DAY 1 DEPARTURE FROM DALLAS/FORT WORTH
Enjoy full meal service on your scheduled wide-bodied flight to Shannon
13:25 Depart Dallas DFW on DL 1108 (65 seats)
16:39 Arrive in Atlanta
18:55 Depart Atlanta on DL 156 (33 seats)
16:20 Depart Dallas DFW on BA 2192 (32 seats)
DAY 2 ARRIVE SHANNON or DUBLIN - KILLARNEY AREA (2 NIGHTS)
07:20 Arrive in London Gatwick
10:35 Depart Gatwick on BA 8082
12:05 Arrive in Dublin
The 32 passengers arriving on the British Airways flight into Dublin will be joined at the airport by 4 land only passengers:-
- Mary Lou Throneberry & Mattie Ivy – arrive Dublin 08:30 on 22 June
- Howard Kennedy - arrives Dublin 08:35 on 22 June
07:35 Arrive in Shannon Airport
The 33 passengers arriving on the Delta flight will be joined at Shannon Airport by 11 land only passengers:-
- Jim & Diane Grandey (arrive Shannon 06:15 on the 21st June)
- Lisa & William Schwartz (arrive Shannon 06:30 on the 21st June)
- Marilyn & James Schwartz (arrive Shannon 12:10 on the 21st June)
- Jan Casner (arrives Shannon at 07:35 on the 22nd June)
- Bill & Cathy Herring (arrive Shannon at 07:50 on the 22nd June)
- Reagan & Susan Coon (arrive Shannon at 16:30 on the 21st June)
You will be met at the airport by your tour managers/guides: Robin
Collins - Chief Guide (Shannon arrivals) and Richard Wilson (Dublin
arrivals) where we board our own private coaches and are transferred to
our hotel in the Killarney area. Our sightseeing today will be
dependent upon the flight blocks on which we arrived in Ireland:-
Delta Flight Group:
As we drive through the Ireland’s green hills, we will visit Bunratty Castle, built in 1469 and the most authentic example of a medieval castle in Ireland. On the grounds of the castle is a Folk Park in which typical rural dwellings are recreated to reflect life in Ireland at the turn of the century.
British Airways Flight Group:
En route to our hotel we will make a brief photo-stop at the spectacular Rock of Cashel, a monumental 12th century cathedral complex dominating the surrounding landscape. The Rock was the stronghold of the kings of Munster for seven centuries, and it was here that St. Patrick converted them and made the shamrock the emblem of Ireland (the three parts representing the Holy Trinity.)
Dinner included this evening.
Dinner and overnight at the Killarney Towers Hotel, College Sq, Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland.
Tel: +353 6431038
Fax: +353 6431684
Web: www.odonoghue-ring-hotels.com/killarney-towers
DAY 3 DAY TRIP TO RING OF KERRY
Today we will make a leisurely tour around the Ring of Kerry, which is one of the most beautiful drives in Europe. We will view a splendid variety of outstanding coastal panoramas and magnificent mountain views.
In the evening we will visit a Folk House for traditional Irish Ballads and Folk music.
Dinner at own expense this evening.
Overnight at the Killarney Towers Hotel
DAY 4 KILLARNEY AREA - BLARNEY - WATERFORD – DUBLIN (2 NIGHTS)
As we leave Killarney, beautifully situated amidst mountains, glens and lakes, we will visit the Irish folk museum at nearby Muckross House. Next, we stop at Blarney Castle where we will climb onto the battlements to reach the Blarney Stone, said to impart the gift of eloquence to all that kiss it. From here, we will eastward toward Waterford for a visit to the famous Waterford Crystal Factor. The factor was started in 1783 by the Penrose Brothers. Visitors will have the opportunity to see the actual crystal making process, and shop in the factor store. Our journey continues northeast to Dublin. Your guide will take you on an introductory Walking Tour to orient you to the city. We will stroll in St. Stephen’s Green, the loveliest of Dublin’s many parks, and visit Merrion Square, famous for its elegant Georgian houses and once the home of such Irish luminaries as Oscar Wilde, Daniel O’Connell, and William Butler Yeats.
Dinner included this evening (local restaurant)
Overnight at the Grafton Capital Hotel, Stephens Street Lower, Dublin 2
Tel: +353 1 648 1100
Fax: +353 1 648 1122
Web: www.graftoncapitalhotel.com/
DAY 5 DUBLIN
Our sightseeing in Dublin commences with a visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The longest church in Ireland and one of its most beautiful, it is forever associated with Jonathan Swift, author of Gulliver’s Travels and dean of the cathedral for over 30 years. We continue to Trinity College. In the Long Room of Trinity's famous library we will view the 8th century Book of Kells often described as the “most beautiful book in the world.” We will visit St. Michan's Church, and it is believed that it was the pipe organ of this Church that George F. Handel used while composing the famous Messiah. We will also visit the underground catacombs where the dead reveal some secrets from the past.
13:30 Your first concert performance will be today at St Ann's Church, Dublin
After the concert we will a visit to the Guinness Brewery, and learn the process of Ireland's signature beverage.
Order of sightseeing for this day to be confirmed – pending group’s decision on rehearsal requirements.
Dinner at own expense this evening.
Overnight at the Grafton Capital Hotel
DAY 6 DUBLIN - FERRY CROSSING - CAERNARFON - CHESTER AREA (2 NIGHTS)
Today we will cross the Irish Sea by ferry to Holyhead and we will then, time permitting, stop in Caernarfon to visit the magnificent Castle built by Edward I, in 1283 and where Prince Charles was invested as Prince of Wales. We will then drive through the beautiful scenery of northern Wales will bring us to historic Chester, once a major base for the Roman army and fleet.
Dinner included this evening.
Dinner and overnight at the Ramada Jarvis Hotel, Whitchurch Road, Christleton, Chester CH3 5QL
Tel: +44 1244 332 121
Fax: +44 1244 335 287
Web: www.ramadachester.co.uk
DAY 7 DAY TRIP TO CONWY AREA
This morning we journey northwest into beautiful northern Wales where our first stop is one of Britain's most underrated historic towns, Conway. We begin with a visit to Conwy Castle which dominates the landscape and is edifice built by Edward I gives onlookers a sense of the towns solid strength. From the castle, we will explore the medieval town and see St. Mary's Church, the site of a former Cistercian abbey, we ill see the statue of Llewellyn’s, Wales most formidable and successful medieval leader. After lunch we will continue our exploration of Wales and travel through Snowdonia National Park , viewing the magnificent landscape full of peaks and moorlands on our way to Betws-y-Coed. We will stop to explore this quaint little town near the mountainous peaks. A hill-walking center, this town holds a charm that reflects the pastoral charm of the area.
Dinner at own expense this evening.
19:30 Your second concert will take place today at Selio Chapel, Llandudno (North Wales). This will be a joint concert with Cor Meibion Colwyn (Colwyn Bay Male Voice Choir) with the proceeds going towards the Selio Chapel.
After our concert we return to our hotel for the night.
Overnight at the Ramada Jarvis Hotel
DAY 8 CHESTER AREA - HAWORTH - YORK AREA (2 NIGHTS)
1000: This morning we will make a later start as we transfer to Haworth, the home of the Brontë sisters, located on the moors in the in the Pennine Mountains.
14:00 We will visit the lonely Parsonage where Emily and Charlotte Brontë lived and St. Michael’s Church where they are buried.
There will, of course, be some free time today prior to preparing for our concert performance this evening.
16:00 Arrival at St Michael's & All Angels Church to rehearse for our next concert.
17:30 Dinner at the Old White Lion Hotel, Haworth - a 300-year old family-run coaching inn.
19:30 Your third concert performance will be today at St Michael's & All Angels Church, Haworth
Dinner included this evening.
Due to the size of our group, it will be necessary to split between two different hotels in York for the following two nights:
1) Novotel, Fishergate, York YO10 4FD
Tel: +44 1904 611660
Fax: +44 1904 610925
Web: www.novotel.com
2) Best Western Monkbar Hotel, St Maurices Road, York, YO31 7JA
Tel: +44 1904 638 086
Fax: +44 1904 629 195
Web: www.monkbarhotel.co.uk/
Awaiting confirmation on the breakdown between the two hotels.
DAY 9 YORK
This morning our guides will accompany us on a Walking Tour of medieval York and its 13th century City Walls. We will pass many splendid historic buildings before we arrive at Stonegate and the Shambles.
This afternoon we will travel back in "time cars" to the 9th century at the Jorvik Viking Museum. We will also attend Evensong at York Minster.
This evening for those brave of heart, will participate in a chilling Ghost Walk, visiting the famous haunts of medieval York
Dinner at own expense this evening.
Overnight at the Novotel and Monkbar Hotels, York.
DAY 10 YORK AREA - DURHAM - EDINBURGH (3 NIGHTS)
We head north today and make a stop in the historic city of Durham. The close proximity of the castle, cathedral and ancient university surrounded by a loop of the River Wear make this medieval treasure one of the loveliest cities in England. After a visit to Durham Cathedral we will continue our journey to Edinburgh, one of the most beautiful cities of Europe. Upon arrival, your guide will be pleased to take you on some introductory sightseeing.
Dinner included this evening.
Overnight at the Quality Hotel Edinburgh Airport, Ingliston, Edinburgh, EH28 8NF
Tel: + 44 131 333 4331
Fax: + 44 131 333 4124
Web: www.choicehotelsuk.co.uk/directory/hotels_scotland.htm
DAY 11 EDINBURGH (Free Day)
Today will be a free day. It will be a chance to explore the charm and majesty of Edinburgh or the chance to play a round of golf on the famous greens of St. Andrews.
The Hamlett family will meet up with our group in Edinburgh this evening.
Dinner at own expense this evening.
Overnight at the Quality Hotel Edinburgh Airport
DAY 12 EDINBURGH - FOURTH CONCERT
1000: This morning we will split into 5 groups for a guided tour of St Giles' Cathedral, an engaging Gothic church and Scotland’s most important. The tour will last approximately 45 minutes.
1100-1150: We will rehearse for our fourth concert at St Giles' Cathedral
1200-1210: There will be a short service of prayers and readings at the Cathedral, after which the minister will announce our performance.
1215-1255: Our fourth concert performance will be today at St Giles' Cathedral
After freetime for lunch, our guides will accompany us on a walking tour of Edinburgh that will begin at Holyrood Palace before we walk along the Royal Mile to Edinburgh Castle. The Castle is the fortified birthplace of the city 1,300 years ago and a royal residence since the 11th century. Your tour will present the building basically as a military garrison and home of the famous Military Tattoo and you will see the Scottish War Memorial, the Great Hall, the Scottish Crown Jewels and a magnificent view of the city from the ramparts. , where we will take a guided tour.
Our Walking Tour will start at Holyrood Palace before passing John
Knox's house to St. Giles' Cathedral and a visit the Museum of
Childhood before we walk along the Royal Mile to Edinburgh Castle where
we will take a guided tour. After walking along Princes Street to view
the Scott Monument we will have the opportunity to climb Arthur's Seat
for a spectacular view over the Firth of Forth.
Dinner at own expense this evening.
Overnight at the Quality Hotel Edinburgh Airport
DAY 13 DEPARTURE FROM EDINBURGH
Your enjoyable and rewarding tour will come to an end as your Robin and Richard accompany you to the airport for your return flight back to Dallas.
13:15 Depart Edinburgh on DL 97 (33 on main block + 1 deviation - Jan Casner)
17:15 Arrive in ATL
21:20 Depart ATL on DL 1983
22:25 Arrive in DFW
+ Reagan & Susan Coon (depart Edinburgh at 10:00 – own arrangements
+ Jim & Diane Grandey (depart Edinburgh at 10:00 – own arrangements
06:20 Depart EDI on BA 2931 (23 on main block + 4 London extension passengers = 32)
07:55 Arrive in LGW
10:35 Depart LGW on BA 2193
14:30 Arrive in DFW
+ Mary Lou Throneberry & Mattie Ivy epart Edinburgh 11:20 for London Gatwick (BA 2937) on 03 July