The England & Scotland tour will take you away to a whirlwind of sightseeing, medieval history and culture. Rolling green hills and cosy pubs are what England & Scotland are all about.
| Length: | 8 days |
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| Accommodations: | Hotel as per itinerary
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| Meals: | Dinner, Breakfast, Dinner, Breakfast as per itinerary
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| Sightseeing: | England & Scotland, including London, Bristol, York, Edinburgh, Scottish Highlands, Glasgow & Liverpool |
| Transportation: | Modern, air-conditioned coach |
Depart for EuropeJet off to the trip of a lifetime awaiting you in Europe!
Arrive LondonCheck-in to your hotel after 2pm and the remainder of the day is free to relax before meeting your fellow travellers at 6pm. After dinner take a short walk to explore nearby Covent Garden.
London to BristolMeet up with your fellow travellers and Tour Manager and jump on the coach for a look at London’s iconic buildings and UNESCO World Heritage sites in our included tour. Start your tour by learning about the Royal Family’s place of residence (Buckingham Palace), the horror tales of the Tower of London and the magnificent Westminster Abbey, where Princess Diana’s funeral service was held. You’ll also get to see the UNESCO World Heritage site of Stonehenge. Choose to get up close to the famous ring of stones and learn more about the legends surrounding them in an optional excursion. Next up: Bath and a taste of the high life. Time here means a look into the gorgeous city, complete with terraces, promenades and heritage buildings. Get the background on the city’s name and Roman past in an optional excursion to the stunning Roman Baths. Later, we pull into the up-and-coming city of Bristol for our overnight stay. This former industrial town has transformed into a cultural hub, with fantastic food, modern art and a buzzing harbourside area. Tonight, hit up one of Bristol’s many great places to eat and, relax, order yourself a pint and try out some traditional British food. Please note: Departures from October 2013 overnight in Liverpool on Day 1 instead of Bristol.
Bristol to YorkBack on the coach, take in the wild countryside of the Peak District as we head northbound to York. It’s soaked in history and English traditions. Your Tour Manager will wind back the clock and fill you in on York’s 2000-year-old history as you walk through the web of little lanes within the medieval city walls. You’ll see the impressive York Minister, the Shambles and Clifford’s Tower. For legends and folklore, opt for a night-time ghost tour that takes you through dark historic alleyways of York. Our expert Local Guide, a typical story-teller, will give you the low down on whose ghosts haunt which houses!
York to EdinburghToday we take a trip to the foot of the Pennine Mountains to view Hadrian’s Wall. North into Bonnie Scotland for a scenic drive to the vibrant city of Edinburgh. Enjoy a first glimpse of the city on our including sightseeing tour this evening. Tonight, there’s a chance to experience a hearty Scottish meal, complete with haggis and a traditional bagpiper. After dinner, round up some friends and head out into the city’s pumping nightlife. Edinburgh has so much on offer – so ask your Tour Manager for some tips on the city’s cosy pubs, basement bars and happening clubs.
EdinburghWith a free day, decide how you want to shape your Edinburgh experience and explore this living time-line. Explore the scene-stealing Edinburgh Castle, perched high up above the city on an extinct volcano, where the Scottish crown jewels and famous Stone of Destiny are housed. Retrace Scottish royalty’s footsteps and walk the Royal Mile with its jumble of medieval houses and buildings. See the Holyrood Palace, former home to Mary Queen of Scots. For a one-stop shopping spot, make the most of Princes Street. From kilts and tartans to modern labels and cashmere, this street has it all. At lunch, go local and order some traditional fish’n’chips and a deep fried chocolate bar if you’re feeling adventurous! For a relaxing afternoon, spend some time in Edinburgh’s famous Botanical Gardens. Explore the 72 acres of grounds, exotic plants and stunning glass houses.
Edinburgh to Scottish HighlandsStop by St. Andrews, Scotland’s oldest university town and the “home of golf” where you’ll see the famous course of the same name that is used in major international tournaments. Then roll on through the Scottish highlands, packed with wild mountain scenery, rugged green hills and the tales of old clans. Back on the coach, plug in your headphones, sit back and take in the dramatic scenery. We drive past turreted castles and surging rivers before stopping for the night in this spectacular spot.
Scottish Highlands to GlasgowNext up is the stuff of legends - cruise the world-famous Loch Ness this morning. Find out more as your Tour Manager fills you in on the lake’s mythical monster. We continue south past Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain, and through Glencoe before heading to Glasgow, situated on the banks of the river Clyde.
Glasgow to LiverpoolSouth through Robert Burns country, we stop at Gretna Green. Leaving Scotland behind, we travel through the spectacular scenery of England's countryside. Once in Liverpool, honour the legendary group that put the city on the map with our included Magical Mystery Tour, where our Local Guide takes the group to mythical Beatles’ sites. Tonight, why not join your new friends for dinner and later get the group together to enjoy Liverpool's nightscene? Please note: Departures from October 2013 overnight in Liverpool on Day 1, and will stay in the Lake District instead on Day 7.
Liverpool to LondonOur first stop today is the Roman town of Chester. Then it’s back to London, where we arrive at approximately 6pm.
All these highlights along with city sightseeing are included in your tour price!