Deluxe & Superior First Class Hotels - 10 Day Coach Tour
See the best of both British Islands, in just 10 days, with accomodation in deluxe and superior first class hotels. Tour the capital cities London, Edinburgh and Dublin. Visit the university town of Cambridge, the medieval city center of York and the Northern Irish city of Derry.
Day 1: Depart U.S. for London
Depart U.S. on your overnight flight to London. Relax with meal and entertainment services.
Day 2: London at Leisure
Welcome to Heathrow Airport, London! Transfers from Gatwick Airport available at additional cost. After immigration and baggage claim, take an independent coach transfer to your hotel, located near Regent's Park. Coaches operate at frequent intervals. For the balance of the day you are free to rest or explore London a little. The British Museum, shops of Oxford and New Bond Streets, Hyde Park and Piccadilly are within easy reach. In the evening meet your guide and fellow travelers over a welcome drink to discuss your vacation before dining independently.
Day 3: Tower of London & City Sights
This morning tour central London to see famous landmarks including Piccadilly Circus, Nelson's Column and lions of Trafalgar Square, Big Ben towering over the Houses of Parliament and Hyde Park. Visit the Tower of London to see the magnificent Crown Jewels, guarded by the Beefeaters in distinctive Tudor uniforms. Also see the White Tower, completed in 1097, together with many other fortresses. Spend the afternoon and evening on your own to do further sightseeing, shop, dine or see a West End show - there is no shortage of wonderful things to do and places to see and your director can assist you. (CB)
Day 4: Cambridge & York
Drive north into the countryside to visit the university town of Cambridge. Stop to see some of the famous colleges, including King's College, and the Mathematical Bridge over the River Cam. Head north to the quaint old city of York for a walking tour around the compact city center. This is the best way to view and appreciate the narrow streets, including The Shambles, which contain centuries of history with medieval houses that almost form an arch across the streets. Visit the stately York Minster, with towers and stained glass, which will be the highlight of your walk. Continue your journey through Yorkshire to your delightful country manor house hotel in Guisborough where you will have time to relax a little before dinner. (CB, D)
Day 5: Borders Country & Abbotsford House
Head north through the gentle hills and open scenery of the Northumberland National Park and cross from England to Scotland at Carter Bar, where you have sweeping views of the Cheviot Hills. Stop for a while to look around Jedburgh, a charming town with romantic abbey ruins, before driving to Melrose. Here visit Abbotsford House, Sir Walter Scott's home, where he wrote most of his novels and stayed until his death in 1832. The house has an impressive collection of historic relics and a library with over 9,000 rare volumes. Drive to Edinburgh and check into your hotel. In the evening head out for a Scottish caberet to enjoy dinner with Scottish specialties, including haggis, and a fun show with music, stories and dancing. (B, D)
Day 6: Edinburgh City Tour
Discover Scotland's capital on a guided tour around the city center. See Princes Street, the main shopping thoroughfare. Drive through the 200-year-old Georgian "New Town" with its wide streets and shady squares. Contrast that with the compact medieval city clustered near Edinburgh Castle where buildings have as many as 11 stories and are connected with wynds, or passageways. Tour Edinburgh Castle to see the Crown Jewels of Scotland and the Stone of Destiny. Also visit some of the other historic buidlings and enjoy splendid views of central Edinburgh. The afternoon is free for independent sightseeing or shopping. On August 8 and 22 departures, experience the colorful Edinburgh Military Tattoo. (B)
Day 7: Giant's Causeway & Derry
This morning depart Edinburgh take a short ferry ride from Cairnryan to Larne in Northern Ireland. Drive along the "Nine Glens of Antrim," with views of mountains, valleys and coastline. Visit the Giant's Causeway, hexagonal columns formed by volcanic activity over 60 million years ago. The enormous rocks have spawned legends about the mystical giant, Finn McCool. Continue along the north coast of Ireland to Derry for your overnight stay. (B, D)
Day 8: Ulster Folk Park & Dublin
This morning join a local guide for a short walking tour around the ancient city center, which will include the Guildhall St.Columb's Cathedral, the Diamond and the 16th century city walls. Drive past the Sperrin Mounatins to visit the Ulster American Folk Park. See many cottages including the boyhood home of Thomas Mellon, who emigrated to Pittsburgh in 1818 and founded the Mellon Bank. The Park traces the story of Ulster emigrants and shows rural lifestyles in both Ireland and Colonial America. Travel south to Dublin to your newly-refurbished Victorian hotel where the evening is free. (B)
Day 9: Dublin Castle & Taylor's Three Rock Pub
Take a morning tour around central Dublin, with its spacious Georgian squares and streets, landmark public buildings and graceful townhouses. Tour Dublin Castle's elegantly furnished State Apartments to learn about historic events that have taken place there. The afternoon is free for further sightseeing on your own - you may use your included bus voucher to explore the city center. Either stay on the bus to travel the complete route or stop off where you please. Use your complimentary voucher for a visit and tasting at either Guinness Storehouse or Old Jameson Distillery. Enjoy dinner at Taylor's Three Rock Pub followed by an upbeat show with Irish music and dance. (B, D)
Day 10: Dublin to U.S.
Complimentary group transfer are provided to Dublin Airport to arrive at 6:00 am, 9:00 am or 12:00 noon. After check-in, you'll have time to shop at the duty-free stores before U.S. Immigration pre-clearance and boarding your flight for the journey home. (B)
B=Breakfast, CB=Continental Breakfast, D=Dinner
Hotels on this tour
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Grafton Hotel, London (2 nights)
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Gisborough Hall Hotel, Guisborough (1 night)
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Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire, Dublin (2 nights)
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