the top of Blarney Castle to kiss the Blarney Stone. Drive through charming picture-perfect villages along the striking Ring of Kerry and admire windswept cliffs, crashing breakers, and rugged mountains. In Dublin, visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral and enjoy traditional entertainment and dinner at a local restaurant. Cross the Irish Sea to Wales, through England’s scenic Lake District, and on to Scotland’s charming capital of Edinburgh to see the Palace of Holyrood House, the Queen’s official residence in Edinburgh and the former home of Mary, Queen of Scots.
The sequence of touring and days may be altered to adjust to religious holidays, special closings of sites, air schedule changes, etc. Hotels listed subject to availability. Meal inclusions may vary by departure.
Day 1: Overnight Flight
Begin your journey through the history, culture and scenic wonders of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales with an overnight flight.
Day 2: Arrive London, England
Your tour begins in the magnificent capital of London. Tonight, meet your fellow travelers at a special welcome dinner. (D)
Day 3: London
A delightful panoramic sightseeing tour highlights Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and the changing of the guard, if held. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure to further explore the historic sights of London at your own pace. (B)
Day 4: London - Stonehenge - Bath - Cardiff
Depart London for Stonehenge, the mysterious formation that dates back to the Stone Age. Ponder the mysteries of mankind as you stroll around this famous monument. Journey to the elegant Georgian town of Bath for a visit to the Roman Bath Museum and see the elaborate 1st century spas. Continue on to the Welsh capital city of Cardiff for an overnight stay. (B, D)
Day 5: Cardiff - Ferry to Ireland - Waterford
Travel through the Welsh capital of Cardiff en route to the coastal village of Fishguard where you board a ferry for a delightful cruise across St. George’s Channel to Rosslare, Ireland. Once in Ireland, you will travel to Waterford. (B, D)
Day 6: Waterford - Blarney - Killarney
A fascinating tour through the world-famous Waterford Crystal Factory demonstrates how these cherished crystal treasures are created. Traveling through County Cork, shop for unique keepsakes at the famous Blarney Woollen Mills before a visit to the historic Blarney Castle where you can kiss the famous Blarney Stone. End your day in beautiful Killarney. (B, D)
Day 7: Killarney - Ring of Kerry - Killarney
From Killarney, a relaxing excursion to the Ring of Kerry showcases some of Ireland’s most magical scenery. Marvel at the stunning vistas created by windswept cliffs, rugged mountains, still lakes and picturesque villages. Return to Killarney after a truly unforgettable day. (B)
Day 8: Killarney - Rock of Cashel - Dublin
HDiscover the lifestyle and traditions of a local family when you visit the Molanna Dairy Farm and meet its owners. H Journey through the picturesque “Golden Vale” en route to the Rock of Cashel, and enjoy a guided tour of the historic spot where St. Patrick preached. In Dublin, dinner and traditional entertainment are included at a local Irish restaurant. (B, D)
Day 9: Dublin
Enjoy a tour of Dublin’s “Fair City” visiting St. Patrick’s Cathedral and viewing Bank of Ireland, O’Connell Street, Grafton Street and Phoenix Park. The afternoon is at leisure to continue exploring the Irish capital independently. (B)
Day 10: Dublin - Ferry Crossing - Wales
A ferry ride across the Irish Sea transports you to Holyhead in northern Wales where you pass Llanfairpwll-gwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, the town with the longest name in the world. A stop at Caernarfon is included to visit the majestic Caernarfon Castle, where Charles was crowned Prince of Wales. (B, D)
Day 11: Wales - Lake District - Edinburgh, Scotland
Travel north into England’s scenic Lake District to see Lake Windermere, Ambleside and charming Grasmere. Crossing into Scotland, you arrive at the border town of Gretna Green. A visit to the Old Blacksmith’s shop illustrates why generations of runaway couples came here to be married. Continue to Edinburgh, Scotland’s charming capital city. (B, D)
Day 12: Edinburgh
A morning tour of the regal city of Edinburgh includes a guided tour of the famous Edinburgh Castle, the city's landmark and home of the Scottish crown jewels. Also enjoy a visit to the Palace of Holyrood House*, the Queen's official residence in Edinburgh and former home of Mary, Queen of Scots. The remainder of your day is at leisure to further explore the museums and shops of the Scottish capital. (B)
Day 13: Edinburgh - York, England
Today, return to England and the historic city of York. Take a walking tour through the quaint streets and see the famous “Shambles,” and the magnificent 13th century Minster Cathedral. (B, D)
Day 14: York - Coventry - Stratford-Upon-Avon
Journey to Coventry and visit its famous modern Cathedral, completely rebuilt after the bombing during World War II. Next, venture off to Stratford-Upon-Avon, the home of William Shakespeare. Visit Shakespeare’s birthplace and his wife’s childhood home, Anne Hathaway’s thatch-roofed cottage. Join your fellow travelers this evening for a farewell dinner. (B, D)
Day 15: Stratford-Upon-Avon - Tour Ends
Your journey through Britain and Ireland ends in Stratford-Upon-Avon today. (B)
