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Trafalgar - 2012 Britain & Ireland Explorer - ex London
From London the journey continues with visits to the castles of Edinburgh, Dublin, Blarney and Cardiff.
Along the way we enjoy the scenery of the Lake District, the Isle of Skye, Sligo Bay and the Ring of Kerry.
19 Day Escorted Coach Tour
Tour Type: CostSaver
Your day by day itinerary:
Day 1 - London – Stratford – Leeds
Greetings from our Tour Director as we drive through Cotswold villages to Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare’s birthplace. We head to Coventry, home of Lady Godiva, to view its cathedrals, then through the Midlands to our hotel in Leeds. (Dinner)
Hotel: Jurys Inn
Day 2 - Leeds – Edinburgh (Falkirk) (2 nights)
An orientation stroll in York shows us the Minster and picturesque ‘Shambles’. From
here we drive past Hadrian’s Wall and ruined Jedburgh Abbey on to our hotel in Falkirk. (Full breakfast)
Hotel: Airth Castle
Day 3 - Edinburgh sightseeing
Sightseeing shows us the Royal Mile, Princes Street and views of the castle. Then time to maybe visit Holyrood House. (Full breakfast)
Day 4 - Edinburgh – Scottish Highlands (2 nights)
We cross the impressive Forth Bridge to the university town of St. Andrews where Prince William studied, and stop at the famous golf course. We continue towards the Highlands via Perth and Pitlochry to our hotel. (Full breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Academy / Aviemore Inn
Day 5 - Scottish Highlands – Isle of Skye excursion
We follow the banks of beautiful Loch Ness – look out for the monster! – through the Western Highlands to the Kyle of Lochalsh. We cross over to the Isle of Skye, associated with Bonnie Prince Charlie, and spend some time exploring this unique Scottish island. Finally, we return to our hotel. (Full breakfast / Dinner)
Day 6 - Scottish Highlands – Glasgow
We drive to Fort William, in the shadow of Ben Nevis, and then along the shores of Loch Linnhe to Glencoe – Vale of the Weeping. Our route takes us along the ’banks and braes of Loch Lomond’ to Glasgow. (Full breakfast)
Hotel: Campanile Glasgow
Day 7 - Glasgow – Chester area (2 nights)
Today begins with a visit to Gretna Green, wedding venue for eloping lovers. We continue south into England towards the breathtaking scenery of the Lake District. (Full breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Holiday Inn Haydock
Day 8 - Chester and North Wales
Our Chester orientation shows us the arcaded Rows. Next into North Wales and over the Horseshoe Pass, we arrive in Llangollen, home of the Music Eisteddfod, and return to Runcorn. (Full breakfast)
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Essential Information
Dining Highlights
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18 full breakfasts.
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8 three course dinners.
First Class Travel Highlights
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Accommodation in twin-bedded rooms with private facilities.
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All hotel service charges, local taxes, baggage handling and hotel tips are included.
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Travel by luxury air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and a washroom onboard.
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Services throughout the trip of a professional Travel Director.
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The services of a Trafalgar Local Host if you stay at the recommended London hotel.
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Qualified Local Guide in Edinburgh and Dublin.
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Return ferry across the Irish Sea from Wales to Ireland.
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A stylish wallet, travel documents, keepsake booklet and map.
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Complimentary pick-up and drop-off on day of departure and return of the coach trip when you stay at the recommended London hotel.
Sightseeing Highlights
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Stratford-upon-Avon: Visit the town of Shakespeare's birth.
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Coventry: See the two Cathedrals.
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York: See York Minster.
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Hadrian's Wall: See the Roman Wall.
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Jedburgh: See the Abbey ruins.
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Edinburgh: Sightseeing includes the Royal Mile, Princes Street and views of the castle.
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Glencoe: Visit the Vale of Weeping.
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Isle of Skye: Visit this beautiful island.
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St. Andrews: See the famous golf course.
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Glasgow: See George Square.
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Gretna Green: Stop at the historic site for runaway lovers.
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Chester: See the arcaded 'Rows'.
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North Wales: Through Snowdonia and view Caernarvon Castle.
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Dublin: Sightseeing includes views of Trinity College and St. Patrick's Cathedral.
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Boyle: View the Cistercian Abbey.
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Donegal: Visit the picturesque town.
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Kylemore: See the Abbey.
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Galway: Views of Galway Bay.
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Cliffs of Moher: Stunning views.
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Adare: See the prettiest village in Ireland.
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County Kerry: Scenic 'Ring of Kerry' drive.
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Blarney: Visit Blarney Castle.
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Cork: Orientation tour.
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Waterford: Visit the crystal showroom (when open).
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Cardiff: See the Castle.
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Brecon Beacons: Visit the National Park.
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The Valleys: Visit the heartland of South Wales.
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Bath: Admire the Georgian town.
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Stonehenge: See the stone circle.
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Salisbury: View the Cathedral.
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Day 9 - Chester area – Dublin (2 nights)
We drive along the Welsh Coast via Colwyn Bay, skirting the Snowdonia National Park, to Caernarvon to view the castle, then across to the Island of Anglesey where we board our ferry to Ireland and on to Dublin. (Full breakfast)
Hotel: Jurys Inn Parnell Street
Day 10 - Dublin sightseeing
Morning sightseeing with our local guide features Trinity College, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, historic Phoenix Park, the Four Courts and more. (Full breakfast)
Day 11 - Dublin – Sligo (2 nights)
We follow the Royal Canal to Mullingar. Then on to Boyle to view the 12th century Cistercian
abbey ruins. Then lush green Irish countryside rolls by on our way to Sligo Bay. (Full breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Sligo Southern
Day 12 - Northern Ireland and Donegal
We drive to the seaside resort of Bundoran in County Donegal and across the border into Northern Ireland to visit the Belleek Pottery Centre. Then follow Lough Erne to Enniskillen and to our hotel. (Full breakfast / Dinner)
Day 13 - Sligo – Limerick (2 nights)
We enjoy the scenery in Connemara, stopping at Kylemore Abbey and continuing to Galway Bay. We stop in Galway before reaching Limerick. (Full breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Jurys Inn Limerick
Day 14 - Excursion to the Burren
Today we see the breathtaking Cliffs of Moher. From O’Brien’s Tower, we can see the Aran Islands (weather permitting) at the entrance to Galway Bay. (Full breakfast)
Day 15 - Limerick – Tralee
Admire the thatched cottages of Adare before heading to County Kerry, where we stop in Killarney. Then we enjoy the first half of our Ring of Kerry drive along Dingle Bay and on to Tralee. (Full breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Benners
Day 16 - Tralee – Waterford
Today we complete our drive around the Ring of Kerry and visit Blarney Castle, where we have a chance to acquire the ‘gift of the gab’. Then we continue through Cork and along the coast to Waterford, home of the famous crystal, for the night. (Full breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Treacys
Day 17 - Waterford – Cardiff (2 nights)
We travel to Rosslare to board our ferry back to Wales. We arrive at Fishguard and drive on to Cardiff for two nights. (Full breakfast)
Hotel: Copthorne Cardiff
Day 18 - Cardiff & South Wales excursion
First an orientation in the Welsh capital and a chance to visit the castle. Then into the Rhonddha, most famous of the Welsh mining valleys. Next into the stark beauty of the Brecon Beacons National Park then back to our hotel in Cardiff. (Full breakfast / Dinner)
Day 19 - Cardiff – Bath – London
We visit Bath, where we see the Roman Baths and admire the Georgian architecture. We return to London via Salisbury, where we catch a glimpse of the slender spire which is the tallest in England, and make a picture stop at the ancient stone circle of Stonehenge before returning to London where our tour ends. (Full breakfast)
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What a fabulous sightseeing/orientation tour of England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland. Leisurely paced and good value priced from $3,199pp share twin for 19 Days.
Sunday departures from 8 April to 23 September 2012
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We guarantee to reply within 24 hours Monday to Friday
Phone us on: 09 921 5178 or Free Phone: 0800 00 3463
Subject to availability and standard travel terms
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