10 days British Landscapes
Sleepy villages where sheep wander the grassy hillsides, lakes set amidst mountains that inspired centuries of literature, and cities thriving with arts and culture – these are the landscapes of Britain. Discover them on this memorable journey through England, Scotland and Wales. Sleep in a historic castle. Enjoy medieval York and its historic Minster. Soak up the pastoral landscapes of the Cotswolds. Walk in the footsteps of William Shakespeare and enjoy dinner at Hall’s Croft, a 400-year-old Shakespearean family home. Explore London and Edinburgh. Personalize your tour with a choice of included excursions in Stratford and Edinburgh. Experience the wonder of Stonehenge.
| Day | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Overnight Flight. ( Not Included ) | Feel the vibrant energy of England, hear the unique sounds of Scotland, and see the rolling countryside of Wales on a trip that combines the exploration of dramatic history and natural wonders. |
| 2 | London, England - Tour Begins | Your tour opens in London, the cosmopolitan and historic capital of England. This evening, join your fellow travelers for an ale and pie tasting at a traditional English pub. Dinner Grange City Hotel |
| 3 | London | This morning, see the quintessential sights of London with your local guide. View the Tower of London, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure to independently explore this iconic city. Breakfast Grange City Hotel |
| 4 | London - Train Journey - York | It’s time to say farewell to London and travel to the medieval city of York, stopping in the 800-year-old university town of Cambridge en route. Upon arrival in York your Tour Manager will give you a brief orientation tour. Or, choose to arrive in York earlier by taking an optional high speed rail journey; climb aboard at London King’s Cross; sit back and relax as your travel 125mph through England’s stunning countryside, arriving in York just over two hours later where a local expert will meet you at York Station for a walking tour of this remarkable city; see York’s famous Minster and walk the labyrinth of quaint narrow streets that appears today almost as it did during the Middle Ages. Tonight, stay within the city’s historic walls. Breakfast Hotel 53 |
| 5 | York - Borders Region, Scotland - Edinburgh | Enjoy a leisurely morning in York before traveling north through the rolling fields to bonnie (“lovely” in Scottish) Scotland. Stretching across the country you will find Hadrian’s Wall which once marked the northern border of the Roman Empire. Stop to see this ancient fortification that was begun in A.D. 122 to protect Roman Britain from the tribes of Scotland. Next, drive through Scotland’s Borders region before arriving in Edinburgh, the "Athens of the North." Discover Scotland's exciting capital city, one of Europe’s most beautiful cities brimming with history and culture just waiting to be discovered. Tonight, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. Breakfast & Dinner Apex International Hotel Edinburgh |
| 6 | Edinburgh | Today it’s your choice! Get acquainted with this regal city on a locally guided panoramic city tour via coach. Or, for a different perspective, join a local expert to explore the city on foot. Both tours include visits to Edinburgh Castle, home of the Scottish Crown Jewels; and the Palace of Holyroodhouse,* the Queen’s official residence in Edinburgh and former home of Mary, Queen of Scots. The remainder of the day is free to independently explore the city. Breakfast Apex International Hotel Edinburgh |
| 7 | Edinburgh - Lake District, England - Ruthin Castle, Wales | Our final stop in Scotland is at the border town of Gretna Green, where generations of runaway couples came to be married. Later, return to England and travel through the picturesque Lake District. In the heart of the Lake District, visit the charming village of Grasmere, home of the poet William Wordsworth. End your day with an overnight stay in beautiful Ruthin Castle, situated in the north of Wales. Breakfast & Dinner Ruthin Castle |
| 8 | Wales - Stratford-upon-Avon, England | Journey to Stratford-upon-Avon, your home for the next two nights and birthplace of William Shakespeare, England’s most famous playwright. Step back in time as we visit Shakespeare’s birthplace. Then, it’s your choice! Tour Anne Hathaway's thatch-roofed cottage, the childhood home of the author's wife. Or, choose to enjoy a leisurely cruise along the picturesque Avon River. Breakfast Mercure Shakespeare Hotel |
| 9 | Stratford - Stonehenge - Cotswolds - Stratford | Complete your visit to Britain with a trip to the mystical and fascinating Stonehenge before traveling through some of England’s most beautiful countryside. Explore the picturesque villages of the Cotswolds region. Tonight, join your fellow travelers for a private farewell dinner at Hall’s Croft, a 400-year-old Shakespeare family home. As traditionally costumed actors perform some of the playwright’s most renowned scenes, toast the end of a wonderful journey. Breakfast & Dinner Mercure Shakespeare Hotel |
| 10 | Stratford-upon-Avon - Tour Ends | Your journey through Britain ends today. Breakfast |