Day 1

Arrive Shannon
 

Meals D
 
Tour begins: 6:00 PM, Old Ground Hotel. A transfer from Shannon Airport to your accommodations at the historic Old Ground Hotel is included. Your hotel is set in charming Ennis – a town known as  “the friendliest town in Ireland.” This landmark 18th-century manor house was once a private residence, having opened as a hotel in 1895; the Old Ground Hotel has a “long tradition and connection to the people of County Clare.” Join us this evening for a welcome reception followed by dinner.

 

Lodging
Old Ground Hotel

 

 

Day 2

Captivating charms of Killarney in Ireland's southwest
 
Meals B, L, D
 
The picturesque town of Killarney has drawn visitors for centuries to its idyllic setting on the shore of Lough Leane, surrounded by the inspiring mountain peaks, woodlands, moors, and lakes of Killarney National Park. Take an orientation tour of local landmarks including Ross Castle, St. Mary’s Cathedral, and Muckross Abbey, then enjoy lunch at Muckross House, a Tudor-style 19th-century manor with magnificent gardens and splendid views; the house was once the residence of artist Mary Balfour Herbert, whose watercolor scenes celebrate the poetic beauty of Lake Killarney’s landscapes. Settle in for a two-night stay at the Malton Hotel, a stately Victorian hotel with six acres of private gardens in the heart of town.

 

Lodging
The Malton Hotel

 

 

Day 3

Amazing look at sheep shearing and a drive around the Ring of Kerry
 
Meals B, L

 

Drive the spectacular coastal route along the Iveragh Peninsula known as the Ring of Kerry, where ocean vistas, islands, inlets, forests, rugged mountains and scenic villages unfold around every turn. Stop at a farm in Derreen for a sheep-shearing demonstration by world-record-breaking champion Patrick Moran, who shears in the traditional way, by hand. At Sneem, enjoy lunch in elegant Victorian surroundings at the Parknasilla Resort, an 18th-century manor house with stunning views of Kenmare Bay. Then return to your hotel in Killarney and spend the evening as you please.

 

Lodging
The Malton Hotel
 

 

Day 4

Visit to a classic Georgian mansion and on to Dublin
 
Meals B, L, D

 

Depart for Dublin this morning, with a stop outside Fermoy, County Cork, for a guided visit to Ballyvolane House, a classic Georgian mansion built in 1728 for Lord Chief Justice Sir Richard Pyne. This elegantly furnished country estate nestles in a setting of magnolia trees, formal gardens and parkland in the beautiful Munster Blackwater Valley; your visit includes your choice of a walking tour, an interlude of traditional Irish music, or a storytelling session, followed by lunch. Arrive in Dublin late afternoon for a brief tour, then check into your five-star hotel in the heart of the city next to St. Stephen’s Green.

 

Lodging
The Fitzwilliam Hotel
 

 

Day 5

Dublin sights and the perfect pint...
 
Meals B, L

 

Discover the picturesque charms and historic sights of Dublin today on a guided city tour that includes Trinity College, O’Connell Street, Georgian row houses, St. Stephen’s Green and the former Irish Houses of Parliament. Visit the Guinness Storehouse for a magical journey into the heart of Ireland’s legendary stout, from the towering Pint Glass Atrium to a look inside the brewing process, combining age-old traditions with state-of-the-art technology, to a lesson at the Guinness Academy where you’ll learn the art of pouring the perfect pint. Return to your hotel for an evening on your own; Grafton Street and many popular restaurants and pubs are just a short walk away.

 

Lodging
The Fitzwilliam Hotel
 

 

Day 6

Travel to Belfast, Northern Ireland
 
Meals B, L, D

 

Northern Ireland’s capital, once known for linen, shipbuilding, and political conflict, has evolved into a beguiling, cosmopolitan mix of Victorian and modern architecture, hip restaurants and pubs, and a youthful art scene. Arrive late morning for a guided city tour, then check into your elegant hotel in the heart of the city, next to the Grand Opera House (and opposite one of the most famed pubs, The Crown). Following lunch, the rest of the day is yours to explore as you please; landmark sights you might choose to visit include the Titanic Belfast museum, the Ulster Museum and the Botanic Gardens.

 

Lodging
Europa Hotel
 

 

Day 7

Ferry to Edinburgh, Scotland
 
Meals B, L, D

 

This morning, depart from Belfast for a journey by ferry (with lunch onboard) from Northern Ireland to the village of Cairnryan in Scotland. Upon arrival, travel to Scotland’s capital city of Edinburgh for an expected late afternoon arrival. Settle in for a two-night stay at the Waldorf-Astoria Edinburgh The Caledonian, a five-star luxury hotel in the heart of the city just off renowned Princes Street in New Town. Dine at your leisure this evening at your hotel (July 30 – August 20 departures will attend the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo this evening).

 

Lodging
Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian
 

 

Day 8

Edinburgh... castles, cobbled streets and wynds
 
Meals B, L

 

Medieval and modern weave together in this wondrous city of castles, hidden treasures, nooks, and wynds (twisting alleys). A city tour includes Scott Monument, Holyrood Palace (when Her Majesty is not in residence), and massive Edinburgh Castle, rising over the city atop an extinct volcano. A visit to the castle, steeped in 800 years of history, includes the crown jewels, the National War Museum, and glorious views of the city. Enjoy “tea” in the castle (subject to availability), then spend the rest of the day and evening as you please; there is much to explore along Edinburgh’s cobbled streets, including architectural wonders, museums, galleries, and a vibrant nightlife.

 

Lodging
Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian
 

 

Day 9

Alnwick Castle in Northumberland, star of film and television
 
Meals B, L, D

 

Travel from Edinburgh to Alnwick Castle, seat of the Duke of Northumberland in England. Built in the 11th century, the castle with its wonderfully preserved battlements and towers is frequently a film location, and its most famous resident, Sir Harry Hotspur, was immortalized as a character in Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Part 1. Early private entry to the state rooms provides an opportunity for stories of intrigue; tour the grounds, then enjoy a traditional glass of mead prior to a weapons demonstration followed by a medieval lunch. Depart for York; on the way, you’ll pass the village of Washington (where George’s ancestors came from).

 

Lodging
The Grand Hotel & Spa
 

 

Day 10

Medieval York and its Minster
 
Meals B
 
The walled city of York was a wealthy wool-trading center in the Middle Ages, and much of its medieval character is still intact. A city tour with a local guide includes a visit to York Minster, a spectacular Gothic cathedral emblazoned with medieval stained glass. The afternoon is free to explore York as you please.

 

Lodging
The Grand Hotel & Spa
 

 

Day 11
The halls of Cambridge
 
Meals B, L, D
 
Visit the idyllic town of Cambridge and its famous university, founded by scholars who fled Oxford in 1209. Get a taste of university life during lunch at Trinity Hall, then tour King’s College. "Punting" is an English tradition – experience it today when you punt on the River Cam that winds through the middle of the town. Stay overnight at the Cambridge City Hotel, where you can dine at your leisure.

 

Lodging
Cambridge City Hotel
 

 

Day 12
Henry VIII and his magnificent Hampton Court Palace, then on to London
 
Meals B, L
 
Explore Hampton Court Palace in Richmond upon Thames, once the residence of Henry VIII, whose grand tapestries adorn the Great Hall. Shakespeare’s company, The King’s Men, performed here for King James I in 1603. Peruse the splendidly furnished halls, the hedge maze, and gardens. Then depart for a city tour of London. Check into the London Rosewood Hotel, close to Covent Garden and West End theatres.

 

Lodging
Rosewood London
 

 

Day 13
A day well spent in London with a visit to St. Paul's Cathedral
 
Meals B, D
 
A guided tour of London includes iconic St. Paul’s Cathedral and its awe-inspiring dome, the Whispering Gallery, the crypts where British heroes like Nelson and Wellington are buried, and the Golden Gallery with its breathtaking views of the city. Return to the hotel or explore London on your own. Then join us this evening for a farewell dinner.

 

Lodging
Rosewood London
 

 

Day 14
Journey Home
 
Meals B
 
Tour ends: London. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from Rosewood London to Heathrow and Gatwick airports. You should allow three hours for flight check-in.