This exciting vacation is a delightful introduction to the history and culture of England, Scotland, and Wales. Begin your trip in London with a full day to discover the city’s landmarks on your own or to take an optional tour. Then, visit the university town of Cambridge and York, England’s most complete medieval city. See a section of Hadrian’s Wall, the Roman coast-to-coast defense against marauding northern tribes, before arriving in Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital, where your guided sightseeing tour includes mighty Edinburgh Castle with its Crown Jewels. Travel south through the Lowlands to Gretna Green, where the blacksmith used to wed young runaway couples. Continue through the Lake District, considered the finest of England’s national parks. Visit Wordsworth’s charming Grasmere and follow the shores of beautiful Lake Windermere, England’s largest lake. Enjoy a walking tour of 2,000-year-old Chester; stop at Ironbridge, “Cradle of the Industrial Revolution;” and tour fascinating William Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon. Travel through the scenic Cotswolds to the Welsh capital of Cardiff, where you’ll enjoy an orientation drive. Later, explore elegant Georgian Bath, famous for its Roman relics, and see mysterious Stonehenge before returning to London for the conclusion of your grand Britain vacation.

Special Departure:
Tickets for the world-famous Edinburgh Military Tattoo are included for the August 3, August 10, and August 17 departures.

Day 1 Arrive in London, England
Check into your hotel. In the afternoon there’s time to rest or start exploring the lively British capital; uniformed hosts are available to help you make the most of your stay.

Day 2 London
A full day to enjoy our exciting program of optional activities. Morning sightseeing features 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. A highlight is the ceremonial pageantry of the Changing of the Guard, if held. This afternoon you may want to visit Windsor Castle or the Tower of London with the spectacular Crown Jewels, and tonight a leisurely cruise on the River Thames would be fun. (Breakfast)

Day 3 London–Stamford–York–Leeds
Meet your Tour Director and traveling companions and depart at 8 am for a day of northbound travel. Take a break in the market town of Stamford and in York, England’s most complete medieval city, stand in awe in front of the great structure of York Minster. Then, follow your Tour Director through a maze of quaint streets, including the narrow Shambles. Stop for the night near Leeds. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 4 Leeds–Jedburgh, Scotland–Melrose–Edinburgh
See a section of Hadrian’s Wall, the Roman coast-to-coast defense against marauding northern tribes, then motor through wild Northumberland National Park to the Scottish border. Stop for photos at Jedburgh, with glimpses of the house of Mary, Queen of Scots, and then Melrose with its 12th-century abbey ruins and connections with Robert the Bruce. Afternoon arrival in Edinburgh. Tonight an optional Scottish evening with Highland dancers, bagpipers, and, of course, the Ceremony of the Haggis. (Breakfast)

Day 5 Edinburgh
A full day to enjoy the Scottish capital. Morning 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. Afternoon at leisure. Later, a unique optional experience: board the former Royal Yacht Britannia, which for the Queen was once the perfect royal residence for glittering state visits and family holidays. Tour five decks and see how the Royal Family and crew of 240 lived and worked on board. Dinner rounds off this optional evening. For departures August 3, August 10 and August 17, 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 6 Edinburgh–Gretna Green–Lake District, England–Chester–Wrexham, Wales
South through the history-steeped Lowland Hills and a visit to Gretna Green, where the blacksmith used to wed runaway couples. Drive through beautiful scenery in the Lake District, considered to be the finest of England’s national parks. Visit Wordsworth’s Grasmere, then follow the shores of Lake Windermere. In Chester, the historic county town on the River Dee, your walking tour includes the Roman remains, black and white half-timbered buildings, and the two-tiered arcades called the “Rows.” Overnight in Wrexham. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 7 Wrexham–Ironbridge, England–Stratford-upon-Avon–Broadway–Cardiff, Wales
Back in England, first stop this morning is at Ironbridge, “Cradle of the Industrial Revolution.” Later, tour fascinating Stratford-upon-Avon, a living monument to William Shakespeare, before driving through the scenic Cotswold Hills with a stop for photos in picture-book Broadway. Overnight in Cardiff, where an orientation drive introduces you to the capital’s major attractions: Cardiff Castle, Cathays Park, Millennium Stadium, and the stately civic buildings. A suggestion for tonight: why not join an evening of Welsh entertainment and dinner? (Breakfast)

Day 8 Cardiff–Bath, England–Stonehenge–London
A day of memorable highlights with a visit first to the elegant Georgian city of Bath, famous for its Roman relics, before passing Stonehenge, still an intriguing mystery. After returning to London around 3 pm, how about celebrating the success of your tour with a night out on the town? (Breakfast)

Day 9 London
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)

BOOK YOUR FLIGHTS WITH US
Learn more about booking an air-inclusive vacation - the reasons why include, you'll receive free airport transfer on published dates and your air will be coordinated with your vacation.

AIRPORT TRANSFER TIMES
Asf for details about airport transfer times, prices and what's included with your vacation.

Vacation Highlights

INCLUDED FEATURES
Visits to Stamford, Hadrian’s Wall, Jedburgh, Melrose, Edinburgh Castle, tickets for Edinburgh Military Tattoo (Departures August 3, August 10, August 17), Gretna Green, Grasmere, Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon, Broadway, Bath; orientation drive in Cardiff; walking tours in York, Chester

SCENIC HIGHLIGHTS
Northumberland National Park, Scottish Lowlands, Lake District National Park, Ironbridge, Cotswold Hills, and Stonehenge

INSIDE VISITS
Inside visits and special features are shown in the description, including admission charges when applicable.

GUIDES
Local Guide for city sightseeing in Edinburgh; Host service in London. Professional Tour Director while touring

STANDARD INCLUDED FEATURES
Learn more about transportation, hotels, and other standard included features offered.

Accommodations

MEALS
Full English breakfast; 2 three-course dinners with choice of menus

HOTELS - (F) First-Class (ST) Superior Tourist-Class (T) Tourist Class
LONDON Novotel London West (F), LEEDS Ramada Leeds North (ST), EDINBURGH Novotel Edinburgh Park (F), WREXHAM Ramada Plaza (F), CARDIFF Park Inn (F), LONDON Kensington Close (ST)

TRANSPORTATION
Private first-class air-conditioned motorcoach

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: Cardiff

Welsh Evening
Dinner with wine and entertainment are included in this uniquely Welsh evening.
Approximate value: GBP £55 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: GBP £55 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

Morning City Sightseeing Daily
A comprehensive tour in the company of a local guide including St. Paul's Cathedral and the Changing of the Guard (if held). Note: Groups cannot visit St. Paul's on Sundays. Reduced traffic permits more sightseeing and a lower price (GBP 24) applies.
Approximate value: GBP £29 per person

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 - 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 - 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

CITY: Wrexham

Llangollen Pub Visit
Drive through the stunning Welsh countryside, over the spectacular Horseshoe Pass to Llangollen for two drinks of your choice in a local pub.
Approximate value: GBP £19 per person