19
Day
U.K and Ireland Adventure (Winter Itinerary)
Sherwood forest *
Nottingham * Yorkshire * Hadrian’s Wall
* Edinburgh * Stirling * Highlands * Isle of
Skye * Orkney * Carbisdale Castle * Loch Ness
* Edinburgh * Lake District * Liverpool *Anglesey
* Dublin * Derry * Giants Causeway * Blarney
stone * Cliffs of Moher * Snowdonia * Stratford
* Oxford
What a way to see the
best that the UK and Ireland have to offer in
just 19 days -
go on - come and have a threesome with us!
Day
1 Monday
Please be ready to depart at 7.30am from Earls
Court YHA, London. Heading North from Central
London we travel into Robin Hood's country.
The 450-acre Sherwood Forest is a dream to explore
and with a picnic lunch you will feel like one
of the Merry Men! Test your skills with our
optional activity of archery before we make
our way to Viking York! A chance to explore
the awesome gothic cathedral (England's largest),
the medieval city walls and the sights and sounds
of the lively city centre. After our authentic
Viking feast, experience a spine tingling ghost
walk followed by a rally of traditional pubs.
Day 2 Tuesday
Heading further North we stop in the cosmopolitan
city of Newcastle. Cross the River Tyne and
see the Angel of the North. From here we attack
Hadrian’s Wall then a choice to cruise
up the Northumberland coastal road or through
the Northumberland National Park. It's goodbye
to England and Scotland ahoy. A pause at either
Holy Island, with its amazing history and ancient
priory or Jedburgh, a historical border town,
once home to Mary Queen of Scots before we get
to Edinburgh. A Full walking tour & a bit
of whisky tasting awaits. Explore the Royal
Mile and Edinburgh castle. The evening is spent
enjoying a traditional Scottish meal and a fantastic
night out in Scotland's capital.
Day 3 Wednesday
Le
aving
Edinburgh we head out towards Stirling to hear
the history of William Wallace and Robert the
Bruce. Then it is over to Loch Lomond ("I'll
take the high road…") to take in the
beauty of one of Scotlands famous Lochs. Next
we wind our way further westwards to Kilmartin
Glen to uncover the wonders of the Kingdom of
Dalriada - Standing Stones, Stone Circles &
castles before making our way up to lively Oban
- our home for the night.
Day 4 Thursday
We head deeper into the magical Highlands through
some spectacular north west coast scenery with
amazing stops and weather permitting walks in
magnificent Glencoe (hear the tragic tale of
the MacDonald's Massacre) and Glen Nevis. Next
we wind our way westwards through Harry Potter
country to the Glenfinnan Memorial (where Bonny
Prince Charlie raised the royal standard), and
weather permitting have some time on the beaches
of Morar. Then its to Mallaig to catch the ferry
over to the South of the Isle of Skye - the
traditional way to reach the island - we spend
tonight in the fishing village of Kyleakin.
Day 5 Friday
A full and active day on the mystical Isle -
lots of walks and time to take in the magic.
You'll see the Cuillin Mountains, the Old Man
of Storr (an incredible Jurassic pillar) and
hear some amazing legends, visit the fascinating
Kilt Rock, and take in absolutely awe-inspiring
panoramas in the Quirang. Perfect preparation
for a few wee drams in the pub to reflect on
a day of tales and legends.
Day 6 Saturday
We say farewell to the Isle of Skye this morning
& once back on the mainland we make our
way northwards up the Gairloch Coastline - a
day of gorgeous, relaxing scenery with some
lovely short walks, gorges & waterfalls
before heading over to the Capital of the Highlands
- Inverness - for our final night together.
Day 7 Sunday
Our last takes us to the banks of loch ness
for some Nessie hunting before an emotional
stop at tragic Culloden battlefield. Then we
cheer ourselves up with beautiful forest walks
and a distillery visit before making our way
over the Firth of Forth back to Edinburgh -
happy honorary Scots!
Day 8 Monday
A day to explore Edinburgh at your own pace.
One of Britain's most beautiful cities is yours
to explore, we can provide plenty of information
and advice on what to see and do.
Day 9 Tuesday
A day to explore Edinburgh at your own pace.
One of Britain's most beautiful cities is yours
to explore, we can provide plenty of information
and advice on what to see and do.
Day 10 Wednesday
Depart from Edinburgh to head back into England.
We have request stops for Hadrian's Wall and
if we have time a quick call in at Gretna Green
where the Ironmonger can perform a shotgun wedding!?
From here we head for the Lake District National
Park (the largest National Park in Great Britain)
and try out some of our great optional activities.
Have a chance to kayak, row or motor cruise
the lakes. Visit water falls, the highest pub
in the Lakes, Windermere and in the summer months,
the chance for a lakeside BBQ. Afterwards we
travel south for a rocking night in the city
of Liverpool. Get some Beatles Mania down at
the Cavern Club. Just after ten you will be
taken to Liverpool International airport to
fly to the Emerald Isle! On arrival you will
be taken to Dublin centre to check into your
accommodation to get a great night's sleep!
The cost of the flight is excluded - see above.
Day 11 Thursday
Leaving the city behind us, we head West across
the central plains passing the vast boglands
of Offaly and Westmeath. The first part of the
day is a basic shuttle from Dublin to Galway
to link up with 6 Day-All Ireland tour in the
capital of the West - Galway where we explore
the City of Tribes during our lunch break. From
here we make our way into the wilderness of
Connemara, the heart of the bogs. This is always
a wonderful opportunity for bog-hopping, an
experience not to be missed!! We follow the
stone walled laneways around lakes and through
rugged mountains passes. With a little visit
to Leenane at Killary Harbour Ireland's only
Fjiord before we make our way to Westport at
the foot of Croagh Patrick, hearing all about
St Patrick and the Pirate Queen Grace O'Malley.
Day 12 Friday
From Westport we leave Co. Mayo on route to
Sligo where we hop out of the bus to take a
leisurely climb up the Hillside Tomb of Queen
Maeve at the top of Knocknarea with it's panoramic
views of Sligo Bay and the Donegal Coastline.
Further along, at the base of Benbulben we find
the final resting place of W.B. Yeats. We then
make our way to Donegal with its stunning beaches
and fairy bridges, all waiting to be explored.
On our route into Derry we visit the impressive
fort called Griannan an Ailleach, its' structure
similar to that of a coliseum with it's commanding
position overlooking Lough Foyle and Lough Swilly.
Day 13 Saturday
We start the day with a local guide who will
take us walking around the old city of Derry,
intriguing us with stories of Derry past and
present. Today is spent enj
oying
what Northern Ireland isn't famous for, it's
wonderful coastline. Our first stop is Dunluce
Castle, a magnificent castle built using every
inch of available space on a cliff overlooking
the wild atlantic. From here we travel to the
famed Giants Causeway, some crazy scientists
believe it to have been caused by volcanic eruptions
but in fact it was the legendary giant Fionn
MacComhaill, prepare to be spellbound!! Our
next stop isn't far away, we shall dangle high
above the atlantic on a Rope Bridge at Carrick-a-rede*.
We then follow along the Glens of Antrim where
we may get a clear view of our celtic neighbours
in Scotland who are only a stones or spears
throw across the Irish Sea. Tonight we explore
the nightlife in Belfast.
Day 14 Sunday
This morning you have an opportunity to take
the famous Black Taxi Tour around Belfast where
you get an insight into the recent history of
this divided land, with an opportunity to visit
areas not normally on the tourist itinerary.
We then depart Belfast and start making our
way back to Dublin. Our first stop, after lunch
is Monasterboice, a 6th century monastic settlement,
where we will see some of the best examples
of 10th century Celtic Crosses. After this we
pass through the town of Slane, home to Slane
Castle, the annual venue for big outdoor rock
concerts. Then on through the Boyne Valley,
famous for the Battle of the Boyne in 1690,
to the Hill of Tara, the coronation site of
the Irish High Kings until the arrival of Christianity
in the 5th century. There isn't a place in the
world more closely associated to the Druids
than Tara and there isn't a place in Ireland
more connected with ancient ritual and ceremony
than Tara!!
Day 15 Monday
A free day to explore the sights of Dublin,
one of Europe's most lively cities. There are
no shortage of things to occupy you we will
supply you with a 'Celtic Capitals' guide to
Edinburgh and Dublin to help you plan your time.
Day 16 Tuesday
A free day to explore the sights of Dublin,
one of Europe's most lively cities. There are
no shortage of things to occupy you we will
supply you with a 'Celtic Capitals' guide to
Edinburgh and Dublin to help you plan your time.
Day 17 Wednesday
You will be met and taken to your accommodation
for the night. Flight not included - see above.
Day 18 Thursday
After breakfast, we cross the Mersey River &
down into Wales. Visit (the longest place-name
in the world) Llanfairpwllgwngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch
& get your passport stamped! We continue
south to Caernarfon to explore the castle and
town on before heading into the stunning Snowdonia
National Park - (the second largest National
Park in Great Britain) See Mt Snowdon (3560
ft) and visit a Welsh slate mine before a quick
visit to Gellert’s Grave. Then its eastwards
to Shakespeare's Stratford-upon-Avon. An opportunity
to see a Shakespeare play at the Royal Shakespeare
Theatre (seasonal performances) or spend an
evening in the famous medieval town.
Day 19 Friday
The morning is spent with an optional tour of
Shakespeare's houses before we meander through
the spectacular Cotswold’s - spending some
quality time in a Cotswold’s village. Arriving
in the University City of Oxford get a full
walking tour of the city's famous University
colleges before heading back to London arriving
late afternoon.
What's Included
Kitty can vary slightly seasonally. See Please
ask for exact amount at time of booking.
The 'kitty' is a set fee taken on the morning
of departure which covers all breakfasts, evening
meals, accommodation, ferries, boat trip and
most entry fees throughout the UK. In Ireland
there is no kitty to pay, the price includes
accommodation, breakfasts and entry fees. All
of this money is spent on you - saves you loads
of time, money and hassle. It must be paid in
cash as detailed below.
