DAY 1
Arrival. Meet and assist on arrival at the Dublin airport. Transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.
DAY 2
London - York. This morning we drive through the Oxford shire countryside into the 'heart of England' to Stratford-upon-Avon, birthplace of the incomparable bard, William Shakespeare. Here we visit his before heading north to York. History unfolds before us as we pass the narrow crooked houses of the Shambles to the Minster, England's largest medieval cathedral. Tonight we stay at the Novotel, close to many historic sights. Tonight enjoy a Highlight dinner in a traditional English restaurant. (CB,HD)
DAY 3
York - Edinburgh. First stop this morning is a visit to the beautiful city of Durham where we see the castle and the fine Romanesque cathedral. Now we cross the wild Northumberland moors, as we head northwards to the border. Now in Scotland we pass Jedburgh Abbey and the House of Mary Queen of Scots on our way to Edinburgh. Our two night stay is at the Carlton Highland Hotel or the Edinburgh Hilton, both conveniently located in the city centre.(B)
DAY 4
Edinburgh Sightseeing. On our guided tour, we visit the castle dominating the city from its rocky crag. We also see the Queen's Holy Roodhouse Palace and the venerable St Giles Cathedral, the 18th century New Town, and the Royal Mile. This afternoon there is time to shop on elegant Princes Street. (Tonight selected deps. enjoy the Military Tattoo - a colourful floodlit mixture of historic battles and modern military man oeuvres complete with horses, pipes and drums). (B)
DAY 5
Edinburgh - Highlands. We cross the Firth of Forth to St Andrews, where golf was born on the Old Course in the 15th century. Then to Perth, to visit the famous Caithness Glass Factory. Then over the Grampian Mountains for a warm welcome at the Highlander Hotel. Tonight we enjoy a Highlight dinner with haggis, bagpipes and traditional dancing. (B,HD)
DAY 6
Highlands - Carlisle. Mountains and glens greet us this morning, as we drive through the celebrated scenery of the Highlands to dramatic Glencoe. Then down the 'bonnie' banks of Loch Lomond to board our highlight guided cruise on one of Scotland's most beautiful lochs. We then continue through Glasgow, city of culture, and architecture, into the heart of the Southern Uplands of Scotland before crossing the border to our overnight stay in Carlisle at the Crown & Miter Hotel. (B,D)
DAY 7
Carlisle - Chester. Our first stop this morning is to one of the most impressive monuments to the Roman Empire in Britain - Hadrian's Wall. We stop for a photo opportunity at Birdoswald, passing beautiful Lanercost Priory. Then it's on to the Lake District, where its combination of fells, lakes and valleys has made it the best loved scenery in England. We stop in Grasmere, where the poet, William Wordsworth is buried, before continuing to the Jarvis Abbots well Hotel in historic Chester. (B,D)
DAY 8
Chester - Dublin. Step back to the Roman times this morning in Chester. We see the ancient encircling walls and view the remarkable 13th century black and white galleried 'Rows', now shopping arcades. We continue to Wales, with a glimpse of Conway Castle and across the Menai Straits passing through the world famous village with the very Welsh and unpronounceable name of Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch! Next stop is Holyhead from where we 'sail across the sea' to Ireland and its capital, Dublin. Our two night stay is at the attractive Burlington Hotel. (B)
DAY 9
Dublin Sightseeing. Dublin's Georgian squares are so elegant, and equally impressive, is the Castle which we'll visit Today. We'll also see the Irish President's home in Phoenix Park, famous O'Connell Street and the historic Customs House. Our sightseeing concludes with a visit to the courtyard at Trinity College. Tonight, an Irish Cabaret Show is an option. (B)
DAY 10
Dublin - County Clare. Today we drive to County Kildare, Ireland's premier thoroughbred horse country, for a guided tour of the National Stud. We also visit the adjoining Japanese Gardens. Now we view one of the great sights of Ireland, the Rock of Cashel . Then across the rolling pastures to Temporary, immortalized in the famous song! Our destination is Limerick, where we see King John's Castle, the 13th Century St Mary's Cathedral and the Treaty Stone, which dates from the signing of the Treaty of Limerick in 1691. Now to the Clare Inn in Ennis, beautifully situated amongst County Clare countryside. (B)
DAY 11
County Clare - Tralee. This morning we journey south through picturesque Adare, to begin our tour of the Ring of Kerry. Tour through a world of magical seascapes, majestic cliffs, lush lake lands, and Ireland's highest mountain range. Then we drive via Killarney to the Abbey Gate Hotel in the delightful setting of Tralee, offering plenty of traditional Irish hospitality! (B,D)
DAY 12
Tralee - Wexford. We cross the rugged Derrynasaggart Mountains to Blarney, where we visit the woollen mill and the ancient castle, where we'll never be lost for words after seing the famous 'Blarney Stone'. Then on through the scenic ports of Youghal and Dungarvan to Waterford. Here, we admire the sparkling display of crystal and then on to Wexford for our overnight stay at the Whites Hotel. (B,D)
DAY 13
Wexford - Cardiff. A short drive brings us to Rosslare where we take the ferry to Pembroke and then past the valleys of South Wales to reach the Welsh capital, Cardiff, famous for its ancient Castle and Cardiff Arms Park. Tonight we stay at the Cardiff City Posthouse. (B)
DAY 14
Cardiff - London. Today we drive across the Severn bridge, spanning the Bristol channel connecting England and Wales, then on to Bath with its Georgian streets and crescents, where we visit the Roman Baths. Now over the Salisbury Plain to stop and view the mysterious megaliths of Stonehenge. From here we're bound for London where we bid farewell to Tour Director. (B)
DAY 15
Departure. Our tour ends after breakfast. Transfer from hotel to airport. (CB)