Great Britain Autumn Adventure

Transcription

1 Great Britain Autumn Adventure 3 DAY TOUR SEPTEMBER 6-8, 08 TOUR HOST: Rev. Robert and Rev. Hilary Merritt FEATURING: EDINBURGH NEW LANARK WINDERMERE LIVERPOOL CHESTER CAERNARFON LLANDUDNO ABERYSTWYTH CARDIFF SWANSEA BATH EXETER DARTMOUTH PLYMOUTH

2 Great Britain Autumn Adventure Join us on an unforgettable trip to Scotland, Wales and a bit of England; areas rich in history, natural beauty, quaint villages and world-class cities. Travel from Scotland's capital where the ancient Edinburgh Castle towers over the city, to the amazing panoramic views on the west coast of Wales, and England s southwest county of Devon which encompasses sandy beaches, fossil cliffs, medieval towns and moorland national parks. On this delightful journey discover another side of Great Britain. Portmeirion Swansea Llandudno Caernarfon Dartmouth New Lanark Windermere Winchester = overnights = first overnight = last overnight SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 Day Depart for Britain The excitement builds as we prepare to leave for the British Isles, a land filled with a proud history, majestic castles, quaint villages and countless scenic delights. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 D Day Arrive in Scotland Upon our arrival in Edinburgh Scotland we will be met by our guide and taken to our coach. We enjoy a short scenic drive through the city, stop for lunch on our own, and then continue to our hotel. Later, we have time to freshen up or rest before dinner. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 BD Day 3 Edinburgh City tour This morning we have a sightseeing tour of Edinburgh, Scotland s capital city, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site (WHS). We see the 6th century "Old Town", steeped in history from the Grassmarket - where criminals were hanged in the olden days, to the cobbled High Street. The Royal Mile, extends from the hilltop Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse (official Scottish residence of Queen Elizabeth II). After a visit to Edinburgh Castle, we have time to visit St. Giles Cathedral with its exquisite Thistle Chapel. This was the centre of the Reformation during the ministry of John Knox. We then take a drive through the elegant, wide, tree lined streets of the "New Town" with possibly the most extensive area of conserved Georgian architecture in Europe. Later this afternoon there is a wee bit of time to rest, shop, or explore on our own. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 BD Day 4 New Lanark - Windermere Today we drive to New Lanark (WHS) for a visit. In the late 700's, Robert Owen harnessed the Falls of Clyde to power four great linen mills. He also built adequate housing for his workers, provided them with medical support, classes for the children, and a nursery to relieve mothers. This World Heritage Site stands as a testament to the man who would not employ children, and who said "women are not to be exploited". After our tour we depart for Windermere in the lake country of northern England. We travel through the Southern Uplands of Scotland and cross into England where we stop to visit Hadrian's wall at Birdoswald. Later, we continue through Carlisle and on to our hotel in the lake district. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 0 BD Day 5 Liverpool - Chester This morning we head south to Liverpool (WHS) and stop to visit Albert Dock. Here, we take in the Beatles Story - the world's largest permanent exhibition purely devoted to the lives and times of The Beatles. Afterward, we continue to Chester where we stay for two nights. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER BD Day 6 Portmeirion - Caernarfon - Llandudno Today our coach takes us across to the Welsh coast and the tourist village Portmeirion in Gwynedd, North Wales. It was designed and built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis between 95 and 975 in the style of an Italian village. Next we travel along the edge of the Snowdonia highlands and enjoy the scenery as we make our way up to Caernarfon where we see the walls of the city and visit Caernarfon Castle (WHS). Here, King Edward I created what is surely one of the most impressive of the Wales' castles. We'll also get a view of Anglesey Island, just off the Welsh coast. Now we're off to Llandudno where we take a tram ride to the top of the Great Orme Hill for some remarkable views. After, we visit Conwy castle (WHS)

3 built to protect the northern coast, and then drive back to our hotel in Chester. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER BD Day 7 Aberystwyth We take another ride through the beautiful Welsh countryside, this time to the central coast area and the town of Aberystwyth. Aberystwyth is the principal holiday resort and administrative centre of the west coast of Wales. It is also home to the University of Wales Aberystwyth and the National Library. Aberystwyth Electric Cliff Railway is the longest electric cliff railway in Britain. It climbs Constitution Hill from the northern end of the town's promenade, and at the summit an amazing panorama is revealed. On a clear day views extend as far as the Preseli Hills in Pembrokeshire to the south, the entire expanse of Cardigan Bay opening to the west, and the mountains of Snowdonia to the north. SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 BD Day 8 Big Pit Mining Museum - Cardiff Today we travel to Cardiff, the capital city of Wales. On our way we drive through the Brecon Beacons National Park, and stop to visit the Big Pit Mining Museum. After some time to enjoy the views, we continue on to our hotel in Cardiff. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 BD Day 9 Cardiff - Swansea Today we travel a short distance to visit Swansea. After a break for lunch we visit the Wales National Waterfront Museum which celebrates the industrial and maritime history of Wales dating back to the 800s. Later, we take a little time to enjoy the seascape vistas of Swansea Bay and to wander along the beach. We head back to Cardiff for the night. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 BD Day 0 Bath - Exeter We leave Cardiff this morning and head to Bath (WHS). We have a short walking tour of the city, and visit the Roman Bath that the city drew its name from. We continue to our next stop in Exeter, an ancient city on the River Exe. Dating back to the Roman era, the Exeter City Walls surround its centre and the gothic Exeter Cathedral and Castle. Later, we check into our hotel in Newton Abbot located on the banks of the Teign River. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 BD Day Dartmouth Today we travel to the south coast of England and the City of Dartmouth. Dartmouth Museum is a small fascinating museum offering an insight into Dartmouth s rich history. Housed in the historic Butterwalk building, the collections are wide ranging with everything from the maritime history of Dartmouth, to its physical development throughout the years. We enjoy the passing scenery on our way back to our hotel. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 BD Day Plymouth-Dartmoor National Park We set off for Plymouth this morning. Here we see the historic Barbican and Sutton Harbour, the heart of the city's heritage, and a source of many historical stories. We continue to the famous Mayflower Steps from which the Pilgrim Fathers are believed to have left England in 60, for a new life in America. After a lunch break we drive through the Dartmoor National Park all 368 square miles of it. From its striking granite tors and steep wooded river valleys, to swathes of heather-covered moorland and hidden villages, Dartmoor is an awe-inspiring land of contrasts. Later, we head east to our overnight hotel where this evening at our TO BOOK CALL SAVE UP TO $500 PER PERSON Ask us about our Early Booking and Rostad Frequent Traveller discounts farewell dinner, we raise a glass to toast our wonderful tour. TOUR ACTIVITY LEVEL Active FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 B Day 3 Return Home This morning we continue to London's Heathrow Airport to board our return flight. While we may be sad that our trip is over, we are excited about returning home to share our experiences with family and friends. Able to walk 4 km on uneven surfaces such as cobblestone streets and be able to climb stairs or steep inclines unassisted. WORLD HERITAGE SITES SPECIAL INCLUSIONS Robert and Hilary Merritt c/o: Palliser Dr SW Calgary, AB TV 4W5 Phone: Toll Free: tours@rostad.com PRICES Land only $5095 Toronto $695 Ottawa $6395 Prices from other cities available upon request. Prices are per person based on double occupancy. The supplement for a single room is $850 per person. This tour is not subject to GST/HST. PRICE INCLUDES Return economy class airfare Current airline taxes, fuel surcharges and airport fee Superior Tourist class and First class hotels First class motorcoach Meals as shown (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner) Professional tour guide Sightseeing tours including entrance fees Luggage handling at hotels Tipping for included services All foreign taxes Rostad Tours travel gift Comprehensive and personalized tour documentation Not Included: Meals not shown, Beverages, Items of a personal nature, Any airline luggage fees, Increases to surcharges, taxes or fees, Insurance. Edinburgh - Old and New Towns New Lanark Liverpool - Maritime Mercamtile City Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd Bath City Visit the Beatles Story in Liverpool Tram Ride to the top of Great Orme Hill Ride the Aberystwyth Cliff Railway

4 Tour Conditions & Information RESERVATIONS A deposit of $300 per person is required to make a reservation on this tour. This deposit is completely refundable up to 00 days prior to departure (June 8, 08). A confirmation of your reservation will be forwarded to you after the deposit is received. FINAL PAYMENT The final payment is due no later than 00 days before departure (June 8, 08). A reminder will be sent to passengers in advance of this date. If you are joining the tour within 00 days of departure full payment is required. CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS For payments made by credit card, we reserve the right to have credit card charges processed by the suppliers of travel services such as the airline, cruise line, etc. If this occurs, your payment will be split between Rostad Tours and the other suppliers and will appear as separate payments on your credit card statement. All credit card payments will be processed in Canadian dollars. SHARED & SINGLE ACCOMMODATION Passengers must indicate at the time of booking whether they want to share a room or if they prefer a single room. Your roommate, if known, should also be indicated. If you do not have a roommate we will attempt to find a suitable travelling companion to share a room with you. If you join the tour by April 9, 08 and we are unable to find a roommate, you will only be charged one-half of the single supplement. If you join the tour after April 9, 08 and we are not able to find a roommate, you will be charged the full single supplement. Triple rooms, while not recommended, can be arranged. RESERVATION CHANGES If you want to change your reservation, such as change your departure city or plan an extended stay, you must submit your request to Rostad Tours in writing via mail or (flights@rostad.com) at least 00 days prior to departure (June 8, 08). Please note that your airfare may increase if you travel on different dates than the group or if you travel to a different city. Any subsequent changes, cancellations of extension arrangements or changes requested within 00 days of departure (June 8, 08) are subject to a service fee of $00 per person in addition to any fees charged by the various travel suppliers. TOUR PRICE Prices are based on currency levels, airfares, fuel surcharges and taxes valid as of November, 07. Although unlikely, we reserve the right to adjust prices if there are significant changes to any of the above elements. CANCELLATIONS Your deposit is fully refundable for any reason up to 00 days prior to departure (June 8, 08). Cancellations after this date are subject to the following maximum cancellation charges:charges: 99 to 6 days 50% 60 to 3 days 75% 30 to 0 days 00% If you cancel, you will receive back all money paid towards the tour less the applicable cancellation fee. The charges apply to the base price of the tour only and do not include cancellation charges for any extra arrangements such as single supplement, accommodation upgrades, additional tours, etc. INSURANCE We recommend that all passengers buy insurance to protect themselves against any possible cancellation charges or out-of-country medical expenses. An all-inclusive policy which has cancellation, hospital/medical and baggage coverage will be offered to Alberta residents prior to making their final payment. For passengers residing outside of Alberta, we will explain how you can obtain our special group rates for travel insurance direct from Old Republic Insurance Group. As your deposit is fully refundable until 00 days prior to departure, you do not need to purchase insurance until that date. PASSPORTS A passport is required for all tour participants. Some countries require that your passport to be valid for at least three months. If you do not already have a passport, or if your current passport will expire within this period, apply for your new passport at least 5 days before departure (May 4, 08). We require a copy of your passport 00 days prior to departure in order to issue your airline tickets. If you are not a Canadian citizen you are responsible to ensure you have all documentation required to enter the countries you are visiting and for your return to Canada HEALTH REQUIREMENTS During walking tours you will likely experience uneven ground, cobblestone streets and various amounts of steps or stairs. For your enjoyment, and in fairness to your fellow passengers, you should be in good physical condition, with the ability to stand for reasonable periods of time and walk several kilometres easily. Should you feel a particular excursion may be too strenuous, you are welcome to forego the sightseeing tour and rest or explore on your own. At the time of printing, no inoculations are required for this tour. TOUR DOCUMENTS An extensive set of tour documents will be sent approximately -4 weeks prior to departure. Please notify our office in writing if you require any information in advance of this date. BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE Typically airlines allow you to check one suitcase free of charge but this is subject to change. In order to avoid excess baggage fees, the dimensions of your suitcase should not exceed 60 (i.e. 30 length + 0 height + 0 width) and the weight should not exceed 3 kgs. Your suitcase will be portered at all hotels but tour members are responsible for their flight bags/carry-on luggage at all times. Rostad Tours accepts no responsibility for the loss of, or damage to, any baggage or any tour member s personal belongings. ITINERARY VARIATIONS Rostad Tours reserves the right to change the itinerary of the tour due to airline schedule changes or any other circumstances beyond our control. Every effort will be made to keep the tour as close as possible to the original itinerary. TOUR MEMBERSHIP Rostad Tours reserves the right to reject any person as a tour member and to expel from the tour any person whose actions are deemed to be detrimental to the enjoyment of the tour by the other passengers. Children 6 years of age and under at the time the tour departs are considered too young to travel on tour. RESPONSIBILITY Rostad Tours Ltd. of Calgary, Alberta act as agents for the various owners or contractors providing hotels, means of transportation or other services. Issuance and acceptance of the tour documents shall be deemed to be consent to the condition that Rostad Tours Ltd. shall not become liable or responsible in any way for any personal or property loss, damage or injury, howsoever caused or arising. In the event that we are forced to cancel a tour due to insufficient registrations, Rostad Tours Ltd. s sole responsibility shall be the refund of all monies paid to Rostad Tours by the tour participant Palliser Drive SW, Calgary, AB, Canada TV 4W5 Toll Free: Phone: (403) Fax: (403) tours@rostad.com

5 PASSENGER REGISTRATION FORM Please complete this form and mail it to the Tour Host or directly To Rostad Tours If paying by credit card, you may also register by phone, fax or a pdf of this form to Rostad Tours PASSENGER INFORMATION Great Britain Autumn Adventure Departs: September 6, 08 Merritt809 (): Date of Birth: 9 / / Title Last Name First Name Year/Month/Day (): Date of Birth: 9 / / Mailing Address : City/Town: Prov/State: Postal Code/Zip: Phone: Home ( ) - Work: ( ) - Type of Accommodation Requested: Twin/Double or Single Departure City: Roommate (if known): If unknown, would you like us to find you a roommate? PRIVACY: Rostad Tours is committed to respecting and protecting your privacy. The main purpose of collecting your personal information is to arrange travel products and services for you. Accordingly, personal information required for this purpose may be shared with airlines, hotels, cruise lines, travel insurance companies, tour operators and other travel-related vendors. It may also be used to provide you with information regarding future travel opportunities. We will not sell or trade your personal information with third parties. Our complete Privacy Policy is available at our website at or, if you wish, we can send you a copy via or by postal mail. PAYMENT INFORMATION Deposit Required (per person): $300x = Total: Deposit is fully refundable until June 08, 08 Payment Method: Visa Mastercard Cheque (made payable to Rostad Tours) Credit Card # Expires: / Month/Year Cardholder Name: Please note that we reserve the right to have credit card payments processed by third parties such as Cardholder Signature: airlines, cruise lines, etc. Mail with payment to the address below: Rostad Tours Palliser Drive SW Calgary, AB Canada TV 4W5