| Sep 01 to Sep 15 |
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| Sep 08 to Sep 22 |
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| Sep 22 to Oct 06 |
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Best of Britain in 15 Days
• 24-28 people • Begins in Edinburgh and ends in London
Our Best of Britain tour delivers just the right mix of urban Brit-thrills and thatch-happy village charm. From Big Ben to bagpipes, your guide will bring the icons of Britain to life. And from windswept Roman lookouts to desolate prehistoric stone circles, you'll wander far from the madding crowds, immersed in the wonder of this history-drenched island.
You'll hike through the Lake District where Wordsworth's poems still shiver in trees and ripple on ponds, ramble Edinburgh's Royal Mile, and toss a few darts with new pub chums. Staying in a mix of hotels and B&Bs, you'll feel like a guest of the family.
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Your day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Edinburgh
We'll meet around 5 p.m. at our hotel for a "Welcome to Britain" get-together. After introductions, we'll take a short walking tour and enjoy dinner together. Sleep in Edinburgh (2 nights). No bus. Walking: light.
Day 2: Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile
This morning we'll meet a local guide for a walking tour of the Royal Mile. Then we'll conquer Edinburgh Castle and enjoy its dramatic city views. The rest of the day is free for your own explorations. No bus. Walking: moderate.
Day 3: Hadrian's Wall and the Lake District
We cross into England today and visit Housesteads Fort, the best-preserved stretch of the ancient Roman wall. Then we aim for the spectacular Lake District, a favorite haunt of poets and painters. This evening we'll enjoy a traditional fish-n-chips dinner together. Sleep in or near Keswick (2 nights). Bus: 4 hrs. Walking: moderate.
Day 4: Sheep Thrills in the Lake District
After an entertaining visit to the Sheep Center, you'll have the afternoon free to hike amongst inspiring mountain and lake scenery, or enjoy a leisurely boat cruise on Derwentwater Lake. Bus: 2 hrs. Walking: light to strenuous (your choice).
Day 5: Coastal Whitby & Yorkshire Moors
We cross Britain this morning on the way to the coastal resort town of Whitby. You can wander the salty streets and enjoy fish & chips along the busy harbor. After lunch, we'll drive through the dramatic North Yorkshire moors on our way to the medieval city of York. Sleep in York (2 nights). Bus: 4 hrs. Walking: moderate.
Day 6: York Minster and the Medieval City
After exploring York Minster, the largest Gothic church north of the Alps, we'll enjoy a walking tour of the city's medieval center. You'll have the rest of the day free to enjoy more of this enchanting city. Tonight is a great night to enjoy Evensong in the Minster. No bus. Walking: moderate.
Day 7: Free Morning and Scenic Wales
This morning you may want to visit the Castle Museum or take a walk along the city walls. After lunch, we'll drive into scenic and rugged north Wales. Tonight we'll enjoy a music and fun-filled medieval banquet at Ruthin Castle. Sleep in or near Ruthin (2 nights). Bus: 3 hrs. Walking: light to moderate.
Walking Key
Light = Two to four miles of mostly level walking.
Moderate = Four to six miles and/or up and down hills and/or some stairs.
Strenuous = Six to ten miles, lots of stairs, uneven terrain.
Day 8: Caernarfon Castle and North Wales
Today we'll explore scenic north Wales, including brooding Caernarfon Castle and Llechwedd slate mine. We'll return to Ruthin for some free time and dinner on your own. Bus: 4 hrs. Walking: moderate.
Day 9: Warwick Castle and Cotswold Hills
We begin today touring Warwick, England's best-preserved castle, with its fun demonstrations of medieval life. In the afternoon we'll drive to the thatched, perfectly English villages of the Cotswolds and enjoy a pub dinner. Sleep in or near Stow-on-the-Wold (2 nights). Bus: 3½ hrs. Walking: moderate.
Day 10: Cotswold Villages and Free Time
Our bus will take us on a Cotswolds loop drive, with visits to a couple of quaint Cotswold villages. This afternoon you'll have free time to explore our home village and have dinner on your own. Bus: 2 hrs. Walking: light to moderate.
Day 11: Blenheim Palace and Avebury Circle
This morning we'll tour Blenheim Palace, a gilded mini-Versailles where Winston Churchill was born. After lunch we'll stop for a look at the ancient stone circle at Avebury. Then it is on to the beautiful Georgian city of Bath where we'll enjoy a neighborhood walk and free evening. Sleep in Bath (2 nights). Bus: 3 hrs. Walking: light to moderate.
Day 12: Bath, Glastonbury, and Wells
Today we'll start with a tour of the remarkably well-preserved Roman Baths. We'll then meet our bus and driver for a day trip to mystical Glastonbury, with its eerie, ruined abbey (supposed burial place of King Arthur and Queen Guinevere), and the uniquely Gothic Wells Cathedral. We'll end the day back in Bath with dinner together. Bus: 2½ hrs. Walking: moderate.
Day 13: Literary London
This morning we'll make a beeline for London and its fascinating British Library. After settling in to our hotel, we'll go on a walking tour of Whitehall, ending at Trafalgar Square, where we'll scatter for dinner on our own. This would be a perfect evening for the theater (book something in advance from the Colonies or pick up a ticket in London). Sleep in London (2 nights). Bus: 3 hrs. Walking: moderate.
Day 14: Historic and Lively London
Together we'll head out for a great day of sightseeing, visiting the Tower of London and Westminster Abbey. You'll have the afternoon free before our final group dinner, where we'll say our goodbyes. No bus. Walking: strenuous.
Day 15: Tour Over After Breakfast
Heathrow or Gatwick airports are easy connections from our London neighborhood. For those tempted to continue their trip, London is a great jumping off point to Paris, Dublin, Amsterdam and many other exciting destinations. Cheers!
Itinerary specifics subject to change.
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Recommended reading and viewing list for this tour
Favorite tour memories from a recent alum:
"I have never had so much fun. I walked in the steps of Roman Emperors, Vikings, Kings and Queens of England and Scotland, and stood in awe at Cathederals that rose almost to heaven. I have eaten with a dagger in Wales, eaten haggis in Scotland, and stood at the edge of the known world 1500 years ago. Life is about breathing, but we live for moments that take our breath away. I had many on this trip. I will miss the bakeries, the incredible gardens, and mostly my new English friends."
— Jack in Westminster, CO
