• Explore Londonderry, Belfast, Dublin and Edinburgh with a Local Specialist

• Discover Plymouth, Bath, Cardiff, Limerick, Galway, Sligo, Chester, Glasgow and York

• Visit the ancient stone circle at Stonehenge, the Roman Baths in Bath, Waterford Crystal Showroom, Blarney Castle, the magnificent Cliffs of Moher, the Giant’s Causeway, Guinness Storehouse,  Falkirk Wheel, Isle of Skye, Edinburgh Castle, Alnwick and Shakespeare’s Birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon

• View the Mayflower Steps in Plymouth, the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, St. Mary’s Cathedral and King John’s Castle in Limerick, the scenic Lake District, the 18th hole at St. Andrews, Eilean Donan Castle, Culloden Battlefield and York Minster

• See Galway Cathedral

• Scenic Drive on a Cornish Excursion, experience the Ring of Kerry

• Tickets for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo are included on departures that coincide with performance dates.

ITINERARY

Day 1
Journey to Stonehenge and on to Plymouth
Journey west where you’ll ponder the myths of the ancient mystical monoliths at
Stonehenge which remain largely unsolved to to this day. Continuing through
Devon, arrive in the historic naval port of Plymouth, your home for the next two
nights.

Day 2
Discover the Cornish Peninsula
Embark on an orientation tour and see the Royal Citadel and Mayflower Steps.
Explore the Cornish peninsula and visit the seaside villages of Looe and Polperro.

Day 3
Soak up Bath and off to Cardiff
Arriving in Bath, we admire the city’s stylish Georgian façades and visit the ancient
Roman Baths from which it derives its name. We continue to the vibrant Welsh
capital, Cardiff, where we’ll have a free evening to enjoy this modern city’s proud
heritage.

Day 4
Cross the Irish Sea to Waterford
This morning, we explore Cardiff’s iconic sights – the Principality Stadium,
Millennium Centre and Victorian fantasy castle before crossing the Irish Sea to
Waterford, most famous for the delicate crystal that graces elegant homes the
world over. This evening we dine in our hotel.

Day 5
Onwards to Blarney and Killarney
Our first stop today is at the House of Waterford Crystal where we Dive Into
Culture, watching a demonstration with master craftsmen. In pursuit of the ‘gift
of the gab’, we journey to Blarney Castle where you’ll have the chance to kiss the
Blarney Stone, before arriving later in picturesque Killarney.

Day 6
A Day on the Ring of Kerry
Ireland’s enduring natural beauty accompanies our leisurely drive circling the
enchanting Ring of Kerry. We pass the fishing village of Waterville, Moll’s Gap and
the Black Valley – renowned for being the last place in Ireland without power and
telephone networks.

Day 7
Off to Limerick, the Majestic Cliffs of Moher and Galway
We stop in Limerick and view St. Mary’s Cathedral, the Treaty Stone and King
John’s Castle. Next up is an unforgettable MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at
the Cliffs of Moher where rugged cliffs plunge into the Atlantic, creating a
beautifully dramatic coastline which has inspired artists, musicians and poets for
centuries. You’ll visit the Visitor Centre, a wonderfully engaging experience which
brings one of Ireland’s most treasured natural phenomena to life in an interactive
way that will leave you with stories to tell for years to come. Enjoy the IMAX-type
multimedia which gives visitors a bird’s eye view of the cliffs or dive virtually
beneath the surface of the Atlantic and into the underwater caves at the foot of
the cliffs that would have otherwise gone unseen. Your next overnight stop in
Galway is a real treat for culture buffs. You’ll overnight in Ireland’s capital of
music, song and dance and it’s the perfect place to dig deep into Ireland’s vibrant
traditional arts scene first-hand.

Day 8
Venture into County Donegal
This morning see the great stone Galway Cathedral and stroll through Eyre
Square, a tribute to former US president John F. Kennedy, who visited Galway in
1963. Enjoy an orientation of Sligo on your way to Donegal to see its 15th-century
castle and explore the city your way before dining at your hotel.

Day 9
Explore Londonderry, the Giant’s Causeway and Belfast
We cross the Irish border into Northern Ireland, joining a Local Specialist in
Londonderry to stroll along its 17th-century city walls. See the street murals of
the Bogside before continuing to the mythical stepping stones of the Giant’s
Causeway for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Our visit to the haunt of Finn
McCool will help to conserve this iconic natural landmark. Our final stop today is
in Belfast, where we’ll enjoy an orientation, followed by free time to explore the
capital city’s sights.

Day 10
On the road to Dublin
We spend the morning with a Local Specialist ‘Cabbie’ who will take us on a
journey through the recent history of Belfast in their taxi. Heading south to
Dublin later, we see St. Patrick’s Cathedral and other iconic sights in the company
of a Local Specialist. Tonight, consider an Optional Experience to enjoy the
rousing sounds and warm hospitality of a traditional Irish Cabaret performance.

Day 11
See the Sights of Dublin
Beat the crowds and gain entry to the Guinness Storehouse before general
admission. Here you’ll Dive Into Culture and embark on a tour and tasting
technique demonstration. The rest of the day is yours to explore the Irish capital.
Amble along Grafton Street with its colourful performers, head to Temple Bar or
stroll through Phoenix Park, Dublin’s playground.

Day 12
Ferry across to Historic Chester and Liverpool
Cross the Irish Sea to Wales and continue to the ancient town of Chester, where
your orientation tour will take you past its Roman walls and famous half-timbered
Tudor Rows. Later, we head to the haunt of the ‘Fab Four’, edgy Liverpool, where
we’ll spend the night.

Day 13
Continue to the Beautiful Lake District
Head north to the idyllic Lake District, which has inspired poets and writers for
centuries, and admire the spectacular surrounds of Lake Windermere.

Day 14
Journey North to Glasgow
The runaway wedding capital, Gretna Green is our first stop today, where we’ll
tread in the footsteps of eloping couples who would take their vows over the
Marriage Anvil. We arrive in Glasgow for an orientation tour including views of the
Cathedral and magnificent George Square, lined with statues of Great Britain’s
most celebrated sons. We visit Falkirk Wheel where you’ll Dive into
Culture learning about the legacy of Scotland’s canals and experience the world’s
only rotating boat lift.

Day 15
Over the Sea to Skye
Journey past the site of the tragic 1692 massacre at Glencoe, known as the ‘Glen
of the Weeping’ and see Britain’s highest mountain – Ben Nevis. We’ll view the
13th-century Eilean Donan Castle, where three lochs meet, before visiting the Isle
of Skye.

Day 16
The Sights of Loch Ness and Culloden in the Scottish Highlands
Travel through the scenic Scottish Highlands via Glen Shiel and along the banks of
Loch Ness, home to the mythical monster affectionately known as ‘Nessie’. View
the site of the bloody Battle of Culloden, where Bonnie Prince Charlie and his
army of Jacobites were defeated in 1746.

Day 17
Onwards to Edinburgh
We continue south and stop in Pitlochry before travelling to the historic town of
St. Andrews, home to the oldest golf course in the world. We cross the Firth of
Forth to the enchanting Scottish capital, Edinburgh, our home for the next two
nights. Tickets to see the spectacular Edinburgh Tattoo are included on
departures that coincide with performance dates.

Day 18
Explore Edinburgh Castle
Join a Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour including a visit to Edinburgh Castle,
overlooking the town from Castle Rock. See the Royal Mile, Palace of
Holyroodhouse and new Scottish Parliament building.

Day 19
Uncover York’s Treasures
Visit the medieval market town of Alnwick before stopping in York where we’ll
embark on an orientation walk along the picturesque Shambles and to York
Minster, one of the greatest cathedrals in the world. This evening Connect With
Locals over dinner at a Be My Guest experience, a grand private home of a
Yorkshire family enjoying traditional flavours and hospitality.

Day 20
Journey to Stratford­upon­Avon and on to London
Travel to Stratford-upon-Avon to view Anne Hathaway’s thatched cottage and
visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace and Visitor Centre before returning to London.

What’s included