Itinerary
- Day 1
London
You'll arrive at your London hotel and check in with help from the staff who can get you oriented. Spend the afternoon however you'd like, whether that's resting after your journey or starting to explore the city on your own. London's got plenty to see whenever you're ready to venture out.
- Day 2
London
This day is yours to structure. If you want structure, there's an optional morning tour covering Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Piccadilly Circus, Buckingham Palace, and St. Paul's Cathedral. Afternoon brings choices too, either Windsor Castle or the Tower of London. Later you could do a traditional dinner and join a guided Thames River cruise at night to see the city lit up.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Morning sightseeing tour with Local Guide to see Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, River Thames, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall's mounted horseguards, Downing Street, Piccadilly Circus, Buckingham Palace, and St. Paul's Cathedral
- Afternoon visit to Windsor Castle
- Afternoon visit to Tower of London with Crown Jewels
- Traditional dinner and guided nighttime cruise along Thames River
Landmarks/POIs Houses of Parliament Big Ben River Thames Westminster Abbey Whitehall Downing Street Piccadilly Circus Buckingham Palace St. Paul's Cathedral Windsor Castle Tower of London - Day 3
London to Leeds
Head out at 8 am for a 249-mile drive (400 km) through English history. Walk around Oxford, one of Britain's oldest university towns, then drive to Stratford-upon-Avon where you'll photograph Anne Hathaway's Cottage and wander the town. You'll overnight in Leeds after a full day of travel and sightseeing.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Oxford
- Visit to Stratford-upon-Avon and Anne Hathaway's Cottage
Landmarks/POIs Oxford Stratford-upon-Avon Anne Hathaway's Cottage - Day 4
Leeds to Newcastle
Travel north to York, England's best-preserved medieval city, and see York Minster cathedral followed by a walking tour through the narrow Shambles and surrounding streets. After that, it's 108 miles (174 km) north to Newcastle, a modern city built on its wool trade and coal mining heritage. You'll stay there overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to York Minster
- Walking tour through York's medieval streets and the Shambles
Landmarks/POIs York Minster The Shambles, York - Day 5
Newcastle to Edinburgh
See part of Hadrian's Wall, then drive through wild Northumberland National Park toward Scotland, stopping at Jedburgh for photos. In Edinburgh, you'll get a guided tour of the 200-year-old New Town and Edinburgh Castle where Scotland's Crown Jewels are kept. An optional Scottish evening has traditional food, drinks, bagpipes, and more. Total drive is 117 miles (188 km).
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Hadrian's Wall section
- Guided sightseeing of Edinburgh's New Town
- Visit to Edinburgh Castle and Scotland's Crown Jewels
Optional Activities
- Authentic Scottish evening with traditional food, drinks, bagpipes, and Ceremony of the Haggis
- The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo performance (included for specific departure dates)
Landmarks/POIs Hadrian's Wall Northumberland National Park Jedburgh Edinburgh Castle - Day 6
Edinburgh
You choose how to spend this day. Visit the mysterious 15th-century Rosslyn Chapel with its cryptic symbols, or tour the Royal Yacht Britannia followed by dinner with wine at a local restaurant. Both options let you explore different sides of Edinburgh and Scottish culture.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Rosslyn Chapel visit with exploration of 15th-century cryptic symbols and mysteries
- Royal Yacht Britannia visit and dinner with wine at local restaurant - Price Range: $$ ($51-$100 USD)
Landmarks/POIs Rosslyn Chapel Royal Yacht Britannia - Day 7
Edinburgh to Strathpeffer
Cross the Forth Road Bridge to St. Andrews, home of golf's Royal and Ancient club, then continue through Dundee and Perth into the Highlands. Stop at Pitlochry, a Victorian mountain resort, and pass Culloden Moor before reaching your Highland destination near Inverness. The drive covers 221 miles (355 km) through some beautiful countryside.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to St. Andrews and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club
- Visit to Pitlochry Victorian mountain resort
- Pass through Culloden Moor battlefield
Landmarks/POIs Forth Road Bridge St. Andrews Royal and Ancient Golf Club Firth of Tay Dundee Perth Pitlochry Culloden Moor Inverness - Day 8
Strathpeffer to Ullapool
See more of the Highlands including Dornoch Firth, the Kyle of Sutherland, Falls of Shin, the Mountains of Assynt, and Knockan Crag. Head to Ullapool, a remote fishing harbor on Loch Broom. Later, there's an optional visit to the Loch Ness Centre and cruise to search for Nessie, with supper included. Drive is 123 miles (198 km).
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Dornoch Firth
- Visit to Kyle of Sutherland
- Visit to Falls of Shin
- Visit to Mountains of Assynt
- Visit to Knockan Crag
- Visit to Ullapool fishing harbor on Loch Broom
Optional Activities
- Loch Ness Experience and Supper: Visit Loch Ness Centre and cruise on the loch to hunt for Nessie - Price Range: $$ ($51-$100 USD)
Landmarks/POIs Dornoch Firth Kyle of Sutherland Falls of Shin Mountains of Assynt Knockan Crag Strath Oykel Ullapool Loch Broom Loch Glascarnoch Loch Ness - Day 9
Ullapool to Glasgow
Drive through the western Highlands to Fort William beneath Ben Nevis, passing through Glen Coe with its dramatic 1692 MacDonald Clan history. Travel down the scenic Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond before arriving in Glasgow, Scotland's cultural heart. This 183-mile drive (295 km) takes you through some of the country's most iconic landscapes.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Drive through western Highlands to Fort William
- Visit to Glen Coe
- Drive along Loch Lomond
Landmarks/POIs Fort William Ben Nevis Glen Coe Loch Lomond - Day 10
Glasgow to Belfast
Start with a driving tour through Glasgow seeing the 12th-century cathedral, university buildings, and Georgian squares built by tobacco merchants. Stop at Alloway, Robert Burns' birthplace, then take the ferry across the Irish Sea to Belfast. The drive portion is 100 miles (160 km).
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Orientation drive through Glasgow
- Visit to Glasgow Cathedral
- Visit to Glasgow University
- Stop at Alloway, Robert Burns' birthplace
- Ferry crossing to Belfast
Landmarks/POIs Glasgow Cathedral University of Glasgow Alloway Cairnryan - Day 11
Belfast to Sligo
Travel along the scenic Antrim Coast to the Giant's Causeway with its dramatic basalt columns. Head inland toward the walled city of Derry while learning about the region's history, then continue south to Sligo for the night. The day covers 203 miles (327 km).
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Giant's Causeway
- Visit to Derry walled city
Landmarks/POIs Antrim Coast Giant's Causeway Derry - Day 12
Sligo to Ennis
Drive south to Galway, a seaside town known for its shops and café culture. Cross the limestone plateau of The Burren to reach the Cliffs of Moher, rising 668 feet with great views. An optional medieval banquet at a castle features a 4-course meal with wine and entertainment including music and storytelling. Drive is 181 miles (291 km).
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Galway seaside town
- Cross The Burren limestone plateau
- Visit to Cliffs of Moher
Optional Activities
- Medieval Castle Banquet: 4-course feast with wine at an original Irish medieval castle with music and storytelling
Landmarks/POIs Galway The Burren Cliffs of Moher - Day 13
Ennis to Killarney
Head south through Adare and Tralee into County Kerry. This afternoon you'll do the spectacular Slea Head drive on the Dingle Peninsula, a 32-mile route with views of the Atlantic Ocean. Arrive in Killarney for two nights. The drive totals 171 miles (275 km).
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Adare
- Visit to Tralee
- Dingle Peninsula drive with Slea Head (32 miles)
Landmarks/POIs Adare Tralee County Kerry Dingle Peninsula Slea Head - Day 14
Killarney
At Killorglin you join the Ring of Kerry, a 100-mile coastal scenic drive showing seascapes, mountains with colorful farmhouses, winding lanes, and views of the Lakes of Killarney. There's an optional horse-drawn jaunting car ride through Killarney National Park to Ross Castle on Lough Leane's shore.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ring of Kerry scenic drive (100 miles)
Optional Activities
- Horse-drawn jaunting car ride through Killarney National Park to Ross Castle on Lough Leane - Price Range: $ ($50 USD and under)
Landmarks/POIs Killorglin Ring of Kerry Lakes of Killarney Killarney National Park Ross Castle Lough Leane - Day 15
Killarney to Tramore
Head into County Cork and stop at Blarney to see the famous Stone of Eloquence and browse for Irish crafts and crystal. After lunch, pass Cork, Ireland's second-largest city, then travel along the scenic Copper Coast to Tramore. An optional evening at a pub offers traditional live music and two drinks. Drive is 131 miles (211 km).
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Blarney village and Stone of Eloquence
- Pass through Cork city
Optional Activities
- Pub Evening in Tramore: Scenic drive to a traditional pub with local live musician entertainment and two drinks of your choice included - Price Range: $ ($50 USD and under)
Landmarks/POIs Blarney Blarney Castle Cork Dungarvan Copper Coast Tramore - Day 16
Tramore to Wrexham
On your way north, stop in Waterford, famous for its crystal, and Kilkenny, one of Ireland's prettiest towns with medieval cobblestone streets. An optional dinner show at Taylors Irish Cabaret includes drinks, music, dance, and comedy. The drive is 128 miles (205 km).
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Waterford and crystal
- Visit to Kilkenny with medieval streets
Optional Activities
- Taylors Irish Cabaret: Delicious dinner, drinks, and Irish music, dance, and comedy - Price Range: $$$ ($101-$150 USD)
Landmarks/POIs Waterford Kilkenny - Day 17
Wrexham to Dublin
Start with a driving tour through Dublin taking in O'Connell Street with its statues, elegant Georgian squares, and St. Patrick's Cathedral. The rest of your day is free. Later, there's an optional visit to the Guinness Storehouse to learn about brewing, taste the beer, and have dinner included.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Orientation drive through Dublin
- Drive past O'Connell Street
- Drive past Georgian squares
- Drive past St. Patrick's Cathedral
Optional Activities
- Guinness Storehouse visit: Learn about history, traditions, and brewing techniques with tasting and dinner
Landmarks/POIs O'Connell Street St. Patrick's Cathedral Guinness Storehouse - Day 18
Dublin to Liverpool
Take the ferry across the Irish Sea to Holyhead on Wales' Isle of Anglesey, known for difficult place names. Explore North Wales on your way to Caernarfon where the castle hosted Charles' investiture as Prince of Wales, then arrive in Liverpool. Drive is 130 miles (209 km).
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ferry crossing to Holyhead
- Explore North Wales
- Visit to Caernarfon Castle
Landmarks/POIs Holyhead Anglesey Caernarfon Castle Liverpool - Day 19
Liverpool to Cardiff
Head south through Builth Wells and Brecon Beacons National Park, known for salmon rivers and Welsh mountain ponies. In Cardiff, an orientation drive shows Cathays Park's civic buildings and Cardiff Castle. An optional dinner features local specialties with wine and folkloric entertainment. Drive is 184 miles (296 km).
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Builth Wells
- Drive through Brecon Beacons National Park
- Orientation drive through Cardiff
- View of Cathays Park and Cardiff Castle
Optional Activities
- Welsh Evening in Cardiff: Dinner of local specialties, wine, and folkloric entertainment - Price Range: $$ ($51-$100 USD)
Landmarks/POIs Builth Wells Brecon Beacons National Park Cathays Park Cardiff Castle - Day 20
Cardiff to Plymouth
Cross the Severn Bridge into Bath, famed for its Roman relics and Georgian architecture. Continue through Glastonbury with its King Arthur legends, then across wild Dartmoor to the village of Widecombe-in-the-Moor. In Plymouth, learn about Sir Francis Drake and see the Mayflower Steps. Drive is 198 miles (319 km).
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Bath and Roman relics
- Visit to Glastonbury
- Drive through Dartmoor
- Visit to Widecombe-in-the-Moor
- View of Mayflower Steps in Plymouth
Landmarks/POIs Severn Bridge Bath Glastonbury Dartmoor Widecombe-in-the-Moor Plymouth Mayflower Steps - Day 21
Plymouth
Travel to Looe, a pretty fishing village that was once a smuggler's port. There's an optional narrated cruise on Plymouth Sound, one of the world's great natural harbors, following in the footsteps of Drake, Raleigh, and the Pilgrim Fathers. Today's drive is short, just 45 miles (65 km).
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Looe fishing village
Optional Activities
- Harbor Cruise on Plymouth Sound: Narrated cruise following the footsteps of Sir Francis Drake, Sir Walter Raleigh, and the Pilgrim Fathers - Price Range: $ ($50 USD and under)
Landmarks/POIs Looe Plymouth Sound - Day 22
Plymouth to London
Head to prehistoric Stonehenge, exploring the visitor center with its exhibits before viewing the monument up close. After that, drive back to London in the early evening, covering 215 miles (346 km). An optional evening in London's theater district offers dinner followed by tickets to a show of your choice.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Stonehenge
- Explore Stonehenge visitor center
Optional Activities
- London Theater Evening: Escorted evening with delicious dinner and excellent theater seats
Landmarks/POIs Stonehenge - Day 23
London
You'll finish with breakfast before heading home, the tour complete.
- Meals
- Breakfast
