Itinerary

DAY 1: ARRIVE IN DUBLIN, IRELAND.

Cead mile failte-a hundred-thousand welcomes! Check into your hotel and take the rest of the day to relax in the Irish capital. This evening, meet your Tour Director and travelling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel, followed by Irish Liquor. (D)

DAY 2: DUBLIN.

This morning's orientation drive in the "Fair City" includes statue-lined O'Connell Street, elegant Georgian squares with their tall, red-brick townhouses, colourful doors, and wrought iron-decorated windows, Oscar Wilde's Trinity College, and St. Patrick's Cathedral. The afternoon is at leisure for you to enjoy the vibrant city. Tonight, why not join an optional cabaret evening with dinner, followed by dance, song and laughter? (B)

DAY 3: DUBLIN-BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND.

On your way to Northern Ireland, cross the Boyne River, then skirt the Mountains of Mourne. In Belfast, your orientation drive takes in all the famous landmarks, including City Hall, Albert Memorial Clock Tower, and Queens University. Then, visit the fascinating TITANIC EXPERIENCE, where you learn all about the building of the largest passenger steam ship, its maiden voyage, and the tragic night of April 14th,1912. (B)

DAY 4: BELFAST-EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND.

Time at leisure this morning before boarding your FERRY to cross the North Channel to Cairnryan on Scotland's southwest coast and continue through the scenic Scottish border country to Edinburgh. Tonight, enjoy our optional Scottish night with Highland dancers, bagpipes, and the Ceremony of the Haggis. (B)

DAY 5: EDINBURGH.

Morning city sightseeing with a Local Guide introduces you to the 200-year-old "New Town" and famous scientists, inventors, and novelists who lived there. In the "Old Town," visit EDINBURGH CASTLE to admire Scotland's Crown Jewels and the iconic Stone of Destiny, used to inaugurate monarchs for centuries. Take in the fantastic views over the city. Later a unique optional experience: board the former Royal Yacht Britannia, once the perfect royal residence for glittering state visits and family holidays. Dinner rounds off this optional experience. (B)

DAY 6: EDINBURGH-ALNWICK, ENGLAND-YORK.

Relax and enjoy vistas of the beautiful North Sea coastline as you drive via Berwick-upon-Tweed to Alnwick, voted the "best place to live in Britain" in a national survey. Next, make your way to York, England's most complete medieval city. Here, stand in front of the great structure of the Minster, then follow your Tour Director through a maze of quaint streets, including the narrow Shambles. (B,D)

DAY 7: YORK-STRATFORD-UPON-AVON-LONDON.

On the last leg of your journey, spend time at the medieval market town of Stratford-upon-Avon to visit SHAKESPEARE'S BIRTHPLACE. In London, why not take in a West End show? (B)

DAY 8: LONDON.

Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide includes all the famous landmarks: the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben beside the Thames River, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall's mounted horseguards, the Prime Minister's Downing Street residence, Piccadilly Circus, and Buckingham Palace. The highlight is a visit to ST. PAUL'S CATHEDRAL, Sir Christopher Wren's masterpiece built between 1675 and 1708. Then, discover London on your own or join one of our exciting optional excursions, maybe to the Tower of London! This evening an optional dinner is available, followed by a cruise on the River Thames. (B)

DAY 9: LONDON.

Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)