Celebrating 70 Years
Of Great Vacations

ESCORTED COACH TOURS - BRITAIN

From $1,982
(Including Land & Air)

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• Ruthin Castle Banquet
• Scottish Cabaret & Dinner
• London Theater Evening
• Stonehenge & Roman Bath
• Brecon Mountain Steam Train
• Walking tour of Chester
• Cardiff & Caernarfon Castles
• Wallace Monument & Trossachs

Click on the phrases below for full details:

• Your Day-by-Day Itinerary
• What Your Tour Includes
• Your Hotels
• Departure Dates & Rates
• 55 & Smiling Discounts
• Early Payment Discount
• General Conditions for All Tours

"This tour was a real 'charmer.' We loved the all-included sight-seeing, both the banquet at Ruthin Castle and the Scottish feast were great fun. We wanted to stay in Scotland to visit family so ending in Edinburgh was perfect for us."
~ Susan & Peter D., New York NY

Day 1 - Sun: Depart for London
Take an overnight flight from the U.S. to London. Enjoy inflight meals and entertainment as you cross the Atlantic Ocean to start your vacation.

Day 2 - Mon: London Arrival
Land in London in the morning and pass through immigration and customs. Take an independent coach transfer to your hotel in central London. Your hotel is located in the Bloomsbury section of London, within easy reach of the shops of Oxford Street, the British Museum and many other London landmarks. You are at leisure for the remainder of the day to explore on your own or take it easy after your journey. In the evening enjoy a welcome drink as you meet your fellow travelers and guide and discuss your itinerary.

Day 3 - Tue: London Sightseeing & Theater
A morning tour of London's main areas will enable you to see a lot of the places made famous by history, politics or finances. Begin your tour at St. Paul's Cathedral, Sir Christopher Wren's masterpiece built between 1675 and 1710. See the imposing nave where many important events have taken place and the crypt with memorials to prominent people. Drive through London's financial district, referred to as the "city." See the River Thames and pass the Houses of Parliament with Big Ben and Westminster Abbey. Pass Piccadilly Circus, heart of the entertainment area and Trafalgar Square with Nelson's Column flanked by four lions. Spend the afternoon on your own and rejoin your group in the evening to attend a popular West End show. (CB)

Day 4 - Wed: Stonehenge & Bath
Leave London and head out into the English countryside. Your first stop is at Salisbury Plain for a visit to Stonehenge, rings of prehistoric monoliths that arouse much curiosity as to how and why primitive peoples erected such huge stones. Travel to Bath, Britain's most popular spa, first used by the Romans 2,000 years ago and in the Regency period of the 18th century. Drive around the town to see many elegant houses, particularly around the Circus and Royal Crescent before visiting the Roman Baths and Pump Room to see the hot springs. See the source of the hot waters and many Roman remains and enjoy some leisure time to walk around the town center. Drive across the River Severn into Wales and to Cardiff and check into your hotel. (CB, D)

Day 5 - Thu: Cardiff & St. Fagans
Take a short drive around the center of Cardiff this morning. Stop at Cardiff Castle, a Norman castle built on the site of a Roman fort. The castle was extensively renovated in the 19th century and contains elaborate paintings and tapestries and colorful carvings. Take a guided tour to see the highlights of the castle. Then visit St. Fagans, the Museum of Welsh Life, which is located a short distance outside Cardiff. Take a stroll around the farmhouses, Elizabethan manor, smithy, tannery and gardens to learn about many Welsh traditions throughout the past centuries. Return to Cardiff where the afternoon is free for relaxing or shopping. (B, D)

Day 6 - Fri: Wales & Medieval Banquet
Travel through South Wales this morning. This was the heart of the coal mining region of Wales. On the outskirts of the Brecon Beacons National Park take a vintage steam train ride through the gentle hills of the park and along the scenic Taf Fechan Reservoir. Drive north through the center of Wales for views of hilly countryside and many sheep farms. Stop in Llandrindod Wells to explore this Victorian spa town before continuing your journey through the attractive Welsh countryside. Drive to Chester, a town founded by the Romans and which has many medieval houses still standing. Check into your centrally located hotel and take a short walk around the town. This evening enjoy the jollity of a medieval banquet at Ruthin Castle. (B, D)

Day 7 - Sat: Chester & Caernarfon Castle
Depart your hotel on a short walking tour of Chester to see the medieval city walls, Roman remains and black-and-white Tudor buildings. Motor along the coast of North Wales past Conwy Castle to visit Caernarfon Castle. In 1283 Edward I built this massive fortress to show his strength over the defeated Welsh. Travel across the Pass of Llanberis and part of Snowdonia National Park and enjoy vistas of the mountain peaks. Stop in Betws-y-Coed for a stroll around this little Welsh town before returning to Chester where you'll have some free time before dinner in your hotel. (B, D)

Day 8 - Sun: Lake District & Edinburgh
Today drive north past Merseyside, made famous by the Beatles in the 1960s. Travel through the Lake District, a delightful region of hills and lakes. The area provided inspiration to many painters and poets, most notably William Wordsworth. See the pretty towns of Windermere and Keswick and the delightful lakes shimmering between gentle hills and stop in Grasmere where Wordsworth's grave is located. Head north into Scotland and stop at the Moffat Woollen Mills in the heart of the pastoral Southern Uplands. On arrival in Edinburgh check into your hotel, ideally situated in the Georgian "New Town." Enjoy dinner in your hotel and perhaps take a walk afterwards. (B, D)

Day 9 - Mon: Edinburgh City Tour
This morning explore central Edinburgh which is divided into two parts — the medieval section along the Royal Mile where houses reach great heights and the spacious "New Town" developed in Georgian times. Drive through the Georgian squares and wide streets near your hotel and see many imposing public buildings. Pass the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official Scottish residence of the Queen and drive along the Royal Mile. Visit Edinburgh Castle which soars over the surrounding city and contains many interesting buildings. The afternoon is free for further sightseeing or shopping on nearby Princes Street. In the evening a Scottish cabaret in your hotel will introduce you to local specialties, including haggis, neeps and tatties, followed by rousing entertainment. (B, D)

Day 10 - Tue: Wallace Monument & Trossachs
Drive north to Stirling to visit the Wallace Monument which honors Sir William Wallace who united Scots against English rule in the 12th century. Known as "Braveheart," he was made popular by the film of the same name. Climb to the top of the tower for panoramic views. Travel through the Trossachs, often referred to as the "Highlands in miniature." Stop in Callandar, a town in the center of this delightful region, and enjoy a stroll around. Return to Edinburgh where you are free to dine independently this evening . On July 28 to August 11 departures see the famous Edinburgh Military Tattoo which takes place on the Castle Esplanade. (B)

Day 11 - Wed: Depart for Home
This morning take an independent taxi transfer to Edinburgh Airport for flights to London and onwards to the United States. Allow plenty of time to reach the airport to check in for your flight and perhaps do a little airport shopping before you board the aircraft. (B)

What Your Tour Includes

11 days/9 nights/15 meals

• Round trip flights from U.S. to London & return from Edinburgh
• Sightseeing by luxury coach throughout
• Airport transfers at start and end of tour
• Services of a professional tour director
• Local guides in London and Edinburgh
• Superior first class hotels with private bath/shower for 9 nights
• 7 full breakfasts (B) and 2 continental breakfasts in London (CB)
• 6 dinners (D) including    
  - Medieval Welsh banquet at Ruthin Castle   
  - Scottish cabaret and dinner in Edinburgh   
  - 4 table d'hote dinners
• Welcome get-together drink
• Theater evening in London
• Steam locomotive trip on the Brecon Mountain Railway
• Walking tour of Chester
• Reserved seats for Edinburgh Military Tattoo on departures July 28 to August 11
• Visits and admissions to St. Paul's Cathedral, Stonehenge, Roman Baths and Pump Room, Cardiff Castle, St. Fagans, Caernarfon Castle, Moffat Woollen Mills, Edinburgh Castle and Wallace Monument
• Deluxe flight bag, ticket wallet, luggage tags & strap
• All local taxes, hotel service charges & porterage for one suitcase per person

Your Hotels

Stay at the following (or similar):

• Hotel Russell, London (2 nights)
• Marriott Hotel, Cardiff (2 nights)
• Chester Moat House Hotel, Chester (2 nights)
• Roxburghe Hotel, Edinburgh (3 nights)

Departure Dates & Rates

55 & Smiling Discounts

Save $75! All departure dates with a bullet in the chart above qualify for the 55 & Smiling discount.

Early Payment Discount

Inclusive air prices reflect savings of between $85 & $170 per person when airfare is paid at least 90 days prior to departure. Book early and save. For travel from Chicago ask about special airfares with Aer Lingus.

General Conditions for All Tours