Compare British & Irish Elegance with Paris by CIE Tours vs Grand Tour of Scotland, England & Wales by Tours of Distinction
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| Trip |
4.5 | Great
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 13 days | 10 days |
| Price From | $ 4,615 | $ 4,300 |
| Price Per Day | $ 355 | $ 430 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Airfare included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included |
13 Breakfasts and 6 Dinners |
8 Breakfasts | 5 Dinners |
| Description |
This circular tour from London stays in Cardiff, Waterford, Dublin, Edinburgh and York. Experience historic Stonehenge, Bath, York and Stratford-upon-Avon as well as fun visits such as dogs herding sheep, farm tea with scones, historic walks and hop-on, hop-off city tours. Great meals daily including three special evenings. |
Scotland evokes images of bagpipes, the Loch Ness Monster, Edinburg’s vennels and wynds of Old Town, Glasgow’s Victorian grandeur, and the rugged beauty of the Highlands. Mystical Wales beckons with the breathtaking beauty of Snowdonia, walled cities, and Medieval Castles. More than 900 years of history awaits you at Windsor Castle, Her Majesty, The Queen’s favorite residence. An experience of a lifetime that is easy, inclusive and affordable awaits you on this guided tour of the United Kingdom. |
Day 1: London Arrival & Orientation
Meals: Dinner
Your vacation starts at your London hotel at 2:00 pm when you meet your tour director. Head out on a panoramic drive around central London to see many of the famous landmarks including Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, St Paul’s Cathedral and the Tower of London. In the evening join your tour director and your fellow travelers for a welcome drink to discuss your trip. Then enjoy dinner in your hotel.
Day 2: Stonehenge & Roman Baths
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
This morning head out of London to Salisbury Plain to view the prehistoric circle of vast monoliths at Stonehenge. Continue west to explore the mineral-rich hot springs at Bath. Tour the Roman Baths and Pump Room, first built by the Romans 2,000 years ago and revived during the 18th century. Dine at a Welsh evening on local specialties and appreciate fine entertainment.
Day 3: Cardiff & Ferry to Waterford
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Take a panoramic tour of Cardiff to see the principal areas and buildings in the city center and tour Cardiff Castle, developed in Roman times and transformed into an elaborate Gothic style residence in the 19th century. Journey through the gentle, green countryside to the west coast. At Pembroke Dock embark on an afternoon ferry crossing to Rosslare and on to Waterford for your next overnight stay.
Day 4: Sheepdogs & Dublin’s Merry Ploughboy Pub
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
After breakfast take a walking tour around historic Waterford, founded by the Vikings over 1,000 years ago. Visit the House of Waterford Crystal to learn about glass blowing and cutting. At Jerpoint Park Farm see a deserted 12th century town, watch trained dogs herd sheep and sample scones with tea. Stop briefly in Kilkenny before heading to Dublin. Drive to the Merry Ploughboy Pub for a dinner of Irish specialties and a lively show.
Day 5: Dublin Sightseeing & Glasnevin
Meals: Breakfast
Tour Dublin city to see elegant Georgian squares with brightly-painted doorways; in O’Connell Street see the General Post Office where the 1916 Rebellion started. Visit Glasnevin Museum, Ireland’s national necropolis, which is a who’s who of modern Irish history. The afternoon is free so that you may use your vouchers for an independent open-top bus tour around the city and a visit to one attraction. The evening is free.
Day 6: Scotland & Edinburgh Show
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Depart Dublin early this morning and drive north to take a ferry from Belfast to Cairnryan. Travel through gentle pasturelands to the central belt of Scotland. Continue to Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital city, and check in to your hotel. Head to a Scottish Evening to dine on excellent Scottish cuisine, including Haggis, followed by lively Highland dancing with bagpipes and kilts.
Day 7: Edinburgh Castle & City Tour
Meals: Breakfast
Join a local guide on a drive around central Edinburgh to see the main points of interest, including the 200-year-old “New Town?? with elegant Georgian houses and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Walk along part of the Royal Mile where medieval houses are clustered closely together. Tour the massive Edinburgh Castle to see the Crown Jewels of Scotland and the Stone of Destiny. The afternoon is free for independent activities. On August 4 to 18 departures watch the spectacular Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle.
Day 8: Scottish Borders & York
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Travel through the charming Borders region with many quaint towns, manor houses and abbeys. Stop in Jedburgh for a look around and view the picturesque ruins of Jedburgh Abbey. Continue south to York for a walking tour to appreciate narrow streets, especially the Shambles, where the medieval houses almost touch across the street. Tour the stately Gothic York Minster, which dates back to the 12th century and is noted for its magnificent medieval stained glass windows.
Day 9: Shakespeare’s Birthplace & London
Meals: Breakfast
Travel to Stratford-upon-Avon to visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace to see an exhibition about his life and work. Walk through the furnished house where he was born and take a look around the town with its many black-and-white buildings. Drive through the Cotswolds to London and check into your hotel where the evening is at leisure.
Day 10: Explore London by Open-Top Bus
Meals: Breakfast
Create your own adventure today when you head off for some independent London sightseeing on an open-top bus tour around famous landmarks. There are a number of different bus routes as well as a walking tour and a cruise on the River Thames. Visit either the Tower of London to view the magnificent Crown Jewels or Kensington Palace, home of Princess Diana.
Day 11: Eurostar Train to Paris
Meals: Breakfast
Transfer to the train station in London and take the famous Eurostar train to Paris via the Channel Tunnel, a journey of under 2 ½ hours. On arrival in Paris, transfer to your hotel and start your independent adventure by exploring this wonderful city.
Day 12: Open-top Bus Tour around Paris
Meals: Breakfast
Today experience the best of Paris at your own pace on an open-top bus tour to view the Eiffel Tower, River Seine, Place de la Concorde, Champs Elysees and more. You may stay on the bus for a panoramic ride or get off and on wherever interests you.
Day 13: Full Day at Leisure
Meals: Breakfast
You have a full day open for further sightseeing, either in the city center or you may like to wander outside the city to some of the many famous places such as the Normandy Beaches, Versailles or Giverny – all within easy reach.
Day 14: Tour Ends in Paris
Meals: Breakfast
Your tour ends after breakfast so transfer to Charles de Gaulle Airport for your flight home.
Day 1 - Depart for Glasgow, Scotland
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Glasgow, Scotland.
Day 2 - Arrive Glasgow - Pitlochry
Following arrival in Glasgow Airport, you will be met by your Local Irish Guide and escorted to your awaiting motor-coach. This morning, you will enjoy a tour of Glasgow City, often described as Britain’s finest Victorian City. In 1999, its architecture won it the accolade of ‘UK City of Architecture and Design’. Your city tour will also include a visit to Glasgow Cathedral, one of the most ancient and historic sites in the city. This afternoon, you will travel to Pitlochry known as the Gateway to the Highlands, where you will check into the beautiful Athol Palace Hotel for a two-night stay. This evening, you will enjoy dinner in your hotel. (D)
Day 3 - Scottish Highlands
Today, you head north to the Scottish Highlands. You travel through the breath-taking Cairngorms National Park to Culloden where the last major battle in Britain was fought on April 16th, 1746. This morning, you can relive the drama with a visit to Culloden Visitor Centre. You continue to Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, where you will have some free time for lunch. This afternoon, you will enjoy a guided cruise on Loch Ness, hear the historic intriguing tales surrounding a mysterious monster, and see the spectacular ruins of Urquhart Castle. From here, you return to Athol Palace and enjoy another delicious dinner. (B & D)
Day 4 - Blair Athol Distillery – St. Andrews – Edinburgh
After breakfast and before departing Pitlochry, you will visit the Blair Athol Distillery and enjoy a guided tour followed by a wee dram before departing. You continue to Dundee before crossing the Tay Bridge to St. Andrews. Not only is St. Andrews famed as the home of golf, it is also an ancient ecclesiastical capital and Scotland’s oldest university. You continue south traveling over the Forth Road Bridge to Edinburgh City for a two-night stay. (B)
Day 5 - Edinburgh
This morning, a tour of Edinburgh City awaits you. You will travel down Princess Street and the historic Royal Mile before visiting the Palace of Holyrood House - the official Scottish residence of her Majesty the Queen. Hear the tales of some truly intriguing characters - the Bodysnatchers, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and Greyfriars Bobby. You will visit the majestic Edinburgh Castle and enjoy the breathtaking views of the city from the castle ramparts.
This evening, you will enjoy the Spirit of Scotland Show at the Jam House. This will be a traditional Scottish evening of song and dance accompanied by a great selection of quality Scottish food. (B & D)
Day 6 - English Lakes District – Caernarfon, Wales
This morning, you depart Edinburgh and travel south to the romantic town of Gretna Green for your first stop. You will have an opportunity to visit the Famous Blacksmiths Shop with over 260 years of history and heritage before departing. Your tour continues through England’s scenic Lake District, associated with the poet, William Wordsworth and children’s author, Beatrix Potter. You continue to Conwy where you will visit Conwy Castle regarded as one of the great fortresses of medieval Europe. From here, you travel to Caernarfon for a two-night stay. (B & D)
Day 7 - Snowdon Mountain Railway – National Slate Museum – Caernarfon Castle
Today, we travel a short distance to Llanberis and board Snowdon Mountain Railway. This Victorian railway climbs 1085m to the Summit of Snowdon, the highest peak in Wales, where one of the world’s greatest panoramas awaits. From the visitor center, you will get some spectacular views of the valleys below, and on a clear day you can see Ireland in the distance. Following this adventure, you travel to the National Slate Museum and learn the story of the Welsh slate industry. On returning to Caernarfon, you will visit Caernarfon Castle, one of the most impressive castles in Wales. The remainder of the evening is free. (B)
Day 8 - Windsor Castle – London, England
This morning, you depart Caernarfon and head south traveling by the foothills of Cotswold’s mountains before arriving in Windsor. Here, you will visit the impressive Windsor Castle, one of the Queen’s official residences. You will see the State Apartments and St. George’s Chapel where Prince Harry and Megan Markle were married. Following your visit, you travel to London City for a two-night stay. (B & D)
Day 9 - London
After breakfast, embark on a panoramic tour of the city. You will see many famous landmarks such as Westminster Abbey, Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Following your tour, the remainder of the afternoon is free to explore this wonderful city on your own. (B)
Day 10 - Depart London
Breakfast at your hotel. Transfer to London Heathrow Airport for check-in for our flight home. On arrival back in the USA, transfer home. (B)
