2020 Highlights of Britain - 15 day/14 night

2020 HIGHLIGHTS OF BRITAIN - 15 DAYS / 14 NIGHTS / 24 MEALS

Day 1: LONDON ARRIVAL & WINDSOR CASTLE
Tour begins at 2:00 PM in your hotel. Visit Windsor Castle, residence of the Queen and the largest inhabited castle in the world. Enjoy a welcome drink with your group before dinner. Then take a brief walk around the compact and historic town of Windsor with a local guide.
(D)

Day 2: STONEHENGE & SALISBURY
Marvel at the prehistoric circle of vast monoliths of Stonehenge and learn about the primitive builders who managed to create such an enduring monument. Stop in Salisbury, a charming old city where the cathedral boasts the tallest spire in England. Arrive in Tavistock, a market town on the edge of Dartmoor National Park
(B, D)

Day 3: LANHYDROCK HOUSE & PLYMOUTH
Travel through Bodmin Moor, an area of unspoiled natural beauty, stopping for photos at Jamaica Inn, made famous by Daphne du Maurier's tale of daring smugglers. Explore Lanhydrock House, a late-Victorian country house with grand rooms and servants’ quarters. In Plymouth, see the Mayflower Steps and take a cruise from the Barbican before enjoying a free evening.
(B)

Day 4: ST MICHAEL’S MOUNT & ST IVES
Visit the coastal village of Marazion to see the majestic outline of St Michael’s Mount, an important pilgrimage destination. In St. Ives, enjoy a walking tour of the main sights and admire the array of beautiful sandy beaches surrounding the town. Enjoy some free time before returning to your hotel in Tavistock.
(B, D)

Day 5: ROMAN BATHS & CARDIFF CASTLE
Explore Bath, popular for over 2,000 years for its natural hot springs. Tour the wonderfully preserved Roman Baths. Head to Cardiff for a sightseeing tour around the city center. Tour Cardiff Castle before sitting down to a Welsh banquet with dinner and lively entertainment.
(B, D)

Day 6: HAY-ON-WYE & SHREWSBURY
Travel through the Brecon Beacons National Park to Hay-on-Wye, a town famous for books. Continue to Shrewsbury, a picturesque town near the English/Welsh border. Take a walking tour with the town crier to see black-and-white buildings that line the narrow streets. Travel through Cheshire to your hotel in Chester.
(B, D)

Day 7: NORTH WALES & CHESTER
Drive through the town of Llangollen and across the Horseshoe Pass for wonderful vistas. Visit a farm to see trained dogs herding sheep and travel to Conwy, a medieval town dominated by a huge castle. Enjoy a walking tour around the picturesque streets and see the smallest house in Britain, followed by free time for lunch on your own. In Chester, take another walking tour to see medieval buildings and Roman walls.
(B, D)

Day 8: LAKE DISTRICT & SCOTTISH EVENING
Travel through the glorious Lake District, which inspired many of Beatrix Potter’s children’s books. Visit the village of Grasmere, where Wordsworth lived and is buried. Stop at the Famous Blacksmiths Shop in Gretna Green, a popular shopping venue for quality Scottish goods. At your hotel, enjoy a lively Scottish evening with dinner and entertainment.
(B, D)

Day 9: EDINBURGH CASTLE & CITY TOUR
Explore central Edinburgh starting in the 200-year-old “New Town” with planned streets and elegant Georgian houses where many famous writers and inventors lived. See the Royal Mile with its narrow medieval houses, then tour Edinburgh Castle to see the Crown Jewels of Scotland and the Stone of Destiny. The rest of the day is free for you to explore. On August 2 – 16 departures, attend the world famous Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
(B)

Day 10: GLAMIS CASTLE & ST ANDREWS
Tour Glamis Castle, the legendary setting of Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” and childhood home of the Queen Mother. Cross the modern Tay Bridge to the medieval town of St Andrews, the “Home of Golf.” Enjoy panoramic tour and spend some free time browsing on your own. Back in Edinburgh, head to a nearby pub for dinner with your group.
(B, D)

Day 11: ABBOTSFORD HOUSE & YORK MINSTER
Visit Abbotsford House, the rambling and picturesque former home of Sir Walter Scott, the internationally famed 19th-century novelist; he was one of Scotland’s greatest historic characters and played a large role in the modern popularity of tartan. Head to York – an ancient, historic city founded by the Romans, rich in medieval and Georgian architecture. Visit York Minster, built in the 13th century; this beautiful Gothic cathedral is the largest medieval church in Northern Europe.
(B, D)

Day 12: HISTORIC TRAIN RIDE & CASTLE HOWARD
Head to Goathland Station, which served as Hogsmeade Station in the "Harry Potter" series, and travel on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway by vintage locomotive. In Whitby, your tour director will take you on a stroll around the picturesque harbor, winding streets, and quaint buildings. Tour the elaborate chambers of Castle Howard, an imposing 18th century mansion where “Brideshead Revisited” was filmed.
(B, D)

Day 13: SHAKESPEARE’S BIRTHPLACE & LONDON
Travel to Stratford-upon-Avon and Shakespeare’s Birthplace. Discover the world that shaped the man as you look through an exhibition about his life and work, and take in a short performance to see his words come to life. Drive through the scenic Cotswolds region, renowned for picturesque villages built of honey-colored stone with charming gardens. Arrive in London and enjoy free time in the evening.
(B)

Day 14: TOWER OF LONDON & CITY SIGHTSEEING
Take a panoramic London tour with a local guied to see some of the famous landmarks including Piccadilly Circus, Nelson’s Column 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 elaborate uniforms, and the dazzling Crown Jewels. The afternoon and evening are free for independent activities.
(B)

Day 15: TOUR ENDS IN LONDON
Your tour ends after breakfast.
(B)

B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner

All components of this tour (hotels, visits and attractions) for 2020 itineraries are subject to change until finalized in September 2019.

Authentic Local Experiences:

• Expect an unforgettable evening of music, ceremony, theater, and dance with reserved seats for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on August 2-16 departures.
• Discover the charm of Cornwall’s old port town of St Ives, a picturesque haven for art lovers.
• Visit St Michael’s Mount – a little island crowned by a medieval church and a castle that looks straight out of a fairytale.

Dining Experiences:

• 14 breakfasts (B) and 10 dinners (D) including a welcome dinner in Windsor, a traditional Welsh banquet in Cardiff Castle on most departures, AN a festive Scottish evening in Edinburgh.

Trip Highlights:

• Castle Howard

  Castle Howard

  Home to the Howard family for over 300 years, Castle Howard is a magnificent 18th century residence set within 1,000 acres of breathtaking landscape in the Howardian Hills. Enjoy world-renowned collections, stunning architecture, fascinating tours and inspiring stories.
• Lanhydrock House

  Lanhydrock House

  Tour this magnificent late Victorian country house with gardens to discover two sides of Victorian life: 'below stairs' in the kitchens, nurseries and servants' quarters to the luxurious family areas, elegant dining room and spacious bedrooms ‘upstairs’ living.
• North Yorkshire Steam Vintage Train

  North Yorkshire Steam Vintage Train

  The North Yorkshire Moors Railway provides some 18 miles of preserved steam railway running through the spectacular scenery of the North Yorkshire Moors.
• Roman Baths & Pump Room

  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
• Shakespeare’s Birthplace

  Shakespeare’s Birthplace

  This carefully restored 16th century half-timbered house in Stratford-upon-Avon is where William Shakespeare was born in 1564 and spent his childhood years. See an exhibition on Shakespeare and his times before walking through the house, now restored to look at it would have been in his day.
• 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.
• St Andrews

  St Andrews

  Golf has been played on the Links at St Andrews since around 1400 AD and the Old Course is renowned throughout the world as the Home of Golf. By the 19th century it was part of the way of life for many local people and golf. Golf still plays a major part in the culture and economy of St Andrews today.
• 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.
• York Minster

Hotels:

• GB-BKS-CASl | Windsor (1 night)
• GB-TAV-BED | Tavistock (3 nights)
• GB-CDI-MHH | Cardiff (1 night)
• GB-CHT-DOU | Chester (2 nights)
• GB-EDI-NHH | near Edinburgh (3 nights)
• GB-YOR-YOM | York (2 nights)
• GB-LON-DOU | London (2 nights)