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Tour  Britain & Ireland in Depth

London, Canterbury, Stonehenge, Ring Of Kerry, Dublin, Glasgow, Edinburgh, York

Tour start/end

26 days incl. air, or 25 days

London/London

GLGT102

USA departure

Sundays
from Apr 8 to Sep 30

2007

Tour Map

Tour price land only-  -  -  -   -  -  from    $ 3799 to $ 3969
Airline tickets from your home city also available

This 26-day vacation offers our most complete view of the British Isles. In England, enjoy visits to London, Canterbury, the seaside resort of Brighton, mysterious Stonehenge, historic Plymouth, and Bath. See the Welsh capital of Cardiff and then take a ferry to picturesque Ireland for visits to Waterford, Blarney, Killarney, the Ring of Kerry, the Giant’s Causeway, Belfast, and Dublin. Then it’s back across the Irish Sea, and through North Wales to the walled city of Chester in England. Travel north to see the highlights of Scotland, including the "Bonnie Banks" of Loch Lomond, the Isle of Skye, Inverewe Gardens, Inverness, pretty Braemar, and elegant Edinburgh. Back in England, experience the towns of York and Stratford-upon-Avon before visiting Blenheim Palace on your way back to London.

Tickets for the world-renowned Edinburgh Military Tattoo are included for tours 0718 through 0808.


 

Included Features

LONDON  Guided sightseeing, visit St. Paul’s Cathedral and see the Changing of the Guard, if held
CANTERBURY  Visit the cathedral
BRIGHTON  Royal Pavilion tour
STONEHENGE  Visit the prehistoric monument
BUCKFASTLEIGH  Steam train ride and guided tour of Buckfast Abbey
BATH  Visit the Roman relics
CARDIFF  Orientation drive
WATERFORD  Guided tour of the Waterford Crystal factory
BLARNEY  Visit the famous woolen mills
RING OF KERRY  Scenic peninsula drive
DINGLE PENINSULA  Visit the Blasket Islands Centre
CLIFFS OF MOHER  Savor the spectacular views
BELLEEK  Guided tour of the pottery factory
COUNTY ANTRIM  Visit the Giant’s Causeway
BELFAST  "Living History" tour with a local guide
DOWNPATRICK  Visit the Saint Patrick Centre
DUBLIN  Orientation drive, visit Trinity College
CHESTER  Walking tour
GLASGOW  Orientation drive
ISLE OF SKYE  Visit the Museum of the Isles
INVEREWE  Visit the subtropical gardens
HIGHLANDS  Guided tour of a whisky distillery
EDINBURGH  Guided sightseeing, visit Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace
FLOORS  Visit the Duke and Duchess of Roxburghe’s castle
YORK  Walking tour
STRATFORD  Picture stop at Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, visit Shakespeare’s birthplace
BLENHEIM  Guided tour of the palace
FERRIES  Cross the Irish Sea Fishguard-Rosslare and by Stena Line’s High Speed Service Dun Laoghaire-Holyhead and cross the Sound of Sleat from Mallaig to Armadale on the Isle of Skye

MEALS: 24 full English breakfasts (FB); 11 three-course dinners (D) with choice of menus and coffee, and a welcome drink before dinner at your hotel in Brighton

INSIDE VISITS Inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges when applicable.

 

Itinerary: Tour Britain & Ireland in Depth

Day 1 (Sun.) Board your overnight transatlantic flight.

Day 2 Arrival in London, England. (Mon.) Uniformed Globus Hosts are available to help you make the most of your stay.

Day 3 London. (Tue.) After a hearty English breakfast, morning sightseeing with a Local Guide includes all the famous landmarks: Knightsbridge with Harrods, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben beside the River Thames, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall's mounted horseguards and the Prime Minister's Downing Street, and Buckingham Palace. Highlights are a visit to ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL, and the ceremonial pageantry of the Changing of the Guard, if held. Free time in the afternoon for independent activities or to join an optional excursion to Windsor Castle or the Tower of London with its fabulous Crown Jewels. Tonight maybe an optional dinner followed by a cruise on the River Thames? (FB)

Day 4 London-Brighton. (Wed.) Meet your Tour Director and traveling companions and depart London at 8 a.m. Drive through the orchards of Kent to visit CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL, where you hear about the Black Prince and Thomas à Becket. Stop in the quaint town of Battle, site of William the Conqueror’s decisive victory in 1066, on the way to the Regency seaside resort of Brighton for a tour of the exotic ROYAL PAVILION, the lavish oriental palace built for the Prince Regent in the early 1800’s. Before dinner tonight join your Tour Director for a toast to happy touring with a congenial group. (FB,D)

Day 5 Brighton-Plymouth. (Thu.) Catch glimpses of Arundel Castle on the way to picturesque Winchester with its magnificent cathedral, burial place of novelist Jane Austen of Pride and Prejudice fame. Visit prehistoric STONEHENGE before entering the glorious West Country with a stop at the picture-book village of Widecombe in the Moor as you head across wild and romantic Dartmoor. Upon arrival in Plymouth, where the next three nights are spent, hear about Sir Francis Drake and see the Mayflower Steps where the Pilgrim Fathers embarked in 1620. (FB,D)

Day 6 Plymouth. Dartmoor Excursion. (Fri.) A full day of exciting sightseeing. First join a lovingly restored steam locomotive train for a scenic ride on the Primrose Line branch of the South Devon Railway. Disembark at Buckfastleigh for a visit to BUCKFAST ABBEY, a Benedictine monastery where one of the monks takes you on a guided tour and tells you about their lifestyle and work. Afternon at leisure and later your Tour Director will arrange an optional evening visit to a local inn for dinner. (FB)

Day 7 Plymouth. Cornwall Excursion. (Sat.) 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, then follow the Atlantic Coast strewn with its derelict tin mines and recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before exploring the popular seaside resort of St. Ives. Back in Plymouth, your Tour Director will have dining suggestions for this evening. (FB)

Day 8 Plymouth-Bath-Cardiff, Wales. (Sun.) At Glastonbury hear about its associations with King Arthur. In the elegant Georgian city of Bath see the amazing excavations of the ROMAN BATHS. Cross the Severn Road Bridge for a late afternoon arrival in the Welsh capital. Your Tour Director will have suggestions for an evening of Welsh entertainment. (FB)

Day 9 Cardiff-Waterford, Ireland. (Mon.) A morning orientation drive features Cardiff Castle, Cathays Park, and the stately civic buildings. Cross St. George’s Channel to Rosslare in Ireland and proceed to Waterford, a stronghold founded by the Danish Vikings in 853. (FB,D)

Day 10 Waterford-Killarney. (Tue.) A fascinating visit to the world-famous WATERFORD CRYSTAL FACTORY, then via the port city of Cork to Blarney, renowned for its magical Stone of Eloquence. Time here to visit the castle and shop before continuing to Killarney, your Kerry base for the next two nights. (FB,D)

Day 11 Killarney. Ring of Kerry Excursion. (Wed.) Start a scenic day with a drive to Killorglin on Dingle Bay, the setting for Ryan’s Daughter, and join the spectacular "Ring of Kerry" for a 100-mile panoramic drive around the island’s southwestern tip. Take your photos of the Lakes of Killarney from Ladies View. Maybe an optional horsedrawn jaunting car ride and later an evening in Tralee with dinner and tickets for the National Folk Theatre. (FB)

Day 12 Killarney-Dingle Peninsula-Bunratty. (Thu.) Breathtaking scenery on Dingle Peninsula, where the 32-mile Slea Head drive affords magnificent Atlantic Ocean vistas. At the BLASKET ISLANDS CENTRE learn about the way of life on the remote islands evacuated by its inhabitants in 1953. Via quaint Adare with its pretty thatched cottages and Limerick to the village of Bunratty. Tonight’s optional recommendation: a banquet at Knappogue Castle. (FB)

Day 13 Bunratty-Sligo. (Fri.) Motor to the spectacular CLIFFS OF MOHER, rising 668 feet above the Atlantic. Via the limestone plateau of The Burren you reach Galway and hear about the infamous Lynch Stone, commemorating the day Mayor James Lynch Fitzstephen hanged his son for murder. Pass through the region featured in the film The Quiet Man and visit Knock, a village that attracts pilgrims from all over the world. Spend the night in Sligo. (FB,D)

Day 14 Sligo-Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Sat.) A fascinating day today: the grave of the native son and poet W.B. Yeats in Drumcliff; BELLEEK POTTERY FACTORY, renowned for its exquisite cream-colored Parian china; then let the province’s story unfold as you head for awe-inspiring GIANT’S CAUSEWAY composed of thousands of strangely symmetrical basalt columns jutting out to sea. Overnight at the vibrant modern city of Belfast. (FB,D)

Day 15 Belfast-Dublin, Ireland. (Sun.) This morning’s highlight is a "living history" orientation drive through the city, brought to life by your Local Guide. Follow the shores of Strangford Lough to Downpatrick and visit the inspiring SAINT PATRICK CENTRE. Drive in the lee of the Mountains of Mourne to Newry and cross once more into the Republic. Landscapes strewn with Ireland’s typical round towers line the route to the Irish capital. Tonight an optional Irish dinner and cabaret show. (FB)

Day 16 Dublin. (Mon.) Your orientation drive in the "Fair City" includes statue-lined O’Connell Street, elegant Georgian squares, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Then a highlight visit to TRINITY COLLEGE with the famous Book of Kells. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. Top the day with an optional dinner evening at the Guinness Storehouse. (FB)

Day 17 Dublin-Chester-Haydock, England. (Tue.) Back across the Irish Sea from Dun Laoghaire to Holyhead on the Welsh Isle of Anglesey, where a photo stop at tongue-twisting Llanfair... is a must. On your walking tour in the walled city of Chester, see the Roman remains, black and white half-timbered buildings, the cathedral, and the two-tiered shopping arcades called the "Rows." (FB,D)

Day 18 Haydock-Lake District-Glasgow, Scotland. (Wed.) Focus now on the tranquil Lake District, and after a break in William Wordsworth’s beloved Grasmere head north for the Scottish border. On the way through the history-steeped Lowland Hills, visit Gretna Green, where the blacksmith used to wed runaway couples. In Glasgow, your city drive takes in the fine 12th-century cathedral, imposing university buildings, and elegant Georgian Squares, built by the wealthy tobacco barons. (FB,D)

Day 19 Glasgow-Isle of Skye-Inverness. (Thu.) Follow the "Bonnie Banks" of Loch Lomond and enter the Highlands. Proceed via Rannoch Moor, Glen Coe, and Fort William, then follow the "Road to the Isles." At Mallaig board your ferry for the crossing to the Isle of Skye, where you visit the MUSEUM OF THE ISLES at the Clan Donald Centre. Return to the mainland and later watch out for the monster as you trace the shores of Loch Ness on the way to the Highland capital. (FB,D)

Day 20 Inverness. Highlands Excursion. (Fri.) Further into the remote Highlands for a day of spectacular Scottish scenery. Trace the shores of Loch Maree to INVEREWE GARDENS, with subtropical plants encouraged by the warm Gulf Stream. Follow the trails created by Osgood Mackenzie more than 120 years ago. Drive along Loch Glascarnoch for the day's final highlight visit to a MALT WHISKY DISTILLERY. Ask your Tour Director for this evening’s dining suggestions. (FB)

Day 21 Inverness-Edinburgh. (Sat.) Main features today: the battlefield of Culloden Moor; vast expanses of heather in the Grampian Mountains; Braemar, home of the Royal Highland Games; St. Andrews, whose Royal and Ancient Golf Club, founded in 1754, has given us the rules of golfing; finally over the elegant Forth Road Bridge to Edinburgh. Tonight an optional Scottish evening with Highland dancers, bagpipers and the Ceremony of the Haggis. For tour numbers 0718 through 0808 tickets are included for tonight's performance of the world-renowned MILITARY TATTOO. (FB)

Day 22 Edinburgh. (Sun.) Morning city 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, then explore HOLYROOD PALACE (except when the Queen is in residence). The afternoon is free to enjoy this "Prince of Cities" at your own pace. Later, a unique optional experience: board the former Royal Yacht Britannia, which for the Queen was once the perfect royal residence for glittering state visits and family holidays. Tour five decks and see how the Royal Family and crew of 240 lived and worked on board. Dinner rounds off this optional evening. (FB)

Day 23 Edinburgh-York, England. (Mon.) This morning visit the Duke and Duchess of Roxburghe’s FLOORS CASTLE, and later pass the house of Mary, Queen of Scots and the abbey ruins at Jedburgh. Through wild Northumberland National Park to inspect a section of Hadrian’s Wall, the Roman coast-to-coast defense against marauding northern tribes, and south 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. The afternoon is free to relax and enjoy the city at your own pace. (FB,D)

Day 24 York-Stratford. (Tue.) Skirt Robin Hood’s Sherwood Forest on the way to Coventry. Here listen to the tale of Lady Godiva and Peeping Tom and view the splendid modern cathedral which rose from the rubble of severe World War II bombings. In Stratford-upon-Avon take your pictures of Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and visit SHAKESPEARE’S BIRTHPLACE. (FB,D)

Day 25 Stratford-London. (Wed.) Drive through the lovely Cotswold Hills to quaint medieval Stow-on-the-Wold. A final spectacular highlight: enjoy a guided tour of magnificent BLENHEIM PALACE, home of the 11th Duke of Marlborough and birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill and afterwards time to explore the Capability Brown landscaped parkland. After returning to London around 4 p.m., how about celebrating the success of your tour by taking in a West End show? (FB)

Day 26 (Thu.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (FB)

 

Quality Hotels

LONDON Novotel London West (F), BRIGHTON Hilton Metropole (SF), PLYMOUTH Holiday Inn (SF), CARDIFF Hilton (D), WATERFORD Granville (F), KILLARNEY Riverside (F), BUNRATTY Shannon Shamrock (SF), SLIGO Clarion (SF), BELFAST Hilton (D), DUBLIN Clarion (SF), HAYDOCK Thistle (F), GLASGOW Thistle (F), INVERNESS Columba (F), EDINBURGH Carlton (SF), YORK Novotel (F), STRATFORD Holiday Inn (SF), LONDON Ramada Hyde Park (F)

Hotel Rating Abbreviations:

SF = Superior First Class
F   =  First Class
ST  = Superior Tourist Class