Amazing Britain
Day 1 - Depart USA Overnight flight to London.
Day 2 - Arrive London After checking into your Trafalgar hotel, the remainder of your day is at leisure.
Day 3 - London — Stratford — Coventry — Wedgwood — York — Harrogate A warm welcome from our Tour Director as we drive through the rolling Cotswold Hills to Stratford-upon-Avon. Here we visit Shakespeare's birthplace and view Ann Hathaway's cottage before continuing to Coventry city, where we see the two Cathedrals — one which was bombed into a ruin during the Second World War and the other, which has risen from its ashes. We will also see the statue of Lady Godiva — said to have ridden naked through the streets of the city before continuing to Viking York. Here we will enjoy a walking tour of the city highlighting the ancient Walls, the Mansion House, the picturesque "Shambles" and the magnificent Minster. Then on to our hotel in Harrogate where we enjoy a Welcome dinner in our hotel tonight. (Continental Breakfast / Welcome Dinner)
Day 4 - Harrogate — Durham — Edinburgh (2 nights) This morning we are off to the University City of Durham, which is dominated by its 11th century Norman Cathedral, its castle (now part of the University) overlooking Palace Green and other fine buildings all located on the peninsula surrounded by the picturesque river Wear. Time to explore this small but magnificent city before driving through the Northumberland National Park to a section of Hadrian's Wall, where we can take pictures of the Roman construction. Then we cross the Scottish border at Carter Bar for spectacular views and pause to see the ruins of Jedburgh Abbey before arriving in Edinburgh, Scotland's elegant capital. (Full Breakfast)
Day 5 - Edinburgh sightseeing & at leisure Included on our morning sightseeing tour with a local guide this morning are many fascinating highlights. The Royal Mile, views of Holyrood House and Arthur's seat, Princes Street, the Scottish Parliament and a visit to Edinburgh Castle is included. You - ll have the opportunity to visit the nearby Rosslyn Chapel just south of the city" which retains an aura of mystery with its many references to the Knights Templar and Freemasonry — but more recently an important feature of the "Da Vinci Code". During the Festival we include tickets to the spectacular Edinburgh Tattoo. (Full Breakfast)
Day 6 - Edinburgh — St. Andrews — Highlands (Laggan) After breakfast today, we drive across the Forth Bridge and along the Fife coast up to the famous golf course at St Andrew's, where we stop to take a picture at the 18th hole! Then on to the Scottish Highlands and over the river Tay to visit charming Pitlochry village, famous for its salmon.Then through heather clad scenery to the Highland village of Laggan for dinner and overnight. (Full Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 7 - Scottish Highlands — Culloden — Loch Ness — Glasgow This morning we drive to the mournful scenery of Culloden Moor where Bonnie Prince Charlie was defeated by the redcoats. We visit the famous battlefield before continuing to Loch Ness — keep your eyes open for the monster! — and we stop here to take pictures at the romantic ruins of Urquhart Castle overlooking the eerie Loch. On to Fort William where we will see Ben Nevis — Britain's highest mountain — before driving on to Glencoe, site of the famous massacre by the Campbell clan over the Mcdonalds. Finally we reach the bonny banks of Loch Lomond en route to Scotland's largest city, Glasgow — once one of the most important shipbuilding cities in the world! (Full Breakfast)
Day 8 - Glasgow - Grasmere - Preston Today we will drive through the Southern Uplands past Moffat to Gretna Green. Here eloping couples married against their parents' wishes, we will stop to attend a clandestine wedding ceremony! From here we drive back into England making a stop in Grasmere, home of the poet William Wordsworth. The breathtaking scenery enthralls us on our journey to Preston for the night. (Full Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 9 - Lancashire (Lake District) — Chester — Tintern — Bristol This morning after breakfast our first stop will be in Chester where our walking tour will take in the Roman Walls, the Cathedral and the black and white Tudor arcaded buildings known as the "Rows". From here we cross into Wales and the Wye Valley to view the ruins of the 12th century Tintern Abbey. Finally we drive into Bristol under the Clifton Suspension Bridge, masterpiece of Isambard Kingdom Brunel and past his ship the SS Great Britain to our hotel. This evening we will enjoy dinner in a traditional pub. (Full Breakfast / Highlight Dinner)
Day 10 - Bristol — Bath — Stonehenge — Salisbury — London We make our way to the beautiful city of Bath this morning to enjoy views of the superb Georgian architecture and to make a visit to the Roman Baths to test the famous waters. Then we continue our journey across Salisbury Plain making a stop to visit the mysterious and imposing monoliths at Stonehenge. Then on to Salisbury where we have time to admire the Cathedral and its spire — the tallest in Britain! Finally through Wiltshire and Hampshire back to London. (Full Breakfast)
Day 11 - London — USA After breakfast this morning, time to bid farewell as we transfer to the airport for our return flight to America. (Buffet Breakfast)
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