Welcome to the multicultural melting pot that is London – its culture and heritage shaped by the nations that once contributed to its great empire are found around every turn. Spend your day easing into the energy of a cosmopolitan city that effortlessly blends old and new and is the perfect springboard to a grand adventure through Britain and Ireland.
Join your Local Specialist today to see the iconic sights, including Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, meandering through the picturesque Royal Parks, shopping for the best of British wares on Carnaby Street or delving into natural history and royal heritage at one of the many fascinating museums.
Meet your Travel Director this morning and travel to Stratford-upon-Avon. Venture through the lush green countryside of Warwickshire to Stratford-upon-Avon to delve into the lyrical legacy of one of the world's favorite writers. Visit Shakespeare's Birthplace and Visitor Center and see Anne Hathaway's cottage, before arriving in York. Wander along its cobbled Shambles and ancient city walls, and see the magnificent York Minster, one of the greatest cathedrals in the world. This evening, join your Travel Director and travel companions for a delicious dinner in your hotel.
Journeying through Northumberland National Park’s dramatic landscapes, arrive at the remarkably intact ruins of the 12th-century Jedburgh Abbey en route to the enchanting Scottish capital, Edinburgh. Tickets to The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo are included on departures that align with performance dates.
Join your Local Specialist this morning for a sightseeing tour through Auld Reekie's elegant New Town, Princes Street and the Royal Mile, enjoying views of the exquisite Palace of Holyroodhouse and Arthur's Seat. Embark on a visit of Edinburgh Castle, perched atop Castle Rock.
Today, travel across the Firth of Forth to St. Andrews to view its celebrated ancient university and explore centuries of golf heritage. Your next stop is Pitlochry on the banks of the Tummel River. You could choose to join an Optional Experience to visit Blair Castle, the ancestral home to the Dukes of Atholl. Continue to the Scottish Highlands, your home for two nights.
Drive to the rugged coast of Scotland this morning, passing scenic Eilean Donan Castle. You'll cross to the Isle of Skye, and admire the spectacular scenery before enjoying free time for lunch. A Local Specialist will take you on a journey to admire the remarkable Cuillin Mountain. Cross back to the mainland and continue past the lochs and glens of the Scottish Highlands.
Your first stop today is the World War II Commando Memorial, near Fort William, for views of Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis. Continue south through the 'Glen of Weeping', paying tribute to the MacDonald clansmen who were massacred for failing to pledge allegiance to Scotland's new monarchs. Arriving in Glasgow, you'll enjoy an orientation tour including views of the Cathedral and magnificent George Square. You'll also visit the Necropolis and Dive Into Culture gaining insights into one of Europe's most important 19th-century burial grounds.
Cross the border into England and Connect With Locals, joining Christine on her Cumbrian working farm for a Be My Guest lunch, before continuing your journey through the beautiful Lake District and its landscapes that have inspired poets and painters for centuries. See Lake Windermere, England's largest lake, before traveling to Liverpool, the haunt of Britain's ‘Fab Four'.
Start your day in Chester, where you’ll see the city’s distinctive Tudor Rows and walk its medieval streets. Continue through North Wales to Holyhead, where you’ll board the ferry to Dublin. Over the next four days, you’ll explore the highlights of Ireland—from its historic cities to rural landscapes—getting to know the culture, stories and local character of this diverse country.
Delve into Dublin’s iconic sights with a Local Specialist. See Trinity College, St. Patrick's Cathedral and the stately Georgian Squares. Enjoy some time at leisure or consider a trip to Glendalough. Then Dive Into Culture and visit the Guinness Storehouse to learn about Ireland's famous brew. This evening you could choose to join an Optional Experience at an Irish Cabaret.
Journey to the West Coast and the vibrant cultural center of Galway, where you will have an opportunity to see Galway Cathedral and Eyre Square, with its tribute to former US president John F. Kennedy, before traveling to Limerick.
Admire Ireland's enduring scenic beauty on one of the most beautiful drives in the world, circling the spectacular Ring of Kerry.
In the pursuit of acquiring the 'gift of the gab', visit Blarney Castle where you might kiss the famous Blarney Stone, before stopping in Cobh for a walking tour with a Local Specialist. This seaside city was the final port of call for the tragic Titanic on its fateful voyage. This afternoon, you'll Dive Into Culture during a visit to the House of Waterford Crystal and witness talented master crafters at work.
Cross the Irish Sea to Wales and its capital, Cardiff, where you will visit the University of Wales, Principality Stadium, City Hall and the National Museum.
Cross the Severn Estuary to Bath, so named for the ancient Roman Baths that have made the city a popular retreat for centuries. Admire the elegant Georgian facades and visit the Roman Baths, before some free time to explore on your own. Wind your way to mystical Glastonbury to visit the 7th-century Abbey where King Arthur is believed to be buried. Later, arrive in the city of Plymouth, your home for two nights.
The springboard to a 'New World' takes center stage as you start your day with an orientation of Plymouth. View the Mayflower Steps, where brave pilgrims embarked on their epic voyage to America, and see the Royal Citadel overlooking Plymouth Sound. Visit the fishing village of Polperro with its narrow streets and picturesque harbor, before enjoying a scenic drive through the brooding landscapes of Dartmoor, keeping a keen eye out for the area’s wild ponies. Your epic adventure through Britain and Ireland is almost at its end, join your travel companions and Travel Director for a memorable dinner.
Meander across the Salisbury Plain and visit the mystical ancient megaliths of Stonehenge, whose myths have yet to be fully revealed. Journey back to London this afternoon where you will spend your final evening at leisure.
Say a fond farewell to Britain and Ireland as you prepare to return home with treasured memories of your trip.
