England & The Castles Of Scotland – 11 Days

Departure

Today you’ll start your adventure to England and Scotland to make unforgettable memories.

Arrival, Edinburgh

Upon arrival you’ll meet your local Tour Manager and then head into town. When you arrive you’ll take a break for breakfast and then enjoy a ride on an open-top double-decker bus as you take a narrated tour of the city. You’ll see the magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site at the heart of Edinburgh combining the medieval Old Town, the Georgian New Town and award winning modern architecture. During your tour you’ll see and learn about the city’s highlights. After the tour you’ll check into your hotel and take a break.

Edinburgh

This morning, you’ll head to the old city for a visit to Edinburgh Castle. You’ll take a tour at this historic site that served as the residence for Scotland’s royal leaders for centuries. You’ll learn about the history of the site and then have a chance to visit some of the existing buildings including the Crown Room, the Great Hall, St. Margaret’s Chapel and the Prisons of War exhibit. After your visit you’ll stroll on the Royal Mile where you can shop and take a break for lunch. Then you’ll continue to the Queen’s residence in Scotland, the Palace of Holyroodhouse where you’ll take a guided tour. After the tour you’ll see a different side of Scotland at the Edinburgh Dungeon. Here you’ll learn about the famous criminals that terrorized the people of Edinburgh throughout the ages. This fun and thrilling tour includes an optional thrill ride!

York

You’ll start your journey to the train station for the trip to York. When you arrive in the early afternoon, you’ll head to your hotel and store your luggage and then take a break for lunch. In the afternoon you’ll visit York Minster, Northern Europe’s largest gothic cathedral. You’ll take a guided tour and then have a chance to climb the tower. After your visit you’ll have some free time to explore.

Oxford

To start the day, you’ll catch the train to Oxford. Upon arrival, you’ll take a guided walking tour of the city. This fascinating city established in the 9th Century and home to many prestigious universities and colleges for the past 800 years has a multitude of interesting places to visit. You’ll learn about the history of Oxford and it’s university as you walk through the heart of the historic city center. You’ll also learn about the numerous famous authors that lived in Oxford including C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien and Lewis Carroll. You’ll also see some of the well known “Harry Potter” sites which some of the movie sets were modeled from.

Stratford-Upon-Avon, Oxford

This morning, you’ll take a drive from Oxford over to Stratford-Upon-Avon, the birthplace and childhood home of William Shakespeare. Here you’ll visit and tour the home of Shakespeare. You’ll also see the childhood home of his wife, Anne Hathaway. After dinner, you’ll then see a play at the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Oxford, Bath

After breakfast, you’ll head into Oxford for a visit to the Oxford Castle for the “Oxford Castle Unlocked” tour. You’ll learn about the history of the centuries old prison and how it operated throughout the ages. After your tour, you’ll have some free time to explore the town and have lunch. You’ll depart in the afternoon for the drive to Bath.

Bath, London

You’ll head to the site of the Ancient Roman Baths for a self-guided visit including an audio tour. You’ll see the ancient Roman ruins built upon the natural hot springs that have supplied hot natural spring water to this area for thousands of years. You’ll tour the remains of the excavated bath houses built thousands ago by the Romans during their occupation of Britain. After your tour, you’ll have some free time for lunch. In the late afternoon you’ll board the train and head to London. When you arrive, you’ll head to your hotel for check in. In the evening you’ll have dinner and then have some free time at Piccadilly Circus before heading back to your hotel.

London

This morning, you’ll enjoy a tour of the city on a double-decker bus tour. You’ll have a hop on-hop off pass allowing you to get off at any point of interest. You’ll see Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London, London Bridge and more. After your tour you’ll take a break for lunch and then enjoy a cruise on the Thames River.

London

You’ll start the day by heading down to the South Bank of the Thames River for a ride on the famous London Eye. You’ll see fantastic views of the city of London from this 443 foot tall Ferris wheel that is now the UK’s most popular paid attraction. After your ride you’ll take a walk along the South Bank to Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. You’ll take a guided tour here and learn about Shakespeare’s career as a playwright in London. You’ll learn about how and why he became popular and how his legacy lives on today. After the tour you’ll take a break for lunch and then continue your walk to the Tower Bridge and then to the Tower of London. In the afternoon you’ll visit the Tower of London. This historic castle on the North Bank of the Thames River was founded in 1066. Throughout the centuries it has served as a castle, a prison, an armory, the Royal Mint and more. Today it is home to the Crown Jewels. After your tour you’ll have some free time before dinner.

Departure

Today your England and Scotland adventure comes to an end as you journey back home.