The Experience

Explore Dublin and the beautiful Wicklow Mountains. From there, cross the Irish Sea to Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital, and St. Andrews, the home of golf. Conclude your journey with a visit to London.

Day 1: Dublin
Your Guardian Angel meets you in Dublin for the private transfer to your hotel. As you ride in from the airport, notice the elegant Georgian squares that are so symbolic of this city that was built on the banks of the River Liffey. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

The Merrion
Day 2: Dublin
This morning, join your local guide for a half-day sightseeing tour of the Irish capital. At Trinity College, see the eighth-century Book of Kells, a fabulous example of early Irish manuscript illumination that is on display in the Old Library. Continue to St. Patrick,™s Cathedral, the largest church in Ireland, built adjacent to the famous well where tradition has it St. Patrick baptized converts on his visit to Dublin. In the afternoon you may wish to visit some of the city’s museums, such as the National Gallery of Ireland, the Irish Museum of Modern Art, the Dublin Writers Museum or the James Joyce Center on your own.

The Merrion | Meals: B
Day 3: Dublin/Glendalough/Powerscourt/Dublin
Embark on a full-day excursion with your driver to the Wicklow Mountains. Drive across the moorlands to Glendalough, the “Valley of the Two Lakes,” where St. Kevin established a monastic community during the Dark Ages. View the ruins of the churches and a perfectly preserved round tower. On the way back to Dublin, stop at the renowned Powerscourt Gardens. From the terrace, admire a delightful panorama that leads to the Sugarloaf Mountain. Inside the house, view an interpretation of the history and design of the gardens.

The Merrion | Meals: B
Day 4: Dublin/Edinburgh
Privately transfer to Dublin’s airport and fly to Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital city. Meet your Guardian Angel and transfer to your hotel, where the remainder of the day is at leisure for you to settle in or explore on your own.

The Balmoral (Gold) or The George Hotel (Silver) | Meals: B
Day 5: Edinburgh
Head to Edinburgh Castle with your local guide who shows you the Scottish Crown Jewels, also known as the “Honors of Scotland.” Drive down the Royal Mile, past St. Giles High Kirk, to Holyrood Palace, the Queen,™s official residence in Scotland. Provided no member of the royal family is in residence at the time, you have a chance to tour the staterooms. Scotland is the home of whisky, and you might want to participate in an optional private whisky tasting at the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. An expert on Scotch whisky guides you through a tutored tasting of up to five malt whiskies chosen from distilleries in various regions of Scotland.

The Balmoral (Gold) or The George Hotel (Silver) | Meals: B
Day 6: Edinburgh/St. Andrews/Glamis Castle/ Edinburgh
Drive into the soft fruit-growing region called Strathmore for a glorious day in the country. Visit the turreted medieval Glamis Castle, the childhood home of the Queen Mother and site of a legendary battle between Duncan and MacBeth. Continue to St. Andrews, where the city juts out into the North Sea. Known throughout the world as the home of golf, St. Andrews is also where Prince William met Kate Middleton during their college days. Visit the ruins of the cathedral, destroyed during the Reformation. Return to Edinburgh from here for your final night in Scotland.

The Balmoral (Gold) or The George Hotel (Silver) | Meals: B
Day 7: Edinburgh/London
Transfer privately to Edinburgh’s rail station for the train to London where your Guardian Angel meets you and accompanies you by private vehicle to your hotel. After check in, the remainder of your day is at leisure to settle in to this historic city on the River Thames.

The Milestone Hotel, London (Gold) or The Kensington Hotel (Silver) | Meals: B
Day 8: London
Meet your local guide for a tour of London’s best-known sights. See the costumed Beefeaters guarding the Tower of London and continue to St. Paul’s Cathedral, designed by Sir Christopher Wren. Cross the Westminster Bridge to Westminster Abbey, the site of royal weddings and coronations. See the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace and Nelson’s Column at the center of Trafalgar Square. You may want to make a reservation for traditional afternoon tea in one of London’s top hotels or take an optional private afternoon tea class and tour of an 1860s Victorian home.

The Milestone Hotel, London (Gold) or The Kensington Hotel (Silver) | Meals: B
Day 9: London/Windsor Castle/London
Head west along the Thames Valley to Windsor Castle, the world’s largest inhabited castle and Queen Elizabeth II’s favorite residence. Subject to opening restrictions, you may see the State Apartments, St. George,™s Chapel and Queen Mary,™s Dolls,™ House. From the castle ramparts, you have excellent views of famous Eton College, an independent school for boys. Watch for students wearing their uniforms: black tailcoats, pinstriped trousers and white ties. Afterward, stroll through the charming town, browse the boutiques and have a cuppa, in a local café before returning to London for the evening.

The Milestone Hotel, London (Gold) or The Kensington Hotel (Silver) | Meals: B
Day 10: London
Transfer privately to Heathrow for your departure flight.

Meals: B