Day 1: Depart U.S for London
Depart U.S. on your overnight flight to London. Relax with meal and entertainment services.
Day 2: London at Leisure
Welcome to London! After immigration and baggage claim, take an independent coach transfer to your hotel, conveniently located near Hyde Park and Oxford Street. Coaches operate frequently. For the balance of the day you are free to rest, use the health facilities in your hotel or explore London a little. The British Museum, shops of Oxford and New Bond Streets, Hyde Park and Piccadilly are all within walking distance. In the evening meet your guide and fellow travelers over a welcome drink to discuss your vacation.
Day 3: Tower of London & City Sights
This morning tour central London to see famous landmarks including Piccadilly Circus, Nelson’s Column and lions of Trafalgar Square, Big Ben towering over the Houses of Parliament and Hyde Park. Visit the Tower of London to see the magnificent Crown Jewels, guarded by the Beefeaters in distinctive Tudor uniforms. Also see the White Tower, completed in 1097, together with many other fortresses. Spend the afternoon and evening on your own to sightsee, shop, dine or see a West End show. (CB)
Day 4: Cambridge & York
Drive north into the countryside to visit the university town of Cambridge. Stop to see some of the famous colleges, including King’s College, and the Mathematical Bridge over the River Cam. Head north to York to take a walking tour to appreciate the narrow streets and medieval houses, which contain centuries of history. The stately York Minster, with towers and stained glass, is the highlight of the walk. Continue your journey through Yorkshire to your delightful country manor house hotel in Guisborough. (CB, D)
Day 5: Alnwick Castle & Abbotsford House
Head north through Newcastle-on-Tyne to Alnwick to visit Alnwick Castle, which dates from 1309. Home to the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland, it contains priceless collections of china, furnishings and paintings. Walk through Alnwick Gardens, to see the Grand Cascade, the Poison Garden and many other themed plantings. Drive through the lovely Borders scenery to visit Abbotsford House, Sir Walter Scott’s home, where he wrote most of his novels. Drive to Edinburgh for an introduction to Scottish culture and food at a traditional cabaret. (B, D)
Day 6: Edinburgh Highlights
Discover Scotland’s capital on a tour around the city center. See Princes Street, the main shopping thoroughfare which divides the elegant Georgian "New Town" from the compact medieval city. Tour Edinburgh Castle to see the Crown Jewels of Scotland and the Stone of Destiny. Also enjoy splendid views of central Edinburgh. The afternoon is free for independent sightseeing or shopping. On departures from August 4 to 18, experience the colorful Edinburgh Military Tattoo. (B)
Day 7: Lake District & Chester
Journey through the Southern Uplands and stop at Moffat Woollen Mills with its wide array of Scottish goods. Continue south through the hills and valleys of the Lake District and stop to explore the delightful town of Grasmere. Continue to Chester where a walking tour will include "The Rows," medieval arcaded shops, as well as discovering the original medieval walls, Roman ruins and Chester Cathedral. Drive to your hotel, which is set on 750 acres and offers spa facilities and a swimming pool to relax before dinner. (B, D)
Day 8: North Wales & Dublin
This morning see some of the charming Welsh countryside as you drive through farmlands and picturesque villages and along the coast road. You will catch sight of the majestic peaks of Snowdonia, the highest mountains in Wales. Cross to Anglesey Island by bridge and onto the tiny island of Holyhead. Take a short ferry crossing to Dublin and say farewell to your British tour director and driver as you transfer to your hotel. The evening is at leisure to explore nearby pubs or restaurants. (B)
Day 9: Dublin Tour & Doyle's Cabaret
Spend a morning at leisure and tt 2:00 pm join your Irish driver/guide, a local guide and your fellow travelers for a tour of central Dublin. See Trinity College, where the Book of Kells is housed; Dail Eireann, where the government meets; and the rows of Georgian houses with gaily-colored doorways. Stop at Dublin Castle to take a guided tour through the elegant State Apartments, which are filled with elaborate Waterford Crystal chandeliers and furnishings. In the evening attend Doyle's Irish Cabaret, which takes place right in your hotel. Start with a 4-course dinner which is followed by a lighthearted show with lively dancing, popular songs and plenty of laughter. (B, D)
Day 10: Blarney Castle & Killarney
Depart Dublin and travel through the center of Ireland, stopping to view the stately church ruins atop the Rock of Cashel. Nearby visit a farmhouse to sample some freshly-baked scones with tea and learn about farm life. Continue your drive south to visit Blarney Castle and kiss the famous "Stone of Eloquence." Also visit the Blarney Woollen Mills, where you can find quality Irish-made goods. Drive into County Kerry where the scenery becomes more mountainous to Killarney, picturesquely set beside lakes and mountains. Check into your hotel and relax before dinner. Afterwards you may like to head to a "singing pub." (B, D)
Day 11: Ring of Kerry & Skellig Experience
Today embark on the Ring of Kerry drive - a winding route with breathtaking sights of mountains and coastal views. Stop near the Gap of Dunloe to see "Essence of Kerry," an audio-visual presentation. As you travel, there will be plenty of stops for photos. Visit the Skellig Experience to learn about the life of early Christian monks who inhabited the rocky offshore islands. Drive through Cahirciveen and Waterville and stop to walk around Sneem, where brightly-painted houses are grouped around the central green. Stop at Moll’s Gap for a panoramic view before returning to Killarney where the evening is free. (B)
Day 12: Cliffs of Moher & Bunratty Castle
Drive to Tarbert for a ferry ride across the River Shannon Estuary. Continue to the Cliffs of Moher, a spectacular wall of limestone that reaches 700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. Drive to Bunratty to check into Bunratty Castle Hotel, located very close to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. If you wish, you may visit the Folk Park, have a drink in the 200-year-old Durty Nelly’s Pub or shop at the Bunratty Mills. In the evening head to Bunratty Castle for a memorable medieval-style feast. During and after the meal the lords and ladies will serenade you with song and harp music, evocative of the Middle Ages. (B, D)
Day 13: Shannon Airport & Dublin
This morning take a group transfer to nearby Shannon Airport where your tour concludes at 10:30 am. If you wish to end your tour in Dublin, you may drive through pleasant scenery of the midland region to arrive at Dublin Airport at approximately 4:30 pm or in the city center at 5:00 pm. (B)
B=Breakfast, D=Dinner |
