The United Kingdom and Ireland
Program Length:
18 Days
Program Dates:
June 29-July 16, 2022 - Enrollment Closed
Countries Visited:
England, Wales, Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1 - Overnight Flight
Board your overnight flight bound for London.
Day 2 - London
Morning arrival in London. Meet your Travel Director and transfer to your centrally located hotel. Afternoon orientation walking tour.
Day 3 - London
Join a local expert for a guided sightseeing of the city. You will see, amongst many highlights, Piccadilly Square, Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, Hyde Park, St Paul's Cathedral and Buckingham Palace (including the changing of the Guard if available). Meet a local dignitary such as a former MP or British Ambassador. This evening enjoy a typical "fish and chips" dinner followed by a walk around Covent Garden.
Day 4 - London
Visit the Tower of London with a Beefeater as your guide. Also called Yeomen Warders this force was charged with guarding the palace and the crown jewels. Your Travel Director will introduce you to Borough Market to sample a wide variety of international cuisines. Visit the British Museum to admire its vast collection of artifacts from around the world. In the evening, take in a show in London’s West End.
Did You Know?
Tower Bridge (often confused with London Bridge) isn’t named so because it is one of the few bridges on the Thames that features towers. It’s actually named after the Tower of London which is located on one side of the bridge. Enjoy fabulous views of the Tower of London, St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Shard from the elevated sidewalks of the bridge.
Day 5 - Oxford
Drive to Stonehenge and learn about the origins of this mystical structure erected between 2,000 BC and 1,500 BC. Continue to Oxford where you will take a walking tour that includes a visit to Christ Church College which served as the inspiration for Hogwarts in JK Rowlings’ popular Harry Potter books. See the stairway and the Great Hall which will be familiar to lovers of the film series.
Day 6 - Stratford-upon-Avon
Drive through the beautiful countryside of Oxfordshire where you will visit an active farm. Learn about farm life while participating in seasonal hands on activities. Afterwards continue through the beautiful Cotswolds to Stratford-upon-Avon for your overnight.
Day 7 - Stratford-upon-Avon
The focus of today is on the life and work of poet, playwright and actor, William Shakespeare. Start off with an acting workshop led by a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company. Visit the birthplace of the Bard and end the day taking in a performance of a Shakespearean play at either the Royal Shakespeare or Swan Theater.
Harry Potter Fans
Walk in the footsteps of Harry, Hermione and Ron as you enjoy a visit to Christ Church College and the Tudor Great Dining Hall at Oxford University. This is one of several locations in Oxford that were used for the filming of J.K. Rowling’s popular Harry Potter Series.
Day 8 - Dublin
This morning drive to the port of Holyhead in Wales to board the ferry that will take you across the Irish Sea to Dublin, Ireland. Enjoy an orientation walk upon arrival.
Day 9 - Dublin
Enjoy a sightseeing tour with a local guide including visits to St. Patricks Cathedral and Trinity College to see the Book of Kells. In the afternoon you will meet with the famous High Hopes Choir.
Day 10 - Derry
In the morning drive to Glenshane Farm in the beautiful Sperrin Mountains. At the farm you will participate in hands on activities such as sheep shearing, turf cutting and training the sheep dogs. Continue to Derry where a local guide will show you the Walls, the Bogside and the Murals as you learn about the events of "Bloody Sunday" that happened in 1972.
“I loved meeting with students in Belfast and hearing what life is like there from a peer’s perspective. Also, listening to their stories of how our generation in Northern Ireland is working towards greater peace and understanding was inspiring.”
— Maggie R. Student
Day 11 - Belfast
Drive to the world famous Giant’s Causeway, renowned for its polygonal columns of layered basalt, which is the only World Heritage Site in Northern Ireland. Weather permitting, there will be a visit to Carrick-a-Rede, famous for its rope bridge, unique in Ireland, which connects the mainland to Carrick-a-Rede Island. Continue to Belfast where you will visit the interactive Titanic Museum.
Day 12 - Belfast
A guided visit showcases this bustling city marked by a divided past and a hopeful future. Stops are included at the Peace Wall and the Murals. In the afternoon meet with local students of Sport Changes Life - a sports foundation that helps young people find a path to a better future.
Did You Know?
The Giant’s Causeway has about 40,000 interlocking columns made from basalt. The columns have a unique hexagonal shape that are reminiscent of huge stepping stones. Some actually go as high as 39 feet into the air.
Day 13 - Stirling
Board the ferry from the port in Belfast to Cairnryan in Scotland. In just over two hours, disembark and drive to Stirling. Here we will learn how to make the best tasting Haggis during a cooking lesson.
Day 14 - Aviemore
In the morning take a tour of Stirling Castle steeped in Scottish heritage and culture. Head North to Glencoe, one of the most beautiful and most visited places in Scotland. Learn of its turbulent history and the brave highlanders who fought for their land. On then to Fort Augustus to board a boat to tour Loch Ness in search of a certain “monster”. Overnight in Aviemore - the adventure capital of The Highlands.
Day 15 - Aviemore
Today enjoy a full day exploring the Scottish Highlands as we hike and kayak while taking in the breathtaking and rugged scenery. In the afternoon, visit the Cairngorm Reindeer Center where you will get up close and personal with the reindeer.
The Legend of the Loch Ness Monster
The 1987 Operation Deepscan was the largest search for the Monster to date costing around £1million. After three days of searching the deep waters with state-of-the-art sonar equipment, the biggest search for Nessie ended inconclusively.
Day 16 - Edinburgh
En route to Edinburgh, stop off in Pitlochry, a charming town to explore with a sweet visit to the Iain Burnett Highland Chocolatier. Enjoy his award winning hot chocolate and hear why this Scottish chocolate is so special as well as how to survive as a small business in the Highlands of Scotland. Make a photo stop at the Firth of Forth before you arrive in Edinburgh in the early afternoon. Upon arrival enjoy a panoramic bus tour of the city before checking into your hotel. After dinner enjoy a Ghost and Dungeon Tour.
Day 17 - Edinburgh
This morning hike up to Arthur's Seat for the best views of the city. After a free afternoon of exploring enjoy a farewell dinner.
Day 18
Transfer to the airport for return flight to the USA.
Join this Program!
Students will join other teens from across the United States, accompanied by experienced, passionate and globally-minded U.S. certified educators. These inspiring leaders guide, nurture and mentor students on their journey to Global Citizenship.
What’s Included:
Roundtrip Airfare
Accommodations
Teacher Leaders
Full Time Local Program Director
Transportation to Included Activities
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Daily
All Attractions and Activities
Guided Sightseeing by Local Expert Guides
All Tips and Gratuities
24-Hour Support
All Taxes and Fees
Global Citizen Certificate
Pre-Travel Preparation Meetings and Seminars
