Britain & Ireland Highlights
Day 1 - Depart USA Overnight flight to London.
Day 2 - Arrive London After checking into your Trafalgar hotel, the remainder of your day is at leisure.
Day 3 - London — Stratford — York Greetings from our Tour Director this morning as we begin our drive through Oxfordshire countryside to Stratford-upon-Avon. On our arrival we see Anne Hathaway's cottage at Shottery and then visit the house where Shakespeare was born. This afternoon we continue to Viking York where a walking tour takes us through the historic streets of the most haunted city in Britain to the cobbled 'Shambles', around the city walls, to Petergate and Stonegate and to the magnificent Minster. This evening,we will enjoy a Welcome Dinner and drink with our Tour Director and fellow travelling companions. (Continental Breakfast/ Welcome Dinner)
Day 4 - York — Lake District — Glasgow (2 nights) This morning after breakfast, we will enjoy a beautiful drive that takes us through the Yorkshire Dales National Park to the quaint villages and scenic glory of the Lake District. From here we continue along the shores of Lake Windermere, England's largest lake and through the countryside which inspired William Wordsworth's poetry. Later, we cross the border into Bonnie Scotland and drive through the Southern Uplands en route to Glasgow Scotland's largest city and former centre of the shipbuilding industry. On our orientation tour we will see George Square and the Cathedral as well as the River Clyde. (Full Breakfast)
Day 5 - Edinburgh Excursion After breakfast our morning drive brings us to Edinburgh, Scotland's capital, where a guided sightseeing tour shows us Princes Street, the Royal Mile and 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 enjoy time at leisure to do as you please before going back to Glasgow for the night. This evening we will enjoy an evening of traditional hospitality in a local restaurant. (Full Breakfast / Highlight Dinner)
Day 6 - Glasgow — Belfast — Dublin (2 nights) An early start today as we drive past Robert Burns' cottage and his monument at Alloway and then along the rugged Ayrshire coast with its many seals and wild birds via Turnberry and its exquisite golf course to Stranraer for our ferry to Belfast in Northern Ireland. Our cruise takes us past the isle of Ailsa Craig, known as the stepping stone from Ireland to Scotland, on our way to the Irish coast. 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 for two nights. (Full Breakfast)
Day 7 - Dublin sightseeing & 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. The rest of your day is at leisure. You may wish to shop for Irish tweeds and linen in O'Connell or Henry Streets or maybe take a trip to the stately home of Malahide. This evening, why not join us in the excitment at an Irish cabaret" (Full Breakfast)
Day 8 - Dublin - Kildare - Waterford Today 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. We will see world-class stallions and have time to visit the glorious Japanese gardens. Then we travel on Irish country roads through the 'Boreens' to medieval Kilkenny where we see its ancient castle. Later, we continue our drive to the Waterford Crystal Factory where we have an included visit to see how crystal is created before we continue to our hotel for dinner and overnight stay. (Full Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 9 - Waterford — Cardiff An early start this morning as we drive to Rosslare Harbour where we board our ferry to Pembroke in South Wales seat of the Tudor dynasty. We drive along th 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, why not enjoy a medieval Welsh Banquet". (Full Breakfast)
Day 10 - Cardiff — Bath — Stonehenge — London This morning we cross the Severn Bridge into England heading to the glorious city of Bath. On our arrival an orientation tour shows us its graceful terraces and includes a visit to the Baths dating from Roman times. From here we 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 — the tallest in Britain. Finally we return to London. (Full Breakfast)
Day 11 - London - USA This morning after breakfast, there's time to bid farewell to new-found friends before we transfer you to the airport for your return flight to America. (Buffet Breakfast)
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