Tour Duration: 10 days Tour Code: 90012012 Tour Type: Prices From: A$1410 [Tour Dates]
Tour Itinerary
Day
Description
1
LONDON-STRATFORD-UPON-AVON-COVENTRY-LEEDS. Meet your Tour Director and travelling companions and depart at 8 am for a memorable day of sightseeing. Head for Shakespeare's Stratford-upon-Avon to take your pictures of Anne Hathaway's Cottage, then explore the town at your own pace. After lunch, visit Coventry, whose centre had to be rebuilt after the devastation of World War II bombings, and hear the tale of Lady Godiva and Peeping Tom before admiring the splendid modern cathedral. Finally, head northwards out of the Midlands, passing the once-mighty Sherwood Forest, home of the legendary Robin Hood, to tonight's destination. (D)
2
LEEDS-YORK-JEDBURGH,SCOTLAND-EDINBURGH. In York, England's most complete medieval city, stand in awe in front of the great structure of York Minster, then follow your Tour Director through a maze of quaint streets including the narrow Shambles. Continue through wild Northumberland National Park and see a section of Hadrian's Wall, the Roman coast-to-coast defense against marauding northern tribes. Then, cross the Scottish border and at Jedburgh, glimpse the house of Mary, Queen of Scots, and see the abbey ruins. Late-afternoon arrival in Edinburgh. A suggestion for this evening: enjoy a traditional Scottish night out with Highland dancers, bagpipers, and, of course, the Ceremony of the Haggis. (B)
3
EDINBURGH. A full day to enjoy the Scottish capital. Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide introduces you to the 200-year-old "New Town" and famous scientists, inventors, and novelists. In the "Old Town," drive up the narrow Royal Mile to Edinburgh Castle to admire Scotland's Crown Jewels. Afternoon at leisure. Later, a unique optional experience: board the former Royal Yacht Britannia, which for the Queen was once the perfect royal residence for glittering state visits and family holidays. Tour five decks and see how the Royal Family and crew of 240 lived and worked on board. Dinner rounds off this optional evening. For departure numbers 0801 through 0822, tickets are included for tonight's performance of the world-renowned Military Tattoo, a vast spectacle of massed Scottish pipe bands that takes place in an arena on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle. (B)
4
EDINBURGH-ST. ANDREWS-BRAEMAR-AVIEMORE. A day of memorable sightseeing: St. Andrews, whose Royal and Ancient Golf Club has given us the rules of golfing; Braemar, home of the Royal Highland Games for over 900 years; and Royal Deeside, where the Queen is an annual visitor. Spend the night in the Highland resort of Aviemore. (B,D)
5
AVIEMORE-CULLODEN-INVERNESS-FORT WILLIAM-GLASGOW. Via the battlefield of Culloden Moor, and Inverness, the Highland capital, skirt Loch Ness as you drive to Fort William beneath Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain. Enter haunting Glen Coe, where the MacDonald Clan was massacred in 1692, pass wild Rannoch Moor and then drive along the "Bonnie Banks" of Loch Lomond to Glasgow. (B,D)
6
GLASGOW-GRETNA GREEN-LAKE DISTRICT, ENGLAND-LIVERPOOL. South through the history-steeped Lowland Hills and a visit to Gretna Green, where the blacksmith used to wed runaway couples. Drive through beautiful scenery in the Lake District, considered to be the finest of England's national parks. Visit Wordsworth's Grasmere, then follow the shores of Lake Windermere. End the day in Liverpool of Beatles fame, once the departure port of the great transatlantic liners. (B,D)
7
LIVERPOOL. NORTH WALES EXCURSION. A day dedicated to the mountainous splendor of North Wales. After a stop in pretty Betws-y-Coed, drive over spectacular Llanberis Pass and through Snowdonia National Park to Caernarvon, where the castle saw the investiture of Charles as Prince of Wales. Then, follow the coast road via the walled town of Conway back to Liverpool. You may wish to join an optional city tour this evening. (B)
8
LIVERPOOL-CHESTER-LUDLOW-CARDIFF, WALES. In Chester, the historic county town on the River Dee, your walking tour includes the Roman remains, black and white half-timbered buildings, and the two-tiered arcades called the "Rows." Pause in the pretty market town of Ludlow before heading back into Wales and Brecon Beacons National Park, land of salmon rivers and the Welsh mountain pony. Finally, through "The Valleys," whose iron ore and coal were the raw materials for the Industrial Revolution, to the Welsh capital. Here, an orientation drive introduces you to the major attractions: Cardiff Castle, Cathays Park, Millennium Stadium, and the stately civic buildings. A suggestion for tonight: why not join an evening of Welsh entertainment and dinner? (B)
9
CARDIFF-BATH, ENGLAND-GLASTONBURY-WIDECOMBE-PLYMOUTH. Leaving Wales, cross the Severn Bridge for a visit to the elegant Georgian city of Bath, famed for its Roman relics, before heading into the romantically scenic West Country and Glastonbury with its King Arthur associations. In the heart of Dartmoor National Park, visit quaint Widecombe-in-the-Moor, ghostly setting for Conan Doyle's The Hound of the Baskervilles. Finally, in Plymouth, hear about Sir Francis Drake and see the Mayflower Steps, where the Pilgrim Fathers embarked in 1620. (B,D)
10
PLYMOUTH-STONEHENGE-SALISBURY-LONDON. On the final leg of your journey, take in Thomas Hardy's Wessex; views of the intriguing prehistoric monument of Stonehenge; and Salisbury with its vast cathedral, the ultimate in Early English Gothic architecture. Return to London around 4 pm., where your holiday ends. (B)
SIGHTSEEING: Visits to Shakespeare's Stratford-upon-Avon, Coventry, Hadrian's Wall, Jedburgh, Edinburgh Castle, tickets for Edinburgh Military Tattoo (departure numbers 0801 through 0822), St. Andrews, Braemar, Culloden Moor, Inverness, Fort William, Gretna Green, Grasmere, Liverpool, Caernarvon, Ludlow, Bath, Glastonbury, Widecombe-in-the-Moor, Plymouth, Salisbury; orientation drive in Cardiff; walking tours in York, Chester
SCENIC HIGHLIGHTS: Northumberland National Park, Scottish Highlands and Lowlands, Loch Ness, Glen Coe, Loch Lomond, Lake District National Park, Lake Windermere, Snowdonia, Brecon Beacons National Park and "The Valleys," Dartmoor National Park, Stonehenge and Salisbury Plain
GUIDES: Local Guide for city sightseeing in Edinburgh; Host service in London. Professional Tour Director while touring
HOTELS: Rooms with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, porterage, tips, and service charges
MEALS: Full English breakfast (B); 5 three-course dinners (D) with choice of menus
OPTIONALS: Choice of optional excursions available at reasonable prices to customise your own experience
Meals Breakfast - 9 Lunch - 0 Dinner - 5
Optional Excursions
To help plan your leisure time, as well as your pre-tour budgeting, here is a list of optional excursions that may be offered on this tour.
Availability is subject to sufficient participation, weather conditions, seasonal suitability, group interests, and general feasibility for your tour. Please note prices may be based on the previous year and are subject to change. Full terms and conditions are contained in the important travel documents.
Cost
Description
29
GBP
Name:MORNING CITY SIGHTSEEING DAILY Location:LONDON Details:A comprehensive tour in the company of a local guide including St. Paul's Cathedral and the Changing of the Guard (if held). Note: Groups cannot visit St.Paul's on Sundays. Reduced traffic permits more sightseeing and a lower price (GBP25) applies.
39
GBP
Name:TOWER OF LONDON AND CROWN JEWELS AFTERNOONS DAILY Location:LONDON Details:Let your guide bring the 900-year-old Tower Of London to life before you inspect the fabulous Crown Jewels. Afternoons daily.
39
GBP
Name:AFTERNOON EXCURSION TO WINDSOR CASTLE DAILY Location:LONDON Details:Enjoy your guided visit to the Queen's favourite residence, the largest inhabited castle in the world. The highlight is the newly refurbished state rooms.
49
GBP
Name:BUCKINGHAM PALACE AND THE ROYAL MEWS AFTERNOONS DAILY JULY 31 TO SEPTEMBER 30 Location:LONDON Details:First a guided visit to the Royal Mews to see the magnificent gold coach, then admire over 20 grand rooms in the palace used by the Queen for state occasions.
59
GBP
Name:A TASTE OF LONDON DAILY APRIL TO OCTOBER Location:LONDON Details:Ideal for your arrival day, this guided evening excursion includes a 3-course dinner with wine and beer at a contemporary London restaurant, followed by a narrated illumination cruise on the River Thames.
140
GBP
Name:SHOWNIGHT - WICKED (FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS) Location:LONDON Details:A marvellous evening in London's theatre district starts with a gourmet dinner at The Bank restaurant in Wesminster followed by best seats at The Apollo Victoria Theatre to see the sensational London production of Wicked.
140
GBP
Name:SHOWNIGHT - BILLY ELLIOT (FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS) Location:LONDON Details:A marvellous evening in London's theatre district starts with a gourmet dinner at The Bank restaurant in Westminster followed by best seats at the Victoria Palace Theatre to see the original London staging of the inspirational musical Billy Elliot.
59
GBP
Name:SCOTTISH EVENING MAY 1 - OCTOBER 14 Location:EDINBURGH Details:No visit to Scotland's capital city would be complete without joining a Scottish evening with dinner, wine and a show featuring singers, dancers, bagpipers and the Ceremony of the Haggis.
54
GBP
Name:ROYAL YACHT BRITANNIA AND DINNER Location:EDINBURGH Details:A visit on board the Royal Yacht Britannia, now moored at Leith docks, is followed by dinner with wine and coffee at a local restaurant.
22
GBP
Name:SHEEP DOG DEMONSTRATION Location:AVIEMORE Details:Join a true native Highland shepherd as he demonstrates the work and training of boarder collies, followed by a drink in a local inn.
19
GBP
Name:EVENING CITY TOUR Location:LIVERPOOL Details:In the company of a local guide, visit the magnificent cathedral, hear about the legendary Beatles, and enjoy a drink of your choice at a historic Gin Palace.
59
GBP
Name:WELSH EVENING Location:CARDIFF Details:Dinner with wine and entertainment are included in this uniquely Welsh evening.
10
GBP
Name:HARBOUR CRUISE Location:PLYMOUTH Details:Plymouth Sound is one of the world's great natural harbours where your cruise takes you past one of the Royal Navy's important bases, with commentary by your captain.
Optional Excursions
