British & Irish Voyager
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Day 2: London Arrival & Tour
Welcome to Heathrow Airport, London! Take an independent transfer to your hotel, located near the Bloomsbury district. At 2:30 pm take a panoramic tour of central London to see famous landmarks including Piccadilly Circus, Nelson's Column and lions of Trafalgar Square, Big Ben towering over the Houses of Parliament and Hyde Park. In the evening meet your tour director and fellow travelers over a welcome drink to discuss your trip and relax over dinner. (D)
Day 2 - Tower of London & City Sights
Today you may schedule your London sightseeing when you take an open-top bus tour around the many famous landmarks. There are a number of different bus routes as well as a walking tour and a cruise on the River Thames. Visit the Tower of London to view the magnificent Crown Jewels, guarded by Beefeaters in distinctive Tudor uniforms. You are free to choose a restaurant to dine independently. (B)
Day 3: Stratford-upon-Avon & Beatles' Liverpool
Drive through part of the Cotswolds, a delightful hilly region with honey-colored stone houses, many dating to medieval times. Stop in Shakespeare's town of Stratford-upon-Avon for a look around on your own. Continue to Liverpool where a Beatles-themed tour will show you Penny Lane, Strawberry Field and the world-famous Cavern Club while your guide will fill you in on the Beatles' lives. Check in to your centrally-located hotel beside the River Mersey. (B, D)
Day 4: Lake District & Gretna Green
Travel through the glorious Lake District, associated with Beatrix Potter, and stop in Grasmere to visit Dove Cottage, where William Wordsworth penned his most popular lines. Also see his grave in the village churchyard. Cross into Scotland to Gretna Green, one of the world's most popular wedding destinations. Drive through the Borders to Edinburgh and your hotel near the Royal Mile. In the evening dine at a Scottish cabaret show with bagpipes, dancing,song and storytelling. (B, D)
Day 5: Edinburgh Castle & City Tour
Explore central Edinburgh this morning, starting in the 200-year-old “New Town” with its planned streets and elegant Georgian houses where many famous writers and inventors lived. See the Royal Mile where the old medieval houses are clustered and tour Edinburgh Castle to see the Crown Jewels of Scotland and the Stone of Destiny. The afternoon is free for independent activities. On August 05, 12 and 19 departures watch the spectacular Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle. (B
Day 6 - Sheepdogs & Culloden Battlefield
Travel north into majestic Highland scenery and stop at Leault Farm where dogs herd sheep through various obstacles and discover how each dog responds to individual whistles. Visit the Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre to learn about the background of this event when British Government forces defeated the army of Bonnie Prince Charlie in 1746 and ended hopes of restoring the Jacobite Stuarts to the British throne. Take part in a ceilidh, a musical evening, in your hotel. (B, D)
Day 7: Highlands & Loch Lomond Cruise
Travel through wonderful Highland scenery passing Loch Etive and Loch Awe. Stop in the Georgian town of Inveraray, built between 1753 and 1776 by the 3rd Duke of Argyll who decided to move the existing town to landscape his splendid new castle properly. Cross the mountain pass of “Rest and Be Thankful” to Loch Lomond for a scenic cruise to admire panoramic views. Drive into Glasgow for a short orientation tour. (B, D)
Day 8 - Ferry to Ireland & Belfast
Make an early start this morning as you travel south through Ayrshire to Cairnryan for a short ferry journey to Larne with your tour group and coach. Take a brief look around Belfast before driving south past the Mourne Mountains to Dublin. Check in to your hotel and the evening is free for independent dining. (B)
Day 9: Dublin Tour & Abbey Tavern
This morning tour Dublin city center to see Georgian squares with elegant row houses, public buildings, colorful parks and lively shopping streets. Enter Trinity College to view the 8th century illuminated gospel manuscript of the Book of Kells. The afternoon is at leisure for further sightseeing and shopping and in the evening head to the nearby Abbey Tavern for dinner and a festive entertainment program. (B, D)
Day 10: Blarney Castle & Killarney
Travel south through farming country and stop to view the Rock of Cashel, which rises high above the surrounding plain. Just a few miles outside Cork, visit Blarney Castle to kiss the famous “Stone of Eloquence.” Also visit the Blarney Woollen Mills before driving through Macroom and into County Kerry, where the scenery becomes more mountainous. Check in to your hotel in Killarney and relax before dinner. (B, D)
Day 11: Dingle Peninsula & Blasket Experience
Today discover the scenic Dingle Peninsula, made famous by two movies - “Ryan's Daughter” and “Far & Away.” Pause in Dingle before continuing to the western tip of the peninsula. Tour the Blasket Centre in Dunquin to learn about the Blasket Islands, inhabited until 1953 by hardy farming and fishing families. Return to Killarney for free time. (B, D)
Day 12: Flying Boat Museum & Cliffs of Moher
Travel to the River Shannon Estuary to visit Foynes Flying Boat Museum. Learn about the early days of flight as this was the landing place for Pam Am Clippers. Stop in Bunratty for a look around Durty Nelly's Pub or the Bunratty Folk Park. Head to the coast to view the Cliffs of Moher, an impressive wall of rock that rises 700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. Continue to Galway for a panoramic drive and check in to your hotel, which overlooks Galway Bay. (B, D)
Day 13 - 6th Century Clonmacnoise & Clontarf Castle
Visit Clonmacnoise, a monastic settlement founded in 545 AD by St. Ciaran. See round towers, elaborate Celtic crosses and church ruins picturesquely set on the banks of the River Shannon. Continue your drive to your elegant castle hotel, located on the north side of Dublin. Relax for a while before joining in a farewell dinner where great food is followed by some local entertainment. (B, D)
Day 14: Depart Dublin for Home
Complimentary group transfers are provided to Dublin Airport to arrive at 6:00 am, 9:00 am or 12:00 noon. After check-in, you'll have time to shop at the duty-free stores before the journey home. (B)