England, Scotland & Wales
Overview
Highlights
- Explore Edinburgh
- Visit to the British Museum, which houses antiquities tracing the history of human culture
- Discover London and visit one of museums, including the Victoria and Albert Museum
- Visit an amazing Cheltenham
- Experience an amazing York Minster history tour
- Enjoy scenic Lake District, England's largest national park
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Attractions
Activities
Trip includes
- Accommodations for 13 nights in comfortable rooms with private baths
- 22 meals: 13 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches and 7 Dinners (including 1 Home-Hosted Dinner)
- 11 included features: 8 guided tours and 3 exclusive Discovery Series events: Home-Hosted Dinner • York Minster history tour • Lake District farm visit
- Exclusive services of a local Grand Circle Program Director (assigned to no more than 42 travelers)
- Gratuities on your main trip for local guides and motorcoach drivers
- Personal headset for all included and optional tours on your main trip
- Private motorcoach land travel
- Baggage handling for 1 piece of luggage per person, including tips
- 5% Frequent Traveler Credit toward your next Grand Circle trip—an average of $245
Itinerary
Depart from the U.S. today on your flight to London. Please refer to your individual air itinerary for exact departure and arrival times.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodations: Tower Hotel or similar
A Grand Circle representative will meet you at the airport and help you transfer to your hotel, where you'll meet your Program Director and your fellow travelers, including those who took our London, E...
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Tower Hotel or similar
Begin your England tour with an introduction to London's major landmarks, including Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, on a panoramic tour this morning.
Then enjoy the rest of the day, inc...
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodations: Cheltenham Park Hotel or similar
After breakfast this morning, depart London for Oxford, whose university has educated some of the world's most prominent scholars and statesmen.
Set off a walking tour th...
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodations: Cheltenham Park Hotel or similar
Today's discoveries begin at Bath, where an included tour features a visit to the Roman baths. Bath is named for the springs that well up in this city, producing about 500,000 g...
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodations: Celtic Royal Hotel or similar
After an early breakfast, travel to the the Snowdonia region of Wales—stopping en route in the small town of Llangollen in Northern Wales for lunch on your own.
The principa...
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Celtic Royal Hotel or similar
Spend the day exploring Snowdonia on your own.
Or, join an optional tour that includes a steam train ride on the Ffestiniog Railway from the coast of Porthmadog into the mountains at B...
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodations: Park Inn York Hotel or similar
After breakfast, depart Wales for York via Chester. Upon your arrival in Chester, enjoy a short walking tour of this ancient English town with Roman roots and a well-preserved med...
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Park Inn York Hotel or similar
After breakfast, walk through the medieval city to the magnificent York Minster for an exclusive Discovery Series event with a local guide, who will highlight the history of the cathedral, t...
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Park Inn York Hotel or similar
Today is yours to explore at your own pace.
Or, join us for an optional tour to Whitby and Castle Howard. After crossing the heather-clad North York Moors National Park, you'll arrive...
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodations: North Lakes Hotel or similar
This morning, depart for the scenic Lake District, England's largest national park and home to 16 major lakes. Set amidst the most mountainous region of England, it has been ...
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodations: Hilton Edinburgh Carlton or similar
Today, set off along the road to Edinburgh, enjoying an included lunch along the way. During your drive, you'll pass through Gretna Green, Scotland's southernmost town that wa...
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Hilton Edinburgh Carlton or similar
After breakfast, enjoy a panoramic tour of Scotland's capital, Edinburgh, the historic center of Scottish culture, commerce, and education. You'll see the unique atmosphere and architec...
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodations: Hilton Edinburgh Carlton or similar
Enjoy a full day to make your own discoveries.
Or, join our optional Royal Scotland tour, where you’ll follow in the footsteps of British monarchs. Begin with a visit ...
Meals: Breakfast
Return home today, or continue your guided tour of Scotland with our optional Scottish Highlands extension.
Want a tailor-made trip instead?
Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:
- You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
- Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Dates & Availability
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Grand Circle Travel.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
Grand Circle Travel Reviews & Ratings
Other Grand Circle Travel Reviews
value and service outstanding
I've traveled with this company 4 times and find the value and service outstanding. If you are on a slim budget try the " last minute" opportunities. We got an inc...
each one has been wonderful
Have taken 12 trips overseas with this company and each one has been wonderful.
Excellent service
Excellent service on ship, considerate of their clients, wonderful discovery trips.
Tour Operator
Grand Circle Travel offers distinctive international vacations for older Americans. Established in 1958 by Ethel Andrus, educator and founder of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), we view world travel as a powerful lever for lifelong learning. We make it accessible through trips that deliver unmatched discoveries, leisurely pacing, more travel choices, and comprehensive value.
Our values are the foundation upon which our company is built. They are what our beliefs and actions are derived from. Our values shape our decisions, give direction to our growth, and allow us to measure our progress.
Teamwork: We believe in groups of people who work together to create excellent results, solve difficult problems, support each other personally and professionally, and recognize their success. In a fast-paced and rapidly changing environment each member of the team is critical for success. Empowered teams are committed to taking the necessary actions to ensure that the team will reach its goals. Every member must be fully accountable for the team’s and one’s own personal results.
Thriving in Change: In these times of rapid change, global competition, and high volatility in the travel industry, we must be prepared to change course and move forward. Being well organized may sometimes be less important than moving quickly. The goal is for each of us to maximize our effectiveness, and ultimately our success, in an unpredictable and ever-changing environment.
Quality: Our decisions must be made and actions taken in accordance with high standards of quality and service. Quality can be subjective, and in our business quality often involves a compromise between speed and perfection. When the level of quality required is in question, we will operate to the high standards expected by our customers. Excellence in our quality will continually enhance our repeat business and ultimately our financial performance.
Associations
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Logistics
Accommodation
Tower Hotel
London, England Rating: First Class
The First-Class Tower Hotel is situated on the River Thames, right in the heart of London and within walking distance of the iconic Tower Bridge and the Tower of London. Amenities include access to a gym, restaurant, and lounge. Each room features coffee- and tea-making facilities, a TV, complimentary toiletries, and private bath.
Cheltenham Park Hotel
Cotswolds, England Rating: First Class
Set amid verdant, landscaped grounds in the heart of the picturesque Cotswolds area, the First-Class Cheltenham Park Hotel is located less than two miles from Cheltenham’s city center. Hotel amenities include a restaurant, bar, and health club with indoor swimming pool, sauna, and gym. Each room features a TV, telephone, wireless Internet access, trouser press, and private bath with hair dryer.
Celtic Royal Hotel
Snowdonia, Wales Rating: Superior Tourist Class
Set in an 18th-century building, the Superior Tourist-Class Celtic Royal Hotel is just a few minutes’ walk from historic Caernarfon Castle, the site where, in 1969, Charles officially became the Prince of Wales. Amenities include a fully equipped gym, indoor pool, and sauna/steam room. Your room features a telephone, TV, and private bath with shower and hair dryer.
Park Inn York Hotel
York, England Rating: First Class
Centrally located near many of the city’s iconic landmarks—including the York Mansion House, York Dungeon, and York Minster—the First-Class Park Inn York Hotel offers a restaurant, bar, and health club. Your air-conditioned room is equipped with a TV, Internet access, coffee- and tea-making facilities, safe, and private bath.
North Lakes Hotel
Lake District, England Rating: First Class
The First-Class North Lakes Hotel offers complimentary mineral water and a free newspaper when you stay in one of its 84 rooms. Each room features a private bath, coffee- and tea-making facilities, telephone, and satellite TV. Conveniently located on the edge of the Lake District, you’ll be surrounded by picturesque scenery.
Hilton Edinburgh Carlton
Edinburgh, Scotland Rating: First Class
The First-Class Hilton Edinburgh Carlton Hotel is within walking distance of many of Edinburgh’s most famous historic sites, including Edinburgh Castle and Princes Street. Hotel amenities include a restaurant, bar, and health club featuring a swimming pool, sauna, and gym. Each room features a TV, wireless Internet access, and private bath with hair dryer.
Please note: Select departures feature similar accommodations
If you need to cancel your trip for any reason, please call us as soon as possible, and follow up in writing. You are also required to return any airline tickets that may have been issued to you. Cancellation refunds will be calculated as of the date we receive your written cancellation. We will issue your refund in the manner in which we received your payment. If you paid your deposit by credit card and your balance by check, your refund will be divided accordingly. Refunds are generated manually by our accounting department to ensure accuracy. Please allow for a 30-day processing period before receiving your refund
Cancellation Charges for Land Tours
Prior to departure and Charge
90 days or more will be charged $300
89-60 days will be 10% of selling price or $300—whichever is greater
59-30 days is of 65% of selling price
29 days–departure is of 100% of selling price
13 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches and 7 Dinners
While we specialize in vacations for travellers over 50, you can bring children aged 13 and older on Grand Circle trips. Please note, however, that our land-based programs often include lengthy motor coach sightseeing tours that may not be enjoyable for younger travellers.
England, Scotland & Wales provides an amazing Post- Extensions tours, see below for the details.
Scottish Highlands: 4 nights from: $1095 Single Supplement: FREE
Extend your experience in Scotland by ending your sojourn with our four-night post-trip extension in the picturesque Scottish Highlands and its capital city of Inverness.
It's Included:
- Accommodations for 4 nights
- 5 meals: 4 breakfasts and 1 dinner
- 1 included tour: Isle of Skye
- Exclusive services of a Grand Circle Program Director
- Gratuities for local guides and motorcoach drivers on your extension and all optional tours
- All transfers
Physical Requirements:
Walk 3 miles unassisted and participate in 3.5 hours of physical activities daily, including stairs
Not accessible for travelers using wheelchairs or scooters
Travelers using walkers, crutches, or other mobility aids must travel with a companion who can assist them
Program Directors reserve the right to modify participation or send travelers home if their limitations impact the group’s experience
Climate
Daytime temperatures range from 46-73°F during touring season
June-August are the warmest months
February, March, and November weather can be unpredictable and change quickly
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