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14 days Best of Britain



Travel to the Scottish Highlands, exploring rugged Dartmoor, the idyllic Lake District and Tudor Chester. Take a ferry to the Isle of Skye and contemplate battles fought on Culloden.

Day Location Description
1 Arrive London (2 Nights) London's vibrant city streets are your launchpad to an epic journey through the iconic sights of Britain. Embrace the pomp and ceremony of this multicultural capital, exploring the treasures of its former Empire in museums, rambling through its picturesque Royal Parks or admiring the centuries-old façades that line its grand boulevards and hidden lanes. Hotel Park Plaza Riverbank
2 London Sightseeing and Free time Join a Local Specialist today for a tour of the city's iconic sights. See Big Ben, the imposing Houses of Parliament on the banks of the Thames and Buckingham Palace, the official UK residence of the UK's sovereigns since the mid-19th century. The rest of the day is yours to explore the fascinating melting pot that is London - an effortless mix of old-world charm and modern sophistication. Meals Full Breakfast
3 London – Stonehenge – Bath – Exeter (2 Nights) Meet your Travel Director and commence your journey through the rolling green and golden landscapes of rural Wiltshire to Salisbury Plain. We tread in the footsteps of druids and pagans at Stonehenge, before travelling to UNESCO-listed Bath with its elegant Georgian façades and the centuries-old Roman Baths. Our home for the next two nights is the historic cathedral city of Exeter, where we will enjoy a memorable Welcome Reception this evening at our hotel Hotel Mercure Southgate Meals Full Breakfast Welcome Reception
4 Exeter – Excursion to Plymouth, Polperro, Dartmoor and Buckfast Abbey Our first stop today is in the ancient port city of Plymouth where you'll delve into the history of the brave Pilgrim Fathers who set sail for an unknown New World from its shores. See the Royal Citadel overlooking Plymouth Sound and consider taking an optional cruise around the dramatic coastline. We take a step back in time at our next stop, the quaint fishing village and artists' retreat of Polperro, set within a picturesque harbour. Journeying along the brooding moorland of Dartmoor, we arrive at Buckfast Abbey for a Cultural Insight into how Benedictine monks have lived and prayed for nearly 1,000 years. Meals Full Breakfast
5 Exeter – Glastonbury – Cardiff Enjoy a picturesque drive through the pretty Devon and Somerset countryside to mystical Glastonbury where we'll visit the ruined Abbey, said to be the final resting place of King Arthur. Later, we 'Connect With Locals', joining the Dyer family on their 15th-century dairy farm in Somerset for a Be My Guest lunch. We journey to Cardiff, the capital of Wales, where we'll explore the proud heritage of the Welsh and modern icons, including the Principality Stadium during an orientation tour. Meal(s) Full Breakfast Lunch Hotel Park Inn City Centre
6 Cardiff – Ludlow – Chester – Liverpool Tudor history is explored this morning as we visit the historic towns of Ludlow and Chester with their characteristic black and white half-timbered buildings. Join your Travel Director for an orientation walk past these famous Tudor Rows and enjoy views of Chester's medieval city walls and red sandstone Cathedral. The haunt of the 'Fab Four' is our final stop today. Join a Local Specialist to gain insight into Liverpool's Beatles' history and enjoy an evening at leisure in one of Britain's edgiest cities. Hotel Jurys Inn Meals Full Breakfast
7 Liverpool – Lake District – Glasgow Rolling Lancashire pastures give way to the breathtaking Lake District, whose beautiful scenery has inspired poets and writers for centuries. We travel along the shores of Lake Windermere, the largest lake in England to Grasmere, where William Wordsworth was laid to rest at St. Oswald's Church. Standing at the threshold of the 'Marriage Anvil' in Gretna Green, we see where many an eloping couple has tied the knot. We arrive in Glasgow later for an orientation tour including views of the Cathedral, magnificent George Square and the River Clyde, the former heart of the shipbuilding industry. Warm Scottish hospitality and hearty flavours are ours to enjoy this evening during a Regional Meal in a local restaurant. Hotel Crowne Plaza/Holiday Inn City Centre Theatreland Meals Full Breakfast Regional Meal
8 Glasgow – Glencoe – Fort William – Scottish Highlands (2 Nights) Journey along Loch Lomond whose bonnie banks were immortalised in the well-known Scottish song. We arrive in the Glencoe and remember the MacDonald clansmen who died tragically in the 1692 massacre that led this place to be dubbed the 'Glen of Weeping'. At the World War II Commando Memorial near Fort William, see breathtaking views of Britain's highest mountain Ben Nevis, Tonight, we stay at one of Trafalgar's 'Stays With Stories' - Laggan Gaskmore Hotel, located within Cairngorm National Park in the Scottish Highlands. Hotel Laggan Gaskmore / Carrbridge Meals Full Breakfast Dinner
9 Isle of Skye, Culloden and Scenic Highland Excursion We travel to the coast this morning, boarding a ferry over the sea to the Isle of Skye. Against the backdrop of violet-hued, heather-clad mountains, we stop at the ancient settlement of Kyleakin. Later, we cross the road bridge to view scenic Eilean Donan Castle on the mainland. Travel through the Scottish Highlands past its picturesque lochs and glens, keeping your camera at the ready to capture 'Nessie' if you can. Pass Culloden battlefield on the way back to your Highland hotel. Meals Full Breakfast Dinner
10 Scottish Highlands – Pitlochry – St. Andrews – Edinburgh (2 Nights) Heading back to the lowlands of Scotland, we stop in the picturesque village of Pitlochry before heading to the historic home of golf, St. Andrews, where the first games were played during the 1400s. See its famous 18th hole before crossing the Firth of Forth to Scotland's enchanting capital, Edinburgh. Tickets to see the Edinburgh Tattoo are included on departures that coincide with performance dates from 2nd to 24th August 2019. Hotel Leonardo Royal Haymarket/Holiday Inn Meals Full Breakfast
11 Edinburgh Sightseeing Ramble up the Royal Mile today and see the iconic sights of one of Britain's most enchanting cities. Views of the elegant Palace of Holyroodhouse, in the shadow of Arthur's Seat, and the Scottish Parliament feature on your sightseeing tour with a Local Specialist. Visit Edinburgh Castle perched atop Castle Rock overlooking the city. Admire the elegant Georgian architecture in the New Town and amble through the hidden passages of the Old Town before enjoying an evening at leisure. Consider an Optional Experience including traditional song, dance and Scottish fare. Meals Full Breakfast
12 Edinburgh – Alnwick – York We travel to the medieval market town of Alnwick this morning, where we'll see the impressive castle home to the Duke of Northumberland and the Tenantry Column, upon which the Percy Lion sits and surveys the town. Journey through Northumberland to the cathedral city of York. We'll embark an orientation walk past its cobblestone Shambles and see the inspiring Minster with its 'heart of Yorkshire' before joining our newfound friends for a Farewell Dinner. Meal(s) Full Breakfast Farewell Dinner Hotel Novotel Centre
13 York – Stratford-upon-Avon – London hakespeare's legacy and life are celebrated in his hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon, which we will have an opportunity to visit today on our return to London. See Anne Hathaway's thatched cottage and visit Shakespeare's Birthplace and Visitor Centre. Later, we travel back to London for our final night at leisure. Meal(s) Full Breakfast Hotel Park Plaza Riverbank
14 Depart London Say a fond farewell to London and your newfound friends at the end of an unforgettable journey. Meals Full Breakfast