We leave Belfast and drive south, by-passing Dundalk, Drogheda and Dublin to the ferry port of Dun Laoghaire, where we catch the late morning HSS to Holyhead. From here we drive directly to our overnight hotel in the English Midlands.

We continue south after breakfast, with a mid-morning break in Cheltenham and a lunch stop in Salisbury before joining the ferry at Lymington for the short trip to the Isle of Wight.

A ten mile trip across the island brings us to our hotel in Shanklin, on the south-east coast in mid-afternoon, where a complimentary welcome drink awaits you.

A full day free to relax and explore Shanklin, one of the prettiest towns on the island.

Our first stop today is in Cowes, location for the world famous regatta. We then continue to Osbourne House, one of the most visited historic houses in Britain (Queen Victoria’s holiday home, designed by her beloved Prince Albert in the style of an Italian Villa).

We explore the south of the island today travelling along the coast and looking out at one of Britain’s most famous views, the Needles.

We leave the island this morning and drive back north, passing through another area of outstanding beauty and olde English villages, the Cotswolds. Our final hotel is again in the Midlands.

The last leg of our journey today takes us through north Wales to Holyhead, where we catch the afternoon HSS to Dun Laoghaire. We are expected at the Europa Buscentre around 9.00pm.