GRAND TOUR OF BRITIAN & IRELAND - 2010

20 days incl. travel, or 19 days from London to London (9050)

Vacation Overview

Experience the best of England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales on this in-depth exploration of the British Isles. Begin your vacation in London with a full day to enjoy the city on your own or to take optional tours, then visit enigmatic Stonehenge and majestic Salisbury with its magnificent cathedral. Drive through Dartmoor National Park and visit Widecombe-in-the-Moor, setting of The Hound of the Baskervilles, before arriving in Plymouth, starting point for the Pilgrims’ 1620 voyage. Hear about legendary King Arthur in Glastonbury and explore elegant Georgian Bath, famous for its Roman relics. Leave England, cross into Wales, and arrive in Cardiff, the capital of Wales, for an orientation drive. Ferry across St. George’s Channel to Ireland, stopping in Blarney, famous for the legendary “Blarney Stone,” and in the popular resort of Killarney. Along the scenic “Ring of Kerry” coastal route, see sparkling seascapes, mountains dotted with brightly colored farmhouses, winding lanes bordered with verdant vegetation, and spectacular views of the Lakes of Killarney. Savor splendid views from the shores of the Dingle Peninsula, and in Adare, take photographs of the lovely thatched cottages. Then, enjoy an orientation drive of Limerick. Spend the night in the market town of Ennis before heading west to the spectacular 668-foot Cliffs of Moher. Travel via Galway to Dublin, Ireland’s capital, where you see all the major sights. Cross the Irish Sea to Holyhead on the Welsh Isle of Anglesey, then motor to 2,000-year-old Chester in England. Head north through the Lake District, often considered the finest of England’s national parks, and cross the border into Scotland. Spend the night in Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city, before traveling into the Highlands. Follow the banks of mysterious Loch Ness on the way to Inverness. Cross Culloden Moor and stop at St. Andrews, founded in 1754 and home of golf. Spend two nights in regal Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital, and visit mighty Edinburgh Castle on your guided tour. Continue south to see a section of Hadrian’s Wall, the Roman coast-to-coast defense against marauding northern tribes. Stop in York, England’s most complete medieval city, for a walking tour through its maze of quaint streets. Pass Robin Hood’s legendary Sherwood Forest, and enjoy time in Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon, Lady Godiva’s Coventry, and the scenic Cotswolds. On the way back to London, visit the burial place of Sir Winston Churchill at Bladon. Enjoy a walking tour in Oxford, where England’s elite receive their education. Your unforgettable vacation ends back in London.

Things to see on your vacation: View Vacation Photo Slideshow
  • See the lush landscapes of Oxford
  • London’s Tower Bridge over the River Thames
  • The prehistoric Stonehenge located in England
  • The Salisbury Cathedral in England
  • Gretna Green
  • The London Eye, also known as the Millennium Wheel
  • Enjoy the sounds of bagpipes and drums at the Military Tattoo performance
  • Visit the Cliffs of Moher and see some of Ireland’s most spectacular views
  • Buckingham Palace in London
  • View over Auld Reekie in Edinburgh, Scotland
  • Tower of London on a sunny day
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