England-Scotland

BRITAIN SAMPLER

9 days from London to London

DAY1 - Arrive in London, England

Uniformed Globus hosts are available to help you make the most of your stay.

DAY2 - London

After a hearty English breakfast, morning sightseeing with a Local Guide includes all the famous landmarks: the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben beside the River Thames, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall’s mounted horseguards and the Prime Minister’s Downing Street, Piccadilly Circus, and Buckingham Palace. Highlights are a visit to ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL (except on Sundays) and the ceremonial pageantry of the Changing of the Guard, if held. Free time in the afternoon for independent activities or to join an optional excursion to Windsor Castle or the Tower of London with its fabulous Crown Jewels. Later, maybe an optional dinner followed by a cruise on the River Thames? (Breakfast)

DAY3 - London–Hampton Court–Stonehenge–Salisbury–Bath

Meet your Tour Director and traveling companions and depart at 8 am for a memorable day of sightseeing. First, a special visit to admire the breathtaking ORNAMENTAL GARDENS of Henry VIII’s Hampton Court Palace. Your Tour Director will take you on a walk to see the Great Vine, Pond Garden, Privy Garden, and the flower borders of the Great Fountain Garden. Then, westward to the intriguing prehistoric monument of STONEHENGE. Via Salisbury with its magnificent cathedral, the ultimate in Early English Gothic architecture, head for the elegant Georgian city of Bath, where you see the amazing excavations of the ROMAN BATHS. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner at your hotel. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY4 - Bath–Stratford-Upon-Avon–North Wales–Chester, England

Savor vistas of the Cotswolds on your way via the medieval market town of Stow-on-the-Wold to Stratford-upon-Avon. Time here to visit SHAKESPEARE’S BIRTHPLACE and for pictures of Anne Hathaway’s Cottage. The afternoon is dedicated to North Wales. Take a stroll in picturesque Llangollen, home of an annual international contest for poets and musicians. Spend the night at Chester, the historic county town on the River Dee. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY5 - Chester–Lake District–Edinburgh, Scotland

This morning’s walking tour includes the Roman remains, black and white half-timbered buildings, the cathedral, and the two-tiered shopping arcades called the “Rows.” Focus now on the tranquil Lake District, considered to be the finest of England’s national parks. After a break in Wordsworth’s beloved Grasmere, head north for the Scottish border. On the way through the history-steeped Lowland Hills, stop at Gretna Green, where the blacksmith used to wed runaway couples. In Edinburgh, don’t miss our optional Scottish evening with Highland dancers, bagpipers, and the Ceremony of the Haggis. (Breakfast)

DAY6 - 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 EDINBURGH CASTLE to admire Scotland’s Crown Jewels, then explore HOLYROOD PALACE (except when the Queen is in residence). The afternoon is free to enjoy the Scottish capital at your own pace. Later, a unique optional experience: board the former Royal Yacht Britannia, once the perfect royal residence for the Queen’s glittering state visits and family holidays. Dinner rounds off this optional evening. For August 3 through August 19 departures, 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. (Breakfast)

DAY7 - Edinburgh–York, England

Relax and enjoy vistas of the beautiful North Sea coastline as you drive via Berwick-upon-Tweed to Alnwick, voted the “best place to live in Britain” in a national survey. In York, England’s most complete medieval city, visit YORK MINSTER, the largest gothic cathedral in Northern Europe. Then, follow your Tour Director through a maze of quaint streets, including the narrow Shambles. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY8 - York–Stamford–Cambridge–London

Leave Yorkshire and its associations with James Herriot, and drive through the richest farmland in Britain. Pause in the market town of Stamford before arriving in the beautiful university city of Cambridge. Return to London around 3:30 pm. How about celebrating with new-found friends with a night out on the town? (Breakfast)

DAY9 - London

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)

Included Features

London

Guided sightseeing, visit St. Paul’s Cathedral and see the Changing of the Guard, if held

Hampton Court 

A special walking tour through the palace’s ornamental gardens

Stonehenge 

Visit the prehistoric monument

Salisbury 

Visit the cathedral city

Bath

Visit the Roman relics; welcome dinner

Stow-on-the-Wold 

Take a stroll in this Cotswolds village

Stratford-Upon-Avon

Take pictures of Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, visit Shakespeare’s birthplace

Llangollen

Visit the picturesque village

Chester 

Walking tour

Grasmere 

Visit Wordsworth’s village

Edinburgh

Guided sightseeing, visit Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace

Alnwick 

Visit the picturesque market town

York

Walking tour, visit York Minster

Cambridge 

Explore the university city

Note:

• Edinburgh Military Tattoo ticket included for departures August 03 through August 19

Accomodation

Full English breakfast; 3 three-course dinners with choice of menus, including a welcome dinner in Bath

SUPERIOR HOTELS - (D) Deluxe (SF) Superior First-Class (F) First-Class

LONDON Park Plaza Westminster Bridge (SF), BATH Hilton (F), CHESTER Mercure Chester East (F),EDINBURGH Mercure Edinburgh Princess Street (F), YORK Mercure York Fairfield Manor (F), LONDON Hilton London Metropole (SF). 

Dates & Prices

Popular Departure - due to itinerary and time of year, this departure historically sells out quickly. Early booking is encouraged.

Dates and prices do not include international air travel.