Day : 1
Arrive London (2 Nights)
Number of Days : 1
Welcome to London. Relax after your journey and look forward to your holiday of Great Britain and Ireland.
Day : 2
London Sightseeing
Number of Days : 1
Marvel at the amazing sights during your included half day guided sightseeing tour of London with a Local Specialist. See the sights including Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament. Later, spend time exploring the city independently or go shopping in one of the famous London department stores.
Day : 3
London – Stratford-upon-Avon – York – Leeds
Number of Days : 1
The 'Bard of Avon' and his legacy take centre stage as we travel to Stratford-upon-Avon to view Anne Hathaway's picturesque thatched cottage and visit Shakespeare's Birthplace and Visitor Centre before heading to York and Leeds, where we'll enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and get to know our Travel Director and travel companions.
Day : 4
Leeds – Alnwick – Edinburgh (2 Nights)
Number of Days : 1
We venture north to the medieval market town of Alnwick with its impressive castle and Tenantry Column, upon which the Percy Lion sits imposingly overlooking the town's beautiful gardens. Enjoy a scenic drive north to the enchanting capital of Edinburgh. During the Edinburgh Festival, tickets to the Edinburgh Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle are included.
Day : 5
Edinburgh Sightseeing
Number of Days : 1
Join a Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour including a visit to Edinburgh Castle, overlooking the town from Castle Rock. See the quaint Royal Mile, Palace of Holyroodhouse and new Scottish Parliament building.
Day : 6
Edinburgh – St. Andrews – Pitlochry – Scottish Highlands
Number of Days : 1
We continue north to the historic town of St. Andrews, home to one of the oldest golf courses in the world. View the famous 18th green which the golfing greats have clamoured to play on for centuries, before heading to picturesque Pitlochry and our overnight stop in the Scottish Highlands.
Day : 7
Scottish Highlands – Culloden – Loch Ness – Isle of Skye
Number of Days : 1
View the site of the bloody Battle of Culloden, where Bonnie Prince Charlie and his army of Jacobites were defeated in 1746. Then meander through the scenic Scottish Highlands along the banks of Loch Ness in search of Nessie. We'll view the 13th-century Eilean Donan Castle where three lochs meet before travelling to the Isle of Skye where we dine in our hotel tonight.
Day : 8
Isle of Skye – Glencoe – Glasgow
Number of Days : 1
Journey past the site of the tragic 1692 massacre at Glencoe, known as the 'Glen of the Weeping' before heading to the Scottish cultural capital, Glasgow, where our orientation tour includes views of the Cathedral and the magnificent George Square, lined with statues of Great Britain's most celebrated sons. We visit Falkirk Wheel where you'll 'Dive Into Culture' learning about the legacy of Scotland's canals and experience the world's only rotating boat lift. This evening, we enjoy a delicious Regional Meal at a local restaurant.
Day : 9
Glasgow – Gretna Green – Lake District
Number of Days : 1
The runaway wedding capital of Gretna Green is our first stop today. See where eloping couples would make their vows over the Marriage Anvil before crossing the border and arriving in Grasmere, where famous Romantic poet William Wordsworth wrote his famous 'Daffodils' poem. See Lake Windermere, England's largest lake, before arriving at your hotel.
Day : 10
Lake District – Liverpool
Number of Days : 1
We travel to the haunt of the 'Fab Four' and our home for the night, the edgy city of Liverpool.
Day : 11
Liverpool – Chester – Dublin (2 Nights)
Number of Days : 1
Travel to the ancient town of Chester where your orientation tour will take you past its Roman walls and famous Tudor 'Rows'. 'Dive Into Culture' into the life of the local Town Crier before travelling along the scenic North Wales Coast to the island of Anglesey en route to Holyhood. Cross the Irish Sea to Dublin, the charismatic Irish capital.
Day : 12
Dublin Sightseeing and Free Time
Number of Days : 1
Beat the crowds and gain entry to the Guinness Storehouse before general admission. Here you'll 'Dive Into Culture' and embark on a tour and tasting technique demonstration. The rest of the day is yours to explore the Irish capital. Amble along Grafton Street with its colourful performers, head to Temple Bar or stroll through Phoenix Park, Dublin's playground.
Day : 13
Dublin – Belfast
Number of Days : 1
This morning cross the border to Northern Ireland. We meet our Local Specialist 'Cabbie' who will take us on a journey through the recent history of Belfast in their Black Cab. Spend the rest of the day at leisure perhaps exploring the Titanic Quarter to learn more about this ill-fated ship.
Day : 14
Belfast – Giants Causeway – Londonderry/Derry – Donegal
Number of Days : 1
This morning, visit Giants Causeway, an area of about 40,000 interlocking ballast columns, a UNESCO World Heritage site in an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and one of the most iconic natural wonders in the United Kingdom. In Londonderry, walk along the 17th-century walls with your Local Specialist and see the streets and murals of the Bogside. Known as the People's Gallery, the murals depict the history of the 'troubles'. Later arrive in Donegal where you dine at your hotel.
Day : 15
Donegal – Galway
Number of Days : 1
Before departing Donegal, view the castle that was once the stronghold of the O'Donnell clan. We view the grave of W. B Yeats in Drumcliffe before continuing through Sligo and Galway to see the stone Cathedral that was built on the site of an old prison, and stroll around Eyre Square with its tribute to John F. Kennedy.
Day : 16
Galway – Cliffs of Moher – Limerick – Kenmare (2 Nights)
Number of Days : 1
We'll visit the dramatic Cliffs of Moher before travelling to Limerick to view St. Mary's Cathedral, the Treaty Stone and King John's Castle, the tallest spire in Ireland. Our drive continues through picturesque Adare, one of Ireland's prettiest villages, before arriving in colourful Kenmare, our home for the next two nights.
Day : 17
Ring of Kerry Excursion
Number of Days : 1
Ireland's enduring natural beauty is our welcome companion today as we circle the enchanting Ring of Kerry, past the fishing village of Waterville, Black Valley and Moll's Gap.
Day : 18
Kenmare – Blarney – Waterford
Number of Days : 1
In pursuit of the 'gift of the gab', we kiss the Blarney Stone, before continuing to the House of Waterford Crystal where we will enjoy a fascinating 'Dive Into Culture' demonstration with master craftsmen.
Day : 19
Waterford – Cardiff
Number of Days : 1
Cross the Irish Sea to Wales and continue your journey through beautiful countryside and arrive in its capital. Explore Cardiff's iconic sights - the Millennium Stadium, Millennium Centre and Victorian fantasy Cardiff Castle at its heart.
Day : 20
Cardiff – Bath – Plymouth (2 Nights)
Number of Days : 1
Arriving in Bath, we admire the city's elegant Georgian façades and ancient Roman Baths from which it derives its name before meandering to Plymouth, our home for the next two nights. Tonight, we will 'Connect With Locals' at a Be My Guest dinner at a Cornish farm.
Day : 21
Plymouth Orientation and Cornish Excursion
Number of Days : 1
Embark on an orientation tour and see the Royal Citadel and Mayflower Steps, where brave pilgrims embarked on their epic voyage to the New World centuries ago. Continue along the dramatic Cornish coastline to the artists' retreat of St. Ives and view St. Michael's Mount with its 17th-century hilltop castle overlooking the stunning Cornish scenery.
Day : 22
Plymouth – Salisbury – Stonehenge – London
Number of Days : 1
The mystical ancient monoliths at Stonehenge are our first stop. Ponder their myths that remain largely unsolved before travelling to London where your amazing holiday comes to an end.
Day : 23
Depart London
Number of Days : 1
Say goodbye to your fellow travellers as you leave London and return home with special memories.
