Wales And Ireland

2012 Season
Departs From: London

From 801EUR

Length:  9 days from London to London, or 10 days incl. travel

Overview

Explore the best of Ireland, Wales, and England on this exciting vacation. Begin your trip with free time in London, then head out to explore enigmatic Stonehenge, majestic Salisbury with its magnificent cathedral, and elegant Georgian Bath with its famous Roman relics. Overnight in Bristol, where John Cabot set sail to discover America in 1497. Cross into Wales and enjoy an orientation drive in Cardiff, the capital of Wales. Motor through rich dairy farmland to Pembroke, where you’ll take the ferry across St. George’s Channel to Ireland. Take time in Blarney, famous for the legendary Stone of Eloquence, and visit the castle or shop for Irish handicrafts. Then, travel to the bustling resort of Killarney.

Next, enjoy an exciting drive along the “Ring of Kerry” with spectacular views of seascapes, mountains, and verdant vegetation. Stop in Adare, known for its remarkable thatched cottages, and see the sites on an orientation tour of Limerick. Travel east to Dublin, Ireland’s capital, where the orientation drive shows you statue-lined O’Connell Street and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. You’ll have time to tour Dublin on your own and browse its shops. Leave Ireland and cross the Irish Sea to Wales, arriving in Holyhead on the Welsh Isle of Anglesey. Then, drive through scenic Snowdonia National Park and Llanberis Pass to Llangollen, home of an annual competition for poets and musicians. Spend the night in Wrexham before traveling south to England. Stop in Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon, where you’ll have time to take photos of Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and tour the town on your own. You trip ends back in London, the finale of your wonderful adventure.

Duration:  9 Days

Schedule:

Start Date	End Date
26 May, 2012	03 June, 2012
02 June, 2012	10 June, 2012
09 June, 2012	17 June, 2012
16 June, 2012	24 June, 2012
30 June, 2012	08 July, 2012
07 July, 2012	15 July, 2012
14 July, 2012	22 July, 2012
18 August, 2012	26 August, 2012
01 September, 2012	09 September, 2012
08 September, 2012	16 September, 2012
15 September, 2012	23 September, 2012
22 September, 2012	30 September, 2012
29 September, 2012	07 October, 2012
06 October, 2012	14 October, 2012
13 October, 2012	21 October, 2012
20 October, 2012	28 October, 2012

City Highlights

Visits to Salisbury, Bath, Tramore, Blarney, Killarney, Adare, Llangollen, Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon; orientation drives in Cardiff, Limerick, Dublin

Scenic Highlights

Stonehenge and Salisbury Plain, Ring of Kerry and Lakes of Killarney, Snowdonia, Ironbridge

Day 1   Arrive in London, England. Check into your hotel. In the afternoon there’s time to rest or explore the lively British capital; uniformed hosts are available to help you make the most of your day.

Day 2   London–Stonehenge–Salisbury–Bath–Bristol. Meet your Tour Director and traveling companions and depart at 8 am for a memorable day of sightseeing: Stonehenge, one of Englands most intriguing mysteries; Salisbury with its vast cathedral, the ultimate in Early English Gothic architecture; and the elegant Georgian city of Bath, famous for its Roman relics. Overnight in Bristol, from where John Cabot sailed in 1497 to discover America. (B,D)

Day 3   Bristol–Cardiff, Wales–Tramore, Ireland. Cross the River Severn to the Welsh capital. An orientation drive here introduces you to the major attractions: Cardiff Castle, Cathays Park, Millennium Stadium, and the stately civic buildings. Vistas of rich dairy farmland on the way to the departure point for the ferry across St. George’s Channel to Ireland, arriving at Rosslare in just under four hours. Overnight is in the seaside resort of Tramore. (B,D)

Day 4   Tramore–Blarney–Killarney. Discover why Ireland is called the “Emerald Isle.” Dungarvan, Youghal, and Cork, the country’s second-largest city, are milestones on the way to Blarney, renowned for its Stone of Eloquence. Time at your leisure to see the castle and shop for Irish crafts and handmade crystal. After lunch, head through the Cork and Kerry mountains for the resort town of Killarney. (B,D)

Day 5   Killarney–Ring of Kerry–Adare–Ennis. This morning, take a 100-mile coastal panoramic drive known as the “Ring of Kerry”—sparkling seascapes, mountains dotted with brightly colored farmhouses, winding lanes bordered with subtropical vegetation, and spectacular views of the Lakes of Killarney from Ladies View. Drive via Adare, a village well known throughout Ireland for its prize-winning thatched cottages, to Limerick. Tonight, an optional banquet at Knappogue Castle is recommended. (B)

Day 6   Ennis–Limerick–Dublin. Start the day with an orientation drive of Limerick that features King John’s Castle and the Treaty Stone of 1691. Head east for the Irish capital via County Kildare and horse-racing country. Your afternoon in the “Fair City” starts off with an orientation drive along statue-lined O’Connell Street. Then, admire elegant Georgian squares and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Top the day with an optional dinner outing to the Guinness Storehouse. (B)

Day 7   Dublin–Llangollen, Wales–Wrexham. 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, then on to Llangollen, home of an annual national competition for poets and musicians, before arriving in Wrexham. This evening, why not join an optional excursion by barge along the Llangollen Canal? (B,D)

Day 8   Wrexham–Ironbridge, England–Stratford-upon-Avon–London. First stop this morning at Ironbridge, “Cradle of the Industrial Revolution.” More scenic highlights on the last leg of your journey. In Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon, take your pictures of Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and explore the town at your own pace. After returning to London around 4 pm, how about celebrating the success of your tour with a night out on the town? (B)

Day 9   London. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

Meals:  Full English breakfast (B); 4 three-course dinners (D) with choice of menus

Hotel Information:  LONDON Kensington Close (ST), BRISTOL Ramada Bristol City (F), TRAMORE Majestic (ST), KILLARNEY Killarney Court (F), ENNIS Auburn Lodge (ST), DUBLIN Jurys Inn Custom House (F), WREXHAM Ramada Plaza (F), LONDON Novotel London West (F)

Guides

Host service in London. Professional Tour Director while touring

Transportation

If transport to or from airport is required, please let us know. Private first-class air-conditioned motorcoach. Round-trip Irish Sea crossings by day ferry


Terms and Conditions

Note: Flights are NOT included with the Tour and unless otherwise stated above transfers are also NOT included.

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