DAY 1, Friday - Depart for England
Depart for England
DAY 2, Saturday - Arrive in London
Arrive and transfer to your hotel. Most flights arrive in the early morning and your room may not be ready for you. In this case, leave your luggage with the concierge and your Tour Manager will provide suggestions for you to begin to explore the city on your own. Your tour will begin with an orientation meeting with your English Tour Manager at approximately 6 PM followed by dinner. We recommend that you select flights which arrive no later than 4 PM
Overnight: London
Meals: Dinner
DAY 3, Sunday - London City Tour
Discover the history, pageantry and sights of the city with a half day tour of London's West End. Begin with a drive through fashionable Kensington with its elegant squares and parks. Pass Harrods store and continue to view Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament and the famous Big Ben. Go on to view Buckingham Palace, the London residence of His Majesty the King. Your tour ends in the heart of the city to explore the afternoon at leisure. Perhaps join the optional tour of Tower of London and St. Paul's Cathedral
Optional: Tower of London & St. Paul's Cathedral (View Only)
Overnight: London
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4, Monday - Stonehenge, Bath
Today, depart London and head to the circles of Stonehenge. Located in the middle of Salisbury Plain, Stonehenge is unique among stone circles and its construction still defies belief. The first stone was placed here 5000 years ago and the structure was finally completed 1400 years later. Continue to Bath's Georgian Crescents to find elegant stone buildings with terraces, crescents, and graceful squares. Visit the original 2000-year-old Roman Baths and Georgian Pump Room with its natural mineral water. Later in the afternoon join the optional tour to the Village of Lacock. You will have time to explore the village before dinner at a historic local inn
Optional: Village of Lacock with dinner (PM)
Overnight: Bath
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5, Tuesday - Cotswolds, Stratford-upon-Avon, Liverpool
Drive north today into the Heart of England through the villages of the Cotswolds, with its stone and thatch cottages, to the birthplace of Shakespeare, Stratford-upon-Avon, a charming market town. View Anne Hathaway's cottage, the school that William Shakespeare attended, and Shakespeare's birthplace. Spend time at leisure in this historic town, where the Bard's plays are still performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company. Then travel to lively Liverpool for a change of pace, where The Beatles were born and rose to fame. With your guide, explore the notable sights made famous in song by the Beatles - Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields. View the legendary Cavern Club where the Beatles began their journey to fame and Liverpool's stunning Albert Dock complex, a reminder of Liverpool's history as a great and prosperous port. Dinner tonight is at your hotel
Overnight: Liverpool
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 6, Wednesday - Local Farmhouse Visit in the Lake District, Moffat, Edinburgh
Today, travel along the shores of Windermere, the largest lake in England at the heart of the rolling hills of the picturesque Lake District, stopping for tea and fresh-baked scones at a local farmhouse. Continue towards the charming village of Grasmere, the 19th century home of the poet William Wordsworth. Next, cross into Scotland at the border town of Gretna Green, famous for its "runaway" weddings, and past Moffat, known for its high-quality wool products. Arrive in Edinburgh, Scotland's capital city, with its exquisite Georgian and Victorian architecture and winding medieval streets. During your stay, discover the city's rich heritage and historic buildings. Its Old and New Town are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Overnight: Edinburgh
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 7, Thursday - Edinburgh City Tour
This morning, join a local guide for a city tour of historic Edinburgh. The route will take you past the Scottish Parliament, Holyrood Palace, the Museum of Scotland, the Royal Mile, and Princes Street. Also included is a visit to Edinburgh Castle, where you can see the Crown Room, Royal Palace and St. Margaret's Chapel. The balance of the day is at leisure. Tonight, don't miss the optional A Taste of Scotland
Optional: A Taste of Scotland (PM)
Overnight: Edinburgh
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8, Friday - York City Tour, Leeds
After breakfast, depart Edinburgh and drive through the Borderlands to the Viking city of York, one of northern England's most compelling cities. Take an orientation tour through the narrow medieval streets surrounded by the 13th century York City Walls. Also included is a visit to the magnificent York Minster, with its breathtaking architecture and spectacular gardens. After the tour, continue on to Leeds
Overnight: Leeds
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 9, Saturday - Cambridge, Travel to London
This morning, embark on a scenic drive south to the university city of Cambridge, taking in the picturesque English countryside along the way. Arrive and spend time at leisure. View King's College and its beautiful chapel before continuing to London. Celebrate your last night in the British capital with dinner
Overnight: London
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 10, Sunday - Depart for Ireland
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight to Ireland. Arrive and transfer to your hotel. The balance of the day is at leisure. This evening, attend an orientation meeting with your new Irish Tour Manager at approximately 5 PM, followed by dinner
Overnight: Dublin
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 11, Monday - Dublin City Tour, Travel to Galway
This morning's sightseeing includes a panoramic tour of Dublin. View St. Stephen's Green, Phoenix Park and Trinity College. Next, visit St. Patrick's Cathedral, the national cathedral of the Church of Ireland. Jonathan Swift author of Gulliver's Travels, who served as the dean of the cathedral in the 1700s is buried here. After time for lunch on your own, continue westward to Galway, a seafaring town steeped in tradition and a cultural center for the west of Ireland. Stop at Galway Cathedral and then continue to see the medieval city walls and colorful streets between the River Corrib and Eyre Square. Enjoy free time for a stroll in this bohemian town
Overnight: Galway
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 12, Tuesday - Connemara Excursion
Today, embark on a scenic journey into the Irish countryside. Travel west for a visit to the neo-Gothic Kylemore Abbey, nestled in the heart of Connemara. The abbey is home to a Benedictine community and offers a rich tapestry of history, architecture, and natural beauty. Explore the restored rooms of this 19th century estate, originally built by Mitchell Hery as a gift for his wife. Stroll through the Victorian Walled Garden and enjoy the serene lakeside setting. Return to Galway in the afternoon
Overnight: Galway
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 13, Wednesday - Cliffs of Moher, Bunratty Castle, Killarney
Begin with a drive south from Galway Bay through the rugged plateau known as the Burren and view the mighty Cliffs of Moher, an impressive wall of rock that towers some 700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. Next, visit Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, offering a unique insight into Irish life around the turn of the century. A drive through the pretty town of Adare brings you at last to scenic Killarney. Tonight, experience the optional Gaelic Roots Live Show,* an exciting Irish show which brings together all that is great about the culture and traditions of Ireland
*Available for mid Apr-mid Oct departures only.
Optional: Gaelic Roots Live Show (PM)
Overnight: Killarney
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 14, Thursday - Ring of Kerry Tour*
Today's sightseeing begins with a tour through Killarney National Park and the world-famous "Ring of Kerry," perhaps the most picturesque locale in all of Ireland. Pass by the remote villages of Cahirciveen and Sneem, which are full of traditional colorful houses. Return to Killarney in the late afternoon. Perhaps, try the optional Jaunting Cars** (pony & open carriage) excursion through the peaceful green countryside
* In the event of road closures along the Ring of Kerry, an alternative itinerary will be arranged.
**Available for mid Apr-mid Oct departures only
Optional: Jaunting Cars (PM)
Overnight: Killarney
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 15, Friday - Blarney Castle, Waterford Crystal Showroom
This morning drive through the scenic south of Ireland to visit the 15th century Blarney Castle, where you will have the opportunity to kiss the famous Blarney Stone. Spend some free time for shopping at the Blarney Woollen Mills before stopping at the world-famous Waterford Crystal showroom* for a factory tour to see the collection of exquisite glassware in its city of origin
**Available for Apr-mid Oct departures only
Overnight: Waterford
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 16, Saturday - Kilkenny en route to Dublin
Today, head for Kilkenny, a small city located on the banks of the River Nore. Enjoy the sights of this historic town, and view the 12th century Kilkenny Castle. This afternoon, return to Dublin for dinner and lively traditional entertainment
Overnight: Dublin
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 17, Sunday - Full Day in Dublin
Spend the day at leisure to explore Dublin independently. In the morning, perhaps join the optional EPIC Ireland with lunch. During your visit to the Irish Emigration Museum, you will explore the stories of Irish emigration from early times to the modern day through the multimedia exhibits. Next, delve into Ireland's past with a tour of the Jeanie Johnston Ship, a replica of the 19th century tall ship that once carried Irish emigrants across the Atlantic Ocean to North America. Explore the exhibits and gain a deeper understanding of the Great Famine's profound impact on Ireland and its people. Afterward, have lunch. Spend time visiting famous sites throughout the city, including Dublin Castle and the National Gallery, where both Irish and European pieces of art are beautifully displayed. Perhaps purchase some souvenirs on Grafton Street, the city's stylish and popular shopping area. In the evening, stop by one of the lively pubs in the Temple Bar district beside the River Liffey
Optional: EPIC Ireland with lunch (AM)
Overnight: Dublin
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 18, Monday - Depart Ireland
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast
All prices are per person, double occupancy, subject to availability and are quoted in U.S. Dollars. These pages are not endorsed or supported by the tour
operator in any way. All information presented is based on promotional material
provided by the tour operator. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates
are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators.
Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. The prices
on this website are not guaranteed. We are not responsible for errors,
omissions, or changes in pricing. Please call us toll free at 1-800-942-3301 to
confirm availability and pricing.
