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THE BEST OF BRITAIN AND IRELAND - 2010
16 days
incl. air, or 15 days from London to London (CO-9010)
Vacation Overview
England, Scotland,
Ireland, and Wales—experience them all on this comprehensive vacation.
Begin your trip with a full day to enjoy exciting optional tours in
London before heading out to Henry VIII’s Hampton Court Palace; Oxford,
where a walking tour takes in the colleges where Britain’s elite receive
their education; the exquisite Cotswolds; Shakespeare’s
Stratford-upon-Avon; and Lady Godiva’s Coventry. Continue to York,
England’s most complete medieval city, for a walking tour. See a section
of Hadrian’s Wall, the Roman coast-to-coast defense against marauding
northern tribes, and enter Scotland for two overnights in regal
Edinburgh. In Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital, your sightseeing tour with a
Local Guide includes a visit to Edinburgh Castle to see Scotland’s Crown
Jewels. Travel south through the Lowlands to Gretna Green, where the
blacksmith used to wed runaway couples. Continue through the Lake
District, considered the finest of England’s national parks, visiting
Wordsworth’s charming Grasmere and beautiful Lake Windermere, England’s
largest lake. Enjoy a walking tour of 2,000-year-old Chester and drive
into Wales through breathtaking Snowdonia National Park, Betws-y-Coed,
and Llanberis Pass to the Isle of Anglesey. At Holyhead, board a ferry
for Dublin, Ireland’s capital, where an orientation drive shows you the
main attractions. Head west and via Galway to the spectacular Cliffs of
Moher, the spectacular 668-foot cliffs above the Atlantic Ocean. Take a
break in Adare, known for its remarkable thatched cottages, then enjoy
breathtaking views on your drive along the spectacular “Ring of Kerry.”
After an overnight in the popular resort of Killarney, motor to Blarney,
famous for its castle and “Blarney Stone.” Leave Ireland and take the
ferry back to Wales for an orientation drive of Cardiff, the capital of
Wales. Then return to England and stop in the Georgian city of Bath,
famous for its Roman relics, before continuing to enigmatic Stonehenge
and majestic Salisbury. Your tour ends back in London with free time. On
this vacation to England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, you see
breathtaking natural beauty, historic ruins, charming towns, and friendly
people. A memorable trip!
Itinerary
Day 1 Sat.
BOARD YOUR OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT
Day 2 Sun.
ARRIVAL IN LONDON, ENGLAND
Check into your hotel. In
the afternoon there’s time to rest or to start exploring the lively
British capital; uniformed Hosts are available to help you make the most
of your stay.
Day 3 Mon.
LONDON
A full day to enjoy our
exciting program of optional activities. Morning sightseeing with a Local
Guide includes all the famous landmarks: Knight 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. This
afternoon you may want to visit Windsor Castle or the Tower of LondonTower of London with its
spectacular Crown Jewels, and tonight a leisurely cruise on the River
Thames would be fun. (B)
Day 4 Tue.
LONDON-OXFORD- STRATFORD-UPON-AVON-COVENTRY
Oxfo
Meet your Tour Director
and traveling 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 center had
to be rebuilt after the devastation of World War II bombings, hear the
tale of Lady Godiva and Peeping Tom. (B,D)
Day 5 Wed.
COVENTRY-YORK-SCOTCH CORNER
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 near Richmond, gateway to the Yorkshire Dales
made famous by James Herriot’s All
Creatures Great and Small. (B,D)
Day 6 Thu.
SCOTCH CORNER-EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND
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. For August 1 and August 22 departures, tickets are included
for tonight’s performance of the world-renowned Military Tattoo. (B)
Day 7 Fri.
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. Afternoon at leisure. A
suggestion for this evening: a traditional Scottish night out with Highland
dancers, bagpipers, and, of course, the Ceremony of the Haggis. (B)
Day 8 Sat.
EDINBURGH-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
WindermereLake 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)
Day 9 Sun.
WREXHAM-LLANGOLLEN-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)
Day 10 Mon.
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. Take your Tour Director’s dining recommendation for this
evening. (B)
Day 11 Tue.
DUBLIN-GALWAY-CLIFFS OF MOHER-ENNIS
Head for dairy farm
country in the center 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 668-foot Cliffs of Moher before heading for Ennis, county
town of Clare. Tonight’s optional opportunity: a traditional Irish
evening in the setting of a village barn with dinner, wine, and
entertainment. (B)
Day 12 Wed.
ENNIS-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
100-mile coastal panoramic drive. Focus your camera on sparkling
seascapes, mountains dotted with brightly colored 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)
Day 13 Thu.
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)
Day 14 Fri.
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. Your Tour Director will have
suggestions for an evening of Welsh entertainment. (B)
Day 15 Sat.
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 continuing via Stonehenge, still an intriguing mystery, to
Salisbury, the “City of the Soaring Spire.” After returning to London
around 4 pm, how about celebrating the success of your tour with a night
out on the town? (B)
Day 16 Sun.
YOUR HOMEBOUND FLIGHT ARRIVES THE SAME DAY
(B)
AIRPORT
TRANSFERS
Airport transfers may be included when you make your
international flights arrangements.
Dates
and Prices
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Departure
Details
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Departure
Date
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Tour
Start Date
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Return
Date
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Land/Cruise
Price Only
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Status
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3/27/2010
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3/28/2010
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4/11/2010
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$1,699.00
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Available
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4/3/2010
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4/4/2010
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4/18/2010
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$1,699.00
|
Available
|
|
4/10/2010
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4/11/2010
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4/25/2010
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$1,699.00
|
Available
|
|
4/17/2010
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4/18/2010
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5/2/2010
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$1,879.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
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4/24/2010
|
4/25/2010
|
5/9/2010
|
$1,879.00
|
Available
|
|
5/1/2010
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5/2/2010
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5/16/2010
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$1,949.00
|
Available
|
|
5/8/2010
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5/9/2010
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5/23/2010
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$1,949.00
|
Available
|
|
5/15/2010
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5/16/2010
|
5/30/2010
|
$1,949.00
|
Available
|
|
5/22/2010
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5/23/2010
|
6/6/2010
|
$1,949.00
|
Available
|
|
5/29/2010
|
5/30/2010
|
6/13/2010
|
$1,949.00
|
Available
|
|
6/5/2010
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6/6/2010
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6/20/2010
|
$1,949.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
6/12/2010
|
6/13/2010
|
6/27/2010
|
$1,949.00
|
Available
|
|
6/19/2010
|
6/20/2010
|
7/4/2010
|
$1,949.00
|
Available
|
|
6/26/2010
|
6/27/2010
|
7/11/2010
|
$1,949.00
|
Available
|
|
7/3/2010
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7/4/2010
|
7/18/2010
|
$1,929.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
7/10/2010
|
7/11/2010
|
7/25/2010
|
$1,929.00
|
Available
|
|
7/17/2010
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7/18/2010
|
8/1/2010
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$1,929.00
|
Available
|
|
7/24/2010
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7/25/2010
|
8/8/2010
|
$1,929.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
7/31/2010
|
8/1/2010
|
8/15/2010
|
$1,969.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
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8/7/2010
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8/8/2010
|
8/22/2010
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$1,969.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
8/14/2010
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8/15/2010
|
8/29/2010
|
$1,969.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
|
8/21/2010
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8/22/2010
|
9/5/2010
|
$1,969.00
|
Available
|
|
8/28/2010
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8/29/2010
|
9/12/2010
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$1,949.00
|
Available
|
|
9/4/2010
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9/5/2010
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9/19/2010
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$1,949.00
|
Available
|
|
Popular
Departure
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9/11/2010
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9/12/2010
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9/26/2010
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$1,949.00
|
Available
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9/18/2010
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9/19/2010
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10/3/2010
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$1,949.00
|
Available
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9/25/2010
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9/26/2010
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10/10/2010
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$1,949.00
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Available
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9/25/2010
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9/26/2010
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10/10/2010
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$1,949.00
|
Available
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10/2/2010
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10/3/2010
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10/17/2010
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$1,899.00
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Available
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Popular
Departure
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10/9/2010
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10/10/2010
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10/24/2010
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$1,899.00
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Available
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Popular Departure - due
to itinerary and time of year, this departure historically sells out
quickly. Early booking is encouraged.
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