Compare 2017 - 10 Day Taste of Cornwall & Wales by CIE Tours vs European Experience (2024) by Costsaver

Day 1: Dublin Arrival & Taylor’s Three Rock

Meals: Dinner

Your Irish trip starts at 5:00 pm when you meet your tour director and fellow travelers at your Dublin hotel for a welcome drink and discuss your trip. Then head to Taylor’s Three Rock Pub for dinner with a lively traditional show of dancing, music and storytelling. During the day you are free to rest after your journey or venture out to explore Dublin independently. You will have vouchers for an independent open-top bus tour around the city and a visit to one attraction.

Day 2: Dublin & Book of Kells

Meals: Breakfast

Head out to see Dublin’s main attractions including O’Connell Street, St. Stephen’s Green, the seat of government at Leinster House and other public buildings. View Dublin’s famous Georgian squares and elegant town houses with elaborate doorways. Take a stroll through Trinity College’s campus in the center of the city with a student guide and in the Old Library view the priceless 8th century Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript of the four gospels. The afternoon and evening are free for further sightseeing and dining.

Day 3: Ferry to Wales & Conwy Castle

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Take a short ferry ride from Dublin to Holyhead in North Wales. Drive to Conwy to visit the massive Conwy Castle, which was built by King Edward I in the 13th century as part of his mission to conquer Wales. Take a walk through the narrow medieval streets and see the smallest house in Britain, located on the quay and was home to a fisherman. Check in to your nearby hotel in time to relax before dinner.

Day 4: Snowdonia & Cardiff Castle Banquet

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Travel past the scenic peaks of Snowdonia National Park and continue south through the gentle pastoral lands of central Wales, where many farms specialize in sheep rearing. See some of the attractive marketing towns that serve the farming communities. Cross the gentle hills of Brecon Beacons National Park and pass through some of the former coal-mining regions of South Wales. Travel into central Cardiff for a panoramic drive around the city center. Tour Cardiff Castle to see some amazingly opulent, highly-decorated rooms. Remain in the Castle for a Welsh banquet with dinner and some lively entertainment.

Day 5: Roman Baths & Glastonbury

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Cross in to England and visit the Roman Baths and Pump Room, renowned for the mineral-rich hot springs and wonderfully preserved after two millennia. The fashion of “taking the waters” was revived during the 18th century Regency period when much of Bath’s elegant houses were built. Stop in Glastonbury, associated with many of the myths surrounding King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. Continue south to Cornwall and the charming town of St Austell, located near the coast.

Day 6: Explore Cornwall & Land’s End

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Today discover the highlights of Cornwall, the region on the southwestern tip of England. It has many Celtic traditions, including its own language and is for sandy beaches and pretty harbor villages. Enjoy the coastline as you drive to Land’s End, the most westerly point of Britain. Stop at Marazion to view the majestic outline of St Michael’s Mount, an important pilgrimage destination, and you will have time to take some photos. Stop for a browse around the lovely fishing village of Mevagissey, where houses are clustered around the bay, and return to your hotel in St Austell.

Day 7: Stonehenge & Windsor Castle

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Drive to Salisbury Plain to marvel at the prehistoric circle of vast monoliths of Stonehenge and learn about the primitive builders who managed to create such an enduring monument. Travel to Windsor for a tour of Windsor Castle, one of The Queen’s official residences and the largest inhabited castle in the world. See the State Apartments, St George’s Chapel and other areas that are open to the public. After dinner in your hotel, take a brief stroll around the compact and historic town with a local guide.

Day 8: Extend your tour to London

Meals: Breakfast

Transfer to London where you may plan your own day of discovery around London’s attractions when you take an open-top bus tour. There is a choice of routes, a walking tour and a River Thames cruise. Visit the Tower of London to view the magnificent Crown Jewels, guarded by Beefeaters in distinctive Tudor uniforms or you may prefer to visit Kensington Palace, former home of Princess Diana. Dine independently this evening.

Day 9: More London Touring

Meals: Breakfast

Today you may continue to explore London using your open-top bus pass which is valid for 24 hours. There is no shortage of places of interest along the many bus routes or you may prefer to stay on the bus and listen to the commentary.

Day 10: Tour ends in London

Meals: Breakfast

Your tour ends after breakfast.

Day 1: Arrive London

Keep it real on the vibrant streets of London, where old meets new and best of British icons jostle for your attention. Don't resist the urge to hit the streets straight out of the starting gate after checking in. There's something for everyone as you'll come to discover exploring the capital's culture, history and scenic spaces. Delve into London's royal heritage, stroll along the Thames or admire treasures from across the globe in one of its museums before retiring to your neighborhood 'local' for a pint or two.

Novotel London Brentford, Ibis Excel London

Day 2: London free day

What a treat! A full free day in London to do as you please. The British capital wears its diversity with pride - an epicenter attracting people from all over the world who are helping to shape its vibrant cosmopolitan spirit. Dive right in and visit all the iconic sights and some hidden surprises, from the British Museum to the London Dungeon. When night falls, head to the bright lights of Soho or pop in to Brick Lane for a curry. You won't be left empty handed when it comes to grabbing a plate of what London is serving up.

Novotel London Brentford, Ibis Excel London

Breakfast

Day 3: London – Paris

Greetings from your Travel Director this morning. For now, London bids you safe travels as you continue south through the Kent countryside to Dover and then on by ferry to Calais. Next stop is Paris, another capital that doesn't hold back and doesn't expect you to either. Take a walk through its grand past, dynamic present and exciting future, from the maze of streets that once nurtured great artists in Montmartre to the Eiffel Tower.

Ibis Alésia Montparnasse 14éme, Hampton by Hilton Clichy

Breakfast

Day 4: Paris Sightseeing and Free Time

Audrey Hepburn described it best when she said: 'Paris is always a good idea.' We’re sure you’ll agree. Hit its grand boulevards on a city sightseeing tour with your Travel Director. See the Arc de Triomphe and Champs Élysées then spend the rest of the day discovering the city on your terms. Don’t resist the urge to tread in the footsteps of Picasso and Dalí and visit Montmartre this afternoon, exploring its maze of streets and Artist’s Square. There’s time to shop for artwork and savor some local specialties before considering a real highlight this evening – an optional dinner and cabaret performance.

Ibis Alésia Montparnasse 14éme, Hampton by Hilton Clichy

Breakfast

Day 5: Paris - Lucerne Region

Journey through the idyllic French countryside before arriving in Lake Lucerne. You’ll want to put the 'heart' of Switzerland in your pocket and take its history, culture and epic landscapes with you.

Ibis Kriens, SwissEver Zug

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6: Lucerne orientation and free time

Turn the page to a land of fairy-tale landscapes and medieval history. You have a full day to see the sights and explore Lucerne, starting with a morning orientation including the Chapel Bridge and the Jesuit Church. No visit to Lucerne is complete without a visit to the Lion Monument, built to commemorate the brave Swiss Guards who died defending Louis XVI during the French Revolution. You may be tempted to do some souvenir shopping, but an Optional Experience into the mountains will be hard to resist. Ascend Mount Pilatus by a cog-wheel railway then embark on a scenic lake cruise.

Ibis Kriens, SwissEver Zug

Breakfast

Day 7: Lucerne - Florence

Your journey heads south to the city of Florence - home to various masterpieces of Renaissance architecture and outstanding fine arts. Enjoy dinner with your fellow travelers tonight as you prepare to soak up the beauty of the city, surrounded by Tuscan hills, that has remained unchanged throughout the centuries.

Miro

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8: Florence – Rome

Enjoy your day in Florence before heading to Rome. Admire the city skyline from Piazzale Michelangelo. There’s time to explore Piazza della Signoria, the Duomo and Giotto's Bell Tower or shop for the bespoke Italian leather goods and fine gold jewelery for which Florence is justifiably famous. You could choose instead to join an Optional Experience revealing the Renaissance heritage of a city which attracted artists, physicists, astronomers and philosophers like Michelangelo, Machiavelli and Galileo.Next, travel to Rome. If Rome was a person, she would be confident, alluring and complex. You’ll get to know her, and her quirks, over the next two days. You’ll find reminders of an ancient world, a holy empire and the Renaissance around every turn. You could choose to join a Local Specialist for an optional guided stroll through Rome’s piazzas. Linger in your favorite square, or perhaps enjoy a scoop or three of the local gelato and soak up the effervescent energy of a city that knows how to enjoy life.

Raganelli, Ergife Palace

Breakfast

Day 9: Rome Sightseeing and Free Time

You could spend a lifetime exploring Rome and just scratch the surface, but with your Local Specialist on hand you’ll dive right into the city’s heart and soul. Head to Vatican City to watch the pigeons and people tread on holy ground, then visit St. Peter’s Basilica and see Michelangelo’s priceless 'Pietà'. The rest of your day is free to explore the City, this evening why not consider an optional dinner at one of the local restaurants.

Raganelli, Ergife Palace

Breakfast

Day 10: Rome – Venice

Journey on to Venice, which bewitches in all her Byzantine glory, softening even the hardest of hearts with her opulence. Highlights include a cruise on a private launch to St. Mark’s Square and views of the magnificent St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge's Palace. The talents of master craftsmen are the star of the show later as you visit their glassblowing workshop, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. There’s even time for an optional Gondola and Grand Canal cruise – grand palazzi, churches and ornate bridges line your journey.

Hotel San Giuliano

Breakfast

Day 11: Venice – Innsbruck

Today you continue along the Inn Valley to the Austrian Tyrol and its capital, Innsbruck, where you can 'ooh and aah' at the impressive ski jump and view the famed Golden Roof, constructed from 2,657 copper tiles. Admire the fascinating crystal installations and browse for precious gifts and souvenirs at the Swarovski Crystal Worlds Store. This evening, an Optional Experience could see you enjoy a lively evening of entertainment during a traditional Tyrolean evening.

Bon Alpina

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 12: Innsbruck - Munich - Rhineland

Your first stop today is Munich where you can admire the Glockenspiel in the Marienplatz and the Hofbräuhaus. Continue onto the main cultural center of the Rhineland.

Achat Hotel Bad Durkheim

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 13: Rhineland - Cologne - Amsterdam

Suitably inspired by its spires, you’ll board a lazy river cruise down the Rhine past terraced vineyards and fairy-tale castles. Your experience of a lifetime ends in the free-thinking capital of the Netherlands. Immerse yourself in Amsterdam's gezelligheid as you soak up the buzz of the city's canals, gabled houses and festive squares. There's no better way to see the capital than from its waterways, so choose an Optional Experience in a glass-topped boat winding through Amsterdam's historic canal ring.

Ibis Schiphol

Breakfast

Day 14: Depart Amsterdam

Say farewell to your Travel Director and traveling companions at the end of an amazing holiday.

Breakfast