Tripology

Commercial Flight

Board your overnight transatlantic flight.

Relaxation

After checking into your hotel, the remainder of your day is at leisure.

Hotel

Stay at Riverbank Park Plaza (SF).

Sightseeing

A sightseeing tour with a local guide highlights Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square and Westminster Abbey.

Relaxation

The remainder of the day is free. (B)

Bus

Drive through the scenic Cotswold Hills, dotted with the golden limestone of thatched cottages, en route to Stratford-upon-Avon.

Sightseeing

On arrival visit Shakespeare''s birthplace and see Anne Hathaway''s thatched cottage. Next is Coventry, once the home of Lady Godiva. See the city''s new and old cathedrals. Continue on to York and see the city''s narrow cobbled streets, timbered houses and famous Minster.

Sightseeing

Take a walking tour of the city before a Welcome Drink with your Tour Director and fellow travelers. (CB)

Hotel

Stay at Quality (F) or Holiday Inn (F).

Sightseeing

This morning drive through Northumberland National Park and stop at a section of Hadrian''s Wall. Note: Tickets to the Military Tattoo are included on Jul 29-Aug 17 departures.

Bus

Then cross he border into Scotland and see the ruins of Jedburgh Abbey before arriving in Edinburgh. (B)

Hotel

Stay at Novotel (F).

Sightseeing

Sightseeing of Edinburgh with a local guide includes Princes Street, the Royal Mile, views of the Scottish Parliament, Holyrood House and Arthur''s seat, as well as a guided visit of Edinburgh Castle.

Sightseeing

Afterward, why not visit the Rosslyn Chapel just south of Edinburgh, long associated with the Knights Templar, but more recently as an important feature of the Da Vinci Code.

Nightlife

Later, perhaps join the optional night out to see Highland Dancers and sample whisky and haggis! (B)

Sightseeing

Travel across the magnificent Forth Bridge to the seaside town of St. Andrews with its celebrated golf course and ancient university. Stop at the 18th hole before continuing to Pitlochry, the geographical center of Scotland. Then through the heather-clad heart of the Scottish highlands, and past Blair Castle, ancestral home of the Dukes of Athol, to Laggan. (B,D)

Hotel

Stay at Laggan Country Hotel (F) in Laggan.

Sightseeing

First to the famous battle site of Culloden, where all hopes for Bonnie Prince Charlie to succeed to the throne were dashed. Then on to Scotland''s famous Loch Ness, where you will drive along its magnificent shores taking in breathtaking scenery and looking out for “Nessie.” Stop at the romantic ruins of Urquhart Castle before continuing to the Kyle of Lochalsh, where you cross “over the sea to Skye.”

Bus

Drive toward the Cuillin Mountains to Portree, capital of the Isle. (B,D)

Hotel

Stay at Kings Arms (F).

Sightseeing

Back on the Scottish mainland, begin your day with a drive to the “Vale of Weeping” at Glencoe, site of the famous massacre by the Campbell clan over the McDonalds. Then reward yourself with some of Scotland''s finest scenery, traveling to the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond and south to Glasgow. Upon arrival, an orientation tour includes George Square, the Cathedral and the River Clyde.

Food and Dining

This evening, enjoy a Scottish dinner in a local restaurant. (B,D)

Hotel

Stay at Jurys Inn (F).

Sightseeing

Your first stop is at Gretna Green, where in past times, eloping couples would marry against their parents'' wishes. Then travel through England''s Lake District to Grasmere, once the home of English poet William Wordsworth.

Sightseeing

Continue south to Chester, where a walking tour includes the galleried “Rows.” (B,D)

Hotel

Stay at Daresbury Park (SF) in Warrington.

Sightseeing

This morning, visit the railway station withthe longest name in the world: Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwlllantysiliogogogoch.

Continue along the North Wales coast to Holyhead on Anglesey Island to board the ferry across the Irish Sea and on to Dublin. (B)

Hotel

Stay at Camden Court (F).

Sightseeing

Sightseeing with a local guide includes a visit to Trinity College to see the beautiful “Book of Kells.”

Sightseeing

Then see St. Patrick''s Cathedral, Phoenix Park and many other notable landmarks as you drive through the lively capital city.

Sightseeing

The rest of the day is at leisure. Perhaps visit an Irish stately home or tour a monastic site.

Nightlife

Tonight, why not join your traveling companions for an evening of Irish entertainment at a cabaret? (B)

Sightseeing

Today, journey from one side of Ireland to the other, crossing the Shannon River to Galway for an orientation tour. On to Limerick where there is an optional outing to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park.

Nightlife

Tonight why not try out an Irish Ceildh? (B)

Hotel

Stay at Radisson SAS (SF).

Sightseeing

Experience Ireland''s most scenic coastal drive on The Ring of Kerry. Its varied landscape is truly a photo­grapher''s delight.

Shopping

Arrive in Killarney or Kenmare late this afternoon, leaving plenty of time for shopping. (B)

Hotel

Hotel : Stay at Eviston House (F) in Killarney or Kenmare Bay (F) in Kenmare.

Sightseeing

This morning drive to Blarney Castle, with a chance to kiss the famous Blarney Stone and acquire the “gift of the gab.”

Sightseeing

Then over the Cork and Kerry Mountains to Waterford to visit the Waterford Crystal Showrooms. (B,D)

Hotel

Stay at Waterford Marina (F).

Drive to Rosslare and ferry across the Irish Sea.

Sightseeing

Arrive in Pembroke, where Henry VII of the Tudors was born. Then journey across Wales to Cardiff, the Welsh capital, and view its famous Castle. (B,D)

Hotel

Stay at Park Inn City Centre (SF).

Sightseeing

Cross the Severn Bridge into England and drive to historic Bath where an orientation tour includes a visit to the Roman Baths and a drive through the elegant Georgian streets.

Sightseeing

Next journey into Somerset''s rolling hills and to King Arthur''s Glastonbury to visit the Abbey ruins and see his legendary tomb. Finally drive to the naval city of Plymouth, where an orientation tour shows you the Mayflower Steps from which the Pilgrims set sail. (B,D)

Hotel

Stay at Jurys Inn (F).

Sightseeing

Travel to Penzance to view St. Michael''s Mount, then on to visit the colorful artists'' village of St. Ives.

Bus

Next enjoy a beautiful drive through north Cornwall and Bodmin Moor, with a stop at Daphne du Maurier''s Jamaica Inn.

Food and Dining

Tonight, relish a Farewell Dinner. (B,D)

Sightseeing

Travel through Thomas Hardy Country and visit mysterious Stonehenge. Drive over the Salisbury Plain and stop in Salisbury to see the Cathedral with the tallest spire in England.

Bus

Return to London via Windsor and Runnymede. (B)

Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B)