Take a look at Britain's past and present: the ancient monoliths of Stonehenge, Roman Baths, vast Hadrian’s Wall, Elizabethan Stratford-upon-Avon, quaint Chester and Gretna Green, the inspirational Lake District, Viking York and the juxtaposition of old castles with Edinburgh’s elegant 'New Town'.

Highlights
Stonehenge, Salisbury, Bath, Tintern, Chester, Lake District, Gretna Green, Glasgow, Scottish Highlands, St. Andrews, Edinburgh, Hadrian's Wall, York, Coventry, Stratford-upon-Avon

Day 1 DEPART USA
Overnight flight to London.

Day 2 ARRIVE LONDON (2 NIGHTS)
Relax after check-in.

Hotel: Ibis Earls Court (MF)

Day 3 LONDON - FREE TIME
Spend the day exploring the city on your own.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast)

Day 4 LONDON - STONEHENGE - SALISBURY - BATH - BRISTOL
This morning view Stonehenge, site of the mysterious ancient monoliths. See Salisbury Cathedral, featuring Britain’s tallest spire. In the city of Bath - famous for hot springs first discovered by the Romans over 2,000 years ago - with time to maybe visit the Roman Baths. Marvel at elegant Georgian architecture in the city’s squares and crescents, where several of Jane Austen’s novels were set. Arrive later at your hotel in Bristol.

Meal(s): (Continental Breakfast)
Hotel: Ibis Bristol Temple Meads Quay (F)

Day 5 BRISTOL - CHESTER - LAKE DISTRICT
Cross the River Severn to Wales and follow the Wye Valley. View the ruins of Tintern Abbey, a Cistercian abbey which has inspired both painters and poets. Continue north to Chester to view the Roman Walls, the cathedral and the black and white timbered buildings, known as the ‘Rows’. Your day ends in the beautiful Lake District, an area famous for lakes and mountains featuring breathtaking scenery!

Meal(s): (Full Breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Holiday Inn Lancaster (F)

Day 6 LAKE DISTRICT - GLASOW
Visit the village of Grasmere where the poet, William Wordsworth, lived and wrote his most acclaimed poem, 'The Daffodils'. Enjoy spectacular views of Lake Windermere as you head north to the Scottish border and stop at Gretna Green, where eloping couples married against their parents' wishes. Cross the Southern Uplands to Glasgow, one of Europe’s liveliest cities.

Meal(s): (Full Breakfast)
Hotel: Ibis Glasgow (MF)

Day 7 GLASGOW - SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS
See Glasgow’s sights during your orientation tour. Drive north through incredible scenery into the Scottish Highlands and follow the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond. Pass Inverary Castle, home to the Dukes of Argyll and a remarkable example of unique architecture incorporating Baroque, Palladian and Gothic styles. Continue via pretty Oban - famous for its distillery - and Fort William, which lies in the shadow of the UK’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, whose summit stands at 4,409 feet above sea-level. Dine tonight at your Highland hotel in Aviemore, a well-known Scottish ski resort in the Cairngorms National Park, which is also renowned as a center for hill walking.

Meal(s): (Full Breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Academy/Aviemore Inn (F)

Day 8 SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS - ST. ANDREWS - EDINBURGH (FALKIRK) (2 NIGHTS)
Drive through Pitlochry, famous for salmon fishing, where a 'fish ladder' on the dammed river helps the salmon swim upstream to spawn. In St. Andrews, where Prince William went to university, stop to take a picture of the 18th hole at the home of golf, where the game has been played for over 600 years! Arrive later at the capital, Edinburgh, whose long rich history dates back to the Bronze Age.

Meal(s): (Full Breakfast)
Hotel: Airth Castle (F)

Day 9 EDINBURGH SIGHTSEEING AND FREE TIME
Your expert Local Guide shows you the city’s sights, including the Royal Mile, Princes Street and the famous castle, where the Edinburgh Tattoo takes place annually. Spend free time exploring on your own and don’t forget to shop for souvenirs. Tonight, you might like to attend a lively Scottish banquet with traditional haggis and bagpipe music!

Meal(s): (Full Breakfast)

Day 10 EDINBURGH - YORK - LEEDS
From Edinburgh, cross the Border country back into England and drive through Northumberland National Park, and see part of Hadrian's Wall, which was built in of Emperor Hadrian’s visit in 122 AD. Continue south, crossing the River Tyne at Newcastle, and arrive in York, a city of extraordinary cultural and historical wealth. Your Travel Director takes you on a walk through the web of quaint, narrow streets known as the Shambles and shows you York Minster, one of the most beautiful Gothic cathedrals in the world. Finish the day in Leeds, where you dine tonight at your hotel.

Meal(s): (Full Breakfast / Dinner)
Hotel: Jurys Inn Leeds (F)

Day 11 LEEDS - COVENTRY - STRATFORD-UPON-AVON - LONDON
In Coventry, view the old and new cathedrals, which stand side by side. The old cathedral was all but destroyed during the Blitz in 1940. Following a competition in 1950 for a suitable replacement, Sir Basil Spence’s controversial design was chosen and the new cathedral was consecrated in 1962. Afterwards, visit Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare's birthplace, where you have time to see the sights and shop for souvenirs. Journey through pretty Cotswold countryside to London and say goodbye to your newfound friends and Travel Director at the end of an exciting and memorable vacation.

Meal(s): (Full Breakfast)
Hotel: Ibis Earls Court (MF)

Day 12 LONDON - USA
This morning, after breakfast it is time to return home at the end of our vacation. London Heathrow airport shuttle service is available. Conditions apply.

Meal(s): (Buffet Breakfast)

What's Included

Sightseeing Highlights
Stonehenge View the mysterious and ancient stone circle.
Salisbury See the cathedral.
Bath Visit the Georgian town.
Tintern View the Abbey ruins in the Wye Valley in Wales.
Chester View the timbered buildings known as the 'Rows'.
Lake District Visit Wordsworth's village, Grasmere.
Gretna Green Stop at the Border town famous for eloping couples.
Glasgow Enjoy an orientation tour.
Scottish Highlands See Loch Lomond, Oban and Fort William.
St. Andrews View the famous golf course.
Edinburgh Sightseeing includes the Royal Mile, Princes Street and views of the castle.
Hadrian's Wall View some of the remains of this Roman wall.
York View York Minster and explore the Shambles.
Coventry View the cathedrals.
Stratford-upon-Avon Visit the town where Shakespeare was born.

Insider Highlights
Hidden Treasure Enjoy at least one surprise Hidden Treasure experience, unique to your itinerary, courtesy of your expert Travel Director.

Dining Highlights
1 continental breakfast.
2 buffet breakfasts in London.
7 full breakfasts.
3 three-course dinners.

First Class Travel Highlights
Accommodation in twin-bedded rooms with private facilities.
All hotel service charges, local taxes, baggage handling and hotel tips are included.
Travel by luxury air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and a washroom onboard.
Services throughout the trip of a professional Travel Director.
The services of a Local Host if you stay at the recommended London hotel.
Qualified Local Guide in Edinburgh.
A stylish wallet, travel documents, keepsake booklet and map.
Complimentary pick-up and drop-off on day of departure and return of the coach trip when you stay at recommended London hotel, booked through the Tour Operator

PRICES
From approx $1,499 US per person double occupancy