Allied Tours & Travel
Day 1: DEPART THE UNITED STATES
Depart your hometown and take an overnight flight across the Atlantic Enjoy in-flight entertainment and meal service as you travel to start your vacation
Day 2: LONDON ARRIVAL
After landing at London Heathrow Airport complete customs and immigration formalities. Your CIE Tours guide will welcome you to England. Next set off on an orientation tour around London to see some of the citys famous landmarks. View Houses of Parliament Big Ben and nearby Westminster Abbey. Drive through Trafalgar Square where the National Gallery and St. Martin-in-the-Fields Church are located. Motor a short distance to your hotel check in and settle into your room. In the evening join your group for an authentic Irish dinner at a local pub.
Day 3: LONDON SIGHTSEEING
This morning embark on a guided tour to see some more of Londons best-known landmarks. View the West End Piccadilly Circus and much more. Stop to visit the mighty Tower of London to see the many fortresses Beefeaters ravens and the priceless Crown Jewels. Then travel into Windsor and stop to visit Windsor Castle the official residence of The Queen. Covering thirteen acres this is the largest inhabited castle in the world. See the Upper and Middle Wards the Round Tower and the Lower Ward where St. Georges Chapel is situated. Return to you hotel in London where the rest of the day is free to sightsee shop and dine on your own.
Day 4: CAMBRIDGE SIGHTSEEING
Leaving London journey into Cambridge and set off on a panoramic tour around the charming medieval city. Next travel to the Althorp Estate which has been home to the Spencer family for nearly 500 years. Princess Diana is also buried on the property grounds. While here enjoy a picnic lunch with your group. Next drive into York check into your hotel and enjoy some free time before meeting your fellow travelers for dinner in the hotel restaurant.
Day 5: YORK SIGHTSEEING
After breakfast embark on guided walking tour of the Medieval city of York. Learn about such places at York Cold War Bunker York Brewery and even see the Shambles a famed street located in the city center. Stop to visit the imposing York Minster which was built between the 12th and the 15th century and is the largest Gothic church in England. Continue on to view Hadrians Wall built in 122 AD to mark the northern edge of the mighty Roman Empire. After travel via Gretna Green and into Dumfries check into your hotel and settle into your room. Tonight dine with your group in the hotel restaurant.
Day 6: LAKE DISTRICT SIGHTSEEING
Today set off to tour the Lake District a region made popular in the 19th century by the writings of Wordsworth who was inspired by the natural beauty of the area. Pass through the towns of Windermere and Keswick with stops to admire the delightful lakes shimmering between the gentle hills. Next drive into the town of Grasmere and stop to visit Dove Cottage. William Wordsworth lived here with his sister Dorothy and it is now part of the Wordsworth Museum. Wordsworth the poet laureate died in the spring of 1850 and was buried in the graveyard of the village church at Grasmere. Then continue on to visit the Lingholm Estate and Walled Gardens. Walk around the Gardens which sits on the same spot as the old Lingholm kitchen gardens that Beatrix Potter credited as her original inspiration for Mr. McGregors garden in The Tale of Peter Rabbit. The Gardens also contain an outside gallery dedicated to the work of Beatrix Potter. After your visit transfer to your nearby hotel check in and settle into your room. In the evening you may like to dine in one of the many restaurants or pubs scattered around the area.
Day 7: SHAKESPEARES BIRTHPLACE
This morning drive into Coventry and stop to visit the Coventry Cathedral. Next journey into Chester and set off on a panoramic tour to see the highlights of the city. Then continue into Stratford-Upon-Avon and stop to visit Shakespeares Birthplace where in 1564 William Shakespeare was born. During your visit you will introduction to his life work and times in which Shakespeare lived. After transfer to your nearby hotel check in and enjoy some free time before a festieve eveing with your group.
Tonight travel to the Swan Theater and set off on a tour to see the costume hire department rehearsal rooms studio theatre theatre gardens and main building. After your tour enjoy an authentic English dinner with your fellow travelers at the Rooftop Restaurant before heading to the Swan Theatre for a viewing of the A Museum in Baghdad show.
Day 8: SALISBURY CATHEDRAL
After breakfast travel to visit St. Martins Church to see Winston Churchills grave. Then journey into Oxford and set off on an orientation tour to see the highlights of the city. Next drive into Salisbury and stop to visit Salisbury Cathedral which was built in the 13th century. The cathedral is also home to one of the four remaining exemplars of the original Magna Carta. After continue your travel past Stonehenge and Bath (time permitting) en route to Cardiff. Upon arrival check into your hotel settle into your room and spend the remainder of the day free for individual sightseeing shopping and dining.
Day 9: CARDIFF SIGHTSEEING
Today set off on a guided tour to see the principal streets of Cardiff considered the youngest and fastest-growing capital in Europe. Stop to tour of Cardiff Castle which dates back to the 11th century but was extensively rebuilt in the 1860s with elaborate decorations throughout. After your visit drive into Fishguard and take a short ferry ride into Rosslare located in the eastern banks of Ireland. Upon arrival meet your CIE Tours driver/guide who will welcome you to Ireland and escort you and your luggage to the coach. Next travel into the city of Waterford check into your hotel and relax or freshen up before dining with your group in the hotel restaurant.
Day 10: HOUSE OF WATERFORD CRYSTAL
This morning add a bit of sparkle to your day by touring the House of Waterford Crystal. While here learn about glass blowing cutting and see one-of-a-kind masterpieces. Next drive into Blarney where you can climb the battlements of Blarney Castle and kiss the famous Stone of Eloquence. Then visit the Blarney Woollen Mills which has an excellent range of Irish products. You will also have time to browse around the village charmingly set around a large village green. After set off to explore a section of the breathtaking Ring of Kerry. The scenic drive will take you to plenty of stops at strategic locations where you can take photos. Along the way travel through Kenmare before pausing at Molls Gap which overlooks the three lakes. Continue to Ladies View for more spectacular view of Killarneys lakes and mountains. Transfer to your hotel in Killarney check in and enjoy the balance of the day at your leisure. After an independent dinner you may like to find a musical pub for some entertainment.
Day 11: CLIFFS OF MOHER
Departing Killarney drive into Tarbert and take a short ferry ride across the River Shannon Estuary. Then travel along the scenic coast of County Clare and stop to visit the Cliffs of Moher one of Irelands most beloved natural landmarks. See magical vistas overlooking the shimmering Atlantic Ocean along with Irelands Western coastline. After your visit continue your journey into the bustling city of Dublin check into your hotel and settle into your room. Spend the remainder of the afternoon and evening free for individual pursuits and dining.
Day 12: DUBLIN SIGHTSEEING
After breakfast set off with a local guide who will show you around Dublin. The city has been molded through the centuries with many architectural styles reflecting the economic political and artistic influences. Stop to tour St. Patricks Cathedral which is almost as old as the city itself and famous for its connections with the brilliantly eccentric Dean Jonathan Swift. Then continue on to visit Trinity College to see the Book of Kells an 8th century illuminated manuscript of the gospels and see the Old Library. After return to your nearby hotel where the rest of the afternoon is at your leisure. In the evening join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner in the hotel restaurant.
Day 13: RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES
All too soon your vacation has come to its final day. Transfer to Dublin Airport in good time to check in for your flight. You may do some last minute shopping at the duty free stores before boarding your aircraft and flying across the Atlantic Ocean back to the United States.
CONFIRMED HOTELS
NH Kensington Hotel, London - 2 nights
Novotel Hotel, York - 1 night
Cairndale Hotel, Dumfries- 1 night
Macdonald Old England Hotel, Lake District- 1 night
Mercure Shakespeare Hotel, Stratford upon Avon- 1 nights
Clayton Hotel, Cardiff- 1 night
Dooley's Hotel, Waterford- 1 night
Killarney Towers Hotel, Killarney- 1 night
Camden Court Hotel, Dublin- 2 nights
TOUR INCLUDES
Exclusive transport by luxury motorcoach with a driver & tour director in UK; driver/guide in Ireland
Meet and greet service with one group transfer upon arrival and departure at the airport
Hotel accommodation based on twin bedded rooms with private bath as listed for 12 nights
Full breakfasts (12)
Picnic at Althorp
Dinners (5):
Table d’hôte dinners (4)
Local pub dinner
Guided tour of London, Cardiff & Dublin
Guided walking tours of York
Ferry from Scotland to Ireland
Passage on the Tarbert Ferry
Visits and admission fees to:
Tower of London
Windsor Castle
York Minster
Dove Cottage & Wordsworth
Lingholm Gardens
Coventry Cathedral
Christ Church
Shakespeare’s Birthplace
Salisbury Cathedral
St. Martin's Church
Cardiff Castle
House of Waterford Crystal
Blarney Castle
Cliffs of Moher
St. Patrick's Cathedral
Trinity College
Hotel porterage, service charges and government taxes
Flight bags, ticket wallets, baggage tags and identifying strap