Insider's Ireland and England

The itinerary is the starting point to your tour, but it’s not set in stone. Your group leader may make changes leading up to departure.

Day 1, Saturday March 9: Overnight Flight

Depart from the USA.

Day 2, Sunday March 10: Dublin

Arrive in Dublin, meet your ACIS Tour Manager and begin to explore the rich Irish culture of your surroundings. (D)

Day 3, Monday March 11: Dublin

Explore rich Irish history with a guided sightseeing tour, including statue-filled O'Connell Street, Ha'penny Bridge and entrance to St. Patrick's Cathedral. Visit EPIC, the Irish Emigration Museum. Later this afternoon you might delve into Dublin’s rich literary past with a visit to the Dublin Writers’ Museum. Tonight enjoy an evening of traditional Irish song, dance and food. Sample delicious Irish fare followed by a night of entertainment in which audience participation is encouraged! (B,D)

Day 4, Tuesday March 12: Dublin

Journey to a farm in the Irish countryside for a chance to be Irish for a day. Experience rural Irish culture and partake in traditional activities such as bodhran drum lessons, sugán rope making, a bog visit and brown bread baking, followed by lunch on the farm. Return to Dublin and contrast the different customs and practices of the country’s rural and urban dwellers. (B,L,D)

Day 5, Wednesday March 13: Stratford-Upon-Avon

Today you'll leave Ireland behind to fly to London. You'll then drive to Oxford, home to the oldest and grandest of England's universities. During a walking tour of the campus, learn some of its centuries-old traditions and what it's like to study here. Among the highlights is Christ Church College. Continue to the Stratford area for the night. (B,D)

Day 6, Thursday March 14: Stratford-Upon-Avon

Today explore Stratford-upon-Avon, home of the famous playwright William Shakespeare. Entrance is included to Shakespeare's Birthplace and Holy Trinity Church, where the Bard is buried. Later today you'll participate in a Royal Shakespeare Company workshop, where you'll actively explore how the company interprets the Bard';s words and brings them to life. Afterward enjoy a performance of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' by the renowned company. Bravo! (B,D)

Day 7, Friday March 15: London

Explore Stratford-upon-Avon this morning and enjoy a booked lunch. Then grab your wand and cape before departing Stratford-upon-Avon for a tour of the Warner Bros. Harry Potter studio, which provides a behind-the-scenes look at how the movies, based on author J.K. Rowling's books about the young orphaned wizard, were made, from detailed sets to animatronics. (Entrance to Harry Potter Studios booked by your Group Leader at 4pm.) Afterwards you'll continue on to London. (B,L)

Day 8, Saturday March 16: London

This morning tour Sir Christopher Wren's massive St. Paul’s Cathedral. Then the afternoon is yours to perhaps delve into the vibrant cultural scene of London’s South Bank, home to Borough Market, The Golden Hinde and Shakespeare’s reconstructed Globe Theatre. Cap off your time abroad with a renowned theater performance in London's famous West End this evening. (B,D)

Day 9, Sunday March 17: London

Begin your day with an up-close look at London's iconic treasures on this morning's guided London by Bike tour, including views of the Big Ben, the Horse Guard Parade, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, and more. As you cycle and stop for photos, your guide's commentary will bring the history of what you are seeing to life. After working up an appetite, head to Covent Garden where an English food tasting lunch tells you the history of some of London's most traditional dishes, including toad in the hole and fish and chips, as you dine on them. The rest of the day is yours to perhaps souvenir shop in Covent Garden's lively market. Choose from one of London's ethnic culinary influences with tonight's dinner voucher.. (B,D)

Day 10, Monday March 18: Departure

Depart for the USA. (B)