Britain and Ireland Explorer Your itinerary Start Location Visited Location Plane End Location Cruise Train Over night Ferry Day 1 deliver the craic for which Ireland is so renowned. London – Stratford­upon­Avon – York – Bradford (1 Night) Hotel - Maldron Newlands Cross Discover what's 'great' about Great Britain as you kickstart your lengthy love affair Included Meals - Breakfast with Britain and Ireland in London. The multicultural capital, with all its colour, history Day 9 and culture, waves you on towards the lush green counties north as you wind your way to Stratford­upon Avon. There's time to explore the town where England's Dublin sightseeing and free time favourite bard was born and laid to rest. You could delve into his life during a visit to Embrace your playful side on this morning's sightseeing tour through Ireland's Shakespeare's Birthplace and Visitor Centre before continuing your journey to York. whimsical capital with a Local Specialist. View St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin Wander through its medieval streets to the city's geographic and spiritual heart, the Castle and Trinity College, where the 9th­century Book of Kells, and Ireland's York Minster. Then walk along The Shambles, a street so old it was mentioned in greatest cultural treasure, is housed. This afternoon, explore Dublin your way or join the Domesday Book. Continue to your hotel in Bradford. an optional visit to one of the most important monastic sights in Europe. Your Local Specialist will bring the ancient stories of Glendalough to life and show you around Hotel - Jurys Inn the beautiful landscapes of the garden of Ireland. This evening, an optional dinner and cabaret evening will have your toes tapping and taste buds craving another Day 2 round of Irish coffee. Bradford – Edinburgh (Airth) (2 Nights) Breakfast All that lies between you and bonnie Scotland is Hadrian's Wall. Unlike the Included Meals - barbarians it sought to keep out, you'll have free reign not only to view it, but to Day 10 cross it bound for the 12th­century ruins of Jedburgh Abbey. See how this symbol of Dublin – Boyle – Co. Donegal (2 Nights) power and authority over 'The Debatable Lands' still impresses today before heading to the Royal Burgh of Airth. This evening, an Optional Experience could see you visit Cross the 'Emerald Isle', passing lush green counties as you wind your way north to the ancient village of Torphichen where Knights Hospitaller once settled. Time your Bundoran. There's no better way to admire the scenery than joining an optional visit to coincide with the rousing Edinburgh Tattoo with tickets included on certain cruise along the Shannon River. Later, view the ruins of the 12th­century Boyle departures. Abbey before arriving in Drumcliff, where acclaimed poet and playwright, W.B. Yeats was laid to rest. See the self­penned epitaph on his simple headstone urging the Hotel - Airth Castle horseman to 'pass by'. Later, continue to Donegal, the gateway to the Wild Atlantic Way. Included Meals - Breakfast Grand Central Day 3 Hotel - Edinburgh sightseeing and free time Included Meals - Breakfast, Dinner Poets, writers, kings and queens have all found it impossible to resist Edinburgh's Day 11 allure. From its medieval Old Town to the elegant Georgian façades across the Leith, County Donegal excursion you'll soon discover why it captured the hearts of so many famous people throughout the ages. Your Local Specialist reveals all the colourful tales of 'Auld Reekie' as your Begin your day with views of the 15th­century Donegal Castle, formerly the home of sightseeing tour rolls past the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Royal Mile and the O'Donnells, one of the most powerful and ancient Gaelic families in Ireland. Edinburgh Castle, perched atop Castle Rock. Explore the city your way during your Leaving civilisation behind for the day, your scenic drive through County Donegal will free afternoon or consider joining one of two special Optional Experiences, boarding deliver a multitude of dramatic landscapes. Golden beaches, rugged cliffs and the Royal Yacht Britannia for a brush with royalty or exploring what lies behind the uninhabited islands dot your route so keep your camera at the ready to capture impenetrable walls of Edinburgh Castle. Don your tartan if you please this evening. these perfect gifts of Mother Nature. Nothing says sophistication quite like fine Tonight, you're in for a memorable Optional Experience featuring the skirl of porcelain and this afternoon's visit to Belleek Pottery, across the border in Northern traditional bagpipes. Ireland, reveals over a century of craftsmanship and art, the results of which can still be seen on dining tables the world over. Included Meals - Breakfast Included Meals - Breakfast Day 4 Edinburgh (Airth) – St. Andrews – Scottish Day 12 Highlands (2 Nights) Co. Donegal – Galway – Cliffs of Moher – Shannon (1 Night) A scenic drive through the ancient kingdom of Fife this morning reveals a time when these lush green hills were under the feudal rule of a Pictish king. Your first stop Galway's ancient reputation as a 'place of foreigners' is long gone, but much of its however is in the seaside town of St. Andrews, most noteworthy for its 15th­century captivating heritage remains as you'll see first­hand during a stroll around Eyre university and inspiring the origins of golf. Put aside your dream of a hole­in­one and Square. View Galway Cathedral, then leave the city behind for the plunging Cliffs of head to Pitlochry next, your gateway to the Highlands. You could choose to explore Moher. Take a deep breath and let the fresh sea air fill your lungs as you peer over this salmon fishing centre on your own or walk in the footsteps of queens during an the edge of the emerald­topped cliffs to the crashing waves of the Atlantic below. optional visit to Blair Castle, home to Europe's last remaining private army. Later, an With a squint you may just be able to see the distant Aran Islands, but without exhilarating optional encounter with a shepherd and his sheep could be on the much effort you'll spot the curious and colourful beaked puffins which are eager cards. But it's the enthusiastic border collies on this Highland farm that are the stars residents of the area. You'll visit the interactive Cliffs Exhibition before heading to of the show on this Optional Experience. your hotel in Shannon. Hotel - Carrbridge Hotel - Park Inn Airport Included Meals - Breakfast, Dinner Included Meals - Breakfast, Dinner Day 5 Day 13 Scottish Highlands excursion Shannon – Dingle Peninsula – Co. Kerry (1 Straight out of a scene in 'Outlander', the Scottish Highlands has a mystical air Night) about it which you'll come to discover as you explore its rugged beauty, evocative See the Ireland you've only encountered in pictures and on the big screen until now. history and enchanting Highland ways. On your visit to Loch Ness this morning, Your scenic drive around the Dingle Peninsula reveals a land of stone monuments, keep a keen eye out for 'Nessie' before arriving in Inverness, the capital of the wild beaches and verdant pastures. See tiny Gaelic settlements, colourful fishing Highlands. Today's poignant highlight is a visit to Culloden, where Bonnie Prince villages and landscapes that 'catch the heart off guard', in the words of Irish poet, Charlie's brave clansmen fought to keep their traditions alive but were crushed by the Seamus Heaney. Later arrive in Tralee in County Kerry, where the Rose of Tralee Redcoats who subsequently banned everything Scottish. Return to your hotel in the International Festival attracts 'lovely and fair' Irishwomen from around the world to Highlands for dinner. compete for the crown of 'Rose'. A fitting way to end the day would be to join an Optional Experience with the Siamsa Tire performers. Embrace the spirit of old Breakfast, Dinner Included Meals - Ireland life and times and enjoy a hearty Irish meal. Day 6 Scottish Highlands – Glasgow (1 Night) Hotel - River Island With its head in the clouds, Ben Nevis offers a majestic backdrop to today's scenic Included Meals - Breakfast drive to Fort William, the self­proclaimed 'Outdoor Capital of the UK'. Views of Day 14 Scotland's highest peak accompany the drive to Loch Linnhe. Continue to Glencoe where the tragic 17th­century massacre of the MacDonalds turned the wild beauty of Co. Kerry – Blarney – Waterford (1 Night) this valley into a 'Glen of Weeping'. Travel along the banks and braes of Loch Kiss the Blarney Stone and acquire the 'gift of the gab' on your visit to Blarney Lomond, where an optional cruise experience could take you to Rob Roy's cave, Castle this morning. Show off your silver tongue throughout your scenic drive through before arriving in gritty Glasgow later today. Your orientation tour of the city will Cork to Waterford, Ireland's oldest city. From the ancient Vikings to the Normans, include views of Glasgow Cathedral and George Square where many of Scotland's they all made their mark on Waterford, but it is the city's glittering crystal mastery famous sons are immortalised in stone. An evening of good food and characteristic spanning the years since 1783 that have made it world famous. Visit the Waterford Glaswegian fun lies ahead if you choose an Optional Experience night out on the Crystal Showroom (when open) to see its artistry before an optional evening of toon. history at a local pub with a Local Specialist and a pint or two of the 'Black Stuff'. Hotel - Holiday Inn City Centre Theatreland Hotel - Treacys Included Meals - Breakfast Included Meals - Breakfast Day 7 Day 15 Glasgow – Gretna Green – Lake District – Waterford – Cardiff (1 Night) Wrexham (1 Night) Board your return ferry to the United Kingdom this morning, arriving in Wales later Elope to Gretna Green, as many young couples once did to tie the knot over its where its tiny capital Cardiff waits to be explored.