Best of Ireland Tour (8 Night)

Tour begins 2:30 PM at your Windsor hotel. Visit Windsor Castle, residence of the Queen and the largest inhabited castle in the world. Take a walk around this compact and historic town with a local guide. In the evening, join your group for a welcome drink before dining independently.

Travel to Blenheim Palace, a monumental country house and home to the Dukes of Marlborough. Enjoy a scenic drive through the picturesque Cotswolds, passing through quaint towns and villages nestled in distinctive rolling hills and valleys. Travel on to York, a city founded by the Romans in the first century and a major wool trading center in the Middle Ages. (B, D)

Take a walking tour of York’s medieval streets, including the Shambles, one of the city’s narrowest alleyways. Tour Gothic York Minster, renowned for its magnificent medieval stained glass windows. Visit Bamburgh Castle, an imposing medieval fortress that is one of the largest inhabited castles in Britain. This magical castle is set high on a rocky plateau affording wonderful views along the coast. Continue to your hotel near Edinburgh, Dalhousie Castle, and hear a piper play before a lively Scottish evening with dinner and entertainment in your hotel. (B, D)

Explore Edinburgh, starting with the elegant Georgian houses in its 200-year-old "New Town," along with the premier shopping area on Princes Street, and the medieval-era homes in the Royal Mile. See the Crown Jewels of Scotland and the Stone of Destiny during your tour of Edinburgh Castle, before setting off to explore the city on your own. On departures from August 9 to 23, you'll get to experience the Royal Military Tattoo on the Castle Esplanade. (B)

Travel through the Lake District, a region that inspired Beatrix Potter’s many children’s books. Stop for lunch in one of the many traditional villages before continuing on to Liverpool. Visit the British Music Experience, an interactive attraction exploring British popular music through the decades. Admire the priceless collection of music memorabilia and enjoy a musical twist. The evening is free to dine on your own—then experience live music at the world-famous Cavern Club. (B, L)

Travel through scenic Shropshire, one of the most unspoiled parts of rural England. Stop in Ludlow, a quintessentially English town to see the castle and quaint old black-and-white houses. Continue through the lovely Welsh countryside to visit the picturesque ruins of Tintern Abbey close to the River Wye. Head to Cardiff and tour Cardiff Castle before enjoying a Welsh banquet with lively music and entertainment. (B, D)

Take a panoramic drive around Cardiff with a brief walk to see the principal areas and buildings. Head to Bath for a visit to the Roman Baths, hot mineral-rich springs that have been popular since ancient Roman times. Stop for lunch on your own in this historic spa town. Then marvel at the prehistoric circle of vast monoliths of Stonehenge at Salisbury Plain and learn about the primitive building methods used to create such an enduring monument. In London, the evening is free to explore and dine in one of the city’s many restaurants. (B)

Take a panoramic tour of central London with a local guide to see famous landmarks including Piccadilly Circus with its statue of Eros, Nelson’s Column flanked by huge lions in Trafalgar Square, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and the Houses of Parliament. Visit the mighty Tower of London to see the many fortresses, ravens, Beefeaters in their distinctive uniforms, and the priceless Crown Jewels. The rest of the day and evening are free for further exploring. (B)

Enjoy a day of independent sightseeing in London by Hop-On, Hop-Off bus and tour around the many famous landmarks as you please. You can choose from a number of different routes, including a walking tour and a cruise on the River Thames. (B)

Your program ends today after breakfast. (B) B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner