Ireland - England - Scotland & Wales Tour
SOLD OUT July 21 - August 4, 2011

Day 1: Depart USA

Meet your Rupiper Tour Manager and fellow travellers for your international flight to London.

Day 2: London

Upon arrival in London we are greeted by our local tour guide and travel by private coach to Windsor, where we visit the castle. Windsor Castle is one of the three official residences of the Queen, which has been home to the Sovereign for over 900 years. The castle is the largest inhabited castle in the world and the oldest in continuous occupation. The imposing towers and battlements of the castle loom large from every approach to the town, creating one of the world's most spectacular skylines. No other royal residence has played such an important role in the nation's history. Free time for lunch in Windsor and arrival at the hotel in London by mid afternoon. Welcome dinner at the hotel, our home for the next two nights. (In flight meal service, D)

Day 3: London

This morning we have a chance to get to know the historic 'City' of London, also known as the square mile, with a guided tour of the oldest part of London, originally founded as a Celtic fishing village which was expanded by the Romans nearly 2000 years ago into Londinium. We visit the Tower of London, a fortress dating back to the 11th century and built by William I, which has been a prison and place of execution even to kings and queens, and see the closely guarded Crown jewels in the Jewel House. In the afternoon we tour London's West End. See Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square, Nelson's Column, Piccadilly, and visit the glorious Westminster Abbey, where nearly all of England's kings and queens have been crowned since William the Conqueror in 1066. We return to our hotel in the late afternoon. (B)

Day 4: London / Cotswolds, Oxford / Stratford

We leave London and journey through Oxfordshire, stopping to visit Oxford, home of one of England's great historic universities. Enjoy a walking tour of the town to see the classically beautiful colleges, some dating back to the 12th century, including a visit to the superb 16th century Christchurch College. Our next stop is Warwick Castle, often referred to as Britain's Greatest Medieval Experience. Warwick Castle is over one thousand years old and has been well maintained with magnificent towers and ramparts. There are many attractions at Warwick Castle, from dungeons to the Great Hall, State Rooms and the Royal Weekend Party of 1898. We continue onwards to Stratford-upon-Avon, the pretty Tudor town of William Shakespeare's birthplace. Visit the house where he was born, and see the church where he is buried. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Stratford. (B, D)

Day 5: Stratford / Coventry, Chester and Lake District / Edinburgh

Enjoy an English breakfast at our hotel before heading out to Coventry to visit their Cathedral, a monumental edifice designed by Sir Basil Spence, and symbolizing the cathedral's message of reconciliation by being poignantly aligned with the ruins of the original cathedral, which was bombed during WWII. Next we visit the medieval city of Chester. During a walking tour through the city, see a beautiful medieval cathedral and the historic sand stone walls and arcaded shopping area known as the 'Rows'. We continue our drive to the Lake District, a beautiful region of lakes and mountains, immortalized in the artistic works of famous writers and painters. William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor-Coleridge, John Ruskin and Beatrix Potter drew their inspiration from this area. We visit Grasmere and continue through the wool towns of Moffat and Gretna Green to the Scottish border, and on to the glorious capital of Scotland, Edinburgh, now designated a World Heritage site. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Edinburgh, where we stay for two nights. (B, D)

Day 6: Edinburgh

In the morning enjoy a guided tour of the city, where we see the unique old town and the Royal Mile, with its tall houses dating from the 17th and 18th centuries. Visit ancient Edinburgh Castle perched high above the city, a natural and romantic fortress with views over the whole city and the Firth of Forth. Visit the 'new' town, a fine Georgian architectural creation of wide streets, garden squares and sweeping crescents. This afternoon we head north of Edinburgh to the coastal town of St Andrews, Scotland's oldest university town, and also something of a pilgrimage center for golfers from all over the world. The town, founded in the 4th century, is best absorbed on foot. Almost the entire center of the town consists of listed buildings, and we have plenty of time to discover the delights of this charming town and also visit St Andrews Cathedral. (B)

Day 7: Edinburgh / Glasgow / Belfast

We leave Edinburgh for a city orientation tour of Glasgow. The wealth from world-trading in the 18th century and shipbuilding in the 19th century allowed the arts to flourish and prosper in Glasgow. The pioneer modern movement led by one of Glasgow's most famous sons, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, could not have flourished in another city. Today Glasgow is an exciting and dynamic city of arts. We leave Glasgow for Stranraer to catch a ferry to Belfast. Arriving in Ireland we have an opportunity for a visit to an Irish farm. Later an orientation tour of the much rejuvenated and thriving city of Belfast, with its fine architecture that includes the magnificent neoclassical City Hall, built of Portland stone and completed in 1906 as a symbol of Belfast's new city status, the modern glass structure of the Waterfront Hall arts venue, the Linen Hall Library, the majestic Belfast castle built in 1870, and the Albert Memorial Clock. We also see Belfast's very own 'Leaning Tower', the Italianate Custom House, and the Botanic Gardens Queen's University. The chancellor, former US senator George Mitchell, was a major architect of the Good Friday Agreement. Famous alumni include the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, and Nobel prize-winning poet Seamus Heaney. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Belfast. (B, D)

Day 8: Belfast / Dublin

This morning we travel south from Belfast to Dublin. Originally founded as a Viking settlement, Dublin now has one of the fastest growing populations of any European capital city. Embark on a leisurely city tour of this historic and contemporary cultural center of Ireland, which is also a modern center of education, the arts, administration, economy and industry. (B)

Day 9: Dublin / Galway / Limerick

Today we enjoy a journey through lush rolling green countryside to Galway. We have a short orientation tour of Galway, the lively heart of the West of Ireland. Our tour takes in Eyre Square, the Latin Quarter, Lynch's Castle, the Spanish Arch, built in 1584 to protect the harbor, and the 14th century St Nicholas Church, one of the oldest parishes in Ireland, reputed to be where Christopher Columbus prayed before his voyage to discover America. We continue to Limerick where we enjoy a city tour and evening dinner. We overnight at the hotel in Limerick. (B, D)

Day 10: Limerick / Adare and Ring of Kerry / Killarney

This morning we enjoy a scenic drive to Adare, one of the prettiest villages in Ireland with its different colored thatched roof cottages. In the afternoon we circle the Ring of Kerry, a 110-mile panorama of seacoast, mountain, and lake vistas. This was the dramatic setting for the film Ryan's Daughter. We see Skellig Michael, a rocky pinnacle towering over the sea, enchanting villages like Kenmare, Waterville, Caherciveen, palm tree lined Glenbeigh, and Irish-speaking Sneem, with houses painted in vibrant shades of blue, pink, yellow, and orange. As we continue, the foliage becomes more lush, due to the warming of the Gulf Stream. We drive to Killarney to enjoy the local hospitality. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Killarney. (B, D)

Day 11: Killarney / Waterford

This morning we visit the medieval Blarney Castle and kiss the famous Blarney Stone. We also have time to visit the wonderful Blarney Woolen Mill, selling everything from beautiful Aran knitted sweaters to fine pottery and glass. We pass through West Cork warmed by the Gulf Stream which nurtures its sub-tropical vegetation. We continue along the south coast of Ireland stopping to visit the picturesque fishing villages of Youghal and Dungarvan. We then journey to the old Viking port city of Waterford for dinner and overnight. (B,D)

Day 12: Waterford / Bristol

Today is an early morning departure for Rosslare where we catch a ferry to Fishguard. We drive through Wales and into Somerset on the way to Bristol. Built around the River Avon, Bristol is the largest centre of culture, employment and education in the region. Its prosperity has been linked with the sea since its earliest days. (B, D)

Day 13: Bath / Bristol

This morning we enjoy a tour to the countryside for a visit to an English farm. Here you have the opportunity to ask agriculture questions to the locals. Prices, equipment, processes, and rural living have been favorite topics from the past. Following our farm visit we drive to the city of Bath, which reveals the finest Georgian architectural ensemble in the land. Bath became famous in Roman times when they built the Baths around the natural spa there. We visit these famous Roman Baths. Also see the Royal Crescent and Pulteney Bridge. Return to Bristol for our Farewell Dinner. (B, D)

Day 14: Bristol / Stonehenge / London

The final day will be leisurely and allow you to take-in those precious last moments of England. We drive to Wiltshire County, where we visit Stonehenge, a mysterious megalithic stone circle which has stood as witness to 4000 years of history. Following our visit to Stonehenge, we travel to the London Heathrow area to check in and prepare for tomorrow's flight. (B)

Day 15: Departure

We transfer by private coach to the airport for the flight home.