Britain and Ireland Highlights
ESCORTED - 10 days London/London from $2025 land only
YOUR TRAVEL VALUE INCLUDES:
Airport transfers in London
Twin-bedded rooms in hotels listed or similar; hotel taxes, service charges and tips for baggage handling
1 continental breakfast (CB); 8 breakfasts (cold buffet in London) (B); and 3 three-course dinners (D) including a Farewell Dinner with wine in Cardiff
Services of a professional Tour Director
Private luxury motorcoach with air - conditioning, reclining seats and emergency washroom
Sightseeing with local guides: Edinburgh, Belfast, Dublin
Inside visits and special features as shown in the tour description, including admission charges where applicable
Portfolio of travel documents
GROUP AIRPORT TRANSFERS:
ARRIVAL transfers in London Heathrow 6 a.m.-9 p.m. or London Gatwick 6 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
RETURN transfers in London Heathrow for flights departing 8 a.m.-11 p.m. or London Gatwick 9 a.m.-11 p.m.
HOTELS:
LONDON - Hilton Olympia (F)
YORK - Holiday Inn York (F)
GLASGOW - Radisson SAS (SF)
DUBLIN - Trinity Capital (F) or Academy Plaza (F)
WATERFORD - The Belfry (F)
CARDIFF - Park Inn City Centre (SF)
LONDON - Hilton Olympia (F)
Day 1 BOARD YOUR OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT.
Day 2 ARRIVE IN LONDON, ENGLAND. at London
Clear customs and proceed to the Transfer Desk in the arrivals area to board the shuttle to your hotel. At 6 p.m. join your Tour Director and fellow travelers for a Welcome Cocktail and tour briefing.
Day 3 LONDON / STRATFORD / YORK. at York
Meet your Tour Director this morning and head out through the Oxfordshire countryside to Stratford-upon-Avon. See Anne Hathaway's thatched cottage at Shottery and then visit Shakespeare’s birthplace in Stratford. This afternoon, continue to York for a walking tour through the historic streets to the cobbled “Shambles,” around the city walls and to the magnificent Minster. This evening meet for a Welcome Drink before a delicious dinner with your Tour Director and traveling companions. (CB,D)
Day 4 YORK / LAKE DISTRICT / GLASGOW. at Glasgow
Drive through Yorkshire Dales National Park to the beautiful Lake District and along the shores of Lake Windermere. Continue north, crossing the border into Bonnie Scotland. Travel through the Southern Uplands to Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city and formerly a
center of the shipbuilding industry. An orientation tour highlights George Square, the Cathedral and the River Clyde. (B)
Day 5 EDINBURGH EXCURSION. at Glasgow
Pay a visit to Edinburgh, Scotland's capital city. A guided sightseeing tour features Princes Street, the Royal Mile, Holyrood House and the new Scottish Parliament. After a visit to Edinburgh's imposing Castle, there is some time free. Later, return to Glasgow. This evening enjoy traditional hospitality in a local restaurant. (B,D)
Day 6 GLASGOW / BELFAST / DUBLIN. at Dublin
Depart early and drive past Robert Burns' cottage and his monument at Alloway. Continue along the rugged Ayrshire coast, watching for seals and wild birds, past Turnberry with its championship golf course. Arrive in Stranraer to board the ferry to Belfast in Northern Ireland. Cruise past the isle of Ailsa Craig, the “stepping stone” between Ireland and Scotland. Arriving in Belfast, a sightseeing tour with a local guide highlights the City Hall, Queen's University and the shipyard where the Titanic was built. Then journey south, crossing the River Boyne at Drogheda and on to Dublin. (B)
Day 7 DUBLIN. at Dublin
A local expert leads a tour of Ireland’s capital. See Trinity College, the Bank of Ireland, formerly Ireland's House of Parliament, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Phoenix Park and the Georgian Squares. The rest of the day is free to continue exploring on your own, shop along Grafton Street or relax in a café. This evening, why not join an optional outing to a festive Irish cabaret? (B)
Day 8 DUBLIN / KILDARE / WATERFORD. at Waterford
Your first stop today is at the Irish National Stud Farm outside of Kildare. A guided walking tour takes you through the grounds. See world-class stallions and the beautiful Japanese gardens. Then travel along country roads through the “Boreens” to medieval Kilkenny. Take photos of its ancient castle before continuing to Waterford and the Waterford Crystal Factory. See how the exquisite crystal objects are created, and take the opportunity to shop for a treasure of your own. (B)
Day 9 WATERFORD / CARDIFF. at Cardiff
Start early this morning, driving to Rosslare Harbour to board the ferry to Pembroke in South Wales. Travel along the coast to the Welsh capital, Cardiff. View the historic castle and Millennium Stadium – Cardiff Arms Park. Tonight, celebrate a wonderful tour of Britain and Ireland at a Farewell Dinner with newfound friends. (B,D)
Day 10 CARDIFF / BATH / STONEHENGE / LONDON. at London
Cross the Severn Bridge into England and head to the elegant city of Bath. An orientation tour features the graceful terraces and a visit to the intriguing Roman Baths. Then on to the mysterious monolithic stone circle at Stonehenge – a UNESCO World Heritage site. In Salisbury, view the impressive Cathedral, the tallest in Britain, then return to London, where your evening is free. (B)
Day 11 DEPART LONDON. at London
Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B)
