DAY 1, Saturday - Depart for England
Depart for England
DAY 2, Sunday - Arrive in London
Arrive and transfer to your hotel. Most flights arrive in the early morning and your room may not be ready for you. In this case, leave your luggage with the concierge and your Tour Manager will provide suggestions for you to begin to explore the city on your own. This evening, your tour will begin with an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager at approximately 6 PM followed by a Welcome Dinner. We recommend that you select flights which arrive in your destination no later than 4 PM if possible
Overnight: London
Meals: Dinner
DAY 3, Monday - London City Tour
Discover the history, pageantry and sights of the city with a half day tour of London's West End. Begin with a drive through fashionable Kensington with its elegant squares and parks. Pass Harrods store and continue to view Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square, Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament and the famous Big Ben. Go on to view Buckingham Palace, the London residence of Her Majesty the Queen. Your tour ends in the heart of the city to explore the afternoon at leisure. Perhaps join the optional tour of Tower of London and St. Paul's Cathedral
Optional: Tower of London & St. Paul's Cathedral (PM)
Overnight: London
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4, Tuesday - Stonehenge, Bath
Today, depart London and head to the circles of Stonehenge. Located in the middle of Salisbury Plain, Stonehenge is unique among stone circles and its construction still defies belief. The first stone was placed here 5000 years ago and the structure was finally completed 1400 years later. Continue to Bath's Georgian Crescents to find elegant stone buildings with terraces, crescents, and graceful squares. Visit the original 2000-year-old Roman Baths and Georgian Pump Room with its natural mineral water. Later in the afternoon join the optional tour to the Village of Lacock. You will have time to explore the village before enjoying dinner at a historic local Inn
Optional: Village of Lacock with dinner (PM)
Overnight: Bath
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5, Wednesday - Cotswolds, Stratford-upon-Avon, Liverpool
Drive north today into the heart of England through the villages of the Cotswolds, with its stone and thatch cottages, to the birthplace of Shakespeare, Stratford-upon-Avon, a charming market town. View Anne Hathaway's cottage, the school that William Shakespeare attended, and Shakespeare's birthplace. Enjoy time at leisure in this historic town, where the Bard's plays are still performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company. Then travel to lively Liverpool for a change of pace, where The Beatles were born and rose to fame. With your guide, explore the notable sights made famous in song by the Beatles - Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields. View the legendary Cavern Club where the Beatles began their journey to fame and Liverpool's stunning Albert Dock complex, a reminder of Liverpool's history as a great and prosperous port. Dinner tonight is at your hotel in Liverpool
Overnight: Liverpool
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 6, Thursday - Local Farmhouse Visit in the Lake District, Moffat, Edinburgh
Today, travel along the shores of Windermere, the largest lake in England at the heart of the rolling hills of the picturesque Lake District, stopping for tea and fresh-baked scones at a local farmhouse. Continue towards the charming village of Grasmere, the 19th century home of the poet William Wordsworth. Next, cross into Scotland at the border town of Gretna Green, famous for its "runaway" weddings, and past Moffat, known for its high quality wool products. Arrive in Edinburgh, Scotland's capital city, with its exquisite Georgian and Victorian architecture and winding medieval streets. During your stay, discover the city's rich heritage and historic buildings. Its Old and New Town are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Bid farewell to your England Tour Manager and spend the balance of the day is at leisure. This evening, meet your new Scotland Tour Manager and enjoy dinner at the hotel
Overnight: Edinburgh
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 7, Friday - Edinburgh City Tour
This morning join a local guide for a city tour of historic Edinburgh. The route will take you past the Scottish Parliament, the Museum of Scotland, the Royal Mile, Georgian New Town and Princes Street. Also included is a visit to Edinburgh Castle where you can see the Crown Room, St. Margaret's Chapel, and much more! The balance of the day is at leisure. Tonight, perhaps attend the optional Scottish Dinner with traditional entertainment
Optional: Scottish Dinner & Show (PM)
Overnight: Edinburgh
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8, Saturday - Full Day in Edinburgh
Spend a day at leisure in the Scottish capital. Shop for traditional handicrafts and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of this elegant city, known for its arts and military festivals. Catch one of the many museums or, join the optional morning tour to the former Royal Yacht Britannia. Learn about life aboard this elegant ship which has seen so many historic occasions. Continue to Holyrood House, official residence of the royal family in Scotland; see the State Apartments, Throne Room and priceless collection of tapestries and paintings
Optional: Half Day Royal Yacht Britannia & Holyrood Palace (AM)
Overnight: Edinburgh
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 9, Sunday - St. Andrews, Glamis Castle, Aviemore
Sightseeing begins in the town of St. Andrews, renowned for its famous golf course and the University where Prince William studied. Continue to Glamis Castle, childhood home of the Queen-Mother; visit this well-preserved ancient Scottish castle with its literary connections to Shakespeare's Macbeth. Despite local legends of mysterious monsters and ghosts, the castle is still home to the Lyon family. Next, scenic views await you as you travel farther north into the Scottish Highlands and through the mountainous Cairngorms National Park. Arrive in the winter sports resort of Aviemore in time for dinner
Overnight: Aviemore
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 10, Monday -Carrbridge, Culloden Battlefield, Whisky Distillery & Tasting
Heading north from Aviemore you start the day with a photo stop in Carrbridge, a small Highland village which takes its name from the 18th century packhorse bridge which spans the local river. Continue to the site of the famous Culloden Battlefield near Inverness where the Jacobite forces faced the British army in 1746. This final battle marked the decisive collapse of the Jacobite uprisings and the beginning of the integration of the Highlands into the United Kingdom. A Visitor's Center has been established to help preserve the battlefield and educate visitors about the battle through films and exhibitions. Next, tour a whisky distillery and enjoy a tasting before returning to Aviemore. The rest of the day is at leisure
Overnight: Aviemore
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 11, Tuesday - Loch Ness, Isle of Skye, Fort William Glencoe
Today, drive to the most notorious site in all of Scotland, Loch Ness. There will be time to take pictures and try to spot the elusive Nessie in the largest lake in Scotland. The tour continues its exploration of the Highlands up into the Isle of Skye, passing Eilean Donan Castle and crossing Skye Bridge. Drive through the lush countryside to the Clan Donald Museum of the Isles before returning to the mainland. Arrive in Fort William in the late afternoon and enjoy dinner at the hotel
Overnight: Fort William
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 12, Wednesday - Loch Lomond, Glasgow City Tour
Continue towards Loch Lomond and cruise on the lake, taking in the views of the surrounding Trossachs National Park. This afternoon, arrive in vibrant Glasgow, where you will enjoy a tour of the city sights. Spend your evening at leisure
Overnight: Glasgow
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 13, Thursday - Stirling Castle
Begin the day with a visit to Stirling Castle, one of the largest and most important castles in Scotland. Then view the impressive "Kelpies", the world's largest equine sculptures and Scotland's latest iconic landmark rising majestically over the Forth & Clyde Canal. Return to Glasgow in the late afternoon. Enjoy a Farewell Dinner with your fellow travelers and Tour Manager
Overnight: Glasgow
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 14, Friday - Depart Scotland
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast