Amazing Britain

Join your Travel Director this morning and indulge your love of theater and poetry as we travel to romantic Stratford-upon-Avon, made famous by its favorite son, William Shakespeare, whose extraordinary works have been admired by audiences for over 500 years. View Anne Hathaway's thatched cottage and visit Shakespeare's Birthplace and Visitor Center for insights into the life of the 'Bard of Avon', before exploring the charming cobblestone streets of his hometown. Our next stop is the ancient cathedral city of York where we will enjoy an orientation walk to view its ancient city walls, picturesque Shambles and magnificent 800-year-old Minster. Join your Travel Director and fellow travel companions this evening for a memorable Welcome Reception and delicious local pub fare.

Heading north we cross what was once the northern frontier to the medieval riverside town of Durham where the exquisite 11th century Durham Cathedral sits imposingly alongside Durham Castle watching over the charming medieval streets below. We then cross Hadrian's Wall before enjoying a scenic drive through the breathtaking landscapes of Northumberland National Park. Admire spectacular views of the windswept Cheviot Hills as you cross the Scottish border, stopping to admire the 12th century ruins of Jedburgh Abbey en route to alluring Edinburgh.

Fall in love with the enchanting city of Edinburgh today as we join a Local Specialist for a fascinating discovery of its medieval streets. Ramble up the Royal Mile and enjoy astounding views of the Palace of Holyroodhouse and the Scottish Parliament. Your choice of sightseeing will see you visit Edinburgh's Camera Obscura or Edinburgh Castle, perched atop Castle Rock overlooking the city. Spend some time at leisure this afternoon ambling through Edinburgh's charming cobblestone streets and admiring medieval relics, or join your Travel Director on an Optional Experience to Rosslyn Chapel and delve into legends of the Knights Templar and Holy Grail. During the Edinburgh Festival, your visit includes tickets to see the rousing performances at the spectacular Edinburgh Tattoo on the castle grounds.

Cross the Firth of Forth to the ancient Kingdom of Fife and the famous golf course at St. Andrews - its 18th hole renowned in the golfing world for the 800-year-old Swilcan Bridge. We meander into the dramatic Scottish Highlands, enjoying an included Cultural Insight at a whisky distillery to sample a wee dram. Visit picture-perfect Pitlochry, on the edge of the Ben-Y-Vrackie and Cairngorms National Park, before continuing through the picturesque landscapes to your hotel where you'll dine tonight.

The pristine natural beauty of the Scottish Highlands provides a stunning backdrop for today's leisurely drive to Glasgow. View the World War II Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge and admire views of Britain's highest mountain - Ben Nevis. See Glencoe, the site of a bloody massacre in 1692 following the Jacobite Uprising and travel to the bonnie banks of Scotland's prettiest loch, Loch Lomond. We arrive in Glasgow this evening where our orientation will take us past St. Mungo's Cathedral and George Square lined with statues and monuments dedicated to famous British subjects, including Robert Burns and Sir Robert Peel.

Today's first stop is in the runaway wedding capital of Gretna Green where eloping couples would make their vows over the Marriage Anvil. Returning to England, we meet Farmer John and his wife Christine for a Be My Guest Cumbrian lunch in the company of Highland cows. See the beautiful Lake District landscapes that have inspired poets and painters for centuries. Skirting the romantic shores of Lake Windermere, the largest natural lake in England, we arrive in edgy Liverpool of 'Fab Four' fame for an evening at leisure.

Traverse the pretty Welsh countryside this morning and stop in an area of outstanding natural beauty - the Wye Valley, with its characteristic limestone gorge scenery and dense woodlands. View the spectacular ruins of the world-famous Cistercian abbey in Tintern before arriving in Bristol to see the Clifton Suspension Bridge and SS Great Britain, the world's first ocean-going luxury liner. As the curtain comes down on a memorable journey through England and Scotland, we enjoy a memorable Farewell Dinner in a local restaurant with our Travel Director and newfound friends.

Journeying back to London, we visit the UNESCO-listed city of Bath to admire its elegant Georgian façades and the Roman baths from which the city takes its name. Emerging from the Salisbury Plain, the imposing monoliths of Stonehenge are our final stop before continuing through the lush Wiltshire and Hampshire landscapes to London, where our amazing holiday comes to an end.