DAY 1

London – Stratford-upon-Avon – York – Leeds
The ‘Bard of Avon’ and his legacy take centre stage as we travel to Stratford-upon-Avon to view Anne Hathaway’s picturesque thatched cottage and visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace and Visitor Centre before heading to York and Leeds, where we’ll enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and get to know our Travel Director and travel companions.
Hotel: Jurys Inn/Clayton
Meal: Welcome Reception

DAY 2

Leeds – Alnwick – Edinburgh (2 Nights)
We venture north to the medieval market town of Alnwick with its impressive castle and Tenantry Column, upon which the Percy Lion sits imposingly overlooking the town’s beautiful gardens. Enjoy a scenic drive north to the enchanting capital of Edinburgh. During the Edinburgh Festival, tickets to the Edinburgh Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle are included.
Hotel: Macdonald Cardrona
Meal: Full Breakfast

DAY 3

Edinburgh Sightseeing
Join a Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour including a visit to Edinburgh Castle, overlooking the town from Castle Rock. See the quaint Royal Mile, Palace of Holyroodhouse and new Scottish Parliament building.
Meal: Full Breakfast

DAY 4

Edinburgh – St. Andrews – Pitlochry – Scottish Highlands
We continue north to the historic town of St. Andrews, home to one of the oldest golf courses in the world. View the famous 18th green which the golfing greats have clamoured to play on for centuries, before heading to picturesque Pitlochry and our overnight stop in the Scottish Highlands.
Hotel: Highlander/Carrbridge
Meal: Full Breakfast,Dinner

DAY 5

Scottish Highlands – Culloden – Loch Ness – Isle of Skye
View the site of the bloody Battle of Culloden, where Bonnie Prince Charlie and his army of Jacobites were defeated in 1746. Then meander through the scenic Scottish Highlands along the banks of Loch Ness in search of Nessie. We’ll view the 13th-century Eilean Donan Castle where three lochs meet before travelling to the Isle of Skye where we dine in our hotel tonight.
Hotel: Gairloch
Meal: Full Breakfast,Dinner

DAY 6

Isle of Skye – Glencoe – Glasgow
Journey past the site of the tragic 1692 massacre at Glencoe, known as the ‘Glen of the Weeping’ before heading to the Scottish cultural capital, Glasgow, where our orientation tour includes views of the Cathedral and the magnificent George Square, lined with statues of Great Britain’s most celebrated sons. We visit Falkirk Wheel where you’ll ‘Dive Into Culture’ learning about the legacy of Scotland’s canals and experience the world’s only rotating boat lift. This evening, we enjoy a delicious Regional Meal at a local restaurant.
Hotel: Hallmark/Park Inn by Radisson City Centre
Meal: Full Breakfast,Regional Meal

DAY 7

Glasgow – Gretna Green – Lake District
The runaway wedding capital of Gretna Green is our first stop today. See where eloping couples would make their vows over the Marriage Anvil before crossing the border and arriving in Grasmere, where famous Romantic poet William Wordsworth wrote his famous ‘Daffodils’ poem. See Lake Windermere, England’s largest lake, before arriving at your hotel.
Hotel: Lancaster House/Castle Green
Meal: Full Breakfast,Dinner

DAY 8

Lake District – Liverpool
We travel to the haunt of the ‘Fab Four’ and our home for the night, the edgy city of Liverpool.
Hotel: Mercure Atlantic Tower/Jurys Inn Manchester
Meal: Full Breakfast

DAY 9

Liverpool – Chester – Dublin (2 Nights)
Travel to the ancient town of Chester where your orientation tour will take you past its Roman walls and famous Tudor ‘Rows’. ‘Dive Into Culture’ into the life of the local Town Crier before travelling along the scenic North Wales Coast to the island of Anglesey en route to Holyhood. Cross the Irish Sea to Dublin, the charismatic Irish capital.
Hotel: Mespi/Clayton Leopardstown
Meal: Full Breakfast

DAY 10

Dublin Sightseeing and Free Time
Beat the crowds and gain entry to the Guinness Storehouse before general admission. Here you’ll ‘Dive Into Culture’ and embark on a tour and tasting technique demonstration. The rest of the day is yours to explore the Irish capital. Amble along Grafton Street with its colourful performers, head to Temple Bar or stroll through Phoenix Park, Dublin’s playground.
Meal: Full Breakfast

DAY 11

Dublin – Belfast
This morning cross the border to Northern Ireland. We meet our Local Specialist ‘Cabbie’ who will take us on a journey through the recent history of Belfast in their Black Cab. Spend the rest of the day at leisure perhaps exploring the Titanic Quarter to learn more about this ill-fated ship.
Hotel: Park Inn/Stormont
Meal: Full Breakfast

DAY 12

Belfast – Giants Causeway – Londonderry/Derry – Donegal
This morning, visit Giants Causeway, an area of about 40,000 interlocking ballast columns, a UNESCO World Heritage site in an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and one of the most iconic natural wonders in the United Kingdom. In Londonderry, walk along the 17th-century walls with your Local Specialist and see the streets and murals of the Bogside. Known as the People’s Gallery, the murals depict the history of the ‘troubles’. Later arrive in Donegal where you dine at your hotel.
Hotel: The Central/Ocean Sands
Meal: Full Breakfast,Dinner

DAY 13

Donegal – Galway
Before departing Donegal, view the castle that was once the stronghold of the O’Donnell clan. We view the grave of W. B Yeats in Drumcliffe before continuing through Sligo and Galway to see the stone Cathedral that was built on the site of an old prison, and stroll around Eyre Square with its tribute to John F. Kennedy.
Hotel: Connacht/Maldron Oranmore
Meal: Full Breakfast,Dinner

DAY 14

Galway – Cliffs of Moher – Limerick – Kenmare (2 Nights)
We’ll visit the dramatic Cliffs of Moher before travelling to Limerick to view St. Mary’s Cathedral, the Treaty Stone and King John’s Castle, the tallest spire in Ireland. Our drive continues through picturesque Adare, one of Ireland’s prettiest villages, before arriving in colourful Kenmare, our home for the next two nights.
Hotel: Killarney /Manor West Tralee
Meal: Full Breakfast

DAY 15

Ring of Kerry Excursion
Ireland’s enduring natural beauty is our welcome companion today as we circle the enchanting Ring of Kerry, past the fishing village of Waterville, Black Valley and Moll’s Gap.
Meal: Full Breakfast,Dinner

DAY 16

Kenmare – Blarney – Waterford
In pursuit of the ‘gift of the gab’, we kiss the Blarney Stone, before continuing to the House of Waterford Crystal where we will enjoy a fascinating ‘Dive Into Culture’ demonstration with master craftsmen.
Hotel: Fitzwilton
Meal: Full Breakfast,Dinner

DAY 17

Waterford – Cardiff
Cross the Irish Sea to Wales and continue your journey through beautiful countryside and arrive in its capital. Explore Cardiff’s iconic sights – the Millennium Stadium, Millennium Centre and Victorian fantasy Cardiff Castle at its heart.
Hotel: Park Inn City Centre
Meal: Full Breakfast

DAY 18

Cardiff – Bath – Plymouth (2 Nights)
Arriving in Bath, we admire the city’s elegant Georgian façades and ancient Roman Baths from which it derives its name before meandering to Plymouth, our home for the next two nights. Tonight, we will ‘Connect With Locals’ at a Be My Guest dinner at a Cornish farm.
Hotel: Copthorne
Meal: Full Breakfast,Dinner with wine

DAY 19

Plymouth Orientation and Cornish Excursion
Embark on an orientation tour and see the Royal Citadel and Mayflower Steps, where brave pilgrims embarked on their epic voyage to the New World centuries ago. Continue along the dramatic Cornish coastline to the artists’ retreat of St. Ives and view St. Michael’s Mount with its 17th-century hilltop castle overlooking the stunning Cornish scenery.
Meal: Full Breakfast

DAY 20

Plymouth – Salisbury – Stonehenge – London
The mystical ancient monoliths at Stonehenge are our first stop. Ponder their myths that remain largely unsolved before travelling to London where your amazing holiday comes to an end.
Meal: Full Breakfast

Sightseeing Highlights

• CITY TOUR in Edinburgh, Dublin, Belfast and Londonderry/Derry
• SCENIC drives of the Ring of Kerry and on a Cornish Excursion
• ORIENTATION of York, Glasgow, Chester, Galway, Limerick, Cardiff, Bath, Plymouth and Salisbury
• VIEW York Minster, Culloden Battlefield, Eilean Donan Castle, the 18th hole at St. Andrews, the magnificent Cliffs of Moher and the Mayflower Steps in Plymouth
• VISIT Shakespeare’s birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon, medieval Alnwick, Edinburgh Castle, Isle of Skye, Falkirk Wheel, the Giants Causeway, Blarney Castle to kiss the stone, Waterford Crystal Showroom, the Roman Baths in Bath and the ancient stone circle at Stonehenge

Dining Highlights

• 19 full breakfasts
• 10 dinners (including Be My Guest)

First class travel Highlights

• Audio Headsets for flexible sightseeing
• Daily breakfast and an average of 50% of evening meals
• Luxury air-conditioned coach with WiFi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
• The services of a Trafalgar Local Host if you stay at Trafalgar’s recommended London hotel
• Use of Trafalgar’s London Reception Centre offering a range of services including tickets for day trips and local attractions
• Return ferry across the Irish Sea between Wales and Ireland
• Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
• Optional Experiences and free time
• All porterage and restaurant gratuities
• Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
• An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
• All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
• London airport transfer service is available to purchase. Conditions apply. See airport transfer page link below for details
• Hand-picked Trip Highlights
• VIP entry to many sights