Britain & Ireland Highlights 2010 - About this Tour

Tour Details | Departure Dates and Pricing

Details

• Duration (with arrival/departure): 11
• Tour Style: Regional
• Destinations: Stratford-upon-Avon, York, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Belfast, Dublin, Kildare, Waterford, Cardiff, Bath, Stonehenge, Salisbury

Itinerary

• Day 1 - Depart USA Overnight flight to London.



• Day 2 - Arrive London Welcome to London! After checking into your Trafalgar hotel, time is at leisure to relax and unwind. 
  
  Hotel: Hilton Olympia



• Day 3 - London – Stratford – York Greetings from our Tour Director this morning as we begin our drive through Oxfordshire countryside to Stratford-upon-Avon. On our arrival we see Anne Hathaway’s cottage at Shottery and then visit the house where Shakespeare was born. This afternoon we continue to Viking York where a walking tour takes us through the historic streets to the cobbled Shambles, around the city walls and to the magnificent York Minster. This evening we will enjoy a Welcome Drink before dinner with our Tour Director and fellow travelers. (Continental breakfast / Dinner) 
  
  Hotel: Holiday Inn



• Day 4 - York – Lake District – Glasgow (2 nights) This morning after breakfast, we will enjoy a beautiful drive that takes us through the Yorkshire Dales National Park to the quaint villages and scenic glory of the Lake District. We continue along the shores of Lake Windermere and today our Tour Director will show us a Hidden Treasure on our journey! Later, we cross the border into Bonnie Scotland and drive through the Southern Uplands en route to Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city and former center of the shipbuilding industry. On our orientation tour we will see George Square and the cathedral as well as the River Clyde. (Full breakfast) 
  
  Hotel: Radisson SAS



• Day 5 - Edinburgh excursion After breakfast our morning drive brings us to Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital, where a guided sightseeing tour shows us Princes Street, the Royal Mile and views of Holyrood House, in front of Arthur’s Seat, once home of Mary Queen of Scots, the new Scottish Parliament and a guided visit to Edinburgh’s imposing castle. Then enjoy time at leisure to do as you please before going back to Glasgow for the night. This evening we will enjoy a Highlight Dinner with traditional hospitality in a local restaurant. (Full breakfast / Highlight dinner)



• Day 6 - Glasgow – Belfast – Dublin (2 nights) An early start today as we drive past Robert Burns’ cottage and his monument at Alloway and then along the rugged Ayrshire coast with its many seals and wild birds, past the Isle of Ailsa Craig, known as the stepping stone from Ireland to Scotland and past Turnberry and its exquisite golf course to Stranraer for our ferry to Belfast in Northern Ireland. On arrival in Belfast a sightseeing tour with a local guide shows us both sides of this fascinating city including the City Hall and Queen’s University as well as the dock where the Titanic was built. Then we’re on our way south, crossing the River Boyne at Drogheda and on to Dublin. (Full breakfast) 
  
  Hotel: Trinity Capital



• Day 7 - Dublin sightseeing & at leisure Our morning sightseeing tour in this ‘fair city’ with a local expert shows us Trinity College, the Bank of Ireland, which used to be Ireland’s House of Parliament, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Phoenix Park and the Georgian Squares. We discover that Dublin has one of the fastest growing populations of any European capital city. The rest of your day is at leisure. You may wish to shop for Irish tweeds and linen in O’Connell or Henry Streets or maybe take a trip to Glendalough, the Glen of the two lakes. This evening, why not join us in the excitement at an Irish cabaret? (Full breakfast)



• Day 8 - Dublin – Kildare – Waterford Today after a good Irish breakfast, our first stop will be at the Irish National Stud Farm located outside the town of Kildare. Here we will enjoy a guided walking tour conducted by a member of the friendly staff, through the tranquillity of the grounds and gardens. We will see world-class stallions and have time to visit the glorious Japanese Garden. Then we travel on Irish country roads through the ‘Boreens’ to medieval Kilkenny where we see its ancient castle. Later, we continue our drive to the Waterford Crystal Showroom where we have an included visit to see the beautiful displays of crystal glass before we continue on to our hotel for tonight. (Full breakfast) 
  
  Hotel: The Belfry



• Day 9 - Waterford – Cardiff An early start this morning as we drive to Rosslare Harbour where we board our ferry to Pembroke in South Wales, seat of the Tudor dynasty. We drive along the heritage coast and continue on to the Welsh capital, Cardiff. Here we stop to view its historic castle and see the Millennium Stadium Cardiff Arms Park. Tonight, we enjoy a Farewell Dinner with our Tour Director and new-found friends. (Full breakfast / Farewell dinner) 
  
  Hotel: Park Inn City Centre



• Day 10 - Cardiff – Bath – Stonehenge – London This morning we cross the Severn Bridge into England heading to the glorious city of Bath. An orientation tour shows us its graceful terraces and includes a visit to the Baths dating from roman times. From here we continue to the mysterious monolithic stone circle at Stonehenge - a World Heritage site. Then we continue to Salisbury with time to view its impressive cathedral - with the tallest spire in Britain. Finally we return to London in the afternoon with a night at leisure to explore this lively city. (Full breakfast)
  
  Hotel: Hilton Olympia



• Day 11 - London – USA This morning after breakfast, time to bid farewell to London and our fellow travelers as our memorable tour comes to an end. (Buffet breakfast)


Depart USAArrive LondonLondon – Stratford – YorkYork – Lake District – Glasgow Edinburgh excursionGlasgow – Belfast – Dublin Dublin sightseeing & at leisureDublin – Kildare – WaterfordWaterford – CardiffCardiff – Bath – Stonehenge – LondonLondon – USA

Whats Included

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Sightseeing Highlights

• Stratford-upon- Avon: Visit William Shakespeare's birthplace and see Anne Hathaway's cottage.
• York: Walking tour including the Minster and Shambles.
• Glasgow: Orientation of cathedral, George Square and the River Clyde.
• Edinburgh: Visit the castle and views of Holyrood House.
• Belfast: See the City Hall and Queen's University.
• Dublin: See views St. Patrick's Cathedral and Trinity College.
• Kildare: Visit Irish National Stud Farm and Japanese Garden.
• Kilkenny: View its ancient castle.
• Waterford: Visit the crystal showroom.
• Cardiff: View Cardiff Castle.
• Bath: Visit the Roman Baths.
• Stonehenge: Visit the stone circle.
• Salisbury: View the cathedral.

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Dining Highlights

• 1 buffet breakfast and 1 continental breakfast in London
• 2 English, 2 Scottish and 3 Irish full breakfasts
• 1 three-course dinner
• Local highlight restaurant dinner in Glasgow
• Farewell Dinner with wine in Cardiff
12 meals in total (see day-by-day itinerary)

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First Class Travel Highlights

• First Class hotel accommodation includes twin-bedded rooms with private facilities, all hotel service charges and tips, baggage handling fees and local taxes.
• Touring by luxury air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and a washroom onboard.
• The services of one of Trafalgar's top professional Tour Directors.
• The services of a Trafalgar Representative if you stay at Trafalgar's recommended London hotel.
• A qualified local city guide in Edinburgh, Belfast and Dublin.
• Ferry across the Irish Sea from Scotland to Northern Ireland and Ireland to South Wales.
• A stylish wallet, tour documents and a Welcome on Tour book.
• For London airport shuttle, conditions apply.

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Airport Transfers

• London Gateways: Transfers can be expensive, particularly between the airport and your London hotel. But when you book your Trafalgar tour and take advantage of our land and air packages, we have included a FREE transfer to and from London’s airports and your Trafalgar London hotel. For passengers who have their own flight arrangements we offer you the opportunity to purchase inexpensive transfers to and from London’s Heathrow – Trafalgar has negotiated special rates for the Dot2Dot transfer from London’s Heathr
• Important – Please Note: Passengers will only be entitled to transfers to and from London Airports providing the following conditions are met:
• For included transfers: Your flights must be booked directly by Trafalgar no fewer than 21 days prior to departure. For chargeable transfers: Your Travel Agent provides detailed flight information to Trafalgar no fewer than 21 days prior to departure. Once transfers are booked they cannot be changed.
• For London arrivals, you must stay at a London hotel booked by Trafalgar on the night of arrival and the night prior to your departure date.
• Trafalgar only includes one inbound and one outbound transfer.
• In the event of flight delays outside of Trafalgar’s control, the transfers will be deemed to be cancelled.
• All transfers are based on group transfers. No refund is therefore available for missed transfers, or passengers not using this service.
• In the event of unforeseen events (such as road or rail works, strikes or demonstrations), Trafalgar will not be responsible for delayed or cancelled transfers.
• Heathrow Airport: National Express Dot2Dot will pick up and drop off in time to meet all flights to/from London’s Heathrow Airport. For guests arriving at the Dot2Dot desk after 22.00 hrs please make use of the courtesy phone to arrange your transfer to your Trafalgar hotel.
• Gatwick Airport Passengers who have booked Trafalgar’s Land and Air packages arriving at London’s Gatwick Airport are provided with a Gatwick Express train voucher. The Gatwick Express train journey from Gatwick Airport to London’s Victoria Station takes 30 minutes. Guests then need to make their way from Victoria Station to their Trafalgar hotel.
• European Gateways: With Trafalgar all passengers will receive complimentary arrival and departure transfers on the scheduled arrival and departure day of their tour at the times specified below. Please ensure your Travel Agent reserves your flight to co-ordinate with the transfer times shown.
• Trafalgar Bonus - Passengers who book Trafalgar's Land+Air package and who arrive or depart outside of these specified times on the scheduled arrival and departure day of the tour will also be provided with a transfer.
• Passengers arriving before or leaving after the scheduled tour days are not entitled to a transfer but may book and purchase one through Trafalgar providing that they also purchase the additional pre and/or post tour hotel night(s) from Trafalgar. Please ask for prices of transfers at the time of booking your extra night accommodation.
• Land only passengers arriving or departing on the scheduled tour arrival or departure days but whose flights don't coincide with the listed transfer times below may also book and purchase these transfers. Flight details must be provided to Trafalgar not less than 21 days before the flight departure.
• Click here to see scheduled transfer times.

Options

Child Prices: Apply to children under the age of 16.