Join us on an unparalleled journey through England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. From the glitz and glamour of London to the charm of Killarney, you'll relive the magic and merriment of the middle ages on this great adventure. Your 2-night stay in London includes a sightseeing tour viewing its famous landmarks, including Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and the Tower of London with time to explore on your own. Experience the grandeur of Salisbury Cathedral before marveling at the mysterious rock formations of Stonehenge. A visit to Bath and its Roman Baths Museum is where you’ll see 1st century spas. Then it's on to Wales and its capital Cardiff before boarding your ferry for a delightful cruise to Ireland. Here you'll have the opportunity to kiss the Blarney Stone; witness stunning vistas along the Ring of Kerry; visit a dairy farm; and enjoy a guided tour to the Rock of Cashel. Other highlights in Ireland include tours of the Waterford Crystal Factory, dinner at an Irish cabaret, and a tour of the "Fair City" of Dublin. A ferry ride across the Irish Sea brings you back to Wales where you'll see beautiful Caernarfon Castle, where Charles was crowned Prince of Wales, before traveling north to England's scenic Lake District. Crossing into Scotland and its capital Edinburgh, you'll tour the famous Edinburgh Castle, home of the Scottish crown jewels, and enjoy a traditional Scottish dinner with entertainment. This tour concludes with a visit to the city of York, where you'll enjoy a walking tour through its quaint streets before venturing onto Stratford-upon-Avon, the home of William Shakespeare.
Itinerary:
Day #1 Overnight Flight -
Day #2 London, England - Tour Begins - Your tour begins in the capital city of London. Tonight, meet your fellow travelers at a welcome dinner.
Day #3 London - During a locally guided tour of London see Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and the changing of the guard (if held). Enjoy an afternoon at leisure to further explore the city’s sites.
Day #4 London - Stonehenge - Bath - Cardiff - Visit Stonehenge, the mysterious formation that dates back to the Stone Age. Journey to the elegant Georgian town of Bath to visit the Roman Bath Museum’s 2,000-year-old elaborate spas. Continue to the Welsh capital of Cardiff.
Day #5 Cardiff - Ferry to Ireland - Waterford - Take in the beautiful countryside of Wales en route to the coastal village of Fishguard. Take a ferry across the Irish Sea to Rosslare, Ireland. Explore Waterford with an interesting walking tour before dinner.
Day #6 Waterford - Blarney - Killarney - Tour the famous Waterford Crystal facility* for a demonstration of how their crystal treasures are created. Next, travel to the historic Blarney Castle. Wind your way to the top of the castle, lie back and kiss the famous Blarney Stone where, legend has it, you will be blessed with the “gift of eloquence.” Your day ends in beautiful Killarney.
Day #7 Killarney - Ring of Kerry - Killarney - Explore the Ring of Kerry where you’ll find some of Ireland’s most magical scenery. At the Gap of Dunloe, shop for traditional Irish goods handcrafted by local artisans. Marvel at the vistas created by windswept cliffs, rugged mountains, lakes and picturesque villages.
Day #8 Killarney - Rock of Cashel - Dublin - Today you have a chance to talk and laugh with a local family when you visit the Molanna Dairy Farm and meet its owners. Later, journey through the “Golden Vale” en route to the Rock of Cashel to visit the spot where St. Patrick preached. Your day ends in the “Fair City” of Dublin.
Day #9 Dublin - A locally guided tour of Dublin highlights the Bank of Ireland, O’Connell Street, Grafton Street, Phoenix Park and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Later, enjoy leisure time to explore the city independently. Tonight, join a fun-filled Irish House Party where everyone has the opportunity to join in song and dance.
Day #10 Dublin - Ferry Crossing - Wales - Ferry across the Irish Sea to Holyhead, Wales where you'll pass Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, the town with the longest name in the world. Visit majestic Caernarfon Castle, where Charles was crowned Prince of Wales. Then, travel through Welsh countryside and discover some of the most fantastic scenery in all of Britain. Tonight, enjoy a traditional Welsh dinner and an introduction to Welsh Gaelic.
Day #11 Wales - Lake District - Gretna Green - Edinburgh, Scotland - Travel north into England’s scenic Lake District to see charming Lake Windermere, Ambleside and Grasmere. Crossing into Scotland, stop in the town of Gretna Green where generations of runaway couples came to be married. Continue to Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital city.
Day #12 Edinburgh - A locally guided tour of Edinburgh includes entrance to the famous Edinburgh Castle, home of the Scottish crown jewels and the Palace of Holyroodhouse**, the Queen's official residence in Edinburgh and former home of Mary, Queen of Scots. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Day #13 Edinburgh - York, England - En route to England visit Hadrian’s Wall, built in AD 121, which served as the northern border of the Roman Empire. Continue to the historic city of York and explore its quaint narrow streets, including the famous “Shambles.” You’ll also visit the magnificent 13th-century Minster Cathedral.
Day #14 York - Coventry - Stratford-Upon-Avon - Journey to Coventry and visit its famous modern Cathedral, completely rebuilt after World War II. Next, venture to charming Stratford-Upon-Avon. Visit William Shakespeare’s birthplace and Anne Hathaway's thatch-roofed cottage, the childhood home of the author's wife. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner.
Day #15 Stratford-Upon-Avon - Tour Ends -
