England and Scotland Heritage - Preview 2017

1. ARRIVE LONDON (2 NIGHTS) Welcome to London. After checking in to your hotel the rest of your day is free to explore this magical city. Hotel Ibis Earls Court 2. LONDON FREE TIME Today is yours to explore the sights of London, one of the most fascinating and exciting cities in the world! Perhaps visit Harrods or one of the many incredible museums the city has to offer. Meal(s) Full Breakfast 3. LONDON – WINDSOR – BATH – GLOUCESTER This morning meet your Travel Director and traveling companions to board your Trafalgar coach and set off from London. Visit Windsor and view the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world. In the city of Bath, where two of Jane Austen's novels were set, admire the Georgian architecture and enjoy free time to shop or visit the Roman Baths. Arrive later at your hotel in Gloucester. Meal(s) Full Breakfast Dinner Hotel Hatton Court 4. GLOUCESTER – CHESTER – LIVERPOOL This morning travel north to the town of Chester where you view the Roman walls, Cathedral and the black and white half-timbered buildings known as ‘The Rows'. Why not join your fellow travellers on an excursion to North Wales to visit the town of Llangollen, home of the International Eisteddfod. Later arrive at your hotel. Meal(s) Full Breakfast Hotel Ibis Centre Albert Dock 5. LIVERPOOL – LAKE DISTRICT – GRETNA GREEN – GLASGOW Enjoy spectacular views of Lake Windermere as you head north to visit the village of Grasmere where the poet, William Wordsworth lived and wrote his most acclaimed poem, ‘Daffodils'. Stop at Gretna Green, where eloping couples married against their parents' wishes. Cross the Southern Uplands to Glasgow, one of Europe's liveliest cities. Meal(s) Full Breakfast Hotel Ibis City Centre 6. GLASGOW – SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS See the sights of Glasgow during your orientation tour. Drive north through incredible scenery into the Scottish Highlands and follow the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond. Drive through Glencoe, Glen of the Weeping on to Fort William, which lies in the shadow of the UK's highest mountain, Ben Nevis, whose summit stands at 4,409 feet above sea level. Dine tonight at your Highland hotel. Meal(s) Full Breakfast Dinner Hotel Carrbridge Hotel 7. SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS – ST. ANDREWS – NEAR EDINBURGH (AIRTH) (2 NIGHTS) Visit picturesque Pitlochry on the banks of the river Tummel. Famous for salmon fishing, a ‘fish ladder' on the dammed river helps the salmon to swim upstream to spawn. Take time to shop, explore, or join an Optional Experience to Blair Castle, home to the Duke of Atholl. In St. Andrews, where Prince William went to university, stop to take a picture of the 18th green. Known as the home of golf, the game has been played here for over 600 years. Meal(s) Full Breakfast Hotel Airth Castle 8. EDINBURGH SIGHTSEEING AND FREE TIME This morning's sightseeing tour with your Local Specialist includes views of the Georgian New Town, Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle. Spend free time exploring on your own or join your Travel Director on an Optional Experience to the Royal Yacht Britannia in nearby Leith. Tonight why not attend a lively Scottish banquet with traditional haggis and bagpipes? Meal(s) Full Breakfast 9. EDINBURGH – YORK – LEEDS Cross the Scottish Borders back into England. Drive through Northumberland National Park and view part of Hadrian's Wall. Begun in 122 AD, the wall is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is among the most important monuments built by the Romans in Britain. Continue south and arrive in York, a city of extraordinary cultural and historical wealth. During your orientation your Travel Director takes you on a walk through the web of quaint, narrow streets and shows you York Minster, one of the most beautiful Gothic buildings in the world. Finish the day in Leeds, where you dine tonight at your hotel. Meal(s) Full Breakfast Dinner Hotel Clayton 10. LEEDS – STRATFORD-UPON-AVON – LONDON This morning visit Stratford-upon-Avon, where you have time to see the sights and shop for souvenirs. In your free time why not visit Shakespeare's Birthplace and visitor centre for an in-depth look at the great man's life? Say goodbye to your Travel Director and newfound friends at the end of an exciting and memorable holiday as you return to London. Meal(s) Full Breakfast Hotel Ibis Earls Court 11. DEPART LONDON This morning after breakfast it is time to return home at the end of your holiday. A London Heathrow airport shuttle service is available to purchase. Conditions apply. Meal(s) Full Breakfast