Day 1: Depart for Europe
Jet off to the trip of a lifetime awaiting you in Europe! Accommodations:

Day 2: Arrive London
Check-in to your hotel after 2pm and the remainder of the day is free to relax before meeting your fellow travellers at 6pm. After dinner take a short walk to explore nearby Covent Garden.Accommodations: Hotel

Day 3: London to Wolverhampton
Meet up with your fellow travellers and Tour Manager and jump on the coach for a look at London’s iconic buildings and UNESCO World Heritage sites in our included tour. Start your tour by learning about the Royal Family’s place of residence (Buckingham Palace), the horror tales of the Tower of London and the magnificent Westminster Abbey, where Princess Diana’s funeral service was held.You’ll also get to see the UNESCO World Heritage site of Stonehenge. Choose to get up close to the famous ring of stones and learn more about the legends surrounding them in an optional excursion.Next up: Bath and a taste of the high life. Time here means a look into the gorgeous city, complete with terraces, promenades and heritage buildings. Get the background on the city’s name and Roman past in an optional excursion to the stunning Roman Baths.Later, we pull into the up-and-coming city of Wolverhampton for our overnight stay. *Please note:* Tours departing in September & October 2011 will stay in Bristol instead of Wolverhampton. Please call our reservations team if you have any questions.Accommodations: HotelMeals: Dinner (1) day

Day 4: Wolverhampton to York
Northbound, we continue on to the port city of Liverpool. Explore this cool town known as the birthplace of The Beatles and home to the famous Liverpool FC football club.Back on the coach, take in the wild countryside of the Peak District as we head to York. It’s soaked in history and English traditions.Your Tour Manager will wind back the clock and fill you in on York’s 2000-year-old history as you walk through the web of little lanes within the medieval city walls. You’ll see the impressive York Minister, the Shambles and Clifford’s Tower.For legends and folklore, opt for a night-time ghost tour that takes you through dark historic alleyways of York. Our expert Local Guide, a typical story-teller, will give you the low down on whose ghosts haunt which houses!Accommodations: HotelMeals: Breakfast (1) day, Dinner (1) day

Day 5: York to Lake District
Back on the coach, we wind our way through the jaw-droppingly beautiful Lake District. The area has a reputation as England’s most scenic region and you’ll soon understand why. Filled with 16 major lakes, high peaks and cute, stone-built settlements, this region is all about picture-perfect countryside. For a bit of action, have a go with the paddle and get out on the water in an optional canoeing or kayak activity. If you feel like getting some adrenaline pumping, try a high ropes course. For those who want to keep their feet firmly on the ground, there’s plenty of hiking trails through the beautiful English countryside. This afternoon we travel to Bowness-on-Windemere. With free time, opt for a cruise on Lake Windermere and see for yourself why this region inspired so many poets. Otherwise, walk through this bustling town and find a cute tea room. If you’re keen, try a traditional English afternoon tea with tasty scones and hot tea.Accommodations: HotelMeals: Breakfast (1) day

Day 6: Lake District to Edinburgh
Northbound, we’ll drop by the 2000-year-old Hadrian’s Wall, the Roman Empire’s most impressive engineering feat, before traveling on through the English countryside. Afterwards, we farewell England and cross the border into Scotland, where we visit the small village and romantic hot spot of Gretna Green, famous for holding runaway marriages. Later, we pull into the buzzing city of Edinburgh. Home to loads of festivals, cutting-edge Edinburgh serves up a fun, creative mix of ancient and modern. You’ll get a good look around this striking city as your Tour Manager fills you in on the core sites of the Old and New Towns. Check out the Robbie Burns statue, the National Gallery and the Grass Market, where local artists, designers and craftspeople sell their wares. Tonight, there’s a chance to experience a hearty Scottish meal, complete with haggis and a traditional bagpiper. After dinner, round up some friends and head out into the city’s pumping nightlife. Edinburgh has so much on offer – so ask your Tour Manager for some tips on the city’s cosy pubs, basement bars and happening clubs.Accommodations: HotelMeals: Breakfast (1) day

Day 7: Edinburgh
With a free day, decide how you want to shape your Edinburgh experience and explore this living time-line. Explore the scene-stealing Edinburgh Castle, perched high up above the city on an extinct volcano, where the Scottish crown jewels and famous Stone of Destiny are housed. Retrace Scottish royalty’s footsteps and walk the Royal Mile with its jumble of medieval houses and buildings. See the Holyrood Palace, former home to Mary Queen of Scots. For a one-stop shopping spot, make the most of Princes Street. From kilts and tartans to modern labels and cashmere, this street has it all. At lunch, go local and order some traditional fish’n’chips and a deep fried chocolate bar if you’re feeling adventurous! For a relaxing afternoon, spend some time in Edinburgh’s famous Botanical Gardens. Explore the 72 acres of grounds, exotic plants and stunning glass houses.Accommodations: HotelMeals: Breakfast (1) day, Dinner (1) day

Day 8: Edinburgh to Scottish Highlands
Stop by St. Andrews, Scotland’s oldest university town and the “home of golf” where you’ll see the famous course of the same name that is used in major international tournaments. Then roll on through the Scottish Highlands, packed with wild mountain scenery, rugged green hills and the tales of old clans.Next up is the stuff of legends – a cruise on the gorgeous & world-famous Loch Ness. This afternoon find out more as your Tour Manager fills you in on the lake’s mythical monster. Back on the coach, plug in your headphones, sit back and take in the dramatic scenery. We drive past turreted castles and surging rivers before stopping for the night in this spectacular spot. Accommodations: HotelMeals: Breakfast (1) day, Dinner (1) day

Day 9: Scottish Highlands to West Highlands
This morning, we continue on past tiny villages, emerald green moors, lakes and seaside cliffs that the West Highlands are so famous for.You’ll see the iconic Eilean Donan Castle – one of Scotland’s most recognized monuments. Sitting above the Alsh, Duic and Long Lochs, with a spectacular mountain backdrop, the 13th century castle is stunning. On the stunning Isle of Skye, we visit the seaside town of Portree, known for its brightly coloured houses and charming fishing port. Next up: the bizarre landscapes of the Trotternish Peninsula, where sharp cliffs and stone pillars rise above the wild Atlantic Ocean. Your Tour Manager will tell you the stories and legends connected too this remote inner Herbridean Island and fill you in on how people live in this dramatic environment. Later, we pass Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain, as we continue through the remote West Highlands. Accommodations: HotelMeals: Breakfast (1) day

Day 10: West Highlands to Glasgow
We make our way to Glasgow this morning, via Stirling, famous for its iconic Castle and William Wallace Memorial. Your Tour Manager will tell you all about this historic point of conflict and the battles that took place here before we reach Scotland’s largest city. We arrive in Glasgow this afternoon. It’s pulsing with urban soul, pubs filled with colourful characters and the most happening live music scene in the country. There’s free time to explore this UNESCO city of music. Walk around the down town and see the city’s famed Victorian architecture, including Glasgow’s Gothic cathedral, the impressive City Chambers and St. George’s Square – located right in the city’s heart. Tonight, get out amongst the locals and try some of Scotland’s tasty produce. Order yourself some of the country’s world-renowned salmon, trout or Aberdeen Angus beef and grab yourself a pint. Later, make the most of the live music scene and ask your Tour Manager where to go for door-to-door music venues.Accommodations: HotelMeals: Breakfast (1) day

Day 11: Depart Glasgow / Train to London
The tour ends after breakfast in Glasgow. It’s time to say goodbye to your friends. Or if you've chosen to end in London, catch the train back to London, where the tour ends upon arrival. Accommodations: Meals: Breakfast (1) day