Friday, August 28 - ARRIVE IN DUBLIN, IRELAND
Arrive in Dublin for a 2-night stay at the Sandymount Hotel
Saturday, August 29 - TCU VS. UNC FOOTBALL GAME IN DUBLIN
GAME DAY! 🏈
Sunday, August 30 - Fly to London
Enjoy your flight to London.
Monday, August 31 - LONDON, ENGLAND
Discover London's Magic: Hop-On/Hop-Off Adventure
Ever wanted to see London without the hassle of figuring out directions? These hop-on/hop-off buses are perfect for seeing the city's most amazing secrets! Jump off near Big Ben for that perfect photo, grab a quick coffee in a charming side street, then hop right back on to continue your journey. You'll cruise past breathtaking landmarks like the Tower of London and Westminster Abbey, with audio guides whispering fascinating stories that bring the city's rich history to life. It's not just a tour - it's your personal London adventure, tailored exactly how you want to experience it.
Explore at your own rhythm, creating memories that'll last a lifetime!
Tuesday, September 1 - LONDON (GREENWICH), ENGLAND (Overnight)
Board the Viking Saturn
Embark your ship and settle into your stateroom. Greenwich, a borough of London, is home to the Royal Observatory. From here, the world's longitude is measured from the prime meridian, and Greenwich Mean Time sets the global time standard. At the port, the clipper ship Cutty Sark, one of Greenwich's renowned historic landmarks, is preserved as a fascinating museum. Upriver, London is home to Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, and Westminster Abbey. In addition, this major economic and cultural hub boasts a long tradition of arts and architectural innovation - from Shakespeare's Globe Theater to West End musicals.
Wednesday, September 2 - LONDON (GREENWICH), ENGLAND
Greenwich is home to several iconic maritime institutions. Royal Naval College is a major symbol of Britain's seafaring heritage and the architectural centerpiece of Greenwich. It opened as a hospital for sailors in 1712 and served as the Royal Navy's educational institution from 1873 to 1998. Today, its hallowed halls whisper of the days when Britannia ruled the waves. The National Maritime Museum is the world's largest, chronicling England's seafaring endeavors in its compelling collection of art, maps, and countless memorabilia, including the first marine chronometer.
Optional Excursion Included:
Royal Greenwich By Foot
Thursday, September 3 - DOVER, ENGLAND
Most famously known for its dramatic white-chalk towering cliffs, Dover is the nearest city to France across the English Channel. Its strategic location as a doorway into England has earned it the moniker "Key to England." As the port was under constant threat due to its location, the massive Dover Castle, overlooking the Channel, grew over the centuries to become the nation's largest edifice and remains so today. Dover also served as a bastion and command center during World War II.
Optional Excursion Included:
Historic Canterbury
Friday, September 4 - SCENIC SAILING: ENGLISH CHANNEL
About 350 miles long, the English Channel separates southern England from northern France. William the Conqueror crossed these waters to become king of England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The most triumphant crossing unfolded on D-Day, when Allied troops landed on Normandy's shores. Then the channel's narrowest point stretches about 20 miles between Dover and Calais. Dover's famed cliffs can be seen from a distance as a long white strip resting on the horizon.
Saturday, September 5 - DUBLIN (Dún Laoghaire), IRELAND
Dún Laoghaire is a suburb of Dublin's UNESCO City of Literature. Famed as the birthplace of many of Ireland's finest writers, from James Joyce and Oscar Wilde to Samuel Beckett, Dublin and its people have long celebrated the written word. The library of Trinity College is the hallowed home of the inspiring 9th-century illuminated Book of Kells, yet there is much more to explore. From the soaring St. Patrick's Cathedral, the nation's spiritual touchstone, to Dublin Castle, the city is a vibrant hub of cultural gems.
Optional Excursion Included:
City Views of Dublin
Sunday, September 6 - HOLYHEAD, WALES
Holyhead is a cozy coastal enclave on the Isle of Anglesey off the northwestern tip of Wales. This region boasts the greatest concentration of ancient burial chambers and standing stones in Britain. Holyhead is contained within one of the few three-walled Roman forts in Europe, protected on the fourth side by the sea. The historic St. Cybi's Church lies at the center of the fortress, and the excellent Maritime Museum chronicles local seafaring history. Locals are as likely to speak Welsh as English; almost two-thirds of the youth speak this fascinating language.
Optional Excursion Included:
Beaumaris On Foot
Monday, September 7 - LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND
Liverpool is celebrated as the "World Capital of Pop." 56 musicians born and bred here have had #1 singles. Most notably, the legendary Beatles John, Paul, George, and Ringo hailed from this port city. But it is more than music that has put Liverpool on England's cultural map. Long an important center for maritime commerce, its storied waterfront is home to many buildings of historic, architectural, and cultural significance, including a spectacular trio of palatial, early 20th-century buildings known as the "Three Graces," and the revitalized Royal Albert Dock.
Optional Excursion Included:
Iconic Liverpool
Tuesday, September 8 - BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND
A major port heralded for its shipbuilding heritage, Belfast has undergone a cultural and architectural renaissance unrivaled in the rest of Europe. The influence of Britain is everywhere in this polished capital of Northern Ireland. Some of its most striking buildings exude Victorian flair and cosmopolitan elegance amid its famous Irish charm. Along the Golden Mile, high-end boutiques reminiscent of those found in Paris, and the opulent Grand Opera House stand as a hub of Belfast culture.
Optional Excursion Included:
Historic Belfast City
Wednesday, September 9 - THE HIGHLANDS (Ullapool), SCOTLAND
Ullapool enjoys one of the most remote settings in the United Kingdom on the pristine shores of Loch Broom. This tiny town, dotted with distinctive New Zealand cabbage trees, is the largest community for miles surrounding the stunningly scenic Western Isles, where dramatic mountain peaks pierce the sky and unspoiled wilderness. Ullapool's beauty lies in its tranquility. A launchpad for ferries to the stunning Western Isles, this former herring port village is also a popular gateway for walkers, adventurers, and nature lovers.
Optional Excursion Included:
Explore Picturesque Ullapool
Thursday, September 10 - ORKNEY ISLANDS (Kirkwall), SCOTLAND
The history of the Scottish Orkney Islands dates back millennia. Neolithic remains, including the ancient site of Brodgar, predate Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids. The 13th-century Norse Orkneyinga Saga described Vikings who ruled here. Later, the earls took over, and the French Renaissance palace that remains is a legacy to their grandeur. Another castle, Balfour, stands regally in a stark landscape. While the northern Europeans greatly influenced this hauntingly beautiful archipelago, consider the Italian Chapel, built by Italian prisoners' hands during wartime.
Optional Excursion Included:
Highlights of Historic Orkney
Friday, September 11 - EDINBURGH (New Haven Harbour), SCOTLAND
Edinburgh has been Scotland's capital since the 15th century, despite the Union of the Crowns relocating it to London in 1603. There is no capital quite like Edinburgh, with its gorgeous setting on green rocky hills and splendid views of the sea. Edinburgh Castle, home of the Scottish Crown Jewels and countless medieval treasures, overlooks the city from Castle Rock. The Royal Mile showcases Edinburgh's architectural gems in all their splendor, from the Canongate to St. Giles' Cathedral to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Scottish residence of the British royal family.
Optional Excursion Included:
Edinburgh Highlights
Saturday, September 12 - ABERDEEN, SCOTLAND
Scotland's third-largest city embraces a strong coastal culture. Torry Battery, a 19th-century artillery battery, offers one of the UK's best places to spot bottlenose dolphins. The region's maritime history is on full display at the quaint former fishing district of Footdee, where narrow lanes between stone cottages lead to a surfing hotspot - Aberdeen Beach. In the heart of the city, with its thriving culinary scene, artisanal producers are flourishing, two of Aberdeen's best-loved are Mackie's ice cream and Six North, one of Scotland's leading craft brewers.
Optional Excursion Included:
Aberdeen Highlights
Sunday, September 13 - SHETLAND ISLANDS (Lerwick), SCOTLAND
The Shetland Islands are characterized by cultural traditions and dramatic landscapes. An incredibly scenic land, this archipelago is one of Scotland's most remote island outposts. Lerwick is a gateway to some of the Shetland Islands' most beloved residents - the Shetland pony. These diminutive equines can grow up to 46 inches in height and are distinguished by their short, shiny coat in the summer, and thick double coat in the winter, with a long mane and tail. These delightful ponies can be seen grazing and roaming freely throughout the archipelago.
Optional Excursion Included:
Monday, September 14 - BERGEN, NORWAY
Bergen is home to the Hanseatic League's only kontor (trading enclave) still in existence. Bryggen wharf, a row of timbered Hanseatic warehouses along a quaint quay, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Narrow wooden walkways are flanked by parallel rows of small, vibrantly painted buildings overlooking the picturesque Vågen Harbor. This is perhaps the most charming district of Bergen and a delight to explore, from its tight-knit community of workshops where artisans sell their wares to its cafés where freshly prepared smørbrød, or open-faced sandwiches, are on the menu.
Optional Excursion Included:
Panoramic Bergen
Tuesday, September 15 - BERGEN, NORWAY
Bid farewell to your fellow guests and journey home. Or spend more time exploring, perhaps joining one of our extensions.
