Overview
Itinerary
Your tour departs at 2:00 PM from your Windsor hotel. Venture to see the splendors of Windsor Castle, a residence of the King, and the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world. Then take a walking tour around the medieval town of Windsor with a local guide. Enjoy a welcome drink with your group, and dine and explore as you wish this evening.
Marvel at the prehistoric circle of vast monoliths of Stonehenge and learn about the primitive builders who managed to create such an enduring monument. Stop in Salisbury, a charming old city where the cathedral boasts the tallest spire in England. Arrive in Tavistock, a market town on the edge of Dartmoor National Park. (B/D)
Travel through the unspoiled beauty of Bodmin Moor; stop for photos at Jamaica Inn, built in 1750 and immortalized in Daphne du Maurier's tale of daring smugglers. Visit the coastal village of Marazion to see the romantic outline of St Michael's Mount, an island topped by a spectacular castle. In the old fishing town of St Ives, take a walking tour to see its cobbled streets, quaint cottages, art galleries, and surrounding sandy beaches. Enjoy time to explore before returning to a free evening in Tavistock. (B)
Explore Bath, a city of elegant Georgian buildings in a distinctive golden stone. Tour the wonderfully preserved Roman Baths. Head to Cardiff, where you'll take a sightseeing tour of the city before touring Cardiff Castle, a medieval castle fabulously renovated in Victorian Gothic style. Dine in your hotel this evening. (B/D)
Travel through the Brecon Beacons National Park to Hay-on-Wye, a town famous for its bookshops. Continue to Shrewsbury, a picturesque town near the English/Welsh border. Take a walking tour with the town crier to see black-and-white buildings that line the narrow streets. Travel through Cheshire to your hotel in Chester. (B/D)
Drive through the countryside of north Wales as you journey to Conwy, a medieval town dominated by a huge castle. Enjoy a walking tour around the picturesque streets and see the smallest house in Britain. In the ancient city of Chester, explore the Roman and medieval heritage on a walking tour. Your evening is free to explore this fascinating place as you wish. (B)
Travel through the glorious Lake District, which inspired many of Beatrix Potter's children's books. Visit the village of Grasmere, where Wordsworth lived and is buried. Pass through the village of Gretna Green as you cross the border into Scotland. Arrive at your hotel in Edinburgh, where your evening is yours to explore. (B)
Explore central Edinburgh starting in the 200-year-old “New Town” with planned streets and elegant Georgian houses where many famous writers and inventors lived. See the Royal Mile with its narrow medieval houses, then tour Edinburgh Castle to see the Crown Jewels of Scotland and the Stone of Destiny. Spend the evening with your group. Most departures will enjoy a lively Scottish evening with dinner and entertainment. Select Departures will attend the world-famous Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo with reserved seats on the castle esplanade. (B/D)
Visit Abbotsford House, the rambling and picturesque former home of Sir Walter Scott, the internationally famed 19th-century novelist; he was one of Scotland's greatest historic characters and played a large role in the modern popularity of tartan. Head to York, an ancient city of narrow cobbled streets, charming tearooms and quaint old pubs, and fantastic medieval churches. Here you'll have the rest of the day free to explore and dine as you wish. (B)
Visit the old fishing town of Whitby. Tour its pretty harbor and cobbled streets with your tour director before departing for Castle Howard, a 300-year-old stately home that has been the setting for numerous film and TV productions, including the hit show “Bridgerton”. Return to York to tour magnificent York Minster, one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in Northern Europe. (B/D)
Travel to Stratford-upon-Avon and Shakespeare's Birthplace. Discover the world that shaped the man as you look through an exhibition about his life and work, and take in a short performance to see his words come to life. Drive through the scenic Cotswolds region, renowned for picturesque villages built of honey-colored stone with charming gardens. Arrive in London and enjoy dinner with your group. (B/D)
Take a panoramic London tour with a local guide to see some of the famous landmarks including Piccadilly Circus, Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Visit the mighty Tower of London to see the many fortresses, Beefeaters in their elaborate uniforms, and the dazzling Crown Jewels. The afternoon and evening are free for independent activities. (B)
Your tour ends after breakfast. (B)
Trip Inclusions
- Windsor Castle : Visit the Queen's magnificent home, the longest-occupied palace in all of Europe.
- Edinburgh Castle: Walk in the footsteps of soldiers, kings and queens, and even the odd pirate or two, in this medieval-era royal residence, military garrison, prison and fortress, alive with many exciting tales.
- Roman Baths: Discover why these mineral-rich hot springs have been a popular destination for more than 2,000 years.
- Shakespeare's Birthplace : Learn all about the life and work of the Bard — and tour his birthplace at Stratford-Upon-Avon.
- St Andrews : Cross the modern Tay Bridge to the medieval town of St Andrews, the "Home of Golf”.
- York Minster: Marvel at this millennium-old cathedral and its exquisite medieval-era stained glass windows.
- Stonehenge: Try to uncover the mystery of these massive stone arrangements that date back thousands of years.
- Abbotsford House : Great Scott! Visit the extraordinary home of Sir Walter Scott, the 19th century novelist who popularized tartan and rediscovered the Scottish Crown Jewels.
- Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo: Travelers on select departures can watch kilt-clad corps perform with drums and pipes in military precision.
- Tower of London : Explore the grand fortress that has served as a royal residence, a prison, an executioner's grounds — and even as a zoo, in its time.
- Cardiff Castle: Visit one of the most iconic of the 600 castles that dot Wales' landscape.
- Discover the charm of Cornwall's old port town of St Ives, a picturesque haven for art lovers.
- See St Michael's Mount – a little island crowned by a medieval church and a castle that looks straight out of a fairytale.
- 12 Breakfasts (B), and 6 Dinners (D)
- Castle Hotel Windsor (4 Stars)
- The Bedford Hotel (3 Stars)
- Delta Hotels St Pierre Country Club (4 Stars)
- DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Spa Chester (4 Stars)
- DoubleTree by Hilton Edinburgh - Queensferry Crossing (4 Stars)
- Delta Hotels by Marriott York (4 Stars)
- DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel London - Victoria (4 Stars)
- Airport transfers at your arrival and departure destination are not included in the price of the tour.
- Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
- Meal counts vary on Tattoo departures, as the Scottish Evening is replaced with the Tattoo and an independent dinner.
Each of our holidayss are stress-free, with no surprise hidden fees, and plenty of fun for all ages. Read more
CIE Tours could not exist without our great locally employed tour directors - they are the envy of the travel industry. Read more
CIE Tours uses three classes of hotels – first class, superior first class & deluxe properties. Read more
Availability
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you enquire. Additional savings may apply. We guarantee the lowest price in Australia. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by CIE Tours. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from CIE Tours. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
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