Itinerary

Day 1:
(Sat.) Board your overnight transatlantic flight.

Day 2:
Arrival in London England. (Sun.) Uniformed Globus Hosts will be waiting to welcome you. After checking into your hotel and an afternoon at leisure we recommend our optional Taste of London excursion with dinner followed by a guided illuminations cruise on the River Thames.

Day 3:
London–Cambridge–York. (Mon.) After a hearty English breakfast, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions and depart London at 8 a.m. for a day of northbound travel packed with attractions: the beautiful university city of Cambridge, one of the country’s oldest seats of learning; BELVOIR CASTLE, the stately home of the Duke and Duchess of Rutland, which houses one of England’s finest private art collections. In York follow your Tour Director on a walking tour through a maze of quaint medieval streets, including the narrow Shambles. Stand in awe in front of the great structure of York Minster, then explore its treasures. Before dinner at your hotel in York join your Tour Director for a toast to happy touring with a congenial group. (FB,D)

Day 4:
York–Edinburgh, Scotland. (Tue.) First today inspect a section of Hadrian’s Wall, the Roman coast-to-coast defense against marauding northern tribes. Vistas of wild Northumberland National Park on the way to the Scottish border, then Jedburgh Abbey ruins and glimpses of the house of Mary, Queen of Scots before a fascinating guided visit to Sir Walter Scott’s ABBOTSFORD HOUSE. Arrive later this afternoon in Edinburgh, the elegant capital city. Tonight an optional Scottish evening with Highland dancers, bagpipers, and the Ceremony of the Haggis. For departure numbers 0804, 0811, and 0818 the optional Scottish evening is replaced with included tickets for tonight’s performance of the world-renowned MILITARY TATTOO, a vast spectacle of massed Scottish pipe bands which takes place in an arena on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle. (FB)

Day 5:
Edinburgh–Lake District–Chester, England. (Wed.) 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. On the way through the history-steeped Lowland Hills, visit Gretna Green, where the blacksmith used to wed runaway couples. In the tranquil Lake District, often considered the finest of England’s national parks, take a break in Wordsworth’s beloved Grasmere. Spend the night at Chester, the historic walled city on the River Dee. (FB,D)

Day 6:
Chester–Stratford–London. (Thu.) On this morning’s Chester walking tour see the Roman remains, the black and white half-timbered buildings, and the two-tiered arcades called the “Rows.” In Stratford-upon-Avon take your photos of Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, visit SHAKESPEARE’S BIRTHPLACE, and stroll through the picturesque town. Skirting the Cotswold Hills, return to London around 4 p.m. How about celebrating the success of your vacation by taking in a West End show tonight? (FB)

Day 7:
(Fri.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (FB)

Dates & Prices

BELVOIR
Visit the Duke and Duchess of Rutland’s castle

YORK
Walking tour

ABBOTSFORD
Guided tour of Sir Walter Scott’s house

EDINBURGH
Guided sightseeing, visit Edinburgh Castle

CHESTER
Walking tour

STRATFORD
Picture stop at Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, visit Shakespeare’s birthplace

Itinerary

Day 1:
Board your overnight transatlantic flight.

Day 2:
Arrival in London, England. Uniformed Globus Hosts are available to help you make the most of your stay.

Day 3:
London. After a hearty English breakfast, morning sightseeing with a Local Guide includes all the famous landmarks: Knightsbridge with Harrods, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben beside the River Thames, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall''s mounted horseguards and the Prime Minister''s Downing Street, 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. Tonight, maybe an optional dinner followed by a cruise on the River Thames? (FB)

Day 4:
London–Bath. Meet your Tour Director and traveling companions and depart at 8:30 a.m. 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 Salisbury with its magnificent cathedral, the ultimate in Early English Gothic. Via the intriguing prehistoric monument of STONEHENGE head for the elegant Georgian city of Bath, where you see the amazing excavations of the ROMAN BATHS. Before dinner join your Tour Director for a toast to happy touring with a congenial group. (FB,D)

Day 5:
Bath–Stratford–North Wales–Chester. 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 see 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. (FB,D)

Day 6:
Chester–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. For departure numbers 0730 through 0820 the optional Scottish evening is replaced with included tickets for tonight''s performance of the world-renowned MILITARY TATTOO, a vast spectacle of massed Scottish pipe bands which takes place in an arena on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle. (FB)

Day 7:
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 this “Prince of Cities” at your own pace. Later, a unique optional experience: board the former Royal Yacht Britannia, which for the Queen was once the perfect royal residence for glittering state visits and family holidays. Dinner rounds off this optional evening. (FB)

Day 8:
Edinburgh–York, England. First on today’s agenda is Sir Walter Scott’s ABBOTSFORD HOUSE for a fascinating guided tour. Melrose Abbey and the ruins at Jedburgh are pointed out on the way to the English border and Northumberland National Park. South now to York, England’s most complete medieval city. Stand in awe in front of the great structure of York Minster, then follow your Tour Director through a maze of quaint streets including the narrow Shambles. (FB,D)

Day 9:
York–London. Leave Yorkshire and its associations with James Herriot, and drive through the richest farmland in Britain for a highlight visit to BELVOIR CASTLE. The stately home of the Duke and Duchess of Rutland houses one of England’s finest private art collections. Finally, pause in the market town of Stamford before returning to London around 4 p.m. How about celebrating with new-found friends with a night out on the town? (FB)

Day 10:
Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (FB)

Dates & Prices

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

BATH
Visit the Roman relics

STRATFORD
Picture stop at Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, visit Shakespeare’s birthplace

CHESTER
Walking tour

EDINBURGH
Guided sightseeing, visit Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace

ABBOTSFORD
Guided tour of Sir Walter Scott’s house

YORK
Walking tour

BELVOIR
Visit the Duke and Duchess of Rutland’s castle
 

Itinerary

Day 1:
(Fri.) Board your overnight transatlantic flight.

Day 2:
Arrival in London, England. (Sat.) Uniformed Globus Hosts will be waiting to welcome you. After checking into your hotel and an afternoon at leisure we recommend our optional Taste of London excursion with dinner followed by a guided illuminations cruise on the River Thames.

Day 3:
London–Stonehenge–Plymouth. (Sun.) Meet your Tour Director and traveling companions and depart London at 8 a.m. for a memorable day’s 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. Take a stroll in picturesque Salisbury with its vast cathedral, the ultimate in Early English Gothic; try to figure out the riddle of STONEHENGE; drive through Thomas Hardy’s Dorset and head for England’s scenic West Country. On the way, take a detour to quaint Widecombe in the Moor in Dartmoor National Park. The next three nights are spent in Plymouth, home of historical figures such as Sir Francis Drake and Sir Walter Raleigh. Before dinner join your Tour Director for a toast to happy touring with a congenial group. (FB,D)

Day 4:
Plymouth. Cornwall Excursion. (Mon). A day full of West Country sights as you head through Daphne du Maurier’s Cornwall and hear intriguing stories of shipwrecks and smugglers. After viewing St. Michael’s Mount, rising boldly out of the sea, take your photos at Land’s End, then follow the Atlantic coast strewn with its derelict tin mines and recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before exploring the popular seaside resort of St. Ives. Back in Plymouth, your Tour Director will have dining suggestions for this evening. (FB)

Day 5:
Plymouth. Excursion to Buckfast Abbey. (Tue.) More exciting visits today. First, call at Dartington Craft Centre, then at Staverton Station join a lovingly restored steam locomotive train for a scenic ride through the River Dart valley on the Primrose Line branch of the South Devon Railway. Disembark at Buckfastleigh for a visit to BUCKFAST ABBEY, a Benedictine monastery where one of the monks takes you on a guided tour and tells you about their lifestyle and work. Afternoon at leisure back in Plymouth. Take a stroll in the Elizabethan Barbican area and see the Mayflower Steps where the Pilgrim Fathers embarked in 1620 for the New World. Your Tour Director will arrange an optional evening visit to a local inn for dinner. (FB)

Day 6:
Plymouth–Bristol. (Wed). Drive along the western slopes of Dartmoor via the market towns of Tavistock and Oakhampton and into North Devon for a visit to picturesque Lynmouth. Follow the scenic coastal route, then head into Exmoor National Park, home of the legendary nomadic brigands called the Doones. Final highlights are Glastonbury and its King Arthur associations and Cheddar Gorge with its caves and limestone cliffs. On arrival in Bristol, your orientation tour focuses on Brunel’s daring Clifton Suspension Bridge, SS Great Britain, and the historic harbor from where John Cabot sailed in 1497 to discover America. (FB,D)

Day 7:
Bristol–Bath–Oxford–London. (Thu). In Bath this morning see the amazing excavations of the ROMAN BATHS, then head for Cirencester and the scenic Cotswold Hills. Drive via pretty Burford and in Oxford, city of the dreaming spires, a walking tour takes in the colleges where Britain’s elite receive their outstanding education. Return to London around 3:30 p.m. How about celebrating an enjoyable travel experience by taking in a West End show tonight? (FB)

Day 8:
(Fri.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (FB)

Dates & Prices

HAMPTON COURT
A special walking tour through the palace’s ornamental gardens

STONEHENGE
Visit the prehistoric monument

CORNWALL
Visit Land’s End and St. Ives

BUCKFASTLEIGH
Steam train ride and guided tour of Buckfast Abbey

BRISTOL
Orientation drive

BATH
Visit the Roman relics

OXFORD
Walking tour