ENGLAND, SCOTLAND
& WALES 13 DAYS FROM $1,569 US Details below or
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Begin your England, Scotland, and Wales vacation in London with a day of independent activities or optional tours. Then, head out to Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon and Lady Godiva’s Coventry. Pass Robin Hood’s Sherwood Forest and take a walking tour of York, England’s most complete medieval city. See a section of Hadrian’s Wall, the Roman coast-to-coast defense against marauding northern tribes. Cross the Scottish border and arrive in Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital, for a guided sightseeing tour, which includes a visit to mighty Edinburgh Castle to see Scotland’s Crown Jewels. On to St. Andrews, home of golf; Braemar, home of the Royal Highland Games for the past 900 years; and Royal Deeside, where the Queen is an annual visitor. Spend the night in the Scottish Highlands and visit the Highland capital of Inverness, then search for mysterious Nessie at legendary Loch Ness. Via Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city, continue through the Lowlands to Gretna Green and through the lovely Lake District to charming Grasmere and the shores of beautiful Lake Windermere. Spend the night in Liverpool of Beatles fame. In Wales, stop at Betws-y-Coed, Caernarvon, and Conway as you travel through scenic Snowdonia, and later drive via the Brecon Beacons National Park to Cardiff, the Welsh capital.
Back in England, explore elegant Georgian Bath, famous for its Roman relics, and hear about King Arthur in Glastonbury. Visit quaint Widecombe-in-the-Moor, made famous in The Hound of the Baskervilles, and see the Mayflower Steps in Plymouth, where the Pilgrims embarked on their voyage in 1620. On the way back to London, encounter mysterious Stonehenge and majestic Salisbury with its magnificent cathedral. Your tour concludes with free time in London, a great way to end this fantastic vacation.
Special Departure: Tickets for the world-famous Edinburgh Military Tattoo are included for the July 29-August 19 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 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 and 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–Stratford-upon-Avon–Coventry–Leeds
Meet your Tour Director and traveling companions and depart at 8 am for a memorable day of sightseeing. Head for Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon to take your pictures of Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, then explore the town at your own pace. After lunch, visit Coventry, whose center had to be rebuilt after the devastation of World War II bombings, and hear the tale of Lady Godiva and Peeping Tom before admiring the splendid modern cathedral. Finally, head northwards out of the Midlands, passing the once-mighty Sherwood Forest, home of the legendary Robin Hood, to tonight’s destination. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 4 Leeds–York–Jedburgh, Scotland–Edinburgh
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. Continue through wild Northumberland National Park and see a section of Hadrian’s Wall, the Roman coast-to-coast defense against marauding northern tribes. Then, cross the Scottish border and at Jedburgh, glimpse the house of Mary, Queen of Scots, and see the abbey ruins. Late-afternoon arrival in Edinburgh. A suggestion for this evening: enjoy a traditional Scottish night out 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 July 29-August 19, 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–St. Andrews–Braemar–Aviemore
A day of memorable sightseeing: St. Andrews, whose Royal and Ancient Golf Club has given us the rules of golfing; Braemar, home of the Royal Highland Games for over 900 years; and Royal Deeside, where the Queen is an annual visitor. Spend the night in the Highland resort of Aviemore. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 7 Aviemore–Culloden–Inverness–Fort William–Glasgow
Via the battlefield of Culloden Moor, and Inverness, the Highland capital, skirt Loch Ness as you drive to Fort William beneath Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain. Enter haunting Glen Coe, where the MacDonald Clan was massacred in 1692, pass wild Rannoch Moor and then drive along the “Bonnie Banks” of Loch Lomond to Glasgow. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 8 Glasgow–Gretna Green–Lake District, England–Liverpool
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. End the day in Liverpool of Beatles fame, once the departure port of the great transatlantic liners. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 9 Liverpool. North Wales Excursion
A day dedicated to the mountainous splendor of North Wales. After a stop in pretty Betws-y-Coed, drive over spectacular Llanberis Pass and through Snowdonia National Park to Caernarvon, where the castle saw the investiture of Charles as Prince of Wales. Then, follow the coast road via the walled town of Conway back to Liverpool. You may wish to join an optional city tour this evening. (Breakfast)
Day 10 Liverpool–Chester–Ludlow–Cardiff, Wales
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.” Pause in the pretty market town of Ludlow before heading back into Wales and Brecon Beacons National Park, land of salmon rivers and the Welsh mountain pony. Finally, through “The Valleys,” whose iron ore and coal were the raw materials for the Industrial Revolution, to the Welsh capital. Here, an orientation drive introduces you to the 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 11 Cardiff–Bath, England–Glastonbury–Widecombe–Plymouth
Leaving Wales, cross the Severn Bridge for a visit to the elegant Georgian city of Bath, famed for its Roman relics, before heading into the romantically scenic West Country and Glastonbury with its King Arthur associations. In the heart of Dartmoor National Park, visit quaint Widecombe-in-the-Moor, ghostly setting for Conan Doyle’s The Hound of the Baskervilles. Finally, in Plymouth, hear about Sir Francis Drake and see the Mayflower Steps, where the Pilgrim Fathers embarked in 1620. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 12 Plymouth–Stonehenge–Salisbury–London
On the final leg of your journey, take in Thomas Hardy’s Wessex; views of the intriguing prehistoric monument of Stonehenge; and Salisbury with its vast cathedral, the ultimate in Early English Gothic architecture. Return to London around 4 pm. How about celebrating the success of your tour with a night out on the town? (Breakfast)
Day 13 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
Ask about airport transfer times, prices and what's included with your vacation.
Vacation Highlights
INCLUDED FEATURES
Visits to Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon, Coventry, Hadrian’s Wall, Jedburgh, Edinburgh Castle, tickets for Edinburgh Military Tattoo (Departures July 29-August 19), St. Andrews, Braemar, Culloden Moor, Inverness, Fort William, Gretna Green, Grasmere, Liverpool, Caernarvon, Ludlow, Bath, Glastonbury, Widecombe-in-the-Moor, Plymouth, Salisbury; orientation drive in Cardiff; walking tours in York, Chester
SCENIC HIGHLIGHTS
Northumberland National Park, Scottish Highlands and Lowlands, Loch Ness, Glen Coe, Loch Lomond, Lake District National Park, Lake Windermere, Snowdonia, Brecon Beacons National Park and “The Valleys,” Dartmoor National Park, Stonehenge and Salisbury Plain
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
Ask about transportation, hotels, and other standard included features offered.
Accommodations
MEALS
Full English breakfast; 5 three-course dinners with choice of menus
HOTELS - (F) First-Class (ST) Superior Tourist-Class (T) Tourist Class
LONDON Kensington Close (ST), LEEDS Ramada Leeds North (ST), EDINBURGH Capital (F), AVIEMORE MacDonald Highland Resort (ST), GLASGOW Pond (F), LIVERPOOL Holiday Inn Liverpool City Centre (F), CARDIFF Park Inn (F), PLYMOUTH Legacy Plymouth International (ST)
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: Aviemore
Sheep Dog Demonstration
Join a true native Highland shepherd as he demonstrates the work and training of boarder collies, followed by a drink in a local inn.
Approximate value: GBP £18 per person
CITY: Cardiff
Welsh Evening
Dinner with wine and entertainment are included in this uniquely Welsh evening.
Approximate value: GBP £55 per person
CITY: Edinburgh
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
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
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
CITY: Liverpool
Evening City Tour
In the company of a local guide, visit the magnificent cathedral, hear about the legendary Beatles, and enjoy a drink of your choice at a historic Gin Palace.
Approximate value: GBP £19 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: Plymouth
Harbor Cruise
Plymouth Sound is one of the world's great natural harbors where your cruise takes you past one of the Royal Navy's important bases, with commentary by your captain.
Approximate value: GBP £7.5 per person
Departure Dates: March - October
Prices: From Approx$1,569 US per person double
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Begin your England, Scotland, and Wales vacation in London with a day of independent activities or optional tours. Then, head out to Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon and Lady Godiva’s Coventry. Pass Robin Hood’s Sherwood Forest and take a walking tour of York, England’s most complete medieval city. See a section of Hadrian’s Wall, the Roman coast-to-coast defense against marauding northern tribes. Cross the Scottish border and arrive in Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital, for a guided sightseeing tour, which includes a visit to mighty Edinburgh Castle to see Scotland’s Crown Jewels. On to St. Andrews, home of golf; Braemar, home of the Royal Highland Games for the past 900 years; and Royal Deeside, where the Queen is an annual visitor. Spend the night in the Scottish Highlands and visit the Highland capital of Inverness, then search for mysterious Nessie at legendary Loch Ness. Via Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city, continue through the Lowlands to Gretna Green and through the lovely Lake District to charming Grasmere and the shores of beautiful Lake Windermere. Spend the night in Liverpool of Beatles fame. In Wales, stop at Betws-y-Coed, Caernarvon, and Conway as you travel through scenic Snowdonia, and later drive via the Brecon Beacons National Park to Cardiff, the Welsh capital.
