British & Irish Grandeur

Day 1: London Arrival & Tour

Arrive at Heathrow Airport, London! Take an independent transfer to your hotel, which is located near the Tate Modern and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. At 2:30 pm embark upon a panoramic tour of central London to see famous landmarks including Piccadilly Circus, Nelson’s Column and lions of Trafalgar Square, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament and the wonderful Hyde Park. That evening meet your tour director and fellow travellers over a welcome drink before enjoying dinner at your hotel. (D)

Day 2: London Bus Tour

After Breakfast explore London at your own pace on your open top London Bus tour. The day is yours to do with what you will – you may choose to sightsee, shop, dine, see a West End show or visit the world famous Tower of London. (B)

Day 3: Cambridge & York Walking Tour

A visit to Cambridge to see some of the famous university colleges, including King’s College and the Mathematical Bridge over the River Cam, before heading north to York for a walking tour on the city to appreciate narrow streets and medieval houses, which contain centuries of history, including the stately York Minster, with towers and stained glass, and a definite highlight of the walk. Later that day, check in to your hotel, located within a quiet area and within walking distance of the centre of York. (B, D)

Day 4: Abbotsford House & Cabaret

Passing Heddon-on-the-Wall to view a portion of Hadrian’s Wall and travelling through the scenic Northumberland National Park to cross into Scotland at Carter Bar. Stop in Jedburgh, a charming Borders town and once in Melrose, visit Abbotsford House, Sir Walter Scott’s home where he wrote most of his novels until his death in 1832. View the impressive collection of memorabilia and marvel at the library which contains over 9,000 rare volumes. Drive on to Edinburgh to experience lively Scottish entertainment as you dine at a traditional cabaret. (B, D)

Day 5: Edinburgh Castle & Guided City Tour

Upon this city tour, discover Edinburgh’s highlights and see the elegant Georgian “New Town” with spacious streets and a compact medieval city along the Royal Mile. Tour Edinburgh’s famous Edinburgh Castle to see the Crown Jewels of Scotland and the Stone of Destiny, and enjoy splendid views of central Edinburgh. The rest of the day is free for independent activities. Please note that on August 05 to 19 departures, experience the colourful Edinburgh Military Tattoo. (B)

Day 6: Giant’s Causeway & Derry

The morning will be an early start as you drive to Cairnryan for a short ferry ride to Larne in Northern Ireland. Travel along the “Nine Glens of Antrim” to take in views of mountains, valleys and coastline. Visit the legendary Giant’s Causeway, a structure of hexagonal columns formed by volcanic activity over 60 million years ago that have spawned legends about the mythical giant, Finn McCool. Upon leaving the Giant Causeway continue to Derry for your overnight stay. (B, D)

Day 7: Ulster Folk Park & Dublin

Start this morning by joining a local guide for a short walking tour around Derry, surrounded by medieval city walls. Later visit the Ulster American Folk Park near Omagh, which traces the story of Ulster emigrants and shows rural lifestyles in both Ireland and America in Colonial times, to see many cottages and traditional crafts. Upon leaving the park travel south to Dublin and enjoy a free evening to spend how you wish. (B)

Day 8: Book of Kells & Irish Evening

During the morning take a tour of central Dublin, and enjoy the spacious Georgian squares and streets, landmark public buildings and graceful townhouses, visiting Trinity College to explore the campus and view the famous Book of Kells that resides in the Old Library. The afternoon is yours, free for independent sightseeing or shopping. Later that day enjoy dinner at a traditional Irish pub followed by an upbeat show with Irish music and dance. (B, D)

Day 9: Rock of Cashel & Killarney

In the morning depart Dublin and drive south through pleasant farming country. Visit the Rock of Cashel, where Brian Boru was crowned King of Munster in 977 and see the 12th century highly-decorated Cormac’s Chapel, the large cruciform cathedral and a round tower. Travel on to the famous town of Killarney and check in to your centrally-located hotel with state-of-the-art pool and spa facilities. (B, D)

Day 10: Ring of Kerry & Skellig Experience

Wake this morning and embark on the Ring of Kerry tour for constantly changing vistas of mountains, open Atlantic Ocean, beaches and cliffs. Remember your cameras as there will be plenty of stops to admire the beautiful scenery. Visit the Skellig Experience to learn about early Christian monks who lived on the rocky offshore islands and about the prolific bird life that resides on the islands today. En route back to Kilarney, stop at Moll’s Gap to marvel at the panoramic views. (B, D)

Day 11: Blarney Castle & Waterford Crystal

This morning, visit the famous Blarney Castle to kiss the “Stone of Eloquence”, which as legend has it will give you the “gift of the gab”. Upon leaving Blarney Castle, travel through the outskirts of Cork city and along the south coast to the city of Waterford to the Waterford Crystal Visitor Centre to see how glass is blown and cut by master craftspeople and view the collection of amazing trophies. (B, D)

Day 12: Ferry & Cardiff

Early this morning depart Waterford to catch the ferry from Rosslare to South Wales. On arriving in South Wales, journey through the pleasant South Wales farmlands where coal used to be mined. Later that afternoon, stop in Cardiff for a look around the city centre before heading to Cardiff castle to enjoy a traditional Welsh Banquet. (B, D)

Day 13: Roman Baths & Stonehenge

This morning travel to Bath, popular for its natural hot springs with the Romans 2,000 years ago and again in fashion in the 18th century Regency period. Explore the Roman Baths and Pump Room, which have been wonderfully preserved after two millennia before driving around the stately mansions of the Royal Crescent and Queen’s Square. That afternoon drive on to Salisbury Plain to view the prehistoric circle of vast monoliths at Stonehenge before continuing into London, to check in to your hotel. (B)

Day 14: Depart for Home

On departure day, travel to Heathrow Airport by group coach transfer. Allow plenty of time for check in formalities. Transfers to and from Gatwick Airport can be arranged at an additional cost. (B)

2013 British & Irish Grandeur - 14 Days/13 Nights

What's Included

• Group transfers on arrival and departure from Heathrow Airport
• Sightseeing by luxury coach throughout
• Round trip ferry transportation between Britain & Ireland
• Services of a professional tour director
• Deluxe and superior fi rst class hotels with private bath/shower for 13 nights
• 13 full breakfasts (B)
• 9 dinners (D) including:
• - Welcome dinner in London
• - Scottish cabaret and dinner in Edinburgh
• - Dinner and Irish entertainment at a traditional Dublin pub
• - Welsh Banquet at Cardiff castle
• - 5 table d’ hôte dinners
• Welcome get-together drink
• London open top Bus
• Sightseeing tours of London, Edinburgh and Dublin
• Walking tours of York and Derry
• Reserved seats for Edinburgh Military
• Tattoo on August 05 to 19 departures
• Visits and admissions to Tower of London, York Minster, Abbotsford House, Edinburgh Castle, Giant’s Causeway, Ulster American Folk Park, Book of Kells at Trinity College, Rock of Cashel, Skellig Experience, Blarney Castle, Waterford Crystal Visitor Centre, Roman Baths & Pump Room and Stonehenge.
• Deluxe flight bag, ticket wallet, luggage tags & strap
• All local taxes, hotel service charges & porterage for one suitcase per person.

YOUR HOTELS

Stay at the following (or similar):

• Park Plaza Country hall, London (2 nights)
• Marriott Hotel, York (1 night)
• Holyrood Hotel, Edinburgh (2 nights)
• Everglades Hotel, Derry (1 night)
• Royal Marine Hotel, Dublin (2 nights)
• Killarney Plaza Hotel, Killarney(2 nights)
• Granville Hotel, Waterford (1 night)
• The Parc Hotel, Cardiff (1 night)
• Park Plaza Country hall, London (1 night)

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