Britain and Ireland Explorer (16 Days)

Begin your journey in the vibrant city of London and head north to the picturesque town of Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of England's beloved bard, Shakespeare. Visit the Shakespeare’s Birthplace and Visitor Centre to delve into his life. Continue your journey to the historic city of York, where you can explore its medieval streets, visit the magnificent York Minster, and stroll along The Shambles, a street so old it was mentioned in the Domesday Book. End your day in the city of Bradford, where you will spend the night.

Start your day in Bradford and head north to Hadrian’s Wall, a symbol of Roman power and authority. Unlike the barbarians it sought to keep out, you’ll have free reign to view and cross it. Continue your journey to the 12th-century ruins of Jedburgh Abbey, a symbol of power and authority over 'The Debatable Lands'. End your day in the enchanting city of Edinburgh, where you will spend the night.

Spend the day exploring the captivating city of Edinburgh. Visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse, stroll along the Royal Mile, and explore Edinburgh Castle, perched atop Castle Rock. In the afternoon, you have the option to join one of two special experiences, discovering Rosslyn Chapel or exploring what lies behind the impenetrable walls of Edinburgh Castle. In the evening, don your tartan and head to the ancient village of Torphichen, where Knights Hospitaller once settled.

Leave Torphichen and head to the seaside town of St. Andrews, known for its 15th-century university and as the birthplace of golf. Continue your journey to Pitlochry, your gateway to the Highlands. Here, you have the option to explore this salmon fishing centre on your own or walk in the footsteps of queens during an optional visit to Blair Castle, home to Europe's last remaining private army. Spend the night in Pitlochry.

Leave Pitlochry and head to the mystical Loch Ness. Keep an eye out for 'Nessie' before arriving in Inverness, the capital of the Highlands. Visit Culloden, where Bonnie Prince Charlie's brave clansmen fought in the 1745 Jacobite Rising. Spend the night in Inverness.

Leave Inverness and enjoy a scenic drive to Fort William, with views of Scotland's highest peak, Ben Nevis. Continue to Loch Linnhe and then to Glencoe, where the tragic 17th-century massacre of the MacDonalds took place. Travel along the banks of Loch Lomond, where an optional cruise experience could take you to Rob Roy's cave. End your day in the vibrant city of Glasgow, where your orientation tour will include views of Glasgow Cathedral and George Square. Spend the night in Glasgow.

Leave Glasgow and head to Gretna Green, a Scottish town known for its runaway weddings. Continue south through tiny northern villages and vast pastures to the Lake District. Visit Lake Windermere, described by William Wordsworth as the 'loveliest spot that man hath found'. You have the option to board a cruise on a boat and take a step back in time aboard an old-world steam train. Spend the night in the Lake District.

Leave the Lake District and head to the ancient walled city of Chester. View its defensive 1st-century walls and the characteristic black and white half-timbered buildings, famously known as 'The Rows'. Cross St. George's Channel to Ireland and its youthful capital, Dublin. Spend the night in Dublin.

Spend the day exploring Ireland's whimsical capital, Dublin. Visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin Castle, and Trinity College, where the 9th-century Book of Kells, Ireland's greatest cultural treasure, is housed. In the afternoon, you have the option to join an optional experience to visit Glendalough, one of the most important monastic sites in Europe. Spend another night in Dublin.

Leave Dublin and head north to Bundoran. Along the way, view the ruins of the 12th-century Boyle Abbey. Visit Belleek Pottery, where you can see over a century of craftsmanship and art. Spend the night in Bundoran.

Leave Bundoran and enjoy a scenic drive through County Donegal. Experience a multitude of dramatic landscapes, including golden beaches, rugged cliffs, and uninhabited islands. Spend another night in Bundoran.

Leave Bundoran and head to Galway. Stroll around Eyre Square and view Galway Cathedral. Leave the city behind for the plunging Cliffs of Moher. Take a deep breath and let the fresh sea air fill your lungs as you peer over the edge of the emerald-topped cliffs to the crashing waves of the Atlantic below. Visit the interactive Cliffs Exhibition before heading to your hotel in Shannon, where you will spend the night.

Leave Shannon and drive around the stunning Dingle Peninsula, a land of stone monuments, wild beaches, and verdant pastures. See tiny Gaelic settlements, colourful fishing villages, and landscapes that 'catch the heart off guard'. Later arrive in Tralee in County Kerry, where the Rose of Tralee International Festival attracts 'lovely and fair' Irishwomen from around the world to compete for the crown of 'Rose'. Spend the night in Tralee.

Leave Tralee and visit Blarney Castle, where you can kiss the Blarney Stone and acquire the 'gift of the gab'. Continue your scenic drive through Cork to Waterford, Ireland's oldest city. Visit the Waterford Crystal Showroom to see its world-famous artistry. You have the option to join a walking tour with a Local Specialist followed by a drink in a pub. Spend the night in Waterford.

Leave Waterford and board your return ferry to the United Kingdom, arriving in Wales later where its tiny capital Cardiff waits to be explored. Your orientation tour will take you past its Millennium Centre, the National Assembly, and the historic Castle at its heart. You have the option to join a tour of Cardiff Castle followed by an optional evening of Welsh music, culture, and humour. Spend the night in Cardiff.

Leave Cardiff and venture to Bath, with its elegant Georgian architecture and the Roman Baths which have given this ancient spa town its name. Visit Windsor and view the world's oldest and largest inhabited castle before shopping for Royal souvenirs. The King's home is a sight to behold before you continue to London where your journey comes to an end.