2008
Britain
&
Ireland
(Includes Military Tattoo)
Depart:
July 31
, 2008
Return:
August
18
, 2008
Tour No. BAI-802-8
Tour Price: *$4805 Twin, $4730 Triple, $5415 Single
*Based on 2008 land price and 2007 bulk air fare
Early Book Discount available
********************************************************************
Day 1 – Thursday, July 31
HONOLULU
/ MAINLAND
U.S.A.
Leave
Honolulu
via air on an overnight flight to the mainland.
Day 2 – Friday, August 1 MAINLAND
U.S.A.
Upon arriving on the mainland we transfer to an airport hotel for overnight accommodations.
Day 3 – Saturday, August 2 MAINLAND
U.S.A.
/
LONDON
,
ENGLAND
Today we depart for our flight to
Europe
. This is the time to check out the Duty Free store.
Day 4 – Sunday, August 3
LONDON
,
ENGLAND
After arriving in
London
, join me for a ride on the “tube” to
Covent
Gardens
with the open-air cafes, novelty street entertainers, stylish shops and markets. Depending on our time and schedule, let’s walk across the
Millineum
Bridge
and visit Shakespear’s Globe theater. Before we end the evening, we’ll have dinner in local pub, Fish and Chips or Steak and Kidney Pie anyone?
Day 5 – Monday, August 4
LONDON
After a hearty English breakfast, morning sightseeing with a professional
London
guide includes all the famous landmarks: Royal Albert Hall,
Kensington
Palace
and the area’s splendid museums, Knightsbridge with Harrods, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben beside the River Thames, and Westminster Abbey. Highlights are a visit to
St. Paul
’s Cathedral and the Changing of the Guard at
Buckingham
Palace
, if held. The afternoon is free to join your Royal Adventure escort at the British Museum, known for it’s fabulous Egyptian exhibit, including the Rosetta Stone; and/or have afternoon tea at Kensington Palace (If they are serving their orange cake, it is yummy!). (FB)
Day 6 – Tuesday, August 5
LONDON
/
BATH
/
BRISTOL
Our day begins with a full breakfast, meeting of our tour director and traveling companions. Our first stop on this memorable day of sightseeing is the
Ornamental
Gardens
of Henry VIII’s
Hampton
Court
Palace
. We continue on a walk to see the Great Vine,
Pond
Garden
,
Privy
Garden
and the flower borders of the
Great
Fountain
Garden
. Take a stroll in picturesque Salisbury with its vast cathedral, the ultimate in Early English Gothic; maybe we’ll have a chance to sample Sally Lunn, named after the 17th century baker who created the famous buttery tea buns; try to figure out the riddle of STONEHENGE; in the elegant Georgian city of Bath see the amazing excavations of the ROMAN BATHS. Finally your orientation tour of
Bristol
focuses on Brunel’s daring
Clifton
suspension bridge, SS Great Britain, and the historic harbor from which John Cabot sailed in 1497 to discover
America
. Before dinner tonight join your Tour Director for a toast to happy touring with a congenial group. (FB, D)
Day 7 – Wednesday, August 6
BRISTOL
/
WATERFORD
,
IRELAND
Full breakfast. Cross the
Severn
Road
Bridge
to the Welsh capital. An orientation drive here 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. Dinner included. (FB, D)
Day 8 – Thursday, August 7
WATERFORD
/ KILLARNEY
This morning, after breakfast, we take a visit to the world-famous WATERFORD CRYSTAL FACTORY. Via the port city of
Cork
motor to
Blarney
, renowned for its magical Stone of Eloquence. Time for lunch to walk up the castle, and to shop for traditional Irish handicrafts. Afternoon arrival in Killarney, County Kerry, for a two night stay. Later, join an entertaining optional evening in
Tralee
with dinner followed by tickets for Siamsa Tire National Folk Theatre. (FB)
Day 9 – Friday, August 8 KILLARNEY RING OF KERRY EXCURSION
After our full breakfast, 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 pictures of the vistas of the
Lakes of Killarney
from Ladies View. This afternoon maybe an optional fun-filled horse drawn jaunting car ride and later an entertaining optional evening in
Tralee
with dinner followed by tickets for Siamsa Tire National Folk Theatre. (FB, D)
Day 10 – Saturday, August 9 KILLARNEY /
DUBLIN
After a full breakfast, 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, whose fine thoroughbreds command respect on the racecourses of the world. Tonight an optional dinner and cabaret show. (FB)
Day 11 – Sunday, August 10
DUBLIN
Full breakfast. Get an overview of
Eire
’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. Afternoon at leisure. Your best bet for tonight: join your Tour Director on the optional dinner evening at the Guinness Storehouse. (FB)
Day 12 - Monday, August 11
DUBLIN
/
NORTH WALES
/
CHESTER
,
ENGLAND
After a full breakfast, we back across the
Irish Sea
from
Dun Laoghaire
to Holyhead on the Welsh Isle of Anglesey, where a photo stop at tongue-twisting Llanfair…is a must. Then a scenic drive along the
North Wales
coast to
Chester
, the historic county town on the River Dee. On your walking tour in the walled city of Chester see the Roman remains, the characteristic black and white half-timbered buildings, and the two-tiered arcades called the “Rows” noted for traditional quality shops specializing in clothes, shoes, jewelry, books, furnishings and gifts.
Eastgate Street
has a famous chocolate maker, shall we check I out? (FB, D)
Day 13 – Tuesday, August 12
CHESTER
/ LAKE DISTRICT /
EDINBURGH
,
SCOTLAND
Full breakfast. In the
Lake District
, considered the finest of
England
’s national parks, enjoy one of the highlights of the day, a cruise along
Lake Windermere
on an historic iron steamship. After a stop at Wordworth’s beloved
Grasmere
, visit
Gretna Green
, where the blacksmith used to wed runaway couples, on your way through history-steeped Lowland Hills to
Edinburgh
. Your optional Scottish evening features
Highland
dancers, bagpipers, and the Ceremony of the Haggis. (An adventure in dining!). (FB)
Day 14 – Wednesday, August 13
EDINBURGH
After our full breakfast, we begin our morning city sightseeing 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
, the Queen’s official Scottish residence. Afternoon at leisure. Later, a unique optional experience: board the former Royal Yacht Britannia for a tour of five decks to see how the Royal Family and crew of 240 lived and worked on board. The afternoon is free to explore this “Prince of Cities” with your Royal Adventure escort. Our time in
Edinburgh
includes the opportunity to see the spectacular Military Tattoo. (FB)
Day 15 – Thursday, August 14 EDINBURGH /
YORK
,
ENGLAND
Full breakfast. This morning visit magnificent
FLOORS
CASTLE
, the stately home of the Duke and Duchess of Roxburghe. On past the abbey ruins at Jedburgh and the house of Mary, Queen of Scots, into wild
Northumberland
National Park
. Later inspect a section of
Hadrian’s Wall
, the Roman coast-to-coast defense against marauding northern tribes. In
York
,
England
’s most complete medieval city, stand in awe in front of the great structure of York Minster, then follow your Tour Director through a maze of quaint streets including the narrow Shambles.
(FB, D)
Day 16 – Friday, August 15
YORK
/
STRATFORD
After our full breakfast, skirt Robin Hood’s
Sherwood Forest
on the way to
Coventry
, where you view the splendid modern cathedral which rose from the rubble of sever World War II bombings. In
Stratford-upon-Avon
take your pictures of Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and visit SHAKESPEARE’S BIRTHPLACE. (FB, D)
Day 17 – Saturday, August 16
STRATFORD
/
LONDON
Full breakfast. Today’s spectacular highlight is a visit to magnificent
BLENHEIM
PALACE
, home of the 11th Duke of
Marlborough
and birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. After a guided tour of the palace, time to explore the Capability Brown Landscaped parkland. Depart after lunch and return to
London
at about
3 p.m.
Anyone for a visit to Harrod’s for last minute shopping? Join your Royal Adventure Travel escort for dinner at a local restaurant in the area to celebrate the end of our journey. How about celebrating the success of your tour by taking in one of the great
West End
shows? (FB)
Day 18 – Sunday, August 17
LONDON
/ CONTINENTAL U.SA.
Full breakfast. We leave
London
via air to the Continental U.S.A. with an overnight hotel at a airport hotel. (FB)
Day 19 – Monday, August 18 CONTINENTAL
U.S.A.
/
HONOLULU
We depart on our return flight to
Honolulu
.
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Every effort has been made to produce this itinerary without error.
Should any occur, we reserve the right to correct.t
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