Day 1
FLIGHT TO LONDON, ENGLAND:
We meet our Christian Tours’ tour
director and transfer by motorcoach to
the Charlotte airport, ready to board
our overnight trans-Atlantic flight to
London, England—anticipating an
unforgettable journey.
Day 2
LONDON/BUCKINGHAM PALACE
OPTIONAL TOUR:
Upon arrival
in London, we meet our international
guide and transfer to our hotel. Check
in time will be late afternoon allowing
you time to explore some of this remarkable
city. You may choose to stay
at the hotel or join our guide for an
Optional tour to Buckingham Palace.
You can explore the magnificent State
Rooms which are only open to visitors
for 10 weeks each summer. (Optional
tour: $95.00 per person).
Day 3
LONDON SIGHTSEEING:
Today
on our guided tour of London
we discover what makes London the
most visited city in the world. Our
London tour will take us on a nonstop
procession of recognizable landmarks,
such as the House of Parliament, Big
Ben Clock Tower, Westminster Abbey,
Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace,
St. Paul’s Cathedral, and the Tower of
London. Afterwards, you may continue
exploring London, shopping, or sightseeing
at leisure. (B)
Day 4
SALISBURY • STONEHENGE •
ROMAN BATHS:
We depart London
and travel to Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire,
England. We visit the Neolithic stone
circle of Stonehenge, one of the most
famous wonders of the world. As we
marvel at this mysterious site, we
consider the age-old question of how
and why hundreds of people transported
five ton stones from all over the
South of England and Wales to create
a monument that has no obvious
function. Our journey continues as we
travel to the historical city of Bath. Here
we visit the Roman Baths, which are
some of the best-preserved Roman
ruins in the world. We wander through
this vast leisure complex just as the
Romans did over 2000 years ago. Built
in 70 AD over hot springs, the Great
Bath still receives over one million liters
of hot water daily from the 12,000-
year-old Kings Spring below. Later, we
continue to Cardiff to check into our
hotel and enjoy a delicious 3-course
dinner. (B, D)
Day 5
CARDIFF • WEXFORD:
After breakfast,
we set out on a scenic tour
of Cardiff, the vibrant Welsh capital.
Highlights include Cardiff Castle, a
striking landmark towering over the
historic city centre with its eclectic mix
of architectural styles. We also visit
Principality Stadium, an iconic sports
and entertainment venue known for its
retractable roof and electric atmosphere
during rugby and concert events, and
Llandaff Cathedral, one of Britain’s
oldest Christian sites. A stroll through
Bute Park offers a peaceful blend of
historic buildings, lush urban woodlands,
and views of the River Taff—the green
heart of the city. Our tour continues
to the revitalized Cardiff Bay, Europe’s
largest waterfront development, where
we see iconic attractions such as the
red-brick Norwegian Church, the
Doctor Who Experience, and the Welsh
Millennium Centre, a hub of cultural
life. Later, we board the ferry and cross
the Irish Sea to Wexford, where we
check into our hotel and enjoy the
evening with dinner on our own. (B)
Day 6
WATERFORD • CORK • BLARNEY
CASTLE • KILLARNEY:
Our first
stop today is Waterford Crystal Visitor
Centre which includes the Waterford
Crystal retail store, exhibition and
crystal installation areas, coffee shop
and worldwide shipping facility. Our
tour includes a unique factory tour
which gives us an up-close insight into
the centuries-old tradition of Waterford
Crystal making. After the tour, browse
the world’s most famous crystal in a
lavish retail store, which houses the
largest collection of Waterford Crystal
found anywhere in the world. Later,
we travel to Cork. Originally established
in the 12th century as a trading city,
Cork is now a thriving city of around
150,000 and home to one of Ireland’s
most legendary attractions. Built in
1446, Blarney Castle is famous for its
Blarney Stone—the Stone of Eloquence
—believed to bestow the gift of eloquence
on all who kiss it. The castle
gardens are continually evolving, featuring
highlights such as the Water
Garden, Fern Garden, and Poison
Garden. After traveling through the
scenic countryside of County Kerry,
we arrive in Killarney to check into our
hotel. Tonight, we’ll enjoy an included
3-course dinner at the hotel. (B, D)
Day 7
RING OF KERRY EXCURSION •
SHEEPDOG DEMONSTRATION:
Today is a great day for pictures! The
“Ring of Kerry” is the most famous
and scenic route in Ireland. We see
spectacular scenery of the mountains,
peat bogs, lakes, and magnificent views
of the Atlantic Ocean. Leaving Killarney,
we pass through Killorglin, famous for
its Puck Fair, and then on to Glenbeigh,
where the cliff road affords scenic views
of the Dingle Peninsula and Dingle Bay.
As we travel to Cahirciveen, we pass
the birthplace of Ireland’s national hero,
Daniel O’Connell. Our journey continues
through the mountains to Molls Gap
and Ladies View with superb views of
the famous Lakes of Killarney. Set in
the spectacular scenery of Molls Gap on
the Ring of Kerry, Kissane Sheep Farm
is a traditional, working sheep farm with
approximately 1,000 mountain sheep
and hundreds of lambs. The farm has
been run by generations of the same
family for the last 150 years. Enjoy sheep
shearing demonstrations, bottle feed
orphan (pet) lambs in season, marked
mountain walks and a Puzzle Walk and
Treasure Trail. Later this evening, we
indulge in a delightful 3-course dinner
at Quills Farmhouse, followed by an
engaging farmyard tour and a traditional
butter-making demonstration.
Enjoy lively music and captivating Irish
dance entertainment that bring the
spirit of Ireland to life. (B, D)
Day 8
ROCK OF CASHEL • DUBLIN:
We
start our morning with a visit to
the Rock of Cashel, which towers over
the town of Cashel and is possibly the
most photographed site in Ireland.
The impressive stone walls enclose
a round tower, a cathedral, a twelfth
century Romanesque chapel and high
crosses. The Rock of Cashel has the
most remarkable collections of Celtic
art and medieval architecture to be
anywhere in Europe. We continue
our journey towards Dublin, a cosmopolitan,
but laid-back city. After
checking into our hotel, we have the
evening at leisure and dinner on own. (B)
Day 9
DUBLIN • TRINITY COLLEGE •
BOOK OF KELLS • THE MERRY
PLOUGHBOY PUB OPTIONAL TOUR:
On our panoramic sightseeing tour, we
experience Dublin’s most celebrated
landmarks. We visit the historic Trinity
College with admission (if available) to
the magnificent Library and Book of
Kells Exhibition, stroll the grounds of
the impressive St. Patrick’s Cathedral,
and admire the grandeur of Dublin
Castle. We drive through elegant
Georgian Dublin with its colorful doors
and charming squares, see iconic landmarks
along O’Connell Street and the
River Liffey, and pause for a photo at the
beloved Ha’penny Bridge—capturing
the very essence of this vibrant city.
This afternoon, we have the rest of the
day at leisure to explore more cultural
and historical attractions, stroll along
scenic spots like Grafton Street or
St. Stephen’s Green, or enjoy dining
followed by a show at the Abbey
Theatre. Optional, Evening Dinner and
Entertainment at The Merry Ploughboy
Pub - this lively performance features
great Irish music, song, and dancing,
with lots of fun interaction between
the band and the audience. A must-see
for anyone visiting the city. (Optional
dinner show & transfers: $110.00 per
person). (B)
Day 10
WALKING TOUR OF CHESTER •
LIVERPOOL:
After breakfast, we
begin our journey crossing the Irish Sea
to Holyhead, Wales. After enjoying
the magnificent scenery in Holyhead,
we make our way towards Chester,
England. Along the route, we drive
through Snowdonia National Park, a
mountainous region home to some
of the highest peaks in the United
Kingdom. Upon arriving in Chester,
we enjoy a walking tour of this walled,
medieval city located in the county of
Cheshire. Founded as a Roman fortress
in the 1st century, we take in the beautiful
sandstone city walls, the ruins of a
Roman amphitheater, and the impressive
Chester Cathedral. We stroll along
the unique Chester Rows, a rare twolevel
shopping gallery, and visit key
landmarks including the historic Town
Hall, Eastgate with its famous Eastgate
Clock, and the scenic River Dee. The
tightly packed streets filled with distinctive
black and white half-gabled
houses, traditional tea houses, and
pubs vividly evoke the charm of Tudor
England. Later, we arrive in Liverpool
where we overnight, unwind, and
enjoy a 3-course dinner. (B, D)
Day 11
LAKE DISTRICT • GRETNA GREEN
• EDINBURGH:
We travel to Lake
District, famous for its lakes, forests
and mountains, and its association
with William Wordsworth, Beatrix Potter
and John Ruskin. We stop at Grasmere
to view the grave of William Wordsworth
at St. Oswald’s Church. We continue
across the Scottish border to visit Gretna
Green, historically the fi rst village in
Scotland, with admission to the famous
Blacksmith Shop—a romantic landmark
where countless couples have eloped
to wed over the centuries, making it
one of Scotland’s most cherished
destinations. After a day of exploring,
we make our way to our hotel in
Edinburgh, where we enjoy a relaxing
evening at leisure. (B)
Day 12
EDINBURGH • EDINBURGH
CASTLE • TATTOO:
This morning,
we enjoy a scenic guided tour of Edinburgh,
including a visit to the world
famous Edinburgh Castle. Perched high
on Castle Rock, this historic stronghold
has dominated the skyline for more
than 3,000 years and houses Scotland’s
Crown Jewels and the legendary Stone
of Scone. From its commanding views
to its ancient halls, Edinburgh Castle
stands as one of Scotland’s most iconic
landmarks. Our city tour may include
Holyrood Palace, the offi cial residence
of the monarch in Scotland; the historic
Royal Mile; elegant Princes Street
Gardens; and Calton Hill, offering spectacular
panoramic views. We also take
in the Georgian elegance of the New
Town, the Scott Monument, and the
lively Grassmarket area. This evening,
we prepare for a night to remember
at the world renowned Edinburgh
Tattoo, an unforgettable display of
music, dance, and military precision
set against the dramatic backdrop of
Edinburgh Castle. (B)
Day 13
ALNWICH • YORK:
Today we visit
the medieval market town of
Alnwick to see Alnwick Castle and the
83-foot tall Tenantry Column, topped
by the Percy Lion. En route to York, we
view magnifi cent scenery as we cross
the Tyne at Newcastle. Upon arrival, we
enjoy a walking tour of York, a city
founded by the Romans in 71 AD. York’s
pivotal role in English history is showcased
throughout this well-preserved
city. We walk along the medieval city
walls, visit the ruins of the 11th-century
St. Mary’s Abbey, and marvel at the
exterior of the imposing York Minster,
one of the largest and most magnifi cent
Gothic cathedrals in Europe. Our tour
also takes us through the city centre’s
maze of half-timbered houses and
charmingly named narrow lanes such as
The Shambles and Whip-ma-Whop-ma-
Gate. We explore the historic Clifford’s
Tower, a medieval fortress offering
panoramic views, and see the Merchant
Adventurers’ Hall, a beautifully preserved
medieval guildhall. We overnight in
York to enjoy the rest of the day in this
historic city. (B)
Day 14
STRATFORD-UPON-AVON:
This
morning, we visit Stratford-upon-
Avon, the charming market town where
William Shakespeare was born. We
explore his distinctive 16th-century halftimbered
birthplace, view fascinating
exhibits, and enjoy a photo stop at
Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and Gardens.
Anne Hathaway was Shakespeare’s wife,
and her charming thatched cottage
offers a glimpse into Tudor life and their
early years together. Later, we head to
our hotel in a quiet part of Stratford,
just a short walk from the town centre
and major Shakespeare attractions. Here,
we relax and enjoy a delicious dinner
to end the day. (B, D)
Day 15
BLADON • OXFORD • LONDON:
Today, we journey towards
London with memorable stops along the
way. We pause at St. Martin’s Churchyard
in Bladon to pay our respects
at the grave of Sir Winston Churchill.
Then, we explore the grandeur of
Christchurch College, one of the University
of Oxford’s most historic and
beautiful colleges. The remainder of
the day is yours to enjoy at leisure—
perfect for discovering London at your
own pace. (B)
Day 16
DEPART LONDON:
Our incredible
and memorable tour concludes as
we board our flight home to America,
carrying unforgettable memories of
this remarkable journey. (B)
Tour arranged by: Operation Europe
& Christian Tours