8 Day Britain and Ireland Highlights Tour

Tour Description

A charming introduction to Great Britain that includes London, York, Glasgow, Dublin, Waterford and Cardiff.

Tour 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: View St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Trinity College. Visit Old Jameson Whiskey Distillery.
• Kildare: Visit Irish National Stud Farm and Japanese Garden.
• Kilkenny: View its ancient castle.
• Waterford: Visit the Crystal Showroom (when open).
• Cardiff: View Cardiff Castle.
• Bath: Visit the Roman Baths.
• Stonehenge: Visit the stone circle.
• Salisbury: View the impressive cathedral.

Your Hotels

Stay at the following (or similar):

• Holiday Inn, York
• Radisson SAS, Glasgow
• Trinity Capital, Dublin
• The Belfry Hotel, Waterford
• Park Inn City Centre, Cardiff

First Class Travel Highlights

• All hotel service charges and tips, baggage handling fees and local taxes included.
• 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 our recommended London hotel.
• A qualified local city guide in Edinburgh, Belfast and Dublin.
• Stay in twin-bedded rooms with private facilities.
• 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.

Dining Highlights

• 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.

Itinerary

Day 1 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 travellers. (D) Stay: Holiday Inn

Day 2 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 centre of the shipbuilding industry. On our orientation tour we will see George Square and the cathedral as well as the River Clyde. (B) Stay: Radisson SAS

Day 3 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. (B/HD)

Day 4 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. (B) Stay: Trinity Capital (2 nights)

Day 5 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? (B)

Day 6 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. (B) Stay: The Belfry

Day 7 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. (B/D) Stay: Park Inn City Centre

Day 8 Cardiff – Bath – Stonehenge – London

This morning we cross the Severn Bridge into England heading to the glorious city of Bath. On our arrival 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 where our tour of Britain and Ireland comes to an end. (B)

Dates and Prices for 2011

Dates and Prices for 2012

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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