The British Isles in Depth

Welcome to London, the vibrant capital of the United Kingdom. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and take some time to rest or start exploring the city. Our uniformed hosts are available to help you make the most of your stay.

Meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers as we depart London for a day of sightseeing. Our first stop is Oxford, one of the country's oldest seats of learning. We then skirt the Cotswold Hills to reach Shakespeare's Stratford-upon-Avon. Here, you'll have the opportunity to take photos of Anne Hathaway's Cottage and explore the town at your own pace. We end the day in Leeds, where we'll spend the night.

We start the day heading north to York, England's most complete medieval city. Marvel at the grandeur of York Minster and follow your Tour Director through a labyrinth of quaint streets, including the narrow Shambles. We then continue our journey to Newcastle, a city that has transformed from a hub for the wool trade and coal mining into a vibrant, modern destination where we'll spend the night.

Today, we'll journey through the wild landscapes of Northumberland National Park, stopping to see a section of Hadrian's Wall. We'll cross the Scottish border, stopping for photos at Jedburgh before arriving in Edinburgh. Here, a local guide will introduce you to the 200-year-old 'New Town' and the 'Old Town', where we'll visit Edinburgh Castle to admire Scotland's Crown Jewels. In the evening, you might want to experience a traditional Scottish night out with Highland dancers, bagpipers, and the Ceremony of the Haggis.

Today, you have the option to join a morning excursion to Rosslyn Chapel, made world-famous by Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code. You'll have ample time to visit the 15th-century medieval chapel, the visitor center, and take photographs of the ruins of Rosslyn Castle. Later, you might want to join an optional tour of the Royal Yacht Britannia, followed by dinner. For departures on specific dates, tickets are included for tonight's performance of the world-renowned Military Tattoo.

Today, we'll embark on a memorable sightseeing journey. We'll cross the elegant Forth Road Bridge to St. Andrews, known for its Royal and Ancient Golf Club. We then head into the Highlands, stopping in the Victorian mountain resort of Pitlochry. We'll cross the battlefield of Culloden Moor, a site of historical significance, before reaching Inverness, our destination for the night.

Today, we'll explore more of the spectacular Scottish scenery. We'll visit Dornoch Firth, the Kyle of Sutherland, the Falls of Shin, the Mountains of Assynt, and Knockan Crag. We'll also visit Ullapool, a remote fishing harbor on Loch Broom, before returning along Loch Glascarnoch. In the afternoon, you might want to join the optional Loch Ness Experience, which includes a cruise on the loch, followed by supper.

Today, we'll drive through the western Highlands all the way to Fort William, located beneath Ben Nevis. We'll visit Glen Coe, where the MacDonald Clan was massacred in 1692, and drive along the 'Bonnie Banks' of Loch Lomond. These are scenic highlights on our way to Glasgow, Scotland's great cultural city, where we'll spend the night.

This morning, we'll take an orientation drive through Scotland's largest city, Glasgow. We'll see the fine 12th-century cathedral, imposing university buildings, and elegant Georgian squares. Later, we'll stop at Alloway, the birthplace of Robert Burns, before boarding the ferry for the Irish Sea, crossing to Belfast.

Today, we'll take the scenic route along the Antrim Coast to the awe-inspiring Giant's Causeway. We'll then head for the city of Derry, where the province's story unfolds. Our final destination for the day is Sligo, where we'll spend the night.

Today, we'll take the ferry across the Irish Sea to Holyhead on the Welsh Isle of Anglesey. We'll explore North Wales on the way to Caernarfon, where the castle saw the investiture of Charles as Prince of Wales. We'll then continue our journey to Liverpool.

We'll dedicate this day to Wales as we head south through the ancient market town of Builth Wells and Brecon Beacons National Park, known for its salmon rivers and Welsh mountain ponies. In Cardiff, an orientation drive takes in Cathays Park with its splendid civic buildings and Cardiff Castle. In the evening, you might want to join an optional excursion for an evening of Welsh entertainment and dinner.

Today's excursion takes you to the pretty fishing village and former smuggler's port of Looe. Back in Plymouth, you might want to follow in the footsteps of Drake, Raleigh, and the Pilgrim Fathers on an optional cruise on Plymouth Sound, one of the world's greatest natural harbors.

We'll head into Thomas Hardy's Wessex for a visit to the intriguing, prehistoric Stonehenge. Explore the visitor center with its imaginative exhibitions, then admire the magnificence of the monument up close. We'll return to London in the early evening. You might want to celebrate the success of your tour with a night out on the town.

Your unforgettable 23-day tour of the United Kingdom and Ireland concludes after breakfast. We hope you've enjoyed your journey and look forward to welcoming you back on your next adventure.