Tour Duration: 12 days Tour Code: 90112012 Tour Type: Prices From: A$1698 [Tour Dates]
Tour Itinerary
Day
Description
1
LONDON-OXFORD-STRATFORD-UPON-AVON-COVENTRY. Meet your Tour Director and travelling companions and depart at 8 am for a memorable day of sightseeing: a photo opportunity at Hampton Court Palace; Runnymede, where King John sealed the Magna Carta; Oxford, where a walking tour takes in the colleges where Britain's elite receive their outstanding education; and through the lovely Cotswold Hills. At Shakespeare's Stratford-upon-Avon, take your pictures of Anne Hathaway's Cottage and explore the town at your own pace. Finally, at Coventry, whose centre had to be rebuilt after the devastation of World War II bombings, hear the tale of Lady Godiva and Peeping Tom. (D)
2
COVENTRY-YORK-NEWCASTLE. Leave the Midlands, passing the once-mighty Sherwood Forest, home of the legendary Robin Hood, and head north to York, England's most complete medieval city. Stand in front of the great structure of York Minster, then follow your Tour Director through a maze of quaint streets, including the narrow Shambles. Stop for the night in Newcastle, once an important centre for the wool trade and coal mining, now a vibrant modern city. (B,D)
3
NEWCASTLE-JEDBURGH, SCOTLAND-EDINBURGH. See a section of Hadrian's Wall, the Roman coast-to-coast defense against marauding northern tribes, then motor through wild Northumberland National Park to the Scottish border. Stop for photos at Jedburgh, with glimpses of the house of Mary, Queen of Scots, and then Melrose with its 12th-century abbey ruins and connections with Robert the Bruce. Afternoon arrival at Edinburgh. A suggestion for this evening: a traditional Scottish night out with Highland dancers, bagpipers, and of course, the Ceremony of the Haggis. (B)
4
EDINBURGH. A full day to enjoy the Scottish capital. Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide introduces you to the 200-year-old "New Town" and famous scientists, inventors, and novelists. In the "Old Town," drive up the narrow Royal Mile to Edinburgh Castle to admire Scotland's Crown Jewels. Afternoon at leisure. Later, a unique optional experience: board the former Royal Yacht Britannia, which for the Queen was once the perfect royal residence for glittering state visits and family holidays. Tour five decks and see how the Royal Family and crew of 240 lived and worked on board. Dinner rounds off this optional evening. For departure numbers 0731 through 0821, tickets are included for tonight's performance of the world-renowned Military Tattoo. (B)
5
EDINBURGH-GRETNA GREEN-LAKE DISTRICT, ENGLAND-CHESTER-WREXHAM, WALES. South through the history-steeped Lowland Hills and a visit to Gretna Green, where the blacksmith used to wed runaway couples. Drive through beautiful scenery in the Lake District, considered to be the finest of England's national parks. Visit Wordsworth's Grasmere, then follow the shores of Lake Windermere. In Chester, the historic county town on the River Dee, your walking tour takes in the Roman remains, black and white half-timbered buildings, and the two-tiered shopping arcades called the "Rows." (B,D)
6
WREXHAM-LLANGOLLEN-BETWS-Y-COED-DUBLIN, IRELAND. A scenic North Wales drive via Llangollen, home of an annual national competition for poets and musicians, and through the incomparable landscapes of Snowdonia National Park. Pause at lovely Betws-y-Coed before heading over spectacular Llanberis Pass and, finally, cross Britannia Bridge to the Isle of Anglesey. Take your photos at tongue-twisting Llanfair... and at Holyhead, board the ferry for the Irish Sea crossing to Dublin. (B)
7
DUBLIN. A day in the "Fair City" starts off with an orientation drive through Eire's capital and includes statue-lined O'Connell Street, elegant Georgian squares, and St. Patrick's Cathedral. The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy Dublin at leisure. Why not join an optional dinner evening at the Guinness Storehouse? (B)
8
DUBLIN-GALWAY-CLIFFS OF MOHER-ENNIS. Head for dairy farm country in the centre of the "Emerald Isle." In Galway, a vibrant city on the west coast with a great seafaring tradition, hear about the infamous Lynch Stone, commemorating the day Mayor James Lynch Fitzstephen hanged his son for murder. Cross the limestone plateau of The Burren to visit the spectacular 204-metre (668-foot) Cliffs of Moher before heading for Ennis, count town of Clare. Tonight's optional opportunity: a traditional Irish evening in the setting of a village barn with dinner, wine, and entertainment. (B)
9
ENNIS-ADARE-RING OF KERRY-KILLARNEY. Stop for photos in Adare, a village known for its prize-winning thatched cottages and monastic ruins. In County Kerry, join the road known as the "Ring of Kerry" for a 31-kilometre (100-mile) coastal panoramic drive. Focus your camera on sparkling seascapes, mountains dotted with brightly coloured farmhouses, winding lanes bordered with subtropical vegetation, and views of the Lakes of Killarney from Ladies View. Later, in Killarney, discover why this is such a popular resort. (B,D)
10
KILLARNEY-BLARNEY-TRAMORE. Across the Kerry Mountains and through County Cork to Blarney, famous for its magical Stone of Eloquence. Time to see the castle and shop for Irish crafts and handmade crystal. After lunch, drive past Cork, the country's second-largest city, and via Dungarvan to Tramore. Tonight, maybe an optional pub tour before dinner at your hotel. (B,D)
11
TRAMORE-CARDIFF, WALES. An early start for the short drive to the ferry port at Rosslare. In just under four hours you cross St. George's Channel to South Wales. Continue through rich dairy farmland to Cardiff, where an orientation drive introduces you to the capital's major attractions: Cardiff Castle, Cathays Park, Millennium Stadium, and the stately civic buildings. Tonight's optional excursion is to Cardiff Castle for an evening of Welsh entertainment and dinner. (B)
12
CARDIFF-BATH, ENGLAND-STONEHENGE-LONDON. A day packed with highlights begins as you cross the spectacular Severn Bridge into England. Stop in the elegant Georgian city of Bath, famous for its Roman relics, before passing Stonehenge, still an intriguing mystery. Return to London around 3 pm, where your holiday ends. (B)
SIGHTSEEING: Visits to Hampton Court Palace Gardens, Shakespeare's Stratford-upon-Avon, Coventry, Hadrian's Wall, Jedburgh, Edinburgh Castle, tickets for Edinburgh Military Tattoo (departure numbers 0731 through 0821), Gretna Green, Grasmere, Llangollen, Betws-y-Coed, Llanfair, Galway, Cliffs of Moher, Adare, Killarney, Blarney, Bath; orientation drives in Dublin, Cardiff; walking tours in Oxford, York, Chester
SCENIC HIGHLIGHTS: Cotswold Hills, Northumberland National Park, Scottish Lowlands, Lake District National Park, North Wales and Snowdonia National Park, The Burren, Ring of Kerry and Lakes of Killarney, Stonehenge and Salisbury Plain
GUIDES: Local Guide for city sightseeing in Edinburgh; Host service in London. Professional Tour Director while touring
TRANSPORTATION: Private first-class air-conditioned motorcoach. Round-trip Irish Sea crossings by day ferry
HOTELS: Rooms with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, porterage, tips, and service charges
MEALS: Full English breakfast (B); 5 three-course dinners (D) with choice of menus
OPTIONALS: Choice of optional excursions available at reasonable prices to customise your own experience
Meals Breakfast - 11 Lunch - 0 Dinner - 5
Optional Excursions
To help plan your leisure time, as well as your pre-tour budgeting, here is a list of optional excursions that may be offered on this tour.
Availability is subject to sufficient participation, weather conditions, seasonal suitability, group interests, and general feasibility for your tour. Please note prices may be based on the previous year and are subject to change. Full terms and conditions are contained in the important travel documents.
Cost
Description
29
GBP
Name:MORNING CITY SIGHTSEEING DAILY Location:LONDON Details:A comprehensive tour in the company of a local guide including St. Paul's Cathedral and the Changing of the Guard (if held). Note: Groups cannot visit St.Paul's on Sundays. Reduced traffic permits more sightseeing and a lower price (GBP25) applies.
39
GBP
Name:TOWER OF LONDON AND CROWN JEWELS AFTERNOONS DAILY Location:LONDON Details:Let your guide bring the 900-year-old Tower Of London to life before you inspect the fabulous Crown Jewels. Afternoons daily.
39
GBP
Name:AFTERNOON EXCURSION TO WINDSOR CASTLE DAILY Location:LONDON Details:Enjoy your guided visit to the Queen's favourite residence, the largest inhabited castle in the world. The highlight is the newly refurbished state rooms.
49
GBP
Name:BUCKINGHAM PALACE AND THE ROYAL MEWS AFTERNOONS DAILY JULY 31 TO SEPTEMBER 30 Location:LONDON Details:First a guided visit to the Royal Mews to see the magnificent gold coach, then admire over 20 grand rooms in the palace used by the Queen for state occasions.
59
GBP
Name:A TASTE OF LONDON DAILY APRIL TO OCTOBER Location:LONDON Details:Ideal for your arrival day, this guided evening excursion includes a 3-course dinner with wine and beer at a contemporary London restaurant, followed by a narrated illumination cruise on the River Thames.
140
GBP
Name:SHOWNIGHT - WICKED (FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS) Location:LONDON Details:A marvellous evening in London's theatre district starts with a gourmet dinner at The Bank restaurant in Wesminster followed by best seats at The Apollo Victoria Theatre to see the sensational London production of Wicked.
140
GBP
Name:SHOWNIGHT - BILLY ELLIOT (FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS) Location:LONDON Details:A marvellous evening in London's theatre district starts with a gourmet dinner at The Bank restaurant in Westminster followed by best seats at the Victoria Palace Theatre to see the original London staging of the inspirational musical Billy Elliot.
54
GBP
Name:ROYAL YACHT BRITANNIA AND DINNER Location:EDINBURGH Details:A visit on board the Royal Yacht Britannia, now moored at Leith docks, is followed by dinner with wine and coffee at a local restaurant.
59
GBP
Name:SCOTTISH EVENING MAY 1 - OCTOBER 14 Location:EDINBURGH Details:No visit to Scotland's capital city would be complete without joining a Scottish evening with dinner, wine and a show featuring singers, dancers, bagpipers and the Ceremony of the Haggis.
56
GBP
Name:GUINNESS STOREHOUSE AND SUPPER Location:DUBLIN Details:A unique Dublin experience: a visit to the famous Guinness Storehouse with supper included.
64
GBP
Name:TRADITIONAL IRISH NIGHT APRIL 15 TO OCTOBER 31 Location:ENNIS Details:Enjoy the company of local singers, dancers and musicians and experience the homeliness, friendship and warmth of a true traditional Irish evening. Dine on home cooked food with wine while enjoying lively entertainment.
28
GBP
Name:PUB EVENING Location:TRAMORE Details:For local Irish flavour, take a scenic drive to a traditional inn to meet the locals over two drinks of your choice.
59
GBP
Name:WELSH EVENING Location:CARDIFF Details:Dinner with wine and entertainment are included in this uniquely Welsh evening.
Optional Excursions
