| Edinburgh
/ Lake District / Stratford-upon-Avon /
Cotswolds / Bath / London /
Glen Coe / Glasgow / Chester / Portmeirion /
Bodnant Gardens / Warwick Castle / Stonehenge
A fascinating journey awaits through
Scotland, England and Wales. Travel from
Edinburgh through the rolling Scottish moorlands
to the lovely English Lake District and medieval
Wales. Enjoy the sights within Bath,
Stratford-upon-Avon, and Coventry; two nights in
the heart of the exciting city of London are
highlighted by a performance of The Lion King
in London's West End.
|
1. Arrive Edinburgh
Tour departs: Edinburgh Airport one hour after the
arrival of our selected flight(s). Departure time
may change. Your hotel is situated right in the heart of
Edinburgh, a charming city that boasts an historic past
in a beautiful setting. Relax this afternoon, browse
through the fashionable shops of Princes Street or
perhaps visit museums and galleries. Join us this
evening for a welcome reception and dinner.
2. Sightsee Edinburgh
Edinburgh Castle commands a strategic site on Castlerock
overlooking the city; it dominates the skyline. Built in
the 11th century, it has played a prominent role in
Scottish history; visit the castle with a special
Scottish guide. You'll also see the Palace of
Holyroodhouse, the Queen's home when in Edinburgh
(subject to closure). Edinburgh Castle and Holyroodhouse
are connected by The Royal Mile, a fascinating street
with many historic sites. The afternoon is at your
leisure; you might visit Princes Gardens, the beautiful
shops of Princes Street or the Botanical Gardens and the
National Gallery of Scotland. Tours departing August 3
through 24 will see an outdoor evening performance of
the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, performed by Scottish
military units.
3. Edinburgh to Inverness
The Scottish countryside is magnificent, with rolling
open moors and truly spectacular rural scenes. For tours
departing April 20 through July 27, this day features a
morning visit to the exhibitions and grounds of Balmoral
Castle, where the Royal Family spends their summer
holidays. Tours departing August 3 through October 12
will visit Blair Castle, once the home of the Duke of
Atholl. See Culloden Battlefield, where the Scottish
forces of Bonnie Prince Charlie were defeated during the
final battle between the English and the Scots.
Overnight in Inverness, the capital of the Scottish
Highlands.
4. Loch Ness / Loch Lomond
Let your mind's eye envision a painting of Scotland...
then experience today's journey through a land of legend
and song. Meander along the entire shoreline of Loch
Ness; keep an eye peeled for its elusive monster! See
Glen Coe, scene of one of the worst massacres in
Scottish history, the result of a dispute between two
clans -- the MacDonalds and the Campbells. Visit one of
the most beautiful lakes in the British Isles, Loch
Lomond. Enjoy an afternoon cruise before arriving at
your baronial hotel, set on over 100 acres of wooded
glades.
5. Glasgow / Lake District
Edinburgh is the largest city in eastern Scotland, and
Glasgow is the largest city in the west. Take a city
tour of Glasgow; visit the spacious grounds of Pollok
Country Park to see the Burrell Collection, featuring
some of the finest art objects from around the world.
Travel into the English Lake District to see some of the
most beautiful scenery in England. This is where many
British residents choose to vacation, yet it is bypassed
on most tours. Visit Dove Cottage, the home of William
Wordsworth, then drive to Langdale and spend two nights
in a woodsy, country setting.
6. Lake Windermere
Most people do not think of mountains or hills when they
think of England, but today you are in them... and the
valleys between are speckled with beautiful lakes,
shorelines of rolling farms, idyllic stone cottages and
magnificent country estates. Visit charming Bowness-on-Windermere,
Beatrix Potter country, then travel to Coniston Water to
board the magnificent Steam Yacht Gondola for a trip
along the lake's shoreline. Have tea at Brantwood House,
home of the famous writer and art critic John Ruskin.
7. Chester / Portmeirion / Wales
The potpourri of cultures and styles in the United
Kingdom is fascinating. England, Scotland, Wales,
Ireland... so close, yet culturally quite different.
Visit Chester, a well-preserved, walled, medieval town
of half-timbered buildings. Travel through the rolling
hills of North Wales to magnificent Bodnant Gardens,
then on to the seaside village of Portmeirion, renowned
for its remarkable mix of architectural styles and
recognized as the location for television's The
Prisoner.
8. Caernarfon / Betws-y-Coed
The Welsh language is complex and difficult to master.
We know of a 58-letter word which we leave, with its
definition, up to your Tour Director. Start the day with
a short trip to the town of Caernarfon to visit the
castle where the investiture of the Prince of Wales
takes place. Have lunch at Betws-y-Coed, then return to
Portmeirion where the remainder of the day is at your
leisure.
9. Coventry / Warwick Castle
Continue your exploration of Wales with a drive south
through Bala and Llangollen to Coventry, featuring a
Lady Godiva statue and two famous cathedrals that
dominate the skyline. One is almost an abstract piece of
art, for it is what is left of the original cathedral
destroyed during World War II... in contrast, the other
is a contemporary, soaring, glass edifice in which hangs
the largest tapestry in the world. Visit Warwick Castle,
home of the Earl of Warwick for over 600 years; it is
most people's image of the picture-perfect castle.
Arrive in Stratford-upon-Avon, your home for the next
two nights.
10. Cotswolds / Stratford
Visit the cottage of Shakespeare's wife, Anne Hathaway,
before setting out on a tour of Cotswold villages.
Surrounded by gently rolling green hills and farmland,
these charming hamlets were originally farming
communities; today they are a collection of gentlemen
farms and manor house estates, scenic hideaways of the
wealthy. Return to Stratford-upon-Avon for a free
afternoon and a pre-theatre dinner followed by a
performance at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, season
permitting.
11. Bath / The Circus
Travel through the English countryside en route to the
beautiful Georgian city of Bath, architecturally one of
the finest cities in England. Enjoy a city tour at your
leisure to see the Royal Crescent, the Circus and other
major sights. The remainder of the day is free to browse
through the specialty shops and antique stores, or to
visit the ancient Roman baths before retiring to your
elegant hotel for the evening.
12. Stonehenge / London
Stonehenge has mystified visitors for centuries. Nobody
is quite sure when, how and by whom these monoliths were
erected; they date back approximately 4,000 years. A
visit to Stonehenge is both mysterious and hauntingly
memorable. Arrive midday in London; this afternoon enjoy
sightseeing that includes famous landmarks such as Big
Ben, Piccadilly Circus, Buckingham Palace, Parliament,
#10 Downing Street and Green Park, as well as a visit to
magnificent Westminster Abbey.
13. London / Theatre
The day is at leisure for you to pursue your own
interests in London. There is plenty to explore within
the immediate surroundings of your hotel; Bond Street,
Grosvenor Square and Oxford Street are nearby. Enjoy a
farewell dinner at your hotel followed by a theater
performance of The Lion King in London's West
End. Tours beginning on Tuesdays will have an alternate
London schedule.
14. Journey Home
Tour ends: Heathrow or Gatwick Airport; transfer will
be provided based on the earliest departure of our
selected flight(s). Departure time may change.
Persons departing at other times should secure their own
transportation. |
