BRITAIN SAMPLER 9 DAYS FROM $1,249 US Details below or
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Our most popular Britain vacation offers you the best of this great land. Guided sightseeing shows you all the famous landmarks in London: Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, and visits to St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Changing of the Guard, if held. Head southwest to admire the breathtaking gardens at Henry VIII’s Hampton Court Palace, then venture on to prehistoric Stonehenge, the Roman excavations of Bath, the Cotswolds village of Stow, Shakespeare’s birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon, and picturesque Llangollen in North Wales. Travel north through the Lake District, pausing in Wordsworth’s Grasmere and Gretna Green before arriving in Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital. Admire the Crown Jewels at Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace. In medieval York, enjoy a walking tour that features York Minster and the narrow Shambles. Return to London by way of the market town of Stamford and the university city of Cambridge.
Day 1 Arrive in London, England
Uniformed hosts are available to help you make the most of your stay.
Day 2 London
After a hearty English breakfast, morning sightseeing with a Local Guide includes all the famous landmarks: the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben beside the River Thames, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall’s mounted horseguards and the Prime Minister’s Downing Street, Piccadilly Circus, and Buckingham Palace. Highlights are a visit to ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL (except on Sundays) and the ceremonial pageantry of the Changing of the Guard, if held. Free time in the afternoon for independent activities or to join an optional excursion to Windsor Castle or the Tower of London with its fabulous Crown Jewels. Later, maybe an optional dinner followed by a cruise on the River Thames? (Breakfast)
Day 3 London–Hampton Court–Stonehenge–Salisbury–Bath
Meet your Tour Director and traveling companions and depart at 8 am for a memorable day of sightseeing. First, a special visit to admire the breathtaking ORNAMENTAL GARDENS of Henry VIII’s Hampton Court Palace. Your Tour Director will take you on a walk to see the Great Vine, Pond Garden, Privy Garden, and the flower borders of the Great Fountain Garden. Then, westward to the intriguing prehistoric monument of STONEHENGE. Via Salisbury with its magnificent cathedral, the ultimate in Early English Gothic architecture, head for the elegant Georgian city of Bath, where you see the amazing excavations of the ROMAN BATHS. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner at your hotel. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 4 Bath–Stratford-Upon-Avon–North Wales–Chester, England
Savor vistas of the Cotswolds on your way via the medieval market town of Stow-on-the-Wold to Stratford-upon-Avon. Time here to visit SHAKESPEARE’S BIRTHPLACE and for pictures of Anne Hathaway’s Cottage. The afternoon is dedicated to North Wales. Take a stroll in picturesque Llangollen, home of an annual international contest for poets and musicians. Spend the night at Chester, the historic county town on the River Dee. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 5 Chester–Lake District–Edinburgh, Scotland
This morning’s walking tour includes the Roman remains, black and white half-timbered buildings, the cathedral, and the two-tiered shopping arcades called the “Rows.” Focus now on the tranquil Lake District, considered to be the finest of England’s national parks. After a break in Wordsworth’s beloved Grasmere, head north for the Scottish border. On the way through the history-steeped Lowland Hills, stop at Gretna Green, where the blacksmith used to wed runaway couples. In Edinburgh, don’t miss our optional Scottish evening with Highland dancers, bagpipers, and the Ceremony of the Haggis. (Breakfast)
Day 6 Edinburgh
Morning city sightseeing with a Local Guide introduces you to the 200-year-old “New Town” and famous scientists, inventors, and novelists. In the “Old Town,” drive up the narrow Royal Mile to EDINBURGH CASTLE to admire Scotland’s Crown Jewels, then explore HOLYROOD PALACE (except when the Queen is in residence). The afternoon is free to enjoy the Scottish capital at your own pace. Later, a unique optional experience: board the former Royal Yacht Britannia, once the perfect royal residence for the Queen’s glittering state visits and family holidays. Dinner rounds off this optional evening. For August 3 through August 19 departures, tickets are included for tonight’s performance of the world-renowned MILITARY TATTOO, a vast spectacle of massed Scottish pipe bands that takes place in an arena on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle. (Breakfast)
Day 7 Edinburgh–York, England
Relax and enjoy vistas of the beautiful North Sea coastline as you drive via Berwick-upon-Tweed to Alnwick, voted the “best place to live in Britain” in a national survey. In York, England’s most complete medieval city, visit YORK MINSTER, the largest gothic cathedral in Northern Europe. Then, follow your Tour Director through a maze of quaint streets, including the narrow Shambles. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 8 York–Stamford–Cambridge–London
Leave Yorkshire and its associations with James Herriot, and drive through the richest farmland in Britain. Pause in the market town of Stamford before arriving in the beautiful university city of Cambridge. Return to London around 3:30 pm. How about celebrating with new-found friends with a night out on the town? (Breakfast)
Day 9 London
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)
INCLUDED FEATURES
London
Guided sightseeing, visit St. Paul’s Cathedral and see the Changing of the Guard, if held
Hampton Court
A special walking tour through the palace’s ornamental gardens
Stonehenge
Visit the prehistoric monument
Salisbury
Visit the cathedral city
Bath
Visit the Roman relics; welcome dinner
Stow-on-the-Wold
Take a stroll in this Cotswolds village
Stratford-Upon-Avon
Take pictures of Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, visit Shakespeare’s birthplace
Llangollen
Visit the picturesque village
Chester
Walking tour
Grasmere
Visit Wordsworth’s village
Edinburgh
Guided sightseeing, visit Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace
Alnwick
Visit the picturesque market town
York
Walking tour, visit York Minster
Cambridge
Explore the university city
Note:
Edinburgh Military Tattoo ticket included for departures August 03 through August 19
INSIDE VISITS
Inside visits and special features are shown in the description, including admission charges when applicable.
MEALS
Full English breakfast; 3 three-course dinners with choice of menus, including a welcome dinner in Bath
SUPERIOR HOTELS - (D) Deluxe (SF) Superior First-Class (F) First-Class
LONDON Park Plaza Westminster Bridge (SF), BATH Hilton (F), CHESTER Mercure Chester East (F), EDINBURGH Mercure Edinburgh Princess Street (F), YORK Mercure York Fairfield Manor (F), LONDON Hilton London Metropole (SF)
Optional Excursions
Important Note: the following list of optional excursions are examples only for this vacation as they are the excursions that are being offered for this vacation in the current travel year. These optional excursions might or might not be offered next year, as well as new optional excursions might be offered. Information about what optional excursions will be offered for your vacation will be available later this year into next year. If no example excursions are listed, please check back later.
Here's a list of optional excursions you can enjoy during your vacation. Whether it's a special dinner, a local show or a special behind-the-scenes glimpse into an historical site, optional excursions are a wonderful way to enrich your vacation even further. Plus, they give you flexibility. We include the must-see sites and experiences, and we also understand that people take interest in different activities and may want to craft a more personal vacation by hand-picking optional excursions that appeal to them.
Availability is subject to sufficient participation, weather conditions, seasonal suitability, days of operation, group interests, and general feasibility for your vacation. The approximate value listed gives you a good, general idea of what you can expect to pay but may vary once you are on your vacation. Some information provided might be in a foreign currency.
CITY: Chester
Llangollen Canal Barge Ride April 1 to October 31
An unusual outing which takes you by barge along the Llangollen Canal, crossing over a spectacular aqueduct, before disembarking for a drink of your choice at a local inn.
Approximate value: Please check back later per person
CITY: Edinburgh
Scottish Evening April 1 - October 31
No visit to Scotland's capital city would be complete without joining a Scottish evening with dinner, wine and a show featuring singers, dancers, bagpipers and the Ceremony of the Haggis.
Approximate value: Please check back later per person
Rosslyn Chapel
Take a short trip from Edinburgh to visit Rosslyn Chapel, featured in the best selling novel The Da Vinci Code.
Approximate value: GBP £19 per person
Royal Yacht Britannia and Dinner
A visit on board the Royal Yacht Britannia, now moored at Leith docks, is followed by dinner with wine and coffee at a local restaurant.
Approximate value: GBP £49 per person
CITY: London
Tower of London and Crown Jewels Afternoons daily
Let your guide bring the 900-year-old Tower Of London to life before you inspect the fabulous Crown Jewels. Afternoons daily.
Approximate value: GBP £37 per person
Afternoon Excursion to Windsor Castle Daily
Enjoy your guided visit to the Queen's favorite residence, the largest inhabited castle in the world. The highlight is the newly refurbished state rooms.
Approximate value: GBP £37 per person
Buckingham Palace & the Royal Mews Afternoons daily July 23 to October 3
First a guided visit to the Royal Mews to see the magnificent gold coach, then admire over 20 grand rooms in the palace used by the Queen for state occasions.
Approximate value: Please check back later per person
A Taste of London Daily April to October
Ideal for your arrival day, this guided evening excursion combines a traditional London pub experience with a relaxed, night-time river cruise, viewing some of the capital's most beautiful illuminated sights. Enjoy a three-course dinner at an historic London pub in the City of London.
Approximate value: Please check back later per person
Shownight - The Lion King Dinner & Theatre
A marvellous evening in London's theater district starts with a gourmet dinner at Christopher's restaurant in the heart of Covent Garden, followed by best seats at The Lyceum Theatre to see the spectacular London staging of Disney's The Lion King. A price supplement (GBP 31) applies on Fridays and Saturdays.
Approximate value: Please check back later per person
Shownight - Billy Elliot (Mondays - Thursdays)
A marvelous evening in London's theater district starts with a gourmet dinner at The Bank restaurant in Westminster followed by best seats at the Victoria Palace Theatre to see the original London staging of the inspirational musical Billy Elliot.
Approximate value: Please check back later per person
Shownight - Wicked (Fridays & Saturdays)
A marvelous evening in London's theater district starts with a gourmet dinner at The Bank restaurant in Westminster followed by best seats at The Apollo Victoria Theatre to see the sensational London production of Wicked.
Approximate value: Please check back later per person
Shownight - Wicked (Mondays - Thursdays)
A marvelous evening in London's theater district starts with a gourmet dinner at The Bank restaurant in Westminster followed by best seats at The Apollo Victoria Theatre to see the sensational London production of Wicked.
Approximate value: Please check back later per person
Shownight - Billy Elliot (Fridays & Saturdays)
A marvelous evening in London's theater district starts with a gourmet dinner at The Bank restaurant in Westminster followed by best seats at the Victoria Palace Theatre to see the original London staging of the inspirational musical Billy Elliot.
Approximate value: Please check back later per person
DEPARTURE DATES Year Round
PRICES From approx $1,249 US per person based on double occupancy
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