Highlights of Britain - 15 day/14 night

Tour begins at 2:00 PM in your hotel. Visit Windsor Castle, residence of the Queen and the largest inhabited castle in the world. Enjoy a welcome drink with your group before dinner. Then take a brief walk around the compact and historic town of Windsor with a local guide. (D)

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 Bodmin Moor, an area of unspoiled natural beauty, stopping for photos at Jamaica Inn, made famous by Daphne du Maurier's tale of daring smugglers. Explore Lanhydrock House, a late-Victorian country house with grand rooms and servants’ quarters. In Plymouth, see the Mayflower Steps and take a cruise from the Barbican before enjoying a free evening. (B)

Visit the coastal village of Marazion to see the majestic outline of St Michael’s Mount, an important pilgrimage destination. In St. Ives, enjoy a walking tour of the main sights and admire the array of beautiful sandy beaches surrounding the town. Enjoy some free time before returning to your hotel in Tavistock. (B, D)

Explore Bath, popular for over 2,000 years for its natural hot springs. Tour the wonderfully preserved Roman Baths. Head to Cardiff for a sightseeing tour around the city center. Tour Cardiff Castle before sitting down to a Welsh banquet with dinner and lively entertainment. (B, D)

Travel through the Brecon Beacons National Park to Hay-on-Wye, a town famous for books. 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 town of Llangollen and across the Horseshoe Pass for wonderful vistas. Visit a farm to see trained dogs herding sheep and travel 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, followed by free time for lunch on your own. In Chester, take another walking tour to see medieval buildings and Roman walls. (B, D)

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. Stop at the Famous Blacksmiths Shop in Gretna Green, a popular shopping venue for quality Scottish goods. At your hotel, enjoy a lively Scottish evening with dinner and entertainment. (B, D)

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. The rest of the day is free for you to explore. On August 2 – 16 departures, attend the world famous Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. (B)

Tour Glamis Castle, the legendary setting of Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” and childhood home of the Queen Mother. Cross the modern Tay Bridge to the medieval town of St Andrews, the “Home of Golf.” Enjoy panoramic tour and spend some free time browsing on your own. Back in Edinburgh, head to a nearby pub for dinner with your group. (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, historic city founded by the Romans, rich in medieval and Georgian architecture. Visit York Minster, built in the 13th century; this beautiful Gothic cathedral is the largest medieval church in Northern Europe. (B, D)

Head to Goathland Station, which served as Hogsmeade Station in the "Harry Potter" series, and travel on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway by vintage locomotive. In Whitby, your tour director will take you on a stroll around the picturesque harbor, winding streets, and quaint buildings. Tour the elaborate chambers of Castle Howard, an imposing 18th century mansion where “Brideshead Revisited” was filmed. (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 free time in the evening. (B)

Take a panoramic London tour with a local guied 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) B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner   >