Britain & Ireland Panorama
Day 1 - Depart USA Overnight flight to London.
Day 2 - Arrive London (2 nights) After checking into your Trafalgar hotel, the remainder of your day is at leisure.
Day 3 - London sightseeing & at leisure We enjoy a comprehensive sightseeing tour with a local guide highlighting Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament as well as Trafalgar Square and Westminster Abbey. The remainder of the day is free to perhaps visit the Tower of London or to shop in elegant Knightsbridge! (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 4 - London - Stratford - Coventry - York Today's drive takes us through the scenic Cotswolds, dotted with the golden limestone of thatched cottages en route to Stratford-upon-Avon to visit Shakespeare's birthplace and see Anne Hathaway's thatched cottage. Then on to Coventry, home of Lady Godiva. Here we will see the new and old cathedrals before making our way through the Midlands and Sherwood Forest to see the church where Robin Hood is supposed to have married Maid Marion. Finally we arrive in York where the city's history is written in its narrow cobbled streets, timbered houses and famous Minster. Our Tour Director will take us on a walking tour of the city which will end at the Minster before a Welcome Dinner and drinks with our Tour Director and fellow passengers. (Continental Breakfast/ Welcome Dinner)
Day 5 - York - Edinburgh (2 nights) This morning drive through the Northumberland National Park takes us for a stop at a section of Hadrian's Wall. Then through into Scotland to the borders and Carter Bar with its magnificent views and to the ruins of Jedburgh Abbey. Soon we reach Edinburgh for a two-night stay. (Full Breakfast)
Day 6 - Edinburgh sightseeing & at leisure After breakfast 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. Perhaps later visit the Rosslyn chapel just outside the Scottish capital — and its associations with the Kinghts Templar, the Freemasons and of course the "Da Vinci Code". Tonight, there's a chance to enjoy a traditional Scottish night out with haggis, dancing and bagpipes! (Full Breakfast)
Day 7 - Edinburgh — St Andrews — Scottish Highlands (Laggan) This morning we drive across the magnificent Forth Bridge to the seaside town of St Andrew's and its celebrated golf course and ancient University. We stop at the 18th hole before continuing via Perth and crossing the Tay at Dundee to charming Pitlochry, the geographical centre of Scotland. 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. (Full Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 8 - Scottish Highlands (Laggan) - Loch Ness - Isle of Skye First to Culloden, famous battle site, where all hopes for Bonnie Prince Charlie to acceed to the throne were dashed, and on to Scotland's most famous Loch — Loch Ness. We drive along its magnificent shores taking in breathtaking scenery and looking out for the monster, as we stop at the romantic ruins of Urqhart Castle! Then to the Kyle of Lochalsh, where we "cross the sea to Skye — just as Flora Mcdonald did when she helped Bonnie Prince Charlie to escape to this scenic but remote corner of Scotland. We drive toward the Cuillin mountains to Portree — capital of the Isle — to experience the unique beauty of the Isle before dinner and overnight at our hotel. (Full Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 9 - Isle of Skye - Glasgow First we drive to Fort William to the 'Vale of Weeping' at Glencoe site of the famous massacre by the Campbell clan over the Mcdonalds. Then through Scotland's finest scenery to the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond and down to Glasgow, where on arrival we will enjoy an orientation tour including George Square, the Cathedral and the River Clyde. This evening, we enjoy Scottish hospitality at dinner in a local restaurant, before going to our hotel. (FB HD) Day 10 - Glasgow - Lake District - Chester - Wrexham South to the border with England to stop at Gretna Green where eloping couples would marry against their parents" wishes — quite legally! Then through England's most beautiful National Park — the English Lake District — along Lake Windermere to Grasmere, the great poet Wordsworth's home. We continue south to Chester, where a walking tour with our Tour Director will include the galleried 'Rows'. On to our hotel for dinner and overnight. (Full Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 11 - Wrexham - Dublin (2 nights) This morning we stop at the Welsh railway station with the longest name in the world Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwlllantysiliogogogoch, before continuing along the North Wales coast to Holyhead on Anglesey island. Here we board our ferry for the cruise across the Irish Sea with lovely views across Dublin Bay as we sail into the harbour. We stay in the 'fair city' of Dublin for two nights. (Full Breakfast)
Day 12 - Dublin sightseeing & at leisure With a local guide our sightseeing our comprises a visit to Trinity College, where we will see the beautiful "Book of Kells" St. Patrick's Cathedral, Phoenix Park and many other notable landmarks. The rest of your day is at leisure to perhaps visit an Irish Stately home or visit a charmingly located monastic site. Tonight, why not join your travelling companions for an evening of Irish entertainment at a Cabaret" (Full Breakfast)
Day 13 - Dublin - Galway - Limerick This morning we journey from one side of the Irish coast to the other crossing the mighty Shannon river as we drive past Ballinasloe and Athlone as we make our way to Galway Bay. A drive through the Emerald Isle's wonderful scenery takes us to Limerick we will have the opportunity to visit Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. Tonight why not try out an Irish Ceildh" (Full Breakfast)
Day 14 - Limerick - Ring of Kerry - Killarney Today we experience Ireland's most scenic coastal drive, around the 'Ring of Kerry', County Kerry's largest peninsula. Its varied landscape is truly a photographer's delight. On our journey we will also see Killorglin (of Puck Fair fame), Daniel O'Connell's Cahirciveen, the fishing village of Waterville, the Black Valley and Molls' Gap. Finally we arrive in Killarney, with its beautiful Lakes for the night. (Full Breakfast)
Day 15 - Killarney — Waterford This morning we will drive 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 over the Cork and Kerry Mountains to Waterford where we visit the Crystal Showroom. Tonight we have dinner in our hotel in Waterford. (Full Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 16 - 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 dinner in our hotel. (Full Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 17 - Cardiff - Bath - Plymouth (2 nights) We cross the Severn Bridge into England and drive to historic Bath where an orientation includes a visit to the Roman Baths and a drive through the elegant Georgian streets. Next our journey takes us into Somerset's rolling hills and to to King Arthur's Glastonbury to visit the Abbey ruins to see his legendary tomb. Finally we drive into Devon to the naval city of Plymouth, where an orientation tour shows us the Mayflower Steps from which the Pilgrim Fathers set sail for America. We also see the citadel which overlooks Plymouth Sound — perhaps take a cruise around the harbour with memories of Sir Francis Drake and the Spanish Armada! (Full Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 18 - St. Michael's Mount and St. Ives Excursion After breakfast our morning drive takes us to Penzance to view St. Michael's Mount. Then on to the colourful artists" village of St. Ives before a beautiful drive through north Cornwall and Bodmin Moor making a stop at Daphne du Maurier's 'Jamaica Inn'. (Full Breakfast)
Day 19 - Plymouth — Salisbury — London First we travel through Thomas Hardy country and stop at the stone circle at mysterious Stonehenge which we visit. Then we head towards the beauty of Salisbury Plain and stop in Salisbury with time to visit the Cathedral with the tallest spire in England. We return to London via Windsor and Runnymede. (Full Breakfast)
Day 20 - London - USA Bid farewell on your return flight to the USA. (Buffet Breakfast)
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