2020 Great British Cities - 8 day/7 night

2020 GREAT BRITISH CITIES - 8 Days/7 Nights/11 Meals

Day 1: ARRIVAL & SCOTTISH EVENING
Tour begins at 6:30PM at your hotel near Edinburgh. Meet your tour director and fellow travelers andenjoy a lively Scottish evening with dinner and entertainment.
(B, D)

Day 2: 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 9 – 23 departures, attend the world famous Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
(B)

Day 3: 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 4: 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 5: 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 6: 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 7: 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 8: 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, theatre and dance with reserved seats for Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on August 9-23 departures.
• See Yorkshire's amazing scenery as you travel by vintage locomotive.

Dining Experiences:

• 7 breakfasts (B) and 4 dinners (D) including 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.
• 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.
• Glamis Castle
• 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.
• 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.
• York Minster

Hotels:

• GB-EDI-NHH | near Edinburgh (3 nights)
• GB-YOR-YOM | York (2 nights)
• GB-LON-DOU | London (2 nights)