Itinerary for: Romantic Britain and Ireland (2012/13) (B908)
Day 1 : LONDON – OXFORD – STRATFORD
After a warm welcome from your Tour Director, drive to the famous university town of Oxford. Admire its beautiful spires before continuing via pretty Cotswolds villages to Stratford-upon- Avon. Visit the birthplace of the Bard, William Shakespeare and enjoy some free time to stroll along the River Avon. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Reception and light informal meal.(Welcome Reception)
Accommodation : Falcon
Day 2 : STRATFORD – LINCOLN – YORK – LEEDS
Travel through the heart of ‘Robin Hood Country’ on your way to visit Lincoln Cathedral, one of Europe’s finest medieval buildings, featured in the Da Vinci Code. Later continue to York, once the Viking Capital of Britain. Saunter along the Shambles to reach York Minster, in the very heart of this medieval gem. Continue to Leeds, ‘Gateway to the Yorkshire Dales’.(Full Breakfast / Dinner)
Accommodation : Park Plaza
Day 3 : LEEDS – YORKSHIRE DALES – EDINBURGH
Enjoy a different side of England as you enter the Yorkshire Dales National Park via Leyburn and stop in the quaint village of Hawes. See the outstanding natural beauty of Upper Wensleydale, famous for its cheese before crossing the border at Gretna and continuing to the Scottish capital.(Full Breakfast)
Accommodation : Roxburghe
Day 4 : 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 5 : EDINBURGH – ST ANDREWS – HIGHLANDS
Drive to the 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 dancing and the sound of the bagpipes.(Full Breakfast / Highlight Dinner)
Accommodation : Laggan Country Hotel
Day 6 : EDINBURGH – ST ANDREWS – HIGHLANDS
Follow the Spey Valley and stop at tragic Culloden Moor and visitor centre, where the pride of the Highland clans was finally crushed. Drive via the Highland capital of Inverness to the scenic shores of Loch Ness in search of the monster. Continue to the Commando Memorial in the shadow of Ben Nevis and stop a wee while in Fort William. Move on to the pretty coastal resort of Oban.(Full Breakfast / Dinner)
Accommodation : Oban Bay
Day 7 : MULL AND IONA EXCURSION
Ferry across Loch Linnhe to reach the Isle of Mull. Enjoy a scenic drive across the island before a short boat ride to Iona. This early centre of Celtic Christianity is the burial place of many Scottish kings, and your visit to Iona Abbey shows why this remains one of Scotland’s most sacred sites.(Full Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 8 : OBAN – LOCH LOMOND – TROON
Drive through the beautiful scenery of the Trossachs to Loch Lomond and embark on a guided lake cruise. Continue to the city of Glasgow for an orientation tour and free time. Then on to your hotel in Troon.(Full Breakfast / Dinner)
Accommodation : Barcelo Marine/Menzies Irvine
Day 9 : ISLE OF ARRAN EXCURSION
A short ferry ride takes you to Brodick on the Isle of Arran. Your tour of the Island includes a visit to Arran Aromatics to see the production of luxury soaps, creams and candles at Scotland’s leading manufacturer. Next learn all about whisky making from the professionals at Arran Distillery, and sample a ‘wee dram’.(Full Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 10 : TROON – BELFAST
Bid farewell to Scotland as you cross the Irish Sea and drive to the vibrant city of Belfast, capital of Northern Ireland. Meet your local guide for a panoramic tour. Highlights include the City Hall, Queen’s University and Stormont Castle. RMS Titanic was built in Belfast - follow the story of the ill fated ship at the new state of the
art Titanic Belfast building and exhibition.(Full Breakfast)
Accommodation : Europa
Day 11 : BELFAST – DUBLIN
Travel alongside the Mountains of Mourne to Drogheda, taking a short drive along the historic Boyne Valley, sight of the Battle of Boyne where William of Orange defeated the forces of Catholic King James. This afternoon, on your guided tour of Ireland’s ‘fair city’ see O’Connell Street, historic Phoenix Park and visit St.
Patrick’s Cathedral.(Full Breakfast)
Accommodation : Burlington/Herbert Park
Day 12 : DUBLIN AT LEISURE
A whole day at leisure to shop, continue sightseeing or just enjoy a pint of Guinness at the local pub!(Full Breakfast)
Day 13 : DUBLIN – GALWAY – LIMERICK
West to Galway to see Galway Cathedral. Continue around the famous bay to the Visitors’ Centre at the 700-foot Cliffs of Moher and the breathtaking vistas of the Clare Coast. Cross the Burren en route to Limerick.(Full Breakfast)
Accommodation : George Boutique Hotel
Day 14 : LIMERICK – DINGLE – KILLARNEY
Travel via the picturesque thatched village of Adare, to Tralee. Enjoy more spectacular scenery as you make your way into the great cliffs, wide skies and ocean views of the Dingle Peninsula. Choose from a selection of restaurants in Killarney this evening.(Full Breakfast / Dine Around)
Accommodation : Killarney Towers/Killarney Avenue
Day 15 : 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. Continue through Ireland’s highest mountain range, the MacGillicuddy Reeks, to the three peaceful Lakes of Killarney(Full Breakfast)
Day 16 : KILLARNEY – WATERFORD
Visit Blarney Castle, the home of the famous stone of eloquence, once kissed, never forgotten! Travel on through the port of Dungarvan to the 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 : Fitzwilton
Day 17 : WATERFORD – CARDIFF
Take the ferry across the Irish Sea to Pembroke. Continue on to the Welsh capital of Cardiff, famous for its castle and Millennium Stadium.(Full Breakfast)
Accommodation : Radisson Blu
Day 18 : CARDIFF – BATH – LONDON
Over the Severn Bridge, then it is not far 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 your tour comes to an end(Full Breakfast)