Vacation
overview
Stunning scenery, pretty villages, ancient sights, and exciting cities—this Britain and Ireland tour offers all of this and more. Your tour starts in Dublin, Ireland’s fun capital; ends in London, England’s exciting capital; and overnights along the way in Ennis, Killarney, Tramore, and Cardiff, the capital of Wales. Highlights of this tour include the 668-foot Cliffs of Moher on Ireland’s west coast, where you’ll marvel at breathtaking views of rugged cliffs dropping into the ocean, and the Ring of Kerry, a 100-mile panoramic drive through magnificent landscapes. You’ll revel in the views of the sparkling seascapes, hills dotted with brightly painted farmhouses, winding lanes, and views of the Lakes of Killarney. Words cannot capture the magnificence of these natural beauties; you must witness them in person! Also enjoy drives through rich dairy farmland. Stop for photos in Adare, founded in medieval times and known today as one of Ireland’s friendliest and prettiest villages. In fact, its streets are still lined with the original thatched cottages from the 1820s. Another tour highlight is prehistoric Stonehenge. You’ve seen photos of Stonehenge—now’s your chance to stand in front of it and try to figure out how these stones weighing 4,000 pounds got there. Visit Bath, famous for its Roman baths used for socializing and bathing 2,000 years ago. Also enjoy stops in Blarney and Galway. In both Dublin and Cardiff, an orientation drive familiarizes you with the cities. In London, you’ll have time on your own to explore or to take optional excursions. From the vibrant cities to the quaint villages and gorgeous scenery, this value-minded tour through Britain and Ireland is sure to delight all of your senses!
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Itinerary
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Day 1
ARRIVE IN DUBLIN, IRELAND Check into your hotel. In the afternoon, there’s time to rest or discover the vibrant Irish capital, and maybe join an optional dinner evening at the Guinness Storehouse.
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Day 2
DUBLIN Meet your Tour Director and traveling companions to start your day in the “Fair City” with an orientation drive along statue-lined O’Connell Street; elegant Georgian squares with their tall red brick townhouses, multi-hued doors and wrought-iron decorated windows; Oscar Wilde’s Trinity College; and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Why not end the day with an optional Irish cabaret evening, including dinner, dance, song, and laughter? (B)
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Day 3
DUBLIN–GALWAY–CLIFFS OF MOHER–ENNIS Head for dairy-farm country in the heart of the “Emerald Isle.” Stop in Galway, a popular seaside destination and a buzzing cosmopolitan district with vibrant shops and a busy café and bar culture. Then, cross the glacial-era limestone plateau of The Burren to visit the spectacular 668-foot Cliffs of Moher and enjoy amazing vistas of the Clare coast. Tonight, we offer an optional excursion is a medieval-themed banquet.Today’s Distance: 204 mi/ 330 km (B)
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Day 4
ENNIS–ADARE–RING OF KERRY–KILLARNEY Stop for photos in Adare, one of Ireland’s prettiest villages, beautifully set in woods along the Maigue River, with thatched cottages lining its wide main street. In County Kerry, join the road known as the Ring of Kerry for a 100-mile coastal panoramic drive. Focus your camera on sparkling seascapes, mountains dotted with brightly painted farmhouses, winding lanes bordered with subtropical vegetation, and views of the Lakes of Killarney from Ladies View. Later, discover Killarney, a town full of history, heritage, and world-class hospitality. A special optional adventure is available: take a horse-drawn jaunting car along the National Park.Today’s Distance: 190 mi/ 306 km (B,D)
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Day 5
KILLARNEY–BLARNEY–DUNGARVAN–TRAMORE Move on across the Kerry Mountains and through County Cork to Blarney, famous for its magical Stone of Eloquence. You will have time to shop for traditional Irish handicrafts and handmade crystal, or perhaps walk up to the castle. Drive past Cork, the country’s second-largest city, and via Dungarvan to Tramore, a charming seaside resort. Later, you might like to join an optional pub tour before dinner at your hotel.Today’s Distance: 132 mi/ 212 km (B,D)
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Day 6
TRAMORE–CARDIFF, WALES An early start for the short drive to Rosslare. In just under four hours, you cross St. George’s Channel by ferry to South Wales. Continue through rich dairy farmland to Cardiff, where an orientation drive introduces you to the capital’s major attractions: Cardiff Castle, Cathays Park, Millennium Stadium, and the stately civic buildings. Tonight, why not join an evening of Welsh entertainment and dinner?Today’s Distance: 152 mi/ 245 km (B)
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Day 7
CARDIFF–BATH, ENGLAND–STONEHENGE–LONDON Your day begins with a drive across the spectacular Severn Bridge into England. Stop in the elegant Georgian city of Bath, famous for its Roman relics, before visiting Stonehenge, one of the wonders of the world and the best-known prehistoric monument in Europe. Explore the visitor center with its imaginative exhibitions, then discover the ancient landscape on foot. After arriving in London around 3:30 pm, how about celebrating the success of your tour with a night out on the town?Today’s Distance: 174 mi/ 280 km (B)
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Day 8
LONDON Today is for 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. 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. (B)
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Day 9
LONDON Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
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