Tour Details - Britain and Ireland Panorama 2012

Welcome to England. After a scenic drive through the Cotswolds visit Shakespeare’s birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon and see Anne Hathaway’s thatched cottage. View the two cathedrals in Coventry, and the statue of Lady Godiva, who reputedly rode naked through the city streets. Later, your Travel Director takes you on a walking orientation through the narrow cobbled streets of York, giving you a fascinating historical insight into this ancient Roman town. Stop for a Welcome Drink in a traditional local pub before enjoying dinner at your hotel.(Welcome Reception)

Rugged, dramatic and spectacular − the Northumberland National Park is all these things and more! View Hadrian’s Wall, built to protect the northernmost extent of Roman Britain from the troublesome Picts to the North. Marvel at the ruins of Jedburgh Abbey on your way to the beautiful Scottish capital, Edinburgh.(Full Breakfast)

Your morning sightseeing tour with an expert Local Guide includes the elegant New Town, Princes Street, the Royal Mile, views of Holyrood House and Arthur’s Seat. Enjoy a guided visit of the apartments at Edinburgh Castle. During the Edinburgh Festival, your stay includes tickets to the spectacular Edinburgh Tattoo, see price panel. Tonight, consider a traditional Scottish night out with haggis, dancing and bagpipes!(Full Breakfast)

Drive across the magnificent Forth Bridge to St. Andrews to view the celebrated ancient university and the home of golf. Take a photograph of the famous 18th hole. North across the Tay at Dundee, see Pitlochry, a charming fishing village famous for salmon. See the heather-clad Scottish Highlands and Blair Castle, ancestral home of the Dukes of Atholl, on the way to your hotel. Join your companions this evening for a Highlight Dinner.(Full Breakfast / Highlight Dinner)

Visit Culloden Moor where Bonnie Prince Charlie’s army was brutally crushed. Stop for photographs on the shores of Loch Ness, renowned for the elusive monster. At the Kyle of Lochalsh cross the sea to Skye. Consider an excursion to see the scenery on the Trotternish Peninsula. Dine tonight at your hotel.(Full Breakfast / Dinner)

At Fort William, see Glencoe − 'the Vale of Weeping' − site of the infamous massacre of the Macdonald clan by the Campbells in 1692. Through picturesque landscapes of Loch Lomond continue south to Glasgow, where your orientation includes George Square, the Cathedral and the River Clyde. This evening, you might like to experience typical Scottish hospitality at a city restaurant.(Full Breakfast)

Stop in Gretna Green, where eloping couples marry without their parents’ consent, on your way to the Lake District. Visit Grasmere, where Wordsworth lived and is laid to rest. Travel to Manchester where you will visit the Imperial War Museum North before checking into your hotel. This museum was designed by architect Daniel Libeskind and makes for a fascinating visit.(Full Breakfast / Dinner)

Drive along the North Wales coast to the Island of Anglesey. Visit the Welsh railway station with the longest place name in the world, Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch on your way to Holyhead for the ferry to Dublin.(Full Breakfast)

See St. Patrick's Cathedral, Phoenix Park and examine the beautiful Book of Kells at Trinity College during your sightseeing tour with an expert Local Guide. Enjoy an included visit to the Guinness Brewery for a Storehouse tour and pint-pulling demonstration. Spend the rest of the day seeing the sights of your choice. This evening, consider joining your companions for an evening of unique Irish entertainment.(Full Breakfast)

Travel to the West coast and cross the mighty Shannon River, past Athlone to Galway Bay. In Limerick, don't miss the opportunity to visit Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, a living museum dedicated to life in Ireland during the 19th century.(Full Breakfast)

Experience the Ring of Kerry, Ireland's most scenic coastal drive. The county's largest peninsula, the landscape here is truly spectacular − a photographer's delight! Join your fellow travellers this evening for a very special Irish Be My Guest dinner.(Full Breakfast / Be My Guest dinner)

Admire the dramatic Kerry Mountains in Cork. Visit Blarney Castle and kiss the famous stone − it will give you the ‘gift of the gab’! Visit the famous Waterford Crystal Showroom and maybe buy some beautiful crystal glass souvenirs!(Full Breakfast / Dinner)

Cross the Irish Sea from Rosslare. See Pembroke, where Henry VII was born. In the capital, Cardiff, view the famous Castle on the way to your hotel.(Full Breakfast)

Drive east over the Severn Bridge to Bath, and visit the famous Roman Baths, which are built around the country’s only hot springs. Explore mystical Glastonbury Abbey and see King Arthur's tomb. Arrive later in the historic maritime city of Plymouth.(Full Breakfast)

Drive west to the beaches near Penzance for spectacular views of St. Michaels Mount. Enjoy lunch and free time in St. Ives, a community popular with artists and one of the most famous holiday towns in Cornwall. Visit Jamaica Inn on Bodmin Moor, the coaching inn immortalised in Daphne du Maurier’s novel. Join your companions and Travel Director this evening for a special Farewell Dinner.(Full Breakfast / Farewell Dinner)

Visit Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain, a mysterious ancient site of pagan worship. Stop for free time for lunch and view the magnificent Salisbury Cathedral which has the tallest church spire in the UK. Your fantastic holiday ends later in London.(Full Breakfast)