London - Bath - Scotland - Ireland
June 10 - 22, 2012 $3689 + air
Beginning in London, enjoy three full days to explore the sights and experience this capital city. Then, head to the English countryside for a look at Stonehenge and the city of Bath. After a quick flight to Edinburgh, head straight away to the Highlands and enjoy an overnight stay in Oban, a charming fishing village. Edinburgh, with its grand Georgian architecture and quaint medieval streets is sure to provide sights and entertainment for two days.
Then, enjoy a quick flight across the Irish Sea to Dublin, where you will have two days to experience the city. Bbegin a loop around the south end of the island visiting Kilkenny, Dingle, and finally, Doolin, on the rugged west coast.
This tour is sure to present an amazing opportunity to experience the great outdoors, traditional music, fine food, great pubs, and a unique culture... all without the stress of learning a foreign language!
Saturday, June 9, 2012: Fly overnight to London, England — International flights to and from Europe are not included in the tour cost, however, we can help arrange your flights to correspond with other group members. Please schedule your flight to arrive in London by 11:00 a.m.
Sunday, June 10: London -- After breakfast, travel to central London. Enjoy a walking and double-decker bus tour of London's most famous sights and attractions. After lunch, join a "Beefeater" for a guided tour of the Tower of London. Later, enjoy a group dinner at one of David's favorite restaurants in town. Sleep 2 nights in London.
Monday, June 11: London — Begin the day with a guided tour of Westminster Abbey, folowed by an opportunity to see the changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace. The remainder of the day is free so you can explore more of London on your own. You might want to, visit a museum, do some shopping at Harrod's, relax in a pub, or take a walk in a park. Dinner is on your own tonight.
Tuesday, June 12: Stonehenge and Bath — Leaving London behind, we will head into the countryside. It is amazing how quickly the hub-bub of metro London disappears and the tranquility of the English countryside begins. Today, visit two major landmarks: Stonehenge and Bath. Sleep 1 night near Bristol airport.
Wednesday, June 13: Scotland and the Highlands —An early morning flight from Bristol will take you to Scotland in about an hour. Enjoy a scenic ride through the Trossach National Park en-route to the coastal town of Oban. Upon arrival, enjoy some free time to explore this little seaside town on your own. We will meet tonight for a dinner featuring local delicacies from the sea.
Sleep 1 night in Oban.
Thursday, June 14: Highlands and Edinburgh — Following breakfast, travel south through scenic lochs and bens, arriving in Edinburgh by mid-afternoon. After settling into your hotel, enjoy a stroll on the Royal Mile, followed by dinner at Divino, an authentic Italian wine cellar tucked beneath the streets of Edinburgh. Sleep 2 nights in Edinburgh.
Friday, June 15: Edinburgh — Join a walking tour covering Edinburgh’s famous
destinations, including the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle. There are no group plans this afternoon, so you can do a little exploring on your own. Tonight, enjoy dinner on your own and an event-free evening to take in the sights.
Saturday, June 16: Edinburgh to Dublin — We will get an early start to the Edinburgh
Airport for our short flight across the Irish Sea. Once in Dublin, join a walking tour as we trace its development from Viking times, to the British occupation, and into the vibrant city it is today. Tonight, enjoy a gourmet dining experience at La Mer Zou, David’s favorite French restaurant outside of France.
Sleep in Dublin for 2 nights.
Sunday, June 17: Dublin — Enjoy a tour of Trinity College led by a local university
student. The tour will end with a look at the “illuminated” Book of Kells, created by Celtic monks around 800 A.D. You will have the remainder of the day to explore more of Dublin by yourself. Lunch and dinner are on your own today. Tonight, you’ll want to save time for some traditional Irish music at one of the many pubs in town.
Monday, June 18: Glendalough and Kilkenny — After breakfast, we will begin our journey around the island. The first stop, the ancient monastic site of Glendalough, located in the beautiful Wicklow Mountains. Enjoy a peaceful walk along the lakes and through the woods while learning about the monastery and its role in history. Later, travel directly to Kilkenny, where you will have a free afternoon to explore the town, castle, cathedral and shops. Finally, enjoy a taste bud tingling Italian dinner (including wine) at David’s favorite Italian restaurant this side of Tuscany.
Sleep 1 night in Kilkenny.
Tuesday, June 19: Dingle — After a liesurely morning in Kilkenny, we will travel to Dingle, David’s favorite Irish fishing
village. You'll have two days here to experience the wild and scenic countryside that we Americans have come to know as Ireland. Enjoy dinner at a classy restaurant featuring
locally sourced products and warm Irish hospitality. Sleep 2 nights in Dingle.
Wednesday, June 20: The Dingle Peninsula — Experience some of Ireland's wildest natural beauty and oldest pre-historic settlements on our driving tour of the Slea Head. Enjoy
endless fields of "40 shades of green," rock-crashing waves, and all the sheep you'll ever want to count. Visiting the Blasket Islands Heritage Centre, you will get a close look at a traditional Gaelic community. Tonight, back in Dingle, enjoy dinner on your own. We'll meet about 8:00 p.m. at O'Flaherty's, a traditional pub, for live folk music. The "trad" session begins sometime around 9:30 or whenever the musicians get ready. It’s all over by 11:00 p.m. when you finish your pint and head home.
Thursday, June 21: The Cliffs of Moher and County Clare — After a breathtaking drive through the coastal mountains, we will follow the River Shannon north to County Clare. Enjoy a stop at the Cliffs of Moher where you’ll find yourself teetering on the edge of a 600 foot windy cliff perched on the North Atlantic. Farther up the road, visit the rocky moonscape-like region known as the Burren. Afterwards, arrive in the seaside village of Doolin. McDermott's, the local pub, will set us up with a hearty dinner and a pint of your choice to wash it all down. Then, pull up a seat for some traditional local music to cap off your tour experience. Sleep 1 night in Doolin.
Friday, June 22: Heading home — Fly from Shannon, Ireland to your USA hometown. Be sure to arrange your flight to depart Shannon after 12:00 noon.
WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THE TOUR COST?
-Transportation by bus, van, plane, and ferry from your arrival at LONDON HEATHROW INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT to SHANNON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT for your departure.
--Twin room accommodations each night in clean and safe European-style hotels and guesthouses with private bath.
- Limited single rooms are available for a supplement of $725.00
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All breakfasts and seven of your dinners.
· Amazing dining experiences at some of David's personal favorite restaurants. You can expect fine regional fare, and plenty of it at all our dining experiences.
- All tips and gratuities to guides, drivers and hotel staff.
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Full time services of a travel-savvy Exploring Europe guide and local experts dedicated to bringing to life the art, history, and culture of Europe.
--David McGuffin's Exploring Europe Tour Handbook covering the major sights and destinations visited on this tour itinerary.
· Tours and admissions to the following attractions, experiences, and sights: London overview double-decker bus tour ▪ tower of London tour ▪ Westminister Abbey admission ▪ London sightseeing ▪ changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace (when permitted) ▪ Stonehenge admission and tour ▪ Bath walking tour and overview ▪ Flight from Bristol to Edinburgh ▪ Oban orientation walk ▪ Sightseeing stops in the Highlands ▪ Edinburgh walking tour ▪ Edinburgh Castle entrance and tour ▪ Flight from Edinburgh to Dublin ▪ Dublin walking tour ▪ The Book of Kells exhibit ▪ Trinity College walking tour ▪ Glendalough and Wicklow Mountains historical tour ▪ Kilkenny orientation walk ▪ Blarney Castle admission ▪ Dingle orientation ▪ Dingle Pub music experience ▪ Blasket Island Heritage Centre entrance▪ Slea Head bus tour ▪ River Shannon ferry crossing ▪ the Cliff of Moher ▪ Doolin Pub experience ▪ and much more (itinerary specifics are subject to change).
- Our Unconditional Tour Price Guarantee that will not change for any reason.
· Credit Card payments accepted.
