LONDON-STAMFORD-YORK-LEEDS Meet your Tour Director and travelling companions and depart at 8 am for a day of northbound travel. Take a break in the market town of Stamford and 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. Stop for the night near Leeds. (D)
2
LEEDS-JEDBURGH, SCOTLAND-MELROSE-EDINBURGH See a section of Hadrian's Wall, the Roman coast-to-coast defense against marauding northern tribes, then motor through wild Northumberland National Park to the Scottish border. Stop for photos at Jedburgh, with glimpses of the house of Mary, Queen of Scots, and then Melrose with its 12th-century abbey ruins and connections with Robert the Bruce. Afternoon arrival in Edinburgh. Tonight an optional Scottish evening with Highlands dancers, bagpipers, and, of course, the Ceremony of the Haggis. (B)
3
EDINBURGH A full day to enjoy this 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 0806, 0813, and 0820, 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-GRETNA GREEN-LAKE DISTRICT, ENGLAND-CHESTER-WREXHAM, WALES 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. 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." Overnight in Wrexham. (B,D)
5
WREXHAM-IRONBRIDGE, ENGLAND-STRATFORD-UPON-AVON-BROADWAY-CARDIFF, WALES Back in England, first stop this morning at Ironbridge, "Cradle of the Industrial Revolution." Later, tour fascinating Stratford-upon-Avon, a living monument to William Shakespeare, before driving through the scenic Cotswold Hills with a stop for photos in picture-book Broadway. Overnight in Cardiff, where an orientation drive introduces you to the capital's 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)
6
CARDIFF-BATH, ENGLAND-STONEHENGE-LONDON A day of memorable highlights with a visit first to the elegant Georgian city of Bath, famous for its Roman relics, before passing Stonehenge, still an intriguing mystery. Return to London around 3 pm, where your holiday ends. (B)
HOTELS: Listed below or equivalent; see also pages 150-151. Rooms with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, porterage, tips, and service charges
MEALS: Full English breakfast (B); 2 three-course dinners (D) with choice of menus
OPTIONALS: Choice of optional excursions available at reasonable prices to customise your own experience.
Meals Breakfast - 5 Lunch - 0 Dinner - 2
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.
59
GBP
Name:WELSH EVENING Location:CARDIFF Details:Dinner with wine and entertainment are included in this uniquely Welsh evening.
Optional Excursions
