British Isles

London, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Knock, Waterford, Dublin, York - 16 days

Day 1 - Canada / London
Depart for an overnight flight to London. Dinner served on board.

Day 2 - London
Early morning arrival in London. The group will be met by the tour guide and transferred to the hotel by our deluxe motorcoach. In the afternoon enjoy a guided tour of London including a visit to Westminster Cathedral and St. Paul's Cathedral. Dinner and overnight in London.

Day 3 - London / Canterbury
After breakfast depart for Canterbury. In the Middle Ages this was the most heavily traveled road in England; the pilgrimage route to the shrine of martyr Thomas Becket. His canonization in 1173 made the church a shrine for pilgrims from all over Europe. Other holy men, such as St. Augustine, St. Dunstan, and St. Alphege also inspired the dedication of monuments in their honor at Canterbury. We will have a guided tour of the Cathedral where you will see St. Becket's Shrine. Return to London for dinner and overnight.

Day 4 - London / Bath / Cardiff
Depart London for Cardiff. En route to Cardiff, we stop in Bath and visit the amazing excavations of the Roman Baths. Next is a stop at the Llandaff Cathedral, founded in the 12th century. We continue to Cardiff in Wales. Dinner and overnight in Cardiff.

Day 5 - Cardiff / Waterford
After breakfast depart for a morning orientation tour of Cardiff. Visit the Cardiff Castle, Cardiff Arms Park, Cathays Park and the famous National Museum. Then continue to Fishguard for a ferry to Rosslare (Ireland). Dinner and overnight in Waterford.

Day 6 - Waterford / Galway
After breakfast at hotel you will have an orientation tour of the city of Waterford, a stronghold founded by Danish Vikings in 853 AD and now known all over the world for its fine crystal. You will then continue to Galway for dinner and overnight.

Day 7 - Galway / Knock
After a full breakfast depart for Knock (in County Mayo). Knock, often referred to as the "Lourdes of Ireland," is the site of an apparition of the Blessed Mother, Saint Joseph, and St. John in the year 1879. The highlight of the day in Knock will be a visit to the large basilica dedicated to "Our Lady, Queen of Ireland." Return to Galway for dinner and overnight in hotel.

Day 8 - Galway / Dublin
After breakfast depart for Dublin. En route, you will visit both Clonmacnoise and Maynooth College. Clonmacnoise is one of the most famous religious sites in Ireland as well as being a major place of pilgrimage. Pope John Paul II visited it in 1979. The area includes a cathedral, ruins of eight churches, and a variety of other buildings. It is truly a fascinating area to visit. You will also visit St. Patrick's College in Maynooth, the training center for Ireland's Catholic Diocese. The college was founded in 1795 and contains an interesting Church History museum. Dinner and overnight in Dublin.

Day 9 - Dublin
Enjoy an Irish breakfast at the hotel and afterwards depart for a half-day sightseeing tour of interesting and cosmopolitan Dublin. Highlights of the tour will include the 13th century Dublin castle, Trinity College, St. Patrick's Cathedral, the Book of Kells, Leinster House (now the seat of government), the Parliament House, and many other important sites. Balance of the day is at leisure. Dinner and overnight in Dublin.

Day 10 - Dublin / Holyhead / Liverpool
After breakfast depart for the Port in Dun Laoghaire. You will board the ferry from Dun Lagohaire to Holyhead. Upon arrival at Holyhead you will enjoy a visit to Bangor Cathedral, founded by the first bishop, Deiniol, in 548 AD. Continue to Liverpool for dinner and overnight.

Day 11 - Liverpool / Glasgow
After breakfast at the hotel enjoy an orientation tour of Liverpool, notable for its two Cathedrals, both built in the 20th century. The Anglican Liverpool Cathedral (the intricate stained glass and blue altar are especially noteworthy), and the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King, which took just five years to complete (1962 to 1967). Continue to Whithorn to visit the Augustinian Priory. Dinner and overnight in Glasgow (Scotland).

Day 12 - Glasgow
Depart after breakfast and enjoy an orientation tour of Glasgow. A highlight of the orientation will be a visit to the Glasgow Cathedral. Next visit Stirling Castle, located outside of Glasgow, the site where Mary Queen of Scots was crowned. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure in Stirling. Return to Glasgow for dinner and overnight.

Day - 13 Glasgow / Edinburgh
After breakfast depart for Edinburgh, one of the most charming cities in Scotland. Afternoon sightseeing will include the Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace, and the famed Royal Mile. Dinner and overnight in Edinburgh.

Day 14 - Edinburgh / York
After breakfast depart for Edinburgh to visit the famous Abbey. The group will then proceed to Durham for a visit to the Durham Cathedral, the greatest Norman Cathedral that survives in England. Drive to York and visit the York Minster, estimated to contain more than half of all medieval stained glass in England. The Great East Window depicts the beginning and the end of the world in over a hundred small scenes taken from the Books of Genesis and Revelation. Dinner and overnight in York.

Day 15 - York / London
After breakfast depart for Lincoln and visit the Cathedral, one of the largest in England, then continue to Sandringham and visit the shrine in Walsingham. Afterwards proceed to Cambridge and visit its finest building, King's College Chapel, a masterpiece of late Gothic architecture. You will arrive in London for dinner and overnight.

Day 16 - London/Canada
After breakfast depart to London airport for your flight home, arriving in Canada the same day.