Best of Britain Tours Summer 2018

Meal(s)

Welcome Reception                                 Hotel: Hotel 53

Set around the picturesque River Wear, Durham enjoys a long and varied history. View the 11th century Norman Cathedral and the castle overlooking Palace Green. There’s a photo opportunity at Hadrian’s Wall before a scenic drive through the breath-taking Northumberland National Park. Admire rolling views of the Cheviot Hills as you cross the Scottish border. Pause to take in the ruins of Jedburgh Abbey before arriving in Edinburgh, Scotland's historic and welcoming capital.

Meal(s)

Full Breakfast                                    Hotel: Jurys Inn

Set in rugged landscape, Edinburgh - the “Athens of the North” - contains a vast of both medieval and Georgian architecture. . This morning your Local Host takes you on a sightseeing tour incorporating the Royal Mile, views of the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Arthur's Seat, Princes Street and the Scottish Parliament. Your sightseeing options include a visit to Edinburgh Castle or the Camera Obscura. This afternoon, enjoy free time to explore at your own pace or join your Travel Director on an Optional Experience to Rosslyn Chapel, featured in the bestselling Da Vinci Code because of its associations with the Knights Templar. During the Edinburgh Festival your visit includes tickets to the spectacular and much-loved Edinburgh Tattoo on the Castle grounds.

Meal(s)

Full Breakfast                                    Hotel: Holiday Inn

Cross the Forth Bridge to the ancient Kingdom of Fife and on to the famous golf course at St. Andrews. Pause to take photographs at the familiar 18th green. Drive over the River Tay into the Scottish Highlands. Enjoy an included Cultural Insight at a whisky distillery to sample a 'wee dram'. Arrive at Pitlochry, a charming village on the edge of the Cairngorms National Park. A picturesque drive brings you to your hotel, where you will dine before retiring content.

Meal(s)

Full Breakfast/ Dinner                                Hotel: Highlander

View the Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge and marvel at the prospect of Britain's highest mountain - Ben Nevis. Drive to Glencoe, site of a bloody and cruel massacre in 1692. Travel south through picturesque landscapes to the “bonnie banks” of Loch Lomond. Later you arrive in Glasgow where your orientation includes George Square and St. Mungo's Cathedral.

Meal(s)

Full Breakfast                                    Hotel: Radisson Blu

See Gretna Green where eloping couples would make their vows over the blacksmith’s anvil. Return to England and enjoy a light Be My Guest lunch in the beautiful Cumbrian countryside. Later visit the Lake District where the great Romantic poet William Wordsworth lived in the early 19th century.  Visit Grasmere where he wrote his most famous poem 'Daffodils' and see his final resting place in the churchyard of St. Oswald's Church.  Before arriving in Liverpool we will take in Lake Windermere, which dominates the landscape, being England’s largest natural lake.

Meal(s)

Full Breakfast                                    Hotel: Mercure Atlantic Tower

Travel through beautiful Welsh countryside this morning and stop in one of England’s designated “AONB’s” - an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty: the Wye Valley. At the village of Tintern, view the spectacular ruins of a world-famous Cistercian abbey immortalised in Wordsworth’s  poetic “Lines”.  Later arrive in Bristol and see the Clifton Suspension Bridge and the SS Great Britain during your orientation. This evening join your Travel Director and fellow companions for a Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant.

Meal(s)

Full Breakfast/ Farewell Dinner                   Hotel: Mercure Holland House

Visit the UNESCO World Heritage City of Bath. See the splendid Georgian architecture and enjoy an included visit to the Roman Baths. Visit the mysterious prehistoric monoliths at Stonehenge. A scenic drive through Wiltshire and Hampshire brings you back to London where your amazing holiday ends.

Meal(s)

Full Breakfast

Sightseeing Highlights

• City tour in Edinburgh

• Orientation of York, Durham, Glasgow, Grasmere, Bristol and Bath

• See the 18th green on the Old Course at St. Andrews, Blair Castle and the Lake District

• View Anne Hathaway's thatched cottage, York Minster, Hadrians' Wall, Jedburgh Abbey and Tintern Abbey

• Visit Shakespeare's Birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon, Edinburgh Castle, Whisky Distillery, Gretna Green, Wye Valley, the Roman Baths in Bath and the ancient stone circle at Stonehenge

Dining

• 7 full breakfasts

• 3 dinners (including Be My Guest)

• 1 Lunch (be My Guest)

Travel Highlights

• Luxury air-conditioned coach with WiFi

• Audio Headsets for flexible sightseeing

• Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted

• Daily breakfast and an average of 50% of evening meals

• Hand-picked Insider Experiences

• Optional Experiences and free time

• Porterage and local charges included

• Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras

• An expert Travel Director and separate Driver

• All hotel tips, charges and local taxes

• All porterage and restaurant gratuities

• VIP entry to many sights

• Audio Headsets for flexible sightseeing

• The services of a London Travel Agency Local Host

• Pick-up and drop-off if you stay at the London Travel Agency recommended Hotels

Airport Transfers

• FREE Airport transfers. Conditions apply.