Highlights of Britain & Ireland 2012

Tours | Globus family of brands | Cardiff | Dublin | London | Europe | England | Ireland | Wales | Scotland | Edinburgh

Itinerary:

Day	Description	View All +
Day 1	Arrive in London, England. Uniformed Globus hosts are available to help you make the most of your stay.	View Details +
Day 2	London . Your morning sightseeing with a Local Guide includes all the famous landmarks: the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben beside the River Thames, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall’s mounted horseguards and the Prime Minister’s Downing Street, Piccadilly Circus, and Buckingham Palace. Highlights are a visit to ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL and the ceremonial pageantry of the Changing of the Guard, if held. This afternoon, why not join an optional excursion to the Tower of London or Windsor Castle, and later, maybe an optional dinner followed by a cruise on the River Thames? (B)	View Details +
Day 3	London–Stonehenge–Salisbury–Bath–Newport, Wales . Meet your Tour Director and traveling companions and depart London at 8 am for a memorable day of sightseeing: a special visit to admire the breathtaking ORNAMENTAL GARDENS of Henry VIII’s Hampton Court Palace; prehistoric STONEHENGE; picturesque Salisbury with its vast cathedral; and in the elegant Georgian city of Bath, the amazing excavations of the ROMAN BATHS. Cross the River Severn into Wales, and tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner at your hotel. (B,D)	View Details +
Day 4	Newport-Cardiff-Waterford, Ireland. An orientation in the Welsh capital features the major attractions: Cardiff Castle, Cathays Park, and the stately civic buildings. Continue along the South Wales coast to Fishguard, where your FERRY is waiting. Sail across St. George’s Channel to Rosslare and proceed by coach to Waterford, a stronghold founded by the Danish Vikings in 853. (B,D)	View Details +
Day 5	Waterford-Blarney-Killarney. First of the day’s highlights is a guided tour of the HOUSE OF WATERFORD CRYSTAL. Via the port city of Cork, motor to Blarney, renowned for its magical Kissing Stone, and then on to Killarney for a two-night stay. Later, join an entertaining optional evening in Tralee with dinner followed by tickets for Siamsa Tire National Folk Theatre. (B)	View Details +
Day 6	Killarney. Ring of Kerry Excursion. Follow the road known as the RING OF KERRY for a spectacular 100-mile panoramic drive around the island’s southwestern tip and take your photos of the Lakes of Killarney from Ladies View. This afternoon, maybe an optional fun-filled horse-drawn jaunting car ride. (B)	View Details +
Day 7	Killarney-Adare-Limerick-Kildare-Dublin. Drive to quaint Adare and in Limerick your orientation drive acquaints you with St. Mary’s Cathedral, King John’s Castle, and the stone where the Treaty of Limerick was signed in 1691. The Rock of Cashel, where St. Patrick preached, is on the way to the IRISH NATIONAL STUD at Kildare. Tonight, you may wish to enjoy an optional Irish cabaret evening including dinner, dance, song, and laughter. (B)	View Details +
Day 8	Dublin . Get an overview of Ireland’s capital as you drive to statue-lined O’Connell Street, elegant Georgian squares, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Visit Oscar Wilde’s TRINITY COLLEGE, famous for the 1,200-year-old Book of Kells and the magnificent Old Library. Why not join an optional dinner evening at the Guinness Storehouse? (B)	View Details +
Day 9	Dublin-North Wales–Chester, England. Back across the Irish Sea to the Welsh Isle of Anglesey. Take your photos at tongue-twisting Llanfair..., and then enjoy a scenic drive along the North Wales coast to Chester, where your walking tour takes in the Roman remains, the characteristic black and white half-timbered buildings, and the two-tiered arcades called the “Rows.” (B,D)	View Details +
Day 10	Chester-Lake District-Edinburgh, Scotland. In the Lake District, considered the finest of England’s national parks, enjoy a CRUISE along Lake Windermere on an historic iron steamship. After a stop at Wordsworth’s beloved Grasmere, visit Gretna Green on your way to Edinburgh. Your optional Scottish evening features Highland dancers, bagpipers, and the Ceremony of the Haggis. (B)	View Details +
Day 11	Edinburgh . 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). Afternoon at leisure. Later, a unique optional experience: board the former Royal Yacht Britannia to see how the Royal Family and crew of 240 lived and worked on board. For July 23 through August 13 departures, tickets are included for the world-renowned MILITARY TATTOO. (B)	View Details +
Day 12	Edinburgh-York, England. Relax and enjoy vistas of the beautiful North Sea coastline as you drive via Berwick-upon-Tweed to Alnwick, voted the “best place to live in Britain” in a national survey. In York, England’s most complete medieval city, visit YORK MINSTER, the largest gothic cathedral in Northern Europe. Then, follow your Tour Director through a maze of quaint streets, including the narrow Shambles. (B,D)	View Details +
Day 13	York-Coventry-Stratford-Upon-Avon . In Coventry, view the splendid modern cathedral that rose from the rubble of severe World War II bombings, and in Stratford-upon-Avon, take your pictures of Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and visit SHAKESPEARE’S BIRTHPLACE. (B,D)	View Details +
Day 14	Stratford-Upon-Avon-London . Today’s spectacular highlight is a guided tour of magnificent BLENHEIM PALACE, home of the 11th Duke of Marlborough and birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. Depart after lunch and return to London at about 3:30 pm. How about celebrating the success of your vacation by taking in one of the great West End shows? (B)	View Details +
Day 15	London . Your ends with breakfast this morning. (B)	View Details +

Highlights: LondonGuided sightseeing, visit St. Paul’s Cathedral and see the Changing of the Guard, if heldHampton Court A special walking tour through the palace’s ornamental gardensStonehengeVisit the prehistoric monumentBathVisit the Roman relicsNewport Welcome dinnerCardiff Orientation driveFishguard-Rosslare Cross St. George’s Channel by ferryWaterfordGuided tour of the House of Waterford CrystalBlarney Visit the famous villageKillarney Visit the popular resort townRing of Kerry Scenic peninsula driveAdareAdmire the thatched cottagesLimerick Orientation driveKildare Guided tour of the Irish National StudDublin Orientation drive, visit Trinity CollegeDublin-HolyheadCross the Irish Sea by ferryChester Walking tourLake Windermere Historic steamship cruiseGrasmere Visit Wordsworth’s villageEdinburghGuided sightseeing, visit Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood PalaceYorkWalking tour, visit York MinsterStratford-Upon-Avon Take pictures of Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, visit Shakespeare’s birthplaceBlenheim Guided tour of the palaceNote:Edinburgh Military Tattoo ticket included for departures July 23 through August 13Notes: PRICE DETAILS: Dates and prices do not include international air travel. When planning your trip, allow one extra day before tour date for travel between the USA and Europe.Prices based on double room occupancy.Single room supplement: $768Triple room reduction per person: $67Extra nights per person in London:April: in single room $152, in twin room $87, in triple room $82May-October: in single room $244, in twin room $151, in triple room $143July 27 to August 12: in single room $370, in twin room $230, in triple room $220Note:Edinburgh Military Tattoo ticket included for departures July 23 through August 13What's Included: MEALS: Full English breakfast (B); 5 three-course dinners (D) with choice of menus, including a welcome dinner in NewportHOTELS: Full English breakfast (B); 5 three-course dinners (D) with choice of menus, including a welcome dinner in Newport