Wonders of Britain and Ireland 2013

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Bath at ChristmasHoly Trinity ChurchWindsor CastleBlarney CastleRing of Kerry
Bath at Christmas
Holy Trinity Church
Windsor Castle
Blarney Castle
Ring of Kerry
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Guest Experiences

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Trip Itinerary

  • Day 1

    DEPART USA

    Overnight flight to London.

  • Day 2

    ARRIVE LONDON (2 NIGHTS)

    Welcome to London! Relax or spend time exploring this fascinating city.

    Hotel: Hilton Inn Kensington Forum (F)

    M: Moderate, D: Deluxe, SF: Superior First Class, F: First Class. For further details please see the notes section below.
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  • Day 3

    LONDON SIGHTSEEING AND FREE TIME

    See the famous sights including Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace on your included half day sightseeing tour with a Local Guide. The rest of your day is free for shopping or exploring.


    Meal(s): (Full Breakfast)

  • Day 4

    LONDON - STONEHENGE - BATH - CARDIFF

    Leaving the sights of London behind, travel to rural Wiltshire and visit the mystical ancient monoliths at Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain. Drive west through Thomas Hardy country to the beautiful city of Bath. Admire the Georgian architecture of the city and visit the Roman baths before crossing the Severn Estuary to Cardiff, capital of Wales. View the Millennium Centre and the National Assembly in Cardiff Bay. See the Millennium Stadium as well as the historic Cardiff Castle during your orientation of the city. This evening, get to know your companions and Travel Director at a Welcome Pub Reception, which includes a typical Welsh pub meal and drinks.


    Meal(s): (Full Breakfast / Welcome Reception)

    Hotel: Park Inn (SF)

    M: Moderate, D: Deluxe, SF: Superior First Class, F: First Class. For further details please see the notes section below.
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  • Day 5

    CARDIFF - WATERFORD

    Enjoy free time this morning to relax, explore the city, or take the opportunity to visit Cardiff Castle. Cross the Irish Sea to the Emerald Isle and travel to historic Waterford. Dine tonight at your hotel.


    Meal(s): (Full Breakfast / Dinner)

    Hotel: Waterford Marina (F)/Dooleys (F)

    M: Moderate, D: Deluxe, SF: Superior First Class, F: First Class. For further details please see the notes section below.
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  • Day 6

    WATERFORD - BLARNEY - KENMARE (2 NIGHTS)

    Visit the renowned House of Waterford Crystal. Watch the master craftsmen at work during your Local Speciality demonstration in the workshop, and see the exquisite completed pieces in the showroom. At Blarney Castle, kiss the Blarney Stone and acquire the ‘gift of the gab’. Cross the Kerry Mountains to Kenmare, your home for the next two nights. Join your companions for a Be My Guest Dinner on a traditional Irish dairy farm in Kenmare.


    Meal(s): (Full Breakfast / Be My Guest dinner)

    Hotel: Kenmare Bay (F)

    M: Moderate, D: Deluxe, SF: Superior First Class, F: First Class. For further details please see the notes section below.
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  • Day 7

    RING OF KERRY EXCURSION

    Follow the Ring of Kerry around the Iveragh Peninsula, characterised by plunging cliffs, shimmering lakes, granite mountains and rugged coastlines. See a mystical and unspoilt region of Ireland as you wind your way through Killorglin (of Puck Fair fame), Cahirciveen, Waterville and Moll’s Gap in the Black Mountains.


    Meal(s): (Full Breakfast)

  • Day 8

    KENMARE - CASHEL - DUBLIN (2 NIGHTS)

    This morning, visit the Rock of Cashel in County Tipperary. The spectacular group of medieval buildings, perched on an outcrop of limestone in the Golden Vale, was once the seat of the kings of Munster. It has one of the most remarkable collections of Celtic art and medieval architecture to be found anywhere in Europe. This evening, arrive in the lively Irish capital, Dublin.


    Meal(s): (Full Breakfast)

    Hotel: Maldron Cardiff Lane (F)

    M: Moderate, D: Deluxe, SF: Superior First Class, F: First Class. For further details please see the notes section below.
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  • Day 9

    DUBLIN SIGHTSEEING AND FREE TIME

    See Trinity College, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Phoenix Park and the stately Georgian Squares with your Local Guide. Enjoy an included visit to the Guinness Brewery for a Storehouse tour and pint-pulling demonstration. Spend the rest of the day as you please, why not explore Temple Bar or Grafton Street, famous for its street performers. This evening, consider joining an excursion to an Irish cabaret.


    Meal(s): (Full Breakfast)

  • Day 10

    DUBLIN - CHESTER - LIVERPOOL

    Cross the Irish Sea to Holyhead, Wales. Stop at the station with the longest place name in Europe, Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwy-rndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch. See the spectacular landscape of Snowdonia National Park as you travel to Chester. Your orientation walk includes the medieval walls and the famous Tudor ‘Rows’. Arrive later in historic Liverpool, hometown of the legendary Beatles. This evening, join your companions for a Highlight Dinner at a local restaurant.


    Meal(s): (Full Breakfast / Highlight Dinner)

    Hotel: Jurys Inn (F)

    M: Moderate, D: Deluxe, SF: Superior First Class, F: First Class. For further details please see the notes section below.
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  • Day 11

    LIVERPOOL - LAKE DISTRICT - EDINBURGH (2 NIGHTS)

    Travel north through characteristically glorious scenery from Lancashire to the Lake District. Travelling along the shores of England’s largest lake, Windermere, and through countryside that inspired the Romantic poets, you reach Grasmere. View the grave of William Wordsworth, buried at St. Oswald’s Church. We cross the Scottish border and visit Gretna Green, where eloping couples make their vows over the anvil. Later, arrive in the Scottish capital Edinburgh – your home for the next two nights. During the Festival, tickets to the spectacular Edinburgh Tattoo are included.


    Meal(s): (Full Breakfast)

    Hotel: Holyrood (SF)

    M: Moderate, D: Deluxe, SF: Superior First Class, F: First Class. For further details please see the notes section below.
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  • Day 12

    EDINBURGH SIGHTSEEING AND FREE TIME

    This morning, your Local Guide takes you on a sightseeing tour of this wonderful city, including a visit to Edinburgh Castle, perched high above the city. See the Royal Mile, the elegant Palace of Holyrood House in the shadow of Arthur’s Seat, and the new Scottish Parliament building. Admire the elegant Georgian architecture in the New Town.


    Meal(s): (Full Breakfast)

  • Day 13

    EDINBURGH - ALNWICK - YORK

    Visit the medieval market town of Alnwick. See the impressive castle, home to the Duke of Northumberland, and the Tenantry Column, topped by the Percy Lion. Marvel at the magnificent scenery as you cross Northumberland. Cross the River Tyne at Newcastle en route to York where your walking orientation includes the medieval walls, the Shambles and the awe-inspiring Minster.


    Meal(s): (Full Breakfast)

    Hotel: Holiday Inn (F)

    M: Moderate, D: Deluxe, SF: Superior First Class, F: First Class. For further details please see the notes section below.
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  • Day 14

    YORK - STRATFORD-UPON-AVON - WARWICK

    Visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace and Visitor’s Centre in Stratford-upon-Avon, where the bard was born and raised. View Anne Hathaway’s picturesque thatched cottage before enjoying some free time in the quaint village. This evening, join your fellow travellers for a Farewell Dinner at your hotel in Warwick.


    Meal(s): (Full Breakfast / Farewell Dinner)

    Hotel: Hilton (F)

    M: Moderate, D: Deluxe, SF: Superior First Class, F: First Class. For further details please see the notes section below.
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  • Day 15

    WARWICK - BLADON - OXFORD - LONDON

    This morning, explore the town of Warwick or join an excursion to Warwick castle. Visit the charming little churchyard at Bladon, in the picturesque Cotswolds, to view Sir Winston Churchill’s grave. In Oxford, the oldest university city in the British Isles, enjoy an orientation of the city, View the Radcliffe Camera and the Bodleian Library and walk around one of the famous colleges (when available). Return to London this evening.


    Meal(s): (Full Breakfast)

    Hotel: Holiday Inn Kensington Forum (F)

    M: Moderate, D: Deluxe, SF: Superior First Class, F: First Class. For further details please see the notes section below.
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  • Day 16

    LONDON - USA

    After a hearty breakfast bid farewell to London as your vacation comes to an end.


    Meal(s): (Full Breakfast)

What's Included

Insider Experiences

  • Local Guide in London, Dublin and Edinburgh.
  • Local Specialty Enjoy a workshop tour and showroom visit at the House of Waterford Crystal.
  • Be My Guest Visit a unique working farm with heritage history in County Kerry. The house is over 200 years old and will give you a taste of a rural Irish lifestyle in the days before electricity. You will see traditional farm machinery as well as some farm animals including Kerry cows, sheep, hens and chickens. Enjoy a delicious Irish stew in the company of your hosts.
  • Hidden Treasure Enjoy at least one surprise Hidden Treasure experience, unique to your itinerary, courtesy of your expert Travel Director.
  • Unique Insight Enjoy a visit to the Guinness Brewery for a Storehouse tour and pint-pulling demonstration.

Sightseeing Highlights

  • LondonMorning sightseeing tour with a Local Guide includes views of Buckingham Palace, The Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and Big Ben.
  • StonehengeVisit the ancient stone circle.
  • BathVisit the Roman Baths in this Georgian spa town.
  • CardiffSee the Millennium Stadium and view Cardiff Castle.
  • WaterfordVisit the Home of Waterford Crystal Showroom.
  • BlarneyKiss the Blarney Stone during your visit of Blarney Castle and acquire the ‘gift of the gab’.
  • Ring of KerryDrive around the beautiful peninsula.
  • CashelVisit the Rock of Cashel and Cormac’s Chapel.
  • DublinSee St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Phoenix Park, the glorious Georgian Squares, and see Trinity College with your Local Guide.
  • ChesterView the Tudor architecture and the timbered buildings known as the ‘Rows’.
  • GrasmereView the grave of Wordsworth in St. Oswald’s church.
  • Gretna GreenVisit this historic destination, popular with eloping couples since 1754.
  • EdinburghSightseeing with your Local Guide includes the famous Princes Street, the Royal Mile and views of the new Parliament Building. Visit the iconic castle.
  • AlnwickVisit the medieval market town of Alnwick. See the castle and the Tenantry Column.
  • YorkView York Minster and stroll along the Shambles.
  • Stratford-upon-AvonVisit Shakespeare’s Birthplace and Visitors Centre and see Anne Hathaway’s cottage.
  • BladonView Sir Winston Churchill’s grave.
  • OxfordWalk down Broad Street and view the Bodleian Library and Radcliffe Camera. Visit an Oxford College (when available).

Dining

  • 14 full breakfasts.

  • 5 evening meals including:
  • Welcome Pub Reception in Cardiff, which includes a Traditional Welsh pub meal and Welcome Drinks.
  • 1 three-course dinner.
  • Be My Guest Dinner on a working farm in Kenmare.
  • Highlight Dinner with wine in Liverpool.
  • Farewell Dinner with wine in Warwick.

Travel Highlights

  • Return ferry across the Irish Sea between Wales and Ireland.
  • First Class hotel accommodation featuring two-bedded rooms and private facilities
  • All hotel service charges and tips, baggage handling fees and local taxes
  • Travel by luxury, air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and an on-board restroom
  • The services of a professional Travel Director
  • The services of a Trafalgar Local Host at your Trafalgar London hotel
  • Use of Trafalgar’s London Reception Centre offering a range of services including tickets for day trips and local attractions
  • Audio headsets to clearly hear your guide’s commentary on all included sightseeing
  • A travel wallet with your documentation
  • Complimentary keepsake photo and map
  • London airport transfers are available to purchase. Conditions apply.

Airport Transfers

  • For full details on transfers, please click here.
Disclaimer
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  • All trip information is correct at time of trips going live, however is subject to change, please confirm all details at time of booking.
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Hotel Class Key
  • SF= Superior First Class, F = First Class, MF = Moderate First Class, ST = Superior Tourist, D = Deluxe and MD = Moderate Deluxe.
  • Hotels are subject to change.
Notes
  • * For single travellers purchasing the twin-share option, please note that there is a no smoking policy in all shared rooms.
  • ^Twin-share option not available for trips to South America., Costa Rica, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii or for any holiday & cruise combination, or in Asia and Eastern Mediterranean except Highlights of Turkey (without cruise) & Best of Turkey.

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