Great British Cities

Arriving in to Scotland by air or land make your way to Edinburgh (Edinburgh Airport transfers available). Head for your manor house hotel which is located outside of the city; here you may choose to spend the afternoon relaxing and making use of the leisure and spa facilities. Alternatively, a taxi ride in to the city will give you the opportunity to explore independently. At 6:30pm meet your tour director and fellow travellers before enjoying a traditional Scottish evening including dinner and entertainment of traditional music on the bagpipes and a Ceilidh dance; a great way to kick-start your tour.

Overnight: Norton House Hotel, near Edinburgh

Meals: Dinner included at your Scottish evening

Today is spent in the magnificent Scottish capital – travel in to the city with your tour-director to explore central Edinburgh on a brief orientation taking you from the elegant avenues of the Georgian "New Town" to the cobbled Royal Mile and its tangle of medieval houses. We then tour Edinburgh Castle to see St Margaret's Chapel, the Crown Jewels of Scotland and the mysterious Stone of Destiny. The afternoon is free for further exploration at leisure. On Aug 5 to Aug 19 departures, experience the world-famous Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

Overnight: Norton House Hotel, near Edinburgh

Meals: Breakfast included

Today we take a tour of Glamis Castle, the famous setting of Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” and childhood home of the Queen mother. We cross over the Tay Bridge to the picturesque medieval town of St Andrews, famously known as the world's "Home of Golf" and location of Scotland's oldest university, where Prince William and Kate Middleton first met. We take a panoramic tour around the town, after enjoying free time to explore and visit the ancient ruins of St Andrews Castle and Cathedral and browsing the quaint boutiques. Later we return to Edinburgh where we make our way to a nearby traditional pub for dinner together as a group.

Overnight: Norton House Hotel, near Edinburgh

Meals: Breakfast and dinner (at local tavern) included

Pass south from Edinburgh through the rolling hills of the lowlands to Abottsford House, formerly the home of historical novelist and poet, Sir Walter Scott. Continuing South, we stop at Hadrian’ Wall which once marked the Northern-most edge of the Roman empire. After crossing the border to the historic city of York where we’ll see the city gates, or "bars", and the tangle of medieval streets including the Shambles, where the rickety houses lean and almost touch from one side of the street to the other. Visit York Minster, which dominates the city skyline and is famous for its expansive stained-glass windows. In the evening dine in an atmospheric centuries-old pub before a light-hearted “ghost-tour” to hear spooky tales of the York of old.

Overnight: York Marriott Hotel, York

Meals: Breakfast and dinner (at local pub) included

Today we enjoy a unique excursion, by heading to Pickering or Goathland Station, which served as “Hogsmeade” station in the famous Harry Potter series. We then board the train and travel through the rugged landscapes of the North Yorkshire Moors to the remote North-East coast by vintage locomotive. After, we explore the quaint harbour town of Whitby whose cliff-top abbey inspired Bram Stoker's Dracula. Then to the elegant mansion at Castle Howard where we tour the elaborate chambers and grounds which you may recognize from the TV adaptation Evelyn Waugh's celebrated novel, "Brideshead Revisited”. Enjoy an evening meal with your group today.

Overnight: York Marriott Hotel, York

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included

Continue south in to the heart of England and to Stratford-upon-Avon a town of timberwork buildings set on the banks of the river Avon. We visit Shakespeare's Birthplace where we explore an intriguing exhibition about his life and works. Later we continue through the patchwork fields and honey-coloured villages of the Cotswolds on route to our hotel in central London where you have a night free to explore this magnificent city.

Overnight: Doubletree by Hilton London Victoria, London

Meals: Breakfast included

This morning we take a panoramic tour of central London to see famous landmarks including Piccadilly Circus, Nelson's Column flanked by huge lions in Trafalgar Square, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Then we visit the mighty Tower of London to see the many turrets & towers, Beefeaters, ravens and the priceless Crown Jewels. The afternoon and evening are free for you to explore the English Capital at leisure and dine independently at one of the city’s many restaurants and eateries.

Overnight: Doubletree by Hilton London Victoria, London

Meals: Breakfast included

Today you are free to discover London independently. You’ll be provided with vouchers for the open-top busses which circulate the city, an excellent way to get around and explore the key sights and landmarks. Your voucher is valid for use on multiple routes as well as a complimentary walking tour and a Thames River Cruise. You may choose to spend some of your time visiting one or more of London’s internationally acclaimed museums or galleries such as the British Museum, home of the Rosetta Stone, or the National Portrait Gallery which hosts paintings of England’s Monarchs throughout history. Alternatively, shopaholics can indulge in some retail therapy in the famous departments stores of Oxford Street or at one of London’s many markets.

Overnight: Doubletree by Hilton London Victoria, London

Meals: Breakfast included

Your tour ends after breakfast this morning. There are transfers available to return you to Heathrow however alternatively you may choose to continue exploring London independently or make onward travel to other destinations.

Meals: Breakfast included