Day 1 - London, Stratford-upon-Avon and Bradford
Welcome to London. Your holiday starts with a visit to Stratford-upon-Avon. In your free time why not visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace and Visitor Centre for an in-depth look at the great man’s life? Later arrive at your hotel in Bradford where you dine tonight.
Day 2 - Bradford, York and Airth
See the sights of York, including the Minster and picturesque ‘Shambles’. Head north, stopping to view Hadrian’s Wall and the ruins of Jedburgh Abbey, to your hotel in Airth. During the Festival, tickets to the spectacular Edinburgh Tattoo are included.
Day 3 - Edingburgh SIghtseeing
Enjoy a sightseeing tour with your Local Specialist including views of the Georgian New Town, Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle. Tonight why not attend a lively Scottish banquet with traditional haggis and bagpipes?
Optional Experiences
Dinner And Drive To Historic Torphichen
Enjoy a scenic drive to the ancient village of Torphichen, associated with Scottish kings and Knights Hospitaller. At the haunted Torphichen Inn your arrival will be toasted by our convivial host before enjoying an excellent dinner of local specialties and entertainment.
Adult Price: £46.00
Royal Yacht Britannia
You’ll explore this magnificent ship, which has played host to some of the most famous people in the world. Now berthed in Leith, you’ll be welcomed on board to discover the heart and soul of this most special of royal residences – the former honeymoon sanctuary for four royal couples.
Adult Price: £23.00
Scottish Show With Dinner
Tonight is your chance to put on that tartan and join us for an evening of singing, dancing and bagpipe playing at an internationally famous venue. You’ll enjoy delicious food and wine, join in the singing and watch a Highland dance or two. There’s even a chance to sample Scotland’s national dish – haggis.
Adult Price: £60.00
Edinburgh Castle Experience
Dominating the skyline of the city, Edinburgh Castle has been on Castle Rock in one form or another since the 12th century. The site was a royal residence until 1633 and was then used for mostly military purposes. Famous for being the most besieged place in Great Britain and one of the most attacked in the world, historians have identified 26 sieges in its 1100-year-old history. We’ll also see the Scottish regalia, known as the Honours of Scotland and the National War Museum of Scotland.
Adult Price: £25.00
Day 4 - Edinburgh, St. Andrews and Scottish Highlands
Crossing into the ancient Kingdom of Fife, we head for the coastal town of St. Andrews, the home of golf. Later we stop in the town of Pitlochry before heading to your Highland hotel for a two-night stay.
Optional Experiences
Highland Farm Experience
Visit a real Highland sheep farm and meet Neil the Shepherd and his border collies. He’ll show you how he uses different whistles to command each dog to carry out different tasks. You’ll also have the opportunity to try your hand at sheep shearing, feeding the lambs and discover his training techniques. Weather permitting.
Adult Price: £14.00
Pitlochry. Visit Of Blair Castle
Set in its own grounds against a backdrop of glorious scenery, we’ll discover the ancient home of the Dukes of Atholl, home to Europe’s last remaining private army. Unique amongst Scottish castles, Blair has hosted royalty from Mary Queen of Scots to Queen Victoria.
Adult Price:
Day 5 - Scottish Highlands
Today is dedicated to the beauty of the Scottish Highlands. Visit Loch Ness, and see if you can catch a glimpse of the legendary monster. Visit Inverness – the capital of the Highlands. Later visit the battlefield of Culloden where Bonnie Prince Charlie fought the English. Dine tonight at your hotel.
Day 6 - Scottish Highlands and Glasgow
Drive in the shadow of Ben Nevis to Fort William then follow the shores of Loch Linnhe to Glencoe – the Glen of the Weeping. Travel along the ‘banks and braes of Loch Lomond’ before continuing your journey to Glasgow. View Glasgow Cathedral and George Square during your orientation tour.
Optional Experiences
Glasgow City Evening
You’ll enjoy a chance to experience a night out in the city of Glasgow. Your Travel Director will take you for an evening of good food, a drink, and undoubtedly interesting conversation.
Adult Price: £37.00
Loch Lomond Boat Trip
Discover the wild beauty of the ‘Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond’. As we cruise across the loch, the skipper will share stories of the area and point out Rob Roy’s cave as you relax and savour the stunning scenery.
Adult Price: £15.00
Day 7 - Glasgow, Gretna Green, Lake District and Haydock
Visit Gretna Green, where eloping lovers famously went to marry. Continue south through breathtaking scenery in the English Lake District to your hotel.
Optional Experiences
Private Cruise On Lake Windermere
Enjoy an exclusive cruise on a private boat on England’s most beautiful and largest lake, taking in the northern coastline, beautiful houses, gardens and Wray Castle. You’ll see deserted islands, boats and birdlife as you explore the area loved by Beatrix Potter and William Wordsworth.
Adult Price: £17.00
Windermere Cruise And Steam Train Ride
A chance to view the glorious scenery of the Lake District as we cruise across England’s largest lake. Then step back in time as we board the steam train for a short journey from Lakeside to Haverthwaite.
Adult Price: £19.00
Day 8 - Haydock, Chester and Dublin
On arrival in Chester view the medieval city walls and the half-timbered buildings known as the ‘Rows’. Later cross the Irish Sea to Dublin.
Optional Experiences
Dinner in Dublin City
Come to one of Dublin’s most locally-loved restaurant-pubs. You’ll enjoy dinner and charming hospitality that this part of the world is renowned for.
Adult Price: €45.00
Day 9 - Dublin Sightseeing
Take a panoramic sightseeing tour of the city with your local specialist, see the city’s famous landmarks such as Trinity College, Dublin Castle and St Patrick’s Cathedral. Enjoy some free time to explore the city.
Optional Experiences
Dublin Dinner and Cabaret
Enjoy an evening of fine food and non-stop fun as Ireland’s history unfolds in a cabaret of comedy, song and dance. The cast will have you tapping your toes and joining in the show, all in the spirit of Irish humour. And you’ll even be served an Irish coffee to round off your dinner.
Adult Price: €71.00
Experience the Ancient Monastic Site of Glendalough
Enjoy a visit to one of the most important monastic sites in Europe, which dates back to the 6th century. Your Local Specialist will tell tales and show you around this sacred area, famous for its tranquil beauty amidst the rolling countryside of County Wicklow, the garden of Ireland.
Adult Price: €24.00
Day 10 - Dublin, Boyle and Donegal
View the ruins of the Cistercian Abbey at Boyle and stop at Yeats’ grave in Drumcliff. Continue through lush countryside to Donegal, your home for the next two nights.
Optional Experiences
Luxurious River Shannon Cruise
The longest river in the British Isles, the River Shannon is immortalised in songs and legends. Come with us for a cruise on this majestic river, through the beautiful rolling countryside of counties Leitrim and Roscommon. You’ll also enjoy refreshments on the luxurious Moon River Pleasure Cruiser.
Adult Price: €30.00
Day 11 - County Donegal
View the 15th century castle this morning in Donegal town, followed by an excursion to explore the County Donegal region, famed for its rugged beauty and as part of the Wild Atlantic Way west coast touring route. Visit the Belleek Pottery centre in Northern Ireland.
Optional Experiences
Scenic Drive and Dinner
This evening you’ll discover the beauty of the land, as we take a scenic drive off the beaten track. Later, enjoy dinner in a local restaurant with a choice of drink included.
Adult Price: €45.00
Day 12 - Donegal, Galway, Cliffs of Moher and Tipperary
This morning travel to Galway on the banks of the Corrib River. View the cathedral and stroll around Eyre Square. At the Cliffs of Moher view the dramatic cliffs and visit the Atlantic Edge exhibition. Later arrive at your hotel.
Optional Experiences
Irish Night in Cashel
Join us for a unique Irish cultural experience nestled in the shadow of the ancient Rock of Cashel. A warm Céad Míle Fáilte will greet you before this unique show, that combines the best aspects of Irish music and dance, will leave you with unforgettable memories.
Adult Price: €55.00
Day 13 - Tipperary, Dingle Peninsula and Tralee
Leave Tipperary and take a drive to enjoy the scenic landscape along the Dingle Peninsula. See the unspoilt and colourful villages and fishing harbours. Later arrive in the town of Tralee, famed for its annual ‘Rose of Tralee’ festival and beauty pageant.
Optional Experiences
Beara Peninsula Cruise and Dinner
Join us for a scenic drive along Kenmare Bay to our boat, which will take you around the stunning coastline past deserted islands, looking out for bird and animal life. We’ve booked a table at one of our favourite local restaurants, where you’ll be served a drink and a delicious meal of Irish seafood specialities.
Adult Price: €57.00
Day 14 - Tralee, Blarney and Waterford
Explore Blarney Castle, where you can kiss the Blarney Stone and acquire the ‘gift of the gab’. Continue through Cork and along the coast to Waterford, famous for its crystal ware. Visit the Waterford Crystal Showroom (when open).
Optional Experiences
Irish Folk Fun
During this evening of entertainment, you’ll get the chance to experience Irish hospitality in the best folk tradition. Enjoy a drink while locals sing and play music for you.
Adult Price: €27.00
Explore Waterford’s History and Local Pub
Join us in Waterford, where the history dates back as far as the Vikings. Your Local Specialist will bring the historic area to life through stories and anecdotes; one guest even described the trip as the “best history lesson ever”. Afterwards, we stop off for a drink in one of the area’s oldest pubs for a pint or drink of your choice.
Adult Price: €23.00
Day 15 - Waterford and Cardiff
Travel from Waterford to Rosslare, then by ferry to Wales. Arrive in Fishguard and drive on to Cardiff and see the Millennium Stadium and Castle during your orientation.
Optional Experiences
Cardiff Castle Tour
You’ll explore this unique castle on a private tour and hear tales about the eclectic refurbishments. Done in the 1800s by architect William Burgess, his influences included Islamic art, Hans Christian Anderson’s fairy tales and even Aesop’s fables. You’ll also walk on the battlements and climb the 900-year-old Norman keep for superb views over Cardiff.
Adult Price: £21.00
Welsh Evening At Millennium Centre
Enjoy an evening of Welsh music, culture and humour. The venue for the evening is the Welsh Millennium Centre, an iconic building in the fashionable Cardiff Bay area. After a warm reception, you’ll enjoy a first-class meal of seasonal Welsh specialities, sourced and produced locally. Quality wine or soft drinks are included and the meal will be accompanied by our enchanting Welsh harpist. You’ll then be entertained by the finest local singers presenting the beautiful music of Wales.
Adult Price: £54.00
Day 16 - Cardiff, Bath, Windsor and London
Cross the Severn Estuary to Georgian Bath. Admire the Georgian architecture and enjoy free time to visit the Roman Baths. Visit Windsor and view the castle en-route to London where your amazing holiday comes to an end.