Globus > ESSENTIAL BRITAIN and IRELAND

ESSENTIAL BRITAIN and IRELAND
11 Days starting from $1,879

Countries Visited:
England, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales

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Length: 11 Days
Type: First Class Tour
Category: REGIONAL DISCOVERY ENGLAND
Operator: Globus
Tour Code: GB-2008
   
 
About This Tour


This comprehensive 11-day vacation gives you an insight into all five countries of the British Isles. Start with visits to prehistoric Stonehenge and the extraordinary excavations of the Roman Baths. Then travel via Cardiff and through South Wales to board the ferry for the crossing to Ireland. Watch the craftsmen at work at the Waterford Crystal factory, admire the stallions at the Irish National Stud, and relax in Dublin before heading north past the Mountains of Mourne to vibrant Belfast. Another ferry crossing takes you to Scotland and its capital city of Edinburgh, where a guided city tour includes a visit to the castle. The Duke and Duchess of Roxburghe’s magnificent Floors Castle, a walking tour through York, and Shakespeare’s birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon are the final highlights of this journey.

 
  • What's Included
  • Itinerary
  • Dates & Prices
  • Sightseeing
  • SPECIALS

City Highlights
STONEHENGE
Visit the prehistoric monument

BATH
Visit the Roman relics

BRISTOL
Orientation drive

CARDIFF
Orientation drive

WATERFORD
Guided tour of the Waterford Crystal factory

KILDARE
Guided tour of the Irish National Stud

DUBLIN
Orientation drive, visit Trinity College

EDINBURGH
Guided sightseeing, visit Edinburgh Castle

FLOORS
Visit the Duke and Duchess of Roxburghe’s stately home

YORK
Walking tour

STRATFORD
Picture stop at Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, visit Shakespeare’s birthplace

FERRIES
Cross the Irish Sea Pembroke-Rosslare and by Stena Line’s High Speed Service Belfast-Stranraer

Meals
9 full English breakfasts (FB); 3 three-course dinners (D) with choice of menus and coffee, and a welcome drink before dinner at your hotel in Bristol

Hotels:
LONDON Novotel London West (F), BRISTOL Jurys (F), WATERFORD Fitzwilton (F) or Granville (F), DUBLIN Royal Marine (SF) at Dun Laoghaire, EDINBURGH The George (SF), YORK Novotel (F) or Ramada (F), LONDON Ramada Hyde Park (F)
Day 1:
Board your overnight transatlantic flight.

Day 2:
Arrival in London, England. Uniformed Globus Hosts will be waiting to welcome you. After checking into your hotel and an afternoon at leisure we recommend our optional Taste of London excursion with dinner followed by a guided illuminations cruise on the River Thames.

Day 3:
London–Bath–Bristol. Meet your Tour Director and traveling companions and depart London at 8 a.m. for a memorable day’s sightseeing. Take a stroll in picturesque Salisbury with its vast cathedral, the ultimate in Early English Gothic; try to figure out the riddle of STONEHENGE; in the elegant Georgian city of Bath see the amazing excavations of the ROMAN BATHS. Tonight’s destination is Bristol with its historic harbor from where John Cabot sailed in 1497 to discover America. Before dinner join your Tour Director for a toast to happy touring with a congenial group. (FB,D)

Day 4:
Bristol–Cardiff, Wales–Waterford, Ireland. On your Bristol orientation tour focus on Brunel’s daring Clifton Suspension Bridge and SS Great Britain. 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 Pembroke where your ferry will be waiting. Sail across St. George’s Channel to Rosslare on the Emerald Isle and proceed to Waterford, a stronghold founded by the Danish Vikings in 853. (FB,D)

Day 5:
Waterford–Dublin. This morning look forward to a visit to the world-famous WATERFORD CRYSTAL FACTORY, then in Kilkenny take a stroll in this pretty county town. Later, horseracing country with a visit to the IRISH NATIONAL STUD at Kildare, whose thoroughbreds command respect on the racecourses of the world. Drive across the Curragh and on arrival in Dublin, top the day with your Tour Director’s dining recommendation. (FB)

Day 6:
Dublin. An orientation drive in Ireland’s capital city includes statue-lined O’Connell Street, elegant Georgian squares, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Then visit Oscar Wilde’s TRINITY COLLEGE, famous for the 1,200-year-old Book of Kells and the magnificent Old Library. Afternoon at leisure. Tonight, maybe take in an optional dinner outing to the Guinness Storehouse. (FB)

Day 7:
Dublin–Belfast, Northern Ireland–Edinburgh, Scotland. Landscapes strewn with Ireland’s typical round towers line the route northwards, crossing the River Boyne and over the border into Northern Ireland. Skirt the Mountains of Mourne and in Belfast, where the Titanic was built, take in the city’s vibrant history and view the impressive City Hall. Next, board your fast ferry to cross the North Channel to Stranraer on Scotland’s southwest coast and continue through the Scottish Lowlands to Edinburgh. (FB)

Day 8:
Edinburgh. Morning city sightseeing with a local expert 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. The afternoon is free to enjoy this “Prince of Cities” at your own pace or maybe join an optional excursion to Rosslyn Chapel, made famous by The Da Vinci Code novel. Tonight relax and enjoy our optional Scottish evening with Highland dancers, bagpipers, and the Ceremony of the Haggis. For departure numbers 0730 through 0816 tickets are included for tonight’s performance of the world-renowned MILITARY TATTOO, a vast spectacle of massed Scottish pipe bands which takes place in an arena on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle. (FB)

Day 9:
Edinburgh–York, England. 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 10:
York–Stratford–London. Skirt Robin Hood’s Sherwood Forest on the way to Stratfordupon-Avon. Take your pictures of Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, visit SHAKESPEARE’S BIRTHPLACE, and enjoy lunchtime exploring this fascinating Elizabethan town at your own pace. On return to London at about 3:30 p.m., a shownight theatre evening would be the best finale to your vacation; ask your Tour Director. (FB)

Day 11:
Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (FB)


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Airfare Disclaimer
A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link.

Documents
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

         
Touring Date
Land Only
Land + Air
Single
(Land Only)
Single
(Land + Air)
7/7/2008 - 7/17/2008
$1,899
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7/10/2008 - 7/20/2008
$1,899
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7/14/2008 - 7/24/2008
$1,899
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7/17/2008 - 7/27/2008
$1,899
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7/21/2008 - 7/31/2008
$1,879
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7/24/2008 - 8/3/2008
$1,879
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7/28/2008 - 8/7/2008
$1,919
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7/31/2008 - 8/10/2008
$1,919
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8/4/2008 - 8/14/2008
$1,919
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8/7/2008 - 8/17/2008
$1,919
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8/11/2008 - 8/21/2008
$1,919
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8/14/2008 - 8/24/2008
$1,919
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8/18/2008 - 8/28/2008
$1,879
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8/21/2008 - 8/31/2008
$1,879
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8/25/2008 - 9/4/2008
$1,879
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8/28/2008 - 9/7/2008
$1,879
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9/1/2008 - 9/11/2008
$1,899
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9/4/2008 - 9/14/2008
$1,909
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9/8/2008 - 9/18/2008
$1,909
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9/11/2008 - 9/21/2008
$1,909
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9/15/2008 - 9/25/2008
$1,899
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9/18/2008 - 9/28/2008
$1,899
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9/22/2008 - 10/2/2008
$1,899
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9/25/2008 - 10/5/2008
$1,899
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10/2/2008 - 10/12/2008
$1,889
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STONEHENGE
Visit the prehistoric monument

BATH
Visit the Roman relics

BRISTOL
Orientation drive

CARDIFF
Orientation drive

WATERFORD
Guided tour of the Waterford Crystal factory

KILDARE
Guided tour of the Irish National Stud

DUBLIN
Orientation drive, visit Trinity College

EDINBURGH
Guided sightseeing, visit Edinburgh Castle

FLOORS
Visit the Duke and Duchess of Roxburghe’s stately home

YORK
Walking tour

STRATFORD
Picture stop at Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, visit Shakespeare’s birthplace

FERRIES
Cross the Irish Sea Pembroke-Rosslare and by Stena Line’s High Speed Service Belfast-Stranraer

CURRENT SPECIALS:

Book now and take $200 off per couple on any air-inclusive European Low Season Vacations.*

* Book a 2008/2009 Globus Europe Winter air-inclusive vacation on select carriers to receive the $100 per person discount. Booking must be made, under deposit, and discount applied between June 4 and August 31, 2008 for travel commencing between October 1, 2008 and April 30, 2009. To secure the air booking, an additional deposit of $250 is required, which is refundable until the time that the flight information is confirmed. Offers not valid with one another or any offer and applies to new 2009 bookings only. Offer reliant on space availability. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply.


Save up to $600 per stateroom on 2009 Globus River and Small Ship Cruises

Discover an entirely new way to uncover the wonders of the world with river and small ship cruises. From a wine tasting adventure through the vineyards of France to island hopping in the Galapagos Islands, you’re sure to find a Globus river or small ship cruise that speaks to your heart. There’s simply no more peaceful way to sample the charming cities and awe-inspiring sights of Europe, China, Egypt and the Galápagos Islands.

*Book a 2009 Globus River Cruise air-inclusive vacation to receive the $300 off per person offer. Cruise-only bookings are eligible for the $125 off per person offer. Booking must be made, under deposit, and discount applied between May 14 and August 31, 2008 for travel through December 31, 2009. To secure the air booking, an additional deposit of $250 is required, which is refundable until the time that the flight information is confirmed. Offers not valid with one-another or any other offer and applies to new 2009 bookings only. Offer reliant on space availability. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply.


Standard Offers and Specials provided by Globus

Discount for young travelers

Share the pleasure of a Globus vacation with your children and grandchildren and take advantage of a 10-percent discount on the land-only price. For eligibility, children must be under 18 years of age on the departure date and must be accompanied by an adult. On escorted vacations we don’t accept children under eight years old because we have found that they are too young to enjoy these vacations.

Pay less for your second vacation

We charge you vacation price for your first vacation in 2008, but for every additional Globus vacation you take in the same year, you pay US$35 under list. Our vacations are designed and scheduled so you can combine them almost any way you want. It’s fun to play the add-a-vacation game yourself or talk to your travel agent.

Triple room reduction

On most Globus vacations you receive a reduction when three people travel together and share the same accommodations. Triple room reductions, when available, are listed on the itinerary pages. A word of caution: Triple rooms usually are no larger than twin rooms and the third bed, if there is one, is often a rollaway put in a twin-bedded room.

Avoid the single room supplement

We do not take reservations on a “share” basis because we have found that strangers rarely enjoy sharing a room for the duration of their vacation. Avoid the single room supplement by traveling with a friend. It’s less expensive and much more fun!


Do you have a large party of friends or family that wants to travel?

Right now when you book between 5 and 7 people before December 31, 2008, each passenger will save $75.* For example, book 5 passengers and receive a $375 discount, 6 passengers equals a $450 discount and 7 passengers will receive a $525 discount. With an offer like this, the world’s greatest destinations are now closer than ever!

*Book a 2009 Globus vacation for five, six or seven travelers to receive the $75 off per person offer. Booking must be made, under deposit, and discount applied between Jun 4 and Dec 31, 2008 for travel through December 31, 2009. Individuals must be traveling together from the same origination point to receive the discount. Not valid with any other offer and applies to new 2009 bookings only. Offer reliant on space availability. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply.


   
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