Departs June 2011
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Join us for the 300th Birthday of Royal Ascot, one of the most famous races in the world. There are few sporting venues that can match the rich heritage and history of Ascot Racecourse. Over the past 300 years Royal Ascot has established itself as a national institution and the centrepiece of the British social calendar as well as being the ultimate stage for the best racehorses in the world.
The rich racing history established by Queen Anne in 1711 continues to be a benchmark for thoroughbred racing worldwide and is attended by the Royal Family each year.
This year our Royal Ascot & Ireland tour combines the majesty of London, Newmarket and race days at Royal Ascot with the sights and charms of Ireland as we make our way around the Emerald Isle taking in the Irish Derby and visiting renowned stud farms.
You will also have the option of cruising the Rhine from Basel to Amsterdam, enjoying the many scenic highlights of this splendid Viking River cruise prior to your Royal Ascot tour.
Click on the Submit Enquiry button above or call
(07) 3229 6555 for further information. |
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- Celebrate 300 Years of Racing at Royal Ascot
- See the Stud Farms of England & Ireland
- Rhine River Cruise prior to Royal Ascot
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Day 1, Saturday 11 June
AUSTRALIA - LONDON
Make your way to your respective airports to join your Emirates flight to London.
Accommodation: In Flight
Day 2, Sunday 12 June
LONDON
Arrive in London where you will be met and transferred to your centrally located accommodation. Join the rest of our tour party and spend the rest of the afternoon at your leisure in the British capital as you discover one of the world’s most dynamic and historical cities or take the opportunity to relax in your hotel.
Accommodation: London
Day 3, Monday 13 June
LONDON
After breakfast, join a half day sightseeing tour of London taking in all of the cities most renowned landmarks and major attractions which may include the Tower of London, Big Ben and Parliament, St. Pauls Cathedral and many others. This afternoon is at your leisure.
Accommodation: London
Day 4, Tuesday 14 June
LONDON
Today you will be transferred to Ascot Racecourse for the first day of the Royal Ascot carnival. With 300,000 attendees annually, this is the most celebrated racing event in the UK and attended by members of the royal family. Today’s highlight is the King’s Stand Stakes, won by Australian champion Takeover Target and again by Miss Andretti.
Accommodation: London
Day 5, Wednesday 15 June
LONDON - NEWMARKET - LONDON
This morning you will transfer to Newmarket, an English town with a rich horse racing history. Tour some must see sights for racing lovers including the National Thoroughbred Racing Museum and Dalham Hall - the famous stud farm owned by the Sheik of Dubai before returning to your hotel.
Accommodation: London
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Day 6, Thursday 16 June
LONDON
Your have the day at leisure to explore London’s wealth of attractions at your own pace. As an option you may return to Ascot racecourse for the popular Ladies’ Day at Royal Ascot for the running of the Ascot Gold Cup, a Group 1 race which has been run for over 200 years.
Accommodation: London
Day 7, Friday 17 June
LONDON
With no scheduled program today, you may attend racing at Ascot again. Having at least one Group 1 race every day and a prize pool of over £3 million, there is never a dull moment during Royal Ascot. Alternatively, join an optional tour to the medieval Warwick Castle, followed by Stratford Upon Avon, Shakespeare’s birthplace, and walk through the cobbled streets of Oxford.
Accommodation: London
Day 8, Saturday 18 June
LONDON
The exciting racing action comes to a close today, and you will attend the final day of Royal Ascot. Today’s highlights include the Group 1 Golden Jubilee Stakes which was won by an Australian horse, Choisir, in 2003 and again by his son Starspangledbanner in 2010. On conclusion of the race day, you will be transferred back to your hotel.
Accommodation: London
Day 9, Sunday 19 June
LONDON – AUSTRALIA
Later this afternoon transfer to the airport for your flight bound for Australia. Alternatively you also have the choice of extending your travel on to our Irish Derby Tour, extend your stay in London and travel further throughout Europe.
Accommodation: In Flight
Day 10, Monday 20 June
IN FLIGHT
Accommodation: In Flight
Day 11 Tuesday 21 June
AUSTRALIA
Your arrival in Australia concludes your tour with us. |
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Day 1, Saturday 11 June
AUSTRALIA - LONDON
Make your way to your respective airports to join your Emirates flight to London.
Accommodation: Flight
Day 2, Sunday 12 June
LONDON
Arrive in London where you will be met and transferred to your centrally located accommodation. Join the rest of our tour party and spend the rest of the afternoon at your leisure in the British capital as you discover one of the world’s most dynamic and historical cities or take the opportunity to relax in your hotel.
Accommodation: London
Day 3, Monday 13 June
LONDON
After breakfast, join a half day sightseeing tour of London taking in all of the cities most renowned landmarks and major attractions which may include the Tower of London, Big Ben and Parliament, St. Pauls Cathedral and many others. This afternoon is at your leisure.
Accommodation: London
Day 4, Tuesday 14 June
LONDON
Today you will be transferred to Ascot Racecourse for the first day of the Royal Ascot carnival. With 300,000 attendees annually, this is the most celebrated racing event in the UK and attended by members of the royal family. Today’s highlight is the King’s Stand Stakes, won by Australian champion Takeover Target and again by Miss Andretti.
Accommodation: London
Day 5, Wednesday 15 June
LONDON - NEWMARKET - LONDON
This morning you will transfer to Newmarket, an English town with a rich horse racing history. Tour some must see sights for racing lovers including the National Thoroughbred Racing Museum and Dalham Hall - the famous stud farm owned by the Sheik of Dubai before returning to your hotel.
Accommodation: London
Day 6, Thursday 16 June
LONDON
Your have the day at leisure to explore London’s wealth of attractions at your own pace. As an option you may return to Ascot racecourse for the popular Ladies’ Day at Royal Ascot for the running of the Ascot Gold Cup, a Group 1 race which has been run for over 200 years.
Accommodation: London
Day 7, Friday 17 June
LONDON
With no scheduled program today, you may attend racing at Ascot again. Having at least one Group 1 race every day and a prize pool of over £3 million, there is never a dull moment during Royal Ascot. Alternatively, join an optional tour to the medieval Warwick Castle, followed by Stratford Upon Avon, Shakespeare’s birthplace, and walk through the cobbled streets of Oxford.
Accommodation: London
Day 8, Saturday 18 June
LONDON
The exciting racing action comes to a close today, and you will attend the final day of Royal Ascot. Today’s highlights include the Group 1 Golden Jubilee Stakes which was won by an Australian horse, Choisir, in 2003 and again by his son Starspangledbanner in 2010. On conclusion of the race day, you will be transferred back to your hotel.
Accommodation: London
Day 9, Sunday 19 June
LONDON – DUBLIN – GALWAY
Transfer to the airport today for your flight to Dublin where upon arrival you will be transferred by coach to Galway. As the fifth largest and fastest growing city in Ireland, Galway is unique for its rich Irish traditions from the folk music to the Gaelic language and is known as Irelands Cultural Heart due to its vibrant lifestyle and numerous festivals, celebrations and events.
Accommodation: Galway
Day 10, Monday 20 June
GALWAY
Enjoy an orientation tour of Galway this morning with sights that may include Eyre Square and Lynch’s Castle. Continue your sightseeing as we travel to the Connemara Peninsula and Kylemore Abbey. The remainder of your day is at leisure to immerse yourself in the Gaelic culture in the Irish-speaking area of Gaeltacht which has helped earn Galway the title of the “bilingual capital of Ireland”.
Accommodation: Galway
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Day 11, Tuesday 21 June
GALWAY – KILLARNEY
Depart Galway today and continue on to the town of Killarney via Limerick, taking in a visit to the Cliffs of Moher and a scenic drive through the Burren. Killarney is located in southwestern Ireland and surrounded by a wealth of lakes, waterfalls and impressive mountain peaks. With a world-class natural and historical heritage, it is an essential stop for visitors to Ireland.
Accommodation: Killarney
Day 12, Wednesday 22 June
KILLARNEY
Embark on one of Ireland’s most popular scenic drives today along the Ring of Kerry – a circular scenic road spanning 170 km. Enter a world of towering cliffs, lakelands and remote villages, and travel over Ireland’s tallest mountain range before returning to Killarney later this afternoon.
Accommodation: Killarney
Day 13, Thursday 23 June
KILLARNEY – KILKENNY
Today, farewell Killarney and travel to Kilkenny with a visit en route to Coolmore, one of Europe’s premier stallion farms. Continue on to Kilkenny, famous for its magnificent medieval architecture such as the Kilkenny Castle. It is also home to the famous St. Francis Abbey Brewery.
Accommodation: Kilkenny
Day 14, Friday 24 June
KILKENNY – DUBLIN
This morning, transfer by coach to Dublin, one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations with its unique charms and ever-evolving cityscape. On the way, we will pay a visit to Kildangan, a leading stud farm owned by the Sheiks of Dubai. We then continue on to the town of Newbridge and visit the Irish National Stud, home to the world famous Japanese Gardens before arriving in Dublin.
Accommodation: Dublin
Day 15, Saturday 25 June
DUBLIN
Acquaint yourself with this charming city on a sightseeing tour today, where your sights may include the historic Dublin Castle and St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the O’Connell Bridge, and the famous Guinness Storehouse and Old Jameson Distillery among other. Upon conclusion of the tour you will be transferred back to your hotel and spend the evening at your leisure in your hotel or exploring the city further.
Accommodation: Dublin
Day 16, Sunday 26 June
DUBLIN
Transfer to the Curragh racetrack in Kildare, Ireland’s premier racetrack, for the running of the 2011 Irish Derby Stakes, a Group 1 flat horse race for three year olds thoroughbred colts and fillies. Attended by 30,000 spectators each year, the Derby is the centrepiece of the Irish Derby Festival and has a prize money of 1 million Euro. After this exciting race day you will be returned to your accommodation.
Accommodation: Dublin
Day 17, Monday 27 June
DUBLIN – LONDON – AUSTRALIA
Transfer to the airport and board your flight bound for Australia via London. Alternatively you may stay in London for further travel in Europe, the choice is yours.
Accommodation: In Flight
Day 18, Tuesday 28 June
IN FLIGHT
Accommodation: In Flight
Day 19, Wednesday 29 June
AUSTRALIA
Your arrival in Australia concludes your Royal Ascot Racing Tour with the Irish Derby Extension with us. |
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Day 1, Thursday 2 June
AUSTRALIA - ZURICH
Make your way to your respective airports to join your Emirates flight to Zurich.
Accommodation: In Flight
Day 2, Friday 3 June
ZURICH – LUCERNE
Arrive in Zurich where you will be met and transferred to Lake Lucerne to your centrally located accommodation. This afternoon is at your leisure.
Accommodation: Lucerne
Day 3, Saturday 4 June
LUCERNE
Today is at your leisure to explore Lucerne, the gateway to central Switzerland, and embedded within an impressive mountainous panorama. Lucerne has many attractions, souvenir and fine watch shops, a beautiful lakeside setting and the nearby excursion mountains of the Rigi, Pilatus and Stanserhorn.
Accommodation: Lucerne
Day 4, Sunday 5 June
LUCERNE - BASEL
You will be transferred to Basel on the Rhine River to board your ship. After boarding, enjoy time on your own getting acquainted with the city or join a “welcome walk” to stretch your legs and start getting oriented. Cruise through the night to Breisach.
Accommodation: Onboard
Day 5, Monday 6 June
BREISACH
Arrive in Breisach, gateway to the Black Forest. Take an excursion through the area’s renowned mountain landscape and dense forests. Once there, visit a local workshop and see a cuckoo clock-making demonstration. Return to Breisach for some free time before an evening departure. You may choose an excursion to the quaint town of Colmar, or a walking tour of a vineyard. Dine aboard and cruise through the night to Kehl.
Accommodation: Onboard
Day 6, Tuesday 7 June
STRASBOURG
This morning we arrive in Kehl for your guided tour of Strasbourg. See the European Parliament and tour the interior of the city’s famed cathedral. Free time allows you to further explore this Alsatian city’s blend of French and German cultures, churches, medieval bridges and beautiful parks. Return to your ship for dinner and departure.
Accommodation: Onboard
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Day 7, Wednesday 8 June
HEIDELBERG & RUDESHEIM
Today we reach Mannheim for a tour to Heidelberg. Visit the oldest university in Germany, the ruins of imposing Heidelberg Castle and take in the scenery then return to your ship for afternoon cruising. Arrive in Rudesheim in the late afternoon. Spend free time in the pedestrian-only streets, dine aboard or stay in town if you prefer.
Accommodation: Onboard
Day 8, Thursday 9 June
BRAUBACH & KOBLENZ
Spend the morning cruising along the most scenic stretch of the Rhine, where castles overlook the river from the hilltops. Midmorning disembark for a tour of 700-year-old Marksburg Castle and its museum. Return to your ship for lunch and a short cruise to Koblenz.
Accommodation: Onboard
Day 9, Friday 10 June
COLOGNE
Your cruise will arrive in Cologne just after breakfast. Disembark for your tour through Old Town past St. Martin’s Church and visit Cologne’s Dom, a remarkable cathedral. The rest of your day is free to explore the dockside taverns, cafes and shops.
Accommodation: Onboard
Day 10, Saturday 11 June
KINDERDIJK
Cruise to Kinderdijk, for a morning tour of this ingenious network of windmills and other flood management devices. Return aboard for lunch and an enjoyable afternoon of Dutch cheeses and jenever, a distilled juniper liquor. Cruise into Amsterdam after dinner.
Accommodation: Onboard
Day 11, Sunday 12 June
AMSTERDAM - LONDON
Disembark your ship and fly to London. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Join with the balance of the tour group and spend the rest of the afternoon at your leisure in the British capital as you discover one of the world’s most dynamic and historical cities.
Accommodation: London |
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