Day 1 – Edinburgh, Scotland

Welcome to Edinburgh, where castle-capped hills loom above cobblestone streets. There are no planned activities as arrival times vary, so settle in and wander at your own pace. Stroll the Royal Mile, climb Calton Hill, and witness medieval alleyways blending with contemporary life. As evening falls, savor a whisky experience and dinner showcasing Scotland’s flavors and meet your fellow travelers. Raise a glass of single malt as you hear stories of Scotland’s clans and Highlanders.

Day 2 – Edinburgh

This morning, join a local guide to get acquainted with Scotland’s capital, exploring the Old and New Towns. On your guided walk, stories of monarchs and rebels come alive. Stroll the Royal Mile to Edinburgh Castle with its own crown jewels. The afternoon is yours to explore independently. Climb Arthur’s Seat, visit a museum, or linger in a cozy pub. Tonight, consider an optional excursion and dinner at Rosslyn Chapel, one of Edinburgh’s most remarkable medieval buildings. An after-hours private tour will take you deep into this well-known setting from The Da Vinci Code.

Day 3 – Edinburgh – Scottish Borders – York, England

Depart Edinburgh and travel through Northumberland’s rolling hills. Mid-morning, you’ll visit a family farm in the Scottish Borders, where sustainability and innovation shape life. Meet the farmers, sample produce over a light lunch, and learn how they care for livestock and the land. Back on the road, the countryside yields to England’s green pastures. By evening, you’ll arrive in York, a walled city of snickelways and medieval charm.

Day 4 – York

Step out with your Tour Manager this morning to get your bearings in York. Join a leisurely walking tour through the tangle of narrow lanes known as the Shambles, where timbered houses lean overhead. Visit the soaring York Minster, the largest Gothic cathedral in northern Europe, and gaze up at the sea of stained glass. The afternoon and evening are yours to explore. Tuck into tea rooms for some respite, seek out a hidden pub for a cold pint, or walk atop the city walls to take in the sunset.

Day 5 – York – London

This morning, a high-speed train zips you south to London. Upon arrival, savor a classic afternoon tea before setting out with a local expert to see Westminster’s landmarks: Parliament, Westminster Abbey, and the Big Ben clock tower, followed by the grand façade of Buckingham Palace. This evening, share stories of the day over dinner with your fellow travelers before checking into your hotel. The rest of the night is yours to explore London’s vibrant neighborhoods at your leisure.

Day 6 – London

Enjoy a full day to explore London at your own pace. Perhaps visit Windsor Castle, home to forty monarchs, making it one of the world’s longest-occupied royal residencies, or wander through neighborhoods like Covent Garden and Soho. Step inside a museum, ride a red double-decker bus, or watch the Changing of the Guard. In the evening, you might take in one of London’s many theatrical productions, meander through the street markets for local wares, or unwind in a nearby pub. Your Tour Manager is on hand with suggestions to make the most of your free day.

Day 7 – London – Bath – Cardiff, Wales

Today, you leave London behind and journey to Bath, where golden Georgian buildings line cobblestone streets. Step inside the Roman Bath Museum to explore its 2000-year-old spas and learn about ancient bathing culture. After, wander through Bath’s squares and lanes, peeking into a bookshop, or stopping for tea at a local café. This afternoon, travel across Severn Bridge to Wales. Your day ends in Cardiff, the Welsh capital, where you can rest before tomorrow’s discoveries.

Day 8 – Cardiff

Start your day with a leisurely walking tour of Cardiff. A local guide shares how coal once fueled the city, points out Roman remnants, and leads you through Victorian shopping arcades. Visit Cardiff Castle, a fortress that has evolved from a Roman fort and Norman stronghold into a Victorian fantasy. Pause for lunch in a pub to sample traditional “pub grub” and chat with locals. After lunch, continue exploring Cardiff’s lively streets.

Day 9 – Cardiff – Waterford, Ireland

Travel through the Welsh countryside to the village of Fishguard, where you’ll board a ferry and cross the Irish Sea. Watch as the coast of Wales recedes and the green fields of the Emerald Isle appear. Docking in Rosslare, continue to Tramore in County Waterford, your home for the evening. Settle into your hotel and perhaps stroll along the beach or enjoy a pint in a local pub before tomorrow’s adventures.

Day 10 – Waterford – Blarney – Killarney

This morning, it’s your choice! Tour the House of Waterford Crystal to watch artisans transform molten glass and browse the many treasures in the showroom -OR- join a relaxed walking tour of Ireland’s oldest city to learn about its Viking and Norman past. Later, travel to Blarney Castle, climb the tower, and kiss the fabled stone for luck and the “gift of eloquence.” Continue on to Killarney, where it’s Diner’s Choice… choose your included dinner from a “menu” of Killarney’s great restaurants.

Day 11 – Killarney – Ring of Kerry – Killarney

Your day begins exploring Killarney National Park aboard a horse-drawn jaunting car. Listen as your jarvey shares tales and points out scenery. Then, travel along the Ring of Kerry, where windswept cliffs, rugged mountains, and lakes unfold. Stop at the Kerry Bog Village Museum for a glimpse of rural life before returning to Killarney for an evening at leisure.

Day 12 – Killarney – Rock of Cashel – Dublin

Travel through Ireland’s fertile “Golden Vale” today on your way to the Rock of Cashel. Towering high on a limestone outcrop, this medieval complex commands sweeping views of the countryside. Walk the grounds and imagine St. Patrick preaching here over 1500 years ago. Continue on to Dublin and head straight to Christchurch Cathedral for a guided tour of its vaulted interior. A private drinks reception caps your visit before settling into the city for the evening.

Day 13 – Dublin

Today, it’s your choice! Ride with a local guide to see Dublin’s highlights: St. Patrick’s Cathedral, O’Connell Street, the General Post Office, and Phoenix Park -OR- take a walking tour through St. Stephen’s Green and Grafton Street, crossing the River Liffey. The afternoon is yours. Visit museums, wander Temple Bar, or browse the local shops for souvenirs. Tonight, experience the charm, levity, and liveliness of Irish music and dance during an evening of entertainment.

Day 14 – Dublin – Tour Ends

Today, you bid farewell to Britain and Ireland. You leave with full luggage and a full heart – carrying home memories of two weeks in the British Isles. While your tour ends today, the stories and connections you’ve made travel with you.