Best of Britain

Visit England

Day 1

Journey to Stonehenge, Bath and Exeter

Meet your Travel Director and commence your journey through the rolling green and golden landscapes of rural Wiltshire to Salisbury Plain.

We tread in the footsteps of druids and pagans at Stonehenge, before travelling to UNESCO-listed Bath with its elegant Georgian façades and the centuries-old Roman Baths where you will delight in your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Your home for the next two nights is the historic cathedral city of Exeter, where you will enjoy dinner this evening at your hotel.

Day 2

Plymouth and More in the Southwest Dive Into Culture

Our first stop today is in the ancient port city of Plymouth, where we’ll delve into the history of the brave Pilgrim Fathers who set sail for an unknown New World from its shores.

See the Royal Citadel overlooking Plymouth Sound and consider an optional cruise around the dramatic coastline. We take a step back in time at our next stop – the delightful village of Polperro. Continuing along the brooding moorland of Dartmoor, we arrive at Buckfast Abbey, where we’ll Dive Into Culture and gain insights into how Benedictine monks have lived and prayed for over 1,000 years.

Day 3

Onwards to Glastonbury and Cardiff Connect with Locals

Enjoy a scenic drive through the pretty Devon and Somerset countryside to mystical Glastonbury, where we'll visit the ruined Abbey, said to be the final resting place of King Arthur.

Your journey back to a time of knights, lords and ladies is just beginning and you’ll head to Somerset for an unforgettable experience with Ian and Ann Dyer who are your warm Be My Guest hosts on their modern-day dairy farm, where guests will get to see the ancient manor which was mentioned in the Domesday book of 1085. The Dyers both hail from old farming families and you’ll learn what life is like in the rural countryside and the historical significance of their home over a lunch featuring family favourites prepared by keen cook, Ann. We journey to Cardiff, the capital of Wales, where we'll explore the proud heritage of the Welsh and modern icons, including the Principality Stadium during an orientation tour.

Day 4

Explore Tudor History and on to Liverpool

Tudor history is explored this morning as we visit the historic towns of Ludlow and Chester with their characteristic black-and-white half-timbered buildings.

Join your Travel Director for an orientation walk past these famous Tudor Rows and enjoy views of Chester's medieval city walls and red sandstone Cathedral. The haunt of the 'Fab Four' is our final stop today. Join a Local Specialist to gain insight into Liverpool's Beatles' history and enjoy a free evening in one of Britain's edgiest cities.

Day 5

Venture to the Romantic Lake District and on to Glasgow

Rolling Lancashire pastures give way to the soul-stirring Lake District, whose beautiful scenery has inspired poets and writers for centuries.

We travel along the shores of Lake Windermere, through countryside made famous by the poet William Wordsworth. Stop in Gretna Green on the Scottish border, where many eloping couples have tied the knot. We arrive in Glasgow later for an orientation tour, including views of the Cathedral, magnificent George Square and the Clyde River, the former heart of the shipbuilding industry. This evening, enjoy locally-sourced flavours at Mharsanta restaurant during a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience.

Day 6

On to Fort William and the Scottish Highlands

Journey along Loch Lomond, whose Bonnie Banks were immortalised in the well-known Scottish song.

We arrive in Glencoe and remember the MacDonald clansmen who died tragically in the 1692 massacre which led this place to be called the 'Glen of Weeping'. At the World War II Commando Memorial near Fort William, we admire views of Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis. Our day in beautiful surrounds comes to an end with a cosy dinner at our hotel located within the Cairngorms National Park in the Scottish Highlands.

Day 7

Discover the Isle of Skye

We travel to the coast this morning to the Isle of Skye where a Local Specialist will take us on a journey to view the remarkable Cuillin Mountain and the Village of Portree.

Later, we cross back to the mainland to view scenic Eilean Donan Castle. Travel through the Scottish Highlands past its picturesque lochs and glens, keeping your camera at the ready to capture ‘Nessie’ if you can.

Day 8

Journey to Enchanting Edinburgh

Heading back to the lowlands of Scotland, we stop in Pitlochry before heading to the historic home of golf, St.

Andrews. Here, the first games were played during the 1400s. See its famous 18th hole before crossing the Firth of Forth to Scotland's enchanting capital, Edinburgh. Tickets to see the spectacular Edinburgh Tattoo are included on departures that coincide with performance dates.

Day 9

Uncover Edinburgh’s Treasures

Ramble up the Royal Mile today and see the iconic sights of one of Britain's most enchanting cities.

The elegant Palace of Holyroodhouse, in the shadow of Arthur's Seat, and the Scottish Parliament feature on your sightseeing tour with a Local Specialist. Visit Edinburgh Castle perched atop Castle Rock overlooking the city. Admire the elegant Georgian architecture in the New Town and amble through the hidden passages of the Old Town before enjoying an evening at leisure. Consider an Optional Experience including traditional song, dance and Scottish fare.

Day 10

Continue to York

We travel to the medieval market town of Alnwick this morning, where we'll see the impressive castle home to the Duke of Northumberland and the Tenantry Column, upon which the Percy Lion sits and surveys the town.

Journey through Northumberland to the cathedral city of York. We’ll embark an orientation walk past its cobblestone Shambles and see the inspiring Minster with its 'heart of Yorkshire' before joining our newfound friends for dinner.

Day 11

Onwards to Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon and London

Shakespeare's legacy and life are celebrated in his home town of Stratford-upon-Avon, which you will have an opportunity to visit today.

See Anne Hathaway's thatched cottage and visit Shakespeare's Birthplace and Visitor Centre. Later, travel back to London where your amazing holiday comes to an end.

Dining Summary

5 Dinner (D)

10 Breakfast (B)

1 Lunch (L)

Be My Guest

Somerset: Ian and Ann Dyer are your hosts on their modern-day dairy farm. See the ancient manor house and learn what life is like in the rural countryside over a lunch featuring family favourites.

Dive Into Culture

Buckfastleigh: Visit Buckfast Abbey, a Benedictine monastery built on the site where monks have lived and prayed for over 1,000 years.

Iconic Experience

Bath: Admire UNESCO-listed Bath, with its elegant Georgian façades and the bimillennial Roman Baths from which the city takes its name.

Stonehenge: Walk around the strange and awe-inspiring monoliths that have reputedly stood for 5,000 years.

Plymouth: During an orientation tour with your Travel Director, see Plymouth Hoe and the Citadel before continuing to the Barbican and Mayflower Steps. 

Glastonbury: Visit the historic Glastonbury Abbey. Founded in the 7th century, its ruins are now registered as a Grade I listed building.

Cardiff: Learn more about Wales' capital and cultural hub, Cardiff, as you enjoy an orientation of this vibrant city with your Travel Director.

Ludlow: Explore the narrow streets and lanes in front of the castle. Admire the medieval timber-framed buildings and Tudor architecture.

Chester: See the Jubilee Clock, cathedral, city walls, and famous black and white Rows.

Liverpool: Join a Local Specialist to gain insight into Liverpool's history.

Glasgow: See the grand public buildings of Glasgow, including George Square. 

Gretna Green: Visit the famous spot where runaway lovers were married.

Lake District: Drive through the hauntingly beautiful Lakes District, immortalised by literary greats of the Romantic Movement.

Glencoe: Drive through this Highland village on Loch Leven.

Fort William: Enjoy an excellent view of Ben Nevis from the World War II Commando Memorial.

Scottish Highlands: Admire picturesque lochs and glens as you travel through the Scottish Highlands.

St. Andrews: Visit the university town where the famous beach scene from 'Chariots of Fire' was filmed and see the golf course where the sport was created.

Pitlochry: Visit Pitlochry, famous for its salmon leap.

Edinburgh: Explore the city with your Local Specialist as you travel along Princes Street to see the Scott Memorial, the neoclassical Adam facades of New Town and the official Scottish residence of the King, Palace of Holyroodhouse.

York: Your Travel Director will show you the York Minster, the city walls and the medieval Shambles during your orientation of the city.

Alnwick: See the impressive Alnwick Castle and Tenantry Column during a visit of this traditional county town.

Stratford-upon-Avon: Learn about the life of William Shakespeare, arguably history's most famous writer, when you visit his birthplace. Then enjoy some time to explore this pretty town with its iconic Tudor houses.

MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®

Bath: Visit the incredibly well-preserved Roman Baths. Discover 2000 years of history and learn how this hub of culture is pioneering new educational investments to benefit the community. Its school educational programme actively supports local schools and students to learn about the cultural heritage of the region. The Roman Baths experience advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education.

Glasgow: Indulge in a delicious dining experience at Mharsanta restaurant in Glasgow, where sustainability meets Scottish tradition. Sourcing the majority of their ingredients locally, Mharsanta is committed to reducing their carbon footprint through energy- efficient practices, waste reduction, and an ever-growing plant-rich menu. Enjoy your meal knowing you’re making a positive impact, as this experience directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

Must-see Highlights

Explore Liverpool, the Isle of Skye and Edinburgh

Discover Bath, Plymouth, Cardiff, Chester, Glasgow and York

Visit the ancient stone circle at Stonehenge, the Roman Baths in Bath, Polperro, Buckfast Abbey, Glastonbury Abbey, the town of Ludlow, the Isle of Skye, Edinburgh Castle and Shakespeare's Birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon

View Glencoe, Eilean Donan Castle, Alnwick Castle used as Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films, York Minster in York and Anne Hathaway's thatched cottage in Stratford-upon-Avon

See England's Dartmoor National Park and Lake District, Ben Nevis and Glencoe in the Scottish Highlands and the 18th green at St. Andrews

Tickets for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo are included on departures that coincide with performance dates

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