14 Day British & Irish Grandeur Tour Itinerary
Day 1 : London Arrival & Tour
Start your trip at
Heathrow Airport with an independent transfer to your hotel. At 2:30 pm take a
panoramic tour of central London to see famous landmarks including Piccadilly
Circus, Nelson's Column and lions of Trafalgar Square, Big Ben towering over the
Houses of Parliament and Hyde Park. In the evening meet your tour director for a
welcome drink before dinner in your hotel. (D)
Day 2 : Tower of London & City Sights
Today you
may schedule your London sightseeing when you take an open-top bus tour around
the many famous landmarks. There are a number of different bus routes as well as
a walking tour and a cruise on the River Thames. Visit the Tower of London to
view the magnificent Crown Jewels, guarded by Beefeaters in distinctive Tudor
uniforms. You are free to choose a restaurant to dine independently. (B)
Day 3 : Cambridge & York Walking Tour
Visit
Cambridge to see some of the famous university colleges, including King's
College, and the Mathematical Bridge over the River Cam. Head north to York for
a walking tour to appreciate narrow streets and medieval houses, which contain
centuries of history. The stately York Minster, with towers and stained glass,
is the highlight of the walk. Check in to your hotel and relax before dinner.
(B, D)
Day 4 : Floors Castle & Cabaret Evening
Pass
Heddon-on-the-Wall to view a portion of Hadrian's Wall and travel through the
scenic Northumberland National Park. Cross into Scotland at Carter Bar. Drive
through the scenic Borders to Kelso to visit Floors Castle, built in 1721 and
home to the 10th Duke of Roxburghe, to see stunning interiors with tapestries,
silver and family portraits. Travel to Edinburgh and experience lively
entertainment at a Scottish cabaret. (B, D)
Day 5 : Edinburgh Castle & Guided City
Tour
Discover Edinburgh's highlights on a city tour. See the elegant
Georgian “New Town” with spacious streets and the compact medieval city along
the Royal Mile. Tour Edinburgh Castle to view the Crown Jewels of Scotland and
the Stone of Destiny. Also enjoy splendid views of central Edinburgh. The rest
of the day is free for independent activities. On August 5 to 19 departures,
experience the world-famous Edinburgh Military Tattoo. (B)
Day 6 : Giant's Causeway & Derry
This morning
will be an early start as you drive to Cairnryan for a short ferry ride to
Larne. Travel along the “Nine Glens of Antrim” with views of mountains, valleys
and coastline. Visit the Giant's Causeway, hexagonal columns formed by volcanic
activity over 60 million years ago. The enormous rocks have spawned legends
about the mythical giant, Finn McCool. Continue to Derry for your overnight
stay. (B, D)
Day 7 : Ulster American Folk Park & Taylor's Three Rock
Pub
This morning join a local guide for a short walking tour around
Derry, surrounded by medieval city walls. Near Omagh visit the Ulster American
Folk Park to see many cottages and traditional crafts. The Park traces the story
of Ulster emigrants and shows rural lifestyles in both Ireland and America in
Colonial times. Travel south to Dun Laoghaire, where your Victorian hotel is
located on Dublin Bay, a few miles from the city. Enjoy dinner at Taylor's Three
Rock Pub followed by an upbeat show with Irish music and dance (B, D)
Day 8 : Dublin Tour & Book of Kells
Take a tour
around central Dublin, with spacious Georgian squares and streets, landmark
public buildings and graceful townhouses. Visit Trinity College to see the
campus and view the Book of Kells in the Old Library. The afternoon and evening
are free for independent sightseeing and dinning. (B)
Day 9 : Rock of Cashel & Killarney
Depart Dublin
and drive south through pleasant farming country. Visit the Rock of Cashel,
where Brian Boru was crowned King of Munster in 977. See the 12th century
highly-decorated Cormac's Chapel, the large cruciform cathedral and a round
tower. Continue to the famous town of Killarney and check in to your hotel with
state-of-the-art pool and spa facilities. (B, D)
Day 10 : Ring of Kerry & Skellig
Experience
Embark on the Ring of Kerry tour for constantly-changing
vistas of mountains, open Atlantic Ocean, beaches and cliffs. There will be
plenty of stops to admire the scenery. Visit the Skellig Experience to learn
about early Christian monks who lived on the rocky offshore islands and about
prolific bird life today. Stop at Moll's Gap for panoramic views before
returning to Killarney. (B, D)
Day 11 : Blarney Castle & Waterford
Crystal
Visit the famous Blarney Castle this morning to kiss the
“Stone of Eloquence.” Travel through the outskirts of Cork city and along the
south coast to the city of Waterford. Visit the House of Waterford Crystal to
see how glass is blown and cut by master craftspeople and view a collection of
amazing trophies. Check in to your hotel, located on the dockside of this port
city. (B, D)
Day 12 : South Wales & Cardiff Banquet
Depart
Waterford early this morning to catch the ferry from Rosslare to South Wales.
Journey through South Wales where coal used to be mined to Cardiff and take a
brief tour of the city. Head to Cardiff Castle, developed in Roman times and
transformed into an elaborate Gothic-style residence in the 19th century. A tour
of the Castle is followed by a fun Welsh banquet in the undercroft. (B, D)
Day 13 : Roman Baths & Stonehenge
This morning
explore Bath, popular for its natural hot springs with the Romans 2,000 years
ago and again in fashion in the 18th century Regency period. Tour the Roman
Baths and Pump Room, wonderfully preserved after two millennia and see the
stately mansions of the Royal Crescent and Queen's Square. Drive to Salisbury
Plain to view the prehistoric circle of vast monoliths at Stonehenge. Continue
into London and check in to your hotel once again. (B)
Day 14 : Tour Ends Heathrow Airport
Travel to
Heathrow Airport by group coach transfer, to arrive by 9:00 am. Transfers to
Gatwick Airport can be arranged at an additional cost. (B)
B: Breakfast; D: Dinner