20 Days Best of British Isles Tour
DAY 1Arrive in London, England
Welcome to London! Tour guides are available to help you make the most of your stay.
DAY 2London
Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide includes all the famous landmarks: the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben beside the River Thames, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall’s mounted horseguards and the Prime Minister’s Downing Street, Piccadilly Circus, and Buckingham Palace. Highlights are a visit to ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL and the ceremonial pageantry of the Changing of the Guard, if held. This afternoon, why not join an optional excursion to Windsor Castle or the Tower of London, and later, maybe an optional dinner followed by a cruise on the River Thames. (Breakfast)
| Changing of the Guard
"Changing the Guard dates to Henry VII (reigned 1485-1509) and was designed to show military discipline as well as ceremony. The tall bearskin hats were introduced in the 18th century to make the soldiers look taller and thus more frightening, and they were adopted for ceremonial use in 1832. The ceremony we know today started in the late 1800s and involves real soldiers who fulfill all military duties, guarding the Queen being just part of their service." |
| Tower of London
"Since its founding in the 11th century, the Tower of London has served many roles: impregnable fortress, royal residence, armory, treasury, home of the famed Crown Jewels, and a prison for those who offended the monarchy. To this day it is guarded by the “Beefeaters,” a name that likely originates from when Tower guards were paid part of their salary with chunks of beef, a practice that continued until the 1800s." |
| Houses of Parliament
"Big Ben may be the most famous feature of the Houses of Parliament, but equally impressive is the hammerbeam ceiling of Westminster Hall. The Hall dates back to 1097 and, at that time, the roof was supported by pillars. During the reign of King Richard II (14th century), however, it was replaced by the hammerbeam roof seen today. This roof – its beauty and sustainability – is even more impressive when you know its history. It was built with beams made from trees that were ancient at the time, reputedly acorns, dating back to the 6th century (or earlier). If only these walls (beams, rather) could talk!" |
| Buckingham Palace
"Amid the splendor of modern cities it’s hard to imagine what places looked like before they became what we know today. In a previous incarnation, the ground where Buckingham Palace now stands was a mulberry garden cultivated by King James I as food for silkworms. The silk industry he hoped to nurture never materialized, and eventually a roadhouse was built there, followed in due course by the Blake House, Goring House and Arlington House.Originally known as the Buckingham House, built as a townhouse by the Duke of Buckingham in 1709, the estate was acquired by King George III in 1762." |
DAY 3London–Oxford–Stratford-Upon-Avon–Warwick
Meet your Tour Director and traveling companions and depart London at 8 am for a lovely day of sightseeing: a special visit to admire the breathtaking ORNAMENTAL GARDENS of Henry VIII’s Hampton Court Palace; Runnymede, site of the sealing of the Magna Carta; and a walking tour in the university city of Oxford. At Stratford-upon-Avon, visit SHAKESPEARE’S BIRTHPLACE and take your pictures of Anne Hathaway’s Cottage. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner at your hotel. (Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 4Warwick–York
A spectacular start to the day with a special, pre-public-opening guided tour of magnificent WARWICK CASTLE. Marvel at the opulent Great Hall and State Rooms, and visit the former private apartments. Later, in York, stand in awe in front of the great Minster, then follow your Tour Director through a maze of quaint streets, including the narrow Shambles. (Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 5York–Abbotsford–Edinburgh, Scotland
See a section of Hadrian’s Wall, and in Jedburgh, take pictures of the abbey ruins and the house of Mary, Queen of Scots. Then, take a guided tour of Sir Walter Scott’s newly refurbished ABBOTSFORD HOUSE, and after the tour, enjoy a CUP OF TEA and SHORTBREAD at the brand new visitors’ center. Spend the next two nights in Edinburgh, the Scottish capital. Tonight, consider an optional Scottish evening with Highland dancers, bagpipers, and the Ceremony of the Haggis. (Breakfast)
DAY 6Edinburgh
Morning city sightseeing with a Local Guide introduces you to the 200-year-old “New Town” and famous scientists, inventors, and novelists. In the “Old Town,” drive up the narrow Royal Mile to EDINBURGH CASTLE to admire Scotland’s Crown Jewels, then explore HOLYROOD PALACE (except when the Queen is in residence). Later, a unique optional experience: board the former Royal Yacht Britannia to see how the Royal Family and crew of 240 lived and worked on board. Dinner rounds off this optional evening. For departures July 28 through August 18, tickets are included for tonight’s performance of the world-renowned MILITARY TATTOO. (Breakfast)
DAY 7Edinburgh–St. Andrews–Braemar–Inverness
Drive over the elegant Forth Road Bridge and through Fife to St. Andrews, whose Royal and Ancient Golf Club has given us the rules of golfing. Then, through Braemar, home of the Royal Highland Games, to BALMORAL CASTLE (when available). Overnight at Inverness, the Highland capital. (Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 8Inverness–Fort William–Glasgow
At CULLODEN VISITOR CENTRE, hear the story of the crushing Hanoverian victory over Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Scottish clans. Then, enjoy a day full of Highland splendor: Loch Ness with its mysterious monster, Fort William beneath Ben Nevis, Loch Linnhe, and haunting Glen Coe. Motor across wild Rannoch Moor to the “Bonnie Banks” of Loch Lomond for a CRUISE on the loch before heading south to Glasgow. (Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 9Glasgow–Lake District, England–Liverpool
On the way through the Lowland Hills, stop at Gretna Green, where the blacksmith used to wed runaway couples. Enter the beautiful Lake District and visit Grasmere, home of poet William Wordsworth. In Liverpool, visit the award-winning BEATLES STORY, an atmospheric journey into the life, times, culture, and music of the “Fab Four.” (Breakfast)
| Gretna Green
"There are many legends of love that surround Gretna Green – the first town encountered across the Scottish border. For centuries, Gretna Green has been synonymous with elopement and blacksmith marriages, although marriage by a blacksmith is more legend than fact. Until the 18th century, church marriages among the lower classes in Europe were almost unheard of. Instead, lower class weddings were usually looked at as “marriage by declaration.” When England passed the Marriage Act of 1754, establishing church weddings as the only legal form of marriage, a sudden industry began over the border in Scotland, where couples could still wed by declaration. Scottish “blacksmith priests” began working in pubs and inns and the eloping couples came in droves." |
DAY 10Liverpool–North Wales–Dublin, Ireland
Cross the border into North Wales and drive to lovely Betws-y-Coed and through the incomparable landscapes of Snowdonia National Park. After a stop at tongue-twisting Llanfair..., board your FERRY at Holyhead for the crossing to Dublin. (Breakfast)
DAY 11Dublin
An orientation drive in the Irish capital includes statue-lined O’Connell Street, elegant Georgian squares, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Then, visit Oscar Wilde’s TRINITY COLLEGE, famous for the 1,200-year-old Book of Kells and the magnificent Old Library. Maybe take in an optional dinner outing to the Guinness Storehouse? (Breakfast)
DAY 12Dublin–Kildare–Limerick
Across the Curragh to the IRISH NATIONAL STUD at Kildare. On the way to Limerick, see the Rock of Cashel, Tipperary, and on arrival, an orientation drive acquaints you with St. Mary’s Cathedral, King John’s Castle, and the stone where the Treaty of Limerick was signed in 1691. Tonight, an optional banquet at Bunratty Castle. (Breakfast)
DAY 13Limerick. West Coast Excursion
A breathtaking view of the Clare coast from the 668-foot CLIFFS OF MOHER, then a drive across the limestone plateau of The Burren to the port city of Galway. Next, a real Irish farm experience at RATHBAUN FARM. Try your hand at scone making, and learn from the farmer about sheep shearing and dog whistling. Afterwards, enjoy COFFEE and your SCONES, fresh from the oven. (Breakfast)
DAY 14Limerick–Adare–Ring of Kerry–Tralee
Via quaint Adare with its pretty thatched cottages, and Killorglin on Dingle Bay, join the spectacular RING OF KERRY for a 100-mile panoramic drive around the island’s southwestern tip. Take your photos of the Lakes of Killarney, then spend some time in this resort town before arriving in Tralee. (Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 15Tralee–Blarney–Waterford
Morning visit to Blarney, renowned for its magical Kissing Stone. Time for lunch, to walk up to the castle, and to shop for traditional Irish handicrafts. In the afternoon, proceed via Cork to Waterford, a stronghold founded by the Danish Vikings, where you join a guided tour of the HOUSE OF WATERFORD CRYSTAL. (Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 16Waterford–Cardiff, Wales
By FERRY from Rosslare across St. George’s Channel to Pembroke and a drive through South Wales. Tonight’s optional excursion is to Cardiff Castle for an evening of Welsh entertainment and dinner. (Breakfast)
DAY 17Cardiff–Bath, England–Glastonbury–Plymouth
First this morning, Georgian Bath, with time to explore the amazing excavations of the ROMAN BATHS, then focus on King Arthur’s Glastonbury. Visit pretty Widecombe-in-the-Moor as you head across Dartmoor to Plymouth, your destination for the next two nights. (Breakfast)
DAY 18Plymouth. Cornwall Excursion
Cross the River Tamar on your way to the pretty shark-fishing village and former smugglers’ port of Looe. Back in Plymouth, a leisurely afternoon. See the Mayflower Steps, where the Pilgrim Fathers embarked in 1620, and hear about Sir Francis Drake. Maybe an optional cruise on Plymouth Sound. (Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 19Plymouth–Stonehenge–Salisbury–London
Two sightseeing highlights on the last leg of your journey: first, try to figure out the intriguing riddle of STONEHENGE, then stroll through pretty Salisbury with its vast cathedral. Return to London around 4 pm. How about celebrating the success of your vacation by taking in one of the great West End shows? (Breakfast)
| Stonehenge
"Built in several stages starting around 3,000 BC, Stonehenge remains one of humankind’s biggest mysteries. While science is still trying to determine the purpose behind this famous prehistoric monument, it is generally assumed to be some sort of astronomical observatory that reflects the changing trajectory of the sun through the sky and the seasons" |
DAY 20London
