Tour Duration: 7 days Tour Code: 90412012 Tour Type: Prices From: A$1055 [Tour Dates]
Tour Itinerary
Day
Description
1
LONDON-STONEHENGE-SALISBURY-BATH-BRISTOL. Meet your Tour Director and travelling companions and depart at 8 am for a memorable day of sightseeing: Stonehenge, one of England's most intriguing mysteries; Salisbury with its vast cathedral, the ultimate in Early English Gothic architecture; and the elegant Georgian city of Bath, famous for its Roman relics. Overnight in Bristol, from where John Cabot sailed in 1497 to discover America. (D)
2
BRISTOL-CARDIFF, WALES-TRAMORE, IRELAND. Cross the River Severn to the Welsh capital. An orientation drive here introduces you to the major attractions: Cardiff Castle, Cathays Park, Millennium Stadium, and the stately civic buildings. Vistas of rich dairy farmland on the way to the departure point for the ferry across St. George's Channel to Ireland, arriving at Rosslare in just under four hours. Overnight is in the seaside resort of Tramore. (B,D)
3
TRAMORE-BLARNEY-KILLARNEY. Discover why Ireland is called the "Emerald Isle." Dungarvan, Youghal, and Cork, the country's second-largest city, are milestones on the way to Blarney, renowned for its Stone of Eloquence. Time at your leisure to see the castle and shop for Irish crafts and handmade crystal. After lunch, head through the Cork and Kerry mountains for the resort town of Killarney. (B,D)
4
KILLARNEY-RING OF KERRY-ADARE-ENNIS. This morning, take a 160 kilometres (100-mile) coastal panoramic drive known as the "Ring of Kerry" - sparkling seascapes, mountains dotted with brightly coloured farmhouses, winding lanes bordered with subtropical vegetation, and spectacular views of the Lakes of Killarney from Ladies View. Drive via Adare, a village well known throughout Ireland for its prizewinning thatched cottages, to Limerick. Tonight, an optional banquet at Knappogue Castle is recommended. (B)
5
ENNIS-LIMERICK-DUBLIN. Start the day with an orientation drive of Limerick that features King John's Castle and the Treaty Stone of 1691. Head east for the Irish capital via County Kildare and horse-racing country. Your afternoon in the "Fair City" starts off with an orientation drive along statue-lined O'Connell Street. Then, admire elegant Georgian squares and St. Patrick's Cathedral. Top the day with an optional dinner outing to the Guinness Storehouse. (B)
6
DUBLIN-LLANGOLLEN, WALES-WREXHAM. Across the Irish Sea to Holyhead on the Welsh Isle of Anglesey with its tongue-twisting place names. Enjoy the best of North Wales on a scenic drive through Snowdonia National Park, including spectacular Llanberis Pass, then on to Llangollen, home of an annual national competition for poets and musicians, before arriving in Wrexham. This evening, why not join an optional excursion by barge along the Llangollen Canal? (B,D)
7
WREXHAM-IRONBRIDGE, ENGLAND-STRATFORD-UPON-AVON-LONDON. First stop this morning at Ironbridge, "Cradle of the Industrial Revolution." More scenic highlights on the last leg of your journey. In Shakespeare's Stratford-upon- Avon, take your pictures of Anne Hathaway's Cottage and explore the town at your own pace. Return to London around 4 pm, where your holiday ends. (B)
SIGHTSEEING: Visits to Salisbury, Bath, Tramore, Blarney, Killarney, Adare, Llangollen, Shakespeare's Stratford-upon-Avon; orientation drives in Cardiff, Limerick, Dublin
SCENIC HIGHLIGHTS: Stonehenge and Salisbury Plain, Ring of Kerry and Lakes of Killarney, Snowdonia, Ironbridge
GUIDES: 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); 4 three-course dinners (D) with choice of menus
OPTIONALS: Choice of optional excursions available at reasonable prices to customise your own experience
Meals Breakfast - 6 Lunch - 0 Dinner - 4
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.
11
GBP
Name:JAUNTING CAR RIDE Location:KILLARNEY Details:Unique to Killarney, a fun outing is to take a ride in a horse drawn jaunting car through the National Park to ancient Ross Castle.
28
GBP
Name:PUB EVENING Location:KILLARNEY Details:For local Irish flavour, take a scenic drive to a traditional inn to meet the locals over two drinks of your choice.
64
GBP
Name:KNAPPOGUE CASTLE BANQUET APRIL 15 TO OCTOBER 31 Location:ENNIS Details:At Knappogue Castle the costumed butler and ladies of the castle welcome you with a glass of mead before a four course dinner, including wine. Then embark on a musical medieval journey and an unforgettable evening.
56
GBP
Name:GUINNESS STOREHOUSE AND SUPPER Location:DUBLIN Details:A unique Dublin experience: a visit to the famous Guinness Storehouse with supper included.
26
GBP
Name:LLANGOLLEN CANAL BARGE RIDE APRIL 1 TO OCTOBER 31 Location:WREXHAM Details:An unusual outing which takes you by barge along the Llangollen Canal, crossing over a spectacular aqueduct, before disembarking for a drink of your choice at a local inn.