Great Britain Trip
In April 2008, Forst Dunnuck, Joyce's dad, surprised us by asking "Would you want to go to England with us?" After we confirmed that a bridge hadn't been built recently, we learned that Forst and Louise (OK, really Forst!) were interested in taking their first commercial flight to visit some missionaries they had supported for many years in England. So we went to work on creating an itinerary.
After talking about what our little group wanted to see, we decided on a group tour that would take us from London, up to Scotland, over to Ireland, and back to Wales and England over a two week period. The itinerary is listed below:
July 19: Indiana to Chicago to London!:
American Airlines Flight 46: 8:15 pm Chicago to 10:00 am London
July 20: Free Day in London:
Will ride on the London Eye in the evening
Kensington Close
Wright Lane
London GB- W8.5SP
44 8707 511110
July 21: London:
Morning tours; afternoon train trip to visit the Houghton's in Milton Keynes
July 22: London to Stratford to Coventry:
Meet your Tour Director and traveling companions and depart at 8 a.m. for a memorable day’s sightseeing: a photo opportunity at Hampton Court Palace; Runnymede, where King John sealed the Magna Carta; Oxford, where a walking tour takes in the colleges where Britain’s elite receive their outstanding education; and through the lovely Cotswold Hills. At Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon take your pictures of Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and explore the town at your own pace. Finally, at Coventry, whose center had to be rebuilt after the devastation of World War II bombings, hear the tale of Lady Godiva and Peeping Tom, and admire the splendid modern cathedral. (B,D)
July 23: Coventry to York to Scotch Corner:
Leave the Midlands passing the once-mighty Sherwood Forest, home of the legendary Robin Hood, and head north to York, England’s most complete medieval city. Stand in front of the great structure of York Minster, then follow your Tour Director through a maze of quaint streets, including the narrow Shambles. Stop for the night near Richmond, gateway to the Yorkshire Dales made famous by James Herriot’s All Creatures Great and Small.
July 24: Scotch Corner to Edinburgh:
Inspect a section of Hadrian’s Wall, the Roman coast-to-coast defense against marauding northern tribes, then motor through wild Northumberland National Park to the Scottish border. Stop for photos at Jedburgh, with glimpses of the house of Mary, Queen of Scots, and then Melrose with its 12th-century abbey ruins and connections with Robert the Bruce. Afternoon arrival at Edinburgh. For departure numbers 0729 through 0819, tickets are included for tonight’s performance of the world-renowned Military Tattoo.
July 25: Edinburgh:
A full day to enjoy this “Prince of Cities.” Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide 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. Afternoon at leisure. A suggestion for this evening: a traditional Scottish night out with Highland dancers, bagpipers, and, of course, the Ceremony of the Haggis. (FB)
July 26: Edinburgh to Chester, England to Wrexham, Wales:
South through the historysteeped Lowland Hills and a visit to Gretna Green, where the blacksmith used to wed runaway couples. Drive through beautiful scenery in the Lake District, considered to be the finest of England’s National Parks. Visit Wordsworth’s Grasmere, then follow the shores of Lake Windermere. In Chester, the historic county town on the River Dee, your walking tour takes in the Roman remains, black and white half-timbered buildings, and the two-tiered shopping arcades called the “Rows.”
July 27: Wrexham to Dublin:
A scenic North Wales drive via Llangollen, home of an annual national competition for poets and musicians, and through the incomparable landscapes of Snowdonia National Park. Pause at lovely Betws-y-Coed before heading over spectacular Llanberis Pass and finally cross Britannia Bridge to the Isle of Anglesey. Take your photos at tongue-twisting Llanfair... and at Holyhead board the ferry for the Irish Sea crossing to Dublin.
July 28: Dublin:
A day in the “Fair City” starts off with an orientation drive through Eire’s capital and includes statue-lined O’Connell Street, elegant Georgian squares, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy Dublin at leisure. Take your Tour Director’s dining recommendation for this evening. (FB)
July 29: Dublin to Ennis:
Head for dairy farm country in the center of the “Emerald Isle.” In Galway, a vibrant city on the west coast with a great seafaring tradition, hear about the infamous Lynch Stone commemorating the day Mayor James Lynch Fitzstephen hanged his son for murder. Cross the limestone plateau of The Burren to visit the spectacular 668-foot Cliffs of Moher before heading for Ennis, county town of Clare. Tonight’s optional opportunity: a traditional Irish evening in the setting of a village barn with dinner, wine, and entertainment.
July 30: Ennis to Killarney:
Stop for photos in Adare, a village known for its prize-winning thatched cottages and monastic ruins. In County Kerry join the road known as the “Ring of Kerry” for a 100-mile coastal panoramic drive. Focus your camera on sparkling seascapes, mountains dotted with brightly colored farmhouses, winding lanes bordered with subtropical vegetation, and views of the Lakes of Killarney from Ladies View. Later, in Killarney, discover why this is such a popular resort. (FB,D)
July 31: Killarney to Waterford:
Across the Kerry Mountains and through County Cork to Blarney, famous for its magical Stone of Eloquence. Time to see the castle and shop for Irish crafts and handmade crystal. After lunch drive past Cork, the country’s second-largest city, and via Dungarvan to Waterford. Tonight, maybe an optional pub tour before dinner at your hotel.
August 1: Waterford to Cardiff, Wales:
An early start for the short drive to the ferry port at Rosslare. In just under four hours you cross St. George’s Channel to South Wales. Continue through rich dairy farmland to Cardiff, where an orientation drive introduces you to the capital’s major attractions: Cardiff Castle, Cathays Park, Millennium Stadium, and the stately civic buildings. Your Tour Director will have suggestions for an evening of Welsh entertainment. (FB)
August 2: Cardiff to Bath to London:
A day packed with highlights begins as you cross the spectacular Severn Bridge into England. Stop in the elegant Georgian city of Bath, famous for its Roman relics, before continuing via Stonehenge, still an intriguing mystery, to Salisbury, the “City of the Soaring Spire.” After returning to London around 4 p.m., how about celebrating the success of your tour with a night out on the town?
August 3: London to Chicago to Indiana!:
Travel on AA-67 12:15 pm London time to 2:50 pm Chicago time.
After talking about what our little group wanted to see, we decided on a group tour that would take us from London, up to Scotland, over to Ireland, and back to Wales and England over a two week period. The itinerary is listed below:
July 19: Indiana to Chicago to London!:
American Airlines Flight 46: 8:15 pm Chicago to 10:00 am London
July 20: Free Day in London:
Will ride on the London Eye in the evening
Kensington Close
Wright Lane
London GB- W8.5SP
44 8707 511110
July 21: London:
Morning tours; afternoon train trip to visit the Houghton's in Milton Keynes
July 22: London to Stratford to Coventry:
Meet your Tour Director and traveling companions and depart at 8 a.m. for a memorable day’s sightseeing: a photo opportunity at Hampton Court Palace; Runnymede, where King John sealed the Magna Carta; Oxford, where a walking tour takes in the colleges where Britain’s elite receive their outstanding education; and through the lovely Cotswold Hills. At Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon take your pictures of Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and explore the town at your own pace. Finally, at Coventry, whose center had to be rebuilt after the devastation of World War II bombings, hear the tale of Lady Godiva and Peeping Tom, and admire the splendid modern cathedral. (B,D)
July 23: Coventry to York to Scotch Corner:
Leave the Midlands passing the once-mighty Sherwood Forest, home of the legendary Robin Hood, and head north to York, England’s most complete medieval city. Stand in front of the great structure of York Minster, then follow your Tour Director through a maze of quaint streets, including the narrow Shambles. Stop for the night near Richmond, gateway to the Yorkshire Dales made famous by James Herriot’s All Creatures Great and Small.
July 24: Scotch Corner to Edinburgh:
Inspect a section of Hadrian’s Wall, the Roman coast-to-coast defense against marauding northern tribes, then motor through wild Northumberland National Park to the Scottish border. Stop for photos at Jedburgh, with glimpses of the house of Mary, Queen of Scots, and then Melrose with its 12th-century abbey ruins and connections with Robert the Bruce. Afternoon arrival at Edinburgh. For departure numbers 0729 through 0819, tickets are included for tonight’s performance of the world-renowned Military Tattoo.
July 25: Edinburgh:
A full day to enjoy this “Prince of Cities.” Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide 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. Afternoon at leisure. A suggestion for this evening: a traditional Scottish night out with Highland dancers, bagpipers, and, of course, the Ceremony of the Haggis. (FB)
July 26: Edinburgh to Chester, England to Wrexham, Wales:
South through the historysteeped Lowland Hills and a visit to Gretna Green, where the blacksmith used to wed runaway couples. Drive through beautiful scenery in the Lake District, considered to be the finest of England’s National Parks. Visit Wordsworth’s Grasmere, then follow the shores of Lake Windermere. In Chester, the historic county town on the River Dee, your walking tour takes in the Roman remains, black and white half-timbered buildings, and the two-tiered shopping arcades called the “Rows.”
July 27: Wrexham to Dublin:
A scenic North Wales drive via Llangollen, home of an annual national competition for poets and musicians, and through the incomparable landscapes of Snowdonia National Park. Pause at lovely Betws-y-Coed before heading over spectacular Llanberis Pass and finally cross Britannia Bridge to the Isle of Anglesey. Take your photos at tongue-twisting Llanfair... and at Holyhead board the ferry for the Irish Sea crossing to Dublin.
July 28: Dublin:
A day in the “Fair City” starts off with an orientation drive through Eire’s capital and includes statue-lined O’Connell Street, elegant Georgian squares, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy Dublin at leisure. Take your Tour Director’s dining recommendation for this evening. (FB)
July 29: Dublin to Ennis:
Head for dairy farm country in the center of the “Emerald Isle.” In Galway, a vibrant city on the west coast with a great seafaring tradition, hear about the infamous Lynch Stone commemorating the day Mayor James Lynch Fitzstephen hanged his son for murder. Cross the limestone plateau of The Burren to visit the spectacular 668-foot Cliffs of Moher before heading for Ennis, county town of Clare. Tonight’s optional opportunity: a traditional Irish evening in the setting of a village barn with dinner, wine, and entertainment.
July 30: Ennis to Killarney:
Stop for photos in Adare, a village known for its prize-winning thatched cottages and monastic ruins. In County Kerry join the road known as the “Ring of Kerry” for a 100-mile coastal panoramic drive. Focus your camera on sparkling seascapes, mountains dotted with brightly colored farmhouses, winding lanes bordered with subtropical vegetation, and views of the Lakes of Killarney from Ladies View. Later, in Killarney, discover why this is such a popular resort. (FB,D)
July 31: Killarney to Waterford:
Across the Kerry Mountains and through County Cork to Blarney, famous for its magical Stone of Eloquence. Time to see the castle and shop for Irish crafts and handmade crystal. After lunch drive past Cork, the country’s second-largest city, and via Dungarvan to Waterford. Tonight, maybe an optional pub tour before dinner at your hotel.
August 1: Waterford to Cardiff, Wales:
An early start for the short drive to the ferry port at Rosslare. In just under four hours you cross St. George’s Channel to South Wales. Continue through rich dairy farmland to Cardiff, where an orientation drive introduces you to the capital’s major attractions: Cardiff Castle, Cathays Park, Millennium Stadium, and the stately civic buildings. Your Tour Director will have suggestions for an evening of Welsh entertainment. (FB)
August 2: Cardiff to Bath to London:
A day packed with highlights begins as you cross the spectacular Severn Bridge into England. Stop in the elegant Georgian city of Bath, famous for its Roman relics, before continuing via Stonehenge, still an intriguing mystery, to Salisbury, the “City of the Soaring Spire.” After returning to London around 4 p.m., how about celebrating the success of your tour with a night out on the town?
August 3: London to Chicago to Indiana!:
Travel on AA-67 12:15 pm London time to 2:50 pm Chicago time.
posted by Alan Welch at
7/15/2008 11:09:00 AM
4 Comments:
Enjoy your stay in cardiff.
By
Anonymous, at 5:48 AM
Sounds like a wonderful itinerary. It must have taken a week to just type it in. :-) The cat babies send their love. ~~Bob
By
Anonymous, at 5:44 PM
Sounds like a great time--that would be a wonderful trip to take!
Cara
By
Mommy, at 8:54 AM
You write very well.
By
Anonymous, at 12:11 AM
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