York Pass

The day begins with a hotel pick-up between 06:15 and 07:00. Heading east across the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge offers great views of the San Francisco skyline, Alcatraz Island, Fisherman's Wharf, and the Golden Gate Bridge. En Route to the park we cross through the Central Valley, where we will stop at a fruit stand for some local produce. Famous for its rich volcanic soil, the Central Valley is the largest agricultural region in the United States. The section we drive through is best known for specialty fruits and nuts such as almonds, walnuts, cherries, and strawberries. After this quick rest stop, we enter the rolling foothills of the Sierra Nevada. Continuing into the mountains brings us to California gold country and the gold rush town of Groveland before we wind our way into Yosemite National Park. Maps in hand, we begin with a one and a half hour in-coach narrated tour of Yosemite's glaciated valley. You will see famous waterfalls and rock formations including Yosemite Falls - the tallest waterfall in North America - El Capitan, Half Dome, Bridalveil Falls, Sentinel Dome, and much more. During the tour you will see Yosemite Valley from a number of great vantage points, the best of which is perhaps Inspiration Point. At 4,500 feet above sea level, this viewpoint gives you a commanding view east up the valley. Yosemite is a mecca for rock climbers, and the sight of people climbing El Capitan's 3,200 ft. (1000m) sheer rock face is quite amazing. Because of our small group size, we can incorporate multiple photo stops into our tour so you can better enjoy your time in the park. After the tour, we stop for the afternoon near the base of Yosemite Falls, where there are a variety of options for lunch (not included). After eating, you will have 3-4 hours of free time to explore the valley as you choose. You can walk to the base of Yosemite Falls, check out the visitor center, visit the Ansel Adams Gallery, stop in at the Ahwahnee Hotel, rent a cruiser bike, or hike some of the trails that originate from the valley. Although you could spend three weeks in Yosemite, the three hours you get on your own is enough time to understand why Yosemite is one of America's most popular national parks. Regrouping again in the late afternoon, we head for San Francisco, stopping for a short break before arriving back in the city and dropping you at your lodging between 8:30 and 9:00pm. Highlights: See El Capitan, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Falls, Inspiration Point (aka Tunnel View), and Yosemite Village Free time in Yosemite Valley to explore/hike Eco-friendly transport in biodiesel mini-coaches   Inclusions: Complimentary pickup/dropoff from your San Francisco hotel Full-time professional, knowledgeable guide Narrated in-coach tour of Yosemite (1.5 hrs) 3 hours of free time in the Valley Yosemite Park entrance fee Transportation to/from Yosemite in biofuel mini-coach ​ Not Included: Meals (stops will be made to purchase food) Guide gratuity (optional)   Gear List:  May-Oct: Camera & charger Small bag that can fit under seat Spending money for incidentals and lunch Sneakers or hiking boots Swimwear, towel, sandals (optional) Bug spray Sun protection Water bottle   Nov-Apr** - Additional items recommended are: Warm clothing, coat Knit hat, gloves **Winter temperatures in Yosemite are on average 50 F/10 C, but can be as low as 28 F/-2 C. 

The onsite Crystal Café serves sumptuous food, indulgent homemade sweet treats, decadent fresh coffee and hot chocolate. The Crystal Café is open seven days a week, a daytime cafe, the Crystal Café is all about great food using nothing but the best locally sourced seasonal produce supporting as many Irish suppliers as possible along the way. With delicious breakfast and lunch service every day, the Crystal Cafe is a hugely popular destination. And we have great coffee, tea and pastries just about all day long.  

Bletchley Park, formerly top-secret home of the British and Allied Forces World War Two Codebreakers, is now a vibrant heritage attraction.  Ticket Includes: Codebreaking huts - where Enigma messages were decrypted interactive activities & projected images World War I & 2 exhibitions interactive, modern Cyber Security exhibition historic buildings & mansion adult & family-friendly multimedia tours access to the beautiful grounds outdoor walking tours with a knowledgeable live guide National Radio Centre exhibition some temporary, seasonal exhibitions & performances ZSL Whipsnade Zoo Summer Shuttle Bus - 21st July to 2nd September 2018 During the summer holidays ZSL Whipsnade Zoo will be operating a direct shuttle bus from Luton Railway station directly to ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. A direct bus service from Luton Railway station / Interchange to ZSL Whipsnade Zoo (via Dunstable, West Street) will be available every day in the summer school holidays. The fares for the subsidised service will be £2.50 return & £2.00 single. The 30-minute journey on the 200 bus route will drop you at the zoo at either 10.28am or 11.28am, and pick you up at 16.45pm or 17.45pm. For more information contact 0844 351 1120, [email protected] or visit the Centrebus website. Escape the urban jungle and head for Whipsnade for the perfect family day out. Escape on an adventure across acres of beautiful English countryside with fantastic views across the Chiltern Downs and watch lions, tigers, elephants, hippos and giraffes out and about in huge outdoor enclosures. Hop aboard the Jumbo Express train adventure or take a free Safari Bus as you make your way around the scenic Zoo,one of Europe's largest conservation centres. Travel back to a time when wild beats walked this land. Where bison herds grazed on England’s verdant pastures and wolf packs and bears hunted in our forests. This land was their home before it was ours and now they’re back!. Meet the bears, European bison, wolves, lynx and moose that were once commonplace in Britain, along with the mystical wolverine at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo this Easter. Wild Wild Whipsnade takes you on a journey of discovery and immerses you in a spell-binding story where you can experience the sights, sounds and awe-inspiring animals that once free roamed this country. Wild Wild Whipsnade allows you to escape to nature, re-live the mood of myths and legends and be confronted with some of weirdest, wildest and most wondrous beasts on earth. Please Note: Children under 16 will not be admitted without an adult.

The Sainte-Chapelle Be dazzled by the 1,113 stained glass windows at this jewel of the Rayonnant Gothic period. The first of the Holy Chapels to be decorated with exceptional stained-glass windows. Known for having housed Christ’s Crown of Thorns, it has spectacular stained-glass windows. Veritable walls of light that make the Sainte-Chapelle the jewel of French Gothic.   The Conciergerie Discover this Medieval royal palace that became a revolutionary tribunal and Marie-Antoinette’s prison. Discover on the Île de la Cité, the exceptional Gothic rooms of the first royal palace of Paris and the reproduction of the prison cells of the revolutionary tribunal. At the end of the 17th century, numerous people were imprisoned in the prison of the Conciergerie, including Marie-Antoinette. The Conciergerie is also listed as a historical building by the Unesco. Pantheon On Montagne Sainte-Geneviève in Paris, visit the Panthéon, masterpiece of the architect Soufflot. Come and learn all about the Pantheon, this incredible building by Soufflot who's ambition was to outdo the churches of St. Peter's in Rome and St. Paul’s in London. Observe the style of this building, inspired by the Pantheon commissioned by Agrippa in Rome.    From 1874 onwards, the sanctuary was decorated with paintings on canvas illustrating the life of Saint Geneviève and the epic story of the beginnings of both Christianity and the monarchy in France.    Make the most of the Pantheon with a visit into the Crypt, get to see the tombs of the eminent personalities who shaped France's national identity. A permanent exhibition gives details about the lives and works of those who are buried here, from Voltaire and Rousseau to Alexandre Dumas.    You'll also have the chance to see the Foucault’s pendulum*, first installed in 1851 and removed then reinstalled in 1995, this device demonstrated the Earth's rotation.

St Paul’s Cathedral, whose dome dominates London’s skyline, is England’s architectural masterpiece and place of national celebration. The cathedral was designed by the famed architect Sir Christopher Wren, after the Great Fire of London in 1666 destroyed its predecessor. The cathedral took 35 years to build from 1675 – 1710, spanning the lives of five monarchs and was the first cathedral to have been built and completed in its architect’s lifetime. St Paul’s Cathedral is where people and events of overwhelming national significance have been celebrated, mourned or commemorated. From state funerals for British heroes such as Sir Winston Churchill, to the Royal Wedding of Prince Charles to Lady Diana Spencer, and National Services of Thanksgiving to celebrate the Silver, Golden and Diamond Jubilee’s of Her Majesty the Queen. Touch-screen multimedia guides in nine languages are included for sightseers, offering up to 90 minutes of audio commentary, videos and imagery for a self guided tour. Tours led by cathedral guides are also offered, usually starting at 10.00, 11.00, 13.00 & 14.00 and last for 90 minutes; visitors should register to join a tour once inside the cathedral. Explore the cathedral floor then visit the Whispering Gallery to test the unique acoustics. Climb further to the Stone and Golden Galleries, which afford breathtaking panoramic views across the city. Descend to the crypt which houses tombs and memorials to famous Britons such as Admiral Lord Nelson, The Duke of Wellington and Wren himself.   

Be amazed and enchanted by the lights of Vancouver on this memorable tour. Highlights: Stanley Park: Bright Nights Display
Canuck Place: Lighting of the House
English Bay: Christmas Tree Display
VanDusen Botanical Garden: Fesitval of Lights
St. Paul's Hospital: Lights of Hope Tour Notes: Outdoor attire is suggested: comfortable walking shoes, mittens, hat, wind resistant jacket and umbrella Don't forget your camera! Consuming alcohol on the Trolley is prohibited This tour has a special cancellation after 3pm the day prior to departure is 100% non-refundable