Extraordinary England and Scotland

Your Small Group Discovery Begins!

At 3 pm meet your Tour Director and travel companions and walk the short distance to Windsor Castle to visit inside the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, and one of the official residences of over 40 monarchs. Later, enjoy a welcome dinner.

Dukes and Dreams

Walk with your Tour Director through the beautiful streets of Oxford to be introduced to “the city of dreaming spires.” On to magnificent Blenheim Palace, birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill and home to the Dukes of Marlborough since the early 1700s. Overnight in Stratford-upon-Avon in the heart of the Cotswolds.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - Architectural beauty, academic significance, and cultural contributions are just three reasons why the city of Oxford is renowned worldwide. The University of Oxford, established in the 12th century, is the oldest university in the English-speaking world, and consistently ranks among the top universities globally. The city is home to stunning and unique architecture. Truly film set stuff!

Cotswolds Charm

This morning, you'll be enchanted by the landscape of rolling hills and the picturesque villages as you explore the Cotswolds. Time to enjoy the honey-colored limestone buildings, stone walls, and thatched houses before returning to Stratford-upon-Avon and a visit to William Shakespeare's Birthplace. There is plenty of time to explore this market town on your own this afternoon.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - Ah, young love! Even more true, as young Shakespeare's fiancée was eight years his senior. Visit Shakespeare's Birthplace and family home in the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon. Hear tales of Shakespeare's family life, marriage, and children with a close look at fascinating artifacts in a world-class collection assembled by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.

To the Lakes

Travel north through the English midlands to Elizabethan Levens Hall with its renowned topiary garden, the oldest in the world. Onwards to the heart of the Lake District, and at Dove Cottage, get absorbed by the life and times of poet William Wordsworth and in an intimate reading of his poems. You will also discover why this tranquil setting inspired him to write some of the finest romantic poems in the English language.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - William Wordsworth lived in the Lake District for much of his life. His “Daffodils” poem beginning “I wandered lonely as a cloud” is the quintessential Lake District poem characterized by its emphasis on nature, emotion, and the importance of the individual experience. Feel it all amongst the beauty that motivated its creation.

Trains, Lakes & Gingerbread

Enjoy a relaxed and scenic day in the Lake District, including a train journey through the Leven Valley to Lakeside, where you'll board a boat for a cruise of unrivalled scenic beauty across Lake Windermere. Stroll in the bustling village of Bowness-on-Windermere before returning to the village of Grasmere to sample the famous Grasmere Gingerbread.

LOCAL FAVORITE - Step back in time on the Haverthwaite Steam Railway, a heritage line originally built in the mid-19th-century to carry iron ore between Barrow in Furness and the Lake District. Saved from closure in the 1970s, the 3.5-mile track is operated by enthusiasts with the journey taking you to the shore of Lake Windermere. Scenic beauty and nostalgic charm at its best!

Escape to Scotland

Continue to the Scottish border, pausing at Gretna Green where the blacksmith became famous for presiding over the marriages of runaway couples, and into the Scottish Lowlands. At Sir Walter Scott's Abbotsford House, a guided tour is followed by a tasting of Abbotsford Whisky. Spend the next two nights in Edinburgh, Scotland's capital.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - Your small group tour of Abbotsford House gets you up close to the home of Sir Walter Scott, renowned Scottish novelist, poet, historian, and biographer. His numerous novels helped to shape the modern perception of Scotland and its history through characters such as Rob Roy and his interpretation of key events in Scottish history, and he is credited for promoting the use of tartan and Highland dress. And to top off your visit, join a special private tasting and talk about Abbotsford Whisky.

Crown Jewels and Castle Views

Morning sightseeing with your small group companions in the company of a Local Guide introduces you to the 200-year-old “New Town” and famous scientists, inventors, and novelists associated with the city of Edinburgh. In the “Old Town,” visit Edinburgh Castle to admire up close Scotland's crown jewels. The afternoon is free to explore.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - Ascend to Castle Rock to explore Edinburgh Castle, one of the most important historical strongholds in the Kingdom of Scotland, with a 1,100-year history as "the most besieged place in Great Britain.” Here you'll find the royal regalia and Scotland's Crown Jewels. The Castle forms the background of the spectacular Tattoo, an extravaganza of bagpipes and drums performed en masse in August each year. The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is included on select departures.

Highland Tees

From Edinburgh, head over the mighty Firth of Forth and a fun inclusion is the opportunity to hit a few balls at the St Andrews Golf Practice Centre driving range. At Scone Palace, the ancestral seat of the Earls of Mansfield, join your guide for a private tour and hear about the crowning of Scottish kings including Macbeth and Robert the Bruce. On into the Highlands to your overnight accommodation.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT - St Andrews is considered the “Home of Golf” for good reason. The earliest documented mention of golf in St Andrews dates back to 1552. Two hundred years later, The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews was formed, and it has played a significant role in shaping the rules and traditions of golf. The Old Course is, as the name suggests, one of the oldest courses in the world with a history spanning over 600 years. Hole in one!

A Toast to the Haggis

First stop today is coffee at Castle Menzies, seat of the Chiefs of Clan Menzies for over 500 years, its location ensuring it has been involved in much of Scotland's turbulent history. At the Glenside Farm Haggis Experience, you'll hear all about Scotland's national dish. Discover how to make it and enjoy a never-to-be-forgotten haggis lunch. Through Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, the final stop is the city of Glasgow where dinner in a local restaurant rounds off a memorable time in England and Scotland.

LOCAL FAVORITE - Dig into the iconic dish of Scotland with a Haggis lunch. This traditional Scottish specialty is famously associated with Burns Night, celebrated annually each January 25th in honor of Scottish poet Robert Burns. His legendary poem, “Address to a Haggis” is traditionally recited before haggis is served. At Glenside Farm, your small group will hear all about the history, traditions, and cultural importance of this national dish of Scotland. It's a must-try for a true Scottish experience!

Safe travels until we meet again!

Your tour ends with breakfast this morning.