Day 22: Trip home

We are now back home and the past 3 weeks flew by. We got to mark a lot of things off our bucket list with this trip. We loved everywhere we visited and it would be very hard to choose a favorite city. I can say I see a land trip to Scotland in our future and Stacy fell in love with Paris, another city we hope to one day spend more time in as 2 nights with one full day was not nearly enough. We had some very memorable days and hope everyone enjoyed following along. We will always cherish our time with Drew and hope she had as much fun as we did.


For anyone interested in the companies and hotels we used here they are:

Edinburgh apartment hotel (we had penthouse): http://www.princesstreetsuites.co.uk/

Edinburgh International Book Festival: http://www.edbookfest.co.uk/

The Real Mary Kings Close: http://www.realmarykingsclose.com/

Edinburgh Castle (pre-purchase tickets): http://www.edinburghcastle.gov.uk/

Edinburgh Military Tattoo (advance tickets a must): http://www.edintattoo.co.uk/

Edinburgh Festival Fringe: http://www.edfringe.com/

Restaurants: http://www.thecellardooredinburgh.com/
http://www.vittoriarestaurant.com/onthebridge/menus.php

Website for anything you ever wanted to know about Europe train travel: http://www.seat61.com/London-Paris-train.htm

Paris Hotel Mathis Elysees: http://www.paris-inn.com/uk-hotel-paris-mathis-elysees-description-4.html

Eiffel Tower: http://www.tour-eiffel.fr/teiffel/uk/index.html

Notre Dame: http://www.notredamedeparis.fr/-English-

Paris walking tour (highly recommend): http://discoverwalks.com/

Paris Bookstore: http://www.shakespeareandcompany.com/

Seine cruise (there are 2 companies, we used this one): http://www.vedettesdupontneuf.com/index.htm

Louvre: http://www.louvre.fr/llv/commun/home.jsp?bmLocale=en

London: The Ruben’s at the Palace Hotel: http://www.redcarnationhotels.com/uk-ru

Night sightseeing bus: http://www.london-by-night.net/index.html

The Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London (early pre-booking a must): http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/WhatsOn/ceremonyofthekeys.aspx?EventDate=&Step=View

London Eye: http://www.londoneye.com/

Buckingham Palace Tour: http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/default.asp?action=article&ID=30

Changing of the Guard: http://www.army.mod.uk/events/ceremonial/1068.aspx

Wicked: http://www.army.mod.uk/events/ceremonial/1068.aspx

International Friends for transport & guide to Salisbury and Stonehenge 14 people and 49 pax from hotel to ship: http://www.internationalfriends.co.uk/groups.html

Stonehenge Special Access: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/stonehenge/explore/stone-circle-access/

Salisbury Cathedral: http://www.salisburycathedral.org.uk/visitor.php

Dublin Bus Company I used for 51 pax tour with guide (excellent): http://www.dualway.com/

Trinity College walking tour by special arrangement outside of normal hours includes entrance to Book of Kells: http://www.tcd.ie/Library/old-library/tour-attractions/

Arranged a group timed visit to Killmainham Goal: http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/Dublin/KilmainhamGaol/

Liverpool Beatles Guide and tour for 14 people with Jackie (excellent): http://www.beatleguides.com/

Belfast taxi tour for 4: http://belfastblackcabtours.co.uk/

Greenock tour arranged through Gordon with Jim (excellent guide with bagpipes) for 24 pax: http://www.greatscot-tours.com/cruise.html

Invergordon tour with Alastair (excellent) for 14 pax: http://www.clansandcastles.com/index.htm

South Queensferry (EDI) tour with Gordon (excellent) for 21 pax: http://www.greatscot-tours.com/cruise.html

Normandy D-Day tour for 16 pax: http://www.overlordtour.com/

Cruise was on the Crown Princess: http://www.princess.com/