14 Day British & Irish Voyager
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 to discuss your trip over a welcome drink
and dine 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 : Stratford & Beatles' Liverpool
Drive through the Cotswolds, a delightful hilly region with
mellow-hued stone houses. Take a panoramic tour around Stratford-upon-Avon to
see places associated with William Shakespeare. Continue to Liverpool where a
local guide will point out buildings and areas made famous by the Beatles in
their many songs. Check in to your hotel. (B, D)
Day 4 : Lake District & Scottish
Cabaret
Travel through the glorious Lake District,
associated with Beatrix Potter, and stop in Bowness-on-Windermere to visit the
World of Beatrix Potter to see representations of the animal characters that she
created in her children's books. Cross into Scotland and stop at the Old
Blacksmith's Shop in Gretna Green, one of the world's most popular wedding
destinations. Drive to Edinburgh and enjoy a lively Scottish Cabaret. (B, D)
Day 5 : Edinburgh Castle & City Tour
Explore central Edinburgh this morning, starting in the
200-year-old “New Town” with its planned streets and elegant Georgian houses
where many famous writers and inventors lived. See the Royal Mile where old
medieval houses are clustered and tour Edinburgh Castle to see the Crown Jewels
of Scotland and the Stone of Destiny. The afternoon is free for independent
activities. On August 3 to 17 departures, experience the world-famous Edinburgh
Military Tattoo. (B)
Day 6 : Culloden Battlefield &
Ceilidh
Travel north into majestic Highland scenery and
stop at Leault Farm where dogs herd sheep through various obstacles and discover
how each dog responds to individual whistles. Visit the Culloden Battlefield
Visitor Centre to learn about the background of this event when British
Government forces defeated the army of Bonnie Prince Charlie in 1746 and ended
hopes of restoring the Jacobite Stuarts to the British throne. Take part in a
ceilidh, a musical evening, in your hotel. (B, D)
Day 7 : Highlands & Loch Lomond Cruise
Travel south through more wonderful Highland scenery today,
passing the shoreline of Loch Ness with views of this deep lake. Drive past Ben
Nevis, Britain's highest peak, and through the towering mountains of Glen Coe,
which is famous for the Massacre of Glen Coe in 1692. Take a scenic cruise of
Loch Lomond, Britain's largest lake, to admire panoramic views. Drive into
Glasgow for a short orientation tour. (B, D)
Day 8 : Ferry to Ireland & Titanic Belfast
Make an early start this morning as you travel south through
Ayrshire to Cairnryan for a short ferry journey to Larne with your tour group
and coach. In Belfast visit the newly-opened Titanic Belfast to learn about the
famous liner. Drive to your hotel in Dublin where the evening is free for
independent dining. (B)
Day 9 : Dublin Tour & Abbey Tavern
This
morning tour Dublin to see Georgian squares with elegant row houses, public
buildings, public parks and lively shopping streets. Enter Trinity College to
view the 8th century illuminated gospel manuscript of the Book of Kells. The
afternoon is at leisure for further sightseeing and shopping. In the evening
head to the nearby Abbey Tavern for dinner and a festive entertainment program.
(B, D)
Day 10 : Blarney Castle & Killarney
Travel south through farming country and stop to view the Rock
of Cashel, which rises high above the surrounding plain. Just a few miles
outside Cork, visit Blarney Castle to kiss the famous “Stone of Eloquence.” Also
visit the Blarney Woollen Mills before driving through Macroom and into County
Kerry, where the scenery becomes more mountainous. Check in to your hotel in
Killarney and relax before dinner. (B, D)
Day 11 : Dingle Peninsula & Blasket Experience
Today discover the scenic Dingle Peninsula, made famous by two
movies - “Ryan's Daughter” and “Far & Away.” Pause in Dingle before
continuing to the western tip of the peninsula. Tour the Blasket Centre in
Dunquin to learn about the Blasket Islands, inhabited until 1953 by hardy
farming and fishing families. Return to Killarney for free time. (B, D)
Day 12 : Flying Boat Museum & Cliffs of Moher
Travel to the River Shannon Estuary to visit Foynes Flying Boat
Museum. Learn about the early days of flight as this was the landing place for
Pan Am Clippers. Stop in Bunratty for a look around Durty Nelly's Pub or the
Bunratty Folk Park. Head to the coast to view the Cliffs of Moher, an impressive
wall of rock that rises 700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. Continue to Galway
for a panoramic drive before checking in to your hotel. (B, D)
Day 13 : 6th Century Clonmacnoise & Clontarf Castle
Stay
Visit Clonmacnoise, a monastic settlement founded in
545 AD by St. Ciaran. See round towers, elaborate Celtic crosses and church
ruins picturesquely set on the banks of the River Shannon. Continue your drive
to your elegant castle hotel, located on the north side of Dublin. Relax for a
while before joining in a farewell dinner where great food is followed by some
local entertainment. (B, D)
Day 14 : Tour Ends Dublin Airport
Group
transfers are provided to Dublin Airport to arrive at 6:00 am, 9:00 am or 12:00
noon, in good time to check in for your flight home. (B)
B: Breakfast; D: Dinner