TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Arrival. Transfer to the hotel.

Reception. Transfer to hotel and free time. You will receive information about the start of the circuit during the afternoon, or you can check the informative panels in the hotel reception area.


IMPORTANT - IF YOU REQUESTED ADDITIONAL NIGHTS on arrival at the hotel you will have your booking made but the guide of your trip will normally not arrive until the start of the included activities. YOUR TIME BEFORE THIS MOMENT IS THEREFORE FREE. At your hotel they can help you with all the information you need.


NB: The schedules you will find in this itinerary are approximate. The guide, depending on the situation and in order to improve the development of the circuit, may adjust the schedules.

London.-

A comprehensive tour of London is included today. Our visit begins in the early morning. The contents vary, depending on local guides, traffic and the weather. We will visit Hyde Park, Oxford St, the City, St Paul’s Cathedral, Tower of London, the Thames, Piccadilly Circus, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace. During the visit we will stop at Buckingham Palace to see the changing of the guard (it is not always possible to see this ceremony). The visit ends in the central part of the city. Free afternoon. Our guide will offer you an optional outing to Windsor Castle.

18:00 h. In the evening, we will meet at a a meeting point in Piccadilly Circus where our guide will accompany you to Leicester Square, China Town and Soho with its amazing atmosphere, its theaters and bustle . Time for dinner in this area with numerous ethnic restaurants (Indian, Thai, Chinese, international, and so on).


20.30 h. return to the hotel from Piccadilly.
Note: In some cases, this evening event will be organised the previous day, when we arrive in London.

London- Cambridge- York- Durham.-

Total distance covered: 480 km.

Scenery: Picturesque countryside with hills and woods.


07:30 hrs - London –Departure-. We cross the city and travel towards the north of England. Attractive countryside in the English countryside.
10:00 hrs - Cambridge –Arrival-. We have time to admire the beautiful main colleges and have lunch.


12:30 hrs - Cambridge –Departure-. We continue our journey towards the north, with views over agricultural fields and Sherwood Forest, former home of the legendary Robin Hood.
15:30 hrs - York –Arrival-. Passing along the walls that date to Roman times, we walk towards the cathedral. Time to stroll around its lively shopping streets.


17:30 hrs - York -Departure- We continue our journey northwards.
19:30 hrs - Durham –Arrival-. Impressive medieval city. Time to stroll around its cobbled streets in the centre and to discover its cathedral and castle, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Accommodation.

Durham- Alnwick- Edinburgh.-

Total distance covered: 230 km.

Scenery: Cross into Scotland. Castles, views over the sea.


08:30 hrs - Durham –Departure-. We travel north through England, and pass by the edge of the city of Newcastle.
09:45 hrs - Alnwick.- Medieval town dominated by its large castle. Attractive gardens. This was one of the backdrops for the Harry Potter film. Time to visit the castle (admission not included) or to stroll around. Note: the castle will be shut during the winter months (01 October-31 March).


11:15 hrs - Alnwick –Departure-. Cross into Scotland.
13:15 hrs - Edinburgh –Arrival-. We are now in the capital of Scotland, in one of the liveliest cities in the north of Europe, whose spectacular centre has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The castle dominates the city centre, with its cobbled streets and parks. In the summer, the Edinburgh Festival is held, and the city brims with life and its many shows. Free time.
17:30 hrs -Scenic visit round the city with a local guide (occasionally, this could be earlier, being undertaken on our arrival in the city). Later on, we provide a transfer to return to the hotel.

Edinburgh- Pitlochry -Inverness- Loch Ness- Glasgow.-

Total distance covered: 530 km.

Scenery: Long journey with magnificent countryside of high mountains whose summits are often cloaked in snow, and deep lakes. Keep your camera handy.
Notes: We recommend keeping some warm clothing to hand, as this is often necessary to be able to enjoy the boat trip. The timetables for this section can be prone to change depending on the time specified for crossing Loch Ness. At times it may not be possible to take the boat trip, due to adverse weather conditions.


07:30 hrs - Edinburgh –Departure-. We travel towards the high lands in the north of Scotland. We cross over the Forth road bridge. We travel between mountains where we shall see the unique Highland cattle.


09.15 hrs.- Pitlochry- Time for a walk and a coffee, a charming victorian village.


10.00 hrs.- Pitlochry- departure. Later we cross the eastern Highlands. Beautiful landscapes of the Cairngorms National Park. Travel through the city of Inverness.


13:45 hrs - Brachla (Clansman Harbour). "Nessy" (aka Loch Ness Monster) souvenirs! Time for taking photographs. Around
14:00 hrs, we board a cruiser (included) on Loch Ness.- Arrival at Urquhart castle. Ruins of an imposing medieval castle which dominates the lake (entrance included).


15:00 hrs - We continue our route and we will cross Fort August and Fort William, the beautiful tourist town at the foot of the Benn Nevis in the highest lands of the United Kingdom. We can also enjoy beautiful views across Glencoe . The last lake we will see will be Lake Lomond.


20:00 hrs - Glasgow –Arrival-. We recommend a walk round the centre of this highly atmospheric city.

Glasgow- Belfast- Dublin.-

Total distance covered: 295 km.

Scenery: Seaside, hills, woods.
Notes: Remember to keep your passport; it will be requested at the point of embarkation. It is helpful if you can travel with some Scottish bank notes. Scotland mint their own notes, as does the North of Ireland. These Scottish or Northern Irish bank notes can be used easily in Scotland and Ireland respectively, but they may not be accepted in England and they are not valid in international banks. That is, if you have any Scottish or Irish notes left over, you will not be able to exchange them outside the United Kingdom. We recommend that you make sure you don´t have any Scottish bank notes left over on leaving Scotland and especially after our crossing to Belfast.
The schedules for this whole stage may vary depending on the boat.


08.00 hrs -Glasgow- Brief tour on the coach while leaving the city and then we travel toward the east coast of Scotland.


In Cairnryan we board a modern ferry to Ireland. Normally the boat leaves at 11.30 hrs. Crossing. The boats are very modern; you can shop in its stores or have lunch in its bars.

13.45 hrs - We get off the boat in Belfast. Arrival in this city of Victorian architecture which reminds us of the difficult coexistence between Protestants and Catholics in this area.- After a look round the Catholic and Protestant neighbourhoods that remind us of their troubled past, we visit the famous murals. Free time in the city centre.


16:30 hrs - Belfast –Departure-. We continue to the Republic of Ireland (Eire).
18:30 hrs - Dublin –Arrival at hotel-.

Dublin.-

Dublin - Sightseeing tour of the city. A guide will tell us about the history of the city, its Georgian neighbourhoods, its bustling city centre streets and the University. Afternoon free in the Irish capital. You will be able to wonder round the lively banks of the River Liffey and visit its museums or the famous Guinness brewery (admission not included).
(Note: Occasionally, depending on our time of arrival in Dublin, the sightseeing tour of the city may be made on the previous afternoon).

Dublin- Caernarfon- Liverpool.-

Total distance covered: 200 Km.

Scenery: We pass through Wales: beautiful maritime landscapes along the Irish Sea. Remember to have your passport to hand; it may be required to enter the United Kingdom.


06.45 hrs Departure from the hotel to board the modern ferry that departs at 08.05 hrs. Crossing of approximately 3 1/2 hrs (occasionally, due to technical reasons or because of bad weather, we may take a different ferry).
11.30 hrs Disembark in Holyhead, a port situated on an island in north Wales.
12.15 hrs Caernarfon.- After crossing the Britannia bridge, we arrive at this town, which is a World Heritage Site situated on the seashore, with its spectacular castle that dominates the bay and its medieval streets. This is where those who are in line for the throne have been crowned since the Fourteenth Century ("the Prince of Wales"). Time to walk around and have lunch.


13:30 hrs Caernarfon –Departure-. We follow the coast towards England.
16:30 hrs Liverpool –Arrival and short bus ride through the city, a World Heritage Site and the second port of the United Kingdom.- We suggest a visit to the Beatles Museum (admission not included) so that you can discover this fascinating place and the Albert Dock.

Liverpool- Stratford- Oxford- Portsmouth.-

Total
distance traveled by road: 440 km

Scenery: Pleasant hilly landscapes.
Notes: Remember to prepare a hand bag for the night crossing where the suitcases remain inside the coach. Bring your passport with you, we require it to enter France.


08.00hrs.- Liverpool -departure-. Travel to the center of England.
11:00hrs.- Stratford Upon Avon - The small town where Shakespeare was born, full of beautiful gardens and Tudorian houses. Time to visit his birthplace (entrance not included), stroll and have lunch.


13:00hrs.- Stratford -departure-. We cross beautiful landscapes of hills andthatched cottages in the Cotswolds.
14:30 hrs.- Oxford -Arrival-. Free time in this prestigious university city and see some of its impressive colleges. Time to stroll around.


16:30hrs.- Oxford -Departure-.
18:30hrs.- Portsmouth. We embark on a modern ferry. You will need to bring your documentation. The ship has all the conditions of a cruise ship: game rooms, discotheque, stores, restaurants, entertainment areas. Accommodation in double cabins with private bathroom (bunk beds configuration). Scheduled departure of our ship at 20.30 hrs. Thursday morning breakfast on the ship is not included.

Note: On rare occasions, due to lack of availability in double cabins, the night crossing may change its itinerary (using alternative ferry).

Note: In the event we count with very few English speaking passengers on board, the guide assigned to the portion of the journey between Portsmouth and Mont S. Michel may not be fluent in English.

Mont Saint Michel- St. Malo- Dinan- Rennes.-

Rennes- Angers- Tours- Villandry- Amboise.-

Distance: 335 km. Scenery: Today we will follow the course of the Loire River, passing through many interesting town and castles on the way.


08.00 h.- Rennes –Departure-
10.00 h.- Angers.- Time in the city on the banks of the Loire. Those who wish to do so can visit the castle, which has an interesting tapestry of the Apocalypse.

11:45 h – Angers – Departure, continuing our route through peaceful countryside.
13.45 h.- Tours –Arrival-. Tours is the capital of the region. Visitors can walk through its historical centre next to the Loire. Time to have lunch.


15.30 h.- Tours –Departure-.
16.00 h.- Villandry. Includes admission to the gardens of this enormous palace. It is regarded as one of the most beautiful gardens in France.


17.30 h.- Villandry –Departure-.
18.15 h.- Amboise – Arrival at this pretty town, set in the Loire Valley. Supper and accommodation included.

NOTE: On occasions, we may stay at Tours, as the hotel capacity in Amboise is quite limited.

Amboise- Chenonceau-Chambord- Paris.-

Total distance: 258 km.

Countryside: The River Loire scattered with beautiful villages and castles marks our route. Have your cameras ready, we will pass alongside the River Loire and see some castles along the way.


We will see the Loire region in a little more depth. In the morning, a stroll in Amboise, to the castle of Clos Luce where Leonardo da Vinci spent his last 3 years before his death (entrance not included).


10:30 hrs – Amboise. – Departure.
10:45 hrs – Chenonceau –Arrival. Many believe this is the most beautiful castle on the Loire, in the form of a bridge over the river Cher, a tributary of the Loire. Its interior is also magnificently preserved. Tickets included.


12:15 hrs – Chenonceau –departure. We continue along pretty local roads to Chambord.
13:15 hrs – Chambord –Arrival. Time to see the park of this immense castle on the Loire and for lunch.


15:30 hrs – Chambord. - Departure.
18:00 h. - Paris -Arrival.

Paris.-

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Transfer to Versailles Palace. Funicular ride included to Montmartre district. City tour in Paris.

Early in the morning, we will leave for Versailles, the immense palace of the kings of France (entrance not included). After that, we will return to Paris at lunch time where we provide a transfer to the Montmartre dis­trict. We will ascend by funicular to the hill and admire the spectacular view of Paris from the top. This neighbourhood is known for its painters, artists, and its cab­arets… Sit down for lunch and enjoy a magical atmosphere. Then, a scenic guided tour to discover the history, main boulevards and the breathtaking monuments of Paris will take place. Return to hotel. At the end of this busy day, the guide will offer the optional visit to a typical Cabaret or a variety show such as the Moulin Rouge or the Paradis Latin.

Paris.-

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Eiffel Tower and boat cruise in the City of Lights.

We go to the centre of Paris, starting by the Eiffel Tower area. You will have the opportunity to climb up to the second floor of this remarkable metal monument (ticket included). Then, we enjoy a boat cruise along the River Seine, which divides the north of Paris from the south. Enjoy a free afternoon to explore as you choose.

After breakfast, end of our services.

Note: Remember that check-out time is usually at 10.00 hrs. In most cases, you can leave your luggage at the hotel reception at check-out time so you can enjoy the city and pick it up at the time you require that same day. If you need more time to use your room, please consider booking an additional night at the end of your tour.