britain_irelhighlts

Day 1 Depart USA Overnight flight to London. Day 2 Arrive London After checking into your Trafalgar hotel, the rest of the day is at leisure. Hotel: Kensington Palace Thistle
Day 3 London – York A warm welcome from our Tour Director this morning as we drive through Oxfordshire countryside to Stratford-upon-Avon. Here we see Anne Hathaway's cottage at Shottery and visit the house where Shakespeare was born. This afternoon we continue to Viking York where a walking tour takes us through the historic streets to the cobbled 'Shambles' and Britain's largest medieval Cathedral York Minster. This evening, before dinner at our hotel we enjoy a welcome beverage with our Tour Director. Hotel: Queens/Quality Day 4 York – Glasgow (2) A beautiful drive today takes us through the Yorkshire Dales National Park to the quaint villages and scenic glory of the Lake District. From here we drive along the shores of Lake Windermere, through the countryside which inspired Wordsworth's poetry. Later, we cross the border into Bonnie Scotland and drive through the Southern Uplands en route to Glasgow for two nights. Hotel: Moat House/The Millennium Copthorne (2 nights)
Day 5 Edinburgh Excursion This morning we make our way to Scotland's capital, Edinburgh, where we spend the day. Here our sightseeing tour shows us Princes Street, the Royal Mile and views of Holyrood House, once home of Mary Queen of Scots. Also included is a visit to the imposing Edinburgh castle. Then some free time to do as you please. Perhaps shop for tweeds and tartans. Or why not sample some delicious shortbread before we head back to Glasgow for the night? Day 6 Glasgow – Belfast – Dublin (2) An early start today as we drive into Robert Burns country and along the coast to Stranraer for our ferry to Belfast in Northern Ireland. Here a sightseeing tour shows us the City Hall and Queen's University. Then we're on our way south, crossing the River Boyne at Drogheda and on to Dublin for two nights. Hotel: Camden Court (2 nights)
	Day 7 Dublin sightseeing Our morning sightseeing tour shows us Trinity College, the Bank of Ireland, which used to be Ireland's House of Parliament, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Phoenix Park and the Georgian Squares. The rest of your day is free. You may wish to shop for Irish tweeds and linen in O'Connell or Henry Streets or maybe take a trip to the stately home of Malahide. Tonight, why not join us at an Irish cabaret? Day 8 Dublin – Tramore Today our first stop is at the Irish National Stud Farm located outside the town of Kildare. Then we make our way to medieval Kilkenny where we see its ancient castle. Later, we will drive to the Waterford Crystal Gallery where we have an included visit to see how crystal is created before heading to Tramore for dinner and overnight stay. Hotel: Majestic/Grand
Day 9 Tramore – Newport An early start this morning as we drive to Rosslare Harbour where we board our ferry to Pembroke in South Wales. From here we continue on to the Welsh capital Cardiff. We stop to view its historic castle and see the Millennium Stadium Cardiff Arms Park. Then we reboard our coach for a short drive to our hotel in Newport. We dine at our hotel this evening. Hotel: Holiday Inn Day 10 Newport – London Today we cross the Severn Bridge into England heading to the glorious city of Bath. Here an orientation tour shows us its graceful terraces and includes a visit to the Baths dating from Roman times. Next we continue to mysterious Stonehenge to see the ancient stone circle. Finally, on to Salisbury with time to view its impressive Cathedral before returning to London. Hotel Kensington Palace Thistle Day 11 London – USA Bid farewell this morning on your return flight to America