Britain & Ireland Experience 2009 - About this Tour

Tour Details | Departure Dates and Pricing

Details

• Duration (with arrival/departure): 16
• Tour Style: Regional
• Destinations: London, Oxford, Straford, Coventry, York, Durham, Edinburgh, Lake District, Chester, Dublin, Galway, Blarney, Waterford, Cardiff, Bath

Itinerary

• Day 1 - Depart USA Overnight flight to London.



• Day 2 - Arrive London (2 nights) Time to relax after check-in to your Trafalgar hotel. 
  
  Hotel: Jurys Inn Chelsea
  



• Day 3 - London at leisure Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore. (Buffet breakfast)
  



• Day 4 - London – Shakespeare Country (Coventry) First stop today is the university city of Oxford. You’ll have time perhaps to visit one of the colleges. Then we drive through the rolling Cotswold Hills where we see thatched roofed cottages, until we reach Shakespeare's birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon. Then on to Coventry. (Continential breakfast / Dinner)
  
  Hotel: Royal Court
  



• Day 5 - Shakespeare Country ( Coventry) - Leeds We see Coventry's two cathedrals, learning of the horrific World War II bombing raids. Next we continue to York where we see the Minster and the Shambles. Then we head to our hotel in Leeds. (Full breakfast / Dinner) 
  
  Hotel: Jurys Inn
  



• Day 6 - Leeds – Edinburgh (Falkirk) (2 nights) We travel to the city of Durham built on a peninsula on the River Wear. We’ll visit Palace Green where the ancient castle with its keep is located opposite the Romanesque cathedral. Then we continue through the Northumberland National Park and into Scotland, stopping to view the ruins of Jedburgh Abbey, en route to Airth Castle. (Full breakfast)
  
  Hotel: Airth Castle
  



• Day 7 - Edinburgh sightseeing We drive to nearby Edinburgh where our sightseeing shows us Princes Street, the Royal Mile and views of the castle. Then free time to perhaps potter around the Grassmarket, visit Holyrood House, or visit the Rosslyn Chapel. Later, you have the option of a night out with Highland dancing, bagpipes and haggis. (Full breakfast) 
  



• Day 8 - Edinburgh (Falkirk) – Chester (Runcorn) Today, we drive through the Southern Uplands to Moffat Woollens en route back into England. Then we enjoy a scenic drive through the Lake District stopping in Grasmere. Along the shores of Windermere and through pastures, reminiscent of Wordsworth's great poetry, to Runcorn near Chester for dinner and overnight stay. (Full breakfast / Dinner)
  
  Hotel: Holiday Inn Runcorn
  



• Day 9 - Chester area (Runcorn) – Dublin (2 nights) We're off to the centre of Roman Chester this morning, with a chance to admire its Tudor architecture and galleried shops known as the Rows. Time to walk the Roman walls and perhaps visit the cathedral or simply shop for souvenirs before we return to our coach. Then we skirt the Snowdonia National Park in Wales and drive to Holyhead where we board our ferry and cruise to Ireland. On arrival we take our coach and continue to the capital city of Dublin for our two-night stay. (Full breakfast) 
  
  Hotel: Montrose
  



• Day 10 - Dublin sightseeing This morning our guided sightseeing tour of this ‘fair city’ includes Trinity College, views of St. Patrick’s Cathedral and historic Phoenix Park. Later there is time at leisure when you may wish to visit an Irish stately home or shop for fine linens and tweeds in O'Connell Street. (Full breakfast)
  



• Day 11 - Dublin – Limerick Today we cross to the west side of the country across rich farmland to the city of Galway. Here we have time to see the cathedral before we continue to drive alongside Galway Bay, immortalized by the famous Irish song. From here we travel inland to Limerick. (Full breakfast / Dinner)
  
  Hotel: Jurys Inn
  



• Day 12 - Limerick – Waterville This morning we enjoy a short orientation which shows us St. Mary's Cathedral and King John's Castle. Then there's time perhaps to visit Bunratty Castle and Folk Park before we begin our drive via the prettiest village in Ireland, Adare, en route to Killarney. We drive around the Ring of Kerry with magnificent scenery including plunging cliffs, granite mountains and enthralling seascapes. Later on to Waterville for the night. (Full breakfast / Dinner)
  
  Hotel: Waterville Lake
  



• Day 13 - Waterville – Cork – Waterford We travel into County Cork, stopping at Blarney Castle and have the chance to kiss the famous stone in order to acquire the ‘gift of the gab'. From here it's on to Cork, where we see the City Hall and St. Anne's Shandon Church. Finally on to Waterford, home of the world-renowned crystal, where we visit the showroom. Then on to our hotel in time for dinner. (Full breakfast / Dinner) 
  
  Hotel: Days



• Day 14 - Waterford – Cardiff This morning we leave from our Waterford hotel early in order to reach the port of Rosslare in time to board our ferry to Fishguard in South Wales. Next we drive to our hotel in Cardiff. (Full breakfast) 
  
  Hotel: Quality
  



• Day 15 - Cardiff – Bath – London Orientation in the Welsh capital, Cardiff, shows us the Millennium Stadium and the historic castle. Then we cross the River Severn into England and admire the Georgian architecture of the city of Bath. Next we journey to see the mysterious stone circle, Stonehenge. Then we see Salisbury cathedral, which has the tallest spire in England, before returning to London at the end of our tour. (Full breakfast)
  
  Hotel: Jurys Inn Chelsea
  



• Day 16 - London - USA Bid farewell to your new friends on your return flight to the USA. (Buffet breakfast)
  


Depart USAArrive London London at leisureLondon – Shakespeare Country (Coventry)Shakespeare Country ( Coventry) - LeedsLeeds – Edinburgh (Falkirk) Edinburgh sightseeingEdinburgh (Falkirk) – Chester (Runcorn)Chester area (Runcorn) – Dublin Dublin sightseeingDublin – LimerickLimerick – WatervilleWaterville – Cork – WaterfordWaterford – CardiffCardiff – Bath – LondonLondon - USA

Whats Included

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Sightseeing highlights

• Oxford: Orientation tour.
• Cotswolds Scenic drive through the hills and villages.
• Stratford-upon-Avon Visit the town of Shakespeare's birth.
• Coventry See the two Cathedrals.
• York See York Minster and stroll along the 'Shambles'.
• Durham View the Norman Cathedral.
• Jedburgh See the Abbey ruins.
• Edinburgh ightseeing includes the famous Princes Street, the Royal Mile and views of the castle.
• Moffat Visit a woollen outlet.
• Grasmere See Wordsworth's village.
• Chester Admire its Tudor architecture and see the arcaded 'Rows'.
• Dublin Sightseeing includes views of St. Patrick's Cathedral, Trinity College and historic Phoenix Park.
• Galway View the Cathedral.
• Limerick: See St. Mary’s Cathedral and King John’s Castle.
• Blarney Visit Blarney Castle.
• Cork See the City Hall and St. Anne's Shandon Church.
• Waterford Visit the crystal showroom (when open).
• Cardiff View its historic castle.
• Bath Admire the Georgian town.
• Stonehenge See the mysterious ancient Stone circle.
• Salisbury View its beautiful Cathedral.

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Meals

• 1 continental breakfast and 2 buffet breakfasts in London
• 11 full English, Scottish or Irish breakfasts
• 6 three-course dinners
Total 20 Meals (See itinerary)

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Travel highlights

• Sightseeing/orientation in Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon, Coventry, York, Edinburgh, Chester, Dublin, Cork and Bath.
• Accommodation in twin-bedded rooms with private facilities
• All hotel service charges, local taxes, baggage handling and hotel tips are included.
• Touring by luxury air-conditioned coach with reclining seats.
• Services throughout the tour of a professional Tour Director.
• The services of a Trafalgar Representative at your London hotel.
• Specialised local guides in Edinburgh and Dublin.
• Ferry across the Irish Sea from Wales to Ireland and return.
• A stylish wallet, tour documents and map book journal.
• For London airport shuttle service, conditions apply.

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Edinburgh Tattoo: 7-29 August 2009
Tickets (subject to availability) may be obtained through your travel agent.

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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.