Day 1: Fly to London, England
This is a big travelling day. Enjoy your overnight flight from Toronto to London Gatwick Airport.
Stay:
n/a (in flight)
Day 2: Guided Tour of London, State Rooms at Buckingham Palace
After arriving in London, meet your Tour Director, board the coach, and you’ll be on your way for a guided tour of London with local guide sharing stories of the history of the city. Following a break for lunch, travel to beautiful Buckingham Palace, the official residence of the UK’s sovereigns since 1873. The guided tour will show you some of the State rooms of the Palace. Then, check into your hotel, and enjoy an included dinner and get to know your fellow travellers.
Stay:
The Holiday Inn Kensington High Street, London, England
Nights:
2
Meals:
B (on the plane), D
Day 3: Tower of London & Westminster Abbey
In the morning, we’ll travel to the iconic Tower of London. During the self-guided tour, see the Crown Jewels, meet the legendary Yeoman Wardens, and the ravens. In the afternoon, visit Westminster Abbey, the coronation church since 1066, and where some of the most significant people in Britain's history are buried or commemorated. The rest of the afternoon and evening will be free time for exploring. If interested, there is an optional dinner and theatre show for the evening. (See optional additions.)
Meals:
B
Day 4: Stonehenge, Guided Tour of Bath and a Visit to Roman Baths
Today, travel to one of the most impressive wonders of the world, Stonehenge. Explore the exhibits in the visitor’s center then take a shuttle bus out to the standing stones. You may have seen them in pictures many times but there is nothing like seeing them in person. Grab a bite to eat at the Stonehenge café, then we’ll be back on the coach headed to Bath. After enjoying a guided tour of the city, explore the ancient Roman Baths.
Stay:
Royal Bath Hotel, Bath England
Nights:
1
Meals:
B, D
Day 5: Cardiff Castle, North Wales
After a lovely breakfast at the hotel, travel to Cardiff, the capitol of Wales, and visit the iconic Cardiff Castle. In its 2000 years of history, it’s been a Roman fort, a Victorian Palace, a safe haven during World War II, and now it is Wales’ most popular visitor attraction. In the afternoon we’ll travel north to the beautiful town of LLechwedd on the north coast of Wales. Your home for the next two nights is overlooking The Irish Sea.
Stay:
Esplanade Hotel, Llechwedd, Wales
Nights:
2
Meals:
B, D
Day 6: Llechwedd Slate Mine, Welsh Highland Heritage Railway
After a hearty Welsh breakfast at the hotel, travel to the slate mine to learn about the slate industry in Wales. As you traverse into the depths of mine, imagine you’re stepping back into the 19th century, when the demand for slate was world-wide. In the afternoon, the adventure continues with a train ride on a historic narrow-gauge railway, with a stop the explore the railway heritage centre, and then return to the hotel with time to explore the Esplanade before dinner.
Meals:
B, D
Day 7: Bodnant Gardens, York Minster Abbey
The day begins with a tour of Bodnant Gardens. The gardens have been in the making for over 150 years, with plants collected and brought to Britain from far afield, with the incredible vision of generations of the McLaren family. With the stunning backdrop of the Carneddau mountains, this haven of rare beauty is a delight for the senses. After lunch, travel to York, England, a medieval walled city, arriving in time to experience York Minster Abbey and the Evensong service before dinner.
Stay:
Novotel York Centre York, England
Nights:
2
Meals:
B, D
Day 8: Guided Tour of York, Drive Through Yorkshire Moors, Castle Howard
After a delicious breakfast, enjoy a guided tour of York. This walled city has a history dating back to the Viking era, including an archaeological find that stunned the world. Then, travel through part of the Yorkshire moors with some of the largest expanses of heather moorland in the UK. At Castle Howard, enjoy lunch at one of the cafes, explore iconic architecture and beautiful interiors when you visit the House, then venture out into the magnificent gardens. There’ll be free time to explore York before getting ready for dinner.
Meals:
B, D
Day 9: Travel to Edinburgh, Tour Alnwick Castle & Gardens
Today’s first stop of the day is at the second largest inhabited castle in England, Alnwick. Enjoy a tour of the castle, the castle grounds, and be sure to have a walk around the magnificent gardens. It is quite possible that parts of the castle look familiar if you are a Harry Potter or Downton Abbey fan! Early in the afternoon, we’ll continue northward into Scotland and arrive at the capitol of Scotland, Edinburgh. After settling into the hotel, enjoy an included dinner at a local restaurant. If interested, an optional Ghouls and Ghosts tour is being offered. (See optional additions.)
Stay:
B & B Edinburgh, Scotland
Nights:
2
Meals:
B, D
Day 10: Tour Edinburgh, Royal Yacht Brittania, Free time
After breakfast at the hotel, get a proper introduction to Edinburgh with a guided tour. The city has been the capital of Scotland since the 15th century. Take in the sights of the Royal Mile, Arthurs Seat and the glorious Edinburgh Castle sitting high on its promontory rock looking over the city. Then travel a short distance out to Leith to visit the Royal Yacht Brittania. This floating palace was built in Scotland in 1953, and in 1998 it opened to the public for all to see and enjoy. Mid-afternoon, return to Edinburgh, and enjoy the rest of the day exploring on your own. If interested, an optional Scottish Dinner show is being offered. (See optional additions.)
Meals:
B
Day 11: Whiskey Tour, Aviemore, Culloden
This morning, travel to the highlands of Scotland. The Dalwhinnie distillery is situated in Cairngorm National Park and is the highest distillery in Scotland. Enjoy a tour to learn how Scotch whisky is made. Then, in the village of Aviemore beautifully situated in the park, take some time to stroll and browse the great selection of shops, restaurants, cafes and bars. Your adventure continues with a tour of Culloden Battlefield, where the 1745 Jacobite Rising came to a tragic end. Your day ends with an included dinner at the hotel.
Stay:
Macdonald New Drumossie, Inverness, Scotland
Nights:
1
Meals:
B, D
Day 12: Urquhart Castle Travel to Glasgow
After breakfast, at the Urquhart Castle, discover more than 1,000 years of stirring history centered on the Great Glen. Magnificently situated on the shore of Loch Ness, this castle has seen some of the most dramatic conflicts between the Scots and the English. Then our travels will follow the Lochs that make up the Caledonia Canal, with a photo stop at the Commando Memorial, dedicated to the men of the original British Commando Forces raised during WWII. After lunch in Fort William, the journey heads southward through Glencoe, past the Rannoch Moor, and after a break at beautiful Loch Lomond, arrive for your final night’s stay in Glasgow.
Stay:
Moxy Glasgow Hotel SEC Hydro Glasgow, Scotland
Nights:
1
Meals:
B, D
Day 13: Fly Home
There will be an early departure from the hotel over to Glasgow International Airport, and the plane will land in Toronto late morning. Hopefully you have made dinner plans and can share the memories and stories from your adventures in Great Britain with friends or family.
Meals:
B
