2018 ROCKIN' BRITAIN & IRELAND 14 DAYS / 13 NIGHTS
Day 1:
Tour begins 2:00 PM, London hotel. Head out on a panoramic tour of central London to see famous landmarks including Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Your guide will also highlight London’s famous rock and roll history. Enjoy a welcome drink with your group before dinner.
(D)
Day 2:
Spend the day discovering London’s attractions on your own with an open-top bus tour. There is a choice of routes, a walking tour in the footsteps of London’s rock and roll legends or a scenic River Thames cruise. You might visit the Tower of London to view the magnificent Crown Jewels, guarded by Beefeaters in distinctive Tudor uniforms or you may prefer to visit Kensington Palace, former home of Princess Diana. Dine independently this evening.
(B)
Day 3:
Depart London and travel towards Liverpool stopping at a local pub for lunch. A local guide will show you around town focusing on places associated with the “Fab Four”. Explore the history of popular British music at the British Music Experience in Liverpool. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. You might want to check out the world famous Cavern Club for an evening of live music.
(B, L)
Day 4:
Travel through the glorious Lake District, associated with the children’s author, Beatrix Potter, and the poet, William Wordsworth. Embark on a cruise along Lake Windermere, England’s largest natural lake. Near the Scottish border stop at the Famous Blacksmith’s Shop in Gretna Green, a popular shopping venue for quality Scottish goods. Enjoy a Scottish dinner and ceilidh, a fun show at your hotel near Edinburgh.
(B, D)
Day 5:
Explore central Edinburgh, starting in the 200-year-old “New Town” with its planned streets and elegant Georgian houses. See the Royal Mile where medieval houses are clustered and tour Edinburgh Castle to see the Crown Jewels of Scotland and the Stone of Destiny. The afternoon is free for independent activities. On August 3 to 17 departures, experience the world-famous Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
(B)
Day 6:
At Scone Palace see the outstanding collection of antiques, paintings, rare artefacts and world-renowned grounds. Head into Pitlochry for lunch and free time to browse independently. At Dalwhinnie Distillery watch the distillers work as they harness the snow-fed waters of the Allt an t’Sluic then sample the ‘Gentle Spirit’ of the glen. Continue to Inverness where the evening is free to check out some of the local pubs with traditional music and food.
(B, L)
Day 7:
Travel south through wonderful Highland scenery, passing the shoreline of the famous Loch Ness. See Ben Nevis, Britain's highest peak, and continue through the towering mountains of Glen Coe. Embark on a cruise of Loch Lomond, Britain's largest lake. Enjoy a drive around Glasgow before dinner at your hotel.
(B, D)
Day 8:
From Cairnryan embark on a short ferry journey to Ireland. Visit Titanic Belfast and experience the history of this history ocean-liner through interactive galleries. Stop for a drink and dinner with entertainment at the Glyde Inn before arriving in Dublin.
(B, D)
Day 9:
A musical walking tour in Dublin will highlight areas associated with Irish rock ‘n’ roll. In the Temple Bar area, visit the Irish Rock’N’Roll Museum Experience including a working live music venue and recording facility. See the Irish Wall of Fame, The U2 Exhibition and the Thin Lizzy Experience. In the afternoon use your included vouchers for an independent open-top bus tour around the city and a visit to one attraction.
(B)
Day 10:
Head out to view the stately Rock of Cashel, which rises high above the surrounding plain. Kiss the famous “Stone of Eloquence” at Blarney Castle. Treat yourself to quality Irish goods at the Blarney Woollen Mills before driving through Macroom and into Killarney, where the scenery becomes more mountainous. After dinner at your hotel you may like to find a “singing bar” for some entertainment.
(B, D)
Day 11:
Visit the Dingle Peninsula, made famous by two movies – “Ryan’s Daughter” and “Far & Away”. Take in spectacular views from Slea Head at the western tip of the peninsula. From Dingle embark on a short cruise around Dingle Harbour and relax with a drink at the famous Murphy’s Bar in Castlemaine. In the evening head to Kate Kearney’s Cottage for an Irish night of dinner and traditional entertainment.
(B, D)
Day 12:
Visit Foynes Flying Boat & Maritime Museum, which recalls the early days of air travel, during the 1930’s and early 1940’s. The home of Irish coffee, you’ll learn how to make one yourself and enjoy a sample. Cross the River Shannon Estuary by ferry to view the Cliffs of Moher, an impressive wall of rock that rises 200m above the Atlantic Ocean. Take a brief walking tour around Galway’s city centre with a local guide.
(B, D)
Day 13:
Enjoy tea and scones at Rathbaun Farm and watch trained dogs herding sheep. In Tullamore, tour the site of the original Tullamore Dew Distillery. Learn about the area’s history of canals, merchant classes and of course the making of the legendary Tullamore Dew Irish whiskey. Spend the night in an elegant castle hotel in Dublin and enjoy a special farewell dinner.
(B, D)
Day 14:
Your tour ends after breakfast.
(B)
B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner