BRITAIN AND IRELAND EXPLORER

16 DAYS • 15 NIGHTS ACCOMMODATION • 5 COUNTRIES • 20 MEALS

Essential Highlights

Go behind the scenes on an exploration of all the highlights of Great Britain and Ireland, from the haunt of Shakespeare to Edinburgh’s medieval allure, the sweeping Cliffs of Moher to England’s celebrated Lake District. Come face-toface with the legacies of the Vikings, Romans and Normans, witness the sites of great tragedies and triumphs, and keep a keen eye out for an elusive monster hidden in a famous loch.

Stratford-upon-Avon Visit the town of Shakespeare's Birth York View York Minster and stroll along the Shambles

Hadrian's Wall View the remains of the Roman wall

Edinburgh Sightseeing with your Local Specialist includes Princes Street, the Royal Mile and views of the Castle Loch Ness View the most famous loch of them all

Glasgow View Glasgow Cathedral and George Square on your orientation tour Lake District Visit this picturesque region

Chester View the timbered buildings known as the 'Rows' Dublin With your Local Specialist, see St. Patrick's Cathedral, the glorious Georgian Squares and Trinity College

Cli s of Moher View the cli s and visit the Atlantic Edge exhibition

Blarney Kiss the Blarney Stone during your visit of Blarney Castle

Bath Visit the Georgian spa town

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Start/end

Overnights

Sightseeing stops

B Breakfast L Lunch D Dinner

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Day 1, London – Stratford-upon-Avon – York –Bradford

Wind your way to Stratford-upon-Avon where there’s time to explore the town where England’s favourite bard was born. Continue to York and wander through its medieval streets to York Minster. Hotel: Jurys Inn

Day 2, Bradford – Edinburgh (Airth)

All that lies between you and bonnie Scotland and Jedburgh Abbey is Hadrian’s Wall. This evening, an Optional Experience could see you visit an ancient village for dinner. B Hotel: Airth Castle

England Wales

Day 3, Edinburgh sightseeing and free time

Your sightseeing tour with a Local Specialist rolls past the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle. Consider joining one of two special Optional Experiences – discover Rosslyn Chapel or visit Edinburgh Castle. B

Day 4, Edinburgh (Airth) – St. Andrews – Scottish Highlands

Your first stop today is St. Andrews. Later, join an Optional Experience to Blair Castle near Pitlochry and an exhilarating optional encounter with a shepherd and his sheep. B, D Hotel: Craiglynne

Day 5, Scottish Highlands excursion

Keep a keen eye out for 'Nessie' before arriving in Inverness. Today’s poignant highlight is a visit to Culloden, where clansmen fought in the 1745 Jacobite Rising. Return to your hotel in the Highlands for dinner. B, D

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Day 6, Scottish Highlands – Glasgow

Enjoy a scenic drive to Fort William and Loch Linnhe. Continue to Glencoe, then travel along the banks of Loch Lomond before arriving in Glasgow for an orientation and optional night out on the toon B Hotel: Ibis City Centre

Day 7, Glasgow – Gretna Green – Lake District –Wrexham

Elope to Gretna Green, as many young couples once did. Continue south to Lake Windermere for an optional cruise and ride on a steam train. B, D Hotel: Ramada Plaza

Day 8, Wrexham – Chester – Dublin

See the legacy of Roman rule during this morning’s visit to the ancient walled city of Chester. Cross to Ireland and its youthful capital, Dublin in time for an Optional Experience at a local restaurant-pub. B Hotel: Maldron Newlands Cross

Day 9, Dublin sightseeing and free time

Embrace your playful side on this morning’s sightseeing tour through Ireland’s whimsical capital with a Local Specialist. View St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin Castle, and Trinity College, then perhaps join a local specialist for an optional tour of a 6th-century monastery in Glendalough. Tonight, consider an optional dinner and Irish cabaret. B

Day 10, Dublin – Boyle – Co. Donegal

There’s no better way to admire today’s scenery than joining an optional cruise along the Shannon River, the longest river in the British Isles. Later, view the ruins of the 12th-century Boyle Abbey. B, D Hotel: Grand Central

Day 11, County Donegal excursion

Your scenic drive through County Donegal will deliver a multitude of dramatic landscapes. This afternoon’s visit to Belleek Pottery reveals over a century of porcelain craftsmanship. B

Day 12, Co. Donegal – Galway – Cli s of Moher –Shannon

After a brief visit to Galway, stop at the Cli s of Moher and its interactive Cli s Exhibition, before heading to your hotel in Shannon. B, D Hotel: Treacys Oakwood

Day 13, Shannon – Dingle Peninsula – Co. Kerry

A drive around the stunning Dingle Peninsula reveals a land of stone monuments, wild beaches and verdant pastures. Later arrive in Tralee in County Kerry. B Hotel: River Island

Life is about the choices we make. Choose how to enhance your trip, your way. Here are just two of our favourites.

Edinburgh Castle Visit

Visit Edinburgh Castle, perched imposingly atop Castle Rock since the 12th century. You'll see the Scottish crown jewels and the National War Museum of Scotland during your visit.

Highland Sheep Farm Visit

Truly immerse yourself in the Highland way of life and visit a Highland sheep farm. You'll meet Neil and his border collies and try your hand at sheep-shearing and feeding the lambs.

Day 14, Co. Kerry – Blarney – Waterford

Kiss the Blarney Stone and acquire the 'gift of the gab'. Visit the Waterford Crystal Showroom (when open) before an optional walking tour with a Local Specialist followed by a drink in a pub. B Hotel: Treacy's

Day 15, Waterford – Cardi

Today, your orientation of Cardi will take you past the Millennium Center and National Assembly. Then perhaps join an optional tour of Cardi Castle. Finish the day with an optional evening of Welsh music, culture and humour.

B Hotel: Copthorne

Day 16, Cardi – Bath – Windsor – London Venture to Bath, whose Roman Baths have given this ancient spa town its name. Visit Windsor and view the world’s oldest and largest inhabited castle before returning to London. B

Edinburgh Tattoo 4 - 26 August 2023: We've included Tattoo tickets when you're in Edinburgh during these dates. Edinburgh Tattoo dates for 2024 subject to change.

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