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Paris and the United Kingdom Tour

This exciting tour of Paris and the U.K. gives travelers an opportunity to visit four vibrant capital cities, all in one trip, as well as lovely areas of both the Scottish and Irish countryside. Stops in each of these destinations include visits to premiere attractions, stays at excellent hotels, and the chance to sample the culture and cuisine of the area. It’s a memorable trip suitable for a variety of age groups and interests.

Begin with a stop in Paris, where you’ll check in for a 2-night stay, arriving in time for an afternoon full of free time to explore the city. The next day, embark on a private half-day city tour that includes a visit to the Paris catacombs, the eerie resting place of many former French citizens. Your tour will also take you past such notable sites as the Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysees, Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre, Montmarte, Notre Dame, Sacre Couer, and many others.

Leave Paris and head to London via the Eurostar Train. Once there, you’ll check into your hotel for a 4-night stay in England’s beautiful capital city. Following an afternoon at leisure and a good night’s sleep, embark on a full-day private city tour featuring sights such as Buckingham Palace, St Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, the River Thames and the Royal Parks, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, the Horse Guards, the Changing of the Guard, Tower Bridge, the Tower of London and the Crown Jewels. The following day, head to all the sights connected with J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, a treat for fans of these fascinating books. Destinations include Platform 9 ¾ and many other places where the films were shot. On your last day in London, complete your stay with a trip to Windsor Castle, Oxford, and Stonehenge.

Next, hop aboard Brit Rail for a trip to Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital. You’ll stay for 4 nights in this ancient city, overlooked by the majestic Edinburgh Castle, which sits on a hill above the city. On your first full day in the city, embark upon a half-day tour by private car, an opportunity to see the sights, including the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Scottish National Gallery, the Royal Botanic Garden, and the National Museum of Scotland. Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the UNESCO-lauded Old Town, the city’s oldest neighborhood, featuring medieval-era buildings, historical attractions, pubs, and delightful stores selling wool items and other local wares. Your next day will be filled with visits to Stirling, the Trossachs, and Loch Lomond.

You’ll continue your visit to Scotland with a 3-day stop in the Scottish Highlands where you’ll check in at the Glenapp Castle. The following day, tour the 10,000-acre Glenapp Castle Estate in 4WD vehicles and learn about the property and its history. You can also enjoy such onsite activities as falconry, archery, a garden treasure hunt, and more. Complete your highlands stay with sightseeing in the local Ballantrae area, where you can visit a dairy farm and distillery and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

Next, head to Glasgow for your flight to Dublin, Ireland’s exciting and fast-growing capital city. Begin your visit with a half-day tour highlighting such attractions as Trinity College, Phoenix Park, the Customs House, and the Millennium Spire. After the tour, head to pretty County Clare for a 4-night stay at the Dromoland Castle Hotel. Enjoy your first afternoon at the castle at leisure exploring the grounds. The following day, you and your traveling companions will head out on a private tour that highlights the rugged landscape of West Clare including the Cliffs of Moher, the Aillwee Caves, and the villages of Ballyvaughan and Kinvarra. Have your camera ready! Complete your County Clare visit with a full-day tour to the Dingle Peninsula followed by another full-day excursion to popular sights that include the Blarney Castle and Stone and the Blarney Woolen Mills. Enjoy a snack or lunch in one of the area’s local pubs before you return to your hotel to pack for your trip home.