Marvellous UK and Ireland ( 17 days )

Welcome to the start of your exciting European adventure! Upon your arrival at the airport, our representative will greet you and arrange your transfer to the hotel. Once you've settled in, check the hotel reception area for information about the welcome meeting with your guide and fellow travelers.

Get ready to explore the iconic city of London with a local guide. Our tour begins with the majestic Houses of Parliament, followed by a scenic view of the River Thames. We'll then visit the historic Tower of London and Buckingham Palace, where you might get a chance to witness the famous 'Changing of the Guard'. In the afternoon, enjoy some leisure time to explore at your own pace. As evening falls, we'll take a stroll through Leicester Square, China Town, and Soho, known for their vibrant atmosphere and entertainment options. Choose from a variety of restaurants for your dinner before returning to the hotel.

We leave London behind and head towards northern England. Our first stop is the prestigious city of Cambridge, where we'll admire its beautiful residential colleges. After lunch, we journey to York, a city filled with charm, thanks to its cathedral, Roman walls, and lively shopping streets. Enjoy some free time to explore before we continue north to Durham. This medieval town boasts a stunning cathedral situated opposite the castle, offering a picturesque view to remember.

Today, we journey to Scotland, making a stop in the picturesque town of Alnwick. Here, you'll find lovely gardens and a large medieval castle, famously used in the Harry Potter films. We then continue to Edinburgh, Scotland's capital city and a hub of activity in Northern Europe. Its monumental center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a sight to behold. The city's castle overlooks the steep streets and parks, offering a panoramic view of the city. A local guide will accompany us on a sightseeing tour to ensure you don't miss a thing.

Today, we delve into the art of whiskey-making at a local distillery. Learn about the process of creating Scotland's national drink, a delightful liquor made from barley that's enjoyed worldwide. After the distillery visit, you have the rest of the day to continue exploring Edinburgh. Wander through its lively streets and discover its rich historical and museum heritage at your own pace.

We leave Edinburgh and head towards The Kelpies, enormous sculptures representing the strength and beauty of horses. Our journey continues to Stirling, dominated by its historic castle, one of the most important in Scotland. We then visit a traditional whiskey distillery in Pitlochry before heading north to Culloden, the site of a significant battle in Scottish history. We end the day in Inverness, the 'Capital of the Highlands', where you can enjoy a walk along the banks of the River Ness and admire the iconic suspension bridge.

Prepare for a day filled with stunning landscapes as we visit the fascinating Eilean Donan Castle, probably the most photographed fortress in the country. Next, we travel to Fort Augustus to visit the sluice gate system. After lunch, we embark on a boat tour on the dark and mysterious waters of Loch Ness. We'll also visit the medieval Urquhart Castle before returning to our accommodation in Inverness.

Today, we continue our journey through Scotland's breathtaking landscapes. We'll make a brief stop at Spean Bridge to visit a World War II monument before heading to Fort William, a tourist center at the foot of Ben Nevis, the highest summit in the UK. We'll then visit the beautiful ruins of Kilchurn Castle by a dark lake and the picturesque historic village of Inveraray by Loch Fyne. After lunch, we return contouring Loch Lomond, one of Scotland's most popular lakes. Enjoy a stroll around Balloch, the liveliest town on its banks, before arriving in Glasgow in the evening.

We leave Glasgow and head towards southern Scotland to board a ferry in Cairnryan. Our journey takes us to Northern Ireland, where we'll arrive in Belfast, a city overcoming its religious conflicts. We then resume our journey to Eire in Ireland, ending the day with our arrival in Dublin.

Start your day with a sightseeing tour of Dublin, Ireland's peaceful capital city. Enjoy a stroll along the banks of the River Liffey, visit its parks, old university, and explore its lively downtown streets. We'll also visit Trinity College, one of the oldest universities in the country. The afternoon is yours to explore Dublin at your own pace.

We depart from Dublin and head to nearby Powerscourt to visit its magnificent 18th-century gardens, considered the most beautiful in Ireland. Afterward, we travel to Kilkenny, where you'll have time for lunch and a stroll around this lively town. Further south, we stop to visit the impressive Rock of Cashel, a medieval fortress that symbolizes the fight of the Irish people against England. We arrive in Cork in the evening, where you'll have time to explore Ireland's second-largest city. Dinner is included.

We depart for Kinsale, stopping by Charles Fort to admire its great ocean views. Enjoy time in the historic center of Kinsale, a seaside town considered by many as one of the most beautiful coastal towns in Ireland. We then travel to Killarney, a tourist town in the heart of Ireland. Enjoy a romantic horse and carriage tour of its national park, including a visit to Ross Castle with wonderful lake views. We make a brief stop in Adare, a small village that preserves its picturesque traditional thatched-roof cottages and the ruins of the old abbey. By mid-afternoon, we arrive in Limerick, where you'll have time to explore its center. Dinner is included.

Today, we visit the Folk Park in Bunratty, a wonderful park where you can learn about life in Ireland in the past. We then continue to Caherconnell, where the Poulnabrone dolmen is found. Here, you may get the chance to see a sheep-herding demonstration. We then visit the impressive Cliffs of Moher, which overlook the ocean. Those who wish can walk to O'Brien's Tower. Our route continues through Burren National Park, which displays amazing landscapes. We end the day in Galway.

We depart for Cong, a small picturesque village located in a magnificent lake area. We'll visit the ruins of the Royal Abbey and walk around Ashford Castle, a gorgeous medieval castle that has been turned into a hotel. We then travel to Clonmacnoise, where after lunch, we'll visit its monastic ruins. We resume our journey back to Dublin, where we'll arrive in the evening.

We board a ferry in the early morning and after a journey of three hours, we arrive in Wales. We visit Caernarfon, a World Heritage site by the sea overlooked by an impressive castle. After some time for lunch and a stroll, we continue to Liverpool. Here, we'll take a short bus ride through the city, a World Heritage Site and the second port of the United Kingdom. You might want to visit The Beatles Museum.

Today, we explore central England. We visit Stratford Upon Avon, Shakespeare's hometown. Enjoy some free time for lunch and a stroll. Afterwards, we travel to Oxford, a city synonymous with study and culture. Kings, statesmen, philosophers, and scientists have studied here! We continue to London, arriving in the evening.

After breakfast, our memorable 17-day tour comes to an end. We hope you've enjoyed your journey through Europe and look forward to welcoming you back on your next adventure.