Itinerary
- Day 1
Dublin
You'll arrive in Dublin and check into your hotel on the River Liffey for the next two nights. The city's Georgian architecture, grand squares and historic monuments are right there waiting for you to explore at your own pace after settling in.
Landmarks/POIs River Liffey - Day 2
Dublin
A guided walking tour takes you through Dublin's key sites, including Dublin Castle, The Mansion House, and the Old Post Office. After that you'll choose your own adventure: head to the Guinness Storehouse to learn about the famous brew or visit Kilmainham Gaol to dig into the city's history.
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Dublin seeing The Mansion House, Dublin Castle, Old Post Office, Fitzwilliam Square, St. Stephen's Green Park, Molly Malone statue, Old Parliament House and City Hall
Optional Activities
- Guinness Storehouse visit with guided tour, pint-pulling lesson and tasting from 7th floor
- Tour of Kilmainham Gaol with local guide covering nearly 200-year history and Irish independence stories
Landmarks/POIs The Mansion House Dublin Castle Old Post Office Fitzwilliam Square St. Stephen's Green Park Molly Malone statue Old Parliament House City Hall Guinness Storehouse Kilmainham Gaol - Day 3
Dublin to Killarney
You'll drive to Blarney Castle and kiss the Stone of Eloquence, then continue on to Killarney. This charming town sits in a valley surrounded by McGillycuddy Reeks, Ireland's highest mountain range, and you'll have the afternoon and evening to walk around and get a feel for the area.
Included Activities
- Visit to Blarney Castle with Blarney Stone viewing
- Transfer to Killarney
Optional Activities
- Kiss the Blarney Stone for the 'gift of the gab'
Landmarks/POIs Blarney Castle Blarney Stone McGillycuddy Reeks - Day 4
Killarney
Today is all about the Ring of Kerry. You'll drive through some of Ireland's most dramatic scenery where the Iveragh Mountains drop straight into the Atlantic. Along the way you'll see rolling hills, sparkling lakes, old castles and tiny fishing villages scattered through the landscape.
Included Activities
- Ring of Kerry scenic drive covering 100-kilometre route
Landmarks/POIs Ring of Kerry Iveragh Mountains 
- Day 5
Killarney to Galway
The Wild Atlantic Way takes you to the Cliffs of Moher, where 214-metre limestone cliffs stretch for eight kilometres above the ocean. Later you'll head to Galway with its cobbled streets, colourful shopfronts and traditional music scene that brings the city to life in the evenings.
Included Activities
- Visit to Cliffs of Moher
- Transfer to Galway
Landmarks/POIs Cliffs of Moher Wild Atlantic Way 
- Day 6
Galway to Belfast
You'll travel north into Northern Ireland and stop at Clonmacnoise to see the 6th-century monastery with its cathedral remains and early Christian graves. From there it's on to Belfast, which sits on the shores of Belfast Lough, for a two-night stay.
Included Activities
- Visit to Monastery of Clonmacnoise
- Transfer to Belfast
Landmarks/POIs Monastery of Clonmacnoise Belfast Lough Cave Hill - Day 7
Belfast
A guided tour walks you through Belfast's complicated history and troubled past. Afterward you'll visit the Titanic museum to learn about how the ship was designed and built right here, then launched from this historic port.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Belfast covering city history
- Titanic story experience from the ship's launch location
Landmarks/POIs Titanic - Day 8
Belfast to Loch Lomond
You'll cross the Irish Sea by ferry and head into Scotland. The drive takes you to Loch Lomond, Scotland's best-known lake and the largest by surface area in Great Britain. You'll settle into your hotel here for two nights.
Included Activities
- Ferry crossing from Belfast to Scotland
- Transfer to Loch Lomond
Landmarks/POIs Loch Lomond 
- Day 9
Loch Lomond
Stirling Castle is next, one of Scotland's most important castles where Mary Queen of Scots spent her childhood. You'll see the Great Hall, the largest Medieval banqueting hall ever built here, and walk through the ornate Royal Chapel.
Included Activities
- Visit to Stirling Castle with Great Hall and Royal Chapel viewing
Landmarks/POIs Stirling Castle - Day 10
Loch Ness
The Scottish Highlands open up as you travel to Loch Ness, famous for its dramatic landscape and the legend of Nessie. Keep your eyes on the water while you explore this iconic spot. You'll stay here for two nights and have time to settle in and absorb the scenery.
Included Activities
- Transfer to Loch Ness
- Loch Ness viewing for Loch Ness monster observation
Landmarks/POIs Loch Ness 
- Day 11
Loch Ness
You'll visit the Battle of Culloden Visitors Centre first to learn about the 1745 Jacobite rising and what happened during one of Scotland's most brutal battles. Later that day, Cawdor Castle shows you 14th-century life with its moat, drawbridge, turrets and rooms still lived in by the Cawdor family.
Included Activities
- Battle of Culloden Visitors Centre visit covering 1745 Jacobite rising
- Visit to Cawdor Castle
Landmarks/POIs Battle of Culloden Visitors Centre Cawdor Castle - Day 12
Loch Ness to Edinburgh
Leaving the Highlands behind, you'll stop at Scone Palace where Scottish kings were crowned and parliaments met. There's time for morning tea and a falconry display on the grounds. Then you visit a local distillery to see how Scottish whiskey gets made before heading to Edinburgh.
Included Activities
- Visit to Scone Palace
- Falconry display at Scone Palace with morning tea
- Visit to local distillery with Scottish whiskey production tour
- Transfer to Edinburgh
Landmarks/POIs Scone Palace 
- Day 13
Edinburgh
A guided tour walks Edinburgh's cobbled streets and shows you the mix of medieval and classical buildings. Edinburgh Castle sits on volcanic Castle Rock and has been fortified for centuries. You'll also see the Royal Yacht Britannia, Queen Elizabeth II's former royal yacht, then the afternoon is free to wander the Royal Mile and explore the city yourself.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Edinburgh's ancient streets and historic architecture
- Visit to Edinburgh Castle
- Visit to Royal Yacht Britannia
Optional Activities
- Walk along Royal Mile with its stores, cafes, bars and street performers
- Explore other city attractions at leisure
Landmarks/POIs Edinburgh Castle Royal Yacht Britannia Castle Rock Royal Mile - Day 14
Edinburgh to York
You'll head south to Alnwick Castle, a fortress that's stood for over 950 years since the Norman period. The same family has lived here for more than 700 years and the castle has been used for filming Harry Potter and Downton Abbey. After exploring, you'll drive to York and check in for a two-night stay inside the ancient city walls.
Included Activities
- Visit to Alnwick Castle with history overview
- Transfer to York
Landmarks/POIs Alnwick Castle - Day 15
York
A local guide takes you through York's Roman and Viking heritage. You'll walk The Shambles with its narrow medieval streets and half-timbered houses, then visit York Minster, one of the world's most beautiful gothic churches. The layers of history here are remarkable.
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of York covering Roman and Viking heritage
- Visit to The Shambles medieval street
- Visit to York Minster
Landmarks/POIs The Shambles York Minster - Day 16
York to Bath
This morning you'll stop in Stratford-upon-Avon for an orientation tour about William Shakespeare's life and where he's buried. Later you'll arrive in Bath for a two-night stay. This spa town has Roman origins, Georgian architecture and connections to Jane Austen and Charles Dickens.
Included Activities
- Orientation tour of Stratford-upon-Avon with Shakespeare birthplace and burial site viewing
- Transfer to Bath
Landmarks/POIs Shakespeare's Birthplace - Day 17
Bath
A guided walking tour covers Bath's honey-coloured Georgian buildings and the Roman Baths built back in 70AD. This World Heritage-listed city has so much to see. The afternoon is yours to explore more on your own, visit the modern Thermae Bath Spa, or climb Abbey Tower for city views from above.
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Bath covering Georgian architecture and Roman Baths
Optional Activities
- Visit to contemporary Thermae Bath Spa to experience therapeutic waters
- Climb 212 steps to Abbey Tower top for panoramic city and countryside views
- Leisure exploration of the city
Landmarks/POIs Roman Baths Thermae Bath Spa Abbey Tower - Day 18
Bath to London
You'll stop at Stonehenge, the 5,000-year-old World Heritage site with its Stone Circle and neolithic villages nearby. Then you're heading to London for a two-night stay. Big Ben, the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace are all here waiting for you.
Included Activities
- Visit to Stonehenge World Heritage site with Stone Circle and neolithic villages viewing
- Transfer to London
Landmarks/POIs Stonehenge 
- Day 19
London
A local guide takes you to Trafalgar Square and Buckingham Palace, the King's official London residence. You'll also visit the Tower of London, built in 1070 and now home to the Crown Jewels. The afternoon is free for an optional river cruise, art gallery, Westminster Abbey visit or pub dinner.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner in a modern upscale pub near hotel)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of London highlights including Trafalgar Square and Buckingham Palace
- Visit to Tower of London
- Dinner in a modern upscale pub near hotel
Optional Activities
- River Thames cruise
- Visit to city art galleries
- Tour of Westminster Abbey
Landmarks/POIs Trafalgar Square Buckingham Palace Tower of London River Thames Westminster Abbey - Day 20
London to Paris
You'll travel to Paris and transfer to your river cruise vessel. The city is full of the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, world-class museums and iconic public spaces. Your river journey along the Seine is about to begin.
Included Activities
- Transfer to Scenic Space-Ship
Landmarks/POIs Eiffel Tower Arc de Triomphe 
- Day 21
Seine River to Les Andelys
The Seine takes you to Les Andelys, a 900-year-old waterside village with well-preserved Norman-era houses. Château Gaillard, King Richard the Lionheart's castle ruins, overlooks the town from above. You can choose a medieval hike, town tour, cider farm visit, or Renaissance château visit.
Included Activities
- Cruise along the Seine
Optional Activities
- Hike to Château Gaillard with 'Richard the Lionheart' medieval-themed walking tour
- Tour of Les Andelys with Château Gaillard viewing
- Cider farm visit to experience Normandy's artisanal cider production
- Renaissance-era Château Gaillon exploration covering 16th-century architecture and French history
Landmarks/POIs Château Gaillard Château Gaillon - Day 22
Les Andelys to Rouen
Rouen is Normandy's capital with 2,000 years of history as a Viking centre and the place where Joan of Arc was executed. The restored Old Town has museums, bistros and the famous 12th-century Rouen Cathedral. Choose from city tours, Viking history tour, or photography discovery. An evening lecture covers WWI soldier life on the Western Front.
Included Activities
- Cruise to Rouen
Optional Activities
- Rouen city tour covering cathedral district, old marketplace, Saint-Maclou Quarter and Joan of Arc history
- Guided tour of Rouen with Rollo the Viking (authentically dressed guide) covering Viking history and Medieval past
- Photography discovery tour with local photographer using Rouen as artistic landscape
Landmarks/POIs Rouen Cathedral 
- Day 23
Rouen
You have a full day in Rouen with multiple options. There's a Normandy gourmet tour with cheese, cider and calvados tasting, or a Somme Battlefield excursion focusing on WWI memorials. You could combine options to cover more ground and history.
Optional Activities
- Tastes of Normandy tour visiting local producers for soft cheese, cider and calvados tasting
- Excursion to Somme Battlefields including Newfoundland Memorial Park, Australian National Memorial (Sir John Monash Centre), Franco-Australian Museum, Lochnagar Crater
- Excursion to Somme Battlefields including Thiepval with Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, Thiepval Memorial to the Missing, and Lochnagar Crater
Landmarks/POIs Sir John Monash Centre - Day 24
Rouen to Honfleur
Cruising west, you'll reach Honfleur, a colourful port city where Impressionism started. A guided walking tour takes you through the bustling harbour, cobbled streets with half-timbered houses, restaurants and art galleries. Free time follows. An evening lecture covers Operation Fortitude and daily life during D-Day.
Included Activities
- Cruise along the Seine to Honfleur
- Guided walking tour of Honfleur covering Inner Harbour, Church of Sainte-Catherine and Garden of Personalities
Optional Activities
- Leisure time to explore Honfleur harbour and laneways
Landmarks/POIs Church of Sainte-Catherine - Day 25
Honfleur
Your full day in Honfleur can focus on the region's important WWII role. Choose from Normandy Beach excursions with US, UK or Canadian history angles, or a Bayeux tour covering cathedral architecture from the 11th to 14th centuries. Tours include lunch at local restaurants and various memorial and cemetery visits.
Optional Activities
- Normandy Beaches excursion (US history): Utah Beach memorial, Sainte-Mère-Église, Normandy American Cemetery and Visitor Centre, Omaha Beach Memorial with lunch
- Normandy Beaches excursion (UK history): Bayeux War Cemetery, Museum of the Battle of Normandy, Landing Museum at Arromanches, British Normandy Memorial, Pegasus Bridge & Museum, Ranville War Cemetery with lunch
- Normandy Beaches excursion (Canadian history): Abbey d'Ardenne memorial, Juno Beach Centre, Bény-sur-Mer Canadian Cemetery, Pegasus Bridge & Museum with lunch
- Bayeux tour covering Notre Dame Cathedral (11th-14th century Norman Romanesque and Gothic architecture) with free time
Landmarks/POIs Utah Beach Omaha Beach Juno Beach Bayeux Notre Dame Cathedral of Bayeux - Day 26
Seine to Caudebec-en-Caux
Early morning cruise inland brings you to Caudebec-en-Caux, a Medieval riverside town with handsome homes and stately gardens. Options include an e-bike tour to Villequier with the Victor Hugo Museum, Fécamp and Bénédictine Palace, a French Resistance walking tour, or a spiritual Abbey Road tour.
Included Activities
- Cruise along the Seine
Optional Activities
- E-bike tour along eight-kilometre flat route to Villequier to visit Victor Hugo Museum
- Coach transfer to Fécamp for guided Bénédictine Palace tour with 19th-century architecture and liquor tasting
- French Resistance walking tour covering WWII stories of heroism and resistance during Nazi occupation
- Normandy Abbey Road tour exploring grand abbeys on the Seine banks with local guide
Landmarks/POIs Notre Dame Caudebec-en-Caux Villequier Victor Hugo Museum Fécamp Bénédictine Palace - Day 27
Vernon to La Roche-Guyon
At Vernon you'll visit Giverny, where Impressionist founder Claude Monet lived. Choose Monet's House and Garden with its Japanese water lily gardens, or a self-guided bike tour. There's an optional painting class on board. Evening brings an exclusive visit to Château de La Roche-Guyon with a classical concert.
Included Activities
- Cruise to Vernon
- Exclusive visit to Château de La Roche-Guyon with 16th-century architecture, manicured gardens, drink and classical music concert
- Cruise to La Roche-Guyon
Optional Activities
- Monet's House and Garden tour with Japanese water lily gardens and artist home visit
- Self-guided bike tour from Vernon to Giverny (approximately five kilometres each way)
- On-board painting class
Landmarks/POIs Monet's House and Garden Giverny Château de La Roche-Guyon 
- Day 28
La Roche-Guyon to Conflans-Saint-Honorine
You'll wake in Conflans-Saint-Honorine, a Medieval town at the Seine-Oise junction with a 9th-century castle. Explore quiet streets and riverside cafés. Options include Auvers-Sur-Oise for Van Gogh sites, Château de Chantilly with fine collections, the water transport museum, or Château de Malmaison where Napoleon and Josephine lived. Later you cruise back to Paris.
Included Activities
- Cruise to Conflans-Saint-Honorine
- Leisure time to explore historic town
Optional Activities
- Auvers-Sur-Oise tour including Van Gogh's final masterpiece locations and attic room visit with free time
- Château de Chantilly guided tour with fine art collections, gardens and free time (note: closed Tuesdays, replaced with Versailles Palace tour)
- Musée de la Batellerie (Inland Water Transport Museum) active tour
- Château de Malmaison tour covering Napoleon and Josephine's historic residence with neoclassical architecture and Napoleonic era museum
Landmarks/POIs Auvers-Sur-Oise Notre Dame de l'Assomption Château de Chantilly Versailles Palace Château de Malmaison - Day 29
Paris
Back in Paris for a full day of exploration. If this is your first time, you can tackle bucket-list sights like the Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame. Returning visitors might explore trendy Marais or the Opera Garnier instead. Choose guided tours or Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, then the afternoon is free to wander at your own pace.
Optional Activities
- Trendy Marais walking tour with Parisian guide covering culture, history, architecture and fashion
- Highlights of Paris city tour covering Eiffel Tower, Champs-Élysée, Arc de Triomphe, Concorde Square and Notre-Dame Cathedral
- Opera Garnier tour with ornately decorated rooms, grand staircases and chandeliers from 19th-century construction
- Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte tour (one-hour drive from Paris) covering French formal gardens and inspiration for Versailles
Landmarks/POIs Marais District Opera Garnier Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte Champs-Élysée Moulin Rouge Montmartre - Day 30
Paris Departure
After breakfast you'll disembark and transfer to Paris airport or train station for your onward journey. The tour concludes here.
Included Activities
- Transfer to Paris airport or train station
