2018 BRITISH & IRISH LANDMARKS - 19 DAYS / 18 NIGHTS
Day 1:
Tour begins 2:00 PM at your London hotel. Set out on a panoramic tour of central London with a visit to St Paul’s Cathedral. Enjoy a welcome drink with your group before dinner.
(D)
Day 2:
Take an open-top bus tour of London. There are different bus routes including a walking tour and a River Thames cruise. Visit either the Tower of London or Kensington Palace. The rest of the day is free to explore and dine on your own.
(B)
Day 3:
Head to Stratford-upon-Avon and visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace. See an exhibition about his life and walk through the house. Journey north to the medieval city of York.
(B, D)
Day 4:
Take a walking tour of central York and visit York Minster, renowned for its stained glass. Cross into Scotland and stop to view ruined Melrose Abbey. In Edinburgh enjoy a Scottish Evening with dinner and a lively show.
(B, D)
Day 5:
Discover Edinburgh’s highlights on a city tour. See the elegant Georgian “New Town” and the medieval Royal Mile. Tour Edinburgh Castle to view the Crown Jewels of Scotland. The August 3 - 17 departures watch the spectacular Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on the Castle Esplanade.
(B)
Day 6:
Travel north to St Andrews, “the home of golf.” Enjoy free time to explore on your own. You may choose to visit St Andrews Cathedral, tour the British Golf Museum, or have some fun on The Himalayas Putting Course. Travel through the Highlands and stop in Pitlochry on the way to Inverness.
(B, D)
Day 7:
Enjoy wonderful Highland views on a scenic cruise of Loch Ness. Stop at a woollen mill and take photos of majestic Glencoe. Visit Oban Distillery to see how whisky is produced and enjoy a sample.
(B, D)
Day 8:
Take a ferry from Oban to the Isle of Mull, then on to the peaceful Isle of Iona. Visit Iona Abbey, a place of pilgrimage as Scotland’s first Christian settlement. Return to Oban for dinner.
(B, D)
Day 9:
Drive south alongside scenic Loch Lomond. Stop at the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum to learn about the famous poet’s life and work. In Cairnryan embark on a short ferry ride to Belfast for dinner.
(B, D)
Day 10:
Tour the highlights of Belfast and travel along the scenic Nine Glens of Antrim coast. Visit the Giant’s Causeway, hexagonal columns formed over 60 million years ago. Pause at Dunluce Castle for photos and head to Derry.
(B, D)
Day 11:
Enjoy a drive around the Inishowen Peninsula. Take in the scenic views as you sip an Irish coffee at the Seaview Tavern. In Derry, join a local guide for a walk around the medieval city walls.
(B, D)
Day 12:
Travel past the Blue Stack Mountains to Donegal town to enjoy free time to explore and have lunch on your own. Continue to County Mayo to visit Knock Shrine. In Galway, join a local guide for a walking tour before dinner.
(B, D)
Day 13:
Take a drive through the stunning scenery of Connemara. In Cong take a short walking tour to see locations from the film “The Quiet Man.” Enjoy lunch at Eddies of Clonbur before travelling back to Galway via Maam Cross. The afternoon is free to explore Galway and dine at your leisure.
(B, L)
Day 14:
Drive through the Burren to view the majestic Cliffs of Moher, soaring 700 feet above the Atlantic, and cross the River Shannon Estuary by ferry. Stop at J B Keane’s Pub in Listowel for a drink with your group before heading to Killarney.
(B, D)
Day 15:
Tour the gracious 19th century Muckross House beside tranquil Muckross Lake. Journey along part of the scenic Ring of Kerry route, stopping at a local farm to watch trained dogs herding sheep. Head to Kenmare for lunch and to browse around. Return to Killarney for a free evening.
(B,L)
Day 16:
Travel to Blarney Castle to kiss the famous “Stone of Eloquence” or stroll the gardens. Shop at the Blarney Woollen Mills before heading to Cobh to visit the Titanic Experience. Continue to Waterford and after dinner take a walking tour.
(B, D)
Day 17:
Tour the famous House of Waterford Crystal to watch crystal masterpieces being created. Tour the Dunbrody Famine Ship, a replica of one used during the 1840s Famine. In Dublin, enjoy dinner and entertainment at Taylors Three Rock Pub.
(B, D)
Day 18:
Tour central Dublin to see the main sights. Take a guided walking tour through Trinity College campus and view the priceless Book of Kells. Your afternoon and evening are free.
(B)
Day 19:
Your tour ends after breakfast.
(B)
B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner