2008 British & Irish Grandeur

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Tour Operator

CIE Tours

Duration

15 Days

Escorted

Escorted - Yes

Itinerary

Day	Destination	Description
Day 1	Depart U.S. for London	Depart U.S. for London : Depart U.S. on your overnight flight to London. Relax with meal and entertainment services.
Day 2	London	London at Leisure : Welcome to London! After immigration and baggage claim, take an independent coach transfer to your hotel, conveniently located near Hyde Park and Oxford Street. Coaches operate frequently. For the balance of the day you are free to rest, use the health facilities in your hotel or explore London a little. The British Museum, shops of Oxford and New Bond Streets, Hyde Park and Piccadilly are all within walking distance. In the evening meet your guide and fellow travelers over a welcome drink to discuss your vacation before dining independently.
Day 3	London	Tower of London & City Sights : This morning tour central London to see famous landmarks including Piccadilly Circus, Nelson's Column and lions of Trafalgar Square, Big Ben towering over the Houses of Parliament and Hyde Park. Visit the Tower of London to see the magnificent Crown Jewels, guarded by the Beefeaters in distinctive Tudor uniforms. Also see the White Tower, completed in 1097, together with many other fortresses. Spend the afternoon and evening on your own to sightsee, shop, dine or see a West End show. (CB)
Day 4	Guisborough	Cambridge & York : Drive north into the countryside to visit the university town of Cambridge. Stop to see some of the famous colleges, including King's College, and the Mathematical Bridge over the River Cam. Head north to York for a walking tour so that you may appreciate narrow streets and medieval houses, which contain centuries of history. The stately York Minster, with towers and stained glass, is the highlight of the walk. Continue your journey through Yorkshire to your delightful country manor house hotel in Guisborough. (CB, D)
Day 5	Edinburgh	Borders Country & Abbotsford House : Head north passing the industrial center of Newcastle-on-Tyne, through the Northumberland National Park and charming Borders scenery to Jedburgh. Stop for a while to look around this charming town with impressive abbey ruins before driving to Melrose. Visit Abbotsford House, Sir Walter Scott's home, where he wrote most of his novels and lived until his death in 1832. The house has an impressive collection of historic relics and a library with over 9,000 rare volumes. Drive to Edinburgh for an introduction to Scottish culture and food at a traditional cabaret. (B, D)
Day 6	Edinburgh	Edinburgh City Tour : Discover Scotland's capital on a tour around the city center. See Princes Street, the main shopping thoroughfare which divides the elegant Georgian "New Town" from the compact medieval city. Tour Edinburgh Castle to see the Crown Jewels of Scotland and the Stone of Destiny. Also enjoy splendid views of central Edinburgh. The afternoon is free for independent sightseeing or shopping. On departures from August 2 to 16, experience the colorful Edinburgh Military Tattoo. (B)
Day 7	Chester	Lake District & Chester : Journey through the Southern Uplands and stop at Moffat Woollen Mills with its wide array of Scottish goods. Continue south through the hills and valleys of the Lake District and stop to explore the delightful town of Grasmere. Continue to Chester where a walking tour will include "The Rows", medieval arcaded shops, as well as discovering the original medieval walls, Roman ruins and Chester Cathedral. Drive to your hotel where you will have time to relax or use the swimming pool and leisure facilities before dinner. (B, D)
Day 8	Dublin	North Wales & Dublin : This morning see some of the charming Welsh countryside as you drive through farmlands and picturesque villages and along the coast road. You will catch sight of the majestic peaks of Snowdonia, the highest mountains in Wales. Cross to Anglesey Island by bridge and onto the tiny island of Holyhead. Take a short ferry crossing to Dublin and transfer to your hotel, located a few miles south of Dublin, overlooking Dublin Bay. The evening is at leisure to explore nearby pubs or restaurants. (B)
Day 9	Dublin	Dublin Castle & Merry Ploughboy Pub : Take a morning tour around central Dublin, with its spacious Georgian squares and streets, landmark public buildings and graceful townhouses. Tour Dublin Castle's elegantly furnished State Apartments to learn about historic events that have taken place. The afternoon is free for browsing or further sightseeing on your own. Enjoy dinner at the Merry Ploughboy Pub followed by an upbeat show with music and dance. (B, D)
Day 10	Killarney	National Stud & Killarney : Depart Dublin and visit the National Stud and Japanese Gardens in Kildare. Learn about Ireland's exciting horse breeding industry at the National Stud and walk through the gardens, which represent the "Life of Man" in oriental-style gardening. Enjoy views of farms and pause for photos at the impressive Rock of Cashel. Continue to the famous town of Killarney and check into your lovely centrally-located hotel with state-of-the-art pool and spa facilities. (B, D)
Day 11	Killarney	Muckross House & Kenmare : Tour 19th century Muckross House, a furnished mansion where the guide tells you about the lifestyles of influential owners and eminent visitors. Take a walk around the charming gardens on the shores of Muckross Lake. Drive to the delightful town of Kenmare where traditional buildings are gaily painted and enhanced with flowers. Travel through Moll's Gap, a wonderful vantage point on the Ring of Kerry and stop at Ladies' View before returning to Killarney. (B, D)
Day 12	Wexford	"Titanic" Walk & Waterford Crystal : Travel to Cobh, the port town which was the last scheduled stopping place for the "Titanic". Take a brief walk with a local guide to see places associated with that fateful journey. Drive along the south coast via Youghal to visit the Waterford Crystal Factory where skilled craftspeople create this famous crystal from molten glass. See the vast display of trophies and tableware in the showrooms. Continue to Wexford for dinner and overnight stay. (B, D)
Day 13	Bath	Ferry to Wales & Bath : It's an early start today as you depart Wexford for a short drive to Rosslare to catch the ferry to South Wales. Journey through pleasant farming country and along the southern part of Wales, passing former coal mining valleys and the built-up areas around Cardiff. Drive across the River Severn Bridge into England to Bath. Check into your hotel, located in the heart of this UNESCO World Heritage City. (B, D)
Day 14	London	Roman Baths & Stonehenge : This morning explore Bath, popular for its natural hot springs with the Romans 2,000 years ago and again in fashion in the 18th century Regency period. Visit the wonderful Roman Baths and Pump Room, still preserved after two millennia and drive around the stately mansions of the Royal Crescent and Queen's Square. Drive to Salisbury Plain to view the prehistoric circle of vast monoliths at Stonehenge. Continue into London and check into Jurys Clifton Ford Hotelonce again. (B)
Day 15	Depart for Home	Depart for Home : As today is departure day, travel to Heathrow Airport by group coach transfer or Gatwick Airport by independent coach transfer. Allow plenty of time for check in formalities. (CB)

Dates/Pricing

Lodging

	Jurys Clifton Ford Hotel - London - 2 night(s)		Gisborough Hall Hotel - Guisborough - 1 night(s)
	Holyrood Hotel - Edinburgh - 2 night(s)		St Davids De Vere Park Hotel - Chester - 1 night(s)
	Royal Marine Hotel - Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin - 2 night(s)		Killarney Plaza Hotel - Killarney, Co Kerry - 2 night(s)
	Whites Hotel - Wexford Town Co Wexford - 1 night(s)		Francis Hotel - Bath - 1 night(s)
	Jurys Clifton Ford Hotel - London - 1 night(s)

Disclaimer

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