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Published: August 3rd 2011
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Last day in London
Enjoying a relaxing pint at the Victoria. Hopefully we are all under control for Chapter 2 of our big adventure! LAST DAY IN LONDON
Today was our last day in London so we spent it getting organised for Chapter 2 of our epic adventure.
The S word reared its ugly head again (Shopping) but mainly because we had a few essentials to pick up – like 2 new tops and a scarf for Jeanette! While we were waiting for our photos to be burnt to disc so we could send a copy home I had time for a quick haircut, it ended up being the best haircut I have ever had.
THE ITALIAN JOB
To be fair I don’t actually know the barber guy was Italian, but he spoke little English, wore a tight shirt, was all styley and waved his arms about a lot..... classic Totti..... (the Italian football star). He even used the old fashioned switch blade, he’d cut a bit, put some powder on rub it in, stand back and consider, sprinkle some water, cut a bit more, move on, it was poetry in motion. To be fair I was more than a little concerned when he started to trim my eyebrows and massage my scalp – WOT U DOIN FELLA! However It all ended spectacularly
Breakfast
Typical breakfast at Darlington - very nice but no good for the waist line! well! So in the unlikely event you are ever in Paddington London looking for a hair cut the only place to go is GOLD HAIR 103 Praed St Paddington!
Apart from that we had a few drinks at the Victoria – lovely day to be sitting outside enjoying a quiet one, and generally organised ourselves to join our tour tomorrow.
BRITAIN AND IRELAND DISCOVERY
This Insights Coach Tour Is a 22 day comprehensive tour of Britain and Ireland. Below is the itinerary. It’s the first time we have done a coach tour so not sure what to expect. Insight are more expensive than many but their promise is less people per bus (maximum 40), top Tour Directors and more included sightseeing – thus making them the best overall value for money. For us the Edinburgh Military Tattoo is shaping up to be a major highlight.
Hopefully time will allow us to blog daily, as its a really good record for us and a great way to let family and friends back home what we are up to.
The Intinerary is as follow:
Day 1 - LONDON - STRATFORD
After a warm welcome from
Talbot Square
A lovely area just down from Hotel, ideal place for lunch in the sun. Small parks like this dot the area, so you are always close to a nice green space. your Tour Director, head for the university town of Oxford. Drive through pretty Cotswold villages to visit Shakespeare's birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon. Tonight enjoy a Welcome Drink. Hotel: Alveston Manor (D)
Day 2 - STRATFORD - YORK
A leisurely drive brings you to the walled city of York. Walk through the cobbled streets to the leaning houses of the Shambles, & see the huge York Minster. Hotel: Marriott (B,D)
Day 3 - YORK - LAKE DISTRICT - GRETNA - EDINBURGH
Tour the beautiful Lake District & visit Wordsworth's grave in the village of Grasmere. Cross into Scotland & stop at Gretna Green. Then it's on to Edinburgh. Tonight, selected departures attend the spectacular flood lit Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle. Hotel: Royal Terrace/Roxburghe (B)
Day 4 - EDINBURGH SIGHTSEEING
Take a guided tour inside historic Edinburgh Castle, home to the Honours of Scotland. Continue down the Royal Mile, past St Giles' Cathedral to the Queen's Holyroodhouse Palace. Cross to the 18th century New Town. The afternoon is at leisure. (B)
Day 5 - EDINBURGH - ST. ANDREWS – HIGHLANDS
Cross the Firth of Forth on your way to St Andrews - the home of golf. Continue over the River Tay into the Grampian Mountains. You pass Blair Athol Castle before reaching the sparkling Spey Valley. Tonight, enjoy a lively Highland style dinner with Scottish entertainment. Hotel: Laggan Country Hotel (B,HD)
Day 6 - HIGHLANDS - WICK
This morning, cross the battlefield of Culloden, scene of the 1746 defeat of the Jacobites. Later drive via Inverness & along the shores of Loch Ness, before following the coast to Wick. Hotel: Norseman (B,D)
Day 7 - ORKNEY ISLANDS EXCURSION
Drive to John O'Groats, the most northerly town on the British mainland, where you board a ferry to the Orkney Islands. Visit the village of Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar, Kirkwalland the Italian Chapel. Headback to the mainland for the evening. (B,D)
Day 8 - WICK - ISLE OF SKYE
Relax & enjoy the pristine landscapes of lochs & mountains on your way to the fishing town of Ullapool. Then it's 'over the sea to Skye'. Admire the scenic splendour of the Cuillin Hills en route to your hotel in Portree. Hotel: Tongadale (B,D)
Day 9 - ISLE OF SKYE - LOCH LOMOND - GLASGOW
Take in magnificent scenery as you pass Eilean Donan Castle & continue via Fort William to Glencoe, 'the valley of the weeping'. Stop on the 'bonnie banks' of Loch Lomond before arriving in Glasgow. Hotel: Marriott (B)
Day 10 - GLASGOW - LONDONDERRY
Bid farewell to Scotland as you cross the Irish Sea, enjoying views of the Island of Arran on the way. Take the scenic Antrim coast road to the amazing rock formation known as the Giant's Causeway before reaching your hotel. Hotel: City (B,D)
Day 11 - LONDONDERRY - BELLEEK - SLIGO
Join a local guide to see Derry's Walls, the Guildhalland the city's cathedral. Cross the border to see O'Donnell's Castle in Donegal. Drive south to visit the Belleek Pottery Centre. Continue to the churchyardat Drumcliff, the last resting place of Irish poet WB Yeats. Then it's on to Sligo.
Hotel: Radisson Blu (B,D)
Day 12 - SLIGO - GALWAY - LIMERICK
Take a scenic drive through the beautiful Connemara region to visit the famous marble factory. Continue on to Galway where you see St Nicholas Cathedral, the Spanish Arch & Eyre Square. Now for a visit to Bunratty Folk Park, where old Ireland comes to life! Stay tonight in Limerick, famous for rhymes, lace & Georgian houses. Hotel: George Boutique Hotel (B)
Day 13 - LIMERICK - KILLARNEY
An orientation tour shows you King John's Castle, St. Mary's Cathedraland the treaty stone. Now drive through the charming village of Adare into County Kerry. In Killarney, enjoy a ride on a famous jaunting car. Hotel: Killarney Towers/Killarney Avenue (B)
Day 14 - RING OF KERRY EXCURSION
Experience scenery of plunging cliffs & spectacular lakes, & drive between granite mountains & endless beaches as you tour the Ring of Kerry. There is a selection of local restaurants tonight for your dining pleasure. (B,DA)
Day 15 - KILLARNEY - BLARNEY - WATERFORD
Cross the Derrynasaggart Mountains to kiss the Stone of Eloquence at Blarney Castle. Enjoy an orientation tour of Cork seeing St Finbar's Cathedral before continuing along the coast to your hotel in Waterford. Hotel: Dooleys (B,D)
Day 16 - WATERFORD - KILKENNY - DUBLIN
After visiting the Waterford Crystal showroom, drive to Kilkenny to see its castle en route to the fun loving Irish capital, Dublin. Hotel: Burlington (B)
Day 17 - DUBLIN SIGHTSEEING
Tour Dublin's elegant Georgian squares & visit Dublin castle (when open) with a local guide. Also see the Irish President's home, O'Connell Street & historic Customs House. This afternoon you are at leisure to browse the shops along Grafton Street. (B)
Day 18 - DUBLIN - CHESTER
Cross the Irish Sea & travel through North Wales, past Conwy Castle, to the walled city of Chester. See the ruined Roman amphitheatre, the Tudor 'Rows' & cathedral. Hotel: Queen (B,D)
Day 19 - CHESTER - BRISTOL
Drive to the border town of Ludlow, with its half-timbered houses & ruined castle, rich in tragic royal history. Continue along the Wye Valley past romantic Tintern Abbey & over the soaring Severn Bridge to Bristol. Hotel: Marriott City Centre (B)
Day 20 - BRISTOL - BATH - PLYMOUTH
Travel the short distance to Bath, famous for its Georgian architecture. Visit the Roman Baths before moving on to Plymouth, taking in Glastonbury along the way. On arrival in Plymouth, enjoy a highlight cruise on the harbour. Hotel: Jurys Inn (B,D)
Day 21 - DARTMOOR & TINTAGEL EXCURSION
Stop in Princetown, in the heart of rugged Dartmoor before continuing to Tintagel, according to legend, the site of King Arthur's Castle. Return to Plymouth via Bodmin Moor. (B)
Day 22 - PLYMOUTH - STONEHENGE - LONDON
Visit mysterious Stonehenge before crossing Salisbury Plain to return to London, where you bid farewell to your Tour Director. (B)
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