Compare 2017 - 10 Day Taste of Cornwall & Wales by CIE Tours vs Classic Walks of Scotland by Intrepid Travel

Day 1: Dublin Arrival & Taylor’s Three Rock

Meals: Dinner

Your Irish trip starts at 5:00 pm when you meet your tour director and fellow travelers at your Dublin hotel for a welcome drink and discuss your trip. Then head to Taylor’s Three Rock Pub for dinner with a lively traditional show of dancing, music and storytelling. During the day you are free to rest after your journey or venture out to explore Dublin independently. You will have vouchers for an independent open-top bus tour around the city and a visit to one attraction.

Day 2: Dublin & Book of Kells

Meals: Breakfast

Head out to see Dublin’s main attractions including O’Connell Street, St. Stephen’s Green, the seat of government at Leinster House and other public buildings. View Dublin’s famous Georgian squares and elegant town houses with elaborate doorways. Take a stroll through Trinity College’s campus in the center of the city with a student guide and in the Old Library view the priceless 8th century Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript of the four gospels. The afternoon and evening are free for further sightseeing and dining.

Day 3: Ferry to Wales & Conwy Castle

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Take a short ferry ride from Dublin to Holyhead in North Wales. Drive to Conwy to visit the massive Conwy Castle, which was built by King Edward I in the 13th century as part of his mission to conquer Wales. Take a walk through the narrow medieval streets and see the smallest house in Britain, located on the quay and was home to a fisherman. Check in to your nearby hotel in time to relax before dinner.

Day 4: Snowdonia & Cardiff Castle Banquet

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Travel past the scenic peaks of Snowdonia National Park and continue south through the gentle pastoral lands of central Wales, where many farms specialize in sheep rearing. See some of the attractive marketing towns that serve the farming communities. Cross the gentle hills of Brecon Beacons National Park and pass through some of the former coal-mining regions of South Wales. Travel into central Cardiff for a panoramic drive around the city center. Tour Cardiff Castle to see some amazingly opulent, highly-decorated rooms. Remain in the Castle for a Welsh banquet with dinner and some lively entertainment.

Day 5: Roman Baths & Glastonbury

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Cross in to England and visit the Roman Baths and Pump Room, renowned for the mineral-rich hot springs and wonderfully preserved after two millennia. The fashion of “taking the waters” was revived during the 18th century Regency period when much of Bath’s elegant houses were built. Stop in Glastonbury, associated with many of the myths surrounding King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. Continue south to Cornwall and the charming town of St Austell, located near the coast.

Day 6: Explore Cornwall & Land’s End

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Today discover the highlights of Cornwall, the region on the southwestern tip of England. It has many Celtic traditions, including its own language and is for sandy beaches and pretty harbor villages. Enjoy the coastline as you drive to Land’s End, the most westerly point of Britain. Stop at Marazion to view the majestic outline of St Michael’s Mount, an important pilgrimage destination, and you will have time to take some photos. Stop for a browse around the lovely fishing village of Mevagissey, where houses are clustered around the bay, and return to your hotel in St Austell.

Day 7: Stonehenge & Windsor Castle

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Drive to Salisbury Plain to marvel at the prehistoric circle of vast monoliths of Stonehenge and learn about the primitive builders who managed to create such an enduring monument. Travel to Windsor for a tour of Windsor Castle, one of The Queen’s official residences and the largest inhabited castle in the world. See the State Apartments, St George’s Chapel and other areas that are open to the public. After dinner in your hotel, take a brief stroll around the compact and historic town with a local guide.

Day 8: Extend your tour to London

Meals: Breakfast

Transfer to London where you may plan your own day of discovery around London’s attractions when you take an open-top bus tour. There is a choice of routes, a walking tour and a River Thames cruise. Visit the Tower of London to view the magnificent Crown Jewels, guarded by Beefeaters in distinctive Tudor uniforms or you may prefer to visit Kensington Palace, former home of Princess Diana. Dine independently this evening.

Day 9: More London Touring

Meals: Breakfast

Today you may continue to explore London using your open-top bus pass which is valid for 24 hours. There is no shortage of places of interest along the many bus routes or you may prefer to stay on the bus and listen to the commentary.

Day 10: Tour ends in London

Meals: Breakfast

Your tour ends after breakfast.

Day 1 Fort William

Welcome to the Highlands! Your adventure begins in Fort William, cradled amidst the captivating landscapes of the Scottish West Highlands. The town is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering exceptional hiking, climbing, winter and water sports opportunities. The imposing presence of Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest peak, looms large, making this town a mecca for those seeking Highland mountain adventures. With a rich history and friendly community, Fort William will be your home for the next five nights. After you’ve settled into your accommodation, meet your leader and the rest of your group at a welcome meeting, then enjoy an easy hike to stretch the legs, maybe to a ruined castle on a historic battle site.

Day 2 Devil's Staircase

This morning, you’ll catch the local bus to nearby Glencoe, where you’ll hike the West Highland Way from Glencoe to Kinlochleven, over the famous Devil’s Staircase. As you ascend, you'll quickly understand why it's called the Devil's Staircase. The path climbs steeply, zigzagging its way up the mountainside. This section can be challenging but immensely rewarding, offering panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the vast expanse of the region. Keep an eye out for deer as you take in the tranquil views on this occasionally challenging but rewarding hike. There’s no need to walk back to where you started on this point-to point walk as a short transfer will take you back to Fort William for a relaxing night.

Day 3 West Highland Way

After a hearty breakfast, you’ll take a public bus to the start of the hike in Kinlochleven, a scenic village located at the eastern end of Loch Leven. From here, hike the final stage of the West Highland Way, which will take you over the mountain pass and through the picturesque valley, on your way back to Fort William. This leg of the West Highland Way marks the official end of the famous trail, and serves as the starting point for the Great Glen Way, which you'll explore tomorrow. In the evening, there is the option to join your fellow travelers for dinner, to reflect on the day’s’ adventure.

Day 4 Great Glen Way

Today is a bit of an easier day today, which could be considered as a rest day for tired legs! The Great Glen Way is a long-distance walking route that spans from Fort William to Inverness, following the picturesque Great Glen, which cuts through the Scottish Highlands. Today, you’ll hike the opening stage. Starting from the accommodation, the hike takes you from Fort William and follows the banks of the Caledonian Canal. Built in the 19th century, the Caledonian Canal is a man-made waterway that links east to west Scotland. Your route continues onto the small highland settlement of Gairloch. Follow a country lane to the nearby Commando Memorial which has amazing views across the Ben Nevis mountain range, before finishing in Spean Bridge.

Day 5 Ben Nevis

Today marks the pinnacle of your Scottish walking adventure with the challenging ascent of Ben Nevis, the highest peak in Scotland (and in fact, the entire United Kingdom). The name Ben Nevis means 'mountain with its head in the clouds' in ancient Gaelic. This walk is considered a must do by hikers around the world. Starting at sea level, follow a rough trail to the summit at 1345 m. This is a challenging full day in the mountains, so you’ll need excellent physical preparation and determination to reach the summit. To assist on your ascent, the group will be accompanied by two seasoned guides who will provide expertise, support and motivation for a successful climb and descent. When you’ve accomplished this feat, a private transfer will take you back to the accommodation where you can unwind and relax with a sense of achievement.

Day 6 Cow Hill

After breakfast, head out for a final hike with great views across Ben Nevis and the surrounding area, a celebratory victory walk after conquering the mighty peak. Starting directly from your accommodation, hike into Glen Nevis and head uphill to reach the summit of Cow Hill. Your efforts are rewarded with fantastic views of Glen Nevis and the many peaks which surround it, as well as across Fort William to Loch Linnhe and beyond. It’s a memorable place to finish the trip and reflect on an amazing week of hiking in Scotland. A short steep descent completes the circuit and takes you back into Fort William by lunchtime, giving you time to catch a bus to Inverness, or a train south to Glasgow.