British and Irish Grandeur
Superior First Class Hotels - 15 days
See the best of Britain and Ireland in just 15 days. Start in the
vibrant metropolis of London and see the other capital cities - Edinburgh,
Dublin and Cardiff. Visit major scenic regions including the Lake
District, Snowdonia National Park, and the Ring of Kerry. Shop along
Oxford Street, explore medieval York and Chester and the Georgian squares
of Dublin. Centrally located hotels provide excellent breakfasts and
dinners. Enjoy four special evenings with entertainment including a Welsh
banquet with an overnight stay at medieval Ruthin Castle.
DAY 1
SATURDAY - Depart U.S. for London
Depart U.S. on your overnight flight
to London. Dinner and continental breakfast are served on board.
DAY 2 SUNDAY - London at Leisure
Welcome to London! After immigration
control and picking up your baggage, take an independent coach transfer to your
city center hotel. For the balance of the day you are free to rest or
to explore London a little on your own. There are very many choices for you
to make - the Victoria & Albert Museum, some of the
cozy London pubs, browse along nearby Kensington High Street or the famous
Oxford Street - the list is endless. Meet your fellow travelers over a
welcoming drink.
DAY 3 MONDAY - London & Theater Evening
This morning take a guided tour of London’s famous landmarks
including Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, the Houses of Parliament and Big
Ben. Visit St. Paul’s Cathedral and see the many historic
memorials. Spend the afternoon at leisure to discover more of this great
city on your own. Head to the West End to see an evening performance of
the popular “Les Miserables.” (CB)
DAY 4 TUESDAY - Oxford & Stratford-upon-Avon
This morning drive west of London to Oxford.
This world-famous university, founded in the 12th century, now consists of forty-two colleges. After
a browse around this lovely town drive through the Cotswolds to Stratford-upon-Avon, where William
Shakespeare spent his entire life. Here visit his wife’s home, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage,
an Elizabethan farmhouse with 16th century furnishings. Then drive north to
York for your overnight stay. (CB, D)
DAY 5 WEDNESDAY - York & Abbotsford House
Take a walking tour through York to
observe the winding medieval streets and ancient houses in the historic city center. Visit
the imposing York Minster to see its towers and stained glass. See
a portion of Hadrian’s Wall, built by the Romans to restrict
the Scots. Journey through the gentle Scottish Borders scenery to visit Sir
Walter Scott’s home at Abbotsford where most of his novels took shape. Drive to Edinburgh,
the capital of Wales, where a special cabaret at Prestonfield House will introduce
you to Scottish food and culture. (B, D)
DAY 6 THURSDAY - Edinburgh Highlights
This morning take a
sightseeing tour of Edinburgh. See Princes Street with its elegant shops and
the contrast between the Georgian “New Town” and the old medieval city.
Pass the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official Scottish residence of
the Queen. Then visit Edinburgh Castle to tour the historic buildings and
enjoy a splendid view of central Edinburgh. The afternoon is free
for independent sightseeing or shopping along Princes Street. On departures from
August 4 to 18 you can enjoy the Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle.
(B)
DAY 7 FRIDAY - Lake District & Ruthin Castle
Today drive south to stop at Moffat Woollen Mills and past
Gretna Green, famous for marriages at the blacksmith’s forge. Travel through the hills
and valley of the Lake District, stopping in one of the delightful
towns. Continue south to Chester where a walking tour will include “The Rows,”
picturesque arcaded shops in black and white half-timbered style and see the
original medieval walls. Cross into Wales to check into
Ruthin Castle to participate in a jolly medieval banquet
held in your hotel. (B, D)
DAY 8 SATURDAY - North Wales & Jurys Cabaret
This morning drive through the
charming Welsh countryside and through the picturesque villages of Corwyn and Betws-y-Coed. Head
west to where the highest mountains in Wales are assembled. Traverse
a portion of the Snowdonia National Park with views of majestic peaks en
route to take the afternoon ferry from Holyhead. After crossing the Irish
Sea, arrive in Dublin and transfer to your hotel. In the evening
enjoy dinner and traditional entertainment at Jurys Irish Cabaret. (B, D)
DAY 9 SUNDAY - Dublin Sightseeing
Enjoy a morning tour of Dublin, with its spacious Georgian squares
and streets, landmark public buildings, and rows of graceful townhouses. Visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral, where
Jonathan Swift was once Dean. Tour Dublin Castle to see the
State Apartments which were built to house the viceregal administration and are now used
for many state functions. The afternoon and evening are free for
you to browse and sightsee on your own. (B)
DAY 10 MONDAY - Japanese Gardens & Killarney
Depart Dublin and visit the Japanese Gardens and National Stud
in Kildare. These gardens, which represent the Life of Man, were started
in 1906 and learn about Ireland’s exciting horsebreeding industry at the National Stud. See a
variety of landscapes as you drive through rich farming lands and bustling
market towns. Pass the Rock of Cashel, a huge outcrop with many
ecclesiastical ruins dating from the 13th century. Continue towards the
mountainous country of Kerry and into Killarney. (B, D)
DAY 11 TUESDAY - Ring of Kerry Tour
Today experience one of Ireland’s most popular scenic drives, the Ring of Kerry. Your route
winds around the Iveragh Peninsula with Ireland’s highest mountains on one side and Atlantic coastline
on the other. Travel through the villages of Glenbeigh, Waterville and
Sneem with frequent stops to admire the views and take photos. Just outside Killarney
tour the gracious 19th century Muckross House to learn about its
history and see the fascinating period furnishings. (B, D)
DAY 12 WEDNESDAY - Blarney & Waterford
Travel to Blarney where you
can climb the steps of fabled Blarney Castle to acquire the “gift of
eloquence.” Continue through the outskirts of Cork and along the south
coast of Ireland via Youghal. In Waterford visit the Waterford Crystal Factory to
see the creation of this famous crystal by the skilled craftspeople.
See the vast display of trophies and tableware in the showrooms before checking into
your hotel in downtown Waterford. After dinner take a brief walk
around the town with a local guide. (B, D)
DAY 13 THURSDAY - Wales & Cardiff Castle
Depart Waterford early this morning for a short drive to Rosslare followed by a
ferry across the Irish Sea to South Wales. Journey through Carmarthen and
along the south coast of Wales to Cardiff, the capital of Wales where you
visit Cardiff Castle, famous for its Victorian additions and rich
embellishments. Check into your hotel in Cardiff in time for dinner. (B,
D)
DAY 14 FRIDAY - Bath & Stonehenge
Drive to
Bath
this morning to tour the center of this spa town, popular for its natural
hot springs for almost 2,000 years. Visit the wonderful Roman Baths and
Pump Room and see the stately 18th century Regency architecture of the Royal Crescent
and Queen’s Square. Drive to Salisbury Plain to view the
famous circle of vast monoliths at Stonehenge. Continue into London for overnight.
(B)
DAY 15 SATURDAY - Depart for Home
As today is departure day, travel
to Heathrow Airport by group coach transfer or to Gatwick
Airport by independent transfer. Allow plenty of time for check in formalities.
(CB)
DEPARTURES
Departs every Saturday from April 28 - October 20
HOTELS
Stay at the following (or similar):
• Copthorne Tara Hotel, London (2 nights)
• Moat
House Hotel, York (1 night)
• Holyrood Hotel, Edinburgh (2 nights)
•
Ruthin Castle Hotel, Ruthin (1 night)
• Hilton Hotel, Dublin (2
nights)
• Killarney Avenue Hotel, Killarney (2 nights)
• Granville
Hotel, Waterford (1 night)
• Marriott Hotel, Cardiff (1 night)
• Copthorne Tara Hotel, London (1 night)
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