11 Day Essence of Britain and Ireland

B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner

Tour Includes:

Day 1: London Tour & Welcome Drink

Tour begins 2:00 PM at your London hotel. Take a panoramic drive around central London to see many famous landmarks including Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, St Paul’s Cathedral, and the Tower of London. In the evening, enjoy a welcome drink with your group before a free evening for independent dining.

Day 2: Stonehenge & Roman Baths

This morning head out of London to Salisbury Plain to view the prehistoric circle of vast monoliths at Stonehenge. Continue west to explore the mineral-rich hot springs at Bath. Tour the Roman Baths and Pump Room, first built by the Romans 2,000 years ago and revived during the 18th century. Dine at a Welsh evening on local specialities and appreciate fine entertainment.
(B, D)

Day 3: Cardiff & Ferry Waterford

Visit Cardiff Castle, first inhabited in Roman times and transformed into an elaborate Gothic-style residence in the 19th century. You will enjoy breakfast there. Journey through the gentle, green countryside to the west coast. At Pembroke Dock, embark on an afternoon ferry crossing to Rosslare and on to Waterford.
(B, D)

Day 4: Sheepdogs & Dublin’s Merry Ploughboy Pub

After breakfast take a walking tour around historic Waterford, founded by the Vikings over 1,000 years ago. Visit the House of Waterford Crystal to learn about glass blowing and cutting. At Jerpoint Park Farm see a deserted 12th century town, watch trained dogs herd sheep and sample scones with tea. Stop briefly in Kilkenny before heading to Dublin. Drive to the Merry Ploughboy Pub for a dinner of Irish specialties and a lively show.
(B, D)

Day 5: Dublin Sightseeing & Glasnevin

Tour Dublin city to see elegant Georgian squares with brightly-painted doorways; in O’Connell Street see the General Post Office where the 1916 Rebellion started. Visit Glasnevin Museum, Ireland’s national necropolis, which is a who’s who of modern Irish history. The afternoon is free so that you may use your vouchers for an independent open-top bus tour around the city and a visit to one attraction. The evening is free.
(B)

Day 6: Belfast Sight Seeing & Scotland

Head to Belfast where you’ll enjoy a short panoramic tour. Take a ferry from Belfast to Cairnryan. Travel through gentle pasturelands to the central belt of Scotland. Stop en route for dinner before reaching your hotel in Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital city.
(B, D)

Day 7: Edinburgh Castle & City Tour

Join a local guide on a drive around central Edinburgh to see the main points of interest, including the 200-year-old “New Town” with elegant Georgian houses and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Walk along part of the Royal Mile where medieval houses are clustered closely together. Tour the massive Edinburgh Castle to see the Crown Jewels of Scotland and the Stone of Destiny. The afternoon is free for independent activities. On August 4 to 18 departures watch the spectacular Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle.
(B)

Day 8: Scottish Borders & York

Travel through the charming Borders region with many quaint towns, manor houses and abbeys. Stop in Jedburgh for a look around and view the picturesque ruins of Jedburgh Abbey. Continue south to York for a walking tour to appreciate narrow streets, especially the Shambles, where the medieval houses almost touch across the street. Tour the stately Gothic York Minster, which dates back to the 12th century and is noted for its magnificent medieval stained glass windows.
(B, D)

Day 9: Shakespeare’s Birthplace & London

Travel to Stratford-upon-Avon to visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace to see an exhibition about his life and work. Walk through the furnished house where he was born and take a look around the town with its many black-and-white buildings. Drive through the Cotswolds to London and check into your hotel where the evening is at leisure.
(B)

Day 10: Independent London Sight Seeing

Enjoy a day of independent sightseeing in London by Hop-On, Hop-Off bus tour around the many famous landmarks. There are a number of different routes to choose from including a walking tour and a cruise on the River Thames. Visit either the Tower of London to view the magnificent Crown Jewels or Kensington Palace, former home of Princess Diana. (B)

Day 11: Tour Ends in London

Your tour ends after breakfast.
(B)