Best of Britain

Tour Highlights

A 11 Days Tour to explore the many contrasts of England , Scotland and Wales: Through 3 capital cities enjoy the classic Big Ben and Buckingham Palace , Cardiff , Edinburgh Castle , the Abbey ruins and Roman Baths , the scenic Scottish Highlands and Isle of Skye... Britain at its very best!

Day 1 - London Stonehenge Salisbury Plymouth (2 nights)

Greetings this morning from your Tour Director as you travel to Salisbury Plain to visit the ancient monoliths at Stonehenge . Stop in Salisbury to see the Cathedral with the tallest spire in Britain. Drive through Thomas Hardy country and pass Dartmoor to reach Plymouth. After check-in this evening enjoy a Welcome Drink and dinner with your Tour Director and fellow travel companions. (Dinner)

Hotel: Jurys Inn (F)

Day 2 - Cornish Excursion

First an orientation of the city shows you the Mayflower steps, where the Pilgrim Fathers set off for the New World. Then stop at the citadel overlooking Plymouth Sound. Perhaps take a cruise around the historical harbour before making your way across the River Tamar and down the Cornish peninsula to the famous artists' colony of St. Ives , filled with galleries and charming houses. There's also the chance to photograph St. Michael's Mount near Penzance. Enjoy beautiful Cornish scenery before returning to the hotel. This evening you are taken for a short drive to an organic farm for a special 'Be My Guest' dining experience. (Full Breakfast / Be My Guest dinner)

Day 3 - Plymouth Glastonbury Wells Bath Cardiff

Today make your way to Glastonbury where you will visit the Abbey ruins to see the legendary site of King Arthur's tomb. Then on through Wells with its majestic Cathedral to Bath , where sightseeing includes a visit to the Roman Baths as well as a drive through the city to admire its Georgian architecture. Next cross the Severn Bridge into Wales and your hotel in the capital, Cardiff . (Full Breakfast)

Hotel: Park Inn City Centre (SF)

Day 4 - Cardiff Tintern Liverpool

Enjoy a scenic drive along the beautiful Wye Valley, stopping to view the ruins of Tintern Abbey. Then on through Hereford and the unsung beauty of the Welsh Marches to the Tudor market town of Ludlow in Shropshire. Next stop is Chester where your Tour Director takes you on a walking tour which includes the Roman Walls, the Cathedral and the famous 'Chester Rows'. Then drive on to your hotel in Liverpool , once home to the Beatles and port of embarkation for emigrants seeking a better life in the New World. You will see Liverpool's famous skyline, including the fourth largest Cathedral in the world. (Full Breakfast)

Hotel: Jurys Inn (F)

Day 5 - liverpool Lake District Glasgow

A day of glorious scenery as you travel through Lancashire to the beauty of the Lake District. Drive along the shores of England's largest lake, Windermere, and through countryside that inspired Wordsworth before reaching Grasmere where he is buried. Continue north to Scotland and Gretna Green where eloping couples married in secret against their parents' wishes. Then through the Borders to the great city of Glasgow. Before checking into your hotel enjoy a Highlight Dinner of Scottish fare in a typical local restaurant. (Full Breakfast / Highlight Dinner)

Hotel: Jurys Inn (F)

Day 6 - Glasgow Glencoe Scottish Highlands (2 nights)

First enjoy an orientation tour of the city taking in the Cathedral , George Square and the River Clyde, former heart of the shipbuilding industry. Then travel along the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond , immortalised in the well known Scottish song. Enjoy magnificent scenery as you make your way to Glencoe through the tragic 'Valley of the Weeping' - site of the 1692 massacre. Afterwards stop at the Commando Memorial for breathtaking views of Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis, before continuing to your hotel where you will dine tonight. (Full Breakfast / Dinner)

Hotel: Highlander/Macdonalds Highland Resort (F)

Day 7 - Highlands and Skye Excursion

Your day begins with a stop at Culloden Moor where Bonnie Prince Charlie was defeated by Cumberland, so ending the hopes of a Stuart monarchy. Drive along the shores of Loch Ness stopping for pictures to see if you can spot 'Nessie'! Then 'over the sea to Skye,' the largest and most northerly island in the Inner Herbrides. Here you will have time for lunch and a short drive before returning to your hotel. (Full Breakfast / Dinner)

Day 8 - Scottish Highlands Balmoral St. Andrews - Edinburgh (2 nights)

Start your day with a drive to visit Balmoral Castle, the Queen's highland home. Also visit nearby Crathie Church where Princess Anne was married. Continue your journey through Braemar, host of the Royal Highland Games, to the historic town of St. Andrews. This is known as the home of golf and also has the oldest university in Scotland. Stop to photograph the 18th hole of the Old Course. Finally cross the splendid Forth Bridge to Scotland's capital Edinburgh for two nights. During the Edinburgh Festival, tickets to the Edinburgh Tattoo in the Castle grounds are included.

Note: When Balmoral Castle is closed, you will visit Glamis Castle, the childhood home of the late Queen Mother.

(Full Breakfast)

Hotel: Marriott (SF)/Holiday Inn (F)

Day 9 - Edinburgh sightseeing and at leisure

Your guided tour includes a visit of Edinburgh Castle perched high above the city on the 'Crag and Tail' on which is located the Royal Mile. Further on see elegant Holyrood House in the shadow of Arthur's Seat and the new Scottish Parliament building. Then drive the streets of the New Town with its elegant Georgian architecture. Tonight, why not enjoy an optional night out including haggis, whisky and bagpipes. (Full Breakfast)

Day 10 - Edinburgh York

This morning see the ruins of Jedburgh Abbey and cross the border at Carter Bar. Continue through the magnificent scenery of the Northumberland National Park and see part of Hadrian's Wall - built to keep the Picts out of the Empire! Then on to Viking York where you will enjoy an orientation tour and see the Mansion House, the old walls, the Shambles as well as the awe-inspiring Minster . This evening enjoy a Farewell Dinner together. (Full Breakfast / Farewell Dinner)

Hotel: Holiday Inn (F)

Day 11 - York Sherwood Forest Stratford Oxford London

First pass by Sherwood Forest associated with the legendary Robin Hood. Then arrive in Stratford-upon-Avon where you visit Shakespeare's birthplace and see Anne Hathaway's thatched cottage ! William Shakespeare is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and produced around 38 plays and 154 sonnets. Drive through the rolling Cotswold Hills via Blenheim to Oxford known as the city of dreaming spires. Enjoy a walking orientation tour through the city which includes a guided visit to one of the Oxford colleges. Later return to London where your tour comes to an end. (Full Breakfast)

Optional Extras

• Pre or post tour accommodation in London.

Prices

Dates and Rates

Departs London Saturdays and Sundays throughout summer 2010.

Tour Itinerary

• Prices are per person land only based on 2 people sharing a twin room.
• Please ask for flight quotes from your preferred airport of departure.
• Please ask for pricing in other currencies.

What's Included

• First Class hotel accommodation includes twin-bedded rooms with private facilities.

• All hotel service charges and tips, baggage handling fees and local taxes included.
• The services of a professional Tour Director.

• The services of a Travel Representative if you stay in London hotel.

• A qualified local city guide in Edinburgh.

• Tickets are included for the world-famous Tattoo during the Edinburgh Festival.

• A stylish wallet, tour documents and map book journal.

• 17 meals in total (see day-by-day itinerary: 10 full English breakfasts on tour, Afternoon tea in Devon, 4 three-course dinners, local highlight restaurant dinner with wine in Glasgow, farewell Dinner with wine in York .

• Touring by luxury air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and a washroom onboard.
• A stylish wallet, travel documents and Welcome on Tour book with map.

Images

Map