Itinerary
- Day 1
London
After checking into your hotel in London, you'll have the afternoon free to do what you like. The Serpentine in Hyde Park is a nice spot for a walk, or if shopping's more your thing, head to Knightsbridge's boutiques. Tower Bridge and the Tower of London are also close by if you want to get oriented to the city.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (The Clermont Victoria, London)
Optional Activities
- Walk along the Serpentine in Hyde Park
- Window shopping in Knightsbridge boutiques
- Stroll along the Thames to Tower Bridge
- Visit Tower of London
Landmarks/POIs Tower Bridge Tower of London Serpentine Knightsbridge 
- Day 2
London to Edinburgh
Head to the train station and settle into your standard-class seat for the journey north. You'll travel through green English countryside on your way to Scotland, and the ride gives you time to relax and watch the landscape change. Once you reach Edinburgh, a transfer takes you to your hotel. The evening is yours to unwind before meeting your Travel Director and the group.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Apex Waterloo Place, Edinburgh)
Included Activities
- Standard-class train journey through English countryside to Scotland
- Day 3
Edinburgh
A Local Expert shows you Edinburgh's highlights starting with a drive along Princes Street to see the Scott Memorial and the neoclassical buildings of New Town. In the Old Town, you'll visit Holyroodhouse Palace and climb up to Edinburgh Castle, where you can see Mons Meg, the Stone of Destiny, and Scotland's Crown Jewels. The afternoon gives you free time, and the National Gallery is worth considering. On certain dates, you can attend The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Modern European cuisine at a quirky bistro in Leith)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Apex Waterloo Place, Edinburgh)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Edinburgh highlights including Princes Street and Scott Memorial
- Exploration of New Town's neoclassical Adam facades
- Visit to Palace of Holyroodhouse
- Edinburgh Castle visit with Local Expert to see Scottish Crown Jewels, Mons Meg, and Stone of Destiny
- The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo (select departures)
Optional Activities
- Visit National Gallery of Scotland
Landmarks/POIs Scott Memorial Palace of Holyroodhouse Edinburgh Castle National Gallery of Scotland Princes Street - Day 4
Edinburgh to Lake District
You'll leave Edinburgh for Ardgowan, a 10,000-acre coastal estate where Sir Ludovic Shaw Stewart invites you to his family castle to learn about the Shaw Stewart family and their conservation work. From there, continue to Gretna Green and the famous blacksmith's shop where runaway couples were married over the centuries. The day ends as you arrive in the Lake District.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (The Ro, Windermere)
Included Activities
- Tour of Ardgowan House with Sir Ludovic Shaw Stewart
- Visit to Gretna Green and famous blacksmith's shop
Landmarks/POIs Ardgowan Estate Gretna Green - Day 5
Lake District
Spend your day in the Lake District exploring Wordsworth's grave at Grasmere churchyard and learning about the poet's life. Later, take a relaxing cruise on the lake with views of rugged mountains, secluded bays, and wooded islands. Afterward, board a steam train that runs along the River Leven, a nostalgic experience that rounds out the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (The Ro, Windermere)
Included Activities
- Visit to Wordsworth's grave at Grasmere
- Cruise on Lake Windermere enjoying views of mountains, bays, and islands
- Steam train ride along the River Leven
Landmarks/POIs Grasmere Lake Windermere River Leven 
- Day 6
Lake District to York
After a leisurely morning, travel through the Yorkshire Dales to Haworth village and visit the Bronte Parsonage Museum to learn what inspired the famous literary family's works. Continue to York, and later you'll join a family for dinner at Thirsk Hall, a Grade II* listed town house dating to 1720 and expanded in 1770 by architect John Carr.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dine-at-Home Experience at historic Thirsk Hall)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (DoubleTree by Hilton, York)
Included Activities
- Visit to Brontë Parsonage Museum
- Dine-at-Home Experience at Thirsk Hall, York
Landmarks/POIs Brontë Parsonage Museum Haworth Thirsk Hall 
- Day 7
York
A Local Expert guides you through one of Britain's most historic cities, walking within medieval town walls to see York Minster, the country's largest medieval cathedral, and the Shambles with its narrow cobbled streets. In the afternoon, you can choose between two activities: visit the National Railway Museum with over 300 years of railway history, or explore more of York Minster's stories and architecture.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (DoubleTree by Hilton, York)
Included Activities
- Guided walk within York's medieval town walls with Local Expert
- Visit to York Minster (Britain's largest medieval cathedral)
- Exploration of the Shambles
- Choice of: National Railway Museum OR York Minster deeper exploration
Landmarks/POIs York Minster Shambles National Railway Museum - Day 8
York to Cardiff
Start by visiting Anne Hathaway's cottage in Shottery, a 15th-century timber-framed farmhouse where Shakespeare courted his future wife, then see the traditional gardens. Head to Stratford-upon-Avon to visit Shakespeare's birthplace with original furnishings and documents from his early life. Later, cross into Wales and arrive in Cardiff, which became the capital in 1955. An optional evening experience offers traditional Welsh music, storytelling, and local food.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Indigo, Wales)
Included Activities
- Visit to Anne Hathaway's cottage in Shottery
- Visit to Shakespeare's birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon
Optional Activities
- Optional Experience with traditional Welsh music, storytelling, and locally inspired menu in Cardiff
Landmarks/POIs Anne Hathaway's Cottage Shakespeare's Birthplace - Day 9
Cardiff
A Local Expert takes you through Cardiff Castle, showing how Roman foundations were transformed in the 19th century to reveal layers of Welsh heritage. Your Travel Director then orients you to the city's landmarks: Principality Stadium, Wales Millennium Centre, Pierhead Building, and The Senedd. Afterward, you have free time to visit a museum, walk along the bay, or grab a coffee at a local spot.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Indigo, Wales)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Cardiff Castle with Local Expert
- Orientation to Cardiff landmarks: Principality Stadium, Wales Millennium Centre, Pierhead Building, The Senedd
Optional Activities
- Visit a museum
- Stroll along Cardiff Bay
- Relax at a local cafe
Landmarks/POIs Cardiff Castle Principality Stadium Wales Millennium Centre Pierhead Building The Senedd - Day 10
Cardiff to Bath
Travel across the Cotswold hills through villages built from golden stone, then arrive at Blenheim Palace, one of the greatest English Baroque buildings. A historian gives a talk about Churchill's life there. Continue to Bath, the elegant Georgian city built on surrounding hills, where your Travel Director introduces you to Pulteney Bridge with its local stone architecture.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Lansdown Grove, Bath)
Included Activities
- Visit to Blenheim Palace with talk by historian about Churchill's life
- Orientation to Bath including Royal Crescent, Pulteney Bridge, and Bath Abbey
Landmarks/POIs Blenheim Palace Royal Crescent Pulteney Bridge Bath Abbey 
- Day 11
Bath
Bath is a UNESCO World Heritage Site built above thermal mineral springs. You'll explore the incredibly preserved Roman Baths, including the Sacred Spring, original Great Bath, temple remains, and the museum with artefacts from 2,000 years ago. Learn about Roman bathing and religious practices during that era. Later, you might soak at Thermae Spa, and this evening you'll gather with your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a celebratory dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (French-inspired meal at Brasserie Blanc)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Lansdown Grove, Bath)
Included Activities
- Visit to Roman Baths including Sacred Spring, Great Bath, temple remains, and museum displays
Optional Activities
- Visit to Thermae Spa for soaking and relaxation
Landmarks/POIs Roman Baths Thermae Spa - Day 12
Bath to London via Stonehenge
Cross Salisbury Plain to visit Stonehenge, where the megaliths have stood for roughly 5,000 years. Continue into Wiltshire to Salisbury, where you'll have free time for lunch and exploring. See England's tallest cathedral spire and walk streets showing architectural styles from medieval walls and half-timbered Tudor houses to Georgian mansions and Victorian villas. You'll finish at your London hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walk around Stonehenge prehistoric megaliths
Optional Activities
- Explore Salisbury at leisure
- Visit Salisbury Cathedral
- Lunch in Salisbury
Landmarks/POIs Stonehenge Salisbury Cathedral Salisbury
