Day 1: Depart U.S. for London
Welcome aboard your overnight flight to London. Sit back and enjoy inflight meals and services as you cross the Atlantic to start your vacation.
Day 2: London Arrival & Leisure Time
Land in London in the morning and, after immigration and baggage claim, take an independent coach transfer to your hotel in Chelsea. Coaches operate frequently throughout the day. The remainder of the day is at leisure so that you may rest or do some sightseeing on your own. There are plenty of exciting places to discover from traditional attractions such as the British Museum or the Tate Gallery to the modern "London Eye." If you like to shop, choose from the casual stores along Oxford Street to the designer enclaves of New Bond Street and Knightsbridge. In the early evening get together with your guide and fellow travelers over a welcome drink to discuss your vacation. Then walk to a local restaurant for dinner. (D)
Day 3: London Touring
Start your day with a visit to the Tower of London. This majestic fortress contains a collection of towers and residences where English kings have made history. See ravens and Beefeaters as you walk through the complex and view the Traitors’ Gate, the White Tower and the magnificent Crown Jewels. Then drive through the city center to see the main sights and streets. Pass the Houses of Parliament with Big Ben, nearby Westminster Abbey, bustling Piccadilly Circus and theaters of the West End and the narrow streets of the financial hub known as the "City". The afternoon and evening are at leisure so that you can do some shopping or further sightseeing on your own. (CB)
Day 4: Blenheim Palace & Cotswolds
Travel to Woodstock to visit Blenheim Palace, an 18th century Baroque masterpiece and birthplace of Winston Churchill in 1874. See priceless trea-sures of art in the Great Hall and Long Library and view the charming Water Terrace Gardens. Drive through the Cotswolds, a delightful hilly region with honey-colored stone houses, many dating back to medieval times, and stop for a look around one of the villages. Stop for a while in the center of Stratford-upon-Avon to take a walk through the town center and see some of the old black-andwhite houses and Shakespeare’s Birthplace. Continue your drive through the midland region to your lovely resort hotel in Whitchurch. (CB, D)
Day 5: Chester & Lake District
Travel a short distance to take a walking tour of Chester to see the medieval aspects of this city. See the Rows, black-and-white medieval galleried shops, walk along part of the city walls and end your tour at Chester Cathedral. Drive north through Lancashire to the glorious scenery of the Lake District where you can enjoy stunning views of shimmering lakes, gentle hills and valleys all around. Stop for a look around the quaint village of Grasmere before continuing into Scotland. Stop at the Moffat Woollen Mills to see quality Scottish woolens produced in the surrounding region. Continue to Edinburgh and, in the evening, a Scottish Cabaret and dinner will provide some fun entertainment with songs and storytelling. (B, D)
Day 6: Edinburgh Highlights
This morning take a sightseeing tour of Edinburgh city center, which consists of two main areas - the medieval town and the Georgian "New Town." Travel along the Royal Mile to see narrow medieval houses, some of which are 11 stories high. Then visit the 200-year-old New Town to see delightful spacious streets and squares. Pass the stately Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official Scottish residence of the Queen. Finish your sightseeing program with a guided tour around the imposing Edinburgh Castle and enjoy a splendid view of the city from the battlements. The afternoon is free for independent sightseeing or shopping along Princes Street. On departures from July 29 to August 19 watch the impressive Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle. (B)
Day 7: Scone Palace & Culloden
Travel north through Perth to visit Scone Palace, a few miles from Perth. The present palace was built in 1803 and contains excellent collections of antiques. The Stone of Destiny, on which Scottish kings were crowned until 1296, was kept on nearby Moot Hill. It is now on display in Edinburgh Castle. Continue to Pitlochry to visit Edradour Distillery, Scotland’s smallest. Located in a charming setting, you can tour the many buildings to see production and savor a "wee dram." Journey north through the massive Grampian Mountains to visit Culloden Battlefield to see where Hanoverian troops defeated Bonnie Prince Charlie and his Jacobite followers in 1746. Continue to Nairn, located on the North Sea, for your overnight stay. (B, D)
Day 8: Loch Ness 2000 & Glasgow
Today you will see plenty of wonderful Highland scenes and lakes, or lochs. Continue to Inverness and south along the shores of Loch Ness, a charming body of water surrounded by hills. In Drumnadrochit visit the Loch Ness 2000 Exhibition. The many “Nessie” stories are told here and also a number of important scientific findings reveal secrets of Loch Ness. Drive alongside Loch Ness and on through majestic Glen Coe and across Rannoch Moor to Loch Lomond. Embark on a scenic cruise to admire the delightful views before driving into Glasgow for a short orientation tour. (B, D)
Day 9: Depart for Home
Your tour ends with a group transfer to arrive at Glasgow Airport by 7:00 or 9:00 am. This will allow you plenty of time for check-in procedures and duty-free shopping before boarding the aircraft for your return to the United States. (B)
B=Breakfast, D=Dinner |
