THE BONNIE BRITISH ISLES England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales 5 th August 24 th August 2019 20 day tour Imagine travelling through winding country lanes, coastal beauty spots, breath taking mountains as well as cosmopolitan cities through England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, let us take you on the journey of a life time. On this tour we visit London, Salisbury, Bath, Padstow, Tintagel, Penzance, Cardiff, The Cotswolds, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Dublin and more. In Salisbury we visit the Poultry Cross markets constructed in the 14 th century and also visit Old Sarum, the town from over 2000 years ago. We stop at Avebury to see the Avebury Stones dating from 4800 years ago and have lunch in the local pub before we head across to Bath where we visit the Roman Baths, Royal Crescent and Bath Abbey. Our journey then takes us to the South West of England, Cornwall. Tintagel is the mythical castle of King Arthur and his round table and the coastal scenery from here is breathtaking. Penzance is also on our list, famous for its pirates and we have time here to wander these majestic streets before we have dinner at Rick Stein s famous restaurant in Padstow. Next we head to Cardiff in Wales where we have a private tour of Cardiff Castle and dinner at one of Cardiff s best new restaurants. The Cotswolds are some of the most photographed towns in all of England and we visit Bourton-On-Water, Stow-On-The- Wold, Upper and Lower Slaughter. Stratford-Upon-Avon is our stop for the next two nights and we visit William Shakespeare s childhood home and Holy Trinity Church, where his burial place is. Next it s the city of the Beatles, Liverpool. We visit many of the famous bars the Beatles played at and also have a magical mystery tour visiting the childhood homes of the Fab Four plus Penny Lane, Strawberry Fields and more. In Edinburgh we have a past and present tour where we learn about the city s royal history and colourful characters. At Edinburgh Castle we view the oldest crown jewels in the United Kingdom as well as the Stone of Destiny. Our private tour of the Scottish Highlands is an experience not to be missed. The history of the Clans, The Loch Ness Monster and the scenery which has been used in so many movies. We then fly to Dublin where you have time to shop to your hearts content. An Irish Show awaits us with a three courser dinner and where we will enjoy a great Irish dancing performance. No trip to Ireland would be complete without a trip to the country and we make our way south to Cork and Blarney, where you can kiss the Blarney Stone, but also allows to see the incredible countryside of Ireland. Our list of locations we visit are many, and each has its own story to tell, so join us and be part of this journey in a private small group with other likeminded lady travellers.
Day 1 Monday 5 th August - LONDON Welcome to historical London. We will meet this evening in our hotel s cosy bar for a welcome drink before we head to one of London s best restaurants for our welcome dinner and to discuss our journey ahead. Accomm: London Meals: Welcome dinner For first time visitors to London if you wish to spend more time in London before or after tour please discuss with our team for early arrival or extended stay details Day 2 Tuesday 6 th August - SALISBURY / OLD SARUM This morning we leave the capital behind us for a scenic journey through the English countryside. We arrive in Salisbury where we make our way to the Poultry Cross markets constructed in the 14 th century surrounded by Tudor buildings for some exploring and of course, shopping. We continue to another famous land mark where you can climb the mighty ramparts for views over the Wiltshire plains and imagine the once thriving town of Old Sarum, 2000 years of history where the Romans, Normans & Saxons have all left their mark on this impressive landscape. This afternoon you will have free time to explore Salisbury Castle built 1220-1258 and home to the best preserved of only four surviving original Magna Cartas which are listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Accomm: Salisbury / Dinner Day 3 Wednesday 7 th August SALISBURY / AVEBURY / BATH After a leisurely breakfast we make our way to Avebury to visit the Avebury Stones, uncrowded and a delight to wander and touch the stones, dating from 4,800 years ago set in 3 circles, forming the largest stone circles in Europe and possibly in the world. We will pop into the thatched Red Lion pub, beside the stones, the only drinking establishment inside a ring of Neolithic stones for a pint of ale before we make our way to Silbury Hill. The largest prehistoric man made mound in Europe, some say this 40 metre high hill was probably a sacred mound dedicated to Mother Earth. One of the most visited sites in England is the Roman Baths in Bath where we visit this afternoon. The Roman Baths, consisting of the remarkably preserved remains of one of the greatest religious spas of the ancient world where you have free time to view the wonders of this heritage site. After your tour we will visit Bath Abbey and the Royal Crescent as well as visiting Pulteney Bridge built in 1774 which crosses the Avon River where the shops are a plenty for you to explore. Accomm: Salisbury / Lunch Day 4 Thursday 8 th August - EXETER / PADSTOW Our morning drive to Padstow in Cornwall will have us take a lunch break in beautiful Exeter as well as a stroll around the town before we continue to Padstow. Words alone cannot describe the magic of Padstow, the bustling fishing port, the narrow streets with some quaint shops and the views of the estuary and beaches from the headland walk are just unbelievable, you will be drawn like a magnet to return one day, so enjoy an afternoon at your leisure. Day 5 Friday 9th August - PADSTOW / TINTAGEL / PORT ISAAC Today we travel up the dramatic coast to Tintagel to visit the remains of the 800 year old castle, where you can imagine being a Knight of King Arthur s Round Table. Spectacular is the only description for the coastal scenery in this area. Our next destination has become popular since the filming of Doc Martin, Port Isaac (named Port Wenn in the BBC series) and this tiny fishing village has many traditional white washed cottages and granite slate fronted houses, the village has many properties of historical importance. It is here you will also find one of the narrowest alleyways in Britain, Squeezy Belly Alley. Day 6 Saturday 10th August - PADSTOW / PENZANCE Famous for its pirates, well the singing variety anyway, Penzance is a historic port on the south facing shores of Mount s Bay. One of the striking things about the town is the abundance of palm trees & gardens full of sub-tropical plants, a sure sign you have arrived somewhere unique. Even more spectacular is the incredible view of St Michael s Mount out at sea, that seems to hover magically over the water where we will discover legend, myth and over a thousand years of incredible history. This evening we will visit Rick Stein s restaurant for dinner to finish our stay in lovely Padstow. / Dinner Day 7 Sunday 11 th August - EXMOOR NATIONAL PARK / CARDIFF Our journey continues to Cardiff (Wales) through Exmoor National Park with its unique landscape of moorlands, woodlands, valleys & farmlands shaped by people and nature over thousands of years. We will lunch here before we head to our destination, Cardiff and the remainder of the afternoon is at your leisure. Accomm: Cardiff / Lunch.
Day 8 Monday 12 th August - CARDIFF The timeline of Cardiff shows the significant events throughout history of Cardiff, which transformed it from a small Roman fort into the modern capital city of Wales. We visit the medieval Cardiff Castle, one of Wale s leading heritage attractions and a site of international significance. Located within beautiful parklands, Cardiff Castle s walls and fairy tale towers conceal 2000 years of history. Our culinary guide will take us to one of the city s best restaurants that the locals frequent for dinner this evening. Accomm: Cardiff / Dinner Day 9 Tuesday 13 th August - THE COTSWOLDS STRATFORD UPON AVON Our road take us to some of the most picture perfect locations in all of the UK, the Cotswolds. We will visit some of the cutest villages where you may have to duck just to enter the doorway of some of the buildings. Our first stop will be Bourton-On-Water where you may wish to visit the Model Village a miniature version of the village s stone houses complete with miniature gardens, trees and even the voices of a choir singing inside the miniature church. We follow the cuteness of the Cotswolds to Stow-on-the- Wold where you have free time to enjoy lunch in some of the prettiest tea shops and then we will pass through Upper Slaughter and Lower Slaughter before we arrive at our destination Stratford-Upon-Avon. Accomm: Stratford-Upon-Avon Day 10 Wednesday 14 th August - STRATFORD-UPON-AVON Riverside Stratford-upon-Avon, where the life and times of William Shakespeare take centre stage. We will visit the playwright s tudor timbered childhood home and his wife Anne Hathaway s pretty thatched cottage for a stroll through the gardens. We pay our respects to the Bard at his burial place at Holy Trinity Church and then explore the beautifully furnished Jacobean home of Shakespeare s daughter Susanna and her husband John Hall. Accomm: Stratford-Upon-Avon / Dinner Day 11 Thursday 15 th August - LIVERPOOL We leave behind the honey coloured villages and make our way to the cosmopolitan city of Liverpool with Tudor buildings still abound and made a popular destination due to The Beatles. Before we arrive in Liverpool we will stop at Stoke on Trent where we will visit the Wedgewood Tea Room and be spoilt for choice with Wedgewood s finest teas and special treats all served in the finest Wedgwood china of course. After you settle into your room at this very chic hotel you may wish to relax or maybe take a stroll to pick up some souvenirs before our Beatles Pub Crawl this evening. We will visit a few of the many pubs and taverns made famous by John, Paul, George & Ringo the backroom where they performed on the Ed Sullivan show, the tavern when John and friend painted the ladies toilet just so they could perform at the club, you can even play vinyl records from the table you sit at and one of John s favourites he quoted the price of fame was no longer being able to have a pint at The Phil. What a night this will be. Accomm: Liverpool / Lunch Day 12 Friday 16 th August - LIVERPOOL Your morning is at leisure today as we will join The Magical Mystery Tour this afternoon visiting the childhood home of each of the Fab 4, Penny Lane, Strawberry Fields and so much more with the evening finishing at the famous Cavern Club where The Beatles rose to star studded fame and played almost 300 times over the years. We hope to catch the resident band this evening, sing and hit the dance floor. Accomm: Liverpool Day 13 Saturday 17 th August - CARLISLE / EDINBURGH We head north this morning to Scotland but will stop for lunch in Carlisle before we cross the border. The scenery on this drive is lush and green and you will be in awe of its beauty. Upon our arrival into Edinburgh and we check into our hotel, take some time to unpack and relax before your tour of Edinburgh past & present. You will learn the city s royal history and colourful characters, some of whom have inspired books and well-known stories. You will view sites on and off the Royal Mile and near Greyfriars Kirk and more. Edinburgh is divided by the new town with its striking Georgian architecture and the historic old town with its cobblestones and narrow alleys. The Princess Street Gardens situated between the New Town and Old, these lovely gardens shelter under the wing of the clifftop castle. / Lunch
Day 14 Sunday 18th August - EDINBURGH Look up anywhere in Edinburgh s old town and you will see Edinburgh Castle, seeming to grow out of the blackened cold volcano rocks it sits upon. There is evidence of human habitation on this spot that dates back to 900BC, and the Castle has been a royal stronghold since the middle ages. Steeped in history you will view the oldest crown jewels in the United Kingdom as well as the Stone of Destiny, the coronation seat of ancient kings. There is also St Margaret s Chapel, Edinburgh s oldest building and a cluster of military museums. So much to see and we will take you inside the Castle this morning and give you some history before you have free time to explore the Castle at your own pace and maybe drop into the cute cafes for some scones & cream. Day 15 Monday 19 th August - EDINBURGH / SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS Today we are going to step into movie scenes and head to the beautiful Highlands and discover ancient Scotland, battlefields & castles, think of Outlander, Braveheart, Harry Potter and the Da Vinci Code. Any trip to Scotland, we cannot miss the opportunity to view the Loch Ness Monster Our picnic by the lake hopefully has recharged your batteries before we head back to Edinburgh and relax before we enjoy a Scottish dinner this evening and say farewell to Bonnie Scotland. / Picnic / Dinner Day 16 Tuesday 20 th August - DUBLIN After breakfast we head to the airport to catch a flight to Dublin (Ireland) and make our way to our lovely hotel in an amazing location. Our time in Dublin is not only to see as many sites of Dublin and learn about the history with a wee bit of shopping thrown in, but as we do on our Que Sera Tours it will be done in a relaxing manner, time to chill out sleep in and do as the Irish do, enjoy life. Day 17 Tuesday 21 st August - DUBLIN Today is at your leisure as this evening we have a special treat for you so relax today as you will be kicking up your heels this evening at a traditional Irish show with a 3 course Irish dinner. You will have an Irish storyteller for the evening before sitting down to dinner and learn the stories behind some of the most traditional Irish dishes, some of which you will enjoy during this evenings meal. Don t forget to try a Guinness while you re waiting for the show to begin and then sing along to the Celtic and Irish music or hit the dance floor and join the craic (fun). / Dinner & show Day 18 Tuesday 22 nd August - DUBLIN / CORK / BLARNEY We visit the countryside of Ireland visiting Cork & Blarney today. You will stop at Rock of Cashel and if Disney had to come up with a fantasy Irish palace it would probably look something like this. On arrival into Cork you have some free time to explore this small city and to sample the local culture. Stroll alongside the River Lee, Walk St Patrick Street and browse the famous gourmet English Markets founded in 1691. Kissing of the Blarney stone is of course why you are visiting Blarney Castle however you may wish to stroll the gardens or even the poison garden hidden behind the castle battlements. The legend has it by kissing the Blarney stone bestows the kisser with the gift of the gab. This evening is at your leisure or we have an optional traditional Irish pub crawl if you just can t get enough of that malty flavour Guinness. / evening optional pub crawl Day 19 Tuesday 23 rd August - DUBLIN A full day today completely at your leisure and we have a long list of places you may find of interest on your final day of our Que Sera Ladies Tour of the British Isles or catch up on some last minute shopping for family and friends back home. Our farewell dinner this evening will be in a very quaint and traditional setting. / Farewell dinner Day 20 Tuesday 24 rd August - DUBLIN / LONDON / HOME After breakfast we will be transferred to the airport for our flight back to Heathrow Airport in London where you will catch your flight home (before booking return flight discuss with Que Sera team to coincide with flight from Dublin). If you are staying on in London for a few days we will make sure you meet your transfer to your hotel before we all say farewell and thank you for joining Que Sera Ladies Tour and hope you have many wonderful memories to treasure and take home with you. We wish everyone a safe journey homeward and hope we can discover another wonderful destination together in the future
Inclusions and Pricing Pricing is AUD and based on twin share $8500.00. Single supplement is available upon request You will visit: London: welcome drinks and dinner at one of London s newest restaurants Salisbury: poultry cross market, Old Sarum, Salisbury Castle, dinner at one of the locals favourite restaurants Avebury: Avebury stones, lunch at the Red Lion pub, Silbury hill Bath: Roman Baths, Bath Abbey, Royal Crescent, Pulteney Bridge Exeter: have lunch in this beautiful town Cornwall: Tintagel Castle, Port Isaac, Penzance, dinner at Rick Stein s restaurant in Padstow Exmoor National Park: have lunch in this unique national park Cardiff: Cardiff Castle, dinner at one of Cardiff s best restaurants The Cotswolds: Bourton on Water, Stow on the Wold, Upper Slaughter and Lower Slaughter Stratford Upon Avon: William Shakespeare s childhood home, Anne Hathaway s cottage, Holy Trinity Church, Jacobean home of Shakespeare s daughter, dinner at one of the locals favourite restaurants Stoke on Trent: Wedgewood Tea Room where we have lunch Liverpool: Beatles pub crawl, Magical Mystery Tour, Cavern Club Edinburgh: tour of past and present Edinburgh, Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle, St Margaret s Chapel Scottish Highlands: tour ancient Scotland, battlefields, castles and movie settings (Braveheart, Harry Potter, Outlander) Dublin: traditional Irish Show with three course dinner, evening traditional Irish pub crawl (optional) Cork: Rock of Cashel, River Lee, Patrick Street, English markets Blarney: Blarney Castle, Blarney Stone And not to mention the many locations we can t resist along the way that is time for a cuppa stop. Being a small group and having our own driver enables us to make that decision. 19 Breakfasts / 5 Lunches / 8 Dinners including Welcome drink, Welcome and Farewell dinners Tea tasting at Wedgewood Tea Room, Pub crawl will include drinks, Irish dinner and show, picnic lunch, dinner at Rick Steins speciality restaurant, Our personal food & wine tour guide with us to also assist in selecting your lunch or dinner locations when not with the group Flight from Edinburgh to Dublin as well as transfer to airport Flight from Dublin to London as well as transfer to airport Tour begins in London and finishes in London (allows you to seek a better price for return airfare) 4 1/2 and 5 star accommodation (2 per room share basis or single supplement if required). Unique hotels in central locations with more night s accommodation in several hotels allowing a more relaxed feel to your vacation No early morning rises you are on holidays and we want you to make the most of every destination (you will be given a day by day itinerary showing times we leave of a morning when on a day tour or if a flight or other transfer has to be met this is the only reason an early rise will be necessary) Private guide and driver throughout in air conditioned bus or mini van Tea and coffee included where Que Sera include a meal as shown on itinerary Restaurants for lunch and dinner are pre booked months in advance by our Food & Wine guide Taxes, surcharges (where part of Que Sera Tours itinerary) Tips to guides / drivers (where part of Que Sera Tours itinerary) Tips to waiters (where Que Sera Tours include a meal) Que Sera Tour Co-ordinators services throughout tour for any of your requests Small group of ladies on our tours which is more personal, more like a group of friends, not a tour group Min 6 - Max 10 ladies on this tour (early booking is recommended) Surprise experiences Not Included International flights; items of a personal nature; any items used from hotel mini bars or phone calls from room (you may be required by hotel to leave a credit card for security on your room which you could share between lady you are sharing room with); passport; laundry; personal transport; excess baggage; travel insurance; meals not specified (all meals are shown on pre departure list that is included on tour); alcoholic beverages unless specifically described. Optional excursions or activities that may be offered but not included in the tour price.