Welcome to London! Uniformed Globus Hosts will be waiting to welcome you. Enjoy free time this afternoon
The Royal Treatment Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide includes sights of the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall, the Prime Minister’s Downing Street residence, Piccadilly Circus, Buckingham Palace, and a visit to St. Paul’s Cathedral. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
England’s national treasure of St. Paul’s Cathedral is home to a spectacular array of art from delicate carvings to gilded dome murals and modern works of art. As the seat of the Bishop of London, the cathedral serves as the mother church of the Diocese of London, where notable services have been held, including jubilee milestones for Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II, and funerals of luminaries like Sir Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher
Includes meal(s): Breakfast
Mysterious Stones and Spa Days Meet your Tour Director and travel companions to depart at 8 am for a memorable day of sightseeing. Try to unravel the mystery of prehistoric Stonehenge and explore the Visitor Centre with its imaginative exhibitions. Cross Salisbury Plain and head for the elegant city of Bath to see the amazing excavations of the Roman Baths. Continue to Newport, where you’ll enjoy a welcome dinner at your hotel. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
The traditions of one ancient Roman ritual are in full flow in Bath, amid the remarkable Roman and Georgian architecture and the best-preserved Roman Baths of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city of Bath sits above geothermal springs that bubble up from the limestone below. Bath also turns up the heat with some of Britain's grandest Georgian buildings, a mecca for elite 18th-century society
Includes meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner
Welsh Dragons, Daffodils, & Castles Enjoy an orientation drive in the Welsh capital that features Cardiff Castle, Cathays Park, and the stately civic buildings. Take the ferry from Pembroke across St. George’s Channel to Rosslare. Stay overnight in Waterford, Ireland’s oldest town, a stronghold founded. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
Explore the Welsh capital, see many historic buildings and discover its 2,000-year history of invasions, abductions, and conflicts from the 1st century AD when the Romans built the first series of forts
Includes meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner
County Cork Characters Spend time in the lovely village of Blarney, home to the magical Kissing Stone, walk to the castle, or spend time shopping for traditional Irish handicrafts. Visit the historic town and fishing port of Kinsale, famous for its multi-hued streets. Enjoy free time on arrival in Rosscarbery. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
Brighten your world with a visit to Kinsale, the vibrant town where the Wild Atlantic Way begins. Stroll the brightly painted storefronts and winding streets beside the sweeping hues of blue and green in this Irish seaside town
Includes meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner
Irish Eyes & Cheeky Rhymes The breathtaking beauty of Ireland awaits with a drive, via Kenmare, around part of the Ring of Kerry, before stopping in Killarney. Experience a [LF] horse-drawn jaunting car ride through Killarney National Park before discovering more of this popular town. Continue to Limerick for your overnight stay and some free time this evening. (B)
LOCAL FAVORITE
County Kerry is home to the exquisite natural beauty of a rugged and mountainous expanse in Killarney National Park. A horse-drawn jaunting-car ride is a great way to experience this natural wonderland, including MacGillycuddy’s Reeks, the highest mountain range in Ireland. Nestled at the foot of these mountains, the Lakes of Killarney’s shores and woodlands share this magical place with waterfalls and dramatic skies above Ross Castle
Includes meal(s): Breakfast
The Winner’s Circle Your first stop today is at the Rock of Cashel, according to tradition, where St. Patrick preached, followed by a drive across the Curragh to visit the [LF] Irish National Stud at Kildare. Afterwards, continue to the fair city of Dublin, Ireland’s capital. (B)
LOCAL FAVORITE
The Irish National Stud is home to the long tradition of Ireland’s love of horses. This horse breeding facility in County Kildare, considered the beating heart of Ireland's thoroughbred industry, continues to inspire all who visit, including Queen Elizabeth II. Hear about some of the world’s most magnificent champion stallions that have made history since the turn of the 20th century
Includes meal(s): Breakfast
Ireland’s Capital City Take a morning orientation drive to see O’Connell Street, Georgian squares, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and Trinity College. The afternoon is at leisure to enjoy this vibrant city. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
“In Dublin’s fair city where girls are so pretty,” you’ll also find great personality and charm. The charisma of Dubliners and the bounty of pubs here is matched only by the gorgeous Georgian Squares, 12th-century St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and Trinity College
Includes meal(s): Breakfast
Coffee With Cream & Maritime Theme Head to the charming seaside town of Carlingford, situated on the Cooley Peninsula and enjoy [LF] an Irish coffee. Cross into Northern Ireland where an orientation drive of Belfast includes City Hall, the Albert Memorial Clock Tower, and Queen’s University. Complete the day with a visit to the fascinating Titanic Belfast, learn about the doomed ship’s maiden voyage, and the tragic events of April 14-15, 1912. (B)
LOCAL FAVORITE
It’s clear why we get a warm feeling with traditional Irish Coffee – as much a warm welcome now as it was for stranded travelers in 1943. It was a wintry night in Limerick when Foynes Flying Boat Terminal chef Joe Sheridan concocted this soothing elixir of hot coffee, Irish whiskey, sugar, and whipped cream to make their cancelled flight a little more palatable. Raise a toddy glass of Caife Gaelach with a hearty “slainte!”
Includes meal(s): Breakfast
Strait Ahead to Scotland Enjoy a leisurely morning in Belfast, before boarding your ferry to cross the North Channel to Cairnryan on Scotland’s southwest coast. Continue onto Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital city. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
The North Channel connects northeast Ireland to the southwestern coast of Scotland. The North Channel is part of the Ocean’s Seven, a set of seven long-distance open-water swims, most who cross, however, rely on the many ferries that run between Belfast and Cairnryan, the Scottish village with a proud maritime history, including its floating Mulberry Harbors built to support the D-Day invasion of Normandy
Includes meal(s): Breakfast
Crown Jewels & Castle Views Morning city sightseeing with a Local Guide introduces you to the 200-year-old “New Town,” and the famous scientists, inventors, and novelists who lived there. In the “Old Town,” visit Edinburgh Castle to admire Scotland’s Crown Jewels. Enjoy some free time this afternoon and evening. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
Unpack your plaid for The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo! Edinburgh Military Tattoo performances included on departure August 6.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
Ascend to Castle Rock to explore Edinburgh Castle, one of the most important historical strongholds in the Kingdom of Scotland, with a 1,100-year history as "the most besieged place in Great Britain." Here, you’ll find the royal regalia and Scotland’s Crown Jewels. The Castle forms the background of the spectacular Tattoo, an extravaganza of bagpipes and drums performed en masse in August each year
Includes meal(s): Breakfast
High Praise & Market Days Return to England today and a stop in the market town of Alnwick, once voted the “best place to live in Britain.” On to York, England’s most complete medieval city, where you’ll visit the inspiring York Minster, then follow your Tour Director through a maze of quaint streets, including the narrow Shambles. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
York Minster is hailed as one of the world’s most magnificent cathedrals, and the center of Christian faith in northern England. From its exquisite, handcrafted stone to its incomparable collection of medieval stained glass, you’ll discover why York Minster has drawn visitors from around the world for over 1,000 years
Includes meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner
Spend Your Day Your Way in Stratford-upon-Avon Depart Yorkshire, setting of author James Herriot’s beloved All Creatures Great and Small, and head to Shakespeare’s hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon. Take pictures of Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and explore more of the town with your choice of an included Globus Choice excursion. (B,D)
THE ABC'S OF SHAKESPEARE
Find your seat during this fun visit to Shakespeare's Schoolroom & Guildhall! A young William Shakespeare studied here in the 1570s and attended plays performed by the finest actors of the day.
THE PLAY'S THE THING!
To be or not to be in Stratford-Upon-Avon? There's no question when it comes to visiting the birthplace and family home of Shakespeare-where the legendary bard grew up and lived the first years of his married life
Includes meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner
Churchill’s Beginnings Today’s highlight is a visit to magnificent Blenheim Palace, the family seat of the Dukes of Marlborough and birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. Return to London around 3.30 pm. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
Home to the 12th Duke of Marlborough and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, Blenheim Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and enjoys a fascinating history. Commissioned in 1704 as a gift from Queen Anne to John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, this massive and magnificent masterpiece of English Baroque architecture is also home to exquisite artwork and gardens
Includes meal(s): Breakfast
Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
