16 Day Britain & Ireland Panorama

Itinerary

Britain and Ireland tours compared

Trafalgar Guided Tour starting in London and finishing in London

In the craic and Guinness of Ireland or the tea and scones of England, the welcoming hospitality of the British Isles is one of its biggest attractions and will become one of your lasting memories.

Day By Day

Day 1 London - Stratford-upon-avon - York

A scenic drive through beautiful countryside brings you to Stratford-upon-Avon. Visit Shakespeare's Birthplace and Visitor Centre and see Anne Hathaway's cottage. Later in the Viking city of York, enjoy a walk along historic streets. View the cobbled Shambles, the ancient city walls and the magnificent York Minster. Tonight dine at your hotel where you have a chance to meet with your Travel Director and travelling companions. (WR) Stay: Novotel

Day 2 York - Jedburgh - Edinburgh (2 Nights)

Rugged, dramatic and spectacular − the Northumberland National Park is all these things and more. View the remarkably intact ruins of the 12th century Jedburgh Abbey on your way to the beautiful Scottish capital, Edinburgh. (FB) Stay: Novotel City Centre

Day 3 Edinburgh Sightseeing And Free Time

Your morning sightseeing tour with your Local Specialist includes the elegant New Town, Princes Street, the Royal Mile, views of the Palace of Holyroodhouse and Arthur's Seat. Enjoy a guided visit of Edinburgh Castle. During the Edinburgh Festival, your stay includes tickets to the spectacular Edinburgh Tattoo. Tonight consider a traditional Scottish night out with haggis, dancing and bagpipes. (FB)

Day 4 Edinburgh - St. Andrews - Pitlochry - Scottish Highlands (2 Nights)

Travel across the Firth of Forth to St. Andrews to view the celebrated ancient university and the home of golf. Continue north across the Tay at Dundee, to visit Pitlochry, a charming village on the banks of the River Tummel. Explore the village or join an Optional Experience to visit Blair Castle, ancestral home to the Dukes of Atholl. (FB/D) Stay: Laggan Gaskmore Authentic Accommodation

Day 5 Isle Of Skye And Scenic Highlands Excursion

Travel through Inverness, known as the capital of The Highlands and along the banks of the famous Loch Ness. View Eilean Donan Castle before crossing the bridge to the Isle of Skye. Visit the Clan Donald Centre and the Museum of the Isles, where you can trace your genealogy or explore the wonderful gardens. Later take the ferry to Mallaig and continue your journey through the lochs and glens of the Scottish Highlands to your hotel. (FB/D)

Day 6 Scottish Highlands - Glencoe - Loch Lomond - Glasgow

Stop at the Commando Memorial near Fort William for breathtaking views of Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis. Continue south through Glencoe, 'Glen of the Weeping', site of the infamous massacre of the Macdonald clan by the Campbells in 1692. This afternoon your orientation tour of Glasgow includes views of the Cathedral and magnificent George Square. Visit the Necropolis for a Cultural Insight into one of Europe's most important 19th century burial grounds. (FB) Stay: Westerwood

Day 7 Glasgow - Lake District - Manchester

Cross the border into England and enjoy a special Be My Guest lunch at a working farm in the idyllic Cumbrian countryside. Learn about traditional farming methods and see the sheep, goats and cattle before enjoying lunch in the farmhouse. Later arrive in Grasmere where you view the grave of William Wordsworth. See England's largest lake, Windermere before arriving in Manchester. (FB/BMGL) Stay: Park Inn City Centre

Day 8 Manchester - Chester - Dublin (2 Nights)

In Chester see the timbered buildings known as the 'Rows' before traveling along the scenic North Wales coast to the Island of Anglesey, on your way to Holyhead. Cross the Irish Sea to Dublin, the Irish capital. This evening join your companions for a delicious Regional Meal at a local restaurant in Dublin. (FB/RM) Stay: Ballsbridge/Maldron Pearse Street

Day 9 Dublin Sightseeing And Free Time

See Trinity College, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Phoenix Park and the stately Georgian Squares with your Local Specialist. Then your choice of sightseeing gives you the opportunity to visit the Guinness Brewery for a Storehouse tour and tasting technique demonstration or the Little Museum of Dublin. Spend the rest of the day as you please, why not explore Temple Bar or Grafton Street, famous for its street performers? This evening consider joining an Optional Experience to an Irish cabaret. (FB)

Day 10 Dublin - Galway - Limerick

Travel to the West coast and the city of Galway. View Galway Cathedral and Eyre Square before continuing to Limerick. (FB) Stay: Greenhills

Day 11 Limerick - Ring Of Kerry - Cork

Today we experience Ireland's most scenic coastal drive around the Iveragh Peninsula, better known as the Ring of Kerry. It is undoubtedly one of the most magical and varied places in the whole of Ireland and is truly a photographers delight. We will also see Daniel O'Connell's Cahirciveen, the fishing village of Waterville, the Black Valley and Moll's Gap. Here mountains, valleys, lakes and sea blend into a landscape that is often breathtaking beyond words. This evening enjoy dinner at your hotel in the city of Cork. (FB/D) Stay: Rochestown Park

Day 12 Cork - Blarney - Cobh - Waterford - Wexford

Visit Blarney Castle and kiss the famous stone to attain the 'gift of the gab'. Stop in picturesque Cobh for a walking tour with a Local Specialist. This was the final port of call for the Titanic on its fateful voyage. This afternoon visit the House of Waterford Crystal. Watch the master craftsmen at work during your Cultural Insight tour of the workshop, and see the exquisite completed pieces in the showroom. (FB) Stay: Whites of Wexford

Day 13 Wexford - Cardiff

Cross the Irish Sea to Wales, and continue your journey to Cardiff Bay to view the Millennium Centre and the National Assembly. View the historic Cardiff Castle and see the Millennium Stadium before arriving at your hotel. (FB) Stay: Park Inn City Centre

Day 14 Cardiff - Bath - Glastonbury - Exeter (2 Nights)

Drive east, over the Severn Estuary, to Bath. On arrival in the city, admire the Georgian buildings and visit the Roman Baths after which the city is named. Spend some time exploring before making your way to Glastonbury Abbey to see where King Arthur is believed to be buried. Later, we arrive in Exeter, the capital of Devon. (FB) Stay: Buckerell Lodge

Day 15 Plymouth, Polperro And Dartmoor Excursion

Start your day with an orientation of Plymouth. View the Mayflower steps, where the Pilgrim Fathers set sail for the New World and see the Royal Citadel overlooking Plymouth Sound. Visit the fishing village of Polperro with its narrow streets and picturesque harbour. Enjoy a scenic drive through Dartmoor, famous for its rugged landscape and wild ponies. This evening join your companions and Travel Director for a Farewell Dinner. (FB/FD)

Day 16 Exeter - Stonehenge - London

Travel across Salisbury Plain to visit the mystical ancient monoliths of Stonehenge. Travel back to London this afternoon, where your amazing holiday comes to an end. (FB)