Itinerary
- Day 1
London
You'll arrive in London with the afternoon and evening stretching ahead. Stop by one of the Royal Parks to walk around and catch your breath after traveling, or wander through the streets to get a feel for the city. London mixes centuries-old buildings with contemporary neighborhoods, so there's plenty to discover just by walking.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Park Plaza Riverbank)
Optional Activities
- Stroll through Royal Parks
- Explore London's elegant streets and facades
- Day 2
York - Harrogate
Meet your Travel Director and head to Stratford-upon-Avon to see Shakespeare's Birthplace and learn about his life there. From there, drive north to York for a walking tour past the medieval Shambles, the ancient city walls, and York Minster cathedral. Later, you'll travel to Harrogate for dinner in this Victorian spa town.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Crowne Plaza)
Included Activities
- Visit Shakespeare's Birthplace and Visitor Center
- Orientation walk in York viewing the Shambles, city walls and York Minster
- Dinner in Harrogate
Landmarks Shakespeare's Birthplace York Minster Shambles, York - Day 3
Gretna Green - Glasgow
Head through Yorkshire Dales National Park into the Lake District, passing Lake Windermere along the way. Cross into Scotland and stop at Gretna Green to see the Marriage Anvil famous for runaway weddings. Drive through the Southern Uplands to Glasgow, where you'll get oriented past Glasgow Cathedral and George Square. Optional activities include a Scottish evening, a private lake cruise, or a steam train and lake combination.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel)
Included Activities
- Drive through Yorkshire Dales National Park
- View Lake Windermere
- Visit Gretna Green and the Marriage Anvil
- Orientation in Glasgow viewing Glasgow Cathedral and George Square
Optional Activities
- A Stirling Evening - See Stirling Castle and Wallace Memorial at night with Scottish dinner and entertainment (£44.00)
- Private Cruise on Lake Windermere - Exclusive boat cruise viewing northern coastline, houses, gardens and Wray Castle (£18.00)
- Windermere Cruise and Steam Train Ride - Steam train journey from Haverthwaite to Lakeside then lake cruise (£22.00)
- Dinner and Scottish entertainment in Glasgow
Landmarks Lake Windermere Gretna Green Glasgow Cathedral George Square, Glasgow 
- Day 4
Edinburgh - Glasgow
Travel from Glasgow to Edinburgh with a local guide who'll show you the medieval and Georgian architecture throughout the city. You'll see the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Scottish Parliament, and walk the Royal Mile. Edinburgh Castle sits on Castle Rock with views across the city that you'll want to take time for. Wander through the secret lanes before returning to Glasgow for dinner at Mharsanta restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Locally-sourced meal at Mharsanta restaurant)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel)
Included Activities
- Sightseeing tour of Edinburgh with Local Specialist viewing New Town Georgian architecture, Palace of Holyroodhouse, Scottish Parliament and Royal Mile
- Included visit to Edinburgh Castle
- Explore secret lanes of Auld Reekie
- Locally-sourced dinner at Mharsanta restaurant in Glasgow (MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience)
Optional Activities
- Royal Yacht Britannia - Explore the magnificent ship berthed in Leith, former honeymoon sanctuary for royal couples (£23.00)
Landmarks Palace of Holyroodhouse Scottish Parliament Royal Mile, Edinburgh Edinburgh Castle Scott Memorial 
- Day 5
Belfast - Dublin
Follow the rugged Ayrshire coast, passing the island of Ailsa Craig. Board a ferry to Northern Ireland and explore Belfast with a local guide, seeing City Hall and the Titanic dock where the ship was built. By evening you'll arrive in Dublin for a two-night stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Clayton Ballsbridge, The Address Connolly)
Included Activities
- Travel along Ayrshire coast
- Ferry crossing to Northern Ireland
- Guided exploration of Belfast with Local Specialist viewing City Hall and Titanic dock
Optional Activities
- Dinner in Dublin City - Dinner at a locally-loved restaurant-pub with charming hospitality (€49.00)
Landmarks Ailsa Craig City Hall, Belfast Titanic Belfast - Day 6
Dublin
Walk Dublin's Georgian streets with a local specialist, checking out elegant squares, Trinity College, and St. Patrick's Cathedral. Spend time in Temple Bar or walk down Grafton Street where street performers line the way. Head to the Guinness Storehouse to learn how the stout is made, then grab a drink in the Gravity Bar with panoramic views of the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Clayton Ballsbridge, The Address Connolly)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Dublin with Local Specialist viewing Georgian Squares, Trinity College and St. Patrick's Cathedral
- Explore Temple Bar or Grafton Street
- Visit Guinness Storehouse and learn the 250-year-old story of Guinness
- Taste Guinness in the Gravity Bar with panoramic Dublin views
Optional Activities
- Dublin Dinner and Irish Show - Fine food and entertainment with comedy, song and dance, includes Irish coffee (€72.00)
- Experience the Ancient Monastic Site of Glendalough - Visit 6th-century monastic site with Local Specialist (€25.00)
Landmarks Trinity College St. Patrick's Cathedral Guinness Storehouse Temple Bar Grafton Street - Day 7
Kildare - Waterford
Learn about thoroughbred horses at the Irish National Stud, which opened in 1946. You'll take a guided farm walk and stroll through its Japanese Gardens, considered among the best in Europe. Later, see the medieval castle at Kilkenny with free time for lunch. Finish the day with a tour of the Waterford Crystal workshop and showroom to see the craft up close.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Waterford Marina, Fitzwilton)
Included Activities
- Guided walk through Irish National Stud Farm viewing thoroughbreds
- Stroll through Japanese Gardens regarded as the best in Europe
- Visit medieval castle at Kilkenny
- Tour of Waterford Crystal workshop and showroom viewing master crafters at work
Optional Activities
- Irish Folk Fun - Entertainment experience with local musicians and singers (€29.00)
- Explore Waterford's History and Local Pub - Guided historic tour with Local Specialist followed by visit to historic pub (€24.00)
Landmarks Irish National Stud Farm Japanese Gardens Kilkenny Castle House of Waterford Crystal - Day 8
Cardiff - Welsh Countryside
Cross the Irish Sea early by ferry to Wales and continue to Cardiff. You'll see the Wales Millennium Center, the National Assembly building, and Cardiff Castle. In the evening, the Norris family welcomes you at Glyndwr Vineyard for dinner and conversation. You'll learn about sustainable farming, meet the animals they keep, enjoy a homemade meal, and experience Welsh hospitality firsthand.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Homemade meal at Glyndwr Vineyard with the Norris family)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Park Inn by Radisson City Center)
Included Activities
- Ferry crossing across Irish Sea to Wales
- View Wales Millennium Center, National Assembly and Cardiff Castle in Cardiff
- Be My Guest Experience at Glyndwr Vineyard - Meet the Norris family, learn sustainable farming practices, see resident animals, enjoy homemade meal and Welsh hospitality
Optional Activities
- Cardiff Castle Tour - Private tour exploring castle refurbishments, Islamic art influences, walk on battlements and climb 900-year-old Norman keep for views (£21.00)
Landmarks Wales Millennium Center National Assembly for Wales Cardiff Castle - Day 9
Bath - Stonehenge - London
Cross back into England over the Severn Estuary and head to Bath. Walk past the elegant Georgian buildings and explore the Roman Baths, an ancient bathing complex fed by natural hot springs. Later, travel across Wiltshire's countryside to visit Stonehenge, the mysterious stone circle that's stood for roughly 5,000 years. Then drive back to London.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Park Plaza Riverbank)
Included Activities
- Visit UNESCO-listed Bath with elegant Georgian facades
- Explore the world-famous Roman Baths - bimillennial bathing and temple complex fed by natural hot springs
- Visit the mysterious megalithic stone circle of Stonehenge
Landmarks Roman Baths, Bath Stonehenge - Day 10
London
Your tour ends today. Say goodbye to the people you've traveled with and head home with memories from your journey through the United Kingdom and Ireland.
