English and Scottish Experience

Arriving in London Heathrow or Gatwick Airports, collect your vehicle and make your way out into the English countryside. Passing on to the Salisbury Plain and make a stop to see the eerie and unexplained standing stones of Stonehenge before continuing to the City of Bath. Bath oozes Georgian opulence and is home to so many sites of historic importance that the entire city has been granted UNESCO World Heritage status. Visit architectural highlights including the Elizabethan Abbey, Pulteney Bridge or the opulent No.1 Royal Crescent. The highlight of your visit will of course be the spectacularly preserved Roman Baths and Georgian Pump Room.

Overnight: Bath

Journey details: 110 miles / 2hrs 30mins approx (commencing Heathrow and traveling via Stonehenge) *

Departing Bath head north in to the heart of England and the Cotswolds countryside, a region renowned for its quintessential English landscapes. Your journey will take you over rolling patchwork fields, through scraggy woodlands and over trickling streams. You can choose to stop in one or more of a host of chocolate-box Cotswold villages and quaint market towns made up of honey-coloured cottages with thatch rooves and bosting eccentric names such as Chipping Norton, Moreton-in-Marsh and Stow-on-the-Wold. To the north you may choose to visit Stratford-upon-Avon, a picturesque, medieval town of Tudor timberwork buildings, home to a wealth of heritage sites dedicated to the town’s most famous resident William Shakespeare.

Overnight: Chipping Campden, Cotswolds.

Meals: Breakfast included

Journey details: 70 miles / 1hr 45mins approx *

Today enjoy a day excursion to Oxford from your base in the heart of the Cotswolds. First stop will be the charming village of Woodstock home of the glorious baroque mansion of Blenheim Palace, birthplace of Winston Churchill. A short onward drive brings you to Oxford where you can see the college quads and “dreaming spires” of the world-renowned Oxford University. Soak up the unique academic ambience of the town which once inspired the likes of Tolkien, CS Lewis and Oscar Wilde and explore the famous colleges such as Magdalen College, Christchurch College and New College Hall which along with the magnificent Bodleian Library featured as parts of Hogwarts in the Harry Potter movies. By evening return to your Cotswolds base.

Overnight: Chipping Campden, Cotswolds.

Meals: Breakfast included

Journey details: 80 miles / 2hrs 10mins (round-trip to Oxford) approx *

A short drive North, you may choose to sop at Warwick Castle, which many believe to be England's finest medieval fortress. Arriving in the North of England, make your way to the magnificent city of York and explore this ancient city; York is home to a wealth of historic and cultural sites from the cobbled Shambles, Britain’s first shopping street, to Viking heritage at the Jorvik Centre. Stroll along the remaining medieval city walls, gates and towers or visit the National Railway Museum, current home of the Flying Scotsman, before enjoying York’s undoubted highlight at the iconic York Minster.

Overnight: York

Meals: Breakfast included

Journey details: 125 miles / 2hrs 45mins approx *

With York as your base you can spend today exploring the outlying countryside; York is surrounded by two areas of outstanding natural beauty in the Yorkshire Dales and the North Yorkshire Moor. The former is Herriott country and the setting of the famous veterinary tales whilst the latter was Bronte’s inspiration for Wuthering Heights. A journey to the North East coast will take you to the fishing village of Whitby home to a cobbled harbour and magnificent cliff-top Abbey whilst there are a host of historic sites closer to home including the World Heritage Site at Fountains Abbey and Water Gardens and the elegant, quintessential country manor at Castle Howard.

Overnight: York

Meals: Breakfast included

Today you will be continuing North, perhaps pass through the Yorkshire Victorian spa town of Harrogate or visit Bronte's Parsonage in Haworth before arriving in the stunning Lake District. Once here head for Windermere to enjoy some of England’s most spectacular and inspiring natural beauty. Take time to explore the lakes, their surrounding fells, woodlands, stone walls and quaint lake-land villages such as Windermere and Grasmere. Take a steam-boat ride on Lake Windermere or climb Scafell Pike, the highest point in England to enjoying breath-taking views.

Overnight: Lake District

Meals: Breakfast included

Journey details: 120 miles / 3hrs approx *

Today continue to explore the region in more depth; the area is a haven for walkers, hikers, budding artists and photographers or those simply looking for tranquil boat trips or lazy drives soaking up the scenery. Possible cultural visits include Wordsworth’s Rydal Mount and Dove Cottage along with Beatrix Potter’s Hilltop Farm. Take a heritage steam-train ride through the scenery and sample local specialities such as Grasmere gingerbread. The region also boasts a wealth of stunning historic houses including Hutton in the Forest, Lowther Castle and Gardens and the Levens Hall.

Overnight: Lake District

Meals: Breakfast included

Reaching the ancient border between England and Scotland, make a stop at Birdoswald Roman Fort visitor centre to uncover the secrets of Hadrian’s Wall. Then pass through the rolling hills of the Scottish Borders to reach the thriving Scottish city of Glasgow. Soak up the modern Scottish vibe as you explore the city from the Victorian monuments and impressive town hall facade of George Square, to the bustling Sauchiehall Street ideal for your Scottish shopping. The stunning Glasgow Cathedral and Necropolis are well worth a visit whilst in the fashionable West End you can visit the renowned Kelvingrove Park and Museum.

Overnight: Glasgow

Meals: Breakfast included

Journey details: 145 miles / 2hrs 30mins approx *

Today get a flavour of Scotland’s raw natural beauty, passing firstly along the banks of Loch Lomond and through the scenery of the Trossachs National Park and then across the desolate and awe-inspiring Rannoch Moor. A potential stop is at the Glencoe visitor centre which marks the place of the infamous clan battle. Then reaching the stunning west coast make your way to the lively port town of Fort William on the shores of Loch Linhe; here you may choose to hike in the foothills of Ben Nevis, Britain's highest peak, take a tour of the Ben Nevis Distillery or visit to the West Highland Museum detailing the interesting history of the region.

Overnight: Fort William

Meals: Breakfast included

Journey details: 110 miles / 2hrs 30 mins approx *

This morning, you may choose to drive to Glenfinnan to view the Glenfinnan Monument and the viaduct made famous in the Harry Potter movies. Then continue north in to the Highland true and travel the length of the Great Glen along the windswept banks of Loch Ness. Take a boat ride on the loch to uncover the mysterious Nessie or make a visit to the weather-beaten ruin of Urquhart Castle perched overlooking the loch. Arriving in Inverness, capital of the Highlands, explore the city and its hilltop castle and museum and the nearby Culloden Moor and visitor centre, site of the ancient battlefield where the Jacobites rose against the English.

Overnight: Inverness

Meals: Breakfast included

Journey details: 100 miles / 2hrs 30mins approx.*

Today make your way south through the heart of Scotland and the Cairngorms National Park. On route south, you may choose to stop in a charming Victorian town of Pitlochry, where you can visit the magnificent Blair Castle or tour the Blair Athol Scotch Malt Distillery. Later arrive in historic Stirling home of the towering Wallace Monument erected in dedication to the Great Scottish Hero "Braveheart" William Wallace and the intriguing Stirling Castle which was once the Royal Seat of Scotland. A short onward drive brings you to the Scottish Capital city, return your vehicle upon arrival in Edinburgh.

Overnight: Edinburgh

Meals: Breakfast included

Journey details: 180 miles / 3hrs 40mins approx*

Dedicate today to the magnificent Scottish capital City of Edinburgh; a compact city, Edinburgh is best explored on foot and by public transport. Discover the city highlights from the winding streets of the cobbled old town to the wide avenues of the opulent Georgian “new” town before visiting the Queen’s residence at the Palace of Holyrood House. Perhaps visit the national museums and galleries in the shadow of the Burns Monument before strolling through Princes Street Gardens or climbing to Arthur's Seat for spectacular views over the city. Later climb the Royal Mile to the city's centrepiece at the magnificent Edinburgh Castle, home to the Scottish Crown Jewels, the Stone of Destiny and St Margaret's Chapel.

Overnight: Edinburgh

Meals: Breakfast included

Today make your way to Edinburgh Waverley station where you will board the high-speed rail connection back to London (journey time 4.5hrs approx). Your scenic rail journey takes you through the rolling hills of the Scottish Lowlands, over the rugged landscapes of Northumberland in the North of England and finally through the flatlands of Lincolnshire before arriving in the English Capital. After checking in to your central hotel, dedicate this afternoon to exploring the highlights of London. This magnificent city is a thriving metropolis with a vibrant modern culture and rich history and heritage. Explore world renowned sights including Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, St Pauls Cathedral, Trafalgar Square and the London Eye on the banks of the River Thames.

Overnight: London

Meals: Breakfast included

Journey details: Direct rail journey 4hrs 30mins approx

Having gained an overview, spend today exploring some of London’s magnificent and numerous attractions in depth. Perhaps visit Whitehall and Downing Street, home of British government and visit the nearby Churchill Cabinet War Rooms exhibition. Culture vultures will delight in some of the world’s most prestigious museums and galleries including the Tate Modern, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the British Museum whilst Oxford Street, Covent Garden and the West End make for unrivalled shopping opportunities. You may decide to see the city from the river on a Thames cruise to the famous London Bridge or simply see the real-side of London by visiting one of the city’s many pubs, locales and street-markets.

Overnight: London

Meals: Breakfast included

This morning, enjoy a final breakfast in your hotel before checking out. You may have a chance for some last-minute souvenir shopping or sightseeing (luggage can be stored at your hotel) before making your way back to London Heathrow or Gatwick Airports to check-in for your return flight to your home nation.

Meals: Breakfast included