Itinerary for: Britain and Ireland Explorer (2012/13) (B904)

Day 1 : LONDON – STRATFORD – YORK

After a warm welcome from your Tour Director, drive to Stratford to visit the birthplace of William Shakespeare. Move on to nearby Peterborough where you board the train to York. Within the old city walls, see the crooked houses of the Shambles and York Minster, England’s largest medieval cathedral. Settle into the hotel with a Welcome Reception and light informal meal.(Welcome Reception)

Accommodation : 53

Day 2 : YORK – DURHAM – EDINBURGH

Stop in Durham to see the castle and Romanesque cathedral. Then view part of Hadrian’s Wall, Britain’s most impressive Roman monument. Cross the wild Northumberland moors into Scotland, passing the ruins of Jedburgh Abbey en route to the capital of Edinburgh(Full Breakfast)

Accommodation : Royal Terrace/Apex City

Day 3 : EDINBURGH SIGHTSEEING

Walk with your guide inside Edinburgh Castle for spectacular views of the town. Continue down the Royal Mile, past the St Giles’ Cathedral, to the Queen’s Holyroodhouse Palace before crossing over to the ‘New Town’. The afternoon is free to shop on Princes Street. Tonight, selected departures enjoy the Military Tattoo – a colourful mixture of historic battles and military manoeuvres, complete with pipes and drums.(Full Breakfast)

Day 4 : EDINBURGH – ST ANDREWS – HIGHLANDS

Drive to the university town St Andrews, home of golf! Continue over the River Tay, through Dundee and Perth to Pitlochry, and cross the Grampian Mountains to your Highland hotel. This evening enjoy a Highlight Dinner with haggis, accompanied by the sound of the bagpipes(Full Breakfast / Highlight Dinner)

Accommodation : Laggan Country Hotel

Day 5 : HIGHLANDS – LAKE DISTRICT

Mountains and glens greet you as you drive through dramatic Glencoe. From the ‘bonnie banks of Loch Lomond’ board your guided cruise on the ‘Queen of Scottish lakes’. Afterwards, continue south through Glasgow into the Southern Uplands before crossing the English border to arrive in the beautiful Lake District(Full Breakfast / Dinner)

Accommodation : Castle Green/Low Wood/Hydro

Day 6 : LAKE DISTRICT – GRASMERE – CHESTER

Enjoy the beauty of the Lake District this morning; its fells, lakes and valleys combining to make it one of England’s best loved regions. Perhaps take a cruise on the tranquil waters of Lake Windermere? Visit the village of Grasmere, where the poet William Wordsworth is buried before continuing to Chester.(Full Breakfast / Dinner)

Accommodation : Queen

Day 7 : CHESTER – DUBLIN

Step back into Roman times in Chester. See the city’s ancient encircling walls and remarkable 13C black and white ‘Rows’. Continue into Wales, past the massive Conwy Castle before crossing over to the Isle of Anglesey. The village with the longest name in Europe is coming up now - see if your Tour Director can recite it for you! From the port of Holyhead, set sail for Ireland and its fun-loving capital, Dublin.(Full Breakfast)

Accommodation : Burlington/Herbert Park

Day 8 : DUBLIN SIGHTSEEING

A guided sightseeing tour of Dublin takes you past the Georgian squares, Customs House, along O’Connell Street and through Phoenix Park. Visit the Old Library of Trinity College which houses the 8C Book of Kells, its delicate paintings one of the treasures of the Middle Ages. Round off your tour at the Guinness Storehouse, which includes a highlight lunch and one drink and a souvenir history of the Guinness story.(Full Breakfast / Highlight Lunch)

Day 9 : DUBLIN – KILDARE – KILLARNEY

Drive to Ireland’s premier thoroughbred horse breeding region for a guided tour of the National Stud. You also visit the finest Japanese Gardens in Europe. Continue to view St. Patrick’s great Rock of Cashel, crowned with the noblest group of medieval monuments in Ireland. Cross the rolling pastures which encircle Tipperary, (a long way, according to some), before reaching Killarney. This evening, for your dining pleasure, choose from a selection of restaurants.(Full Breakfast / Dine Around)

Accommodation : Killarney Towers/Killarney Avenue

Day 10 : RING OF KERRY EXCURSION

A delightful excursion takes you around the Ring of Kerry, a world of towering cliffs, lush lake lands and remote villages. Get a sense of the unhurried pace of Irish life as you pass through Ireland’s highest mountain range, the MacGillicuddy Reeks, and make your way to the three peaceful Lakes of Killarney. In the afternoon, perhaps take an optional ride with the locals on one of Killarney’s jaunting cars.(Full Breakfast)

Day 11 : KILLARNEY – WATERFORD

Cross the rugged Derrynasaggart Mountains to visit Blarney Castle, the home of the famous stone of eloquence, once kissed, never forgotten! Travel on through the scenic port of Dungarvan to the historic walled city of Waterford, where you can admire a sparkling display of crystal. Enjoy a glass of wine with your Celebration Dinner at the hotel tonight.(Full Breakfast / Celebration Dinner)

Accommodation : Dooleys

Day 12 : WATERFORD – CARDIFF

Drive to Rosslare to take the ferry across the Irish Sea. Continue past the valleys of South Wales to the Welsh capital, Cardiff, famous for its imposing castle and the brilliant Millennium Stadium.(Full Breakfast)

Accommodation : Radisson Blu

Day 13 : CARDIFF – STONEHENGE – LONDON

Cross the Severn bridge, spanning the Bristol channel between England and Wales, then on to Bath with its Georgian streets and crescents, and visit the Roman Baths. Cross Salisbury Plain and stop to visit the mysterious megaliths of Stonehenge. From here, travel to London, where the tour ends.(Full Breakfast)