BRITAIN & IRELAND DISCOVERY

Your itinerary

Tour Pace

Well paced tour with two night stays in the cities of Edinburgh, Sligo and Plymouth, plus the change of pace with two different Irish ferry crossings & pleasant driving days with frequent stops.

DAY 1 – LONDON – STRATFORD

We stop in Oxford before driving through the Cotswolds to visit Shakespeare's birthplace in Stratford. Tonight, we enjoy a Welcome Drink. Hotel: Thistle. (Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)

DAY 2 – STRATFORD – YORK

We visit the Wedgwood china factory then continue to York where we wander through the cobbled streets of the Shambles and see the huge Minster. Hotel: Marriott. (Full breakfast)

DAY 3 – YORK – EDINBURGH

This morning we tour the Lake District before stopping at Gretna Green in Scotland. Then it's on to Edinburgh. (Tonight selected departures attend the Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle.) Hotel: Royal Terrace. (Full breakfast)

DAY 4 – EDINBURGH SIGHTSEEING

Our guided tour takes us inside Edinburgh Castle and down the Royal Mile past StGiles' Cathedral, to the Queen's Holyroodhouse Palace. Then we cross over to the 18th century New Town. This afternoon is at leisure. (Full breakfast)

DAY 5 – EDINBURGH – HIGHLANDS

We cross the Firth of Forth on our way to St Andrews - the home of golf. Then we continue to Perth and over the Grampian Mountains, past Blair Athol, to our hotel in Newtonmore. Tonight we enjoy a traditional dinner with Scottish entertainment. Hotel: The Highlander. (Full breakfast, Speciality Highlight Dinner)

DAY 6 – HIGHLANDS – THURSO

We drive along the Spey Valley to see the Clava Stone Circles and cross the Culloden battlefield. Now we drive via Inverness and the shores of Loch Ness, before following the coast to Thurso. Hotel: Royal. (Full Breakfast, Three or four course table d’hote or buffet style dinner)

DAY 7 – ORKNEYS OR HIGHLAND DRIVE (see Notes)

This morning we drive to the most northerly town on the British mainland, John O'Groats, to board our ferry to the Orkney Islands. Here we visit the village of Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar and Kirkwall and the Italian Chapel. Then back to the mainland and our hotel. *Ullapool Hotel: Caledonian. (Full Breakfast, Three or four course table d’hote or buffet style dinner)

DAY 8 – THURSO – ISLE OF SKYE

Relax and enjoy the scenery of lochs and mountains as we make our way to the fishing town of Ullapool. Then it's 'over the sea to Skye' where we admire the Cuillin Hills en route to Portree. Hotel: Tongadale. (Full Breakfast, Three or four course table d’hote or buffet style dinner)

DAY 9 – ISLE OF SKYE – GLASGOW

Magnificent scenery today as we pass Eilean Donan Castle, and drive through the awe-inspiring Glencoe. We stop on the 'bonnie banks' of Loch Lomond, before arriving in Glasgow. Hotel: Marriott. (Full breakfast)

DAY 10 – GLASGOW – LONDONDERRY

We bid farewell to Scotland as we cross the Irish Sea with views of the Island of Aran. The scenic Antrim coast road brings us to the Giant's Causeway, before reaching our hotel. Hotel: Everglades/Great Southern City Hotel. (Full Breakfast, Three or four course table d’hote or buffet style dinner)

DAY 11 – LONDONDERRY – SLIGO

With our guide we see 'Derry's Walls', the Guildhall and cathedral. Then we drive southwards to visit the Belleek Pottery Centre. We also visit the churchyard at Drumcliff, where the Irish poet W.B.Yeats lies buried, before reaching Sligo. Hotel: Radisson SAS Sligo. (Full Breakfast, Three or four course table d’hote or buffet style dinner)

DAY 12 – DONEGAL EXCURSION

We pass Ballyshannon to see O'Donnell's Castle in Donegal. Then to Ardara for a hand loom demonstration, before returning to Sligo via picturesque Killybegs. (Full breakfast)

DAY 13 – SLIGO – CO. CLARE

A scenic drive through Connemara brings us to the famous marble factory. Then we continue to Galway to see St Nicholas Cathedral, the Spanish Arch and Eyre Square. Now on to our hotel. Hotel: Woodstock. (Full Breakfast, Three or four course table d’hote or buffet style dinner)

DAY 14 – CO. CLARE – KILLARNEY

We begin with a visit to Bunratty Folk Park, then continue via Limerick and the town of Adare into County Kerry. On arrival in Killarney we enjoy a ride on a famous jaunting car! Hotel: Muckross Park. (Full Breakfast, Three or four course table d’hote or buffet style dinner)

DAY 15 – KILLARNEY – WATERFORD

Today we tour the spectacular Ring of Kerry then continue to Blarney Castle to kiss the Blarney Stone. We also see the city of Cork before reaching our hotel in Waterford. Hotel: Belfry. (Full Breakfast, Three or four course table d’hote or buffet style dinner)

DAY 16 – WATERFORD – DUBLIN

We visit the Waterford Crystal showroom this morning. Now it's on to Kilkenny to see the Castle, before our afternoon arrival in Dublin. Hotel: Jury's Ballsbridge. (Full breakfast)

DAY 17 – DUBLIN SIGHTSEEING

With our local guide we tour Dublin's elegant Georgian squares and visit the castle (when open). We also see the Irish President's home, O'Connell Street and historic Customs House. This afternoon is at leisure. (Full breakfast)

DAY 18 – DUBLIN – CHESTER

It's back across the Irish Sea today, and through North Wales to Chester. Here we see the Roman amphitheatre, cathedral, and Tudor 'Rows'. Hotel: Hilton St Helens /Blossoms. (Full Breakfast, Three or four course table d’hote or buffet style dinner)

DAY 19 – CHESTER – BRISTOL

First to Ludlow, with its half-timbered houses and ruined castle. Then along the Wye Valley, past Tintern Abbey and over the Severn Bridge to Bristol. Hotel: Marriott City Centre. (Full breakfast)

DAY 20 – BRISTOL – PLYMOUTH

This morning we drive to Bath, where we visit the Roman Baths. Then we drive via Glastonbury to Plymouth to enjoy a highlight cruise on the harbour. Hotel: Moat House. (Full Breakfast, Three or four course table d’hote or buffet style dinner)

DAY 21 – DARTMOOR & TINTAGEL

First stop today is Princetown, in the heart of rugged Dartmoor. Then we visit King Arthur's Tintagel and return to Plymouth via Bodmin Moor. (Full breakfast)

DAY 22 – PLYMOUTH – LONDON

We visit mysterious Stonehenge this morning, then we continue over Salisbury Plain back to London. (Full breakfast)

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