11 Days London, Scotland, Ireland and Wales

DAY 1: USA / LONDON.  We begin our British Isles journey by boarding our trans-Atlantic flight to London.  Dinner and breakfast served on board.

DAY 2: LONDON.  Upon arrival at London Airport we will be met by our tour escort and transferred to our hotel in London.  Balance of the day is at leisure, dinner and overnight at our hotel.

DAY 3: LONDON.  This morning we have a sightseeing tour of London.  We will view The Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Nelson’s Column, and Marble Arch and much more.  The highlight of our tour will be a visit to Westminster Abbey.  This afternoon if free for independent activities – you may wish to explore London on your own, visit one of the museums, shopping, or just strolling in one of London’s many beautiful parks.  Overnight at our London hotel.

DAY 04:  LONDON / SALISBURY / BATH / CARDIFF.  Leaving London this morning we drive swiftly to the market town of Salisbury to visit the mysterious Stonehenge and the fascinating collection of ancient monoliths placed there nearly 2000 years before the birth of Christ and which were once used to calculate the eclipses and equinoxes.  We continue via the beautiful Georgian town of Bath, set upon the River Avon in a natural amphitheatre of steep hills and visit the Roman baths.  Continue to Cardiff for dinner and overnight at our hotel.

DAY 05:  CARDIFF / STRATFORD.  This morning we visit the Castle of Cardiff.   We then skirt the picturesque Cotswolds area on our way to Stratford-Upon-Avon, birthplace of the Bard William Shakespeare.  We will visit his birthplace and see the 16th century Harvard House, the Guildhall and Ann Hathaway’s house. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.

DAY 06:  STRATFORD / CHESTER / YORK.    This morning we depart Stratford-upon-Avon and journey to England’s North East. We enjoy a walking tour of York. An essential York experience is a walk through the city center’s maze of half-timbered houses that also almost touch across the narrow, fascinatingly-named lanes like The Shambles and Whip-ma-Whop-ma-Gate. We then then proceed to visit the York Minster, a medieval masterpiece of stone and glass at the heart of the historic city of York. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.

DAY 07:  YORK / EDINBURGH.  After breakfast we drive to Edinburgh.   Our city tour includes Edinburgh Castle and St. Giles Cathedral with the Thistle Chapel.  Edinburgh’s Castle rock has been a stronghold for over 3000 years. In its dominating position overlooking the capital city, the grandeur and historical significance of Edinburgh Castle has made it a globally famous icon of Scotland and part of the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh World Heritage Site. Dinner and overnight in Edinburgh.

DAY 08:  EDINBURGH / GLASGOW / WINDEMERE. This morning we depart Edinburgh and journey to the Lake District. The Lake District, a stunning National Park in the north of England, is home to sixteen lakes and Scafell Pike, the highest peak in England. One of the most popular spots in the area is Lake Windermere where a lake cruise and free time in the charming Victorian town of Bowness-on-Windermere are highly recommended activities. The afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.

DAY 09: LAKE DISTRICT / DUBLIN.  This morning we drive to Holyhead where we board our ferry for the crossing of the Irish Sea to Dun Laoghaire.  Continue to the nearby capital of Southern Ireland, Dublin for dinner and overnight at our hotel. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.

DAY 10: DUBLIN.  This morning our sightseeing includes many of the highlights of this fascinating city.  We will visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral, O’Connell Street, the historic Post Office and gracious Merrion Square.  There is also time to stop at lovely St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin Castle, and Trinity College where the famous Book of Kells is on display.  This afternoon is at leisure to pursue special interests, such as visiting the National Museum.  Dinner and overnight at our Dublin hotel.

DAY 11:  DUBLIN / USA.  Transfer to Dublin Airport for our return flight home – the end of a most memorable journey.