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ENGLAND - SCOTLAND -WALES

Day 1, London

On arrival at London’s Heathrow Airport, you will be met by your driver and taken on a half day tour of London en route to your accommodation. View Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Piccadilly Circus and entry to the London Museum.

Day 2, to Stratford & York

Travel through the Cotswold Hills to Stratford-upon-Avon to visit Shakespeare’s birthplace and view Ann Hathaway’s cottage. Continue to Coventry for a brief tour and then York for a walking tour.

Day 3, to Durham & Edinburgh

First stop is the university city of Durham, which is dominated by its 11th century Norman Cathedral. Drive through the Northumberland National Park to see a section of Hadrian’s Wall. Cross the Scottish border at Carter Bar and take time to view ruins of Jedburgh Abbey before arriving in Edinburgh.

Day 4, tour Edinburgh

Morning tour includes: The Royal Mile, views of Holyrood House and Arthur’s seat, Princes Street, the Scottish Parliament and a visit to Edinburgh Castle.

Day 5, to Glasgow & Preston

This morning enjoy a short tour of Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city. Continue south back into England stopping in Grasmere, home of the poet William Wordsworth.

Day 6, to Chester, Tintern & Bristol

First stop will be in Chester for a walking tour will take in the Roman Walls, the Cathedral and the black and white Tudor arcaded buildings known as the ‘Rows’. Continue into Wales and the Wye Valley to view the ruins of the 12th century Tintern Abbey.

Day 7, to Bath, Stonehenge & London

The beautiful city of Bath is our first stop this morning to enjoy the superb Georgian architecture and to make a visit to the Roman Baths. Continue across Salisbury Plain making a stop to visit the mysterious Stonehenge. Then on to Salisbury to view the Cathedral and its spire and finally through Wiltshire and Hampshire to London.

Day 8, London

Free day to explore and enjoy London

Day 9, to Australia

Transfer to airport for flight to Australia.

ENGLAND BELGIUM FRANCE

Day 1, London

On arrival at London’s Heathrow Airport, you will be met by your driver and taken on a half day tour of London en route to your accommodation. View Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Piccadilly Circus and entry to the London Museum.

Days 2 & 3, London

These days are spent exploring and enjoying London using your 48 hours “Hop on Hop off” bus tour ticket. Your ticket includes three walking tours and a river cruise.

Day 4, London – Hastings – Portsmouth

Travel south to Hastings where you will visit Battle Abbey, the site of the 1066 Battle of Hastings. On October 14, 1066, Norman duke William the Conqueror defeated King Harold at the Battle of Hastings. Continue along the coast to the Royal Dockyards in Portsmouth. Here, there are several ships to discover with the most famous, Nelson’s flagship – the HMS Victory. Overnight will be in the Portsmouth area.

Day 5, Portsmouth – Stonehenge – BathFirst stop will be Salisbury Cathedral.

Begun in 1220, the chapter house has one of only four surviving Magna Cartas, the bill of rights signed in 1215. Close are the pre-historic landscapes surrounding Stonehenge. The circle is believed to be about 5000 years old and it is now believed the great stones are aligned to the stars as well as the sun. Continue to Bath for overnight.

Day 6, Bath

This morning visit the Assembly Rooms including admission to the Costume Museum which houses a collection of fashions from the seventeenth century to the present time. Then visit Bath Abbey and the Roman Baths. Free afternoon for further exploration of Bath.

Day 7, Bath – Oxford

Travel to Oxford where you will enjoy a University and City walking tour. Your guide will lead you through the heart of the historic city centre illustrating the history of Oxford and its University and describing the architecture and traditions of its most famous buildings and institutions. Late this afternoon travel to London for your last day in England.

Day 8, London – Bruges

This morning transfer to the St. Pancras International station for travel to Bruges, Belgium, Take time to settle into your hotel and familiarise yourself with the city.

Day 9, Bruges

Enjoy a guided walking tour of Bruges nicknamed “the small Venice of the North” with its typical architecture, colourful charm, art of living and its hundred years old traditions. Your tour through the heart of the old city will include: the Beguinage, then the Burg Square with the Basilica of the Holy Blood, the Gothic style City Hall and the magnificent Market Square, its quaint houses with decorated facades and the indoor market with the Belfry. Your tour will conclude with a cruise on Bruges famous canals. This afternoon perhaps visit to the Museum of Flemish art or browse for handmade lace and Belgian chocolates

Day 10, to Ypres

Travel by coach to Ypres, a town at the centre of intense fighting between the Germans and the Allied forces in World War I. Today your tour takes in the Messines Ridge (June 1917), Caterpillar/Hill 60 (site of Australian mining operations), Menin Road &Polygon Wood (September 1917; 5th Australian Division memorial), and Passchendaele - then into Ypres itself for night in hotel, with attendance at the 8 p.m. Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate memorial to the Missing Soldier.

Day 11, to Amiens & CaenTravel to Villers Brettoneux

Visit the Franco-Australian Museum, situated on the first floor of the Victoria School; this is the school that displays the inscription "N'oublions jamais l'Australie". See the 3rd Australian division memorial and follow the route of the famous advance of 8th August 1918. Then visit the Historial de la Grande Guerre at Peronne, a very modern museum portraying conditions on the Western Front and then the 2nd Australian Division memorial at Mont St Quentin. Continue to Caen for overnight

Day 12, to D-Day Landing, Bayeux & Paris

This morning visit Omaha Beach and Gold Beach before returning to Bayeux to view the tapestry. This afternoon travel to Paris.

Days 13 & 14 Paris

These days are spent exploring and enjoying Paris using your 2 days Paris Visite card, zones 1-5. Entry fees are included to the Louvre, Pantheon, Hotel d’Invalides, Arc de Triomphe and the Palace of Versailles (Versailles with audio-guide).

Day 15, to Australia

Transfer to airport for flight to Australia.

HIGHLIGHTS OF ENGLAND

Day 1, London

On arrival at London’s Heathrow Airport, you will be met by your driver and taken on a half day tour of London en route to your accommodation.

Day 2, London

Free day for exploring London.

Day 3, to York

Leave London this morning and travel north. First stop is the university city of Cambridge, one of the country's oldest seats of learning. View Belvoir Castle on your way to York. Explore York’s maze of quaint medieval streets, including the narrow Shambles. Stand in awe of the great structure of York Minster.

Day 4, tour the Lakes District

Touring this morning will include visits to William Wordsworth’s houses at Grasmere and Rydal. Return to York this afternoon.

Day 5, to Stratford – Upon - Avon

Travel south this morning, skirting Nottingham and Birmingham to Stratford – Upon- Avon. View Anne Hathaway's Cottage and visit Shakespeare's Birthplace.

Day 6, tour to Oxford

Full day tour to Oxford. Self guided walking tour of Oxford. followed by free time for your own activities. Return to Stratford for overnight.

Day 7, to Bath

Enjoy vistas of the Cotswold Hills as you travel to the Elizabethan village of Broadway. Then continue past Cheltenham and Gloucester to Wales before continuing into Bath.

Day 8, tour Bath

This morning visit the Assembly Rooms including admission to the Costume Museum which houses a collection of fashions from the seventeenth century to the present time. Then visit Bath Abbey and the Roman Baths. Free afternoon for further exploration of Bath.

Day 9, to London

This morning travel to the picturesque city of Salisbury with its magnificent cathedral. Continue across Salisbury Plains to view prehistoric Stonehenge. Then to London for overnight.Day 10, LondonFree day for optional sightseeing.

Day 11, to Australia

Airport transfer for flight to Australia.

IRELAND HISTORY TOUR

Day 1, Dublin

Arrive Dublin at 1.50pm. Transfer by coach to your hotel.

Day 2, Dublin Tour

This morning enjoy a sightseeing coach tour of Dublin with views of Croke Park Stadium, Trinity College where the priceless 8th century Book of Kells is housed, elegant Georgian squares with colourful doorways, St. Stephen's Green, O'Connell Street and Leinster House where the government convenes.

Day 3, to Cork

Depart Dublin this morning and travel south through farming country with a photo opportunity at the Rock of Cashel, a stately limestone outcrop topped with medieval ruins. Continue to the harbour town of Cobh, the last port of call for the Titanic. Take time to explore this picturesque town and the dockside before driving to Blarney Castle for a guided tour. Overnight Cork.

Day 4, to Limerick & Galway

Travel north this morning to Limerick to view St. Munchin’s Church with its bizarre square tower, St. Mary’s Cathedral, King John’s Castle and the Treaty Stone which is the stone on which the Irish and English signed the Traety of Limerick was signed after the siege of 1168. Continue to the West coast to view the Cliffs of Moher, then north through the lunar landscape of Burren, skirting Galway Bay before arriving at your destination – Galway.

Day 5, to the West Coast

Today’s touring starts with the sights of Galway; Galway Cathedral, The University, Salmon Weir Bridge, Salthill, The Claddagh, before travelling to Connemara, to the north of the city, a land of craggy, mist-covered mountains and a stunning, rugged Atlantic coast. Continue through Oughterard and Maam Cross, along the coast to the charming little coastal town of Roundstone. Then to nearby Clifden before turning back along the edge of Lough Inagh. Travelling between the “Twelve Bens” and the Maumturk Mountains continue to Recess and Maam Cross, our final stop on the road back to Galway.

Day 6, to Londonderry

Travel north visiting the towns of Sligo and Donegal to Londonderry. This afternoon walk along the ancient city walls and visit the the People’s Gallery, the murals depict the history of the ‘troubles’.

Day 7, to Belfast

Visit the Giant’s Causeway, an area of about 40 000 interlocking basalt columns, a World Heritage site in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and one of the most iconic natural wonders in Britain. Finish the day with a scenic drive along the Antrim Coast Road through Ballycastle to Belfast. Gain a Unique Insight by visiting the birthplace of the Titanic at the Titanic Belfast Visitor Centre dedicated to the world’s most famous ship.

Day 8, to Dublin

Travel south this morning. Just outside Drogheda visit the Battle of the Boyne Centre to learn about the 1690 conflict between King William III and his father-in-law, King James II. Then travel into Dublin where you have free time for last minute shopping and sightseeing.

Day 9, to Australia

This morning transfer to airport for flight to Australia