22 day Britain and Ireland Discovery escorted tour with Insight Vacations

Inclusions

Itinerary

Day 1    London – Stratford
Arrive London, before heading to Oxford, ‘City of Dreaming Spires’. Continue on through pretty Cotswold villages to Stratford, nestled beside the river Avon, where you visit the birthplace of William Shakespeare.Hotel: Alveston Manor.

Day 2    Stratford – York
A leisurely drive brings you to the walled city of York. See the huge York Minster and stroll through the maze of cobbled streets to the crooked houses of the Shambles. Hotel: Marriott.

Day 3    York – Lake District – Gretna – Edinburgh
Tour the beautiful Lake District and visit Wordsworth’s grave in the village of Grasmere. Cross into Scotland and stop briefly at Gretna Green. Then it’s on to the majestic Scottish capital. Tonight, selected departures attend the spectacular flood lit Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle. Hotel: Royal Terrace/Roxburghe.

Day 4    Edinburgh sightseeing
Take a guided tour inside historic Edinburgh Castle, home to the Honours of Scotland. Continue down the Royal Mile, past St Giles’ Cathedral to the Queen’s Holyroodhouse Palace. Then cross over to the 18th century New Town. The afternoon is at leisure.

Day 5    Edinburgh – St Andrews – Highlands
Cross the Firth of Forth on your way to St Andrews – the home of golf. Continue over the River Tay into the Grampian Mountains. You pass Blair Athol Castle before reaching the sparkling Spey Valley. Tonight, enjoy a Highland Style dinner with bagpipes. Hotel: Laggan Country Hotel.

Day 6    Highlands – Wick
The morning, enjoy a wee dram of the finest Highland whisky at the Tomatin distillery before visiting the Culloden Visitor Centre and battlefield, scene of the 1746 defeat of the Jacobites. Later drive via stately Inverness and along the shores of Loch Ness in search of the monster. Now follow the lovely coastal route north to Wick. Hotel: Norseman.

Day 7    Orkney Islands excursion
Drive to John O’Groats, the most northerly town on the British mainland, where you board a ferry to the Orkney Islands. Visit the village of Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar, Kirkwall and the Italian Chapel. Head back to the mainland for the evening.

Day 8    Thurso – Isle of Skye
Relax and enjoy the pristine landscapes of lochs and mountains on your way to the fishing town of Ullapool. Then it’s ‘over the sea to Skye’. Admire the scenic splendour of the Cuillin Hills en route to your hotel in Portree. Hotel: Tongadale.

Day 9    Isle of Skye – Loch Lomond – Glasgow
Take in magnificent scenery as you pass Eilean Donan Castle and continue to Glencoe. Stop on the ‘bonnie banks’ of Loch Lomond before arriving in Glasgow. Hotel: Marriott/Crowne Plaza.

Day 10    Glasgow – Londonberry
Bid farewell to Scotland as you cross the Irish Sea, enjoying views of the Island of Arran on the way. Take the scenic Antrim coast road to the amazing rock formation known as the Giant’s Causeway before reaching your hotel. Hotel: City.

Day 11    Londonberry – Belleek – Sligo
Join a local guide to see Derry’s Walls, the Guildhall and the city’s cathedral. Cross the border to see O’Donnell’s Castle in Donegal. Drive south to visit the Belleek Pottery Centre. Continue to the churchyard at Drumcliff, the last resting place of Irish poet WB Yeats. Then it’s on to Sligo. Hotel: Radisson Blu.

Day 12    Sligo – Galway – Limerick
Take a scenic drive through the beautiful Connemara region to visit the famous marble factory. Continue on to Galway where you see St Nicholas Cathedral, the Spanish Arch and Eyre Square. Now for a visit to Bunratty Folk Park, where old Ireland comes to life! Stay tonight in Limerick, famous for rhymes, lace and Georgian houses. Hotel: George Boutique Hotel.

Day 13    Limerick – Killarney
An orientation tour shows you King John’s Castle, St. Mary’s Cathedral and the treaty stone. Now drive through the charming village of Adare into County Kerry. In Killarney, enjoy a ride on a famous jaunting car. Hotel: Killarney Towers/Killarney Avenue.

Day 14    Ring of Kerry excursion
Experience the spectacular scenery of the Ring of Kerry. Tonight enjoy a selection of restaurants for your dining pleasure.

Day 15    Killarney – Blarney – Waterford
Kiss the Stone of Eloquence at Blarney Castle. Enjoy an orientation tour of Cork seeing St Finbar’s Cathedral before continuing along the coast to your hotel in Waterford. Hotel: Dooleys.

Day 16    Waterford – Kilkenny – Dublin
Visit the Waterford Crystal showroom. Drive to Kilkenny to see the magnificent 13C castle. Continue to the fun-loving Irish capital, Dublin. Hotel: Academy Plaza/ Burlington/Herbert Park.

Day 17    Dublin sightseeing
Tour Dublin’s elegant Georgian squares with a local guide. You also see the Irish President’s home, O’Connell Street and Customs House. Then visit the Old Library of Trinity College to admire the 8th century Book of Kells. This afternoon you are at leisure.

Day 18    Dublin – Chester
Cross the Irish Sea and travel through North Wales, past Conwy Castle, to Chester. See the ruined Roman amphitheatre, city walls Tudor ‘Rows’ and cathedral. Hotel: Queen.

Day 19    Chester – Bristol
Drive to the border town of Ludlow, rich in tragic royal history. Continue along the Wye Valley past Tintern Abbey and over the soaring Severn Bridge to Bristol. Hotel: Marriott City Centre.

Day 20    Bristol – Bath – Plymouth
Travel the short distance to the beautiful Georgian city of Bath. Visit the Roman Baths before moving on to Plymouth, taking in Glastonbury along the way. Hotel: Jurys Inn/Copthorne.

Day 21    Cornwall excursion
Enjoy a highlight cruise on the harbour then see the Barbican and Hoe. Cross the Tamar river to enter Cornwall - land of smugglers’ coves and delightful fishing villages, to visit Looe.

Day 22    Plymouth – Stonehenge – London
Visit mysterious Stonehenge before crossing Salisbury Plain to return to London, where you bid farewell to your Tour Director.

Departure dates and Prices*

*Terms and Conditions

• Prices current as at 9 May 2012
• Prices are per person in AUD$ based on twin share
• Prices are subject to change (eg due to currency fluctuation)
• Offer is subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time
• Further conditions apply please see Insight Vacations Europe and Britain 2012 brochure