Day 1 - Flight from the U.S. to Shannon. 

Day 2 - From Shannon airport we will drive through the beautiful Irish countryside of Limerick and Kerry to Tralee, on the Dingle peninsula near the Atlantic coast. This will be our base for visiting the Ring of Kerry. Overnight Tralee. 

Day 3 - The Ring of Kerry is famous for its natural beauty, and today we will explore its scenic areas: Killorglin, Caragh Lake, Rossbeigh. Dingle Bay to Kells, Kenmare Bay, and finally to Killarney via Moll's Gap and Ladies View, with superb views of the Lakes. Overnight Tralee. 

Day 4 - From Tralee we drive through Killarney to Cork for a visit to Blarney Castle and the Midleton Whiskey Distillery (to dispel the taste of that rock!). Continuing north along the coast we reach Waterford, where we will have an opportunity to visit the Waterford Crystal Gallery. Now that we are rested from our flight, let's go for a pub crawl tonight. Overnight Waterford. 

Day 5 - Heading for Dublin, we pass Enniscorthy, site of the final battle of The Great Rebellion of 1798. In Dublin we will discover with our local guide this city's rich heritage and literary links, and enjoy Georgian Dublin with its grand architecture and the spots where famous writers from Joyce and Wilde to Shaw and Yeats lived and worked; Dublin Castle and Christchurch Cathedral; the General Post Office; O'Connell Street; and the National Museum & Library.
Certainly a highlight will be our visit to Trinity College where we will see the famous Book of Kells, written c. 800 one of the most beautifully illustrated manuscripts in the world; and St. Patrick's Cathedral, one of the largest cathedrals in Ireland. Overnight Dublin. 

Day 6 - From our hotel in central Dublin we can launch out on our own for exploration. There's plenty to see and do in Dublin: the Dublin Writers Museum; the James Joyce Centre; the Irish Museum of Modern Art; Kilmainham Goal; Dublin Castle; Temple Bar & Grafton Street; Guinness Brewery; the National Museum of Ireland; George Bernard Shaw Birthplace; and Phoenix Park. Tonight if we like, we can sample Ireland's literary tradition by attending a play. Overnight Dublin. 

Day 7 - After our flight to Glasgow we continue our sightseeing to Burns country, arriving first at Ayr on the Firth of Clyde. On to Alloway and the Burns Cottage and Museum. Walk about the town in the same streets that Bobbie Burns immortalized in his poetry: And, wow! Tam saw an unco sight! Warlocks and witches in a dance: Nae Cotillion, brent new frae France, But hornpipes, jigs, strathspeys, and reels, Put life and mettle in their heels. Overnight Glasgow. 

Day 8 - Glasgow has become one of the cultural capitals of Europe. Today we get acquainted with the city as we enjoy a sightseeing tour including visits to St. Mungo's Chapel, built in 1513; the Tenement House, a restored dwelling that paints a vivid portrait of lower middle-class life in the 19th century; and the beautiful Botanic Gardens. Overnight Glasgow. 

Day 9 -This morning we will visit Hill House. This creation of architect Charles Mackintosh combines in a domestic dwelling built in 1902, the turrets and chimney stacks of the Baronial style, with a modern interior. Now we're off to the striking countryside to visit famous Loch Lomond, then through the Trossachs, "the Highlands in miniature." This is the country of Lady of the Lake, Rob Roy, and whisky distilleries, one of which we will visit. Next, relax with a steamboat cruise on Loch Katrine. Overnight Glasgow. 

Day 10 - The Burrell art collection is considered Glasgow's greatest treasure. This morning is dedicated to a visit of the gallery. From Glasgow we make the leisurely 40-mile drive to Edinburgh. Tonight, a whisky tasting! Overnight Edinburgh. 

Day 11 - We now have the opportunity of an optional day trip through the small, quaint fishing villages of East Neuk in the Kingdom of Fife to St. Andrews. St. Andrews was founded in the 4th century, and the small town center comprises many buildings on the Preservation Trust. We will visit the Cathedral, Castle, St. Andrews University, with free time for strolling about the old streets.
The outing would not be complete without a drive past the most famous links in the world, "The Old Course." This night we let our minds and spirits roam as we explore the supernatural and fraternize with the ghosts in Edinburgh's underground crypts and vaults. Overnight Edinburgh.

Day 12 - Today's comprehensive sightseeing of Edinburgh takes us to Holyrood Palace and Edinburgh Castle, The Royal Mile, Museum of Scotland, and the University of Edinburgh. Overnight Edinburgh

Day 13 - Today is free for an optional day trip to the Borders - Sir Walter Scott Country. We will visit Scott's house, Abbotsford, where we'll see his study; his library and collection of over 9,000 rare books; the armory, containing Rob Roy's sword, dagger, and gun; Melrose Abby, founded in 1136 by King David I; and Traquair House, the oldest continuously inhabited house in Scotland. The Maxwell Stuarts have lived here since1491. Twenty-seven monarchs have visited this house, including Mary, Queen of Scots. The house had and still has its own brewery, which of course, we will visit. Pub crawl tonight? Overnight Edinburgh

Day 14 -Transfer to Prestwick airport for our flight home.

EXTENSION TO ENGLAND

Day 14 - This morning in Edinburgh we will visit the royal yacht HMY Britannia, and the National Gallery, a masterpiece of architecture and decorating in its own right, and home to hundreds of famous paintings. This afternoon our train takes us through the Scottish and English countryside to London. Overnight London

Day 15 - Today is reserved for an optional visit to "the enigma of prehistory," Stonehenge. This site and the mysterious monoliths were built between 3000-1500 BC. It shares architectural similarities with Hittite Anatolia and Mycenaean Greece. Although its use is still obscure, there are theories, and the Druids among us will elaborate on them. After Stonehenge, we will visit Avebury, a prehistoric site contemporary with Stonehenge, but much larger and less often visited. Overnight London.

Day 16 - Today is free for a visit to the British Museum, the Tate Gallery, a train ride out to Oxford, a trip to Harrods, Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, or for whatever your preference might be. Anyone for a play tonight? Overnight London.

Day 17 - We will be driven to Heathrow for our flight to the U.S.

Included as part of the tour: 

Round trip air from Toronto
First class hotel
Breakfasts throughout
Guiding & admissions as mentioned
Transfers
First class & superior tourist class hotels
Dinners in Tralee and Waterford  

Not included with the tour: 

 Passport 
 Items of personal nature
 Gratuities to guides and drivers 

We have directed this tour many times in the past and will do so in the future. Keep checking back with us at this site.