Cosmos Tours : The Best Of Britain And Ireland 2009

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The Best Of Britain And Ireland 2009

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Tour Code:90109
Length: 16 Days
Tour Quality: Budget
Tour Type: Escorted Tour
Single Supp.: $735

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Start Date	End Date	Brochure Land & Air	Brochure Land Only	Our Price (Land & Air)	Our Price (Land Only)	Quote
Wed, Dec 31, 1969	Wed, Dec 31, 1969			Call Us	Call Us	Quote

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Itinerary

Tour Highlights

Countries Visited: England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales

City Highlights: Bath, Blarney, Cardiff, Chester, Cliffs of Moher, Dublin, Edinburgh, Galway, London, Oxford, Ring of Kerry, Stonehenge, Stratford Upon Avon, Tramore

Tour Itinerary

England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales—experience them all on this comprehensive vacation. Begin your trip with a full day to enjoy exciting optional tours in London before heading out to Henry VIII’s Hampton Court Palace; Oxford, where a walking tour takes in the colleges where Britain’s elite receive their education; the exquisite Cotswolds; Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon; and Lady Godiva’s Coventry. Continue to York, England’s most complete medieval city, for a walking tour. See a section of Hadrian’s Wall, the Roman coast-to-coast defense against marauding northern tribes, and enter Scotland for two overnights in regal Edinburgh. In Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital, your sightseeing tour with a Local Guide includes a visit to Edinburgh Castle to see Scotland’s Crown Jewels. Travel south through the Lowlands to Gretna Green, where the blacksmith used to wed runaway couples. Continue through the Lake District, considered the finest of England’s national parks, visiting Wordsworth’s charming Grasmere and beautiful Lake Windermere, England’s largest lake. Enjoy a walking tour of 2,000-year-old Chester and drive into Wales through breathtaking Snowdonia National Park, Betws-y-Coed, and Llanberis Pass to the Isle of Anglesey. At Holyhead, board a ferry for Dublin, Ireland’s capital, where an orientation drive shows you the main attractions. Head west and via Galway to the spectacular Cliffs of Moher, the spectacular 668-foot cliffs above the Atlantic Ocean. Take a break in Adare, known for its remarkable thatched cottages, then enjoy breathtaking views on your drive along the spectacular “Ring of Kerry.” After an overnight in the popular resort of Killarney, motor to Blarney, famous for its castle and “Blarney Stone.” Leave Ireland and take the ferry back to Wales for an orientation drive of Cardiff, the capital of Wales. Then return to England and stop in the Georgian city of Bath, famous for its Roman relics, before continuing to enigmatic Stonehenge and majestic Salisbury. Your tour ends back in London with free time. On this vacation to England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, you see breathtaking natural beauty, historic ruins, charming towns, and friendly people. A memorable trip!

Day 1: Sat. BOARD YOUR OVERNIGHT TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT
.

Day 2: Sun. ARRIVAL IN LONDON, ENGLAND
. Check into your hotel. In the afternoon there’s time to rest or to start exploring the lively British capital; uniformed Hosts are available to help you make the most of your stay.

Day 3: Mon. LONDON
. A full day to enjoy our exciting program of optional activities. 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. This afternoon you may want to visit Windsor Castle or the Tower of London with its spectacular Crown Jewels, and tonight a leisurely cruise on the River Thames would be fun. (B)

Day 4: Tue. LONDON-OXFORD-STRATFORD-UPON-AVON-COVENTRY
. Meet your Tour Director and traveling companions and depart at 8 am for a memorable day of sightseeing: a photo opportunity at Hampton Court Palace; Runnymede, where King John sealed the Magna Carta; Oxford, where a walking tour takes in the colleges where Britain’s elite receive their outstanding education; and through the lovely Cotswold Hills. At Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon, take your pictures of Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and explore the town at your own pace. Finally, at Coventry, whose center had to be rebuilt after the devastation of World War II bombings, hear the tale of Lady Godiva and Peeping Tom. (B,D)

Day 5: Wed. COVENTRY-YORK-SCOTCH CORNER
. Leave the Midlands, passing the once-mighty Sherwood Forest, home of the legendary Robin Hood, and head north to York, England’s most complete medieval city. Stand in front of the great structure of York Minster, then follow your Tour Director through a maze of quaint streets, including the narrow Shambles. Stop for the night near Richmond, gateway to the Yorkshire Dales made famous by James Herriot’s All Creatures Great and Small. (B,D)

Day 6: Thu. SCOTCH CORNER-EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND
. See a section of Hadrian’s Wall, the Roman coast-to-coast defense against marauding northern tribes, then motor through wild Northumberland National Park to the Scottish border. Stop for photos at Jedburgh, with glimpses of the house of Mary, Queen of Scots, and then Melrose with its 12th-century abbey ruins and connections with Robert the Bruce. Afternoon arrival at Edinburgh. For August 1 - August 22 departures, tickets are included for tonight’s performance of the world-renowned Military Tattoo. (B)

Day 7: Fri. EDINBURGH
. A full day to enjoy this “Prince of Cities.” Morning 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. Afternoon at leisure. A suggestion for this evening: a traditional Scottish night out with Highland dancers, bagpipers, and, of course, the Ceremony of the Haggis. (B)

Day 8: Sat. EDINBURGH-CHESTER, ENGLAND-WREXHAM, WALES
. South through the history-steeped Lowland Hills and a visit to Gretna Green, where the blacksmith used to wed runaway couples. Drive through beautiful scenery in the Lake District, considered to be the finest of England’s National Parks. Visit Wordsworth’s Grasmere, then follow the shores of Lake Windermere. In Chester, the historic county town on the River Dee, your walking tour takes in the Roman remains, black and white half-timbered buildings, and the two-tiered shopping arcades called the “Rows.” (B,D)

Day 9: Sun. WREXHAM-LLANGOLLEN-DUBLIN, IRELAND
. A scenic North Wales drive via Llangollen, home of an annual national competition for poets and musicians, and through the incomparable landscapes of Snowdonia National Park. Pause at lovely Betws-y-Coed before heading over spectacular Llanberis Pass and finally cross Britannia Bridge to the Isle of Anglesey. Take your photos at tongue-twisting Llanfair... and at Holyhead, board the ferry for the Irish Sea crossing to Dublin. (B)

Day 10: Mon. DUBLIN
. A day in the “Fair City” starts off with an orientation drive through Eire’s capital and includes statue-lined O’Connell Street, elegant Georgian squares, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy Dublin at leisure. Take your Tour Director’s dining recommendation for this evening. (B)

Day 11: Tue. DUBLIN-GALWAY-CLIFFS OF MOHER-ENNIS
. Head for dairy farm country in the center of the “Emerald Isle.” In Galway, a vibrant city on the west coast with a great seafaring tradition, hear about the infamous Lynch Stone commemorating the day Mayor James Lynch Fitzstephen hanged his son for murder. Cross the limestone plateau of The Burren to visit the spectacular 668-foot Cliffs of Moher before heading for Ennis, county town of Clare. Tonight’s optional opportunity: a traditional Irish evening in the setting of a village barn with dinner, wine, and entertainment. (B)

Day 12: Wed. ENNIS-RING OF KERRY-KILLARNEY
. Stop for photos in Adare, a village known for its prize-winning thatched cottages and monastic ruins. In County Kerry, join the road known as the “Ring of Kerry” for a 100-mile coastal panoramic drive. Focus your camera on sparkling seascapes, mountains dotted with brightly colored farmhouses, winding lanes bordered with subtropical vegetation, and views of the Lakes of Killarney from Ladies View. Later, in Killarney, discover why this is such a popular resort. (B,D)

Day 13: Thu. KILLARNEY-BLARNEY-TRAMORE
. Across the Kerry Mountains and through County Cork to Blarney, famous for its magical Stone of Eloquence. Time to see the castle and shop for Irish crafts and handmade crystal. After lunch, drive past Cork, the country’s second-largest city, and via Dungarvan to Tramore. Tonight, maybe an optional pub tour before dinner at your hotel. (B,D)

Day 14: Fri. TRAMORE-CARDIFF, WALES
. An early start for the short drive to the ferry port at Rosslare. In just under four hours you cross St. George’s Channel to South Wales. Continue through rich dairy farmland to Cardiff, where an orientation drive introduces you to the capital’s major attractions: Cardiff Castle, Cathays Park, Millennium Stadium, and the stately civic buildings. Your Tour Director will have suggestions for an evening of Welsh entertainment. (B)

Day 15: Sat. CARDIFF-BATH, ENGLAND-STONEHENGE-LONDON
. A day packed with highlights begins as you cross the spectacular Severn Bridge into England. Stop in the elegant Georgian city of Bath, famous for its Roman relics, before continuing via Stonehenge, still an intriguing mystery, to Salisbury, the “City of the Soaring Spire.” After returning to London around 4 pm, how about celebrating the success of your tour with a night out on the town? (B)

Day 16: Sun. YOUR HOMEBOUND FLIGHT ARRIVES THE SAME DAY
. (B)

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What's Included

Visits to Hampton Court Palace Gardens, Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon, Coventry, Hadrian’s Wall, Jedburgh, Edinburgh Castle, tickets for Edinburgh Military Tattoo (departures below), Gretna Green, Grasmere, Llangollen, Betws-y-Coed, Llanfair, Galway, Cliffs of Moher, Adare, Killarney, Blarney, Bath, Salisbury; orientation drives in Dublin, Cardiff; walking tours in Oxford, York, Chester

Note:
Tickets for the world-renowned Edinburgh Military Tattoo are included for the following departures:

August 1
August 8
August 15
August 22

MEALS
Full breakfast daily (B), including buffet breakfast in London; 5 three-course dinners (D) with choice of menus

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Accommodations

London Kensington Close (ST), Coventry Ramada (F), Scotch Corner Scotch Corner Hotel (ST), Edinburgh Capital (F), Wrexham Ramada Plaza (F), Dublin Tara Towers (ST), Ennis Auburn Lodge (ST), Killarney Killarney Court (F), Tramore Grand (ST), Cardiff Park Inn (F)

Single room supplement:
$735

No triple room reduction.

Questions? call 1-800-935-2620

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Note: All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. Please call us toll free at 1-800-935-2620 to confirm availability and current pricing on all our discounted specials. The prices on this website are not guaranteed until a deposit has been made. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in these prices until a booking has been confirmed by one of our agents. Some land prices may include an internal air component and discounts will not be offered on the internal air component. Discounts will not be offered on packages with a land price of less than $500.

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