Day 1 : Journey to Stratford-upon-Avon and York
The 'Bard of Avon' and his legacy take centre stage as you travel to Stratford-upon-Avon to view Anne Hathaway's picturesque thatched cottage and visit Shakespeare's Birthplace and Visitor Centre before heading to York, where you'll enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and get to know your Travel Director and travel companions.
Accommodation : Novotel Centre
Day 2 : Onwards to Edinburgh
Venture north to the medieval market town of Alnwick with its impressive castle and Tenantry Column, upon which the Percy Lion sits imposingly overlooking the town’s beautiful gardens. Enjoy a scenic drive north to the enchanting capital of Edinburgh.
Accommodation : Holiday Inn
Day 3 : Explore Elegant Edinburgh
Join a Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour including a visit to Edinburgh Castle, overlooking the town from Castle Rock. See the quaint Royal Mile, Palace of Holyroodhouse and new Scottish Parliament building. Tickets to see the spectacular Edinburgh Tattoo are included on departures that coincide with performance dates.
Accommodation : Holiday Inn
Day 4 : Venture to the Scottish Highlands
Continue north to the historic town of St. Andrews, home to the oldest golf course in the world. View the famous 18th?green which the golfing greats have clamoured to play on for centuries, before heading to picturesque Pitlochry and our overnight stop in the Scottish Highlands.
Accommodation : Highlander
Day 5 : Culloden, Loch Ness and on to the Isle of Skye
View the site of the bloody Battle of Culloden, where Bonnie Prince Charlie and his army of Jacobites were defeated in 1746. Then meander through the scenic Scottish Highlands along the banks of Loch Ness in search of Nessie. You’ll view the 13th-century Eilean Donan Castle where three lochs meet before travelling to the Isle of Skye where you dine in your hotel tonight.
Accommodation : Dunollie
Day 6 : Journey to Glasgow
Journey past the site of the tragic 1692 massacre at Glencoe, known as the ‘Glen of Weeping' before heading to the Scottish cultural capital, Glasgow, where your orientation tour includes views of the Cathedral and the magnificent George Square, lined with statues of Great Britain's most celebrated sons.
Accommodation : Hilton Garden Inn City Centre
Day 7 : Continue to the Beautiful Lake District Dive Into Culture
Visit Falkirk Wheel where you'll Dive Into Culture learning about the legacy of Scotland's canals and experience the world's only rotating boat lift. The runaway wedding capital of Gretna Green is your next stop today. See where eloping couples would make their vows over the Marriage Anvil before crossing the border and arriving in Grasmere, where famous Romantic poet William Wordsworth wrote his famous ‘Daffodils' poem. See Lake Windermere, England's largest lake, before arriving at your hotel.
Accommodation : Lancaster House
Day 8 : Off to Lively Liverpool
Travel to the bold British city of Liverpool, hometown of the 'Fab Four'. Saunter through its edgy Scouse streets during your evening at leisure.
Accommodation : Leonardo Hotel Liverpool, Mercure Atlantic Tower
Day 9 : Ferry Across to Dublin
Travel to the ancient town of Chester where your orientation tour will take you past its Roman walls and famous Tudor 'Rows'. Continue along the scenic North Wales Coast to the island of Anglesey en route to Holyhead. Cross the Irish Sea to Dublin, the charismatic Irish capital.
Accommodation : Clayton Cardiff Lane
Day 10 : See the Sights of Dublin Dive Into Culture
Beat the crowds and gain entry to the Guinness Storehouse before general admission. Here you'll Dive Into Culture and embark on a tour and tasting technique demonstration. Later, join a Local Specialist to see St. Patrick's Cathedral and other iconic sights. The rest of the day is yours to explore the Irish capital. Amble along Grafton Street with its colourful performers, head to Temple Bar or stroll through Phoenix Park, Dublin's playground.
Accommodation : Clayton Cardiff Lane
Day 11 : On the Road to Belfast
This morning, cross the border to Northern Ireland. Meet your Local Specialist 'Cabbie' who will take you on a journey through the recent history of Belfast in their taxi. Spend the rest of the day at leisure perhaps exploring the Titanic Quarter to learn more about this ill-fated ship.
Accommodation : Radisson Blu Hotel Belfast
Day 12 : Explore the Giant’s Causeway, Londonderry and County Donegal Make Travel Matter
This morning, visit Giant's Causeway, an area of about 40,000 interlocking ballast columns, a UNESCO World Heritage site in an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and one of the most iconic natural wonders in the United Kingdom. A MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience will help conserve this iconic natural landmark. In Londonderry, walk along the 17th-century walls with your Local Specialist and see the streets and murals of the Bogside. Known as the People's Gallery, the murals depict the history of the 'troubles'. Later view the Donegal castle that was once the stronghold of the O'Donnell clan before continuing to your hotel where you will enjoy a dinner tonight.
Accommodation : Central
Day 13 : Venture to Galway
This morning, stop in Galway to see the stone Cathedral that was built on the site of an old prison, and stroll around Eyre Square with its tribute to John F. Kennedy.
Accommodation : Connacht
Day 14 : Off to the Majestic Cliffs of Moher, Limerick and Killarney Make Travel Matter
Visit the dramatic Cliffs of Moher along the Wild Atlantic Way, where you’ll stop for an experience you’ll never forget. Your visit helps preserve the untouched beauty of this UNESCO-listed natural treasure and you’ll feel like you’ve been swept back to an ancient time with none of the distractions of the modern day. Visit the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre and watch enchanted how the extraordinary natural phenomena of this rare and stunning place comes to life in an interactive way you wouldn’t ordinarily get to see. You’ll get a bird’s eye view of the cliffs, soaring above and around them, the quirky looking colonies of Atlantic Puffin that find sanctuary in its nooks and crannies, and explore beneath the pounding Atlantic waves revealing the layers and layers of rock that have formed over 300 million years. Then continue to Limerick to view St. Mary's Cathedral, the Treaty Stone and King John's Castle, the tallest spire in Ireland. Your drive continues through picturesque Adare, one of Ireland's prettiest villages, before arriving in Killarney, your home for the next two nights.
Accommodation : The Rose Hotel Tralee
Day 15 : A Day on the Ring of Kerry
Today, you'll stop in Killarney on your way to the enchanting Ring of Kerry where Ireland's enduring natural beauty is your welcome companion as you circle past the fishing village of Waterville, Black Valley and Moll's Gap.
Accommodation : The Rose Hotel Tralee
Day 16 : Onwards to Blarney and Waterford Dive Into Culture
In pursuit of the 'gift of the gab', kiss the Blarney Stone, before continuing to the House of Waterford Crystal where you will enjoy a fascinating Dive Into Culture demonstration with a master crafter.
Accommodation : Fitzwilton
Day 17 : Cross the Irish Sea to Cardiff
Cross the Irish Sea to Wales and continue your journey through beautiful countryside to arrive in its capital. Explore Cardiff’s iconic sights – the Principality Stadium, Millennium Centre and Victorian fantasy Cardiff Castle at its heart.
Accommodation : Holiday Inn City Centre
Day 18 : Soak up Bath and on to Plymouth Connect with Locals
Arriving in Bath, admire the city’s elegant Georgian façades and ancient Roman Baths from which it derives its name. This afternoon head to Somerset for a Be My Guest experience with Ian & Ann Dyer on their modern-day dairy farm. Later continue to Plymouth, your home for the next two nights.
Accommodation : Copthorne
Day 19 : Discover the Cornish Peninsula
Embark on an orientation tour and see the Royal Citadel and Mayflower Steps, where brave pilgrims embarked on their epic voyage to the New World centuries ago. Explore the Cornish peninsula and visit the seaside villages of Looe and Polperro.
Accommodation : Copthorne
Day 20 : Journey to Stonehenge and Return to London
The mystical ancient monoliths at Stonehenge are our first stop. Ponder their myths that remain largely unsolved before travelling to London where your amazing holiday comes to an end.