Exploring Britain & Ireland
Exploring Britain & Ireland
featuring England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales
15 Days ● 22 Meals: 13 Breakfasts, 9 Dinners
August 13 – 27, 2012
Exploring Britain & Ireland
featuring England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales
Highlights…London ● Stonehenge ● Bath ● Cardiff ● Waterford Crystal ● Blarney Castle ● Killarney ● Ring of Kerry ● Farm Visit ● Dublin ● Wales ● Lake District ● Edinburgh ● York Stratford-upon-Avon
| Prices: | |
 Twin |
$5,399 |
 Triple |
$5,379 |
 Single |
$6,549 |
Included in Price:
Door to Door Transfers to and from the Ottawa Airport (paid for and provided by Queensway Tours), Round Trip Air from Ottawa, Air Taxes and Fees/Surcharges of $200 (subject to increase until paid in full) and Hotel Transfers
Not included in price:
Cancellation Waiver and Insurance of $300 per person
Tour Highlights
- Ponder the mysteries of mankind at the famous monument of Stonehenge.
- Overnight in the capital cities of London, Cardiff, Dublin and Edinburgh.
- Visit historic Blarney Castle where you can kiss the famous Blarney Stone.
- See majestic Caernarfon Castle, where the future King of England was crowned Prince of Wales.
- Join in the festivities as a guest at a traditional Irish House Party.
Day 1: Monday, August 13, 2012
Overnight Flight
Day 2: Tuesday, August 14, 2012
London, England – Tour Begins
Your tour begins in the capital city of London. Tonight, meet your fellow travelers at a welcome dinner. Today dinner will be included.
Day 3: Wednesday, August 15, 2012
London
During a locally guided tour of London see Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and the changing of the guard (if held)*. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure to further explore the city’s sites. Today breakfast will be included.
Day 4: Thursday, August 16, 2012
London – Stonehenge – Bath – Cardiff
Visit Stonehenge, the mysterious formation that dates back to the Stone Age. Journey to the elegant Georgian town of Bath to visit the Roman Bath Museum’s 2,000-year-old elaborate spas. Continue to the Welsh capital of Cardiff. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.
Day 5: Friday, August 17, 2012
Cardiff – Ferry to Ireland – Waterford
Take in the beautiful countryside of Wales en route to the coastal village of Fishguard. Take a ferry across the Irish Sea to Rosslare, Ireland and travel to Waterford, your home for the night. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.
Day 6: Saturday, August 18, 2012
Waterford – Blarney – Killarney
Begin your day with a tour at the new House of Waterford Crystal factory featuring a fascinating visitors center and a retail store housing the largest collection of Waterford Crystal in the world. Next, travel to the historic Blarney Castle. Wind you way to the top of the castle, lie back and kiss the famous Blarney Stone where, legend has it, you will be blessed with the “gift of eloquence.” Today breakfast and dinner will be included.
Day 7: Sunday, August 19, 2012
Killarney – Ring of Kerry – Killarney
Explore the Ring of Kerry where you’ll find some of Ireland’s most magical scenery. At the Gap of Dunloe, shop for traditional Irish goods handcrafted by local artisans. Marvel at the vistas created by windswept cliffs, rugged mountains, lakes and picturesque villages. Today breakfast will be included.
Day 8: Monday, August 20, 2012
Killarney – Rock of Cashel – Dublin
Today you have a chance to talk and laugh with a local family when you visit the Molanna Dairy Farm and meet its owners. Later, journey through the “Golden Vale” en route to the Rock of Cashel to visit the spot where St. Patrick preached. Tonight, attend a fun-filled Irish House Party where everyone has the opportunity to join in song and dance. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.
Day 9: Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Dublin
A locally guided tour of Dublin highlights the Bank of Ireland, O’Connell Street,
Grafton Street, Phoenix Park and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Later, enjoy leisure time to explore the city independently. Today breakfast will be included.
Day 10: Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Dublin – Ferry Crossing – Wales
Ferry across the Irish Sea to Holyhead, Wales where you’ll pass Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, the town with the longest name in the world. Visit majestic Caernarfon Castle, where Charles was crowned Prince of Wales. Then, travel through the Welsh countryside and discover some of the most fantastic scenery in all of Britain. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.
Day 11: Thursday, August 23, 2012
Wales – Lake District – Gretna Green, Scotland – Edinburgh
Travel north into England’s scenic Lake District to see charming Lake Windermere, Ambleside and Grasmere. Crossing into Scotland, stop in the town of Gretna Green where generations of runaway couples eloped. Continue to Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital city. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.
Day 12: Friday, August 24, 2012
Edinburgh
A locally guided tour of Edinburgh includes entrance to the famous Edinburgh Castle, home of the Scottish crown jewels, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse**, the Queen’s official residence in Edinburgh and former home of Mary, Queen of Scots. The rest of the day is at leisure. Today breakfast will be included.
Day 13: Saturday, August 25, 2012
Edinburgh – York, England
En route to England visit Hadrian’s Wall, begun in AD 122, which served as the northern border of the Roman Empire. Continue to the historic city of York and explore its quaint narrow streets. Walk on the famous “Shambles” and see the magnificent 13th-century Minster. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.
Day 14: Sunday, August 26, 2012
York – Coventry – Stratford-upon-Avon
Journey to Coventry and visit its famous modern Cathedral, completely rebuilt after World War II. Next, venture to charming Stratford-upon-Avon. Visit William Shakespeare’s birthplace and Anne Hathaway’s thatch-roofed cottage, the childhood home of the author’s wife. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.
Day 15: Monday, August 27, 2012
Stratford-upon-Avon – Tour Ends
Today breakfast will be included.
Experience It! ___________________________________ Irish House Party
Step into a place where the welcome is warm and the craic is mighty. Craic (pronounced “crack”) is an Irish word with no direct translation, but it roughly means “fun and good company.” Experience great craic as a guest at an authentic Irish House Party. This quintessentially Irish tradition has been a part of the social fabric of the Emerald Isle for centuries. Join local musicians, dancers and storytellers for an evening of rollicking good fun. Learn a song in Irish with the help of a complimentary souvenir song book. Tap your toes to the unique rhythms of Celtic music. Become enraptured by the storyteller’s tales. Step lively as you try some easy ceilidh dancing and dancing games. Raise your voice in song in the sing-alongs. Let the spirit move you to perform your own poem, dance, story or song. A hearty four-course meal is included in tonight’s festivities.
*Early Booking Savings is valid on Collette Vacations air inclusive group bookings for departures May 1, 2012 – April 30, 2013 and will expire February 14, 2012 for this tour and departure date.
YOUR ITINERARY AT A GLANCE
Day
1
Overnight Flight
Day
2, 3
Park Plaza Riverbank, London
Day
4
The Parc Hotel, Cardiff
Day
5
Granville Hotel, Waterford
Day
6, 7
O’Donoghue Ring Hotels, Killarney
Day
8, 9
Burlington Hotel Dublin, Dublin
Day
10
Village St. Davids Park Hotel, Wales
Day
11, 12
Apex City Hotel, Edinburgh
Day
13
Marriott, York
Day
14
Barcelo Walton Hotel, Stratford-upon-Avon
On some dates alternate hotels may be used.
