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14 Days From the Shannon to the Thames Tour Package
Duration: 14 Days / 13 Nights
Priced From: $2,479 pp Dbl. Occ.
Dates: Jun - Sep
This wonderful 14-day journey combines scenic highlights of Ireland, North Wales, England, and Scotland into our most comprehensive British Isles vacation, with three 2-night stays. Start in Ireland with the scenic Ring of Kerry, Killarney, Blarney, the world-famous Waterford Crystal factory, and the Irish capital of Dublin. Cross the Irish Sea to Holyhead, and through North Wales to England’s historic town of Chester. In the Lake District, enjoy a relaxing cruise; while in Scotland, visit Edinburgh’s castle, Holyrood Palace, and the Duke of Roxburghe’s home of Floors Castle. Back in England, experience the unique attractions of medieval York, Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon, and Roman Bath. Your vacation ends with two nights in London and included city sightseeing with a Local Guide.
Itinerary
Day 1
Board your overnight transatlantic flight.
Day 2 Arrival in Shannon, Ireland. To Limerick
After checking into your hotel, free time to relax and perhaps enjoy the hotel’s leisure amenities or explore the city. At 5 p.m. depart for Bunratty Castle for a special welcome banquet in the company of your Tour Director and traveling companions, with dinner, wine, and entertainment included. (D)
Day 3 Limerick–Ring of Kerry–Killarney
A day full of splendid scenery, heading south for a stop for photos of the pretty thatched cottages in quaint Adare. At Killorglin on Dingle Bay, the setting for Ryan’s Daughter, join the famed “Ring of Kerry” for a 100-mile panoramic drive around the island’s southwestern tip. Plenty on which to focus a camera here: sparkling seascapes, mountains dotted with brightly colored farmhouses, winding lanes bordered with subtropical vegetation, and spectacular views of the Lakes of Killarney from Ladies View. (FB,D)
Day 4 Killarney–Waterford
Across the Kerry Mountains for a visit to Blarney, renowned for its castle and magical Stone of Eloquence. Time for lunch, to walk up to the castle, and to shop for traditional Irish handicrafts. In the afternoon, proceed via Cork, Youghal, and Dungarvan to Waterford, a stronghold founded by the Danish Vikings in 853, and visit the world-famous WATERFORD CRYSTAL FACTORY. See Reginald’s Tower on the way to your hotel. Before dinner you may want to join an optional pub tour. (FB,D)
Day 5 Waterford–Dublin
Today’s northbound agenda: Enniscorthy, site of the final battle of the Great Rebellion of 1798; Ireland’s oldest HANDWEAVING MILL at Avoca; views of the Wicklow Mountains; the Glendalough VISITOR CENTER with its fascinating audiovisual show; and the ruins of St. Kevin’s center of Irish Christianity. Overnight in Dublin. Top the day with your Tour Director’s dining recommendation. (FB)
Day 6 Dublin
An orientation drive in the capital includes statue-lined O’Connell Street, elegant Georgian squares, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Visit Oscar Wilde’s TRINITY COLLEGE, Dublin, famous for the 1,200-year-old Book of Kells and the magnificent Old Library. Afternoon at leisure for shopping and exploring the Irish capital. Tonight, join your Tour Director for an optional dinner evening at the Guinness Storehouse. (FB)
Day 7 Dublin–North Wales–Chester, England
Across the Irish Sea from Dun Laoghaire to Holyhead on the Welsh Isle of Anglesey, where a photo stop at tongue-twisting Llanfair... is a must. Follow the North Wales coast to the walled city of Chester, the historic county town on the River Dee. On your walking tour see the Roman remains, the characteristic black and white half-timbered buildings, and the two-tiered arcades called the “Rows.” (FB,D)
Day 8 Chester–Lake District–Edinburgh, Scotland
Head north to the tranquil Lake District, often considered to be the finest of England’s national parks. Visit owness-on-Windermere and enjoy a CRUISE along the lake on an historic iron steamship, then drive over Kirkstone Pass. Gretna Green, where the blacksmith used to wed runaway couples, is the next milestone on the way through the history-steeped Lowland Hills to Edinburgh. Tonight, an optional Scottish evening with Highland dancers, bagpipers, and the Ceremony of the Haggis. For departure numbers 0803 and 0817 tickets are included for tonight’s performance of the world-renowned MILITARY TATTOO. (FB)
Day 9 Edinburgh
A full day to enjoy this “Prince of Cities.” 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, then explore HOLYROOD PALACE (except when the Queen is in residence). 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. (FB)
Day 10 Edinburgh–York, England
A special treat: visit magnificent FLOORS CASTLE, the stately home of the Duke and Duchess of Roxburghe. Then south past the house of Mary, Queen of Scots, and the abbey ruins at Jedburgh, into wild Northumberland National Park. Later, inspect a section of Hadrian’s Wall, the Roman coast-to-coast defense against marauding northern tribes. Afternoon arrival in York, England’s most complete medieval city. Stand in awe in front of the great structure of York Minster, then follow your Tour Director through a maze of quaint streets including the narrow Shambles. (FB,D)
Day 11 York–Stratford–Bristol
Leave Yorkshire and its associations with James Herriot, skirting Robin Hood’s Sherwood Forest. In Stratford-upon-Avon take your pictures of Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and visit SHAKESPEARE’S BIRTHPLACE. Savor vistas of the Cotswolds on your way to quaint medieval Stow-on-the-Wold. In Bristol your orientation tour focuses on Brunel’s daring Clifton suspension bridge, SS Great Britain Britain, and the historic harbor from where John Cabot sailed in 1497 to discover America. (FB,D)
Day 12 Bristol–Bath–London
In Bath this morning see the amazing excavations of the ROMAN BATHS, then try to figure out the prehistoric mystery of STONEHENGE. Visit picturesque Salisbury with its vast cathedral, the ultimate in Early English Gothic, before arriving this afternoon in the British capital. Perhaps an optional dinner followed by a cruise on the River Thames. (FB)
Day 13 London
Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide includes all the famous landmarks: Knightsbridge with Harrods, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben beside the River Thames, Westminster Abbey "Story of Mary, Queen of Scots", Whitehall’s mounted horseguards and the Prime Minister’s Downing Street, and Buckingham Palace. Highlights are a visit to ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL, and the ceremonial pageantry of the Changing of the Guard, if held. Free time in the afternoon for independent activities, and this evening how about celebrating an enjoyable travel experience by taking in dinner and a West End show? (FB)
Day 14
Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (FB)
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9/08
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