England & Wales Tour Itinerary – September 4 – 11, 2016
September 2 and 4, 2016 Optional 2 night stay in London – free time to explore city
Day 1 – 4th Sep 2016
Pick up at your London Hotel.
Leave London and travel northwest to Wales, visit Stonehenge and Bath on the way.
Stonehenge: Clouded in mystery, the ancient stone circle of Stonehenge is an amazing feat of engineering and the most important prehistoric site in England, but beyond its archaeological significance and possible astronomical role, Stonehenge is also a place of spiritual importance. Early legends link it with Merlin and King Arthur, but over the last hundred years the midsummer sunrise has attracted pagan groups and followers of the Ancient Order of Druids.
Travel to Bath: This beautiful Georgian city has some of the richest ancient history in Britain, and much of the most stunning architecture in Europe. See elegant honey-colored crescents, beautiful Georgian squares and the delightful scenery along the banks of the River Avon. You’ll enjoy views of the famous Pulteney Bridge and Bath Abbey, known locally as ‘The Lantern of the West’. Visit the famous Roman Baths Museum: Marvelous museum of the ancient Roman baths that gave this city its name.
Continue to Wales.
Dinner & overnight at Clayton Hotel, Cardiff.
Day 2 – 5th Sep 2016
Breakfast at hotel.
This morning enjoy a tour of Cardiff City the Capital city of Wales, rich in ancient history. You will see many famous attractions such as Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Castle, The National Museum of Wales and the beautiful tranquil Alexandra Gardens. You will then visit the magnificent hilltop Cardiff Castle; built in the late 11th century by Norman invaders on top of a 3rd-century Roman fort. The castle was commissioned by either William the Conqueror or by Robert Fitzhamon, and formed the heart of the medieval town of Cardiff.
Following your tour you will travel to and its spectacularly scenic landscape. The National Park is visited by over 4 million people every year, attracted by the beautiful hills, lakes, waterfalls and wildlife.
Return to Cardiff.
Overnight at Clayton Hotel, Cardiff.
Day 3 – 6th Sep 2016
Breakfast at hotel.
Leaving Cardiff today travel Northwards to the Italian fantasy village at Portmerion. Designed and built by architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis between 1925 and 1975 in the style of an Italian village, and is now owned by a charitable trust. He wanted to show how a naturally beautiful site could be developed without spoiling it. The village was built as a place people could enjoy for its own sake, a place where events, concerts and exhibitions could take place.
Continue Northwards to Llanberis located at the base of Mt snowden.
Dinner & overnight at Padarn Lake Hotel, Llanberis.
Day 4 – 7th Sep 2016
Breakfast at hotel.
This morning travel a short distance to Caernarfon to visit Caernarfon Castle King Edward I intended the castle to be a royal residence and seat of government for North Wales. His son the first English Prince of Wales, was born here in 1284. In 1969 the castle gained worldwide fame as the setting for the HRH Prince Charles as Prince of Wales.
Return to Llanberis for your trip onboard the Snowdon Steam Train – your journey of a lifetime to the rooftop of Wales. Mount Snowdon peak is the highest in England & Wales at 3,560ft (1085m) with stunning scenery.
Following your spectacular railway journey you visit the National Slate Museum previously known as the Welsh Slate Museum and the North Wales Quarrying Museum. The workshops served the needs of the quarry and its locomotives, were built in 1870 on land created from the continuous tipping of spoil from the adjacent Vivian Quarry. The quarry closed in 1969 and reopened in 1972 as the North Wales Quarrying Museum.
Dinner & overnight at Padarn Lake Hotel, Llanberis.
Day 5 – 8th Sep 2016
Breakfast at hotel.
Leaving Llanberis, travel northeast to Chester. Stopping in Conwy to visit Conwy Castle; a medieval fortification in Conwy, on the north coast of Wales. It was built by Edward I, during his conquest of Wales, between 1283 and 1289.
Continue to Chester where you will enjoy a walking tour – a captivating journey through 2,000 years of history, taking in all the main sites along the way, including the Rows, Walls and River. Be enthralled by the tales and anecdotes of those who have contributed to the rich heritage of this much-loved city, beginning in Roman times, through the vibrant medieval expansion period, the desperation of the Civil War, the Georgian elegance and the Victorian.
Visit Chester Cathedral; a Church of England cathedral and the mother church of the Diocese of Chester, dedicated to Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Cathedral is many things to many people; a vibrant community of worship, ancient abbey, an archaeological treasure, a cultural hub, a centre of musical excellence and a unique blend of medieval and modern history.
Dinner & overnight at Queens Hotel, Chester.
Day 6 – 9th Sep 2016
Breakfast at hotel.
Leaving Chester this morning we head South to Stratford-upon-Avon stopping first in Warwick.
Visit Warwick Castle a medieval castle developed from an original built by William the Conqueror in 1068. Warwick is the county town of Warwickshire, England, situated on a bend of the River Avon.
Following your tour continue to Stratford-upon-Avon where you will embark on a guided tour. A medieval market town in England’s West Midlands, and the 16th-century birthplace of William Shakespeare. Visit Shakespeare’s birthplace; the half-timbered house is Stratford’s most cherished historic place William Shakespeare was born here in 1564. Descendants of the dramatist lived there until the nineteenth century, and it has been a place of pilgrimage for over 250 years.
Dinner & overnight at White Swan Hotel, Stratford-upon-Avon.
Day 7 – 10th Sep 2016
Breakfast at hotel.
Enjoy a leisurely morning in Stratford-upon-Avon before travelling to London for your final night.
Upon arrival check-in to hotel and free time for shopping or sightseeing.
Overnight at Copthorne Tara Hotel, London.
Day 8 – 11th Sep 2016
Transfer to Airport and fly Back to USA or on to other destination.
Tour cost $2600/person double occupancy, single supplement $500, cost does not include air travel in and out of London Heathrow.
Optional 2 night stay in Center City London Hotel – $130/person/night double occupancy, 2 people 2 nights – $520 total, single room 2 nights $450.
Register for tour – $500/person deposit due now. Final Payment by July 15th 2016
Questions to Gerry Timlin Call: 215-527-8219 or Email:Pgtimlin@aol.com
Tour hosted by:
Gerry Timlin
215-527-8219
Or you can E-mail: Gerry at PGTimlin@aol.com
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