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16 Days Highlights Of Britain & Ireland Tour Package
Duration: 16 Days / 15 Nights
Priced From: $2,449 pp Dbl. Occ.
Dates: May - Oct
This popular 16-day experience in the lands of kings, queens, and leprechauns is ideal for first-time visitors. Your British Isles journey begins with sightseeing in London, Stonehenge, and Bath. Then cross the River Severn to the Welsh capital of Cardiff, before boarding a ferry to cross the Irish Sea and get acquainted with Ireland. Highlights include the Waterford Crystal Factory, the Ring of Kerry, the Lakes of Killarney, Limerick, and the bustling city of Dublin. Then it's back across the Irish Sea through scenic North Wales, England's Lake District and the Scottish Lowlands to Edinburgh. Back in England, there's time to experience and enjoy the towns of York and Stratford-upon-Avon, and a highlight visit to beautiful Blenheim Palace before your return to London.
Itinerary
Day 1
Board your overnight transatlantic flight.
Day 2 Arrival in London, England
Uniformed Hosts are available to help you make the most of your stay.
Day 3 London
After a hearty English breakfast, 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, 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 or to join an optional excursion to the Tower of London with its fabulous Crown Jewels or Windsor Castle. Tonight maybe an optional dinner followed by a cruise on the River Thames? (FB)
Day 4 London-Bath-Bristol
Meet your Tour Director and traveling companions and depart London at 8 a.m. for a memorable day's sightseeing. First, a special visit to admire the breathtaking ORNAMENTAL GARDENS of Henry VIII's Hampton Court Palace. Your Tour Director will take you on a walk to see the Great Vine, Pond Garden, Privy Garden and the flower borders of the Great Fountain Garden. Take a stroll in picturesque Salisbury with its vast cathedral, the ultimate in Early English Gothic; try to figure out the riddle of STONEHENGE; in the elegant Georgian city of Bath see the amazing excavations of the ROMAN BATHS. Finally your orientation tour of Bristol focuses on Brunel's daring Clifton suspension bridge, SS Great Britain , and the historic harbor from which John Cabot sailed in 1497 to discover America. Before dinner tonight join your Tour Director for a toast to happy touring with a congenial group. (FB,D)
Day 5 Bristol-Waterford, Ireland
Cross the Severn Road Bridge to the Welsh capital. An orientation drive here features the major attractions: Cardiff Castle, Cathays Park, and the stately civic buildings. Continue along the South Wales coast to Fishguard where your ferry is waiting. Sail across St. George's Channel to Rosslare and proceed by coach to Waterford, a stronghold founded by the Danish Vikings in 853. (FB,D)
Day 6 Waterford-Killarney
First of the day's highlights: a visit to the world-famous WATERFORD CRYSTAL FACTORY. Via the port city of Cork motor to Blarney, renowned for its magical Stone of Eloquence. Time for lunch, a walk up to the castle, and to shop for traditional Irish handicrafts. Afternoon arrival in Killarney, County Kerry, for a two-night stay. Later, join an entertaining optional evening in Tralee with dinner followed by tickets for Siamsa Tire National Folk Theatre. (FB)
Day 7 Killarney, Ring of Kerry Excursion
Follow the road known as the "Ring of Kerry" for a spectacular 100-mile panoramic drive around the island's southwestern tip. Take your pictures of sparkling seascapes, mountains dotted with brightly colored farmhouses, and the Lakes of Killarney from Ladies View. This afternoon maybe an optional fun-filled horsedrawn jaunting car ride. (FB,D)
Day 8 Killarney-Dublin
Drive to quaint Adare and in Limerick your orientation drive acquaints you with St. Mary’s Cathedral, King John’s Castle, and the Stone where the Treaty of Limerick was signed in 1691. The Rock of Cashel, where St. Patrick preached, is on the way to the IRISH NATIONAL STUD at Kildare, whose fine thoroughbreds command respect on the racecourses of the world. Tonight, take your Tour Director’s dining recommendation. (FB)
Day 9 Dublin
Get an overview of Eire's capital as you drive to statue-lined O'Connell Street, elegant Georgian squares, and St. Patrick's Cathedral. Visit Oscar Wilde's TRINITY COLLEGE, famous for the 1,200-year-old Book of Kells and the magnificent Old Library. Afternoon at leisure. Your best bet for tonight: join your Tour Director for an optional dinner evening at the Guinness Storehouse. (FB)
Day 10 Dublin-North Wales-Chester, England
Back 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. Then a scenic drive along the North Wales coast to Chester, the historic county town on the River Dee. On your walking tour in the walled city of Chester see the Roman remains, the characteristic black and white half-timbered buildings, and the two-tiered arcades called the "Rows." (FB,D)
Day 11 Chester-Lake District-Edinburgh, Scotland
In the Lake District, considered the finest of England's national parks, enjoy one of the highlights of the day, a CRUISE along Lake Windermere on an historic iron steamship. After a stop at Wordsworth's beloved Grasmere, visit Gretna Green, where the blacksmith used to wed runaway couples, on your way through history-steeped Lowland Hills to Edinburgh. Your optional Scottish evening features Highland dancers, bagpipers, and the Ceremony of the Haggis. (FB)
Day 12 Edinburgh
Morning city 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 for a tour of five decks to see how the Royal Family and crew of 240 lived and worked on board. For tour numbers 0726 through 0816 tickets are included for the world-renowned MILITARY TATTOO. (FB)
Day 13 Edinburgh-York, England
This morning visit magnificent FLOORS CASTLE, the stately home of the Duke and Duchess of Roxburghe. On past the abbey ruins at Jedburgh and the house of Mary, Queen of Scots, into wild Northumberland National Park. Later inspect a section of Hadrian's Wall, the Roman coast-to-coast defense against marauding northern tribes. 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 14 York-Stratford
Skirt Robin Hood's Sherwood Forest on the way to Coventry, where you view the splendid modern cathedral which rose from the rubble of severe World War II bombings. In Stratford-upon-Avon take your pictures of Anne Hathaway's Cottage and visit SHAKESPEARE'S BIRTHPLACE. (FB,D)
Day 15 Stratford-London
Today's spectacular highlight is a visit to magnificent BLENHEIM PALACE, home of the 11th Duke of Marlborough and birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. After a guided tour of the palace, time to explore the Capability Brown Landscaped parkland. Depart after lunch and return to London at about 3 p.m. How about celebrating the success of your tour by taking in one of the great West End shows? (FB)
Day 16
Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (FB)
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10/08
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