Essential Britain & Ireland

Day 1: Day 1

ARRIVE IN LONDON, ENGLAND Welcome to London! Uniformed Globus Hosts will be waiting to welcome you. Free time this afternoon.LONDON-BIG-BEN.jpg

Day 2: Day 2

LONDON–STONEHENGE–BATH–NEWPORT, WALES Ancient Stones & Spa Days LONDON Meet your Tour Director and travel companions at 8 am and drive to Stonehenge.STONEHENGE Visit the prehistoric monument. BATH Visit the excavations of the Roman Baths. 164 mi / 264 km (B,D)TOUR HIGHLIGHTCULTURAL GEMS The traditions of one ancient Roman ritual are in full flow in Bath. Amid the remarkable Roman and Georgian architecture and the best-preserved Roman Baths of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, a good spa day is never hard to find in one of the “Best Spa Towns in Europe.” The city of Bath sits above geothermal springs that bubble up from the limestone below. Bath also turns up the heat with some of Britain's grandest Georgian buildings, a mecca for elite 18th-century society. STONEHENGE.jpg

Day 3: Day 3

NEWPORT–CARDIFF–WATERFORD, IRELAND Welsh Dragons, Daffodils & Castles CARDIFF Morning visit to Cardiff Castle.PEMBROKE Ferry crossing St. George’s Channel to Rosslare.168 mi / 271 km (B,D)TOUR HIGHLIGHTCAPITAL CITY Explore the Welsh capital, see many historic buildings and discover its 2,000-year history of invasions, abductions and conflicts from 1st century AD when the Romans built the first series of forts.CARDIFF-CASTLE.jpg

Day 4: Day 4

WATERFORD–KILKENNY–DUBLIN Cut Glass & Cobblestones WATERFORD Take a guided tour of the House of Waterford Crystal.KILKENNY See one of Ireland’s most quaint towns with medieval cobblestones. 115 mi / 195 km (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHTART & ARCHITECTURE Discover over 800 years of Irish history at Kilkenny Castle, walk the halls of art and artifacts and browse the walls of tapestries and treasures in this unique landmark building that was home to the Butler family for centuries.KILKENNY-CITY-VIEW.jpg

Day 5: Day 5

DUBLIN Ireland’s Capital City DUBLIN Take a morning orientation drive to see O’Connell Street, Georgian squares, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and Trinity College. Free time this afternoon. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHTCITY SIGHTS “In Dublin’s fair city where girls are so pretty” you’ll also find great personality and charm. The charisma of Dubliners and the bounty of pubs here is matched only by the gorgeous Georgian Squares, 12th-century St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and the legendary library of Trinity College.DUBLIN-STREET.jpg

Day 6: Day 6

DUBLIN–BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND–EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND Irish Crossings BELFAST Pause at the magnificent City Hall before crossing the North Channel to Scotland's Cairnryan.234 mi / 376 km (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHTCITY SIGHTS Northern Ireland’s capital city of Belfast has seen its share of the ‘Troubles’ but its tenacity, tireless industry and timeless traditions are easy to see. Hear how shipbuilding ruled and Irish linen was king. In the port city where the Titanic was built, a bold rebirth of arts and architecture thrive amid historic castles and churches drawing visitors from around the globe. BELFAST-CITY-HALL-NIGHT.jpg

Day 7: Day 7

EDINBURGH Drummers, Pipers & Precious Jewels EDINBURGH Morning city sightseeing with a Local Guide includes the New Town, the Old Town, and a visit to Edinburgh Castle to see Scotland’s Crown Jewels. Free time this afternoon.THE ROYAL EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO Attend the world-renowned Tattoo performance. (Departures July 27 through August 18 only). (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHTMUSIC & MASTERPIECES Ascend to Castle Rock to explore Edinburgh Castle, one of the most important historical strongholds in the Kingdom of Scotland, with a 1,100-year history as "the most besieged place in Great Britain." Here you’ll find the royal regalia and Scotland’s Crown Jewels. The Castle forms the background of the spectacular Tattoo, an extravaganza of bagpipes and drums performed en masse in August each year. EDINBURGH-BAGPIPER.jpg

Day 8: Day 8

EDINBURGH–JEDBURGH–YORK, ENGLAND Augustine’s Monks & Medieval Markets JEDBURGH Take photos at the Augustinian abbey ruins. Drive into Northumberland National Park and see a section of Hadrian’s Wall.YORK See York Minster on [LF] a guided walk through The Shambles. 198 mi / 318 km (B,D)LOCAL FAVORITEHISTORIC SPOT While strolling the cobblestones of York’s Shambles, it’s easy to imagine the medieval butchers' shops and boisterous crowds bartering for beef and bones outside the 14th-century timber-framed windows. The Shambles is one of the best-preserved medieval shopping streets in Europe and said to have been the inspiration behind Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley – and today is a colorful gathering place with cheerful cafés and quirky boutiques brimming with the sweet aromas of chocolate, pastries, and pies. YORK-SHAMBLES.jpg

Day 9: Day 9

YORK–STRATFORD-UPON-AVON–LONDON Mr. & Mrs. Shakespeare STRATFORD-UPON-AVON See Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace. 260 mi / 418 km (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHTA LEGEND SLEPT HERE Ah, young love! Even more true as Shakespeare’s fiancée was eight years his senior. See Anne Hathaway's Cottage, the family home where the bard’s wife-to-be was born and courted by young Will. Built more than 500 years ago, much of the original structure remains. Visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace and family home in the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon. Hear tales about his family life, marriage, and children with a close look at fascinating artifacts in a world-class collection assembled by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. STRATFORD-UPON-AVON-ANNE-HATHAWAYS-COTTAGE.jpg

Day 10: Day 10

LONDON Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)LONDON-PUB.jpg