21 Day The British Isles In Depth

Tour Description

This extensive holiday covers the whole of the British Isles – Scotland, England, Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Wales. Discover the famous sights of London, Henry VIII’s Hampton Court Palace and Shakespeare’s birthplace at Stratford-upon-Avon. Visit Oxford; York, England’s most complete medieval city; and the mighty Edinburgh Castle. Travel along the spectacular west coast of Scotland on the way to Glasgow and see the breathtaking Cliffs of Moher and ‘Ring of Kerry’ in Northern Ireland. Visit Waterford, famous for its crystal and see the sights of Dublin before travelling south through scenic Wales. Return to England where you will explore elegant Bath, famous for its Roman relics and contemplate the mystery of Stonehenge. Spend an evening in the seaside town of Brighton before returning to London.

Your Hotels

• London Kensington Close (ST)
• Coventry Barceló Hinckley Island (F) at Hinckley
• Newcastle Jurys Inn (F)
• Edinburgh Kings Manor (ST)
• Strathpeffer Ben Wyvis (ST)
• Glasgow Pond (F)
• Belfast Ramada Encore (F)
• Sligo Southern (ST)
• Ennis Auburn Lodge (ST)
• Killarney Killarney Court (F)
• Tramore Majestic (ST)
• Dublin Jurys Inn Custom House (ST)
• Wrexham Ramada Plaza (F)
• Cardiff Park Inn (F)
• Plymouth Novotel (ST)
• Brighton Ramada (ST)

Hotel Classifications: First Class (F), Superior Tourist Class (ST), Tourist Class (T)

Tour Includes

• SIGHTSEEING: Visits to Hampton Court Palace Gardens, Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon, Coventry, Hadrian’s Wall, Jedburgh and Melrose, Edinburgh Castle,  St. Andrews, Braemar, Culloden, Inverness, Strathpeffer, Ullapool, Alloway, Giant’s Causeway, Derry, Belleek Pottery, W.B.Yeats’ burial place, Sligo, Knock, Galway, Cliffs of Moher, Killarney, Blarney, Waterford, Avoca handweaving mill, Glendalough, Betws-y-Coed, Ludlow, Bath, Widecombe-in-the-Moor, Plymouth, St. Ives, Salisbury, Arundel, Brighton, Lewes and Royal Tunbridge Wells; orientation drives in Glasgow, Dublin, Cardiff; walking tours in Oxford, York, Chester.
• SCENIC HIGHLIGHTS: Cotswold Hills, Northumberland National Park, Scottish Lowlands and Highlands, Falls of Shin, Isle of Skye, Loch Lomond, Northern Ireland’s Antrim coast, The Burren, Dingle Peninsula, Ring of Kerry and Lakes of Killarney, Snowdonia, Dartmoor National Park, St. Michael’s Mount and Land’s End, Stonehenge and Salisbury Plain.
• GUIDES: Local Guide for city sightseeing in Edinburgh; Host service in London. Professional Tour Director while touring.
• TRANSPORTATION: Private first-class air-conditioned motorcoach. Isle of Skye ferry. Round trip Irish Sea crossings by day ferry. Ferry across the Shannon estuary.
• HOTELS: Rooms with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, porterage, tips, and service charges.

Tour Meals

• Full English breakfast (B); 10 three-course dinners (D) with choice of menus.

Itinerary

Day 1: London – Oxford – Stratford-Upon-Avon – Coventry

Meet your Tour Director and travelling companions and depart at 8 am from your London joining hotel for a memorable day of sightseeing: a photo opportunity at Hampton Court Palace; Runnymede, where King John sealed the Magna Carta; a walking tour in Oxford, one of the country’s oldest seats of learning; and skirting the Cotswold Hills to Shakesepeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon. Take your pictures of Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and explore the town at your own pace. Finally, at Coventry, whose centre had to be rebuilt after the devastation of World War II bombings, hear the tale of Lady Godiva and Peeping Tom, and admire the splendid modern cathedral. (D)

Day 2: Coventry – York – Newcastle

Leave the Midlands, passing the once-mighty Sherwood Forest, home of the legendary Robin Hood, and head north to York, England’s most complete medieval city. Stand in awe in front of the great structure of York Minster, then follow your Tour Director through a maze of quaint streets including the narrow shambles. Stop for the night in Newcastle, once an important centre for the wool trade and coal mining and now a vibrant modern city. (B/D)

Day 3: Newcastle – Edinburgh, Scotland

See a section of Hadrian’s Wall, the Roman coast-to-coast defence against marauding northern tribes, then motor through wild Northumberland National Park to the Scottish border. Stop for photos at Jedburgh, with glimpses of the house of Mary, Queen of Scots, and then Melrose with its 12th-century abbey ruins and connections with Robert the Bruce. Afternoon arrival at Edinburgh. A suggestion for this evening: a traditional Scottish night out with Highland dancers, bagpipers and of course, the Ceremony of the Haggis. (B)

Day 4: Edinburgh

A full day to enjoy this “Prince of Cities.” Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide introduces you to the 200-year-old “New Town” and famous scientists, inventors, and novelists. In the “Old Town”, drive up the narrow Royal Mile to Edinburgh Castle to admire Scotland’s Crown Jewels. Afternoon at leisure. For departure numbers 0807, 0814, and 0821, tickets are included for tonight’s performance of the world-renowned Military Tattoo. (B)

Day 5: Edinburgh – St Andrews – Inverness – Strathpehher

A day of memorable sightseeing: St. Andrews, whose Royal and Ancient Golf Club has given us the rules of golfing; Braemar, home of the Royal Highland Games for over 900 years; and Royal Deeside, where the Queen is an annual visitor. Cross the battlefield of Culloden Moor with its memories of Bonnie Prince Charlie, then via Inverness, head for your Highland destination. (B/D)

Day 6: Strathpeffer West Coast Excursion
More spectacular Scottish scenery: the lovely Falls of Shin; Dornoch Firth, and the Kyle of Sutherland. Then, follow Strath Oykel for a visit to Ullapool, a remote fishing harbour on Loch Broom, before returning along Loch Glascarnoch. Our recommendation for this evening: join the optional Loch Ness Experience, which includes a cruise on the loch followed by supper at a local inn. (B)

Day 7: Strathpeffer – Isle Of Skye – Fort William – Glasgow

More heather-clad moors as you drive through the western Highlands to Lochalsh and the Inner Hebridean Isle of Skye. The route back to the mainland is by ferry across the Sound of Sleat to Mallaig, then breathtaking scenery all the way to Fort William beneath Ben Nevis. Glen Coe, where the MacDonald Clan was treacherously massacred by the Campbells in 1692, and a drive along the “Bonnie Banks” of Loch Lomond are scenic highlights on the way to Glasgow, Scotland’s great cultural city. (B/D)

Day 8: Glasgow – Belfast, Northern Ireland

On this morning’s orientation drive through Scotland’s largest city, see the fine 12th-century cathedral, imposing university buildings, and elegant Georgian Squares built by the wealthy tobacco barons. Later, stop at Alloway, the birthplace of Robert Burns, before boarding the ferry for the Irish Sea crossing to Belfast. Consider joining tonight’s optional excursion, a “living history” tour of this fascinating city in the company of a Local Guide. (B)

Day 9: Belfast – Giant’s Causeway – Derry – Sligo, Ireland

Take the scenic route along the Antrim coast to awe-inspiring Giant’s Causeway, then let the province’s story unfold as you head for the city of Derry, and later Belleek Pottery Factory, renowned for its exquisite cream-coloured Parian china. At Drumcliff see the grave of native son and poet W.B.Yeats, before arriving in Sligo, tonight’s destination. (B/D)

Day 10: Sligo – Knock – Galway – Cliffs Of Moher – Ennis

South to Knock, a village that attracts pilgrims from all over the world since the townsfolk saw apparitions, and Galway, on its beautiful bay, where you hear about the infamous Lynch Stone, commemorating the day Mayor James Lynch Fitzstephen hanged his son for murder. Cross the limestone plateau of The Burren to visit the spectacular 668-foot Cliffs of Moher. Tonight, a chance to attend an optional banquet at Bunratty Castle. (B)

Day 11: Ennis – Dingle Peninsula – Killarney

Via Clonderlaw Bay to Killimer for the ferry across the Shannon estuary. Breathtaking scenery this afternoon on the Dingle Peninsula, where the 32-mile Slea Head drive affords magnificent vistas of the Atlantic Ocean. Afternoon arrival in Killarney, your destination for the next two nights. (B/D)

Day 12: Killarney Ring Of Kerry Excursion

At Killorglin join the road known as the “Ring of Kerry” for a 100 mile coastal panoramic drive: sparkling seascapes, mountains dotted with brightly coloured farmhouses, winding lanes bordered with subtropical vegetation, and spectacular views of the Lakes of Killarney. Then, a special optional adventure: take a horse-drawn jaunting car along the national park lakeshore for pictures of Ross Castle. Later, enjoy the optional outing to Tralee for dinner and a performance at Siamsa Tire, Ireland’s National Folk Theatre. (B)

Day 13: Killarney – Blarney – Tramore

More scenic splendour as you head into County Cork. Stop in Blarney, famous for its Stone of Eloquence, with time at your leisure to see the castle and shop for Irish crafts and handmade crystal. After lunch, drive past Cork, the country’s second-largest city. Finally, Dungarvan and along the Copper Coast to the seaside resort of Tramore. Tonight, maybe an optional pub tour before dinner at your hotel. (B/D)

Day 14: Tramore – Waterford – Avoca – Dublin

Highlights on your northbound journey: Waterford, famed for its exquisite crystal; Enniscorthy, site of the final battle of the Great Rebellion of 1798; a visit to Ireland’s oldest handweaving mill at Avoca; views of the Wicklow Mountains; and Glendalough with its ruins of a centre of Irish Christianity founded by St. Kevin. Afternoon arrival in Dublin. Take your Tour Director’s dining recommendation for this evening. (B)

Day 15: Dublin

A day in the “Fair City” starts off with an orientation drive through Ireland’s capital and includes statue-lined O’Connell Street, elegant Georgian squares, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The rest of the day is free to enjoy Dublin at leisure. Top the day with an optional dinner evening at the Guinness Storehouse. (B)

Day 16: Dublin – Wrexham, Wales

Across the Irish Sea to Holyhead on the Welsh Isle of Anglesey with its tongue-twisting place names. Enjoy the best of North Wales on a scenic drive through Snowdonia National Park, including spectacular Llanberis Pass and pretty Betws-y-Coed, before arriving in Wrexham. This evening, why not join an optional excursion by barge along the Llangollen Canal? (B/D)

Day 17: Wrexham – Chester, England – Cardiff, Wales

In Chester, the historic county town on the River Dee, your walking tour takes in the Roman remains, black and white half-timbered buildings, and the two-tiered shopping arcades called the “Rows.” Head south now through the market town of Ludlow to Cardiff. In the Welsh capital an orientation drive takes in Cathays Park with its splendid civic buildings and Cardiff Castle. Your Tour Director will recommend tonight’s optional Welsh evening. (B)

Day 18: Cardiff – Bath, England – Plymouth

Across the Severn Bridge to the elegant Georgian city of Bath famed for its Roman relics. Into the West Country via Glastonbury and its associations with King Arthur, and wild and romantic Dartmoor with a visit to the picture-book village of Widecombe-in-the-Moor. Upon arrival in Plymouth hear about Sir Francis Drake and see the Mayflower Steps where the Pilgrim Fathers embarked in 1620. (B/D)

Day 19: Plymouth Cornwall Excursion

A day full of West Country sights as you head through Daphne Du Maurier’s Cornwall. After viewing St. Michael’s Mount rising boldly out of the sea, take your photos at Land’s End, before exploring the popular seaside resort of St. Ives. Your Tour Director will have suggestions for this evening. (B)

Day 20: Plymouth – Stonehenge – Salisbury – Brighton

An interesting day heading into Thomas Hardy’s Wessex and views of the intriguing prehistoric monument of Stonehenge. Take a break in Salisbury for a look at its vast cathedral, the ultimate in Early English Gothic architecture. Stop for photos at historic Arundel, dominated by the Duke of Norfolk’s huge castle, before continuing on to the seaside resort of Brighton for overnight stay. (B/D)

Day 21: Brighton – Tunbridge Wells – London

A leisurely last day on the road with time this morning for a seafront promenade stroll or to browse along The Lanes, a quaint area of narrow streets renowned for its antique shops. Finally, take the scenic route via the pretty market town of Lewes and pause for lunch in picturesque Royal Tunbridge Wells. Return to London about 3 pm., where your holiday ends. (B)

Dates and Prices for 2011

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Accommodation rating Represents the standard of hotel used most frequently throughout this tour

Extras Represents the individual operators suggested budget to pay for additional activities on tour (dinners,entertainment,excursions etc) NOT included in base tour price

Hotel legend:
D deluxe | SF superior first | F first | MF moderate first | ST superior tourist | T Tourist