Essential Britain
Explore the best of England, Wales & Scotland
Experience the most essential parts of Britain with this 11-night guided vacation. You'll visit Stonehenge, St. Andrews, the Isle of Skye, Liverpool and more!
What's Included
- 1 night in London at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel
- 2 nights in Plymouth at the Holiday Inn Plymouth Hotel
- 1 night in Cardiff at the Mercure Cardiff Holland House Hotel
- 1 night in Liverpool at the Novotel Liverpool Hotel
- 1 night in Glasgow at the Novotel Glasgow Hotel
- 1 night in Inverness at the Mercure Inverness Hotel
- 2 nights in Edinburgh at the Carlton Hotel
- 1 night in Skelton-York at the Mercure York Fairfield Manor Hotel
- 1 night in London at the Dorsett Shepherds Bush Hotel
- Stonehenge, Plymouth, Cornwall, Bath, Builth Wells, Chester, Liverpool, Grasmere, Gretna Green, Mallaig-Armadale, Isle of Skye, Braemar, St. Andrews, Edinburgh, Alnwick, York and Stratford-Upon-Avon.
- Buffet Breakfast daily
- 4 three-course dinners
- Ferry to the Isle of Skye
- Services of a Professional Travel Director
- Transportation by private first-class air-conditioned motorcoach (with complimentary Wi-Fi)
- Hotel tips, taxes, porterage and service charges
Great Ways to Explore
- Experience the dazzling Isle of Skye, the cultural hub of Liverpool, iconic London and more of Essential Britain.
- You'll have guided tours and included entrances to special attractions such as Gretna Green, St Andrews and Edinburgh.
- Visit Stonehenge, one of the world's most cryptic and mysterious landmarks.
- Enjoy the many amenities of some of our more modern hotels.
- With such a wealth of history, you'll find castles, gardens and other historic monuments sprinkled throughout Britain.
Please note that some recommendations in the following suggested itinerary may not be included in your package. Check What's Included above for full details on inclusions.
- 1 night in London at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel
- 2 nights in Plymouth at the Holiday Inn Plymouth Hotel
- 1 night in Cardiff at the Mercure Cardiff Holland House Hotel
- 1 night in Liverpool at the Novotel Liverpool Hotel
- 1 night in Glasgow at the Novotel Glasgow Hotel
- 1 night in Inverness at the Mercure Inverness Hotel
- 2 nights in Edinburgh at the Carlton Hotel
- 1 night in Skelton-York at the Mercure York Fairfield Manor Hotel
- 1 night in London at the Dorsett Shepherds Bush Hotel
- Stonehenge, Plymouth, Cornwall, Bath, Builth Wells, Chester, Liverpool, Grasmere, Gretna Green, Mallaig-Armadale, Isle of Skye, Braemar, St. Andrews, Edinburgh, Alnwick, York and Stratford-Upon-Avon.
- Buffet Breakfast daily
- 4 three-course dinners
- Ferry to the Isle of Skye
- Services of a Professional Travel Director
- Transportation by private first-class air-conditioned motorcoach (with complimentary Wi-Fi)
- Hotel tips, taxes, porterage and service charges
- Experience the dazzling Isle of Skye, the cultural hub of Liverpool, iconic London and more of Essential Britain.
- You'll have guided tours and included entrances to special attractions such as Gretna Green, St Andrews and Edinburgh.
- Visit Stonehenge, one of the world's most cryptic and mysterious landmarks.
- Enjoy the many amenities of some of our more modern hotels.
- With such a wealth of history, you'll find castles, gardens and other historic monuments sprinkled throughout Britain.
Please note that some recommendations in the following suggested itinerary may not be included in your package. Check What's Included above for full details on inclusions.
Day 1. Welcome to London!
Welcome to London! Uniformed Hosts will be waiting to welcome you. After checking into your hotel and an afternoon at leisure, we recommend an optional Taste of London excursion with dinner, followed by a guided illumination cruise on the Thames River.
Check-in - Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London
Elegance, luxury, and sophistication - everything that makes the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London so quintessentially English. Relax in this swanky hotel that boasts chic decor, modern amenities, and stunning city views. Settle into your room and find large comfortable beds, free WiFi, a refrigerator, a flat screen TV, and much more. Its central London location makes this hotel your ideal base. Yes, it's true, you can see Big Ben from the hotel entrance!
After a fun day of sightseeing, head back to the hotel and take a dip in the large indoor pool. Didn't do enough walking during the day? Work all your stresses away in the on-site fitness center. Did too much walking? Not to worry. A relaxing massage at the on-site Mandara Spa should do the trick. Pampering yourself is what vacation is all about.
When you work up an appetite, indulge in mouthwatering French cuisine at the on-site Brasserie Joel. Feeling something a bit more exotic? Try the delicious on-site Ichi Sushi & Sashimi Bar. Be sure to check out the Patisserie for some tasty teas and treats. Spend your evening unwinding at the trendy Primo Bar. Dance the night away, sing along to the live music, and enjoy a delicious craft cocktail. Don't worry, the Espressamente Illy Coffee Bar will be there to make sure you're recharged for your next day of English adventure.Â
Day 2. London - Stonehenge - Plymouth
Meet your Tour Director and travel companions and depart London at 8 am. First, try to unravel the mystery of prehistoric Stonehenge; explore the stunning new visitor center with its imaginative exhibitions, then take the shuttle to the stone circle and admire the magnificence of the monument up close. Continue on through Thomas Hardy's Wessex, and head to Plymouth for the next two nights. Spend some time at the historic Barbican to see the Mayflower Steps, where the Pilgrim Fathers embarked in 1620, and hear about historical figures such as Sir Francis Drake and Sir Walter Raleigh. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner with wine at your hotel. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Check-in - Holiday Inn Plymouth Hotel
Day 3. Plymouth - Cornwall Excursion
A day full of West Country sights as you head through Daphne du Maurier's Cornwall, where you will be treated with an authentic local favorite; Cornish pastry! After viewing St. Michael's Mount, take your photos at Land's End before exploring the popular seaside resort of St. Ives. Back in Plymouth, why not take an optional excursion into Dartmoor National Park for an evening of storytelling at a local pub? (Breakfast)
Day 4. Plymouth - Glastonbury - Bath - Cardiff, Wales
At Glastonbury, hear about its associations with King Arthur, and in elegant Bath, see the amazing excavations of the Roman Baths with time to explore further on your own. Stay the night in Cardiff, the Welsh capital. You might want to enjoy an evening of Welsh entertainment and dinner tonight. (Breakfast)
Check-in - Mercure Cardiff Holland House Hotel and Spa
Day 5. Cardiff - Builth Wells - Chester, England - Liverpool
Your journey through Wales takes you north along the Taff Valley and Brecon Beacons National Park, and via the ancient market town of Builth Wells to Chester. On your walking tour, see the Roman remains, the characteristic black and white half-timbered buildings, and the famous two-tiered arcades called the _Rows._ Spend the night in Liverpool. (Breakfast)
Check-in - Novotel Liverpool
Each of the 209 chic rooms has wireless internet and satellite TV. Try the modern cuisine and range of drinks at Elements Restaurant and Bar. The hotel's leisure facilities include an indoor heated pool and fitness suite. 10 fully equipped meeting rooms can host up to 100 guests for meetings or weddings.
Day 6. Liverpool - Grasmere - Gretna Green, Scotland - Glasgow
Start the day with a visit to the award-winning Beatles Story, an atmospheric journey into the life, times, culture, and music of the _Fab Four._ Later, focus on the tranquil Lake District, considered to be the finest of England's national parks. Take a break in Wordsworth's beloved Grasmere and try a local favorite Grasmere Gingerbread. Then, head north for the Scottish border and stop at Gretna Green, where the blacksmith used to wed runaway couples, and take part in a local favorite Wedding Re-Enactment. Spend the night in Glasgow, Scotland's largest city. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Check-in - Novotel Glasgow Centre Hotel
Conveniently located in the heart of Glasgow, this contemporary hotel offers luxurious comfort and modern amenities. Open the door to your spacious room and find sleek decor, crisp air conditioning, flat-screen TV, high-speed Wi-Fi, and much more! Work all your stresses away in the fitness center, then unwind in the steamy sauna. When you work up an appetite, feel free to dine in the on-site restaurant, or kick back with a pint in the classy bar!
Day 7. Glasgow - Isle of Skye - Inverness
Follow the _Bonnie Banks_ of Loch Lomond then proceed via Rannoch Moor, Glen Coe, Fort William, and the _Road to the Isles._ At Mallaig, board your ferry for the crossing to the Isle of Skye, where you visit the Museum of the Isles at the Clan Donald Centre. Return to the mainland and trace the shores of Loch Ness on the way to the Highland capital. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Check-in - Mercure Inverness Hotel
Enjoy warm Highland hospitality in Old Town Inverness at Mercure Inverness Hotel, situated in the heart of the vibrant city center on the banks of the River Ness. Rebuilt on the site of the original Caledonian Hotel, this modern hotel is just a 6-minute walk from Inverness train station and a stone's throw from the city's numerous pubs and restaurants.Â
Each of the 118 rooms come with flat screen TVs, complimentary WiFi, tea/coffeemaking facilities and views of the River Ness or Old Town. Explore the beautiful surroundings, including legendary Loch Ness six miles away or keep yourself in peak fitness with a workout in out fully-equipped gym. Enjoy a meal at the traditional brasserie with a bar.
Day 8. Inverness - Braemar - St. Andrews - Edinburgh
Main features today: the battlefield of Culloden Moor; Braemar, home of the Royal Highland Games; St. Andrews; and over the elegant Forth Road Bridge to Edinburgh. NOTE: For departures between August 1-22, tickets are included for tonight's performance of the world-renowned Military Tattoo, a vast spectacle of massed Scottish pipe bands that takes place in an arena on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle.
Check-in - Barcelo Edinburgh Carlton
This Edinburgh hotel boasts 189 bedrooms. Dine in the Bridge Restaurant or relax with a drink in the Bridge Bar. To complete your stay, let us pamper you in the hotel's Beauty Rooms which offer a wide range of spa and beauty treatments, the perfect treat after exploring the city. Open to hotel guests and local members alike, the Health Club at The Carlton Hotel offers a range of facilities including an indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam room, spa pool, squash courts and a fitness suite gym.
Day 9. Edinburgh
Morning city sightseeing with a Local Guide introduces you to the 200-year-old _New Town_ and famous scientists, inventors, and novelists. In the _Old Town,_ drive up the narrow Royal Mile to the Edinburgh Castle to admire Scotland's Crown Jewels, then explore Holyrood Palace (except when the Queen is in residence). Dinner rounds off this optional evening. (Breakfast)
Day 10. Edinburgh - Alnwick, England - York
This morning at Alnwick Castle the choice is yours: visit the Castle itself, the opulent ancestral home of the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland, or explore Alnwick Garden, where the fountains and waterfalls are a breathtaking feature. Next, stand in front of the great structure of York Minster, then follow your Tour Director through a maze of quaint streets, including the narrow Shambles. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Check-in - Fairfield Manor York
Complimentary wireless Internet access is just one of the great things you'll find at Mercure York Fairfield Manor Hotel, a formidable choice for guests looking for green/sustainable York hotels. This York hotel has its own restaurant serving breakfast and lunch where you will find a selection of items to try. Guests wishing to relax with a drink will surely want to visit the bar/lounge. This hotel has a business center and conference/meeting rooms as well as secretarial services and audio-visual equipment, so if you are planning a meeting you will have everything you need to make your event a success. Enjoy free newspapers in the lobby, where you will also find a safe at reception for your valuables. Multilingual staff are available at the front desk 24 hours-a-day and can provide express check-in and express check-out. Free parking is available on site. Other amenities include laundry facilities, dry cleaning/laundry services and an elevator (lift).
Day 11. York - Stratford-Upon-Avon - London
On the last leg of your journey, stop at Stratford-upon-Avon to take pictures of Anne Hathaway's Cottage and visit Shakespeare's Birthplace. Return to London at about 3:30 pm. (Breakfast)
Check-in - Dorsett Shepherds Bush
Escape to this charming hotel, where heritage meets contemporary elegance. Relax in this stylish 8-story building that boasts modern architecture, luxurious comfort, and exquisite service. Immerse yourself in the history of this hotel, which overlooks Shepherds Bush Green. Settle into your spacious, carefully decorated room, that's well-equipped with free WiFi, LCD TV, air conditioning, and much more.Â
Pamper yourself at the on-site spa, or keep up your fitness routine in the gym. Indulge in a delicious meal at any of the several unique dining options. Choose from creative Asian cuisine, European brasserie-style dining, or Afternoon Tea. Gawk at the stunningly high ceiling while you enjoy a freshly brewed coffee or an inventive cocktail at the Jin Bar.
Day 12. Depart London
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)
Where available, the Flexible Change Plan allows you to change your travel date for ANY reason (between 30 days and 14 days before planned departure). You will receive a Future Travel Credit for the entire amount you paid. Please note that prepaid instant purchase airfares and group airfare are not eligible for the Flexible Change Plan and are subject to airline-imposed change or cancellation fees based on airline rules at the time that the change is requested. You must rebook using the original air carrier at least 14 days prior to your originally scheduled departure and complete travel at least 1 year from original booking date. Additional fees may apply. Future travel credit is non-transferable, non-refundable, and may not be redeemed for cash.