Overview
Read 5 reviews and enjoy exclusive savings on Insight Vacations 5 Day Gems of Britain. This 5-Day Guided Tour ensures you see all of Britain's best gems. From a tour of William Shakespeare's hometown Stratford-Upon-Avon, a Tudor-style village nestled along a winding river, to sightseeing at a former Roman fortress in Cardiff, this tour offers something for every type of traveler. Indulge in a celebratory feast in Cardiff. In Edinburgh, visit its infamous castle with a Local Expert. Afterwards, let them guide you through the Scott Monument, the second-largest monument to a writer in the world, read more and the Queen’s official residence. In Bath, tour historic-but-preserved Roman thermal pools or follow in the footsteps of Jane Austen, who once called the town home, and learn about her life and literary legacy.
Sold Out
There are currently no departures available on this trip. Either the season has ended and new dates will be released soon, or the itinerary has been updated and isn’t operating this season.
Operator
Insight Vacations
5 Trip Reviews
Avg. Rating: 4.2/5
Trip Style
Regional Journey
Accommodation
4 - 4.5 Star
Budget
Premium
Age Range
5-99 Years
Max. Group Size
40
Guide Style
Fully Guided
Tour Code
B995
Itinerary
At 07:15, meet your Travel Director at the trip hotel in London and depart for Stratford-upon-Avon. Visit the birthplace of William Shakespeare and admire the architecture of this pretty town nestled beside the River Avon. Head north to historic York and walk inside the city walls see to the topsy-turvy Shambles, a picturesque street with warped overhanging timber-framed houses. Admire the glorious York Minster, which is the largest medieval church in northern Europe. In the evening, enjoy a Welcome Dinner and the chance to get to know your fellow travellers. (DW) Stay: Hilton York.
Pass the ruined Jedburgh Abbey, en route to Edinburgh. Explore Edinburgh with Insight Choice. Choose to join a walking tour with a Local Expert to explore Edinburgh's top sights. Alternatively, join a panoramic driving tour to see the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle an the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official Scottish residence of His Majesty the King.
In the evening, select departures will attend The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo - a colourful mix of pipes and drums, dance and display, set against the floodlit backdrop of Edinburgh Castle. (B) Stay: Apex Waterloo Place Hotel, Edinburgh.
Journey via Gretna Green, where many eloping English couples have married, and join in an amusing ceremony. Continue to the beautiful English Lake District where there is time at leisure to explore on your own. Why not choose the Optional Excursion of a cruise on Windermere and steam train ride? There really is no better way to admire the incredible scenery of rugged mountain and secluded bays. Continue to lively Liverpool, home of The Beatles, for an orientation. (B) Stay: Hard Days Night Hotel, Liverpool.
Visit the former Roman fortress town of Chester. Walk along part of the city walls, see the Eastgate Clock, Chester Cathedral, remains of the Roman Amphitheatre and the unique black and white shopping arcades known as the ‘Rows.' After time to explore, cross into Wales and head for the capital Cardiff for an orientation of the port city, on the River Taff. This evening indulge in a dinner of local ingredients, produced sustainably. (B/DW) Stay: Clayton Hotel, Cardiff.
Cross the Severn Bridge back into England and travel to the City of Bath, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built above one of Britain's thermal, mineral springs. Enjoy a visit to its incredibly well-preserved Roman Baths. Travel across Salisbury Plain to visit the pre-historic and mysterious Stonehenge, where the strange and awe-inspiring monoliths are reputed to be up to 5,000 years old. Your journey concludes upon arrival at the trip hotel in London. (B)
Operator
At Insight Vacations we have been creating magical travel experiences for over 40 years, showcasing the most outstanding destinations and curated experiences in Europe and North America.
Why are we different to any other operator? It’s our unique Insight experiences. It’s our authentic and varied dining options, it’s t moreravelling in smaller groups on customised coaches with twice the legroom, it’s staying in the right hotels in the right location, all brought together seamlessly by our exceptional travel directors. In essence: All the sights, and the insights….up close and personal…in comfort and style.
Travel is such a joy and a personal passion for myself and every member of our team. We’re so proud of the quality, service and value we provide and invite you to try it for yourself. Talk to Global Journeys to find out more about travelling in style and booking your next holiday with Insight Vacations.
Why are we different to any other operator? It’s our unique Insight experiences. It’s our authentic and varied dining options, it’s t moreravelling in smaller groups on customised coaches with twice the legroom, it’s staying in the right hotels in the right location, all brought together seamlessly by our exceptional travel directors. In essence: All the sights, and the insights….up close and personal…in comfort and style.
Travel is such a joy and a personal passion for myself and every member of our team. We’re so proud of the quality, service and value we provide and invite you to try it for yourself. Talk to Global Journeys to find out more about travelling in style and booking your next holiday with Insight Vacations.
Trip Reviews (5)
Great, stress free experience 1
Marie, New Zealand, Jul 2018
Global Journeys booked my Gems of Britain 5 day tour with Insight Vacations and provided me with excellent personal service.
Great whirlwind holiday but some areas need reconsideration 4
Michelle & Bob, SA, Australia, May 2016
Overall, the holiday was fantastic. However, there were a couple of areas that we found a bit disappointing. For instance, for the Edinburgh to Liverpool leg of the journey we spent too long in Gretna Green as there was ample time to have lunch at Windemere. This would have allowed us to get to Liverpool around an hour earlier than we did. Furthermore, read more I would suggest that you reduce the amount of time spent in both Chester & Ludlow on route to Cardiff. Two hours in Chester was way too long - 1 hour would have been ample - and reduce the time in Ludlow by 30 minutes. This would permit your guests to have some time to explore Cardiff around the hotel and do some shopping. As it was, we arrived in Cardiff too late to do any shopping as the shops were all closing by the time we arrived and checked into our hotel. This was disappointing as we would have liked to purchase some souvenirs in Cardiff to take back home with us. If these points were adjusted, then the tour would be 5 star!
Tour covered a lot of the country in a fairly short time 1
Angela, VIC, Australia, Aug 2015
The tour covered a lot of the country in a fairly short time, so you didn't always get as much time as you would like in certain places, but you get a good overview of some great places you can return to and explore in you own time.
The tour guide and driver were very good 1
Alex & Sana Dillon, Australia, Jun 2013
The guide Almando was very good. The driver Sal was also very helpful. nothing was to much trouble for either one. We did order a double bed and kept getting singles, I thought it must have been the tour booking and on the last night I mentioned it to Almando just in general and he sorted it straight away. I should have mentioned it on the first night. read more We will be taking a tour next year, around 22 days of Scotland and Ireland at about the same time.
Coach was first rate, could not fault the trip in any way 1
Helen Myall, Australia, Apr 2011
Our trip, Normandy, Brittany & Chateaux Country was very well organised. Our tour leader, Phillipe was very helpful and gave us enough information, guidance and free time. All the accommodation and included meals were excellent. My daughter and I both enjoyed the trip very much; the standard and punctuality of the coach were first rate and really we read more could not fault the trip in any way.
Prices & Dates
There are currently no departures available on this trip. Either it's the end of the season and new departures will be released shortly, or this itinerary has been changed and is not operating this season. Feel free to contact us for information about when next seasons dates will be released or click here to view general release dates for all destinations.
Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Insight Vacations. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Insight Vacations. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
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