Full English breakfast daily; 6 three-course dinners with wine and choice of menus, including a welcome dinner and a farewell dinner in Glasgow
Itinerary
Inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges where applicable.
Day 1 ARRIVE IN GLASGOW, SCOTLAND
Welcome to Glasgow! Check into your hotel with the rest of the day free to relax in Scotland’s largest city. At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel.
Dinner
Day 2 GLASGOW–FORT WILLIAM–INVERNESS
Your Celtic adventure starts in earnest with a city drive, taking in the fine 12th-century cathedral, imposing university buildings, and elegant Georgian squares. On the way this morning: the “Bonnie Banks” of Loch Lomond, wild Rannoch Moor, Glen Coe, lovely Loch Linnhe, and Fort William beneath Ben Nevis. In the afternoon, look out for signs of the mysterious Loch Ness monster. Spend the night in Inverness, the Highland capital.Today’s Distance: 178 mi / 286 km
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 3 INVERNESS–CULLODEN–BLAIR ATHOLL–EDINBURGH
At CULLODEN VISITOR CENTER, hear the story of the crushing Hanoverian victory over Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Scottish clans. Then, drive through the Cairngorms National Park and visit BLAIR CASTLE, the ancient seat of the Dukes and Earls of Atholl and home to Europe’s last remaining private army, the Atholl Highlanders. Tonight in Edinburgh, don’t miss our optional Scottish evening with Highland dancers, bagpipers, and the Ceremony of the Haggis.Today’s Distance: 178 mi / 286 km
Breakfast
Day 4 EDINBURGH
Morning city sightseeing with a Local Guide introduces you to the 200-year-old “New Town” and the famous scientists, inventors, and novelists who lived there. In the “Old Town,” visit EDINBURGH CASTLE to admire Scotland’s Crown Jewels, then explore HOLYROOD PALACE (when available, excluding August and other occasional dates). Later, a unique optional excursion: board the former Royal Yacht Britannia, once the perfect royal residence for glittering state visits and family holidays. Dinner rounds off this evening. For departure numbers August 9 through August 24, tickets are included for tonight’s performance of the world-renowned MILITARY TATTOO.
Breakfast
Day 5 EDINBURGH–GRETNA GREEN–GRASMERE, ENGLAND–LIVERPOOL
On the way through the history-steeped Lowland Hills, stop at Gretna Green. Then, leave the land of the Scots and journey into England through the tranquil Lake District, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to Grasmere, home of poet William Wordsworth, to try original 
GRASMERE GINGERBREAD. In Liverpool, visit THE BEATLES STORY, an atmospheric journey into the life, times, culture, and music of the “Fab Four.”Today’s Distance: 235 mi / 378 km
Breakfast
Day 6 LIVERPOOL–NORTH WALES–DUBLIN, IRELAND
Travel to lovely Betws-y-Coed, then through the incomparable landscapes of Snowdonia National Park and over breathtaking Llanberis Pass. After a stop at Caernarvon, cross Britannia Bridge to the Isle of Anglesey for a photo stop at tongue-twisting Llanfairpwllgwyngyll. At Holyhead, board your FERRY and cross the Irish Sea to Dublin. For a first taste of Ireland, why not join an optional Irish cabaret evening including dinner, dance, song, and laughter?Today’s Distance: 136 mi / 218 km
Breakfast
Day 7 DUBLIN
An orientation drive in the Irish capital includes statue-lined O’Connell Street, elegant Georgian squares, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and Oscar Wilde’s Trinity College. Afternoon at leisure. Tonight, consider an optional dinner outing to the Guinness Storehouse.
Breakfast
Day 8 DUBLIN–KILDARE–CASHEL–BLARNEY–KILLARNEY
Horse-racing country awaits this morning. Drive across the Curragh to visit the IRISH NATIONAL STUD at Kildare, whose thoroughbreds command respect on the racecourses of the world. On the way to Killarney, pause to take photos at the Rock of Cashel, where St. Patrick preached. Time for lunch, to walk up to the castle, and to shop for traditional Irish handicrafts in Blarney, renowned for its magical Kissing Stone.Today’s Distance: 231 mi / 372 km
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 9 KILLARNEY–RING OF KERRY–ADARE–LIMERICK
Follow the road known as the RING OF KERRY for a spectacular 100-mile panoramic drive around the island’s southwestern tip. Have your camera ready for sparkling seascapes, brightly colored farmhouses, subtropical vegetation, and the breathtaking panorama of the Lakes of Killarney from Ladies View. In the afternoon, travel via quaint Adare to Limerick. A suggestion for a very special night out: an optional medieval banquet at an historic castle.Today’s Distance: 167 mi / 268 km
Breakfast
Day 10 LIMERICK–CLIFFS OF MOHER–GALWAY–SLIGO
Drive to the spectacular CLIFFS OF MOHER, rising 668 feet above the Atlantic, and step on to the edge of the world to admire the awe-inspiring views and watch the birds glide along the rugged cliffs. Via the limestone plateau of The Burren, reach Galway, a popular seaside destination and a buzzing cosmopolitan center with colorful shops and a busy café and bar culture. Then, spend the night in the coastal seaport and county town of Sligo.Today’s Distance: 188 mi / 302 km
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 11 SLIGO–DERRY, NORTHERN IRELAND–GIANT’S CAUSEWAY–BELFAST
First highlight today is Derry, situated on the banks of the Foyle River, and a WALK on the Old Town walls in the company of a Local Guide. After lunch, take your photographs of Dunluce Castle, then visit awe-inspiring GIANT’S CAUSEWAY, composed of thousands of strangely symmetrical basalt columns jutting out to sea. Stay in Belfast tonight, Northern Ireland’s seat of government.Today’s Distance: 199 mi / 319 km
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 12 BELFAST–GLASGOW, SCOTLAND
This morning, visit the fascinating TITANIC EXPERIENCE and learn about the building of the largest passenger steam ship, its maiden voyage, and the tragic night of April 14, 1912. Board your FERRY for the crossing of the North Channel to Cairnryan on the west coast of Scotland. Back in Glasgow, celebrate your journey with a farewell dinner at your hotel.Today’s Distance: 82 mi / 132 km
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 13 GLASGOW
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Breakfast