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 or Kensington Palace, birthplace of
Queen Victoria and home to Princess Diana. You are free to choose a restaurant
to dine independently.
(B)
Day 3 : Cambridge & York Walking
Tours
Visit Cambridge for a stroll around 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 : Alnwick Castle &
Edinburgh Evening
View a portion of Hadrian's Wall and head north to
visit Alnwick Castle, the second largest inhabited castle in England. View the
lavish State Rooms with a stunning array of art, portraits and furniture. The
Alnwick Garden is beautifully landscaped and enhanced with architectural and
water features. Travel through the scenic Northumberland National Park and make
a brief stop in Melrose. Drive to Edinburgh and enjoy dinner at a fun Scottish
evening with bagpipes, dancing and song.
(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 4
to 18 departures, experience the world-famous Royal Edinburgh Military
Tattoo.
(B)
Day 6 : Titanic Belfast &
Ballygally Castle Stay
This morning will be an early start as you
drive to Cairnryan for a short ferry ride to Belfast. Take a panoramic tour to
see the highlights, including Victorian buildings, the imposing City Hall and
the shipyards where RMS Titanic was built in 1912. Visit Titanic Belfast to
learn about this ill-fated famous liner through state-of-the-art displays.
Continue to historic Ballygally Castle Hotel in time for dinner and your
overnight stay.
(B, D)
Day 7 : Giant's Causeway & Derry
Walk
Travel along the scenic coastal route of the “Nine Glens of
Antrim” and 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 a walking tour
around the medieval city walls with a local guide. Drive south to your Victorian
hotel located on Dublin Bay, a few miles from the city and dine on your own this
evening.
(B)
Day 8 : Dublin Tour & Book of
Kells
This morning tour 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 is free and in the evening enjoy dinner at Taylor's Three Rock Pub
followed by an upbeat show with Irish music and dance.
(B, D)
Day 9 : Russborough House &
Killarney
This morning drive through the delightful scenery of the
Wicklow Mountains to Blessington for a guided tour of stately Russborough House,
a Palladian mansion filled with interesting treasures as well as noted works of
art and early photographic collections. Continue to the famous town of Killarney
and check in to your hotel with great leisure facilities.
(B, D)
Day 10 : Jaunting Car & Skellig
Experience
Take a leisurely jaunting car ride to view Killarney's
Lakes. Then embark on the Ring of Kerry tour for constantly-changing vistas of
mountains, open Atlantic Ocean, beaches and cliffs. Visit the Skellig Experience
to learn about early Christian monks who lived on the rocky offshore islands.
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” and shop at the Blarney Woollen Mills. Travel to
Waterford and at the House of Waterford Crystal see how glass is blown and cut
by master craftspeople and view a collection of amazing trophies. In the evening
take a gentle walking tour with a local guide to discover the history of this
old port city.
(B, D)
Day 12 : South Wales & Cardiff
Castle 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.
(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 the 18th century. Tour the
Roman Baths and Pump Room, well preserved after two millennia and view stately
Regency mansions. Drive to Salisbury Plain to view the prehistoric circle of
vast monoliths at Stonehenge. Continue to your London hotel once again.
(B)
Day 14 : Depart for
Home
Transfer to Heathrow Airport to arrive by 9:00 am.
(B)
B: Breakfast; D: Dinner