Welcome to London!
Uniformed Globus Hosts will be waiting to welcome you. Free time this afternoon.
The Royal Treatment
Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide includes sights of the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall, the Prime Minister’s Downing Street residence, Piccadilly Circus, Buckingham Palace, and a visit to St. Paul’s Cathedral (except Sundays). (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHTHISTORIC SITES See the legendary landmarks of England’s historic capital city. Walk where voices have rung out for centuries in Parliament Square and where chimes rise high above you with the ringing of Big Ben’s quarter bells. See Westminster Abbey, where royal coronations, weddings, and funerals have made history.
Prehistoric Finds & Pub Food
Meet your Tour Director and travel companions, to depart London at 8 am. Try to unravel the mystery of prehistoric Stonehenge. Explore the visitor center with its imaginative exhibitions, then take time to view the monument up close. Head to the quaint market town of Ilminster for a welcome lunch at a local pub. Round off the day with a [LF] cruise on Plymouth Sound, one of the world’s great natural harbors, and view the Mayflower Steps. (B,L) 221 mi / 356 kmLOCAL FAVORITE EPIC RIDE Cruise the deep natural inlet of Plymouth Sound, the harbor from where the Pilgrim Fathers set sail on the Mayflower bound for the New World in 1620. The wealth of history to be found in the Sound includes Sir Francis Drake’s expeditions, Napoleon’s imprisonment in 1815, and Charles Darwin’s 1831 embarkation on the HMS Beagle – to name a few!
Legends of Land & Sea
Poldark’s Cornwall is today’s highlight as a scenic drive takes you through the West Country. There’s time for a photo stop at St. Michael’s Mount before a visit to the popular seaside resort of St. Ives. Return to Plymouth and enjoy free time this evening. (B) 161 mi / 255 kmTOUR HIGHLIGHTEPIC RIDE Breathtaking views of Cornwall, including the setting of Winston Graham's ‘Poldark’ saga of Cornish life in the 18th century, will leave you breathless on a scenic drive through the stunning West Country.
Timeless Kings & Thermal Springs
At Glastonbury, hear about the legend of King Arthur and the Holy Grail, and then head to the Georgian city of Bath to visit the amazing excavations of the Roman Baths with time to explore this fascinating city on your own. Stay the night in Cardiff, the Welsh capital. (B) 180 mi / 288 kmTOUR 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.
Strait to Ireland
Your journey through South Wales takes you to Fishguard. Cross St. George’s Channel to Rosslare in Ireland and proceed to Waterford, a stronghold founded by the Danish Vikings in 853.159 mi / 255 km (B,D)TOUR HIGHLIGHTEPIC RIDE St. George’s Channel connects the British territory of Wales in the east and the southeastern part of Ireland in the west. It is named in honor of St. George, England’s patron saint, who had traveled to England by sea from the Byzantine Empire and approached the British Isles from this channel.
Fine Crystal & The Gift of Gab
Visit the House of Waterford Crystal for a fascinating tour and witness the highly skilled master craftsmen at work. At Blarney, renowned for its magical Kissing Stone, take the opportunity to walk up to the castle, or shop for traditional Irish handicrafts. Your overnight stay is in the historic town and fishing port of Kinsale, famous for its multi-hued streets. You will have time to explore this evening. (B,D) 105 mi / 168 kmTOUR HIGHLIGHT LEGENDS & LORE Cut the blarney and hear the history of how telling tales is forever linked to the 15th-century castle and the village below in Blarney. One of the last estate villages that remain standing in Ireland, Blarney was built by an 18th-century landlord to house the castle workers there. It’s true!
Beauties in County Kerry
The breathtaking beauty of Ireland awaits with a drive around part of Ireland’s southwestern peninsular, the spectacular Ring of Kerry. Have your camera ready for photos of sparkling seascapes and mountains dotted with brightly colored farmhouses. Tonight enjoy a [LF] dinner with traditional Irish music in a local restaurant. (B,D) 154 mi / 247 kmLOCAL FAVORITE LOCAL TASTES Join the locals of Killarney for an Irish dinner of traditional and modern dishes with festive Gaelic tunes in the heart of this historic Irish town.
Killarney Calling
A full day in Killarney to experience and explore this vibrant town. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHTNATURAL WONDERS County Kerry is home to the exquisite natural beauty of a rugged and mountainous expanse in Killarney National Park. Nestled at the foot of these mountains, the Lake of Killarney’s shores of woodlands share this magical place with waterfalls and dramatic skies above Ross Castle.
Irish Eyes & Cheeky Rhymes
A drive around the Dingle Peninsula includes a stop at the Blasket Islands Centre. Learn about the way of life on the remote islands, evacuated by their inhabitants in 1953. Later, stop at the quaint village of Adare and admire its pretty thatched cottages before arriving in Limerick. (B) 160 mi / 257 kmTOUR HIGHLIGHTPHOTO OPS There once was a town called Adare, with charm that was beyond compare... Adare’s charming thatched-roof cottages create visual ptry, earning this village in County Limerick, some say the prettiest village in Ireland.
Notes Above High Sea
At the spectacular Cliffs of Moher, rising 668 feet above the Atlantic Ocean, step on to the edge of the world to admire awe-inspiring views. Via the limestone plateau of The Burren, reach Galway, a popular seaside destination with a buzzing center of colorful shops and a busy café and bar culture. Spend the night in the coastal seaport of Sligo. (B,D) 179 mi / 288 kmTOUR HIGHLIGHTPICTURE PERFECT Feast your eyes on a stunning spectacle of sea and sky at the Cliffs of Moher on the Wild Atlantic Way. Try to resist the inspiration that has moved artists, pts, and scientists throughout the ages as you stand on the edge of 320 million years of geologic perfection on the rugged coastline of County Clare.
Derry Girls & Daring Giants
Visit Derry today, the second largest city in Northern Ireland and one of the finest examples of a walled city. Follow in the legendary footsteps of Finn McCool, as you admire the Giant’s Causeway, composed of 40,000 basalt columns formed millions of years ago. Stay in Belfast tonight, Northern Ireland’s seat of government. (B,D) 200 mi / 322 kmTOUR HIGHLIGHTLEGENDS & LORE Follow in the legendary footsteps of giants at the foot of the cliffs along the coast of Northern Ireland, where 40,000 massive black basalt columns jut out of the sea. Hear the legendary myth of two battling giants that caused the magnificent geological wonder of Giant’s Causeway, which actually evolved through volcanic activity 50–60 million years ago.
An Unsinkable Legend
This morning’s orientation drive includes City Hall, the Albert Memorial Clock Tower, and Queen’s University. Then complete your visit to Belfast with a fascinating visit to the Titanic Experience, learn about the doomed ship’s maiden voyage, and the tragic events of April 14, 1912. Cross back across the Irish border and visit Carlingford, a charming seaside town, situated on the Cooley Peninsula, before arriving in Dublin. (B) 128 mi / 206 kmTOUR HIGHLIGHTHISTORIC SPOT Explore the fascinating Titanic Belfast Experience for an in-depth look at the history and mystery of the legendary ocean liner. See artifacts and amazing accounts of Belfast’s boom in shipping and those who built her. Learn about the courage and loss of all involved on a fateful night in April 1912. Get an immersive look at the launch, sinking, and final resting place of the doomed ship, with myths and reality revealed.
Ireland’s Capital City
Take a morning orientation drive to see O’Connell Street, Georgian squares, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and Trinity College. The afternoon is at leisure to enjoy this vibrant city. (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 Trinity College.
Welsh Word Challenge
Board your ferry which takes you to North Wales. Stop for a photo in the tongue-twisting town of Llanfairpwllgwyngyll before enjoying a scenic drive through north Wales to Liverpool. There’s free time this evening. (B) 98 mi / 158 kmTOUR HIGHLIGHTPHOTO OP The village of Llanfairpwllgwyngyll may be impossible to pronounce, but its English translation is no walk in the park, meaning “St. Mary's Church in the hollow of white hazel near a rapid whirlpool and the Church of St. Tysilio near the red cave.” Nevertheless, this small Welsh town with the big name is a quaint coastal spot in North Wales.
Songs, Sonnets, and Secret Vows
Start the day with a visit to The Beatles Story, for a fascinating journey into the life and music of the “Fab Four.” Take a scenic drive through the tranquil Lake District, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a break in Wordsworth’s beloved Grasmere and try original [LF] Grasmere Gingerbread. Head north to the Scottish border and stop at Gretna Green, where the blacksmith performed weddings for runaway young couples. (B,D) 238 mi / 382 km.LOCAL FAVORITE TIMELESS TRADITIONS Sweeten the day with classic gingerbread and hear about Sarah Nelson, a Victorian cook who invented it in 1854.
Spectacular in Scotland
Follow the “Bonnie Banks” of Loch Lomond, then proceed via Rannoch Moor, Glen C, and Fort William, and follow the “Road to the Isles” to Mallaig, where you board your ferry for the crossing to the Isle of Skye. Visit the Museum of the Isles. Return to the mainland and follow the shores of Loch Ness on the way to Inverness. (B,D) 251 mi / 404 kmTOUR HIGHLIGHTLEGENDS & LORE Survey the shores of famed Loch Ness for the chance to catch a glimpse of its mysterious Nessie. Hear of the folklore and firm believers in the legend of the Loch Ness Monster, which is said to swim in the shimmering waters.
The Bronze Age & Brave Battles
Today’s excursion includes a visit to the Bronze-Age chamber tomb site of Clava Cairns, featured in the popular TV series Outlander. At Culloden battlefield and visitor centre hear the story of the crushing Hanoverian victory over Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Scottish clans. Return to Inverness for some free time in the capital of the Highlands. (B) 30 mi / 48 kmTOUR HIGHLIGHTHISTORIC SPOT Inverness boasts a rich history of historic sites including Inverness Castle and St Andrew's Cathedral yet today is a lively city with a range of restaurants, bars, and shops. Discover the covered Victorian Market where independent traders have been selling their wares since the 19th century.
Mulligans & Military Music
Start the day with a walk through the Victorian mountain resort of Pitlochry. Visit St. Andrews, a famous university town and whose Royal and Ancient Golf Club has given us the rules of golf before traveling over the elegant Forth Road Bridge to Edinburgh. (B)202 mi / 326 kmTOUR HIGHLIGHT THE ROYAL EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO Unpack your plaid! Edinburgh Military Tattoo performances included on departures July 21, 28, August 1, 4 and 11. TOUR HIGHLIGHTICONIC FOOTSTEPS See the fairways and greens at the birthplace of golf, where legendary players of the Scottish game made history in the university town of St. Andrews.
Crown Jewels & Castle Views
Morning city sightseeing with a Local Guide introduces you to the 200-year-old “New Town” and the famous scientists, inventors, and novelists who lived there. In the “Old Town,” visit Edinburgh Castle to admire Scotland’s Crown Jewels. The afternoon is free to enjoy the Scottish capital at your own pace. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHTHISTORIC SPOT 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.
Castle Heirs & English Fare
This morning, visit Floors Castle, the Duke and Duchess of Roxburghe’s family home and the largest inhabited castle in Scotland. Make your way to York, England’s most complete medieval city. Admire the great structure of the Minster and follow your Tour Director through a maze of quaint streets, including the narrow Shambles. (B) 203 mi / 327 kmTOUR HIGHLIGHTCULTURAL GEMS The Roxburghe Estate of Floors Castle has been the home of the Innes-Ker family since it was built for the 1st Duke of Roxburghe in 1721. Surrounded by fine Victorian gardens, this historic stately home is known as the gem of the Scottish borders spanning 52,000 acres that are also home to sheep, cattle, and Cheviot lamb.
Spend your day your way in Stratford-upon-Avon
Depart Yorkshire, setting of author James Herriot’s beloved “All Creatures Great and Small,” and head to Shakespeare’s hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon. Take pictures of Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and explore more of the town with your choice of included Globus Choice excursions.
THE PLAY'S THE THING!
To be or not to be in Stratford-Upon-Avon? There's no question when it comes to visiting the birthplace and family home of Shakespeare-where the legendary bard grew up and lived the first years of his married life.
THE ABC'S OF SHAKESPEARE
Find your seat during this fun visit to Shakespeare's Schoolroom & Guildhall! A young William Shakespeare studied here in the 1570s and attended plays performed by the finest actors of the day.
Later, a enjoy a scenic drive through the beautiful Cotswolds followed by [LF] dinner at a local pub. (B,D)162 mi / 260 km
Churchill’s Beginnings
Today’s highlight is the visit to magnificent Blenheim Place, birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. There’s also time to explore the beautifully landscaped parklands. You will return to London at around 3.30 pm. (B)98 mi / 159 kmTOUR HIGHLIGHTLEGENDS SLEPT HERE Home to the 12th Duke of Marlborough and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, Blenheim Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and enjoys a fascinating history. Built as a gift in 1704 from Queen Anne to John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, this massive and magnificent masterpiece of English Baroque architecture is also home to exquisite artwork and gardens.
Safe travels until we meet again!
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
