Britain & Ireland Explorer 2013
17 days with
Insight Vacations
Rating: 
800-680-2858
800-680-2858
Itinerary
Day 1 - DEPART USA
Board your overnight flight (not included).
Day 2 - ARRIVE LONDON
Welcome to London! After checking in to your hotel, perhaps take a stroll to Hyde Park or the department stores of Oxford Street.
Day 3 - LONDON SIGHTSEEING
Your half day sightseeing tour of London’s West End shows you Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, and historic Westminster Abbey where kings and queens have been crowned through the centuries. Continue to Trafalgar Square and Buckingham Palace, home of the Queen. The afternoon is at leisure to explore or shop. (Full Breakfast)
Day 4 - LONDON – STRATFORD – YORK
After a warm welcome from your Tour Director, drive to Stratford to visit the birthplace of William Shakespeare. Move on to nearby Peterborough where you board the train to York. Within the old city walls, see the crooked houses of the Shambles and York Minster, England’s largest medieval cathedral. Settle into the hotel with a Welcome Reception and light informal meal. (Welcome Reception)
Day 5 - YORK – DURHAM – EDINBURGH
Stop in Durham to see the castle and Romanesque cathedral. Then view part of Hadrian’s Wall, Britain’s most impressive Roman monument. Cross the wild Northumberland moors into Scotland, passing the ruins of Jedburgh Abbey en route to the capital of Edinburgh. (Full Breakfast)
Day 6 - EDINBURGH SIGHTSEEING
Walk with your guide inside Edinburgh Castle for spectacular views of the town. Continue down the Royal Mile, past the St Giles’ Cathedral, to the Queen’s Holyroodhouse Palace before crossing over to the ‘New Town’. The afternoon is free to shop on Princes Street. Tonight, selected departures enjoy the Military Tattoo – a colourful mixture of historic battles and military manoeuvres, complete with pipes and drums. (Full Breakfast)
Day 7 - EDINBURGH – ST ANDREWS – HIGHLANDS
Drive to the university town St Andrews, home of golf! Continue over the River Tay, through Dundee and Perth to Pitlochry, and cross the Grampian Mountains to your Highland hotel. This evening enjoy a Highlight Dinner with haggis, accompanied by the sound of the bagpipes. (Full Breakfast / Highlight Dinner)
Day 8 - HIGHLANDS – LAKE DISTRICT
Mountains and glens greet you as you drive through dramatic Glencoe. From the ‘bonnie banks of Loch Lomond’ board your guided cruise on the ‘Queen of Scottish lakes’. Afterwards, continue south through Glasgow into the Southern Uplands before crossing the English border to arrive in the beautiful Lake District. (Full Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 9 - LAKE DISTRICT – GRASMERE – CHESTER
Enjoy the beauty of the Lake District this morning; its fells, lakes and valleys combining to make it one of England’s best loved regions. Perhaps take a cruise on the tranquil waters of Lake Windermere? Visit the village of Grasmere, where the poet William Wordsworth is buried before continuing to Chester. (Full Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 10 - CHESTER – DUBLIN
Step back into Roman times in Chester. See the city’s ancient encircling walls and remarkable 13C black and white ‘Rows’. Continue into Wales, past the massive Conwy Castle before crossing over to the Isle of Anglesey. The village with the longest name in Europe is coming up now - see if your Tour Director can recite it for you! From the port of Holyhead, set sail for Ireland and its fun-loving capital, Dublin. (Full Breakfast)
Day 11 - DUBLIN SIGHTSEEING
A guided sightseeing tour of Dublin takes you past the Georgian squares, Customs House, along O’Connell Street and through Phoenix Park. Visit the Old Library of Trinity College which houses the 8C Book of Kells, its delicate paintings one of the treasures of the Middle Ages. Round off your tour at the Guinness Storehouse, which includes a highlight lunch and one drink and a souvenir history of the Guinness story. (Full Breakfast / Highlight Lunch)
Day 12 - DUBLIN – KILDARE – KILLARNEY
Drive to Ireland’s premier thoroughbred horse breeding region for a guided tour of the National Stud. You also visit the finest Japanese Gardens in Europe. Continue to view St. Patrick’s great Rock of Cashel, crowned with the noblest group of medieval monuments in Ireland. Cross the rolling pastures which encircle Tipperary, (a long way, according to some), before reaching Killarney. This evening, for your dining pleasure, choose from a selection of restaurants. (Full Breakfast / Dine Around)
Day 13 - RING OF KERRY EXCURSION
A delightful excursion takes you around the Ring of Kerry, a world of towering cliffs, lush lake lands and remote villages. Get a sense of the unhurried pace of Irish life as you pass through Ireland’s highest mountain range, the MacGillicuddy Reeks, and make your way to the three peaceful Lakes of Killarney. In the afternoon, perhaps take an optional ride with the locals on one of Killarney’s jaunting cars. (Full Breakfast)
Day 14 - KILLARNEY – WATERFORD
Cross the rugged Derrynasaggart Mountains to visit Blarney Castle, the home of the famous stone of eloquence, once kissed, never forgotten! Travel on through the scenic port of Dungarvan to the historic walled city of Waterford, where you can admire a sparkling display of crystal. Enjoy a glass of wine with your Celebration Dinner at the hotel tonight. (Full Breakfast / Celebration Dinner)
Day 15 - WATERFORD – CARDIFF
Drive to Rosslare to take the ferry across the Irish Sea. Continue past the valleys of South Wales to the Welsh capital, Cardiff, famous for its imposing castle and the brilliant Millennium Stadium. (Full Breakfast)
Day 16 - CARDIFF – STONEHENGE – LONDON
Cross the Severn bridge, spanning the Bristol channel between England and Wales, then on to Bath with its Georgian streets and crescents, and visit the Roman Baths. Cross Salisbury Plain and stop to visit the mysterious megaliths of Stonehenge. From here, travel to London, where the tour ends. (Full Breakfast)
Day 17 - RETURN TO USA
Your tour ends after breakfast. (Full Breakfast)
800-680-2858
800-680-2858
Map
800-680-2858
800-680-2858
All This Included
Included Quality Dining
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A Welcome Reception with light informal meal (WR)
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Enjoy lunch and one drink at the Guinness Storehouse. (HL)
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Enjoy a Highlight Dinner in the Highlands. (HD)
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Choose from a selection of restaurants in Killarney (DA)
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Enjoy finalé Celebration Dinner with wine (CD)
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15 Full Breakfasts (FB)
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2 three-course Dinners with choice, or buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)
Included First Class Services
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Escorted by a professional Tour Director
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Headsets for all guided visits and walking tours
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Enjoy the unique comfort of Insight’s Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with extended leg room and on-board restroom
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Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage
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Insight Traveller Welcome pack
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London Airport transfer service available.
800-680-2858
800-680-2858
Highlights
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Stratford: Visit the birthplace of William Shakespeare.
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Peterborough: Relax on the east coast train to York.
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York: See York Minster, city walls and medieval “Shambles”
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Durham: See the Castle and fine Romanesque Cathedral.
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Borders: See Jedburgh Abbey and stop at Hadrian’s Wall.
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Edinburgh: Visit the Castle during your guided city tourSelected departures experience the Edinburgh Military Tattoo
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St Andrews: Visit the university town to see the golf course.
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Loch Lomond: Embark on a guided highlight scenic cruise.
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Lake District: Visit William Wordsworth’s grave in Grasmere.
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Chester: See the Cathedral, famous ‘Rows’ and city walls.
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Dublin: Visit the Book of Kells during your guided city tour.Follow the story of the famous drink the Guinness Storehouse.
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Kildare: Visit Ireland’s National Stud and Japanese Gardens.
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Cashel: See the great Rock where St Patrick preached.
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Killarney: Tour the scenic Ring of Kerry.
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Blarney: Visit the Castle and kiss the Blarney stone.
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Waterford: Visit Waterford Crystal showroom.
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Cardiff: See the castle and Millennium Stadium.
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Bath: Visit the Roman Baths and Georgian Pump Rooms.
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Stonehenge: Visit the mysterious megaliths.
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Scenic drives – Scottish Highlands, Grampian Mountains, Glencoe, English Lake District, Ring of Kerry, Severn Bridge.
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London: See Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and Buckingham Palace on your London sightseeing tour
800-680-2858
800-680-2858
Accommodations
London: Thistle Marble Arch
York: 53
Edinburgh: Royal Terrace/Apex City
Highlands: Laggan Country Hotel
Lake District: Castle Green/Low Wood/Hydro
Chester: Queen
Dublin: Burlington/Herbert Park
Killarney: Killarney Towers/Killarney Avenue
Waterford: Dooleys
Cardiff: Radisson Blu
800-680-2858
800-680-2858
Notes
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Prices, itineraries and tour content are based on selected tours featured in Insight's 2012 Europe & Britain brochure. Items such as, but not limited to, hotels, meals, sightseeing inclusions, tour itineraries, transfers and transportation are all subject to change. The final composition of your tour will be published in Insight's 2013 Europe & Britain brochure. By paying your deposit, you are agreeing to accept the finalized version of your tour itinerary.
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In some parts of Ireland, the Scottish Highlands and Islands north from Edinburgh and Glasgow, the remote nature and limited seasonality means hotels are often more basic, modest and simpler in style than Insight hotels elsewhere in Europe, especially in the larger or capital cities. These properties are typically family-run establishments and have completely individual character - which is part of their attraction.
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2013 departures are subject to itinerary and price modification. Details will be available in fall 2012.
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Please ask your Vacations To Go travel counselor for more information.
800-680-2858
800-680-2858
Terms and Conditions
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terms and conditions, please click here.
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The prices shown are U.S. dollars per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability. Prices quoted for land/cruise arrangements are subject to increase without notice. Once we have received your deposit, land/cruise prices are guaranteed. Air prices quoted via phone or email are subject to increase and are guaranteed only from the time that full payment is received. Also, air prices or air promotions mentioned on this site or on the phone do not include baggage fees imposed by airlines.
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