2022 Best of Britain - 10 Days/9 Nights

Duration: 10 Days

Price: Starts from $0 USD

Itineraries

Day 1: Windsor Castle | Walking Tour | Welcome Drink
Your tour begins at 2:00 PM at your Windsor hotel. Visit Windsor Castle, residence of the Queen and the largest inhabited castle in the world. Take a walk around this compact and historic town with your tour director. In the evening, join your group for a welcome drink; you are then free to dine independently.

Day 2: Blenheim Palace | Cotswold Drive
Travel to Blenheim Palace, a monumental country house and home to the Dukes of Marlborough. Enjoy a scenic drive through the picturesque Cotswolds, passing through quaint towns and villages nestled in distinctive rolling hills and valleys. Travel on to York, a city founded by the Romans in the first century and a major wool trading center in the Middle Ages.
(B, D)


Day 3: York Walking Tour | York Minster | Bamburgh Castle
Take a walking tour of York’s medieval streets, including the Shambles, one of the city’s narrowest alleyways. Tour Gothic York Minster, renowned for its magnificent medieval stained glass windows. Visit Bamburgh Castle, an imposing medieval fortress that is one of the largest inhabited castles in Britain. This magical castle is set high on a rocky plateau affording wonderful views along the coast. Continue to your hotel near Edinburgh, where you will enjoy an evening free to explore and dine independently.
(B)


Day 4: Edinburgh City Tour | Edinburgh Castle | Scottish Evening*
Explore central Edinburgh starting in the 200-year-old “New Town” with its planned streets and elegant Georgian houses. View Princes Street, the city’s premier shopping street, and see the Royal Mile, where medieval houses are clustered closely together. Tour the imposing Edinburgh Castle to see the Crown Jewels of Scotland and the Stone of Destiny. The afternoon is free to explore on your own. Enjoy a lively Scottish evening with dinner and entertainment. August 7 – 21 departures experience the spectacular Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on the Castle Esplanade.
(B, D*)


Day 5: Lake District | Liverpool
Travel through the Lake District, a region that inspired the famed children’s author Beatrix Potter. Stop in the village of Grasmere to visit the Grasmere Gingerbread Shop. Enjoy a talk and tasting of this traditional spicy-sweet treat, first made 165 years ago. Head to Liverpool, a city that once dominated global trade and is now better known as the home of the Beatles. Take a short walking tour of the docks before some free time for dinner. Meet your group again to experience live music at the world-famous Cavern Club, where the Fab Four got their start.
(B)


Day 6: Ludlow | Tintern Abbey | Cardiff Castle
Travel through scenic Shropshire, one of the most unspoiled parts of rural England. Stop in Ludlow, a quintessentially English town, to see the castle and quaint old black-and-white houses. Continue through the lovely Welsh countryside to visit the picturesque ruins of Tintern Abbey. Head to Cardiff and tour the splendid Cardiff Castle, which was magnificently restored in the Victorian era. Dine at your hotel.
(B, D)


Day 7: Cardiff Panoramic Tour | Roman Baths | Stonehenge
Take a panoramic drive around Cardiff with a brief walk to see the principal areas and buildings. Head to Bath for a visit to the Roman Baths, hot mineral-rich springs that have been popular since ancient Roman times. Stop for lunch on your own in this historic spa town. Then marvel at the prehistoric circle of vast monoliths of Stonehenge at Salisbury Plain and learn about the primitive building methods used to create such an enduring monument. Arrive in London and enjoy dinner with your group in a local restaurant.
(B, D)


Day 8: London Tour | Tower of London | Independent Sightseeing
Set out on a panoramic tour of central London with a local guide to see famous landmarks including Piccadilly Circus with its statue of Eros, Nelson’s Column flanked by huge lions in Trafalgar Square, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and the Houses of Parliament. Visit the mighty Tower of London to see the many fortresses, ravens, Beefeaters in their distinctive uniforms, and the priceless Crown Jewels. The rest of the day and evening is free for further exploring.
(B)


Day 9: Independent London Sightseeing
Take in a day of independent sightseeing in London as you tour by Hop-On, Hop-Off bus. With several routes to choose from, see the iconic sights as you please, at your own speed. Big Ben, Westminster, Picadilly Circus – the city awaits you.
(B)


Day 10: Tour Ends in London
Your program ends after breakfast.
(B)


B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner

Highlights

Authentic Local Experiences:

  • Enjoy reserved seats for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on August 7 – 21 departures.
  • Discover the rich history of Windsor and York on walking tours around these charming old towns.
  • Visit the medieval Bamburgh Castle and enjoy views of the beach below.

Trip Highlights:

  • Blenheim Palace
  • Cardiff Castle
  • Edinburgh Castle
  • Scottish Evening*
  • Roman Baths
  • Stonehenge
  • Tower of London
  • Windsor Castle

*August 7 – 21 departures.

Dining Experiences:

  • 10 Breakfasts (B) and 4 Dinners* (D)

*Meal counts vary on Tattoo departures, as the Scottish Evening is replaced with the Tattoo and an independent dinner.

Hotels:

  • MGallery Castle Hotel | Windsor (1)
  • York Marriott Hotel | York (1)
  • Norton House Hotel & Spa | near Edinburgh (2)
  • Hilton Hotel | Liverpool (1)
  • Clayton Hotel | Cardiff (1)
  • Hilton London Kensington| London (3)

Best of Britain - 10 Days/9 Nights

Not included

Hotels

Best of Britain 10 days/9 nights land tour
SupplierNameSupplierRating DescriptionImage
SupplierName Castle Hotel WindsorSupplierRating **** Castle Hotel is a characterful and harmonious building, with a unifying palette and design features. The concept of how history and people have made their mark permeates the entirety of the property's new creative interior design. Immerse yourself in history in a unique location. Castle Hotel Windsor is an elegant Georgian building with a rich past and an enviable address: directly opposite Windsor Castle. Walk through the doors and walk back in time, as you discover fascinating authentic features and lovingly restored décor, before you retire to your gloriously relaxing room. The town's cobbled streets offer much to explore, and you'll have the best view possible for the pomp and grandeur of the Changing of the Guard.
SupplierName Delta Hotels by Marriott YorkSupplierRating **** This modern, stylish hotel is an ideal base for exploring York. The Chase Bar & Grill is open for all meals with an international menu. 151 luxuriously appointed guest rooms offer satellite TV, a hairdryer and tea and coffee facilities. Guests can enjoy one hour of free Wi-Fi access in public areas. The leisure club features a heated pool and spa facilities. York city center is within 2 miles of the hotel with York Minster being a 40-minute walk.
SupplierName Norton House Hotel & SpaSupplierRating **** This Victorian mansion was built in 1840 on 55 Acres of parkland and gardens. The hotel offers 83 luxury bedrooms with satellite TV/DVD player and a minibar. Ushers Restaurant offers fine dining and specialty wines in elegant surroundings. The Brasserie offers traditional British cuisine, and The Glass Lounge serves classic cocktails and afternoon teas. Guests can relax in the sauna, steam room or hydrotherapy pool in the luxurious spa. Edinburgh is a 20 minute drive, and Edinburgh Airport is 3 miles away.
SupplierName Hilton Liverpool City CentreSupplierRating **** This stylish, modern hotel was opened in 2010. Enjoy signature cocktails in the hotel’s elegant PIMA Bar or savor the finest seasonal cuisine at the Exchange Restaurant. Enjoy a range of guest rooms and suites – some with views over the city or the River Mersey – wireless internet access and satellite TV channels. Work out in the fitness center.
SupplierName Clayton Hotel CardiffSupplierRating **** This new 12-story hotel, opened in 2011, is one of Cardiff’s tallest buildings, with panoramic views over Cardiff Bay. The Cardiff Hotel Bar is open for drinks and casual food throughout the day. Stir Bar & Restaurant overlooking Mill Lane offers an array of dishes to tempt your taste buds. Two hundred sixteen guest rooms provide every amenity for a comfortable stay, and offer the perfect place to relax and unwind. These spacious and airy rooms offer beds with crisp white duvet and pillows, with outstanding views of the beautiful Cardiff surroundings. Facilities include air-conditioning, tea/coffee-making facilities and complimentary Wi-Fi.
SupplierName Hilton London KensingtonSupplierRating