Amazing Britain

Visit England

Day 1

Journey to Stratford-upon-Avon and on to Leeds

Join your Travel Director this morning and indulge your love of theatre and poetry.

Travel to romantic Stratford-upon-Avon, made famous by its favourite son, William Shakespeare, whose extraordinary works have been admired by audiences for over 500 years. View Anne Hathaway's thatched cottage and visit Shakespeare's Birthplace and Visitor Centre for insights into the life of the 'Bard of Avon', before exploring the charming cobblestone streets of his hometown. Continue to the ancient cathedral city of York where you will enjoy an orientation walk to view its ancient city walls, picturesque Shambles and magnificent 800-year-old Minster. Enjoy a memorable dinner and delicious local pub fare before continuing to your hotel in Leeds.

Day 2

Cross Hadrian’s Wall and onwards to Edinburgh

We venture north to the medieval riverside town of Durham, whose exquisite 11th century cathedral sits imposingly alongside Durham Castle watching over the streets below.

We cross what was once the northern frontier of the Roman Empire, Hadrian's Wall, before enjoying a scenic drive through the soul-stirring landscapes of Northumberland National Park. Admire spectacular views of the windswept Cheviot Hills as you cross the Scottish border, stopping to admire the 12th century ruins of Jedburgh Abbey en route to Edinburgh.

Day 3

Discover Enchanting Edinburgh

Fall in love with the enchanting city of Edinburgh as you join a Local Specialist to discover what lies behind its medieval façades.

Ramble up the Royal Mile and enjoy astounding views of the Palace of Holyroodhouse and the Scottish Parliament. Visit Edinburgh Castle perched atop Castle Rock overlooking the city. Spend some free time this afternoon strolling through Edinburgh and admiring ancient relics. Tickets to see the spectacular Edinburgh Tattoo are included on departures that coincide with performance dates.

Day 4

Venture into the Scottish Highlands

Cross the Firth of Forth to the ancient Kingdom of Fife and St.

Andrews. This famous golf course is renowned for its 18th hole and 700-year-old Swilcan Bridge. We continue our journey into the dramatic Scottish Highlands, where we’ll Dive Into Culture at a Distillery and sample a wee dram of whisky. Visit picture-perfect Pitlochry, on the edge of the Ben Vrackie and Cairngorms National Park, before arriving at your hotel in the Scottish Highlands where you'll dine tonight.

Day 5

Onwards to Loch Lomond and Glasgow’s Rich Legacy

The arresting beauty of the Scottish Highlands provides a stunning backdrop for today's leisurely drive to Glasgow.

View the World War II Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge and admire views of Britain's highest mountain – Ben Nevis. Continue on towards Glencoe, the site of a bloody massacre in 1692 following the Jacobite Uprising. In Glencoe Valley, join a ranger for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, learn about the protection of this rare ecosystem and the important work reintroducing lost indigenous species to its flora and fauna. Travel to the 'bonnie' banks of Scotland's prettiest loch, Loch Lomond. We arrive in Glasgow this afternoon where our orientation will take us past St. Mungo's Cathedral and George Square, lined with statues and monuments dedicated to famous British subjects, including Robert Burns and Sir Robert Peel.

Day 6

Explore the Lake District and Journey to Liverpool Connect with Locals

Today's first stop is in the runaway wedding capital, Gretna Green, where eloping couples would exchange their vows over the Marriage Anvil.

Returning to England, we Connect With Locals, joining Christine for lunch at a Be My Guest experience on her family's farm. See beautiful Lake District landscapes and skirt the romantic shores of Lake Windermere, the largest lake in England, arriving in edgy Liverpool of 'Fab Four' fame, for an evening at leisure.

Day 7

Through the Beautiful Welsh Countryside to Discover Bristol

This morning, we traverse the pretty Welsh countryside before we visit the Shropshire market town of Ludlow with some time to explore on your own.

Later, arrive in Bristol for an orientation drive. Join us for an Optional Experience that will take us out to the SS Great Britain as well as the Clifton Suspension Bridge along with all the other highlights of Bristol. As the curtain comes down on a memorable journey through England and Scotland, you enjoy dinner in a local restaurant with your Travel Director and newfound friends.

Day 8

Soak up Bath and Stonehenge then off to London

Before returning to London, visit the UNESCO-listed city of Bath to admire its elegant Georgian façades and the Roman Baths for your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience.

Emerging from the Salisbury Plain, the imposing megaliths of Stonehenge are your final stop before continuing through the lush Wiltshire and Hampshire landscapes to London, where your amazing holiday comes to an end.

Dining Summary

3 Dinner (D)

7 Breakfast (B)

1 Lunch (L)

Be My Guest

Hesket Newmarket: Meet Christine and enjoy a few hours of Cumbrian farm-life, with some farm animals company thrown in for good measure, before sitting down to a lunch of local flavours.

Iconic Experience

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.

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

Durham: See Durham's Romanesque cathedral and admire the innovative audacity of its architecture.

Jedburgh: See the impressive 12th-century Jedburgh Abbey that dominates the centre of town. 

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.

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

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

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

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.

Bristol: See some of Bristol's highlights on an orientation drive 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.

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.

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.

MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®

Glencoe: Join a wildlife Ranger in Glencoe and learn about the rich biodiversity of wildlife including insects, invertebrates and mammals, such as otter and fallow deer. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land.

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.

Must-see Highlights

Explore Edinburgh

Discover York, Durham, Glasgow, Bristol and Bath

Visit Shakespeare's Birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon, Edinburgh Castle, Gretna Green, Ludlow, the Roman Baths in Bath and the ancient stone circle at Stonehenge

View Anne Hathaway's thatched cottage in Stratford-upon-Avon, York Minster in York, Hadrian's Wall and Jedburgh Abbey

See the 18th green on the Old Course at St. Andrews and the Lake District

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

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