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 transfer to your hotel, conveniently located near the Grand Canal. The evening is at leisure to explore nearby pubs or restaurants. (B)
Day 9: Dublin Castle & Jurys Cabaret
Take a morning tour around central Dublin, with its spacious Georgian squares and streets, landmark public buildings and graceful townhouses. Tour Dublin Castle’s elegantly furnished State Apartments to learn about historic events that have taken place. The afternoon is free for browsing or further sightseeing on your own. Enjoy dinner at Jurys Irish Cabaret followed by a humorous show of storytelling, song and dance. (B, D)
Day 10: National Stud & Killarney
Depart Dublin and visit the National Stud and Japanese Gardens in Kildare. Learn about Ireland’s exciting horse breeding industry at the National Stud and walk through the gardens, which represent the "Life of Man" in oriental-style gardening. Enjoy views of farms and pause for photos at the impressive Rock of Cashel. Sample tea and scones at a farm and learn about Irish country life.Continue to the famous town of Killarney and check into your lovely centrally-located hotel with state-of-the-art pool and spa facilities. (B, D)
Day 11: Ring of Kerry Tour
Today experience one of Ireland’s most popular scenic drives, the Ring of Kerry. Your route winds around the Iveragh Peninsula with Ireland’s highest mountains on one side and Atlantic coastline on the other. Travel through the villages of Glenbeigh, Waterville and Sneem with frequent stops to admire the views and take photos. Just outside Killarney tour the gracious 19th century Muckross House to see richly crafted furnishings and learn about its U.S. connections. (B, D)
Day 12: Blarney & Waterford
Travel to Blarney to visit the Blarney Woollen Mills where you can buy quality Irish-made goods. If you feel energetic, you may climb to the top of Blarney Castle to kiss the famous stone. Drive through the outskirts of Cork and along the south coast of Ireland via Youghal. In Waterford visit the Waterford Crystal Factory to watch skilled craftspeople create this famous crystal from molten glass. See the vast display of trophies and tableware in the showrooms. Check into your delightful country hotel overlooking the River Suir Estuary in time to use some of the health or sporting facilities before dinner. (B, D)
Day 13: Wales & Cardiff Castle
It’s an early start today as you depart Waterford for a short drive to Rosslare to catch the ferry to South Wales. Journey past Carmarthen and along the south coast of Wales to its capital city of Cardiff. Tour Cardiff Castle, the origins of which date back to Roman times. The castle was extensively remodeled and embellished in the 1860’s and you will see elaborate decorations in various chambers. Check into your hotel in Cardiff in time for dinner. (B, D)
Day 14: Roman Baths & Stonehenge
Drive to Bath to tour this spa town, popular for its natural hot springs with the Romans 2,000 years ago and again in fashion in the 18th century Regency period. Visit the wonderful Roman Baths and Pump Room, still preserved after two millennia and drive around the stately mansions of the Royal Crescent and Queen’s Square. Drive to Salisbury Plain to view the prehistoric circle of vast monoliths at Stonehenge. Continue into London and check into Jurys Clifton Ford Hotel once again. (B)
Day 15: Depart for Home
As today is departure day, travel to Heathrow Airport by group coach transfer or Gatwick Airport by independent coach transfer. Allow plenty of time for check in formalities. (CB)
B=Breakfast, D=Dinner |
