Tripology

Commercial Flight

Board your over­night transatlantic flight.

Hotel

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

Hotel

Stay at Kensington Hilton (SF).

Sightseeing

See many of the major sights of London on a morning tour. The afternoon is free. (B)

Sightseeing

Meet your Tour Director this morning. Leave London via Windsor Great Park in the shadow of Windsor Castle and travel through Runnymede where the Magna Carta was sealed.

Sightseeing

Then on to the mysterious stone circle at Stonehenge for a visit before stopping in Salisbury to see the beautiful Cathedral. Continue to the elegant Georgian streets of Bath to tour the Roman Baths. Cross the Severn Bridge to Cardiff, capital of Wales.

Food and Dining

This evening, enjoy a Welcome Drink with your Tour Director and traveling companions. (CB)

Hotel

Stay at Park Inn City Centre (SF).

Sightseeing

See Cardiff Castle before driving across South Wales. Head to Pembroke to view the castle, birth­place of Henry VII of the Tudor Dynasty.

Then board the ferry bound for Rosslare in Ireland. Disembark for the short drive to Waterford. (B,D)

Hotel

Stay at Waterford Marina (F).

Sightseeing

Your first stop today is a visit to the Waterford Crystal showrooms.

Sightseeing

Afterwards, drive along the splendid southern coast through the fishing ports of Youghal and Cork.

Sightseeing

Visit nearby Blarney Castle so you can kiss the stone and acquire the “gift of the gab.” From here continue to Kenmare. (B,D)

Hotel

Stay at Kenmare Bay (F).

Sightseeing

This morning drive around The Ring of Kerry, a wonderful landscape hewn by the last Ice Age. View some of Ireland’s most beautiful scenery and its highest mountains.

Sightseeing

Then head north through Adare, the prettiest village in Ireland, before crossing the River Shannon to Limerick. (B)

Hotel

Stay at Radisson SAS (SF).

Sightseeing

There is an optional visit to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park this morning. Then drive north for a stop in Galway.

Bus

Afterward, head across Ireland's rich farmland to Dublin, the lively capital city. (B)

Hotel

Stay at Mespil (F) or Jurys Inn Parnell Street (F).

Sightseeing

This morning's sight­seeing tour of Dublin''s “fair city” features Trinity College and the astoundingly beautiful “Book of Kells,” St. Patrick''s Cathedral, Phoenix Park and the Georgian Squares.

Sightseeing

With the afternoon at leisure, why not take an optional excursion to an ancient monastic site.

Nightlife

Tonight, join your fellow traveling companions for an optional night out at an Irish cabaret. (B)

Enjoy a cruise on a passenger ferry across the Irish Sea, affording magnificent views of the coast.

Sightseeing

As you approach the British mainland, view the spectacular mountain scenery of North Wales. Visit the train station with the longest name in the world: Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwlllantysiliogogogoch. Then travel by Snow­donia National Park to Chester.

Sightseeing

On arrival, enjoy a walking tour around the Roman walls, its Tudor architecture and galleried shops known as the “Rows.” (B,D)

Hotel

Stay at Holiday Inn South (F).

Sightseeing

Your high­light today is a drive through England’s pretty Lake District. Stop in charming Grasmere to see the home of the poet William Wordsworth.

Sightseeing

Next is Gretna Green, famous for its love and romance, this is the place where couples could elope in times past. Your day ends in the beautiful Scottish capital of Edinburgh. During the Festival, tickets to the spectacular Edinburgh Tattoo are included. (B)

Hotel

Stay at Holiday Inn (F).

Sightseeing

Sightseeing includes Princes Street, Holyrood House and Arthur’s seat, as well as a guided visit of Edinburgh Castle.

Sightseeing

After­ward, why not visit the Rosslyn Chapel associated with The Da Vinci Code.
Note: Tickets to the Military Tattoo are included on Jul 24-Aug 11 departures.

Nightlife

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

Sightseeing

This morning, travel to the ruins of Jedburgh Abbey and to Hadrian’s Wall, built by the Roman Emperor to keep the Scots out of England.

National Parks

On through the scenery of the Northumberland National Park to York.

Sightseeing

Enjoy a guided walking tour, seeing the Mansion House, the narrow and quaint “Shambles” and the awe-inspiring York Minster, the largest gothic cathedral in Great Britain. (B,D)

Hotel

Stay at Holiday Inn York (F) or Holiday Inn Harrogate (F).

Sightseeing

Travel into the heart of England to Coventry to see the two cathedrals. Also see the statue of Lady Godiva before reaching Warwick.

Food and Dining

Tonight, savor a Farewell Dinner at the hotel. (B,D)

Hotel

Stay at Hilton (F).

Sightseeing

Begin the day with a view of Anne Hathaway's thatched cottage. Then on to Stratford-upon-Avon to visit Shakespeare's birthplace.

Sightseeing

Next take a scenic drive through the Cotswold Hills to the little churchyard at Bladon to see Sir Winston Churchill's grave. The final stop en route to London is at Oxford.

Sightseeing

Enjoy a guided walk around of one the famous colleges before returning to London. (B)

Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B)