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Tour from London through York, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Belfast, Dublin, Galway, the Cliffs of Moher, Cork, Wales and Liverpool, with entry to Titanic Belfast
A tour that promises an unforgettable experience, travelling through the five territories included in the itinerary: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland. A journey designed to captivate all kinds of travellers, combining iconic places, impressive landscapes, charming cities and hidden treasures waiting to be discovered.
Day 1: London – Cambridge – York/Harrogate
We will begin our journey towards Cambridge, the university city par excellence, where we will take a walking tour to admire the architecture of different periods found in its ancient colleges. Founded in 1209, it is the second oldest English-speaking university in the world, and great figures such as Isaac Newton, Stephen Hawking and Charles Darwin studied here. Its academic influence can be felt in every corner of the city. Before continuing to our final destination, we will stop for lunch. Later we will arrive in York, where we will stroll through its charming streets and take photos in the popular Shambles, a very well-preserved medieval street with half-timbered buildings, once occupied by butchers' shops. Its name comes from the Anglo-Saxon word "fleshammels", meaning "meat shelves". Today the area is full of shops, cafés and restaurants, and it is said to have inspired the creation of Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter books and films. We will also pass by its splendid Gothic cathedral, the second largest in northern Europe, famous for its beautiful stained-glass windows and imposing towers. Accommodation and breakfast at the Holiday Inn York City Centre, Ibis Styles York Centre, Crowne Plaza Harrogate or similar.
Day 2: York/Harrogate – Durham – Alnwick – Edinburgh
After breakfast, we will leave for Durham, where we will take a short walking tour and see its captivating cathedral, a masterpiece of Norman architecture that dominates the city from the top of a hill. Thanks to its rich history and impressive architecture, this site has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will continue our route north to enjoy a panoramic view of Alnwick Castle, an imposing fortress with more than 700 years of history and the official residence of the Dukes of Northumberland. It is no surprise that it has served as a filming location for films such as "Harry Potter", "Elizabeth" and "Robin Hood". We will have time for lunch and continue towards the coast until we reach Edinburgh, where we will take a short panoramic tour to introduce this historic city. Accommodation and breakfast at the Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh City Centre, Hampton by Hilton Edinburgh West End, Ibis Edinburgh Centre South Bridge, Holiday Inn Edinburgh Zoo or similar.
Day 3: Edinburgh
Today we will have a free day to enjoy Edinburgh at a relaxed pace and explore this historic city in our own time. You can walk the famous Royal Mile, the avenue that links the imposing Edinburgh Castle, where the Crown of Scotland is kept, with the Palace of Holyroodhouse. You can also visit the beautiful St Giles' Cathedral, a pillar of Scottish history in the heart of the city. Those who wish can visit the Scottish National Gallery or go to the port of Leith to explore the Royal Yacht Britannia, the iconic ship that served as a floating residence for the British Royal Family. Edinburgh is the second most visited city in the United Kingdom after London and has been home to the Scottish Parliament since 1999. You can see its avant-garde building and relax in the busy Princes Street gardens. Accommodation and breakfast at the Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh City Centre, Hampton by Hilton Edinburgh West End, Ibis Edinburgh Centre South Bridge, Holiday Inn Edinburgh Zoo or similar.
Day 4: Edinburgh – Culross – Trossachs – Glasgow
We will leave Edinburgh for Culross, one of the best-preserved medieval villages in Scotland, known to Outlander fans as Cranesmuir. We will stroll through its charming cobbled streets, where we will recognise the imposing house of Geillis Duncan and other locations that take you straight into the TV series. We will then visit a local whisky distillery, where we will learn about the production process step by step, from the selection of the grain to maturation in oak casks. We will continue our route through picturesque villages such as Stirling and Callander. We will climb through upland passes that offer impressive panoramic views, heading into the Trossachs Natural Park, an oasis of nature and beauty in the heart of Scotland, where we will stop for lunch. Finally we will arrive in Glasgow, Scotland's largest city. During the panoramic tour, we will be captivated by its Victorian architecture and unique charm. Glasgow offers an excellent combination of culture, shopping, gastronomy and nightlife. We will enjoy its green spaces and the famous Buchanan Street, and pass by its cathedral before arriving at the hotel. Accommodation and breakfast at the AC Hotel by Marriott Glasgow, Clayton Glasgow or similar.
Day 5: Glasgow – Belfast – Dublin
We will leave Glasgow for the Scottish coast, where we will board a ferry to cross Irish waters to Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland. In Belfast we will take a panoramic tour of the city, discovering its past and present. We will learn the story behind the nicknames "David and Goliath" and admire Cave Hill, the mountain that inspired Jonathan Swift to write Gulliver's Travels. We will also pass by the painted murals that reflect the differences between the Protestant and Catholic neighbourhoods. We will reach the Titanic Quarter, where entry to Titanic Belfast is included, an interactive museum that tells the story of the famous liner from its construction to its tragic voyage. After the visit, there will be free time for lunch and to explore the area. Later we will continue our journey through the Mourne Mountains to finally reach Dublin, capital of the Republic of Ireland. There we will take a panoramic tour of the city, discovering its main sights: the Custom House, Dublin Castle, Phoenix Park and the colourful Georgian doors. We will also see Trinity College and St Patrick's Cathedral. Accommodation and breakfast at the Croke Park Hotel, Hampton by Hilton Dublin City Centre, Camden Court Hotel or similar.
Day 6: Dublin – Athlone – Galway
After breakfast, we will take a short panoramic drive out of Dublin, which will allow us to see different areas of the city and the contrast between historic areas and more modern neighbourhoods. We will leave the capital to begin our journey towards the west of Ireland, crossing the heart of the country through increasingly open and rural landscapes. Our first stop will be Athlone, located almost in the geographical centre of Ireland and crossed by the River Shannon, the longest in the country. This strategic location has made the town an important link between east and west since the Middle Ages, with its castle standing out, originally built in the 13th century by the Normans and rebuilt several times throughout its history. We can also enjoy its lively riverside promenade and local atmosphere before continuing to Galway, known as the "City of the Tribes", in reference to the fourteen Anglo-Norman merchant families who dominated its political and economic life between the 14th and 17th centuries. Located on the west coast, on the shores of the Atlantic, Galway is today an important cultural centre, famous for its festivals, its traditional music and its young and dynamic atmosphere. Dinner, accommodation and breakfast at the Hotel Connacht, Shannon Spring Hotel, Lough Rea Hotel & Spa or similar.
Day 7: Galway – Cliffs of Moher – Limerick – Cork
After breakfast, we will leave County Galway behind and travel south in search of the Cliffs of Moher. First we will cross The Burren, a vast expanse of limestone land protected by UNESCO that opens out onto the Atlantic Ocean. Its Gaelic name, "Rocky Land", perfectly describes the rugged and craggy landscape that will accompany us on this journey. On reaching the Cliffs of Moher, we will be impressed by their imposing height of 200 metres above sea level and their 8 kilometres in length. We will be able to visit the visitor centre and enjoy a unique experience in contact with nature. We will then continue to Limerick, where there will be free time to stroll through its streets and have lunch by the River Shannon. After lunch, we will continue to County Cork, known as "The Golden Vale", a region of great scenic, cultural and gastronomic richness. In Cork we will take a panoramic tour of the city, visiting iconic places such as St Anne's Church Shandon, the Four-Faced Liar clock and St Fin Barre's Protestant Cathedral. We will also discover that Cork developed between canals and branches of the River Lee, and that it has a port of great historical and commercial importance. Accommodation and breakfast at the River Lee Hotel, Imperial Hotel, Garryvoe Hotel, Acton Hotel Kinsale or similar.
Day 8: Cork – Rock of Cashel – Dublin
After breakfast we will head to the Rock of Cashel, an imposing fortress rising above the Irish plain and offering spectacular views of the surrounding landscape. Built before the Norman invasion, it was later handed over to the Church and is linked to local traditions related to Saint Patrick, patron saint of Ireland. We will visit this impressive fortress and stroll through its medieval streets, soaking up the unique atmosphere of this place and discovering its great historical and cultural value. Later we will continue our journey to Dublin, arriving at lunchtime, and we will have the rest of the afternoon free to enjoy this cosmopolitan city. Dublin offers a wide variety of activities, from visiting museums and art galleries to strolling through lively streets and enjoying its vibrant atmosphere. This will be the last opportunity on the tour to go shopping in Ireland, with time to find crafts, clothes, books and, of course, whiskey. Accommodation and breakfast at the Croke Park Hotel, Hampton by Hilton Dublin City Centre, Camden Court Hotel or similar.
Day 9: Dublin – Conwy – Liverpool
In the morning we will leave for the port of Dublin and board the ferry to cross the Irish Sea to Wales, enjoying views of the coastline and seascape during the crossing. There we will arrive in the beautiful medieval town of Conwy, a World Heritage Site, where we will have the opportunity to visit its splendid castle (optional), a medieval fortress with 22 towers and high walls, built by the English monarch Edward I between 1283 and 1289. We will have free time for lunch, to walk around its harbour and admire the Elizabethan houses before continuing the route. Later we will arrive in Liverpool, where we will take a panoramic tour. This city is the birthplace of the legendary rock band The Beatles and was European Capital of Culture in 2008. In addition, Liverpool has one of the most important ports in England. In the evening, those who wish can visit the legendary Cavern Club, where the Beatles and other great rock figures played. Dinner, accommodation and breakfast at the Delta by Marriott Liverpool City Centre, Mercure Liverpool Atlantic Tower or similar.
Day 10: Liverpool – Stratford – Cotswolds – Oxford – London
Our last day of the tour will take us to Stratford-upon-Avon, a charming and picturesque town on the banks of the River Avon, known worldwide as the birthplace of the famous playwright William Shakespeare. On arrival, we will take a short panoramic tour to discover its most iconic corners, after which we will have free time for lunch and to enjoy the atmosphere of the town. We will then continue our route through the picturesque villages of the Cotswolds, a region famous for its extraordinary natural beauty, rolling hills and traditional limestone houses that give it a unique character. Our next stop will be the historic university city of Oxford, where we will take a pleasant walking tour, admiring some of its magnificent colleges, including Christ Church College, Magdalen College and Trinity College. From Oxford we will return to London, with arrival expected at around 18:00. End of services.
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