RWC 2015 Tour –

ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 

TOUR: 4A TOUR LEADER: Jim Webster

FEATURED RUGBY WORLD CUP MATCHES 

AUSTRALIA vs WALES, Twickenham

FRANCE vs IRELAND, Cardiff Millennium Stadium

QUARTER-FINALS 2 & 4, Twickenham

SEMI-FINALS 1 & 2, Twickenham

ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS 

LONDON / COTSWOLDS / IRELAND / PARIS

***************************************************************************************

Only the other day I was searching through some old files and came across a black-and-white photo taken at the final of the inaugural Rugby World Cup in Auckland in June 1987. It showed a bunch of scribes (or scribblers…) who were reporting on the event for their news outlets around the world. They were Sean Diffley (Ireland), Denis Lalanne (France), Sir Terry McLean (New Zealand), Terry O’Connor (England) and a handsome young Aussie with an identical name to this writer’s.

This gathering of five journalists had between them, at that stage, covered well in excess of 2,000 Test matches! Since then, some of them have stepped aside, but yours truly is off to yet another Rugby World Cup in England next year and I’d love you to join me and some of the other tragics who have accompanied me to World Cups before.

Take my word – you’ll love every minute of being part of the  group, the fun we have together, the beautiful places we’re visiting and the best rugby you could ever want to see.

***************************************************************************************

TOUR ITINERARY:

THURSDAY 08 OCTOBER  SYDNEY / LONDON 

Depart Sydney flying one stop to London. 

FRIDAY 09 OCTOBER  LONDON

Arrive London where you will be met and transferred to your 4 star hotel. Here you will stay for the next two nights on a bed and English breakfast basis. The rest of the day at leisure.

SATURDAY 10 OCTOBER LONDON

You will transfer to Twickenham Stadium for today’s Pool A fixture – AUSTRALIA V WALES

SUNDAY 11 OCTOBER LONDON / COTSWOLDS

After breakfast, check out of your hotel.

This morning you will be joined by your tour coach and driver who will remain with you until your return to London on Friday the 16th October.

Transfer to Cardiff Millennium Stadium to see today’s Pool D Fixture – FRANCE V IRELAND.

After the game, continue to your hotel in the Cotswolds / Bath region. Here you will be accommodated for the next five nights on a bed and English breakfast basis.

For the next five days your tour coach and driver is available to visit places of interest such Warwick Castle, Bath or the quaint villages Bourton on the Water, Moreton on Marsh, Snowsill or Broadway.

MONDAY 12 OCTOBER COTSWOLDS

Today you will tour South Cotswolds with a guide to include the famous villages and places of interest such as Stow on the Wold, The Slaughters & Cirencester. There will be a stop for lunch at a typical Cotswolds pub to include two courses.

TUESDAY 13 OCTOBER COTSWOLDS

Today there will be a day trip to Bath where there will be a guided walking tour of the city with a two course lunch included.

See the Georgian architecture and exterior of the Roman Baths, Pump rooms, Abbey etc. 

WEDNESDAY 14 OCTOBER COTSWOLDS

Today you will tour North Cotswolds to include places of interest such as Stratford upon Avon, Warwick Castle (with entrance included), and Leamington Spa where you will stop for lunch and shopping at your own leisure.

THURSDAY 15 OCTOBER COTSWOLDS

Enjoy a leisurely morning before heading to Worcester RFC for lunch at Sixways Stadium overlooking the pitch.

After lunch, head off on a tour of the Black & White Villages of Herefordshire to include Pembridge and Eardisland where you can stop at a few very old English pubs with low beams and open fires.

From there, head to Westons Cider Mill for a guided tour and tasting before returning to the hotel.

FRIDAY 16 OCTOBER COTSWOLDS / LONDON

Breakfast at the hotel and check out.

Transfer to London. Here you will be accommodated for the next three nights on a bed and breakfast basis.

Tonight enjoy the build-up for the weekend’s elimination Quarter-Finals.

SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER LONDON

Transfer to Twickenham for today’s Quarter Final 2.

Quarter Final 2 Winner Pool B v Runner Up Pool A

SUNDAY 18 OCTOBER LONDON

Transfer to Twickenham for today’s Quarter Final 4.

Quarter Final 4 Winner Pool A v Runner Up Pool

MONDAY 19 OCTOBER

This morning after breakfast, check out of your hotel and transfer to a London airport for your flight to Dublin.

Upon arrival in Dublin, transfer by motorcoach to your hotel where you will be accommodated for one night on a bed and English breakfast basis. This afternoon, there will be free time to perhaps visit the Guinness Storehouse, Trinity College or do some shopping on Grafton Street.

Dinner and an Irish show this evening at Johnnie Fox’s Pub in Glencullen; Enjoy traditional Irish music, an Irish dancing Hooley Show and excellent food.

TUESDAY 20 OCTOBER DUBLIN / KILLARNEY

Breakfast at the hotel and check out.

Depart Dublin for the Cliffs of Moher.

Travel via Galway before heading to Killarney via the Tarbert Ferry at Killimer.

Your journey will provide a picturesque drive through the Shannon Region of Ireland.

Upon arrival, check into your hotel in Killarney for the next two nights on a bed and English breakfast basis.

Dinner at the hotel this evening.

WEDNESDAY 21 OCTOBER KILLARNEY / RING OF KERRY / KILLARNEY

After breakfast there will be a full day Ring of Kerry tour.

Finish the tour with traditional jaunting car ride through Killarney Park.

Golfers can choose to play a full days golf at Ring of Kerry Golf Course -The architectural brief was to design a ‘world class’ golf course that would challenge competent and experienced players from the back tees, yet be playable and enjoyable for the average handicap player from middle and forward teeing areas. The brief also included that the golf course be to a standard capable of hosting professional golf events, both Irish and European. The course boasts panoramic views across Kenmare Bay. Combine this with the beautiful Kerry mountains as a backdrop, and you have one of the most spectacular settings in Ireland. http://ringofkerrygolf.com/

Dinner at the hotel this evening.

THURSDAY 22 OCTOBER KILLARNEY / LIMERICK

After breakfast, check out of your hotel.

Travel from Killarney via Bunratty Castle to Limerick.

On the way visit historic Thomond Park where Munster beat the All Blacks in 1978 and beat Australia in 2010.

Lunch is included in a local Rugby Club.

Golfers can choose to play 18 holes of golf at Dromoland Golf Course -Widely regarded as one of the finest 18 hole parkland golf courses in the Country and is situated in the West of Ireland, Dromoland Golf Course has been described as an experience never to be forgotten, presenting a stern challenge to both professionals and amateurs – http://www.dromolandgolf.com/

Arrival in Limerick in the late afternoon, and check into your hotel where you will stay for one night on a bed and English breakfast basis.

The evening is at leisure.

FRIDAY 23 OCTOBER LIMERICK / DUBLIN / LONDON

Breakfast at the hotel and check out.

Depart Limerick for Dublin via Tipperary, the Rock of Cashel and a visit to Coolmore Stud, Fethard.

Lunch will be at McCarthy’s Pub; Their saying is “they wine you, they dine you, and they bury you”; McCarthy’s is a restaurant, pub and undertakers all on the one premises.

Continue to Dublin Airport for your flight to London.

Upon arrival in London, transfer to your London hotel for check-in. Here you will be accommodated for the next three nights on a bed and English breakfast basis.

SATURDAY 24 OCTOBER LONDON

Attend the Rugby World Cup Semi Final 1 at Twickenham.

Semi Final No 1 Winner of Quarter Final 1 v Winner of Quarter Final 2

SUNDAY 25 OCTOBER LONDON

Attend the Rugby World Cup Semi Final 2 at Twickenham.

Semi Final No 2 Winner Quarter Final 3 v Winner Quarter Final 4

MONDAY 26 OCTOBER LONDON / PARIS

This morning, transfer to St Pancras International Train Station to meet the Eurostar to Paris (journey time 2.5hrs).

On arrival at noon, you will be met by your motorcoach and taken on a half day city tour of Paris with your English speaking guide.

Enjoy a panoramic sightseeing tour of Paris passing by the major sites and monuments of the French capital, such as the Louvre Museum & Louvre Pyramid, Vendome Square, Paris Opera House, Concorde Square, Champs-Elysées Avenue, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, Les Invalides, Saint Germain des Près area, Bastille Square with the new Opera House….Some photo stops will be included.

Afterwards, check in at your hotel where you will be accommodated for one night on a bed and breakfast basis.

This evening there will be an end of tour dinner in a Parisian restaurant.

TUESDAY 27 OCTOBER PARIS / SYDNEY

After breakfast, check out of your hotel.

Transfer to the airport for your midday departure home to Australia.

WEDNESDAY 28 OCTOBER SYDNEY

Evening arrival at Sydney International Airport.

Tour cost based on a minimum 40 people travelling together on the above itinerary: $13,880.00 per person

***************************************************************************************

TOUR COST INCLUDES:

* Return economy airfare flying: Sydney / London…surface…Paris / Sydney

* Return economy airfare London / Dublin / London

* Airline fuel surcharge (currently estimated at $700.00)

ENGLAND & IRELAND:

* 17 nights 4 star accommodation on a share twin/double basis including daily English breakfast

* Meet and greet on arrival  09 & 23 October

* Coach charter to include driver’s accommodation from 11 to 16 October

* Motorcoach point to point transfers during time in London

* Travel cards for 10, 17, 18, 24 and 25 October

* Tour of South Cotswolds with guide to include 2 course lunch (drinks on own account)

* Tour of North Cotswolds with guide

* Warwick Castle entrance

* Dinner x 1 in Cotswolds

* Day trip to Bath with guided walking tour and lunch (drinks on own account)

* Lunch at Worcester Rugby Club (drinks on own account)

* Guided tour of the Black and White Villages with pub stops

* Tour of Westons Cider Mill and tasting

* Dublin dinner & Irish music

* Dinner x 2 in Killarney (drinks on own account)

* Ring of Kerry tour to include Jaunting car rides

* Irish stud entrance

* Ferry across the River Shannon

* Bunratty Castle entrance and evening banquet

* Thomond Park tour

* Second class Eurostar ticket from London to Paris

FRANCE:

* Meet and greet at Gare du Nord upon arrival in Paris

* Half day sightseeing tour of Paris via motorcoach with a local English speaking guide including drop off at hotel

* 1 night 4 star accommodation on a share twin/double basis in Paris including continental breakfast

* 3 course dinner in a Parisian Restaurant with return motorcoach transfers

* Motorcoach transfer to Charles de Gaulle Airport on departure

RUGBY WORLD CUP INCLUSIONS:

Rugby World Cup Category B tickets with all Rugby World Cup royalties to the following games :

* Australia v Wales, Twickenham

* Ireland v France, Cardiff Millennium Stadium

* Quarter Final 2, Twickenham

* Quarter Final 4, Twickenham

* Semi Final 1, Twickenham

* Semi Final 2, Twickenham

* Rugby World Cup Merchandise to include jacket, cap, lanyard & bag

***************************************************************************************

TOUR COST DOES NOT INCLUDE:

* Airport taxes / Fuel Surcharges / Airline Levies – (Estimate: $500.00 per person. These can only be determined at time of the ticket issuance).

* Airline excess baggage costs over and above free baggage allowance

* Meals other than stated

* Optional golf green fees and associated equipment hire costs at Ring of Kerry & Dromoland Golf Courses

* Suggested sightseeing tours and entrances

* Items of personal nature (e.g. laundry, phone calls, room service, etc.).

* Passport and visa costs – please check with this office if you require visas for your tour. If you are travelling on a non-Australian passport please check if you require a re-entry visa.

Travel Insurance HIGHLY RECOMMENDED– Available from Gullivers Sport Travel.

All land costs shown are subject to alteration (up or down) due to currency fluctuations. Increases in land and air costs may arise between now and the date of departure. Costs will also depend on availability of flights, hotels, trains, buses etc. quoted on. These costs are subject to the group travelling together throughout the tour. Any variation will incur an amendment fee and may also jeopardise the costs for the rest of the group.

Land costs are based on an exchange selling rate of .58 against the UKP. Land costs are based on an exchange selling rate of .67 against the Euro.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A BOOKING FORM (PDF): RWC2015 Booking Form

© The copyright in this document is owned by Gullivers Sport Travel Pty Limited. The document is provided on the understanding that, other than the number of copies approved for Jim Webster’s Rugby World Cup 2015 Tour it will not be copied by any means whatsoever, nor given, loaned or sold to any other person or organisation. To do so will be an infringement of Australian and worldwide copyright laws and will result in legal action.