GREAT BRITAIN GRAND TOUR 22 NIGHTS / 23 DAYS

DAY 1 ARRIVE IN LONDON, ENGLAND
Check into your hotel. In the afternoon, there’s time to rest or to start exploring the lively British capital; uniformed hosts are available to help you make the most of your stay.

DAY 2 LONDON
What’s your pleasure? Today is devoted to exploring on your own or enjoying our exciting program of optional activities. You may choose to join a Local Guide for an optional morning sightseeing tour of the city’s famous landmarks: the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall’s mounted horseguards and the Prime Minister’s Downing Street residence, Piccadilly Circus, and Buckingham Palace. The highlight is a visit to St. Paul’s Cathedral, Sir Christopher Wren’s masterpiece built between 1675 and 1708. Later, maybe visit Windsor Castle or the Tower of London with its spectacular Crown Jewels. Tonight, we recommend our optional Taste of London excursion with dinner, followed by a guided illumination cruise on the Thames River

DAY 3 LONDON–OXFORD–STRATFORD-UPON-AVON–WETHERBY
Meet your Tour Director and traveling companions and depart at 8 am for a memorable day of sightseeing, including a walking tour of Oxford, one of the country’s oldest seats of learning; then, skirt the Cotswold Hills to Shakespeare’s Stratfordupon-Avon.Take photos of Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and explore the town at your own pace. Overnight in Wetherby.
Today’s Distance: 255 mi/ 410 km

DAY 4 WETHERBY–YORK–NEWCASTLE
This morning, head north to York, England’s most complete medieval city. Stand in awe in front of the great structure of York Minster, then follow your Tour Director through a maze of quaint streets, including the narrow Shambles. Stop for the night in Newcastle, once an important center for the wool trade and coal mining and now a vibrant, modern city.
Today’s Distance: 103 mi/ 166 km

DAY 5 NEWCASTLE–BERWICK-UPON-TWEED–NORTH BERWICK, SCOTLAND–EDINBURGH
On your way to Scotland, drive along the picturesque coastline to Berwickupon-Tweed, situated just south of the Scottish border. This peaceful town suffered a turbulent past, and its Elizabethan walls, built to keep invading Scots from entering the town, could tell a colorful tale. Stop for photographs of the Firth of Forth in pretty North Berwick before arriving in Edinburgh. Later, a unique optional experience: board the former Royal Yacht Britannia, which was once the perfect royal residence for glittering state visits and family holidays. Tour five decks and see how the Royal Family and crew of 240 lived and worked on board. Dinner rounds off this optional evening. For departures August 7 and August 21, tickets are included for tonight’s performance of the world-renowned Military Tattoo.
Today’s Distance: 121 mi/ 195 km

DAY 6 EDINBURGH
A full day to enjoy the Scottish capital. Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide introduces you to the 200-year-old “New Town,” home to famous scientists, inventors, and novelists. In the “Old Town,” visit Edinburgh Castle to admire Scotland’s Crown Jewels. Afternoon at leisure. A suggestion for this evening: a traditional Scottish night out, with Highland dancers, bagpipers, and, of course, the Ceremony of the Haggis.

DAY 7 EDINBURGH–ST. ANDREWS–PITLOCHRY–CULLODEN MOOR–INVERNESS–STRATHPEFFER
A day of memorable sightseeing. Take the elegant Forth Road Bridge to St. Andrews, whose Royal and Ancient Golf Club has given us the rules of golfing, then cross the Firth of Tay and, via Dundee and Perth, head into the Highlands, with a stop in the Victorian mountain resort of Pitlochry. Cross the battlefield of Culloden Moor with its memories of Bonnie Prince Charlie, then via Inverness, head for your Highland destination.
Today’s Distance: 221 mi/ 355 km

DAY 8 STRATHPEFFER. WEST COAST EXCURSION
More spectacular Scottish scenery: Dornoch Firth, the Kyle of Sutherland, the Falls of Shin, the Mountains of Assynt, and Knockan Crag. Then, follow Strath Oykel for a visit to Ullapool, a remote fishing harbor on Loch Broom, before returning along Loch Glascarnoch. Our recommendation for this afternoon: join the optional Loch Ness Experience, which includes a cruise on the loch, followed by supper.
Today’s Distance: 123 mi/ 198 km

DAY 9 STRATHPEFFER–ISLE OF SKYE–FORT WILLIAM–GLASGOW
More heather-clad moors as you drive through the western Highlands to Lochalsh and the Inner Hebridean Isle of Skye. The route back to the mainland is by ferry across the Sound of Sleat to Mallaig, then breathtaking scenery all the way to Fort William beneath Ben Nevis. Glen Coe, where the MacDonald Clan was massacred in 1692, and a drive along the “Bonnie Banks” of Loch Lomond are scenic highlights on the way to Glasgow, Scotland’s great cultural city.
Today’s Distance: 234 mi/ 377 km

DAY 10 GLASGOW–ALLOWAY–BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND
On this morning’s orientation drive through Scotland’s largest city, see the fine 12th-century cathedral, imposing university buildings, and elegant Georgian squares, built by wealthy tobacco barons. Later, stop at Alloway, the birthplace of Robert Burns, before boarding the ferry for the Irish Sea, crossing to Belfast.
Today’s Distance: 100 mi/ 160 km

DAY 11 BELFAST–GIANT’S CAUSEWAY–DERRY–BELLEEK–SLIGO, IRELAND
Take the scenic route along the Antrim Coast to awe-inspiring Giant’s Causeway, then let the province’s story unfold as you head for the city of Derry. Later, visit Belleek Pottery, renowned for its exquisite cream-colored Parian china, before arriving in Sligo, tonight’s destination.
Today’s Distance: 214 mi/ 344 km

DAY 12 SLIGO–GALWAY–CLIFFS OF MOHER–ENNIS
Travel south to Galway, a popular seaside destination and a buzzing cosmopolitan center with colorful shops and a busy café and bar culture. Then, cross the limestone plateau of The Burren to visit the spectacular 668-foot Cliffs of Moher. Tonight, a chance to attend an optional medieval banquet at a historic castle.
Today’s Distance: 161 mi/ 260 km

DAY 13 ENNIS–DINGLE PENINSULA–KILLARNEY
Via Clonderlaw Bay to Killimer for the ferry across the Shannon estuary. Breathtaking scenery this afternoon on the Dingle Peninsula, where the 32-mile Slea Head drive affords magnificent vistas of the Atlantic Ocean. Afternoon arrival in Killarney, your destination for the next two nights.
Today’s Distance: 125 mi/ 201 km

DAY 14 KILLARNEY. RING OF KERRY EXCURSION
At Killorglin, join the road known as the Ring of Kerry for a 100-mile coastal panoramic drive featuring sparkling seascapes, mountains dotted with brightly colored farmhouses, winding lanes bordered with subtropical vegetation, and spectacular views of the Lakes of Killarney. Then, a special optional adventure: take a horse-drawn jaunting car along the national park lakeshore for pictures of Ross Castle. Later, enjoy the optional outing to Tralee for dinner and a performance at Siamsa Tire, Ireland’s National Folk Theatre.
Today’s Distance: 99 mi/ 158 km

DAY 15 KILLARNEY–BLARNEY–DUNGARVAN–TRAMORE
More scenic splendor as you head into County Cork. Stop in Blarney, famous for its Stone of Eloquence, with time at your leisure to see the castle, and shop for Irish crafts and handmade crystal. After lunch, drive past Cork, the country’s second-largest city. Finally, pass Dungarvan and travel along the Copper Coast to the seaside resort of Tramore. Tonight, maybe join an optional pub tour before dinner at your hotel.
Today’s Distance: 131 mi/ 211 km

DAY 16 TRAMORE–WATERFORD–KILKENNY–DUBLIN
On your northbound journey pause in Waterford, famous for its exquisite crystal, and visit Kilkenny, one of Ireland’s prettiest towns with medieval cobblestone streets and Old-World charm. Afternoon arrival in Dublin—top off the day with an optional Irish cabaret evening including dinner, dance, song, and laughter.
Today’s Distance: 128 mi/ 205 km

DAY 17 DUBLIN
A day in the “Fair City” starts off with an orientation drive through Ireland’s capital and includes statue-lined O’Connell Street, elegant Georgian squares, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The rest of the day is free to enjoy Dublin at leisure. This evening’s optional dinner excursion is to the famous Guinness Storehouse

DAY 18 DUBLIN–CAERNARVON, WALES–LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND
Take the ferry across the Irish Sea to Holyhead on the Welsh Isle of Anglesey with its tongue-twisting names. Explore North Wales on the way to Caernarvon where the castle saw the investiture of Charles as Prince of Wales, before arriving in Liverpool.
Today’s Distance: 180 mi/ 290 km

DAY 19 LIVERPOOL–BUILTH WELLS, WALES–BRECON–CARDIFF
A day dedicated to Wales as you head south through the ancient market town of Builth Wells and Brecon Beacons National Park, land of salmon rivers and the Welsh mountain pony. In Cardiff, an orientation drive takes in Cathays Park with its splendid civic buildings and Cardiff Castle. Tonight’s optional excursion is an evening of Welsh entertainment and dinner.
Today’s Distance: 174 mi/ 281 km

DAY 20 CARDIFF–BATH, ENGLAND–GLASTONBURY–WIDECOMBE–PLYMOUTH
Across the Severn Bridge to the elegant Georgian city of Bath, famed for its Roman relics. Into the West Country via Glastonbury and its legends of King Arthur, and wild and romantic Dartmoor with a visit to the picture-book village of Widecombe-in-the-Moor. Upon arrival in Plymouth, hear about Sir Francis Drake and see the Mayflower Steps, where the Pilgrim Fathers embarked in 1620.
Today’s Distance: 198 mi/ 319 km

DAY 21 PLYMOUTH. LOOE EXCURSION
Today’s excursion takes you to the pretty fishing village and former smuggler’s port of Looe. Then, 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.
Today’s Distance: 45 mi/ 65 km

DAY 22 PLYMOUTH–STONEHENGE–LONDON
An interesting day heading into Thomas Hardy’s Wessex and a visit to intriguing, prehistoric Stonehenge. Explore the visitor center with its imaginative exhibitions, then admire the magnificence of the monument up close. Return to London in the early evening. How about celebrating the success of your tour with a night out on the town?
Today’s Distance: 215 mi/ 346 km

DAY 23 LONDON
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.