Itinerary
- Day 1
London to Stratford-upon-Avon
Meet your Travel Director at the hotel at 07:45 and head out to Oxford to check out the university town and its spires. You'll get leisure time to visit the Ashmolean Museum or browse the local indoor market. From there, drive through the Cotswolds villages to Stratford-upon-Avon and visit William Shakespeare's birthplace to see the memorabilia and artefacts. Finish with dinner at a local pub.
- Meals
- Dinner (British cuisine at a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Visit Oxford university town with its beautiful spires
- Visit William Shakespeare's birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon
- Dinner at a local pub
Optional Activities
- Visit the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford
- Browse the local indoor market in Oxford
Landmarks/POIs Ashmolean Museum Shakespeare's Birthplace - Day 2
Stratford-upon-Avon to York
Travel through Robin Hood Country on your way to Lincoln, then continue to York, which was once the Viking capital of Britain. Walk along the Shambles to reach York Minster in this medieval city. Your hotel is inside the city walls facing Clifford's Tower.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- York Minster visit and orientation
- York city walls and medieval Shambles exploration
Landmarks/POIs York Minster Clifford's Tower The Shambles - Day 3
York to Edinburgh
Drive through Lake District National Park with its rugged mountains and tranquil lakes that inspired English poets. Stop in Grasmere to see Wordsworth's grave in the churchyard. After that, cross the border at Gretna Green, where runaway lovers were married, and continue to Edinburgh.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Drive through Lake District National Park
- Visit Wordsworth's grave in Grasmere
Landmarks/POIs Lake District National Park Grasmere Gretna Green - Day 4
Edinburgh
Head down the Royal Mile to see the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official Scottish residence of His Majesty the King. Walk through Edinburgh Castle with a local expert to see spectacular views of the town and the Scottish Crown Jewels, the Stone of Destiny, and Mons Meg. The afternoon is yours to shop on Princes Street. In the evening, select departures will attend the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo with historic battles and military manoeuvres featuring pipes and drums.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Palace of Holyroodhouse
- Guided tour of Edinburgh Castle with Local Expert
- View Scottish Crown Jewels, Stone of Destiny and Mons Meg
- Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo (select departures)
Landmarks/POIs Palace of Holyroodhouse Edinburgh Castle Princes Street Scott Memorial - Day 5
Edinburgh to Pitlochry
Cross the Firth of Forth into Fife and make your way to St. Andrews, passing the world's oldest golf course as you arrive where golf began in the 15th century. You'll get free time to explore, maybe wander to St. Andrews University or walk to West Sands Beach where the famous Chariots of Fire scene was filmed. Later, head across the Tay to Pitlochry, a Victorian resort town known for its salmon run. Stop at Atholl Palace and Gardens for a cream tea.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Afternoon Tea (Traditional afternoon tea at Atholl Palace accompanied by sandwiches, scones, Scottish shortbread and traditional Scottish tablet)
Included Activities
- Visit St. Andrews university town and golf course
- Afternoon tea at Atholl Palace and Gardens
Optional Activities
- Visit St. Andrews University
- Stroll to West Sands Beach
Landmarks/POIs St. Andrews Golf Course St. Andrews University West Sands Beach Atholl Palace Pitlochry - Day 6
Pitlochry to Isle of Skye
Take a Loch Ness cruise to soak up the scenery, historic monuments, and tales of the Loch Ness Monster in Scotland's glen. Afterwards, pause for photos of Eilean Donan Castle on Loch Duich. Hear stories about Flora MacDonald and the Bonnie Prince as you cross over to Skye.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Loch Ness cruise
- Photo stop at Eilean Donan Castle
Optional Activities
- Isle of Skye Tour - experience Trotternish Peninsula with local expert, view Old Man of Storr, Cuillin Mountains and Portree (GBP 15.00)
Landmarks/POIs Loch Ness Eilean Donan Castle Loch Duich - Day 7
Isle of Skye to Glasgow
Return to the mainland and drive to the World War II Commando Memorial in the shadow of Ben Nevis. Continue through Fort William to experience the dramatic scenery of Glencoe, the Valley of the Weeping, where a massacre took place in 1692. Drive along the Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond on your way to Glasgow. Your Travel Director will show you Glasgow's grand public buildings, including George Square and St. Mungo's Cathedral.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- World War II Commando Memorial visit
- Glencoe scenic drive
- Glasgow city tour including George Square and St. Mungo's Cathedral
Optional Activities
- Glasgow Dinner - Scottish fayre at an elegant and chic restaurant (GBP 40.00)
Landmarks/POIs Ben Nevis World War II Commando Memorial Glencoe Loch Lomond George Square St. Mungo's Cathedral - Day 8
Glasgow to Belfast
Cross the Irish Sea to Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland. Meet Hilda, your local expert, for a city tour including City Hall, Queen's University, the Parliament Building at Stormont, and murals indicating local political sentiments. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Panoramic city tour of Belfast with Local Expert Hilda
- View City Hall, Queen's University, Parliament Building at Stormont
- View political murals in various locations
Optional Activities
- Historic Pub Walk and Supper - leisurely walk through Belfast with local guide viewing street art and murals, finishing with supper in a Victorian pub (GBP 40.00)
- Titanic Experience - follow the story of the Titanic from its launch in Belfast and explore the exhibition in an award-winning building on the former shipyard site (GBP 18.00)
Landmarks/POIs Belfast City Hall Queen's University Belfast Parliament Building at Stormont - Day 9
Belfast to Dublin
Head to the Guinness Storehouse to learn about the history and traditions behind the famous Irish drink. The rest of the day is yours to shop, continue sightseeing, or take an optional drive to the ruined monastic site of Glendalough.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guinness Storehouse visit and experience of Ireland's national drink
Optional Activities
- Irish Countryside & Glendalough - afternoon drive through County Wicklow with Local Expert, visit St. Kevin's 6th Century monastic site at Glendalough, explore monastic remains and return via Great Sugar Loaf Mountain (EUR 25.00)
Landmarks/POIs Guinness Storehouse Glendalough - Day 10
Dublin
Travel alongside the Mountains of Mourne before crossing the Boyne Valley, site of the historic battle where William of Orange defeated King James. Continue to Dublin and see O'Connell Street, Dublin Castle, and St. Patrick's Cathedral with your local expert.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Dublin city tour with Local Expert
- View O'Connell Street, Dublin Castle and St. Patrick's Cathedral
Optional Activities
- Dinner & Irish Cabaret - three course dinner with nonstop show of comedy, dance, song and music, ending with Irish Coffee (EUR 72.00)
- Dublin Dinner - three course dinner in a family run pub, formerly haunt of nobility and highwaymen (EUR 49.00)
Landmarks/POIs Mountains of Mourne Boyne Valley O'Connell Street Dublin Castle St. Patrick's Cathedral Custom House - Day 11
Dublin to Limerick
Travel west to Galway, known as the City of the Tribes. Your Travel Director will guide you through this artsy, bohemian city with free time to explore. Cross the limestone landscape of the Burren to the Visitor Centre at the Cliffs of Moher for views of the Clare Coast. Journey to Limerick on the shores of the River Shannon.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Galway orientation tour with Travel Director
- Visit Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre
- Cliffs of Moher viewing and geology insights from Travel Director
Landmarks/POIs Galway Lynch Memorial Window Church of St. Nicholas Spanish Arch Eyre Square The Burren Cliffs of Moher Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre - Day 12
Limerick to Killarney
In the morning, your Travel Director will show you St. Mary's Cathedral from the 12th century, King John's Castle, and the Treaty Stone. Set off to Tralee and Dingle through the great cliffs, wide skies, and ocean views of the Dingle Peninsula to reach Killarney. For dinner you'll have a traditional Sunday roast with all the trimmings.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Traditional Sunday roast with all the trimmings)
Included Activities
- St. Mary's Cathedral visit
- King John's Castle visit
- Treaty Stone visit
- Dingle Peninsula scenic drive
- Traditional Sunday roast dinner
Landmarks/POIs St. Mary's Cathedral King John's Castle Treaty Stone Dingle Peninsula - Day 13
Killarney
Take a morning excursion around the Ring of Kerry where mountains, valleys, lakes, and sea blend into one landscape. Continue through MacGillicuddy Reeks mountain range to the three peaceful Lakes of Killarney. Meet John for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience at his family-run seaweed farm to learn about sustainable farming. The afternoon is free to relax or maybe ride a jaunting car. At night, your Dine-Around Evening offers authentic dining at hand-picked local restaurants.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Authentic and intimate dining at hand-picked selection of fine local restaurants)
Included Activities
- Ring of Kerry scenic drive
- MacGillicuddy Reeks drive
- Lakes of Killarney visit
- MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience - visit John's family-run seaweed farm and learn about sustainable farming practices
- Dine-Around Evening at fine local restaurants
Optional Activities
- Jaunting car ride through Killarney National Park with knowledgeable local jarvey (EUR 22.00)
Landmarks/POIs Ring of Kerry MacGillicuddy Reeks Lakes of Killarney Killarney National Park - Day 14
Killarney to Waterford
Visit the ruined 15th century Blarney Castle and consider kissing the stone from the ramparts for a lifetime of eloquence. Continue to Waterford and see the 11th century Reginald's Tower. On your guided visit of the House of Waterford Crystal, you'll meet an artisan and see their fine work.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Blarney Castle visit
- Waterford city exploration including Reginald's Tower and city walls
- Guided tour of House of Waterford Crystal with artisan meeting
Optional Activities
- Waterford Walking Tour - insightful walking tour with knowledgeable historian of Ireland's oldest city, learn about history from Vikings through British rule, visit key sights and finish with drink in a typical pub (EUR 24.00)
Landmarks/POIs Blarney Castle Blarney Stone Reginald's Tower House of Waterford Crystal - Day 15
Waterford to Cardiff
Take the ferry from Rosslare across the Irish Sea to Pembroke and continue through the rural scenery of Pembrokeshire. Travel past the valleys of southern Wales to Cardiff, the capital, known for its imposing castle and the Principality Stadium. Enjoy an orientation of this port city on the River Taff.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ferry crossing from Rosslare to Pembroke
- Cardiff city orientation
Optional Activities
- Cardiff Castle Tour - insider look at castle started by Romans 2,000 years ago, walk on battlements and climb 1,000-year-old Norman keep for superb views over Cardiff (GBP 21.00)
- Welsh Evening - lively celebration of Welsh food and culture with three-course traditional locally-sourced meal and entertainment by Welsh stories, music and singers (GBP 55.00)
Landmarks/POIs Rosslare Harbour Cardiff Castle Principality Stadium River Taff - Day 16
Cardiff to Torquay
Cross the Severn Bridge to reach Bath, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk through the Georgian streets and crescents with your Travel Director. Visit the Roman Baths, Britain's only thermal mineral springs. Continue to mystical Glastonbury and then travel south to the seaside town of Torquay.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Bath city orientation including Georgian streets and crescents
- Roman Baths visit - personal exploration of site including Sacred Spring, Great Bath, temple remains and museum displays
Landmarks/POIs Severn Bridge Royal Crescent Pulteney Bridge Bath Abbey Roman Baths Glastonbury - Day 17
Torquay
Explore Dartmoor with Insight Choice. Either join a scenic exploration of Dartmoor National Park with a local expert to learn about stone circles and indigenous traditions, or take a relaxing cruise of Plymouth harbour to see the Mayflower Steps, Barbican, Royal Citadel, and Plymouth Hoe. At dinner this evening, enjoy a fine selection of local dishes.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Fine selection of local dishes with wine)
Included Activities
- Choose between: Dartmoor National Park scenic exploration with Local Expert learning about history of stone circles and indigenous traditions, OR Plymouth harbour cruise viewing Mayflower Steps, Barbican, Royal Citadel and Plymouth Hoe
Landmarks/POIs Dartmoor National Park Plymouth Harbour Mayflower Steps Barbican Royal Citadel Plymouth Hoe - Day 18
Torquay to London
Start the day by crossing the Salisbury Plain and stop to visit Stonehenge, the world's most famous prehistoric monument whose true meaning remains lost in time. Your escorted journey draws to a close when you return to the hotel in London.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Stonehenge visit - walk around the megaliths
Landmarks/POIs Salisbury Plain Stonehenge
