13 daysEngland, Scotland, Wales
Travel through Scotland and England in the footsteps of monarchs, writers and aristocrats, beginning in London before continuing to Edinburgh, where Scottish royal jewels glint before you as a Local Specialist guides you through the city. At Ardgowan Castle, you dine with Sir Ludovic, a Scottish Baronet, in his 10,000-acre coastal home as he shares the castle’s history and the surrounding land. In England, the low sound of water against the boat accompanies your Lake District cruise before you visit William Shakespeare’s birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon. You can pause before Stonehenge’s monoliths, then sit down for a Dine-at-Home Experience at York’s Thirsk Hall, an 18th-century town house renovated by English architect John Carr.
Welcome to London. After checking into your hotel, the afternoon is free to enjoy a city that is famous for its pomp and pageantry. Perhaps relax with a walk along the Serpentine in Hyde Park or window shop in the elegant boutiques of Knightsbridge? Alternatively, you may want to stroll along the Thames to the iconic Tower Bridge and Tower of London.
In the morning, transfer to the train station and take your comfortable, standard-class seats. Your cross-country journey takes you through the green English countryside as you travel to Scotland - land of legends and romance. You are then transferred to your Edinburgh hotel, where the rest of the day is yours to relax before meeting your Travel Director and fellow travelers.
Join a Local Specialist to see the highlights of the city. Enjoy a drive along Princes Street to the ornate Scott Memorial and see the 18th century New Town with its neoclassical Adam facades. Over in the Old Town, see the Palace of Holyroodhouse and visit the castle, home of Mons Meg, the Stone of Destiny and the Honours of Scotland, Scotland's glittering Crown Jewels. With the afternoon at leisure, why not visit the art treasures in the National Gallery? In the evening, you may wish to join an Optional Experience at a traditional Scottish cultural dinner with haggis and a lively ceilidh. On select departures, you will also attend The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo — a colorful mix of pipes and drums, dance and display, set against the floodlit backdrop of Edinburgh Castle.
Depart the majestic Scottish capital and journey to Ardgowan, set on a stunning 10,000-acre coastal estate. Sir Ludovic Shaw Stewart welcomes you to his family castle. Learn the history of the Shaw Stewart family and the conservation efforts to protect the land on this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Continue to Gretna Green to see the famous spot where runaway lovers were married at the blacksmith's shop. Your travels continue to the picturesque English Lake District.
Devote the day to a scenic wonderland of rugged mountains and tranquil waters - inspiration to a host of English poets. Visit Wordsworth’s grave in the small churchyard at Grasmere. Appreciate the scenic beauty of the English Lake District on a relaxing cruise admiring the magnificent views of rugged mountains, secluded bays and wooded islands. Then, embark on a nostalgic steam train ride along the banks of the beautiful River Leven.
Enjoy a morning at leisure before traveling through the Yorkshire Dales to arrive at the charming village of Haworth. Visit the Brontë Parsonage Museum, created within the home of the Brontë family. Learn about the family's literary legacy and what inspired them from the surroundings of their own home. Your journey continues to York, one of the oldest cities in England. In the evening join a family for a Dine-at-Home experience at the historic Thirsk Hall. This grade II* listed three-storey town house was built in 1720 and extended in 1770 by York architect John Carr.
Enjoy an exploration of one of Britain’s most historic cities, controlled by the Vikings during the 9th and 10th centuries and now renowned for its exquisite architecture. Walk within the town walls with a Local Specialist to see the York Minster, Britain’s largest medieval cathedral. Explore the tangle of narrow, cobbled streets and see the Shambles. Spend the afternoon with your choice. Choose to visit the National Railway Museum housing over 300 years of history, or the magnificent York Minster, one of the largest in Northern Europe.
Begin your day seeing Anne Hathaway’s cottage in Shottery, a 15th-century farmhouse with a timber frame and thatched roof, where Shakespeare is said to have courted his future wife. Surrounded by traditional gardens, the site offers a view into rural Tudor life. Continue into Stratford-upon-Avon to visit the house where Shakespeare was born in 1564. This modest dwelling, now a museum, contains original furnishings and documents that chart his early years. Later, cross into Wales and arrive in Cardiff, declared the nation’s capital in 1955. This evening, you may choose to attend an Optional Experience featuring traditional Welsh music, storytelling and a locally inspired menu.
Explore Cardiff Castle with your Local Specialist. Built on Roman foundations and transformed in the 19th century, the castle reveals layers of Welsh heritage and national identity. Join your Travel Director for an orientation to see the city’s landmarks, including the Principality Stadium, Wales Millennium Center, Pierhead Building and The Senedd, home to the Welsh Parliament. Discover how Cardiff developed from a coal-exporting port into a modern capital. You’ll have time to explore further at your own pace — visit a museum, stroll along the bay or pause at a local cafe.
An enchanting day awaits this morning. Cross the beautiful Cotswold hills, a chocolate box scene of golden stone villages with roses around the doors. Visit the magnificent stately home and gardens of Blenheim Palace, the greatest building of the English Baroque, and learn more about Churchill's life at Blenheim. Continue to the elegant Georgian city of Bath, built in amphitheater style on the surrounding hills. Your Travel Director introduces you to the Pulteney Bridge, built in mellow local stone.
The City of Bath is a UNESCO World Heritage Site built above one of Britain's thermal, mineral springs. Enjoy a visit to its incredibly well-preserved Roman Baths. With the rest of the day at leisure, why not soak and relax with a visit to Thermae Spa? In the evening, join your Travel Director and fellow travelers as you raise a glass over your dinner to commend your wonderful journey.
Travel across Salisbury Plain to visit the prehistoric and mysterious Stonehenge, where the strange and awe-inspiring monoliths are reputed to be up to 5,000 years old. Continue into the heart of Wiltshire to the city of Salisbury where you have time at leisure to enjoy lunch and explore. See the tallest spire in England, atop the medieval cathedral, and observe an architectural timeline from the city's medieval walls and half-timbered Tudor town houses to Georgian mansions and Victorian villas. Upon arrival in London you are at leisure for the rest of the afternoon.
Your journey comes to an end after breakfast.
London, England
1 night
The Clermont Hotel Victoria is centrally located right next to Victoria Station and only a short walk to Buckingham Palace. The guests rooms blend Victorian opulence with modern comforts, making for an enjoyable stay in the vibrant capital.
Hotel Restaurant, Bar, Concierge, Room Service, Business Centre, Laundry, Gym, 24-hour Front Desk, Safe deposit box
Room Air Conditioning, Safe, TV, Wi-Fi
Edinburgh, Scotland
2 nights
The Apex Waterloo Place Hotel is perfectly situated at the end of Princes Street in Edinburgh's New Town, just moments from all the key sights. Originally built in 1819 as Edinburgh's first purpose-built, large scale hotel, the building was used offices for local authorities for 120 years until it was re-established as a hotel in 2006.
Hotel Restaurant, Bar, Concierge, Business Centre, Room Service, Gym, Spa, Pool, Safe deposit box, 24-hour Front Desk
Room Air Conditioning, TV, Tea & coffee facilities, Wi-Fi
Windermere, England
2 nights
Dating back to 1881, this characterful hotel has served as both a boarding school and a wartime hospital before becoming part of Bowness-on-Windermere’s hospitality scene. Today, contemporary rooms and relaxed interiors provide an inviting base in the Lake District, with the town and lakeshore close by.
Hotel Restaurant, Bar, Business Centre, Concierge, Room Service, 24-hour Front Desk, Safe deposit box
Room Air Conditioning, Iron & ironing board, Bathrobes and Slippers, Safe, Telephone, TV, Mini fridge, Tea & coffee facilities, Hairdryer, Wi-Fi
York, England
2 nights
Overlooking York’s historic City Wall and Monk Bar, this city hotel places centuries of history just beyond the door. Inside, bright communal spaces and well-appointed rooms provide a relaxed setting, while a 24-hour fitness centre adds flexibility during your stay in one of England’s most characterful cities.
Hotel Bar, Room Service, Restaurant
Room Wi-Fi
Cardiff, Wales
2 nights
Nestled among some of Cardiff’s most iconic sights, the Clayton Hotel ensures you don’t miss any action, be it shopping or exploration. Unwind in its restaurant and bar, where you can choose from a sophisticated selection of wine, premium beers and spirits.
Hotel Restaurant, Bar, Laundry, Room Service, Gym, Business Centre, Concierge, 24-hour Front Desk
Room Air Conditioning, Iron & ironing board, Safe, TV, Wi-Fi
Bath, England
2 nights
Set in an elegant Georgian building above Bath, this hotel combines period character with contemporary rooms and landscaped gardens. Original architectural details and gracious communal spaces reflect the city’s heritage, while the peaceful setting offers a relaxing place to return to after a day exploring Bath.
Hotel Restaurant, Bar, 24-hour Front Desk
Room Wi-Fi
London, England
1 night
Located at the west end of Oxford Street and just 2 minutes from Hyde Park, Thistle Marble Arch is less than a mile from London's famed West End.
Hotel Restaurant, Bar, 24-hour Front Desk, Foreign Currency Exchange, Room Service, Concierge, Business Centre, Gym
Room Air Conditioning, Bathrobes and Slippers, TV, Tea & coffee facilities, Wi-Fi
Royal Edinburgh
Paid on tour
Dinner In Edinburgh
Paid on tour
Scottish Feast and Fling
Paid on tour
Elizabethan Levens Hall & Topiary Gardens
Paid on tour
Ghost Walk and Dinner
Paid on tour
Welsh Evening
Paid on tour
A Slice of Cardiff
Paid on tour
Georgian Walking Tour & Afternoon Tea
Paid on tour
Per person, twin share
