6-Nights Pub Cultures: Dublin and London — CALL

Itinerary Details

Avanti Destinations: Pub Cultures

Day 1 Dublin
Arrive in lively Dublin to experience the energy of this vibrant, cosmopolitan city, home to Guinness and the Book of Kells. Ireland's capital brims with the banter of Irish culture, further energized by its many talented buskers and street performers. Add to this a compelling history and rich heritage, and Dublin provides you with an abundance of opportunities to experience and explore.

Centrally Located Hotel In Dublin, (B)

Day 2 Dublin

After breakfast, spend time getting acquainted with Dublin's history and charm on the Hop-on/Hop-off City Tour. The tour itself lasts 90 minutes, although you will be able to hop on and hop off as you wish at many of the city's most famous sites, including the Guinness Storehouse, St. Patrick's Cathedral, the National Museum of Ireland, and the Dublin Zoo. Your ticket even will get you discounts at a selection of the most popular attractions around town.

Note: you may/will use your Hop-on/Hop-off ticket to visit Trinity College to see the Book of Kells (entrance included with separate voucher).

Founded in 1592, Trinity Collegeis the oldest university in Ireland. Its medieval cobbled squares and peaceful gardens sit on more than 50 acres in the heart of Dublin, providing a peaceful refuge within the bustling city center. Also known as the University of Dublin, the college attracts more than a half million visitors annually for what is generally considered Ireland's greatest national treasure—the Book of Kells, one of the most extraordinary illuminated manuscripts in the world. The vibrantly ornamented medieval text is a lavish presentation of the Four Gospels of the New Testament and is believed to have been produced around 800 AD, though its exact origins remain a mystery. Admission to the college's Old Library includes entrance to the Book of Kells, the exhibition “Book of Kells: Turning Darkness into Light,” and the current exhibition in the Long Room, which houses more than 200,000 of Trinity College's oldest books. Arrive on your own to Trinity College for this self-guided tour, which lasts approximately one hour, although you may stay longer. You may visit the Book of Kells any day during your Dublin stay on your open ticket; however, the queue to see it can be long, so plan accordingly.

In the evening, take an optional pub crawl tour. For example, the Traditional Irish Musical Pub Crawl where two professional musicians entertain and inform through the cobblestone streets of Dublin's famous Temple Bar area. Or the Literary Pub Crawl where you follow the footsteps of some of Ireland favorite literary figures.

After breakfast, it's off to London via ferry and train or by plane. After checking in to your hotel, you may wish to begin using your Hop-on/Hop-off ticket to see the sights of this remarkable capital city (or you may begin using it the following day). Your ticket includes complimentary walking tours and a Thames river cruise, giving you additional ways to discover the magic of London.

Hop-on/Hop-off City Tour:Your Hop-on/Hop-off bus tour is a convenient way to see more than 60 of the city's top sites. Board the distinctive double-decker buses and enjoy interesting commentary to guide you along (live or recorded audio). Your ticket is valid for 24 hours of unlimited travel on both the City Sightseeing and Original Tours lines, and you may switch between three available routes. As a bonus, enjoy three free walking tours and a free hop-on/hop-off Thames River cruise.

After breakfast, continue (or begin) discovering London using your Hop-on/Hop-off ticket.

In the afternoon, you may enjoy the optional West End pub tour or take advantage of one of many wonderful day tours or attractions you may have booked through Avanti. You may take the evening to explore the capital further on the optional city tour, which includes a delicious fish-and-chips dinner, or you may attend one of London's outstanding theater shows with tickets pre-booked through Avanti.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, then take a fascinating tour with your Entrance to the Tower of London. After, spend the day checking off any remaining stops on your London must-do list (if you scheduled a second package tour, you'll do that today, as well).

Tower of London:There are several exhibitions to see while you're at the Tower. Fit for a King is displayed in the White Tower and charts 500 years of royal arms and armor, with some of the most exquisite pieces from the Royal Armories available to view. In the Jewel House, the Crown Jewels exhibit makes the royal regalia available to see, including some of the most extraordinary diamonds in the world. This is a unique working collection that is still regularly used by the Queen, so keep an eye out for the ”in use” signs, signifying that those jewels are currently being used for an important national ceremony. In the newly-opened Brick Tower, see the Royal Beasts exhibit, an interactive display for the many exotic animals that once lived in the Tower. The Royal Menagerie was maintained for over 600 years and included an amazing range of animals, from elephants to tigers.