SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS & ENGLAND

Transcription

1 SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS & ENGLAND $5499 PER PERSON TWIN SHARE TYPICALLY $7328 SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS LONDON LAKE DISTRICT THE OFFER Travelling through the rolling countryside of Scotland and England is a familiar journey, whether you ve experienced it in person before or not. On this 19 day tour through England and Scotland, from Manchester to Liverpool, Glasgow and beyond, you ll see all the highlights and more. Reminisce about the cultural whirlwind of the Fab Four on a trip to The Beatles Story Museum in Liverpool, enjoy free time in the vibrant city of Manchester, and witness the landscapes of Beatrix Potter s Peter Rabbit as you travel the magical Lakes District. See Eileen Donan Castle, a Scottish icon you may have seen on a shortbread tin or two. Enjoy free time in Loch Ness, allowing you a chance to spot the infamous monster, and marvel at Edinburgh and Windsor Castles on tour. Visits to York, Stratford-upon-Avon, Oxford and London are just the icing on the cake. Includes return international flights, 16 nights hotel accommodation, 19 meals and so much more. This may not be a magical mystery tour, but it will certainly make you wanna twist and shout! 19 DAY SCOTLAND & ENGLAND $5499 * all information provided in this brochure is subject to both change and availability. Prior to purchase please check the current live deal at or contact our customer service team on TRIP (8747) for the most up-to-date information. If you have already purchased this deal, the terms and conditions on your Purchase Confirmation apply and take precedence over the information in this brochure.

2 THE ITINERARY Day 1 Australia - Manchester, England Today depart from either Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide or Perth for Manchester, England. Fly with either Etihad Airways, Swiss Airways, Cathay Pacific or Finnair to name a few (subject to availability). Meals included: In-Flight Day 2 Welcome to Manchester Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to the hotel for check-in. Overnight: Copthorne Hotel or similar, Manchester Meals included: In-Flight Day 3 Liverpool Day Trip - (approx. 111km Day) This morning after breakfast you will head west to Liverpool for a guided full day trip. Upon arrival in Liverpool, you will be met by a local guide where you will start your sightseeing tour. Visit the Albert Dock, one of Liverpool s major tourist attractions. Albert Dock was the first structure in Britain to be built from cast iron, brick and stone, without any structural wood. Reminisce at The Beatles Story Museum, the world s largest permanent exhibition purely devoted to the lives and times of The Beatles. Located in the Fab Four s hometown of Liverpool, The Beatles Story takes visitors on an atmospheric journey through the lives, times, culture and music of The Beatles. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon exploring this amazing city, often referred to as the capital of culture, before returning to Manchester later in the day. This evening is yours to spend at leisure, choose to experience the city s nightlife in Manchester s Northern Quarter for something quirky and bohemian, or try Spinning Fields for more classy and luxurious bars. Overnight: Copthorne Hotel or similar, Manchester Day 4 Manchester to The Lake District (approx. 145km Day) After breakfast, depart Manchester and drive to the Lake District, known as the most beautiful national park in England. It is famous for its lakes, forests and mountains, as well as its associations with the early 19th century writings of the Lake poets, such as Beatrix Potter and John Ruskin. See stunning views of Windermere Lake with a stop at Grasmere Village. Nestled at the foot of some spectacular fells with its own lake, this village has many shops, pubs and cafes. Enjoy exploring the area at leisure. At the end of the day the bus will take you back to the hotel to relax for the evening before getting ready for Scotland tomorrow. Overnight: The Wordsworth Hotel or similar, Lake District Day 5 The Lake District to Glasgow Half Day Tour (approx. 265km Day) This morning you will start your journey to beautiful Scotland. On your way north, enjoy the beautiful scenery of Southern Scotland and get a glimpse of the village Gretna Green, famously the marriage capital of the UK. First stop will be Glengoyne Whisky Distillery. Here you will learn the distillery s guiding principles rooted in nearly 200 years of craft on an exciting tour. Experience the Glengoyne Way first hand by tasting the whisky with complex flavours from the slowest stills in Scotland. Continuing onwards the coach will take you to Glasgow, where you will be met by a local guide. Enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city (approx. 4 hours). Glasgow flourished in the Victorian times due to the shipbuilding industry and international trade. Visit the Glasgow Cathedral, which has one of the finest post-war collections of stained glass windows in Britain. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure. Choose to do some more sightseeing this afternoon on your own or enjoy the free time shopping in this wonderful city. Glasgow is recognised for

3 THE ITINERARY having the best shopping in the UK outside of London. Overnight: Mercure Glasgow City Centre or similar, Glasgow, Scotland Day 6 Glasgow to Loch Lomond & The Trossachs & Fort William/Glencoe (approx. 176 km Day) After breakfast depart Glasgow and head north-west to Fort William/Glencoe. For the next five days you will be accompanied by a local guide, available to share their wealth of local information, history and anecdotes. And, of course, answer all the questions you have as you travel through the region. Today drive through Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, which is centred on Loch Lomond, and includes several ranges of hills and the Trossachs - a small woodland glen. Enjoy a quick stop at Inveruglas on the west shore of Loch Lomond. You can choose to climb the Inveruglas Pyramid, just a two minute walk from Inveruglas Visitor Centre, for a great view over Loch Lomond before continuing north to Glencoe. Arriving in Glencoe, which lies in steep-sided valley, you will get the opportunity to enjoy some free time and discover the village at your own pace. In the late afternoon/early evening you will be picked up by the coach which will take you to your hotel in the area of Fort William/Glencoe. Overnight: Isle of Glencoe, Onich Hotel or similar, Fort William area Day 7 Fort William/Glencoe to Isle of Skye (approx. 336km Day) The day starts with breakfast at the hotel before an exciting day trip to the Isle of Skye. Your first stop will be Eilean Donan Castle (photo stop only), a fully restored 13th century castle on an island where three great sea-lochs meet. Strategically located on its own little island, overlooking the Isle of Skye and surrounded by the majestic splendour of the forested mountains of Kintail, Eilean Donan s setting is truly breathtaking. After the castle you will continue your journey to the Isle of Skye which you access via the Skye Bridge.The Isle of Skye is the largest of the Inner Hebrides and known for its rugged landscapes, picturesque fishing villages and medieval castles. You will discover the island during a tour including some photo stops along the way. On arrival into Armadale, you will take the ferry to return to Scotland s mainland and disembark at Mallaig. Return to your hotel for an evening at leisure. Optional activity: Instead of traveling from Mallaig to Fort William by coach, travel by Jacobite Steam Train, described as the greatest railway journey in the world (not included). The Jacobite Steam Train was featured as the fictional Hogwarts Express and passes the silvery beaches used in the films Highlander and Local Hero. It crosses the 21-arched Glenfinnan viaduct (made famous in the Harry Potter films) and arrives in Fort William near Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Britain. The coach will pick you up from the station and take you to the hotel. Overnight: Isle of Glencoe, Onich Hotel or similar, Fort William area Day 8 Fort William/Glencoe to Loch Ness, Inverness, & Grantown on Spey (approx. 191km Day) After breakfast head north towards Loch Ness, Scotland s second largest loch after Loch Lomond. Relax here with time at leisure. Later in the day the coach will take you to Grantown on Spey, where you will stay for the next 2 nights. The town is located beside Cairngorms National Park. This evening, enjoy a special meal together with your group. Optional activity: Discover Loch Ness on a Jacobite Temptation Cruise from Clansman Harbour (not included) including a visit to Urquhart Castle. Depart Loch Ness for Inverness, see the Clava Cairns - a hugely significant and exceptionally well preserved prehistoric site, dating back 4,000 years. Pass by the battlefield of Culloden, where the last battle was carried out on

4 THE ITINERARY British soil. The coach will then take you to Grantown on Spey, where you will stay for the next 2 nights. The town is located beside Cairngorms National Park. Overnight: Craiglynne Hotel or similar, Grantown on Spey ;Dinner Day 9 Grantown on Spey (approx. 120km Day) Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before spending the day at leisure. Choose from local nature walks, with plenty of birdwatching opportunities or enjoy the peace and quiet, a perfect way to relax. Optional activity: Join a day trip to Ballindalloch, on the River Spey in Scotland. The day includes Ballindalloch Castle and Gardens, an ancestral family home since the 16th century, a guided tour at Glen Grant Whiskey distillery for a step by step discovery of Single Malt Whiskies. Then visit Johnstons of Elgin Mill, where cashmere is dyed, teased, carded, spun and hand finished. Finally, stop by Speyside Cooperage - home of the ancient art of coopering since The coach will then return you to your hotel where you will enjoy a three-course dinner this evening. Overnight: Craiglynne Hotel or similar, Grantown on Spey ;Dinner Day 10 Grantown on Spey to Edinburgh (approx. 225km Day) After breakfast at the hotel you will head to Edinburgh passing through Cairngorms National Park enjoying the beautiful scenery. En route stop in Perth, beside the River Tay in central Scotland. Here you will say goodbye to your Highlands tour guide and have free time to discover the city. Afterwards you will continue your journey to Edinburgh where you will arrive over the dramatic Firth of Forth, the estuary of several Scottish rivers including the River Forth. Overnight: Best Western Braid Hills or similar, Edinburgh Day 11 Edinburgh Half Day Tour After breakfast, your guided half day tour (approx. 4 hours) first stop is Edinburgh Castle. Admire the Crown Jewels of Scotland and witness the firing of the one o clock gun, a much-loved Edinburgh tradition. After enjoying splendid views of central Edinburgh, you will be able to continue your discovery tour by yourself as you have the rest of the day and evening at leisure. Optional activity: Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour (not included). Visit to Palace of Holyroodhouse (not included (Her Majesty The Queen s official residence in Scotland). Choose to join an evening ghost tour (not included), starting at 8:00pm. Experience a flavour of life, and death, in Old Edinburgh. Overnight: Best Western Braid Hills or similar, Edinburgh Day 12 Edinburgh to York (approx. 315 km Day) Depart from Edinburgh after breakfast to journey south to England. You will pass Jedburgh, the largest town between Newcastle upon Tyne and Edinburgh. The town is a former royal burgh in the Scottish Borders and have a quick stop to see Jedburgh Abbey, a ruined Augustinian abbey founded in the 12th century. Another stop on route is Durham, a historic city in North East England. The famous Norman cathedral and adjacent 11thcentury castle were designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in You will have some time to take pictures of the cathedral and the castle (photo stop only). Today s journey will end in York, a walled city in northeast England founded by the ancient Romans. After checking in at the hotel, you will be able to discover the city at leisure. Overnight: Best Western Burn Hall or similar, York, England Day 13 York - Stratford-upon-Avon to Oxford (approx. 330km Day) Today depart York after breakfast and drive south to Oxford. On your way, pass through Nottingham known for its role in

5 THE ITINERARY the Robin Hood legend before arriving at Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare s Birthplace. You get the chance to discover this beautiful town at your leisure. In the late afternoon, you will continue your travels to Oxford. Optional activities (not included): Shakespeare s Birthplace, Anne Hathaway s Cottage and Hall s Croft. Overnight: Oxford Abingdon Hotel or similar, Oxford Day 14 Oxford Start your day with breakfast at the hotel before enjoying a day at leisure exploring the city. You could choose to spend more time at Radcliff Square, indisputably the most beautiful public square in the city - and possibly the most beautiful in the whole country. Another option is to visit the Bodleian Library, the main research library of the University of Oxford, and one of the oldest libraries in Europe. Or take the time to do some shopping, Oxford is packed with beautiful independent shops and a cluster of these can be found in the famous Oxford Covered Market. If you are still looking for souvenirs, don t miss out on the University of Oxford Shop, a must-visit for every tourist! Overnight: Oxford Abingdon Hotel or similar, Oxford Day 15 Oxford to Windsor Castle to London (approx. 113km Day) This morning you will depart for London. First stop en route is Windsor Castle (included) - a royal residence at Windsor in the English county of Berkshire. It is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world and open to visitors all year round. Founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, it has since been the home of 39 monarchs. You will experience the Castle with an informative audio tour. These days, The Queen spends most of her private weekends at the castle. After Windsor Castle, the coach will take you to your London hotel where you have the afternoon and evening at leisure. Overnight: Holiday Inn City West or similar, London Day 16 London City Half Day Tour The day starts with breakfast at the hotel followed by a guided half day tour (approx. 4 hours) of the city. See highlights including Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Covent Garden, Regent Street, Oxford Street and more. Travel past the Tower of London - listed as a World-Heritage site and home to the magnificent Crown Jewels. You will also be able to see Tower Bridge, one of London s most iconic sights. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight: Holiday Inn City West or similar, London Day 17 Westminster Half Day Tour - Showboat Farewell Dinner After breakfast at the hotel, you will be joined by a local guide for a half day tour (approx. 4 hours) exploring Westminster. After a visit to Westminster Abbey, one of the United Kingdom s most notable religious buildings, take some pictures of Big Ben before enjoying the rest of the day at leisure. For your last evening in London enjoy a Farewell Dinner Cruise on a London Showboat. As the sun sets and the city lights up, step on board and get ready for a very special evening on the river. Pass under London s most iconic bridges as the band begins to play. Enjoy a delicious four course meal and carefully selected wine while enjoying live performers. Overnight: Holiday Inn City West or similar, London ;Dinner Day 18 London to Australia Check-out and be transferred to London Heathrow airport to return back home. Day 19 London to Australia *Please note, some flights may arrive in Australia +1 day later.

6 TOUR INCLUSIONS HIGHLIGHTS Explore the bustling metropolitan hub of Manchester Reminisce the incredible legacy of the The Beatles in Liverpool Discover the extraordinary scenery of the Lake District Visit a distillery in Glasgow that create world famous fine whiskey Experience the incredible views of Loch Lomond Discover The Isle of Skye, the largest island in the Inner Hebrides Enjoy tours of Glasgow and Edinburgh Go in search of the Loch Ness monster Stay in traditional Grantown on Spey Experience Oxford with a day at leisure Enjoy tours of London and Westminster Visit the famous landmarks of Edinburgh and York Wander the poetic streets of Shakespeare s hometown Enjoy time at leisure in Glasgow and London Experience a showboat dinner in London FLIGHTS Return international flights (economy class) departing SYD/ MEL/BNE/ADL/PER ACCOMMODATION 16 nights hotel accomodation DINING Enjoy 19 meals including 3 dinners TOUR ESSENTIALS Airline taxes and surcharges English speaking local tour guides TRANSFERS Return airport transfers

7 IMPORTANT INFORMATION * all information provided in this brochure is subject to both change and availability. Prior to purchase please check the current live deal at au or contact our customer service team on TRIP (8747) for the most up-to-date information. If you have already purchased this deal, the terms and conditions on your Purchase Confirmation apply and take precedence over the information in this brochure. BOOKING INFORMATION After purchase, you will receive a receipt and a Purchase Confirmation, directing you to an online Passenger Information Form. The Passenger Information Form must be completed within 72 hours of purchase. Any special requests, preferences and optional extras MUST be clearly stated in your Passenger Information Form. Any change requested after submitting your Passenger Information Form cannot be guaranteed, is strictly subject to availability and will incur surcharges as outlined in the Schedule of Fees below. On purchasing this Travel Offer you are bound by the General Terms and Conditions, in addition to the specific terms and conditions outlined in this Important Information. all additional charges are payable direct to your Travel Consultant (unless otherwise stated). OFFER ESSENTIALS Travel offer is valid for travel on selected dates until the 21st October Travel offer is valid for one person based on twin share. Single Traveller Supplement For solo travellers a mandatory single supplement of $1920 applies. Departure Dates Please see TripADeal website for current departure dates. Surcharges dates/months with a * incur a flight high season surcharge of $300 per person. Departure Cities Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide or Perth FLIGHTS Full Service Airline(s) Used Etihad Airways, Emirates, British Airways, Lufthansa, Swiss Airways, Austrian Airlines, Air France, KLM, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Australia, Virgin Atlantic, Qatar Airways, Thai Airways, Malaysian Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Alitalia, Finnair, Air China, China Southern Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and codeshare partners (subject to availability). Arrive early in Manchester $200 per person, subject to availability. This fee does not include extra nights accommodation, meals or airport transfers. No flight booking changes or cancellations permitted after air tickets have been issued. Flight changes are subject to availability at the time of booking. Stay behind in London $200 per person, subject to availability This fee does not include extra nights accommodation, meals or airport transfers. No flight booking changes or cancellations permitted after air tickets have been issued. Flight changes are subject to availability at the time of booking. Stopover Packages Twin share: $450 per person/each way. Solo Traveller: $700 each way. Locations: * Singapore or Abu Dhabi Includes: 2 Nights in 4 star accommodation Daily breakfast Return airport transfers An outbound and inbound stopover may be chosen; however the stopover location must be the same each way, due to the airline used. Stopover packages are subject to availability. Flight Class Upgrades Premium Economy: Starting from $2899* Business Class: Buy now for $6999 per person All Premium Economy and Business Class upgrades are subject to availability (if we are not able to fulfill your business class request the upgrade cost will be refunded). On any upgrade purchase, short haul flights and domestic flight sectors are not guaranteed in a Premium or Business cabin; subject to aircraft configuration. If Abu Dhabi, Dubai or Doha stopovers are offered, Premium Economy upgrades will not be available ACCOMMODATION Accommodation Used Star (self-rated): Manchester - Copthorne Hotel Manchester Lake District - Castle Inn Cumbria, or The Besfield, or The Wordsworth Hotel Glasgow - Mercure Glasgow City Centre Fort William - Isle of Glencoe, or Onich Hotel Grantown on Spey - Craiglynne Hotel Edinburgh - Best Western Braid Hills, or Village Hotel York - Best Western Burn Hall Oxford - Oxford Abingdon hotel London - Holiday Inn City West rooms offered are based on a lead-in room type, and are subject to availability based on seasonality. Properties will be confirmed, no later than two weeks prior to travel. Extra Nights Manchester (Pre Tour): $235 per room. London (Post Tour): $275 per room. extra nights are based on room only and subject to availability until the time of booking. Airport transfers are not included if you wish to arrive early or stay behind. Maximum Room Capacity 3 preople (subject to availability). Child Policy No child discounts. Full price applies

8 IMPORTANT INFORMATION for all children travelling with their parents. Valid for Children/infants 2 years old and over. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult 18 years old and over to travel. No unaccompanied minors allowed. Triple Share No discounts apply for 3rd person travelling. Full price applies, subject to availability. Triple shares may be required to share existing bedding. Bedding Configuration Double or Twin Bedding (subject to availability). Adjoining / Interconnecting Rooms Subject to availability and at the hotels discretion. Please enquire on booking if you require this option. GENERAL TOUR INFORMATION Minimum group size 30, maximum group size 40 per vehicle. Optional Tours / Activities Day 7: Jacobite Harry Potter Steam Train: $80.00 Day 8: Jacobite Temptation Cruise & Urquhart Castle: $45.00 The optional tours listed above must be purchased on checkout or over the phone prior to submitting your passenger information form (subject to availability). Some tours require minimum numbers to operate. EXCLUSIONS Visa fees and requirements (A tourist visa is not required if travelling on an Australian passport) Meals/beverages not stated in the itinerary Recommended gratuities/tipping: 5 (approx. $9 AUD) per person per day payable on tour Optional activities/tours Personal expenses Travel insurance (Mandatory) A comprehensive travel Insurance policy must be organised BEFORE all details can be finalised. OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION CLIMATE & AVERAGE TEMPERATURE Spring (March May) is generally a calm, cool season particularly because the Atlantic has lost much of its heat throughout the autumn and winter. As the sun rises higher in the sky and the days get longer, temperatures slowly rise. Summer (June August) is the warmest and usually the sunniest season. Rainfall totals can have a wide local variation due to localised thundershowers. These thundershowers mainly occur in southern, eastern, and central England and are less frequent and severe in the north and west. Temperatures are the highest in southern and central areas and lowest in the north. Southern portions of the UK are the warmest, with average highs in London 21.2 to 23.8 C from June through August, while northern areas like Scotland and northern England have the coolest summers averaging C. TOUR GUIDE VS. TOUR LEADER Tour Guide: Often locals with intimate knowledge of an area, its culture, and history. Their role entails providing commentary, routing the tour, and seeing that people have a good time. They are a licensed, qualified expert who supplies specific information on history, art, architecture and culture of the city/village/attraction in which he or she is guiding the tour. The guide meets the group at the required place and leaves the group at the end of the tour, they do not travel with the group. Tour Leader: An experienced person tasked with ensuring the smooth operation of tours, as well as providing practical support to passengers throughout the whole trip. Their role primarily includes assisting with accommodation, transportation between locations, and communication with tour guides in each stop. A tour leader may provide general guidance around a city or village, and offer information on the place visited on the bus, however they are not required to have specific knowledge on art, architecture, or history. They are not allowed to provide a guided tour or commentary of a city/village/attraction once there and if caught doing so, can be fined. Tour leaders/guides are not a standard inclusion in all travel offers. Tour leaders/guides will only be made available when particularly required to enhance the experience of the destination featured. FLIGHTS Seat Selection & Frequent Flyer Points At TripADeal we do not arrange seat selection. It is important to highlight that some Airlines do not allow pre-selected seats. We strongly suggest you contact the Airline directly with seating allocation requirements and or arrive at the airport earlier to arrange your seating. While we do not add frequent flyer member details to bookings, you can do this directly with the Airline once you have your flight information. COACH TOUR Meals: Daily breakfast is included in the tour, for all other meals; lunches and dinners the tour leader (when available) will offer assistance with reservations, suggestions and directions to local restaurants. It is your responsibility to notify TripADeal of any dietary requests/ requirements. Please note; we will do our best to meet your requests/ requirements, however cannot guarantee that we will always be able to. Luggage: You will be responsible for all your personal belongings whilst on the tour. With regards to luggage, you must carry your own luggage from the coach to the hotel room and back to the coach. The driver will assist with the uploading and off-loading of the luggage from the coach. Fitness Level Required / Mobility: Our vehicles are not equipped with

9 IMPORTANT INFORMATION wheelchair access, so unfortunately our tours are currently not suitable for wheelchair users and those less mobile. a moderate level of fitness will be required. If you have any concerns please consult your healthcare provider prior to purchase/travel. GRATUITIES / TIPPING Changes within 14 days of departure $ per person + any additional charges applied by the airline/ cruise company/ other travel provider. Name Changes Due To Passenger Error If the incorrect name has been advised to TripADeal, charges of $ per person + any additional charges applied by the airline/ cruise company/ other travel provider will apply. Gratuities (tips) are not included in the tour price for services of the tour leader (when available) and driver throughout the tour. The recommended tip for the tour leader and driver is 5 per person per day, which will be collected whilst on tour. VISAS A tourist visa is not required when travelling on an Australian passport. Passengers who are not Australian citizens must check with the respective consulate. INSURANCE We are proud to offer a range of travel insurance products - please ask your Travel Consultant for more information. SCHEDULE OF FEES Voluntary Changes This includes booking changes requested by you, including but not limited to those changes requiring airline ticket or a Purchase Confirmation reissue. 1st Change - $ per person + any additional charges applied by the airline/ cruise company/ other travel provider. 2nd Change - $ per person + any additional charges applied by the airline/ cruise company/ other travel provider. Subsequent changes - $ per person + any additional charges applied by the airline/ cruise company/ other travel provider. Changes within 30 days of departure $ person + any additional charges applied by the airline/ cruise company/ other travel provider.