We got up, had a good breakfast, and took our coach back in to the city centre. We met our guide, Mark, at the Natural History Museum, a stunning Gothic Victorian building. We drove past Harrods and passed by Hyde Park. We drove around the famous landmark of Piccadilly Circus and in to Trafalgar Square. We then drove to St. Paul’s Cathedral and had a photo opportunity. We crossed over the River Thames and had views of Tower Bridge and the Tower Of London. We then drove down to Westminster Bridge and saw The Houses Of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. We left our coach and went to Buckingham Palace, just catching the tail end of the Changing of the Guard. We then walked to Trafalgar Square again before going for high tea at Brigit’s Bakery. After a delightful tea, we explored Covent Garden and bought some last minute souvenirs. We rode a red double decker bus to St. Paul’s cathedral and had time to cross over the Thames, on The Wibbley Wobbley Bridge. We had dinner before heading back to our hotel. Tomorrow we’re homeward bound!

We were up and had a good breakfast before heading in to central Edinburgh to catch our train to London from Waverley Station. We went along the Northumbrian coastline and passed Durham Cathedral. We viewed York Minster en route to the English capital. Once in London, we drove to our hotel, dropped off our luggage & then rode the tube to get our dinner. We walked through Parliament Square, passing Westminster Abbey on our way to dine. We had a fish and chip supper with peas. A special guest joined us at dinner – Caroline’s sister Caitlin, who studies in London! After dinner, we walked to Buckingham Palace, resplendent in the evening light. We then walked down The Mall and in to Trafalgar Square. We walked across the River Thames before taking a train back to our hotel. We are excited to explore London more tomorrow!

We had a good night’s rest and had breakfast before heading back in to the centre of Edinburgh. It was a brilliantly sunny morning. We picked up our guide, Ross, dressed in his kilt. He showed us around the New Town, with its elegant Georgian architecture. We then went to the Royal palace of Holyrood, sitting under Arthur’s Seat. We travelled along the Royal Mile and visited Greyfriar’s cemetery, with links to J.K. Rowling & Harry Potter! We then went up to the Esplanade and went to tour the impressive castle, sitting on it’s volcanic pinnacle. After our visit, we went back to The Royal Mile to go in search of some lunch. We then explored the Royal Mile before heading to dinner and back to the hotel for some relaxation. Off to London tomorrow!

We were up very early and grabbed some breakfast, before heading to Belfast port, to catch our boat across the Irish Sea to Bonnie Scotland! We bid farewell to our shuttle driver Daithi, who transported us during our time in Ireland. We entertained ourselves in the ferry’s game room and with an exciting card game. The crossing was not too rocky and we arrived on time. We went to find our new coach and were soon on the road for the Scottish capital, Edinburgh. We drove through Glasgow, the third largest city in the UK. Once in Edinburgh, we went for some lunch before walking along Prince’s Street and climbing up Carlton Hill, with breathtaking views of the city and The Firth Of Forth. We then walked back in to the city and went in to The Old Town. We walked along the Royal Mile before getting dinner in Edinburgh. We had a special guest at dinner – Amina F., class of ‘17, who is currently studying at the University of Edinburgh. After a great dinner, we returned to the hotel for some relaxation. We’re excited to see more of Edinburgh tomorrow, especially Edinburgh Castle!

We had our breakfast and then headed to Derry. We met our guide, Ruairi, outside the impressive Guildhall building and he showed us around his city. We walked around the ramparts of the ancient walled city. Our guide told us of the varied history of Derry. We had lunch in a restaurant, sitting right on the banks of the River Foyle before we headed up the coast and headed for our visit to The Giant’s Causeway. Everyone enjoyed adventuring around Giant’s Causeway. We finished the day with dinner at our hotel. Up and out early tomorrow for our ferry ride to Scotland!

We were up early, had our breakfast, loaded our luggage on to our coach and headed for Belfast, Northern Ireland. We passed over the border, without hardly noticing that we had. We were soon in the city centre and had time to visit the impressive grandeur of the city hall before meeting our local guide, Dee. We then went to The Falls Road area and The Shankill Road, with it’s many painted murals depicting the struggles for peace. We were able to write a message on the Peace Wall. We went back in to the city and visited the Titanic Quarter, where the ill fated ship was built and launched. We headed up to Queen’s University, founded in 1845. We stopped close to the Ulster Museum and went for some lunch before looking around the museum and the Botanical Gardens. We then drove back in to the centre of the city. We had some time to look around the shops before heading to our hotel. Tomorrow we are visiting Derry and then The Giant’s Causeway.

After a full night of sleep, we met our local guide, Gerry, and he took us in to Phoenix Park, where we saw The President’s and the American Ambassador’s official residences. We saw the Papal Cross, which was erected in 1979 for the former Pope’s visit. The present Pope visited in August of last year. We then went to St Patrick’s Cathedral. From there, we drove back over the river and saw the sculptures dedicated to those who died in the Great Famine. We then went along O’Connell Street before our visit to The Long Gallery and The Book of Kells, at Trinity College. We had time to grab some lunch, before we visited St Patrick’s Cathedral again to explore more. After our visit to St Patrick’s Cathedral, we walked to Dublin castle. We walked back in to the centre and went for some free time in St Stephen’s Green, before going for our dinner at Hairy Lemon. Tomorrow, we head north to Belfast.

**Drafted 3/18 but couldn’t upload until 3/19** We made it to Dublin! Our flight went smoothly and we were able to rest. We met our guide at the Dublin airport then went into the center of Dublin for a guided walk. The city was comparatively quiet, after a busy weekend of celebrating St Patrick’s Day. We walked on the south side of the river Liffey and passed by the statue of Molly Malone. We then went in to Temple Bar, before crossing over The Ha’Penny Bridge, and along the broad walk, to O’Connell street, once the most elegant street in Europe. We passed by the General Post Office, where the Independent Irish State was declared. We then walked to The Garden of Remembrance, a tribute to those who gave their lives for Irish independence. We then had time to explore Henry Street before heading to the National Irish Museum. We then had some time in Grafton Street. After a lot of walking and taking in the city, we were able to rest our feet at a fun dinner, complete with a delicious dessert pictured below. While everyone’s pretty tired, day 1 in Dublin was a success!

We’ve made it to our gate in Boston airport and are waiting to board our overnight flight to Dublin. The students did an awesome job checking in and going through airport security. They had lots of time to eat and relax (and braid hair!) at the gate.