2019 Best of Britain 10 Days/9 nights

BEST OF BRITAIN 10 DAYS / 9 NIGHTS/ 13 MEALS

Day 1: WINDSOR CASTLE
Tour begins 2:30 PM at your Windsor hotel. Visit Windsor Castle, residence of the Queen and the largest inhabited castle in the world. In the evening, join your group for a welcome drink before dining independently. Take an evening walk around this compact and historic town with a local guide.


Day 2: BLENHEIM PALACE & COTSWOLDS DRIVE
Travel to Blenheim Palace, a monumental “country house” and home to the Dukes of Marlborough. Enjoy a scenic drive through the picturesque Cotswolds, passing through quaint towns and villages nestled among the distinctive rolling hills and valleys. Travel on to York, a city founded by the Romans in the first century and a major wool trading center in the Middle Ages.
(B, D)

Day 3: YORK MINISTER & BAMBURGH CASTLE
Take a walking tour of York’s medieval street, including the Shambles, one of the city’s narrowest alleyways. Then tour the Gothic York Minster, renowned for its magnificent medieval stained glass windows. Visit Bamburgh Castle, an imposing medieval fortress that is one of the largest inhabited castles in Britain. This magical castle is set high on a rocky plateau affording wonderful views along the coast. Continue to your hotel near Edinburgh, Dalhousie Castle, and hear a piper play before a lively Scottish evening with dinner and entertainment.
(B, D)

Day 4: GUIDED CITY TOUR & EDINBURGH CASTLE
Explore central Edinburgh, starting in the 200-year-old “New Town” with its planned streets and elegant Georgian houses. View Princes Street, the city’s premier shopping street, and see the Royal Mile where medieval houses are clustered closely together. Tour the imposing Edinburgh Castle to see the Crown Jewels of Scotland and the Stone of Destiny. The afternoon is free to explore on your own. The August 4 – 18 departures watch the spectacular Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on the Castle Esplanade.
(B)

Day 5: LAKE DISTRICT & BRITISH MUSIC EXPERIENCE
Travel through the Lake District, a region that inspired Beatrix Potter’s many children’s books. Stop in one of the many peaceful villages before continuing to Liverpool. Visit the British Music Experience to see the exhibition dedicated to the history of popular music in Britain, admire the priceless collection of music memorabilia, and enjoy a musical twist. In the evening, head to the world-famous Cavern Club to enjoy live music.
(B, L)

Day 6: TINTERN ABBEY & WELSH EVENING IN CARDIFF
Travel through scenic Shropshire, one of the most unspoiled parts of rural England. Stop in Ludlow, a quintessentially English town to see the castle and quaint old black-and-white houses. Continue through the lovely Welsh countryside to visit the picturesque ruins of Tintern Abbey close to the River Wye. Head to Cardiff and tour Cardiff Castle before enjoying a Welsh banquet with lively music and entertainment.
(B, D)

Day 7: ROMAN BATHS & STONEHENGE
Take a panoramic drive around Cardiff with a brief walk to see the principal areas and buildings. Head to Bath for a visit to the Roman Baths, hot mineral-rich springs that have been popular since ancient Roman times. Stop for lunch on your own in this historic spa town. Then marvel at the prehistoric circle of vast monoliths of Stonehenge at Salisbury Plain and learn about the primitive building methods used to create such an enduring monument. In London, the evening is free to explore and dine in one of the city’s many restaurants.
(B)

Day 8: LONDON TOUR & TOWER OF LONDON
Set out on a panoramic tour of central London to see famous landmarks including Piccadilly Circus with its statue of Eros, Nelson’s Column flanked by huge lions in Trafalgar Square, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and the Houses of Parliament. Visit the mighty Tower of London to see the many fortresses, Beefeaters in their distinctive uniforms, ravens, and the priceless Crown Jewels. The rest of the day is free for further exploring.
(B)

Day 9: INDEPENDENT SIGHTSEEING
Spend a day of independent sightseeing in London by Hop-On, Hop-Off bus tour around the many famous landmarks. There are a number of different routes to choose from including a walking tour and a cruise on the River Thames.
(B)

Day 10: TOUR ENDS IN LONDON
Your program ends after breakfast.
(B)

B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner

Authentic Local Experiences:

• Reserved seats for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on August 4 – 18 departures.
• Discover the rich history of Windsor and York on walking tours around these charming old towns.
• Visit the medieval Bamburgh Castle and enjoy views of the beach below.

Trip Highlights:

• British Music Experience

  British Music Experience

  The British Music Experience is the newest addition to Liverpool's colourful music offering, moving to its permanent home in the first-class passenger lounge of the iconic Cunard Building.
• Cardiff Castle

  Cardiff Castle

  Cardiff Castle is one of Wales’ leading heritage attractions and a site of international significance. Located within beautiful parklands at the heart of the capital, Cardiff Castle’s walls and fairytale towers conceal 2,000 years of history.
• Edinburgh Castle

  Edinburgh Castle

  The rock on which today’s castle stands has been a stronghold for over 3000 years and Edinburgh Castle has dominated its surroundings for centuries. See the 12th century St. Margaret’s Chapel, the monumental great hall of James IV, opened in 1511, the Scottish Crown Jewels and the Stone of Destiny.
• Roman Baths

  Roman Baths & Pump Room

  Around Britain’s only hot springs, the Romans built the finest religious spa in northern Europe. This great temple and bathing complex still flows with natural hot water. See extensive remains and a Roman museum of international significance as well as the 18th century Regency influence
• Stonehenge

  Stonehenge

  Stonehenge is probably the most important prehistoric monument in Britain. The circle of vast monoliths date from about 3,100 B.C. and are built from bluestone, sarson and Welsh sandstone. It is aligned with the summer solstice and is believed to have been built for lunar and solar worship.
• Tower of London

  Tower of London

  Founded in 1066 as part of the Norman Conquest of England, the tower has played an important part in English history for the past millennium. See the White Tower, dating from 1078, view the priceless Crown Jewels and learn about all the monarchs associated with the Tower.
• Windsor Castle

  Windsor Castle

  Windsor Castle is an official residence of The Queen and the largest occupied castle in the world. A Royal home and fortress for over 900 years, the Castle remains a working palace today. Walk through the many courtyards to visit the magnificent staterooms and St. George’s Chapel.

Dining Experiences:

• 9 breakfasts (B), 1 lunch (L), and 3 dinners (D), including a Scottish evening at Dalhousie Castle in Edinburgh and a festive Welsh banquet at Cardiff Castle.

Hotels:

• GB-BKS-MAC | Windsor (1)
• GB-YOR-YOM | York (1)
• GB-EDI-DAL | near Edinburgh (2)
• GB-LIV-HIL | Liverpool (1)
• GB-CDI-MAL | Cardiff (1)
• GB-LON-REG | London (3)