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 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 : 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 visit to The Beatles Story, a museum that will immerse you in the lives of the “Fab Four.” Check in to your hotel.
(B, D)
Day 4 : Lake District & Edinburgh Ghost Walk
Travel through the glorious Lake District, associated with the children’s author, Beatrix Potter, and stop in Bowness-on-Windermere to visit the World of Beatrix Potter to see animal characters that she created. Near the Scottish border stop at the Old Blacksmith’s Shop in Gretna Green, one of the world’s most popular wedding destinations. Drive to Edinburgh for a dinner at a popular restaurant followed by a fun ghost walking tour through ancient streets.
(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 2 to 16 departures, experience the world-famous Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
(B)
Day 6 : Whisky Tasting & Ceilidh
Travel north to Pitlochry to visit Blair Athol Distillery to see how whisky is made and enjoy a "wee dram” at the end of the tour. Continue through majestic Highland scenery to Leault Farm where dogs herd sheep through various obstacles and discover how each dog responds to individual whistles. Drive to Inverness, a major town in the Highlands and check in to your hotel beside the River Ness in the center of the town. After dinner, 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 on 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 tour the main sights and visit 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 & Old Jameson Distillery Shindig
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 Old Jameson Distillery Shindig 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 & Brewery
Take a jaunting car ride to majestic Ross Castle set on Lough Leane. Then set off to discover the scenic Dingle Peninsula, made famous by two movies – “Ryan’s Daughter” and “Far & Away.” Drive to Slea Head at the western tip of the peninsula for spectacular views. Stop in the town of Dingle to visit the Dingle Brewing Company and sample some of the local brew at the end of your tour.
(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. View the Cliffs of Moher, an impressive wall of rock that rises 700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean and take a panoramic tour around Galway before checking in to your hotel.
(B, D)
Day 13 : 6th Century Clonmacnoise & Fitzpatrick Castle Stay
Stop at Rathbaun Farm for tea and scones and see traditional farming methods and animals. Visit Clonmacnoise, a monastic settlement founded in 545 AD by St. Ciaran, to see round towers, elaborate Celtic crosses and church ruins. Continue to your elegant castle hotel, located on the south side of Dublin. Enjoy a special farewell dinner with your fellow travelers in your hotel.
(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