• First Class hotel accommodation includes twin-bedded rooms with private
facilities
• All hotel service charges and tips, baggage handling fees and local
taxes included.
• Touring by luxury air-conditioned coach with reclining seats
and a washroom onboard
• The services of one of Trafalgar's top Tour Directors.
• The services of a Trafalgar Representative if you
stay at Trafalgar's recommended London hotel
• Pick-up and drop-off at the Trafalgar London Reception Centre or the Hilton Olympia Hotel.
• Use of Trafalgar's new London Reception Centre with Hospitality Desk, free Internet and a range of services and facilities
• Capture treasured memories of your trip with a complimentary group photo taken at a landmark location
• A stylish wallet, travel documents and
Welcome on Tour book with map.
• Tickets are included for the world-famous Tattoo during the
Edinburgh Festival.
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DAY
1: LONDON – STRATFORD – COVENTRY – YORK
This morning your drive north through the rolling Cotswolds Hills to Stratford-upon-Avon is charming. Visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace and Visitors Centre and see Anne Hathaway’s cottage. Stop to view the two Cathedrals in Coventry – one was bombed to ruins during the Second World War and the other has risen alongside it. View the statue of Lady Godiva who was said to have ridden naked through the streets of the city. See the ancient city walls, picturesque Shambles and magnificent York Minster during your orientation walk through the Roman town of York. This evening, get to know your companions and Travel Director at a Welcome Pub Reception, which includes a typical British pub meal and drinks. (WR) Hotel: Holiday Inn (F)
DAY
2: YORK – DURHAM – EDINBURGH (2)
This morning its off to Durham which is dominated by its 11th century Norman
Cathedral. See the Castle overlooking Palace Green and other fine buildings
surrounded by the picturesque River Wear. Then stop to take pictures of a section
of the Roman construction known as Hadrian's Wall before driving through the
Northumberland National Park. Cross the Scottish border at Carter Bar for spectacular
views. Pause to view the ruins of Jedburgh Abbey before arriving in Edinburgh,
Scotland's elegant capital. (FB) Hotel: Holiday Inn (F) (2 nights)
DAY
3: EDINBURGH SIGHTSEEING AND AT LEISURE
Many fascinating highlights are included this morning on your sightseeing tour with
a local expert guide. The Royal Mile, views of Holyrood House, Arthur's Seat, Princes
Street, the Scottish Parliament and a visit to Edinburgh Castle will be included. There
is the possibility to visit Rosslyn Chapel located just south of the city this afternoon.
Rosslyn retains an aura of mystery with its many references to the Knights Templar
and Freemasonry – but more recently an important feature of the 'Da Vinci Code'.
During the Edinburgh Festival you will have included tickets to the spectacular
Edinburgh Tattoo. (FB)
DAY
4: EDINBURGH – ST. ANDREWS - PITLOCHRY – SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS
Cross the spectacular Forth Bridge to the famous golf course at St. Andrews on the Fife coast, and stop to take photographs at the 18th hole! Drive over the River Tay into the Scottish Highlands to visit Pitlochry, a charming village on the edge of the Cairngorms National Park. See the famous salmon ladder at the dammed river, where thousands of salmon make their way upstream every year to spawn. Enjoy an included visit to a whisky distillery to sample a 'wee dram'. Tonight, experience a traditional Highland Highlight Dinner including the unique Scottish tradition of ‘piping in the haggis’. (FB HD) Hotel: Four Seasons/Aviemore Highland (F)
DAY
5: SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS – CULLODEN – LOCH NESS – FORT WILLIAM - LOCH LOMOND - GLASGOW
Visit the famous battlefield at Culloden Moor where Bonnie Prince Charlie was defeated by the redcoats. Keep your eyes open for the Loch Ness monster when you stop to take pictures from the shores! At Fort William, see Ben Nevis – Britain’s highest mountain – before driving on to Glencoe. Travelling through picturesque landscapes via Loch Lomond you arrive in Glasgow, a prominent port once renowned for shipbuilding. (FB) Hotel: Radisson Blu (SF)
DAY
6: GLASGOW – GRASMERE – MANCHESTER
See the sights of Glasgow including George Square and St. Mungo's Cathedral. Visit Gretna Green, where eloping couples used to marry without their parent’s consent. Return to England where the great English poet William Wordsworth lived in the Lake District. Visit Grasmere where he wrote his most famous poem ‘The Daffodils’. See his final resting place in the churchyard of St. Oswald’s Church. View Lake Windermere, the largest natural lake in England, enroute to your hotel in Manchester. (FB) Hotel: Park Inn Victoria (F)
DAY
7: MANCHESTER – CHESTER – TINTERN – BRISTOL
See the Roman Walls, the Cathedral and the black and white Tudor arcaded buildings known as the ‘Rows’ during your orientation walk of Chester. Cross the Welsh border to visit the 12th century Tintern Abbey on the banks of the River Wye. One of the most spectacular ruins in the country, Tintern Abbey inspired Wordsworth, Tennyson and the great British painter, Turner. Experience a very special Be My Guest farewell supper with your travelling companions in Tintern before heading to Bristol, a city associated with Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Spend time this evening relaxing or exploring this vibrant city on your own. (FB BG) Hotel: Mercure Holland House/Radisson Blu (SF)
DAY
8: BRISTOL – BATH – STONEHENGE – SALISBURY – LONDON
Make your way to the beautiful city of Bath this morning to enjoy the superb
Georgian architecture and visit the Roman Baths to test the famous waters. Then
cross Salisbury Plain to see the mysterious and imposing monoliths at Stonehenge.
Salisbury is where you will have time to admire the Cathedral and its spire – the
tallest in Britain! Finally through Wiltshire and Hampshire and back to London where
sadly your tour must come to an end. (FB)
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