Duration: 7 Days
On this Escape, visit the must-see landmarks and experience the culture of Britain without the crowds—and even better—without the high-season prices. It’s the perfect, concise Britain escorted tour that offers you the unforgettable sights of this great land! Have your camera ready to capture all the magnificent experiences as you travel from London to Edinburgh. History buffs will delight in seeing mysterious, prehistoric Stonehenge (just imagine how those stones got there!); the Roman Baths in Bath, constructed around 70 AD and today one of the best-preserved Roman remains in the world; Liverpool, once a great Victorian city and Atlantic seaport, and renowned birthplace of the Beatles; and Edinburgh, home to many Scottish monarchs, including Queen Margaret, who died here in 1093.
Literary fans will enjoy visiting Shakespeare’s birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon, and Grasmere, home to William Wordsworth. But that’s not all…a London Guide will show you all the city’s famous landmarks, from Buckingham Palace to the Prime Minister’s Downing Street and Westminster Abbey; and in Edinburgh, you’ll tour the castle and see Scotland’s Crown Jewels. From the historical sights to the beautiful scenery to the special experiences, this guided tour of England and Scotland is a great way to sample everything Britain has to offer at a price that screams, “Let’s go!”
Welcome to London! Tonight, meet your Tour Director and travelling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)
ON THE TOWN IN LONDON
LONDON Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide includes the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall, Prime Minister's Downing Street residence, Buckingham Palace, and a visit to St. Paul's Cathedral. Free time this afternoon. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SITES England's national treasure of St. Paul's Cathedral is home to a spectacular array of art from delicate carvings to gilded dome murals and modern works of art. As the seat of the Bishop of London, the cathedral serves as the mother church of the Diocese of London, where notable remembrances have been served here, including Queen Victoria's jubilee, birthdays of Queen Elizabeth II, and funerals of luminaries like Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher.
ANCIENT STONES & SPA DAYS
STONEHENGE Guided visit.
BATH Visit the excavations of the Roman Baths. (B,D) 136 mi / 219 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURAL GEMS The traditions of one ancient Roman ritual are in full flow in Bath. Amid the remarkable Roman and Georgian architecture and the best-preserved Roman Baths of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, a good spa day is never hard to find in one of the 'Best Spa Towns in Europe.' The city of Bath sits above geothermal springs that bubble up from the limestone below. Bath also turns up the heat with some of Britain's grandest Georgian buildings, a mecca for elite 18th-century society.
THE GREAT BARD & THE FAB FOUR
STRATFORD-UPON-AVON Visit Shakespeare's Birthplace.
LIVERPOOL Free time this afternoon. (B) 222 mi / 357 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SPOT If 'the play's the thing' then this is the place where the world's greatest playwright's story began. Experience the humble beginnings of the boy called Will Shakespeare and visit the house where he spent his childhood and his early years. See the artefacts such as a 400-year-old pair of gloves and a book of Shakespeare's complete works, and wander through the beautiful garden.
SECRET WEDDINGS & GINGERBREAD
LAKE DISTRICT Scenic drive through the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
GRASMERE Visit Wordsworth's beloved village. Globus Local Favourite Sample the original Grasmere gingerbread.
GRETNA GREEN See where the blacksmith would wed runaway couples.
EDINBURGH Free time this evening. (B) 239 mi / 384 km
LOCAL FAVOURITE
TIMELESS TRADITIONS Sweeten the day with classic Grasmere gingerbread and hear the story of Sarah Nelson, the Victorian cook who invented the world famous cross between cake and biscuit in 1854.
CROWN JEWELS & CASTLE VIEWS
EDINBURGH Morning city sightseeing with a Local Guide includes the New Town, Old Town, and a visit to Edinburgh Castle to see Scottland's Crown Jewels. Free time this afternoon before a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SPOT Ascend to Castle Rock to explore Edinburgh Castle, one of the most important historical strongholds in the Kingdom of Scotland, with an 11,000-year history as "the most besieged place in Great Britain." Here, you'll find the royal regalia and Scotland's Crown Jewels.
SAFE TRAVELS UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN!
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
