Itinerary
- Day 1
London
You'll arrive in London and check into your hotel, then have the rest of the day to explore on your own. There's plenty to see, whether you head to one of the museums to learn about British history or make your way to Buckingham Palace to catch a glimpse of royal life. The pace is completely up to you.
Optional Activities
- Explore British museums
- Visit Buckingham Palace
Landmarks/POIs Buckingham Palace - Day 2
London
Today is yours to wander through London at your leisure. Walk through the tree-lined streets and take in the great monuments, museums, and historic landmarks scattered throughout the city. If you're into history, architecture, or culture, there's plenty here to keep you busy and exploring all day long.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore London's museums
- Visit historic landmarks and monuments
- Day 3
London to Cardiff
You'll meet your Travel Director and the rest of the group this morning before heading out of London. You'll drive through the English countryside toward Windsor and Bath, where the elegant honey-colored Georgian architecture really stands out. From there, you'll cross into Wales over the Severn Estuary and arrive in Cardiff by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Travel through English countryside to Windsor
- Visit Bath and view Georgian architecture
Landmarks/POIs Bath Severn Estuary - Day 4
Cardiff to Waterford
This morning there's an optional visit to Cardiff Castle, a medieval fortress with quite a bit of colorful history. After that, you'll head through ancient ruins and countryside, passing through Carmarthen, the oldest town in Wales, on the way to Pembroke. You'll see the 11th-century Pembroke Castle where King Henry VII was born, then take a ferry across the Irish Sea to Ireland.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Pembroke Castle
Optional Activities
- Optional Experience to Cardiff Castle
Landmarks/POIs Cardiff Castle Carmarthen Pembroke Castle - Day 5
Waterford to Tralee
Start at the Waterford Crystal Showroom to see the fine crystal the region is known for. Then head to Blarney Castle to kiss the famous Blarney Stone if you're up for it. You'll pass through scenic countryside with views of the Cork and Kerry Mountains on your way to Killarney, where there's an optional jaunting car ride available. Later you'll reach Tralee before the day ends.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Waterford Crystal Showroom
- Kiss the Blarney Stone at Blarney Castle
Optional Activities
- Jaunting Car ride in Killarney
Landmarks/POIs Waterford Crystal Showroom Blarney Castle Killarney - Day 6
Tralee to Shannon
You'll drive through the wild landscapes of the Dingle Peninsula, seeing stone monuments, deserted beaches, and green pastures. Travel through small villages and colorful fishing harbors to Ireland's most westerly point. After that, head to Adare, a really charming village, and continue on to Limerick to see St. Mary's Cathedral and King John's Castle before arriving in Shannon for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner in hotel)
Included Activities
- Drive through Dingle Peninsula
- Visit Adare village
- View King John's Castle
- See St. Mary's Cathedral in Limerick
Landmarks/POIs Dingle Peninsula Adare King John's Castle St. Mary's Cathedral - Day 7
Shannon to Dublin
There's an optional visit to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park this morning where you can explore what Irish life was like in the 19th century. You'll then drive through County Clare's wild landscapes to reach Galway. Before heading to Dublin, you'll see Galway Cathedral. An optional Irish show and dinner are available this evening once you arrive.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- See Galway Cathedral
Optional Activities
- Optional Experience to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park
- Optional dinner and Irish show in Dublin
Landmarks/POIs Bunratty Castle Galway Cathedral - Day 8
Dublin
A local guide will share their knowledge of Dublin, a capital city with a surprisingly intimate feel. You'll see Trinity College, St. Patrick's Cathedral, and Dublin Castle, a 13th-century Norman fortress that's now a museum. The afternoon is free for you to explore on your own or join an optional trip to Glendalough, an important monastic site in the Garden of Ireland.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour seeing Trinity College, St. Patrick's Cathedral, and Dublin Castle
Optional Activities
- Optional visit to Glendalough monastic site in the Garden of Ireland
Landmarks/POIs Trinity College St. Patrick's Cathedral Dublin Castle Glendalough - Day 9
Dublin to Haydock
You'll cross the Irish Sea headed for Holyhead on the Welsh island of Anglesey. There you'll see the famous train station with one of the longest names in the world. From there, travel along the north coast of Wales to Liverpool, the birthplace of The Beatles, then continue on to Haydock in St. Helens.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- View Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch train station
- Visit Liverpool, Beatles' hometown
Landmarks/POIs Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch Liverpool - Day 10
Haydock to Gretna Green
An optional exclusive cruise on Lake Windermere lets you see the Lake District landscapes that inspired William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter. You'll see the northern coastline, deserted islands, and Wray Castle. Later you'll cross into Scotland and stop at Gretna Green to learn about the eloping couples who were married over the famous anvil. An optional traditional dinner is available this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Lake District
Optional Activities
- Exclusive optional cruise on Lake Windermere
- Optional traditional dinner at local restaurant in Gretna Green
Landmarks/POIs Lake Windermere Wray Castle Gretna Green - Day 11
Gretna Green to Edinburgh
Your local guide will take you past the Palace of Holyroodhouse and Edinburgh Castle, showing you Edinburgh's character and history. You'll walk the medieval Royal Mile and see the New Town's grand Georgian boulevards. The rest of the day is yours to explore, with optional visits to Rosslyn Chapel or Edinburgh Castle. If timing works, you might catch The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on certain departures, or join an optional evening with fine dining and Highland dancing.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour past Palace of Holyroodhouse and Edinburgh Castle
- Explore medieval Royal Mile
- See Georgian New Town
Optional Activities
- Optional visit to Rosslyn Chapel
- Optional visit to Edinburgh Castle
- Optional evening with food, wine, and Highland dancing
- The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo (included on certain departures)
Landmarks/POIs Palace of Holyroodhouse Edinburgh Castle Royal Mile New Town Rosslyn Chapel - Day 12
Edinburgh to Bradford
You'll head south through the Debatable Lands to see the 12th-century ruins of Jedburgh Abbey. The Cheviot Hills come into view at Carter Bar, marking the Anglo-Scottish border. Continue into Northumberland National Park to see Hadrian's Wall, a major Roman archaeological site. Stop in York for an orientation tour showing off the city's medieval character and Gothic Minster, then walk the narrow cobbled Shambles. After dinner, you'll head to Bradford.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- View Jedburgh Abbey ruins
- Admire Cheviot Hills at Carter Bar
- View Hadrian's Wall
- Orientation tour of York revealing medieval heritage and Gothic Minster
- Wander York's Shambles
Landmarks/POIs Jedburgh Abbey Carter Bar Hadrian's Wall York Minster Shambles - Day 13
Bradford to Stratford-upon-Avon
You'll travel to Stratford-upon-Avon, where the town still looks much like it did in Shakespeare's time. Explore this historic market town at your own pace where England's famous playwright was born and buried. There's time for an optional visit to nearby Warwick Castle if you want to see the firing of a trebuchet, one of the greatest medieval siege weapons.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Stratford-upon-Avon at own pace
- Optional visit to Warwick Castle and trebuchet demonstration
Landmarks/POIs Warwick Castle - Day 14
Stratford-upon-Avon to London
You'll travel through the Cotswolds, a region of small thatched villages and rolling green hills. Stop at Bladon where Sir Winston Churchill is buried in the churchyard at St. Martin's Church. Continue to Oxford, England's oldest university city, to see several landmark buildings. Then head back to London to say goodbye to your Travel Director and the friends you've made on this trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic drive through the Cotswolds
- Visit Bladon and view Sir Winston Churchill's grave at St. Martin's Church
- Visit Oxford and see iconic university landmarks
Landmarks/POIs Cotswolds St. Martin's Church, Bladon Bodleian Library - Day 15
London
Your adventure across Britain and Ireland has come to an end. You'll say goodbye to your new friends as you prepare for your return journey home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
