Essence of Britain & Ireland 11 day/10 night tour

Tour begins at 2:00 PM at your London hotel. Take a panoramic drive around central London to see many famous landmarks including Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, St Paul’s Cathedral, and the Tower of London. In the evening, enjoy a welcome drink with your group before a free evening of independent dining.

Head to Salisbury Plain to view the prehistoric circle of vast monoliths at Stonehenge. Continue to Bath for a tour of the Roman Baths, first built by the Romans 2,000 years ago around mineral-rich hot springs. In Cardiff, enjoy dinner at your hotel. (B, D)

Visit Cardiff Castle – first inhabited in Roman times and transformed into an elaborate Gothic-style residence in the 19th century – where you will enjoy a traditional Welsh breakfast. Journey through the rolling, green countryside to the west coast. At Pembroke Dock, embark on an afternoon ferry crossing to Rosslare and on to Waterford. (B, D)

Start the day with a walking tour of historic Waterford. Witness the creation of crystal masterpieces at the House of Waterford Crystal Guided Factory Tour. At Jerpoint Park, enjoy a sheep herding demonstration and sample scones with tea. You’ll see the grave of St Nicholas, the inspiration for Santa Claus, whose remains were moved there in the 12th century. Proceed on to Dublin. In the evening, enjoy some time on your own to dine at one of Dublin’s many fine pubs and restaurants. (B)

Tour Dublin city to see the elegant Georgian squares, houses with brightly painted doorways, and the General Post Office where the 1916 Rebellion started. Visit Glasnevin Cemetery Museum, Ireland’s national cemetery, a virtual who’s who of modern Irish history. The afternoon and evening are free to use your vouchers for an independent open-top bus tour and to visit to one of Dublin's top attractions: Guinness Storehouse, Teeling Distillery, EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum or GPO Witness History. In the evening, enjoy a traditional dinner and a lively show at the Merry Ploughboy Pub. (B,D)

Head to Belfast where you’ll take a ferry to the Scottish port of Cairnryan and travel through green pasturelands to the central belt of Scotland. Stop en route for dinner before reaching your hotel in central Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital city. (B, D)

Drive around central Edinburgh to see the main points of interest, including the 200-year-old “New Town” with elegant Georgian houses and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Walk along the Royal Mile where medieval houses are clustered closely together. Tour the massive Edinburgh Castle to see the Crown Jewels of Scotland and the Stone of Destiny. The afternoon is free to explore and dine on your own. August 7 – 21 departures will attend the spectacular Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on the Castle Esplanade. (B)

Travel through the charming Borders region with many quaint towns, manor houses, and abbeys. Stop in Jedburgh to see the picturesque ruins of Jedburgh Abbey. Continue to York for a walking tour of streets so narrow the medieval houses almost touch. Tour the stately Gothic York Minster, which dates back to the 13th century and is noted for its magnificent medieval stained-glass windows. (B, D)

In Stratford-upon-Avon, visit Shakespeare’s birthplace to see an exhibition about his life and work. Walk through the furnished house where he was born. Stroll around the town with its many charming black-and-white buildings. Drive through the picturesque Cotswolds to London for a free evening to explore and dine on your own. (B)

Enjoy a day of independent sightseeing in London on a Hop-On, Hop-Off bus to tour the many famous landmarks. There are a number of different routes to choose from including a walking tour and a cruise on the River Thames. Visit either the Tower of London to view the magnificent Crown Jewels, or Kensington Palace, former home of Princess Diana. (B)

Your tour ends after breakfast. (B) B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner All components of this tour (hotels, visits and attractions) for 2020 itineraries are subject to change until finalized in September 2019.   >