Ireland & Great Britain Agricultural Tour Ireland – Scotland – England – Wales

23 Days / 22 Nights

14 June 2019 – 06 July 2019

Day 1 FRI 14th June DEPART

Check in for your flight to Dublin at least 3hrs prior to its departure.

Day 2 SAT 15th June DUBLIN (--D)

Upon arrival into Dublin Airport meet with your Irish Driver-Guide and transfer into Dublin. Meet with a Local Guide for a panoramic sightseeing tour of Dublin, including O’Connell Street, Phoenix Park, Leinster House. Visit Christ Church Cathedral. The cathedral was begun in 1038 by King Sitric Silkenbeard, the Danish Viking King of Dublin, and is officially claimed as the seat of both the Church of Ireland and Roman Catholic archbishops of Dublin. Contained in the cathedral is the reputed tomb of Strongbow, a medieval Norman-Welsh peer and warlord who came to Ireland at the request of King Diarmuid MacMorrough, and whose arrival marked the beginning of English involvement in Ireland. Continue for a visit to the Guinness Storehouse. The Storehouse was originally built in 1904 to house the Guinness fermentation process. The core of the building is modelled on a giant pint glass. The tour takes you step by step through the brewing process, finishing at the Gravity Bar where you will receive a complimentary pint of Guinness whilst enjoying the panoramic views over Dublin city.

Day 3 SUN 16th June WESTPORT (B-D)

Full Irish Breakfast in hotel. Depart for Westport via Galway with free time to explore Galway city. Tour to Cong, the village where “The Quiet Man” was filmed. Continue over the Connemara mountains to Leenane, the location for another film, “The Field”. Travel on via Louisburgh to Westport.

Day 4 MON 17th June DERRY (B-D)

Full Irish Breakfast in hotel. Depart for Derry via Sligo. Visit a Dairy Farm near Sligo with 200 Hectares owned + 150 leased. Currently milking 620 crossbreed Jersey cows and planning to install a 64-unit rotary milking parlour to replace the existing 20-unit one. This farmer is a former Chairman of the National Liquid Milk Committee, a National Milk Agency Board Member, Irish Grassland Association Council Member, serves the Steering Committee of Teagasc Liquid Milk, Member of the Master Farmers, Sligo IFA Representative on the Environment Committee, and is Secretary of Templeboy & Dromore West IFA, having been a member of the IFA itself for up to four decades. Continue to Lifford. Visit a Cereal Farm near Lifford, Donegal Commercial Tillage Farm enterprise established in 1954. Today the farm covers over 900 acres of tillage ground. Crops include winter and spring barley, winter wheat, spring oilseed rape and spring oats. Also produce a small quantity of hay and haylage. The farmer owns a fleet of modern machinery and uses GPS technology – section control, auto steer and vehicle tracking. Most of the grain is sold directly to local beef and pig farmers and a small quantity through local merchants. Travel to Derry city for a walking tour of the walls of Derry with a local guide. Derry is the only remaining completely walled city in Ireland. The walls were built during the period 1613-1618 as defences for early 17th century settlers from England and Scotland. The history of Derry city goes back to the 6th century. Dinner & Overnight in Derry.

Day 5 TUE 18th June BELFAST (B-D)

Breakfast in hotel. Travel to Belfast for a visit to the Giant’s Causeway. Renowned for its hexagonal columns of layered basalt, the Giant’s Causeway is the only World Heritage site in Northern Ireland. Resulting from a volcanic eruption 60 million years ago, this is the focal point of a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and has attracted visitors for centuries.

Visit Titanic Belfast Titanic Belfast extends over nine galleries, with multiple dimensions to the exhibition, drawing together special effects, dark rides, full-scale reconstructions and innovative interactive features to explore the Titanic story in a fresh and insightful way; from her conception in Belfast in the early 1900s, through her construction and launch, to her infamous maiden voyage and catastrophic demise. The journey goes beyond the aftermath of the sinking, to the discovery of the wreck and continues into the present day with a live undersea exploration centre.

Or

Visit a zero-grazing Dairy Farm near Crumlin 150 ha owned and 320 ha taken in con acre. Milking herd of 550 pedigree Holsteins with 550 head of young stock, including replacement heifers and young calves. The cows calve all year round with heifers averaging their first calf at 27-29 months. The herd is currently averaging 8500 litres with 3.2% protein and 3.9% butterfat. 10 ha forage maize and another 10 ha to cereal production. This farmer has invested heavily in his housing and dairy infrastructure in recent years, installing a new rotary dairy 4 years ago.

Meet with a Local Guide for a panoramic sightseeing tour of Belfast. The route covers breathtaking architecture and feats of engineering, including the renowned Queen's University, the giant H&W cranes, Titanic's birthplace and Cathedral Quarter and Queen's Quarter. The tour takes in the dark Crumlin Road Gaol and the world famous Belfast murals on the republican Falls road and the loyalist Shankill road. Dinner & Overnight in Belfast.

Day 6 WED 19th June EDINBURGH (B-D)

Breakfast in hotel and transfer to Belfast ferryport for the ferry to Cairnryan, Scotland. Upon arrival meet with your coach driver and tour guide with agricultural knowledge. Enjoy a guided Edinburgh city sightseeing tour by coach taking in famous sights including the Palace of Holyrood House, Old Town and Princes Street. Check in to your Edinburgh central hotel for a 2 night stay. This evening, enjoy the Spirit of Scotland Show which includes a 4 course dinner with 1 beer or wine and traditional Scottish entertainment with music, dancing and song!

Day 7 THU 20th June ROYAL HIGHLAND SHOW (B--)

Breakfast in the hotel. Transfer by coach for a full day at the Royal Highland Show. A world class Show of cattle, horse, sheep, goats and poultry. It also features the largest display of agricultural machinery in the UK, a forestry arena, a Countryside arena and a Food & Drink Hall. Cattle and sheep judging begin at 09.00am. www.royalhighlandshow.org. Return to the Hotel. Dinner own arrangement.

Day 8 FRI 21st June SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS (BLD)

Breakfast in the hotel and check out. Enjoy a 2 hour tour of a traditional organic farm where you will see cattle, sheep, pay a visit to the pig herd and have a look at the table birds or laying hens finishing with a short discussion on the farm butchery service. Lunch and visit an interesting vineyard that is producing fruit wines and ciders. Tasting included! Continue north with a scenic drive through the Cairngorms National Park and check in to your hotel in Aviemore for a 2 night stay. Dinner in the hotel.

Day 9 SAT 22nd June SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS (B-D)

Breakfast in the hotel. Visit a large estate, meet the farm ranger and learn about the difficulties of farming at such high altitude. A scenic tour of this beautiful highland estate to include a visit to the highland cattle, deer farm and fisheries. Afterwards, visit Urquhart Castle, a romantic ruin and one of Scotland’s largest castles that has seen great conflict during its 500 years as a medieval fortress. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 10 SUN 23rd June SCOTTISH BORDERS (B-D)

Breakfast in the hotel and check out. Visit a 450 acre cereal and livestock farm that has diversified into a successful farm shop supplying stock direct to the public. The farm is 3rd generation and has 4,600 free range hens, beef cattle, produces cereals, potatoes and turnips as part of the operation. Afterwards, visit the Famous Grouse distillery. Experience a tour of the distillery followed by a wee tipple! Continue into the Scottish Borders and check in to your hotel for a 1 night stay. Dinner in the hotel.

Day 11 MON 24th June LAKE DISTRICT (B-D)

Breakfast in the hotel and check out. Depart south to a farm near Gretna that is home to Pedigree Charolais cattle since 1970 as well as an Aberdeen Angus herd which is being built around proven dam lines from top herds. In addition, the farm has an arable and vegetable unit. Opportunity to purchase lunch at own cost in Gretna village. Continue south to the Lake District and check in to your hotel for a 1 night stay. Free afternoon to explore and freshen up before an evening cruise on Lake Windermere with a buffet dinner.

Day 12 TUE 25th June SNOWDONIA (B-D)

Breakfast in the hotel and check out. Visit a cheesemaker to learn about the history, enjoy a guided tour along the viewing gallery and finish with a cheese tasting. Continue south west and into Wales for a visit to an award winning estate covering 12,500 acres with a 6,700 acre of this land for the organic farm. The farm is home to an Aberdeen Angus herd, Salt Marsh lam, chickens, pigs, turkey and goose. The remainder of the estate goes to let farms, let forestry, commercial, fishing, shooting and more. Enjoy a traditional afternoon tea here. Check in to your hotel in Snowdonia for a 1 night stay. Dinner in the hotel.

Day 13 WED 26th June STRATFORD UPON AVON (B--)

Breakfast in the hotel and check out. Depart south for a visit to a family run farm covering 500 acres for beef and sheep with a further 450 acres of rented lands used for growing crops including winter wheat and seed potatoes. The farm is home to 950 breeding ewes, predominantly Texel cross mules as well as 130 Saler cross suckler cows. Continue to Stratford upon Avon, a market town synonymous with William Shakespeare. Enjoy a visit to Mary Arden’s Farm, the childhood home of William Shakespeare’s mother. Check in to your hotel in Stratford upon Avon for a 1 night stay. Dinner own arrangement.

Day 14 THU 27th June NEWMARKET (BL-)

Breakfast in the hotel. Travel east to Cambridge for a guided walking tour of the city. Learn about the history of the city which covers a number of sites including Kings College, Trinity College, The Senate House and more. Enjoy lunch in Cambridge before a tour of The National Stud to see behind the scenes of a working Thoroughbred stud farm. The tour explores the 500 acre site and focuses on the history and purpose of the National Stud as a commercial Thoroughbred breeding operation. Check in to your hotel in Newmarket for a 2 night stay. Dinner own arrangement.

Day 15 FRI 28th June NEWMARKET (B--)

Breakfast in the hotel. Continue to a farm with 1300 outdoor sows producing 7kg weaners on 40ha of rented land within the rotation of a large arable estate. The host is also a respected writer for Pig World, the official magazine of National Pig Association. Afterwards, visit Sandringham Estate, the much loved country retreat of Her Majesty the Queen and has been the private home for four generations of British monarchs since 1862. Enjoy the rest of the day exploring the house, museum and gardens. Return to the hotel. Dinner own arrangement.

Day 16 SAT 29th June SEVENOAKS (B-D)

Breakfast in the hotel and check out. Depart South to the New Holland Factory for a tour. Begin with a presentation about the New Holland Machinery then onto the factory floor and assembly plant. Finish at the visitor centre for a look at the latest in New Holland range of tractors. This afternoon, visit the home of the National Fruit Collection for a guided tour of the orchard. At this time of year you should expect to see Currants & soft fruit, cherries and more. Continue to the Sevenoaks area and check in to you hotel for a 1 night stay. Dinner in the hotel.

Day 17 SUN 30th June SALISBURY (B--)

This morning, enjoy a visit to Hever Castle, a romantic double-moated 13th century castle which was once the childhood home of Anne Boleyn and features award winning gardens. Lunch at a wine estate before a Sparkling wine and tasting tour. Enjoy a glass of Sparkling wine as you are taken on a tour through the vineyard. Continue to Salisbury and check in to your hotel for 1 night. Dinner own arrangement.

Day 18 MON 1st July DARTMOOR NATIONAL PARK (B-D)

This morning, visit Stonehenge, one of the wonders of the world and best-known prehistoric monument in Europe. It consists of a ring of standing stones with each around 13 feet high, 7 feet wide and weighing around 25 tons. Afterwards, visit a state of the art dairy facility with 280 cows averaging around 10,000 litres. Continue to a country house hotel in Dartmoor National Park and check in for a 2 night stay. Dinner in the hotel.

Day 19 TUE 2nd July DATRMOORE NATIONAL PARK (B-D)

Breakfast in the hotel. This morning visit a farm with a herd of Red Ruby Devons before free time for lunch and an afternoon in Port Isaac. A traditional fishing village in north Cornwall and home to the TV series Doc Martin. Explore the narrow winding streets, the harbour, shops and restaurants. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 20 WED 3rd July BATH (B--)

Breakfast in the hotel and check out. Visit a farm of over 800 acres with Ruby Red Devon cattle that are grass fed and ideally suited to new conservation landscapes. In addition, the farm is home to Dorset Horn and Poll Dorset sheep, the only sheep breed that can breed all year. The lamb produced is sold directly into the Waitrose scheme. Continue to Bath with a visit to the Roman Baths. Constructed in 70AD as a grand bathing and socialising complex, it is now one of the best preserved Roman remains in the world with 1,170,000 litres of steaming spring water filling the bathing site every day. Check in to your hotel in Bath for a 1 night stay. Dinner own arrangement.

Day 21 THU 4th July LONDON (BL-)

Breakfast in the hotel and check out. Visit a 1400 acre organic farm with 3000 organic pigs. They also grow wheat for bread making and animal feed, peas for animal feed, oats for porridge and muesli and sometimes barley for the malting industry. Afterwards, enjoy a buffet lunch at the pub which is owned by this farm. Meet with your London tour guide transfer for a London city sightseeing tour taking in famous sights including Buckingham Palace, St Pauls Cathedral and Big Ben! Continue to your hotel in London centre and check in. Dinner own arrangement.

Day 22 FRI 5th July DEPART LONDON (B--)

Breakfast in the hotel and check out. (Time allowing) Early departure for a tour of New Spitalfields Market. Enjoy a tour of Britain’s premier wholesale fruit, vegetable and flower market with the highest turnover of horticultural goods and the largest number of wholesales. Opportunity to speak with the wholesalers before breakfast at the market. Transfer to London Heathrow airport in time for your return flight.

Day 23 SAT 6th July ARRIVE AUSTRALIA (B--)

COST: $12,790 per person twin share*

Subject to a minimum of 15 passengers travelling *Tour cost is subject to air/tax increases plus currency fluctuations.

Non-refundable deposit required: $1000.00 per person Balance required no later than: 19 April 2019 Single Supplement: $2,350.00 Tour cost includes: • Economy airfares and pre-payable taxes Melbourne/Sydney to Dublin and return from London • Deluxe air-conditioned vehicle throughout with experienced driver. • Twin share 4 star accommodation throughout with en suite facilities. • All meals as per itinerary and one complimentary drink per meal (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner). Please

note: • All entry fees as indicated in the itinerary. • All farm visits and technical visits listed in the itinerary. • An experienced and knowledgeable national tour guide, with local guides in each city.

Tour cost does NOT include: • Travel Insurance – this is COMPULSORY to have in place prior to travel and travel documents will not be

issued without a copy of travel insurance being provided. Swagman Tours can assist with insurance, please enquire for a quote.

• Items of a personal nature (eg laundry/phone/souvenirs) and any optional extras listed in the itinerary. • Beverages and any meals not listed in the itinerary. • Cost of passport or any medication required. IMPORTANT NOTES: The tour cost is subject to change due to currency fluctuations, visa fee increases, airfare, fuel surcharges and / or tax increases. As this is a group package, all passengers must travel on the same outbound flight to Dublin. Post touring options are available and will incur an amendment fee of $75.00 per person plus extra touring and insurance costs. PASSPORTS AND VISAS All travellers will require a full valid passport, and it is your responsibility to ensure that you have valid visas for all countries visited on your holiday, and/or sufficient blank pages for any visas and for entry/departure stamps. Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the end of your holiday. If you have more than one passport, we recommend that you use one passport only for the entire journey. This will save problems and potential delays at border crossings. Requirements differ depending on your nationality - check with the appropriate embassies for details. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of the correct visas for your holiday and onward travel. Swagman Tours cannot accept responsibility for anyone who is refused entry to a country because they lack the correct documentation. Please check the actual requirements with the necessary embassy or your Travel Agent. Please also do not assume that any inaccuracies

Lvl 1, 13a Pakington Street, Geelong West, 3218 (PO Box 7473)

1800 202 491 // 03 5222 2855 groups@swagmantours.com.au

www.swagmantours.com.au

within your documentation will be detected or can be rectified - you must ensure, that your "paper-work" is in order. There will be times during the trip, when your passport will be collected e.g. by your tour leader, hotel reception staff, or police. HOLDERS OF FOREIGN PASSPORTS: Travellers holding non Australian passports must have the relevant re-entry permit to return to Australia and must check with their National Consulate of any visa requirements to your holiday destination country(s). NOTE: Passport and visa requirements are liable to change at short notice. Travellers are advised to check their entry requirements with their embassy or consulate.

FARM & TECHNICAL VISITS: A fully furnished list of confirmed visits both to farming properties and technical stops will be given with your ticket wallets approximately 2-3 weeks prior to your departure.

* Changes and alterations may take place from details listed in the itinerary *.