Luxurious Travel Through Britain

For those of you out there who maybe want a more guided vacation, with less stress of getting around on your own, have you ever thought about taking an escorted vacation? Escorted vacations can be wonderful. With the motorcoach, there is no need to drive yourself around, an especially great thing when traveling in the U.K., seeing as not many of us Americans are comfortable with the left side of the road thing. If this sounds like your kind of thing, you will probably love this package.

We’ve got a great British Sampler vacation package. With prices starting at $1,099 it’s hard to beat this nine day escorted tour package with travel provided for you all across the U.K. You start in London, complete with sightseeing tours of all the famous landmarks. Next, you’re off to Stonehenge and then Bath, a quaint village in the English countryside. You will visit Shakespeare’s birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon and then onto picturesque Llangollen in North Wales. After that, you will head to Edinburgh, Scotland’s castle and home of a famous castle and the Queen’s Holyrood Palace. But we’re not done yet. Next, you’ll enjoy a walking tour of the medieval city of York and a visit to the market town of Stamford. Lastly, you will venture to the famous city of Cambridge.

Most meals are included, as well as hotel stays, and complete transportation to and from the airport and all over the U.K. If this doesn’t sound like the coolest, yet easiest vacation ever, we don’t know what does. We would love to make this dream British escorted vacation happen for you. Help us help make you happy and book today!

Scenic Drives Through the UK

Are you planning to tour the United Kingdom and don't know where to start? Join us as we discover the amazing locations and attractions with our guide to what we believe are the top 5 scenic self-drive tours of the UK.

Snowdonia - Wales

Snowdonia or Eryri as it's known in Welsh, is located in North Wales and attracts over 6 million visitors each year who are drawn to its stunning natural beauty. Snowdonia is the third most visited national park in England and Wales, with so much to see and do in stunning surroundings it's no wonder why.

To tour the region by car, start at Betws y Coed. Here you can stop off at the amazing Pont-y-Pair Falls before you head along the A4086 towards the Snowdon summit. Continue on the A4086, this takes you through the Pass of Llanberis on a 1,169 feet ascent into the mountains and then on to Beddgelert, right in the heart of Snowdonia.

Hardknott Pass - Cumbria

Hardknott Pass is located in the county of Cumbria in England; this pass carries the minor motor road between Eskdale and the Duddon Valley. Hardknott Pass is a single roadway that twists and turns its way through the spectacular scenery of the Lake District with a series of hairpin bends and spectacular lookout points.

The Hardknott Pass ascends up the Duddon Valley and descends to Eskdale. There's much to see and do here and you've a choice of great pubs and little restaurants along the way!

Scottish Highlands

One of the most scenic drives in Scotland has to be The Scottish Highlands. At the Scottish Highlands you can discover dramatic mountain ranges, haunting lochs and wonderful wildlife in a unique highland experience.

To tour the area from Glasgow take the A82 and then follow the A83 onto Inverary. Here there are endless miles of scenic routes with breathtaking views and not forgetting stunning landscapes.

Famous Football Landmarks in the UK!

As the birthplace of football, the UK has a large number of cities with traditions of great football. For travelers, it can be hard to choose which cities to visit. In general, cities which are home to English Premier League teams will have quality football, but even then there are too many towns to visit in one trip. To help decide which towns are worth visiting on your England Vacation, here are some of the best football cities to visit in the UK.

Manchester For many fans, Manchester United is the epitome of UK football. The club has played in Old Trafford since 1902 and has captured more English titles than any other football team, save Liverpool FC, with which they equal in number. The presence of Manchester United obviously makes the Greater Manchester area worth visiting, as it is steeped in football history. Manchester proper is home to Manchester City FC. The club suffered relegation to a lower league two times in the 1990's, but has recently become the recipient of an injection of foreign investment, and as a result has experienced an influx of high profile players. It is worthwhile to see Manchester United play Manchester City in the Manchester derby, one of UK football's fiercest rivalries. Check out hotels in Manchester.

Liverpool To the west of Manchester is Liverpool, home to both Liverpool FC and Everton FC. While Liverpool is tied for most English championships, Everton holds the honor of participating in the top level of play for a record 108 seasons. Liverpool and Everton have an old rivalry, dating back to Liverpool breaking away from Everton in 1892, which resulted in Everton vacating Liverpool's current home of Anfield. The two clubs compete in the Merseyside derby, another great place to see on your England Vacation.

More Football Locales in the UK!

London: It is hard to talk about UK football cities without mention London and the surrounding area. Home to powerhouses such as Chelsea, Fulham, Arsenal, Tottenham and West Ham, the London area has an abundance of quality football for your England Vacation. Be sure to visit during Premiere League play to guarantee yourself the opportunity to see some top notch matches.

Glasgow: While much of the focus of UK football is on England, Scotland also has a rich history of great football. Glasgow is home to a particularly significant rivalry between it's most notable teams, Rangers FC and Celtic FC. Collectively, the teams are known as the Old Firm. Once marked by notorious fan violence, the rivalry has taken on a friendlier tone in recent years, thanks to efforts by both clubs.

Due to the UK's history and tradition of football, it can be difficult to choose the best football cities to visit. However, you generally can expect to find quality football where there are intense rivalries, as these generally date back many decades. Of course, this list is not comprehensive, but rather a selection of some of the best football cities the UK has to offer. If you're looking to visit any of these famous footballing cities, and need a hotel to stay in, check out hotels in Manchester and across the UK.

The Gateway to Wales

If tranquility and rest, surrounded by natural beauty is what you are looking for then this area will hit the spot.

Abergavenny Hotels are second to none, nestling in an area rich in cultural, historic and natural attractions. Hotels in Abergavenny have a wealth of amenities
to make a stay an experience and memorable for a long time.

One such hotel is ALLT YR YNYS, who not so long ago were faced with 4 to 5 feet of flood water to the ground floor when the River Monnow burst its banks, the show' went on as usual, and now the restoration work has been completed a new and improved hotel can take pride in their achievements.

A 16th century manor house offering a comprehensive range of resort facilities, a spokesman for this Abergavenny Hotel said "The hotel is set in stunning beautiful welsh countryside, We think we have a lot to offer, and there is no event we cant cater for, we give a professional and personal service, this is a beautiful part of the country and whatever you are looking for we are sure we can fulfill." She went on to say "our ensuite bedrooms and award winning restaurant is second to none and an experience not to be missed"

Enjoy 10-Day Fully Escorted Britain Sampler Vacation from $1,099

Sceptre Tours' most popular Britain vacation, the Britain Sampler, offers travelers the absolute best of England, Wales, and Scotland on a 10-day escorted tour. The package, priced from $1,099 per person for land only, includes all hotel accommodations, full breakfast each morning, three dinners, the services of a professional tour guide and driver throughout the trip, private luxury motorcoach transportation to each destination, and a complete sightseeing program. It works out to approximately $110 per day!

Round-trip air, including airport transfers can also be added starting from approximately $660 for travel between NYC and London during winter departures dates (Jan 14, Feb 11). Airfare will be higher for fall departures and from other departure cities.

Highlights of the trip which begins in London include a tour of the city's many famous landmarks, and a special walk through the ornamental gardens of Hampton Court Palace. Travelers will then head north along the west coast of England stopping at Stonehenge and Bath, Shakespeare’s birthplace of Stratford-upon-Avon, picturesque Llangollen in North Wales, the historic county town of Chester, Wordsworth's beloved Grasmere in the Lake District, and Gretna Green in the Lowland Hills before arriving in Scotland's capital of Edinburgh. In Edinburgh, travelers will visit its famous castle, the Queen’s Holyrood Palace, and Sir Walter Scott’s Abbotsford House. The trip back to London takes a route along England's eastern coast, with a walking tour of the medieval city of York and the unique Belvoir Castle. Visits to the market town of Stamford and the beautiful university city of Cambridge complete this magnificent vacation.

The Britain Sampler Package Includes:


Accommodations - 8 nights hotel stays throughout Britain:

•2 nights Hilton London Metropole, London
•1 night Bath Hilton, Bath
•1 night Chester Ramada or St. David's Park at Ewole
•2 nights Mount Royal Ramada, Edinburgh
•1 night York Ramada, York
•1 night Novotel London West, London
Transportation

•Transfers from the airport to hotel and back to airport at the end of tour (if air is purchased through Sceptre Tours)
•Private luxury motorcoach with services of a professional driver and guide
Other Inclusions

•Eight full Breakfasts
•Three 3-course Dinners with a choice of menus, including a welcome dinner in Bath
•Complete sightseeing program as detailed in the itinerary including: London Guided City Tour; Hampton Court; Stonehenge; Salisbury; Bath; Stow-on-the-World; Stratford; Llangollen; Chester Walking Tour; Grasmere; Edinburgh Guided City Tour; Abbotsford; Jebburgh; York Walking Tour; Belvoir; Stamford

Departure Dates Available & Land Only Rate:
November 12, 2010 - from $1179
December 3, 2010 - from $1179
January 14, 2011 - from $1099
February 11, 2011 - from $1099

*Rates are per person based on double occupancy. Single room supplement $349-$459. Triple room reduction of $30 per person. Extra nights per person in London: Mar.-Apr.: in single room $123, in twin room $76, in triple room $69. May-Oct.: in single room $223, in twin room $134, in triple room $124. Nov.-Feb.'11: in single room $129, in twin room $77, in triple room $70. Airport transfers are included if air is purchased from Sceptre Tours.

Travel Tips for You

Here are the best six tips for setting up a holiday vacation of a lifetime:

Stop searching and be found – The advent of RSS (Real Simple Syndication) news feeds means that news, information and web resources will be sent to you by subscription. When you find a great source for tickets, lodging or vacation packages, look for the small, orange, square button in your browser toolbar, or search the site for “RSS,” then click and set up your “feed.” In Internet Explorer, your feeds can be found in your IE favorites area.

Let your email help – These same sites may also send regular newsletter or sales announcements by email, and sites without RSS will normally offer this service. Subscribe to some good, reputable sites and the information will be delivered to you daily, weekly or (sometimes) on a schedule of your choosing.

Comparison shopping – There are various sites, like traveljungle.com or travelsupermarket.com, where you can compare offerings from travel agencies and brokers from around the world. That holiday vacation of a lifetime just might be part of a package deal that you will find this way.

Forget the hotel bill – The less you spend on accommodations, the more you can spend skiing or sailing or trekking around the island of Malta. If “home exchange” sounds like a strange concept to you, do some Googling and you will discover that it is a low-cost way for travelers to trade their house in New Jersey for a small villa in Spain. Homes can even come with a car, or household help, as part of a package deal, so check on this option carefully at such websites as Digsville. This site, like similar ones, has listings around the world. A beachfront bungalow in the South Pacific, a ranch home in the wilds of Australia or an apartment in central Tokyo can be yours with the right trade, the right timing and the right arrangements.

Skip the driving – If you're going to vacation in a big city, you can probably have a great time without a car. Driving a car overseas can be stressful and public transportation, bikes and taxis are all possible replacements. This is also a good way to “go native” and see how the locals really live day to day.

Discount dining – If your vacation trip will be a few weeks or more, consider preparing some of your own meals. You can save a good deal of money since eating out three times a day can add up quickly. Shopping at local markets and food stores is also a fabulous way to learn the language, interact with the local culture and meet the “real people” of the country, instead of the country’s tourism professionals.

Credit Cards on Vacation

Aiming to save money on our credit cards should be something that we all should be doing. This can be done by switching your credit card to one that has a 0% interest free offer on balance transfers and purchases, or simply playing a credit card game such as "stoozing". The term stoozing is used to describe the practice of using the credit limit you receive on a credit card to make money by transferring the balance to high interest savings account.

It can be so much simpler to save money without having to go through all of these games and switching from one credit card issuer to the next. Many people while on holiday use their credit card to either make purchases or to withdraw cash from an ATM. This is one credit card usage you should always avoid.

Your credit card will incur a load of different charges when it is used abroad, which will be adding up on the bill when you return from your trip. Many of these charges you will not even be aware of, as many of us do not even realise that the charges exist when we are on vacation.

Every purchase incurs a foreign usage fee...

Did you know that you could be charged by up to $2.00 a transaction on your credit card for every transaction that you make or $1.50 if it's a debit card? This is bad enough, but you could also be getting charged interest from the moment that you have made the purchase, even though when you are back home you will not be charged interest from anything up to 59 days. So if you have purchased goods or paid for your meals using your credit card when you first arrived, then depending on how long you are away the interest has already built up by the time that you return home.

A Final List of Must-Sees in London

7. St. Paul's Cathedral - this historic site has been the venue of many notable events such as the wedding of Charles and Diana - the Prince and Princess of Wales. Designed by Sir Christopher Wren in 1710, we suggest you don't miss the Whispering Gallery.

8. Trafalgar Square – Don't miss Nelson's Column, which celebrates England's greatest sea-farer. Also, don't miss the lions! You can walk across the square to the National Gallery too. Each year in December, the people of Norway send a gift of an enormous Christmas tree to Britain, which is erected in Trafalgar Square.

9. Shakespeare's Globe Theatre - this theatre is a reconstruction of the original Globe where Shakespeare's plays were first shown to the world. The Globe Theatre is a faithful reconstruction of the open-air playhouse designed in 1599. The theatre season runs from May to September with productions of the work of Shakespeare, his contemporaries and modern authors.

10. The British Museum – founded in 1753, the British Museum holds in trust for the nation and the world a collection of art and antiquities from ancient and living cultures. Housed in one of Britain's architectural landmarks, the collection is one of the finest in existence, spanning two million years of human history. Access to the collections is free.

More to See in London

4. The London Eye - Created by British Airways for the millennium, it is a giant Ferris wheel that gives you a 360-degree view of the city. We suggest you book in advance if possible – you can do it online. Otherwise, prepare for a very long wait.

5. The Houses of Parliament – the home of the UK's government. Actually made up of the House of Lords and the House of Commons, Big Ben is also one of the biggest attractions with its characteristic chiming every quarter of hour. Make sure you arrive on the hour for the full effect.

6. Westminster Abbey – a short walk form the Houses of Parliament, this great building is an architectural delight. The location for Princess Diana's funeral, and home to Isaac Newton's tomb, the Abbey recently featured in the film "The Da Vinci Code".

Hustanton in the UK!

Visiting Hunstanton does not always live up to its nickname given to it by the locals - "Sunny Hunny". So on days when it is too cold or rainy to laze on one of the wide sandy beaches, here are ten interesting places to visit, and all are an easy stroll from the town centre.


1.Coastguard Lookout Tower. Built in 1907, the tower was a Marconi listening post in both World Wars, and is now a private residence. Location: On the cliffs at St Edmund's Point.


2.Golden Lion Hotel. Opened in 1846 and originally named The New Inn, this was the town's first building. Location: The Green, Hunstanton.


3.Cross on the Green. Origins unknown, but thought to have been brought from the green in the nearby village of Old Hunstanton at the time when the Golden Lion Hotel was built. It may once have been the old village cross from Snettisham. Location: The Green, Hunstanton.

How to Travel With Money

The UK market for Traveller's cheques has been in steady decline for a few years, despite the overall increase in travel to Britain. (source Mintel Market Research - Holiday money UK). This has been caused by a number of factors, not least being the increased issuance of credit cards and debit cards, and the extent to which they are accepted abroad. Support for the use of cards and the undermining to Travellers Cheques has been further eroded by the massive growth in the worldwide ATM network. This is coupled with the perception (and fact) that TCs can be a pain to cash. Especially at weekends or if you run foul of local bank holidays (quite likely in Spain where there are local bank holidays!)

I can cite my own example of this. trying to pay by credit card in an Ibiza restaurant in 1988 was an offline transaction that had to be supported by a passport and they were most reluctant despite displaying the Visa symbol. Fast forward 20 years and you have no problems using cards in restaurants and bars, even in out-of-the-way places. The problem is more likely that your card issuer will 'stop' the transaction as suspect because it is not chip and pin. It is now routine to pay in Supermakets and virtually all shops by card; this wasnt the case a few years ago when cash was still king.

Cash and Travellers cheques do have one big advantage for the budget conscious its much easier to keep track of what you're spending especially if trying to keep to a daily budget!

Birmingham and Glasgow

Visiting Birmingham:
The second largest city in Britain, with one million inhabitants, Birmingham was known as the Manufacturing Capital of the UK for generations. The Steam Engine, which was made James Watt, was first constructed here, along with the famed Orient Express, and the city was the home of the British Motor Industry.

With plenty of Museums from Cadbury World to shopping at the Jewellery Quarter, and plenty to buy at the new Bullring complex, there is something in Birmingham for everyone.

Travel to Glasgow:
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland, with 620,000 inhabitants in the city area. It is a bustling city, situated on the River Clyde, and home to some beautiful Victorian architecture. Take in a visit to The Tall Shop (The Glenlee), check out the wonderful Glasgow Science Centre and the People;s Palace and Winter Gardens. The Buchanan Shopping Mall is a great place to visit for shopping!

London; You Must Visit in the UK!

The UK continues to be a popular tourist destination, with millions of visitors each year. In addition to continued foreign visits, we are seeing that due to the economic downturn more and more people are going to holiday at home, so expect a growth in UK domestic trips for 2010 and beyond.

In line with these vacation trends we have put together a guide to the Top 7 Most Popular Cities to Visit in the UK, so you can pick up some ideas for your holiday break. For more details please read on!

London
The UK's capital city has long been the "jewel in the crown" of the UK tourism Industry. The city is located on the majestic River Thames and there is so much to see in the city. This bustling city is well served by the underground tube stations so it is very easy to get from place to place, and discover the gems of the city which range from the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Big Ben, London Tower Bridge to Westminster Abbey and the British Museum!


London is a world centre for music, shopping, theatre, drama, literature and culture and if museums, theatre and drama are your thing, you are spoilt for choice here! You could take in a play at the National Theatre or visit the Tate Modern Gallery. Or visit the London Eye or take a boat trip on the River Thames! Or shop at Oxford Street or Regent Street! Whatever you decide to do a visit to London is a place you will always remember.

Visiting London

For the first-time visitors, the best advice I can offer when visiting London is to prioritize what you want to see and do. This is because London simply cannot be covered in a matter of days. Trying to cover too much ground in one go will leave visitors feeling exhausted. Many tourists to London are repeat visitors, and for good reason, too. London's entertainment and leisure scene is incredibly diverse. There is a great many things to do in London, and there are many great sights and experiences in store for tourists.

The London experience is a rich assortment of English culture, history, and the arts. Get photographed against some of the world's most historic architecture, such as the Tower of London, or the houses of Parliament, St. Paul's Cathedral or Westminster Cathedral. For modern architecture, how about The London Eye or The O2? Indulge in some history or art education at the British Museum or the Natural History Museum, or visit the Tate Modern for contemporary art, or the National Gallery for a wide collection of European art. Or, you could rub shoulders with who's who of a who in History at the world famous wax museum of Madame Tussauds. Stroll through the internationally acclaimed Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, or take a literary journey at the excellent Shakespeare Globe.

For a taste of English culture and royalty, there is the changing of the keys ceremony at the Tower of London, or you could watch the changing of guards at Buckingham Palace, where there is a chance of meeting the Queen or the Royal Family in person! The State Rooms of the Buckingham Palace are open to visitors in August and September each year. A good way to experience London is to go for one of London's walks, which are featured walks around places of interest conducted by the locals, who will entertain you with their animated stories.

The Joy of British Pubs

Wherever you go, almost every country has its unwritten laws on how and where to drink alcohol. Of course, Britain also has its drinking culture, but it mostly deals with your behaviour in a pub. The problem is, finding a good pub, a real British pub is sometimes not that easy. The point is, many travel routes lay aside of them. So what can we advise you then? First, if you have friends among Londoners, just ask them what pub they usually go to. If this variant is not for you, try finding it by yourself, local pubs are found almost in any district of London (people don't usually live in popular travel districts).

When you find one, don't be confused with how a pub looks, even though it might seem too simple: you are welcomed with a signboard saying that this is the place where you can eat, drink and watch football channel. True Londoners come here to relax, play darts and billiards.

Many tourists say that only after you spend an evening in a true British pub can you claim that you've been to Britain. And they're right. However, those are mostly foreigners who get into awkward situations since they don't know local rules. The first awkward situation is: many tourists don't know that local pubs are self-serviced. You can sit there for hours, but no one will bring your beer to you.

Britain's Best Beaches!

Looking to make a big splash in Britain? Although most sand and sea loving tourists flock to the continent for the joy of beach, there are better places right in Britain. Escape the crowds and check out these top three beaches in Britain.

Cornwall
It's sung about, written about, and talked about…all with good reason. Cornwall is a legend, but it's reality, too. Getting a trip to Cornwall is like getting a private history tour in naturalist's playground with priceless vistas to boot. Anywhere along this peninsular county has a special beach, but perhaps the most exciting is Watergate Bay, famed for its water sports and its kite flying. Hankering for some local delicacies? You're in luck. Celeb chef Jamie Oliver has a boutique restaurant up on the hill above the beach.


Rhossili Beach, South Wales
Want to get the best of beach-variety in one place? Try Rhossili. This beach area is isolated enough for privacy, but populated enough for fun. If you're in for some adventure, check out the nearby ancient burial grounds. If you take a walk on the beach at low tide, you will also get a glimpse of the historic shipwrecks located here.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Bring the family to this one; they'll love it. It's not just a beach. It's a theme park on the beach. That means it's the best of both worlds for kids and parents alike. This Lancashire seaside town has excellent breezes. Bring your kite. And don't forget your camera. The views from Boulevard Beach are absolutely stunning.

Discover England, Wales and Scotland on Dooley Vacations Britain Sampler Tour

For travelers who want a perfectly planned vacation in Britain without the hassle of putting together the best itinerary and finding the best deal themselves, Dooley Vacations' Britain Sampler tour is the ideal option. The 10-day escorted vacation is priced from $1099 per person, Land Only, including hotels, breakfast daily, 3 dinners and complete sightseeing program. Select departure dates are still available from June 2010 through February 2011.

The Britain Sampler tour delves into the cultures of England, Wales, and Scotland, visiting all the "must-see" attractions in the vibrant cities of London and Edinburgh and the spectacular countrysides of the Cotswolds, the Scottish Lowland Hills, and so much more! See all the famous landmarks in London before taking a special walk through the ornamental gardens of Hampton Court Palace. Then venture on to Stonehenge and Bath, and visit Shakespeare’s birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon, and picturesque Llangollen in North Wales. Then it's on to Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital, to visit its famous castle, the Queen’s Holyrood Palace, and Sir Walter Scott’s Abbotsford House. A walking tour of the medieval city of York, visits to unique Belvoir Castle and the market town of Stamford complete this magnificent vacation.

The Britain Sampler Package Includes:
Accommodations - 8 nights Hotel stays throughout Britain:

• 2 nights Hilton London Metropole, London
• 1 night Bath Hilton, Bath
• 1 night Chester Ramada or St. David's Park at Ewole
• 2 nights Mount Royal Ramada, Edinburgh
• 1 night York Ramada, York
• 1 night Novotel London West, London
Transportation:

• Transfers from the airport to hotel and back to airport at the end of tour
• Private luxury motorcoach with services of a professional driver/guide
Other Inclusions:

•8 full Breakfasts
•3 three-course dinners with a choice of menus, including a welcome dinner in Bath
•Complete sightseeing program as detailed in the itinerary including: London Guided City Tour; Hampton Court; Stonehenge; Salisbury; Bath; Stow-on-the-World; Stratford; Llangollen; Chester Walking Tour; Grasmere; Edinburgh Guided City Tour; Abbotsford; Jebburgh; York Walking Tour; Belvoir; Stamford (August 2, 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23 departures include tickets to Military Tattoo)
Departure Dates & Land Only Rates:
2010 Departures
June 11, 20, 27 - from $1539
July 9, 11 - from $1539
July 23, 25, 30 - from $1519
August 1, 8, 13,15, 20 - from $1559
September 10 - from $1549
October 1, 8 - from $1539
November 14 - from $1179
December 5 - from $1179

2011 Departures
January 14 - from $1099
February 11 - from $1099

Rates are per person based on double occupancy. Single room supplement $349-$459. Triple room reduction of $30 per person. Extra nights in London are also available.


Additional Information:

Airport transfers are included air if purchased from Dooley Vacations.
Transfer times: London Heathrow: 24 hours; London Gatwick: 6am – 3pm

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Essential Britain & Ireland

This comprehensive vacation gives you an insight into all five countries of the British Isles. Start your trip in England with visits to prehistoric Stonehenge, Salisbury with its famous cathedral, and the extraordinary excavations of the Roman Baths in Bath. Then travel to Cardiff, the capital of Wales, and through South Wales to board the ferry for the crossing to Ireland. Watch the craftsmen at work at the Waterford Crystal factory, admire the stallions at the Irish National Stud, and relax in Dublin, Ireland’s capital, before heading north past the Mountains of Mourne to vibrant Belfast. Another ferry crossing takes you to Scotland and its capital city, Edinburgh, where a guided city tour includes a visit to Edinburgh Castle. The final highlights of this vacation include the Duke and Duchess of Roxburghe’s magnificent Floors Castle, a walking tour through York, and last but not least, Shakespeare’s birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon. You’ll arrive home with lots of stories and photos to share from your vacation to the British Isles.

Built in three phases around 3100 BC, the enormous stones at stonehenge placed in a circular formation in an abandoned field have intrigued visitors for generations. Some believe the place to be a former location of human sacrifice, others believe it was a holy place of Sun worship.

Possibly the most important monument built in Britain in prehistoric times, the formation at Stonehenge was built in three stages, according to archeologists. The stones seen today are the completed third stage.

The rock formations cast very different moods depending on when visited. The best times to photograph the formations are early morning when the sun is rising and in the early sunset. Light bathes these rocks in softer tones creating images as impressive as the site itself.

Few mysteries exist in our modern world. England’s Stonehenge in Salisbury remains one of those unsolved mysteries that continue to boggle the minds of archeologist and tourists alike. Make this a must see when visiting the UK.