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Tour Description

Tour Highlights:

• Spend 3 nights in Bath, visiting romantic Tintern, King Arthur's Glastonbury, Stourhead Gardens and the Roman Baths
• Cruise on Lake Windermere, visit Dove Cottage and enjoy a steam train ride through Beatrix Potter country
• Enjoy 4 wonderful nights at the Airth Castle Hotel visiting Glasgow, Edinburgh, Stirling and Oban amongst the lochs and mountains of the Western Highlands
• Get locked up in Inveraray Jail, sample whisky at Glengoyne and enjoy a special Rob Roy and William 'Braveheart' Wallace guided tour
• Spend 3 nights in Ripon, visit York's Shambles, Castle Howard and ride on a heritage train across the Yorkshire Moors to Whitby
• Stay 3 nights in Shakespeare's Stratford, visit Shakespeare's birthplace, Anne Hathaway's Cottage, medieval Warwick Castle, magnificent Chatsworth House and the delightful Saxon Mill Pub
• Spend a day in the enchanting Cotswolds, visit Sudeley Castle, Stonehenge, enjoy a walking tour of Oxford, explore an 18th century Cotton Mill village, experience the London Eye and the Beatles Story in Liverpool

Tour Inclusions

• All the sightseeing, scenic drives and excursions (as per the itinerary)
• Fully escorted by our experienced Tour Manager
• First class air-conditioned touring coach
• End of Tour tips to Tour Manager, driver and local guides
• 18 nights selected accommodation as described
• Hotel porterage (1 bag per person)
• English/Scottish breakfasts daily 
• 12 dinners including a farewell dinner in a London pub
• Welcome drink in London
• Local guides – Dove Cottage, Edinburgh, Stirling & the Trossachs, Oxford and London
• Entrances: Stonehenge, Tintern Abbey, Glastonbury Abbey, Stourhead, Bath’s Roman Baths & Pump Room, Beatles Story Museum, Dove Cottage and Wordsworth Museum, Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle, Castle Howard, Chatsworth House, Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, Warwick Castle, Sudeley Castle
• Cruise on Lake Windermere, Lakeside to Haverthwaite steam train ride, Glengoyne Distillery tasting, visit Bannockburn Heritage Centre, Inveraray Jail and New Lanark Heritage Centre, North Yorkshire Moors Railway heritage train journey, ride high on the London Eye
• Personal audio system whilst on tour

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London
Your tour commences this evening with a welcome drink and dinner in your central London hotel. This is an ideal chance to meet, and get to know, your Tour Manager and fellow travellers. Stay: Hilton London Metropole, or similar (D)

Bath (3 Nights)
Travelling west we reach Salisbury Plain where we visit the remarkable megaliths of Stonehenge. Surrounded by 800 acres of National Trust property, this mysterious, ancient ring of enormous stones still baffles mankind as to its origins and purpose. After time at leisure in nearby Salisbury, we continue to Bath and visit the famous Roman Baths and Pump room. Our hotel for the next three nights is in the centre of town. Stay: Mercure Bath Francis Hotel (B/D)

Bath
This morning we take a scenic drive into the Welsh borderlands. Our route takes us across the Severn Bridge into the Royal Forest of Dean. At Tintern we visit the romantic ruins of the Cistercian abbey delightfully set in the peaceful forest. Following the picturesque River Wye north we make a stop in Monmouth (known in Welsh as Tefynwy) where King Henry V (who fought at Agincourt) and Charles Rolls (of Rolls Royce fame) were born. Lunchtime will be at leisure in the market town of Brecon in the Brecon Beacons. Your evening is at leisure in Bath. (B)

Bath
Driving into Somerset we spend the morning visiting Britain’s earliest Christian sanctuary – the famous ruins of Glastonbury. Legendary burial place of King Arthur and his Queen Guinevere, Glastonbury was once the grandest and richest abbey in England. Look out for the costumed staff of monks, kitchen maids, pilgrims and even characters from King Arthur's court as they spin tales from the distant past. Later we continue to Wiltshire and visit magnificent Stourhead - the celebrated 18th century landscape garden and Palladian mansion. You will have time to explore the classical temples, the Pantheon and Temple of Apollo, all set amongst the woodland, around the central lake. Returning to Bath the remainder of your afternoon is at leisure to explore Bath’s picturesque cathedral, the Georgian crescents, sights and shops. (B/D)

Bowness-on-Winderemere in the Lakes District (2 Nights)
Travelling north we reach Liverpool for lunchtime. After a brief orientation tour including Strawberry Fields, Penny Lane and other sights made famous by the Beatles, we stop at the Albert Docklands to visit the Beatles Story Museum and see how the ‘Fab Four’ were propelled to the dizzy heights of worldwide fame and fortune, to become the greatest band of all time. Later we continue north to the picturesque Lakes District where we stay two nights in Bowness-on-Windermere. Stay: Macdonald Old England Hotel and Spa (B/D)

Bowness-on-Winderemere in the Lakes District
We will spend a delightful day touring the famous Lakes District. This morning we follow the lake shore stopping at both Ambleside and Grasmere where we have included entrance to the Wordsworth Museum and a guided visit through Dove Cottage, once home to the poet William Wordsworth. In the afternoon we enjoy a cruise to Lakeside at the far southern tip of the lake. Here we board a beautifully preserved steam train for a short 6 kilometre ride through the glorious countryside of Beatrix Potter to Newby Bridge and Haverthwaite. The remainder of the day is free back in Bowness-on-Windermere. (B)

Airth nearly Stirling, Scotland (4 Nights)
Crossing into Scotland we reach the revitalised city of Glasgow late morning. Glasgow’s reputation has changed dramatically in recent years and this city is as cosmopolitan and sophisticated as any other in Europe. Its museums and galleries are home to world class collections. Mid afternoon we stop at Dumgoyne to sample a ‘wee tipple’ in the Glengoyne Distillery. Later we continue to the village of Airth, located between the historic cities of Stirling and Edinburgh, where we will stay for the next four nights. Stay: Airth Castle Hotel (B/D)

Airth
After a hearty Scottish breakfast, we travel to Edinburgh where a local guide helps us to discover this city’s rich history. There is so much to see, such as Parliament Hall and Holyrood Palace. Highlight of the day will be crossing the drawbridge and entering Edinburgh Castle, which dominates the city’s skyline. Your afternoon and evening are at leisure in Edinburgh. Perhaps shop along Princes Street, or try a “wee dram” at the Scottish Whisky Heritage Centre (entrance not included). (B)

Airth
Today a local guide will take us on a William ‘Braveheart’ Wallace and Rob Roy tour through Stirling and the Trossachs. Stirling, the ancient capital of Scotland, lies at the heart of the nation's history. The streets of the Old Town wind upwards towards the castle, 250 feet up on a craggy rock. Our guide takes us through this grand fortification, with its splendid views across the countryside to the Wallace Monument – built in commemoration of this legendary Scottish hero. We also visit nearby Bannockburn Heritage Centre on the site of Robert the Bruce’s famous victory over the English in 1314. (B/D)

Airth
There is nothing like a day in the Western Highlands. The scenery today is spectacular. The mountains, lochs and islands have captivated artists, composers and poets for centuries. Following the western shore of Loch Lomond we cross the Argyll Forest Park to reach the shores of Loch Fyne where we visit Inveraray Jail. This superb attraction is a living Museum where costumed characters portray life in a 19th century prison. You can interact with jailers and common thieves, watch courtroom dramas and punishments. Later we ‘escape’ and continue over forested hills to the lochs of the Trossachs and our last stop will be in the town of Callander, in the heart of Rob Roy country, where we can visit excellent craft and woollen shops. (B/D)

Ripon in Yorkshire (3 Nights)
Driving south we reach the New Lanark World Heritage Site, a sensitively restored 18th century cotton mill village in South Lanarkshire. Set in an incredibly scenic location, this award winning attraction is absolutely fascinating. The giant mill wheels still sit over the torrential river and the 200 year old terraced houses have been restored offering an intriguing look at the workers family life two centuries ago. Later we continue to the charming town of Ripon on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, where we spend the next three nights. Each night at 9pm in Ripon, an ancient tradition dating back to 11th century is performed by the towns Horn Blower. He will 'set the watch' by blowing his horn from each corner of the market square around the obelisk which was built in 1703 and stands 90ft tall. Stay: Best Western Ripon Spa Hotel (B/D)

Ripon in Yorkshire
This morning will be spent in the nearby city of York. After a city orientation tour the rest of the morning will be at leisure. Make sure you visit the Minster, the largest gothic church in England, stroll the ‘Shambles’ (medieval shopping street) or walk along the Roman built city walls. Later we return to your hotel for a relaxing afternoon. Take time to enjoy a walk into Ripon, the Cathedral City of the Dales, or maybe enjoy a drink on the hotel terrace or (subject to availability) try your hand at croquet on your hotel lawns. (B)

Ripon in Yorkshire
Driving east, we stop at Pickering where we board a heritage train of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway for the ride to Goathland. With its charming 1930 village atmosphere, this station is known to many as Aidensfield in the television series Heartbeat, and also as the bewitching Hogsmeade Station in the first Harry Potter film. From here we drive to the coastal town of Whitby, once home to the famous explorer Captain Cook, where we enjoy lunchtime at leisure. This afternoon we follow the Yorkshire coast, past Scarborough to visit Castle Howard, the setting for the famous TV drama ‘Brideshead Revisited’. Designed in 1699 by John Vanbrugh, this magnificent private home is set in 1,000 acres of gardens complete with water-features, fountains and a walled rose garden. Its 80ft high dome dominates the skyline and inside there is a remarkably rich collection of art, furniture and antiques. (B/D)

Stratford-upon-Avon (3 Nights)
A leisurely start as we drive south into Derbyshire to reach Chatsworth mid morning. Here we visit Chatsworth House with its glorious interior, treasure rooms and gardens complete with an ornate maze and the 300 year old water ‘Cascade’, falling 200 metres down the hill in a series of 24 steps. Later we continue to Stratford-upon-Avon and visit Anne Hathaway’s cottage before settling into our central hotel, where we stay for the next three nights. Stay: Mercure Shakespeare (B/D)

Stratford-upon-Avon
This morning we visit nearby Warwick and its medieval castle. Over a thousand years of secrets hide in the shadows of the castle – tales of murder, mystery, intrigue and scandal. Walk through Madame Tussaud’s medieval household in the Kingmaker attraction, watch the Earl of Warwick prepare for his final battle, enter the eerie Ghost Tower, descend into the gloomy depths of the Torture Chamber and see Royalty and Dukes prepare for dinner in the Great Hall. Lunchtime will be spent in the countryside at the delightful Saxon Mill Pub, set beside a peaceful lake and weir, complete with weeping willows and ducks. After visiting Shakespeare’s Birthplace the rest of the day and evening will be free to relax and wander the streets of Elizabethan Stratford-upon-Avon. (B)

Stratford-upon-Avon
A relaxing day is planned today! We spend the whole day leisurely wandering through one of the most beautiful and unique regions in England – the Cotswolds. The landscape is dotted with delightful villages with their honey coloured houses, stonewalls and thick hedgerows. We make stops in the famous villages of Broadway and Bourton-on-the-Water, plus we visit Sudeley Castle, romantically set in its beautiful gardens. (B/D)

London (2 Nights)
After breakfast, we travel south to Oxford, home to one of Europe’s oldest and most famous universities. The ‘dreaming spires’, honey-gold buildings and a riverside setting are just part of Oxford’s unique appeal that, once visited, is unforgettable. A local guide takes us on a walking tour around the city and its colleges. Mid afternoon we depart for London. Stay: Hilton London Metropole, or similar. (B)

London
This morning a local guide joins us for a panoramic orientation tour where we see the major sights from Buckingham Palace and the Tower Bridge to Westminster Abbey and Trafalgar Square. A highlight of your day will be a ride on the giant ferris wheel – ‘the London Eye’ – to take in the spectacular views down onto the Houses of Parliament and across London’s unique skyline. Your afternoon is at leisure. This evening we enjoy a farewell dinner at a traditional ‘London Pub’. (B/D)

London
Sadly, your tour comes to an end after breakfast. (B)

Tour Operator: Albatross Tours

Albatross Travel was established in 1995 and offers European escorted coach tours designed specifically for Australians and New Zealanders. With smaller group sizes and a more sensible pace with 2, 3, 4 and even 5 night stays in most places, you will enjoy much more genuine sightseeing time and less time sitting on coaches. All Albatross tours are genuinely inclusive and already includes all excursions, special visits, sightseeing tours, feature dinners and even your end of tour tips!

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Airport Transfer Information

You will be required to make your own way to and from the hotel at the beginning and end of the tour. Albatross are unable to include individual transfers. Global Journeys can book extra pre and post tour accommodation to fit in with your flight arrival and departure dates.

Terms & Conditions:

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