Overview:
This comprehensive vacation introduces you to all five countries that make up the British Isles. Start with an overnight in London, then head west to prehistoric Stonehenge, picturesque Salisbury, and the extraordinary Roman excavations in Bath. Next, spend a night in Newport, Wales, and travel via Cardiff to Pembroke for a ferry crossing to Ireland. Enjoy a guided tour of the House of Waterford Crystal, admire the stallions at the Irish National Stud in Kildare, and relax with two overnights and an orientation drive in Dublin featuring O’Connell Street, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and Trinity College with its Book of Kells. Cross into Northern Ireland, pass the Mountains of Mourne, and stop in vibrant Belfast before boarding a ferry bound for Scotland. In the capital city of Edinburgh, guided sightseeing includes a castle visit to admire Scotland’s Crown Jewels. Return to England, where you’ll see a section of Hadrian’s Wall (dating back to the 2nd century) and stop in medieval York to marvel at gothic York Minster. Skirt Robin Hood’s Sherwood Forest on the way to Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon, then return to London for an overnight and the conclusion of your journey.
Day 1: Arrive in London, England. Uniformed Globus hosts will be waiting to welcome you. After checking into your hotel and an afternoon at leisure we recommend our optional Taste of London excursion with dinner followed by a guided illuminations cruise on the River Thames.
Day 2: London–Stonehenge–Salisbury–Bath–Newport, Wales. Meet your Tour Director and traveling companions and depart London at 8 am for a memorable day’s sightseeing. Try to figure out the riddle of STONEHENGE; take a stroll in picturesque Salisbury with its vast cathedral, the ultimate in Early English Gothic; and, in the elegant Georgian city of Bath, see the amazing excavations of the ROMAN BATHS. Cross the River Severn for a late-afternoon arrival in Wales. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner at your hotel. (B,D)
Day 3: Newport–Cardiff–Waterford, Ireland. A morning orientation drive in the Welsh capital features all the major attractions. Then, take a guided tour of CARDIFF CASTLE, and discover its history of invasions, abductions, and conflicts over the past 2,000 years. Continue along the South Wales coast to Pembroke, where your FERRY will be waiting. Sail across St. George’s Channel to Rosslare on the Emerald Isle and proceed to Waterford, a stronghold founded by the Danish Vikings in 853. (B,D)
Day 4: Waterford–Kilkenny–Kildare–Dublin. This morning, enjoy a guided tour of the HOUSE OF WATERFORD CRYSTAL, then in Kilkenny, spend time exploring this pretty county town. Later, horse-racing country with a visit to the IRISH NATIONAL STUD at Kildare, whose thoroughbreds command respect on the racecourses of the world. Drive across the Curragh and on arrival in Dublin, top the day with an optional Irish cabaret evening including dinner, dance, song, and laughter. (B)
Day 5: Dublin. An orientation drive in Ireland’s capital city 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. Afternoon at leisure. Tonight, maybe take in an optional dinner outing to the Guinness Storehouse. (B)
Day 6: Dublin–Belfast, Northern Ireland-Edinburgh, Scotland. On your way to Northern Ireland, cross the River Boyne, then skirt the Mountains of Mourne. In Belfast, where the Titanic was built, take in the city’s vibrant history and view the impressive City Hall. Next, board your FERRY to cross the North Channel to Cairnryan on Scotland’s southwest coast and continue through the scenic Scottish border country to Edinburgh. Tonight, relax and enjoy our optional Scottish evening with Highland dancers, bagpipers, and the Ceremony of the Haggis. (B)
Day 7: Edinburgh. Morning city sightseeing with a local expert 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. The afternoon is free to enjoy the Scottish capital at your own pace. Later, a unique optional experience: board the former Royal Yacht Britannia, and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. For departure numbers July 30 through August 15, tickets are included for tonight’s performance of the world-renowned MILITARY TATTOO, a vast spectacle of massed Scottish pipe bands that takes place in an arena on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle. (B)
Day 8: Edinburgh–York, England. This morning, drive past the abbey ruins at Jedburgh and the house of Mary, Queen of Scots, into wild Northumberland National Park. Later, see a section of Hadrian’s Wall, the Roman coast-to-coast defense against marauding northern tribes. In York, England’s most complete medieval city, stand in awe in front of the great structure of York Minster, then follow your Tour Director through a maze of quaint streets, including the narrow Shambles. (B,D)
Day 9: York–Stratford-Upon-Avon–London. On the last leg of your journey, stop at Stratford-upon-Avon. Take your pictures of Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, visit SHAKESPEARE’S BIRTHPLACE, and enjoy lunchtime exploring this fascinating Elizabethan town at your own pace. On return to London at about 3:30 pm, a Shownight Theater Evening would be an incredible finale to your vacation. (B)
Day 10: London. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Hotels:
LONDON Hilton London Metropole (SF), NEWPORT Hilton (F), WATERFORD Tower (F), DUBLIN Clarion IFSC (SF), EDINBURGH The George (SF), YORK Novotel (F)
Meals:
Full English breakfast (B); 3 three-course dinners (D) with choice of menus, including a welcome dinner in Newport
Price Details:
Dates and prices do not include international air travel. When planning your trip, allow one extra day before tour date for travel between the USA and Europe.Prices based on double room occupancy. Single room supplement: $478Triple room reduction per person: $45Extra nights per person in London:March-April: in single room $152, in twin room $87, in triple room $82May-October: in single room $244, in twin room $151, in triple room $143July 27 to August 12: in single room $370, in twin room $230, in triple room $220November: in single room $172, in twin room $97, in triple room $92Note:
- Edinburgh Military Tattoo ticket included for departures July 30 through August 15