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VISITING ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, WALES AND IRELAND
Day 1 – London – Leeds
Meet your Tour Director at the Holiday Inn Kings Cross/Bloomsbury and drive through the pretty Oxfordshire countryside to Stratford-upon-Avon. Time here to explore and walk in the footsteps of William Shakespeare. Head north to York, the ancient capital of Viking Britain, and see history unfold before your eyes as you pass the crooked houses of the ‘Shambles’ to reach York Minster, England’s largest medieval cathedral. Continue on to Leeds and settle into your hotel in time for dinner.
Hotel: Jurys Inn. (D)
Day 2 – Leeds – Edinburgh
Stop off in Durham to see the castle and the fine Romanesque cathedral before moving on to see Hadrian’s Wall, Britain’s most impressive Roman monument. Cross the wild Northumberland moors into Scotland, passing Jedburgh Abbey and the house of the ill-fated Mary Queen of Scots en route to the capital of Edinburgh.
Hotel: Inchyra Grange (Falkirk). (B)
Day 3 – Edinburgh Sightseeing
A guided tour takes you from the castle which dominates the city from its rocky crag, down the Royal Mile, past St Giles’ Cathedral, to see Holyroodhouse Palace. Cross over to see the Scott Monument and tour the 18th century ‘New Town’ before enjoying some time at leisure. Shop on Princes Street or visit one of the many museums? (B)
Day 4 – Edinburgh – Highlands
Cross the Firth of Forth and travel to St Andrews, where golf was born in the 15th century. Continue over the river Tay, through Dundee and Perth to visit a whisky distillery, where the local water, finest malt and age-old skills combine to produce a ‘wee dram’ for you to taste. Cross the Grampian Mountains for a warm Highland welcome.
Hotel: Macdonalds Highland Resort. (B,D)
Day 5 – Highlands – Carlisle
More dramatic scenery today as you drive to Fort William, set beneath the slopes of Ben Nevis (highest mountain in Britain). Then continue through Glencoe, its hills echoing with the ghastly cries of massacred clansmen. Your road follows the 'bonnie banks' of Loch Lomond to the Clyde Valley and past the vibrant commercial city of Glasgow. Further south you cross back into England to arrive at your hotel in the border town of Carlisle.
Hotel: Lakes Court Hotel. (B,D)
Day 6 – Carlisle – Chester
Enjoy the beauty of the Lake District this morning, its fells, lakes and valleys combining to make it one of England’s best loved regions. There is time take an optional cruise on Lake Windermere, before stopping in Grasmere where the Lakeland poet William Wordsworth is buried. Then it’s on to Chester for the evening.
Hotel: Holiday Inn. (B,D)
Day 7 – Chester – Dublin
Step back into Roman times in Chester, where you will see the city’s Cathedral, ancient encircling walls and its remarkable 13th century black and white galleried ‘Rows’, now shopping arcades. Continue into Wales, glimpsing the massive Conwy Castle before crossing the Menai Straits to the Isle of Anglesey. Pass through the village with the longest name in Britain to reach Holyhead, from where you sail across the sea to the Irish capital of Dublin.
Hotel: Montrose. (B)
Day 8 – Dublin Sightseeing
A local guide will show you Dublin’s elegant Georgian squares and the equally impressive castle. Also see the Irish President’s home in Phoenix Park, famous O’Connell Street and the historic Customs House. The afternoon is yours to shop in elegant Grafton Street or to continue sightseeing. In the evening, consider an Irish cabaret show and dinner. (B)
Day 9 – Dublin – Killarney
Bid farewell to Dublin and pass the green meadows where many of Ireland’s finest racehorses are bred on your way to Cashel. See the great Rock where St Patrick preached, using the shamrock to illustrate the gospel and so creating the Irish national emblem. Now 'it's a short way to Tipperary' as you continue through the land of song and legend to Limerick, famous for rhymes, lace and elegant Georgian houses. Then on via the picturesque thatched village of Adare into County Kerry.
Hotel: Killarney Heights. (B,D)
Day 10 – Ring of Kerry Excursion
An excursion takes you around the magical Ring of Kerry, a world of towering cliffs, lush lake lands and remote villages. As you pass through Ireland’s highest mountain range, the MacGillicuddy Reeks, a sense of the unhurried pace of Irish life will surround you, especially as you reach the three peaceful Lakes of Killarney. In the afternoon, perhaps take an optional ride with the locals on one of Killarney’s jaunting cars. (B)
Day 11 – Killarney – Waterford
Cross the rugged Derrynasaggart Mountains for a refreshment stop at Blarney Woollen Mill. There is also the opportunity to visit the ancient castle, home of the famous Blarney Stone. Travel on through the scenic port of Dungarvan to Waterford. Admire a sparkling display of crystal and see the ancient city walls and Reginald’s Tower before settling into your hotel for the night.
Hotel: Days Hotel. (B,D)
Day 12 – Waterford – Cardiff
Drive to Rosslare to take the ferry across the Irish Sea to Pembroke. Continue past the valleys of South Wales to the Welsh capital, Cardiff, famous for its civic buildings, imposing castle and brilliant Millennium Stadium.
Hotel: Premier Travel Inn. (B)
Day 13 – Cardiff – London
Cross the soaring Severn Bridge, spanning the Bristol Channel between England and Wales. Continue to Bath with its Georgian streets and crescents and Roman Baths. Cross mysterious Salisbury Plain and stop to photograph the megaliths of Stonehenge. From here, travel to London, where the tour ends. (B)
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