England and Scotland

DAYS 1- 2: WELCOME TO THE UK!

Start your morning in England with a guided panoramic tour of London. See Big Ben, Parliament, Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, and much more before checking into the four-star Hilton Olympia for a two-night stay.. D

DAY 3: WESTMINSTER ABBEY/TOWER OF LONDON

Visit Westminster Abbey, an integral part of London’s history for almost 1,000 years and the site of every coronation since 1066, numerous royal weddings, and the funeral of Princess Diana. Enter the Tower of London to learn of its fascinating (and sometimes bloody) history and get an up-close view of the Crown Jewels. B, D

DAY 4: STONEHENGE/HIGHCLERE CASTLE

Mysterious and magical, Stonehenge is Europe’s most famous prehistoric monument built in stages from 3,000 BC. Enjoy a tour of Highclere Castle and Gardens, site of the PBS hit TV series and movie, Downton Abbey. The privately-owned castle is open for tours on a very limited schedule – and we get a look inside! Continue to the Georgian town of Bath for an overnight at the four-star Apex City of Bath Hotel. B, D

DAY 5: ROMAN BATHS/STRATFORD UPON AVON

Located on the site of ancient springs, extensive Roman Baths offer a glimpse into the ancient civilization’s impact on southern England. Explore Shakespeare’s hometown, Stratford-Upon-Avon, and see the house and impressive gardens where the famous bard was born and grew up. Check into the four-star Novotel Liverpool Centre for a two-night stay. B, D

DAY 6: THE BEATLES

An immersive journey at The Beatles Story Museum explains how four young lads from Liverpool were propelled to heights of fame and fortune from humble beginnings. Visit the Cavern Club, where they made their first appearance in February 1961, and played over 200 times since then. Later, we’ll visit Liverpool Cathedral, a 20th-century construction recognized as the fifth largest cathedral in the world. B, D

DAY 7: LAKE DISTRICT NATIONAL PARK

A scenic drive through England’s Lake District National Park features incredible views of Lake Windermere, made famous in the writings of Beatrix Potter. Cross into Scotland at Gretna Green, the first village in Scotland, on the old coach route from London to Edinburgh. Overnight at the four-star Grange Manor Hotel. B, D

DAY 8: BLAIR CASTLE

Continue north to the Scottish Highlands with a stop at the imposing Blair Castle Estate, one of Scotland’s premier stately homes and the last castle in the British Isles to be besieged in 1746 during the famous Jacobite uprising. The Castle was the traditional home of the Dukes of Atholl, with magnificent artifacts and expansive gardens to explore. Enjoy a three-night stay at the Nethybridge Hotel, a Victorian styled hotel situated among the woods of Strathspey just outside Cairngorms National Park. B, D

DAY 9: EILEAN DONAN CASTLE/LOCH NESS CRUISE

Dating back to 1214, Eilean Donan Castle stands on an islet connected to a causeway in Loch Duich. One of the most famous in Scotland, the completely restored castle has been featured in many movies (including Highlander) and displays fine furniture and paintings from its storied history. Enjoy lunch on your own in Fort Augustus before departing on a Loch Ness cruise where sharp eyes will come in handy to spot the mythical Nessie. B, D

DAY 10: CULLODEN/CAWDOR/GLENFARCLAS DISTILLERY

Visit the infamous Culloden Moor where was the final battle of the Jacobite rising of 1745 was fought between the Scottish Highlanders led by Bonnie Prince Charlie and the English Crown. Take a tour of Cawdor Castle, dating back to 1370 and built as a private fortress by the Thanes of Cawdor, a family made famous by Shakespeare’s play “MacBeth”. Later, enjoy a taste of Scotland on a visit to the Glenfarclas Distillery, set high in the foothills of the Cairngorm Mountains. B, D

DAY 11: FREE TIME/EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO

Spend the afternoon exploring Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, on your own before enjoying the highlight of this vacation in the evening - the Edinburgh Military Tattoo! Performed by British Armed Forces and international military bands, the Tattoo is televised in over 40 countries and watched by hundreds of millions! Spend two nights at the prestigious Intercontinental The George. B, D

DAY 12: EDINBURGH CASTLE/PALACE OF HOLYROOD/ROYAL YACHT BRITANIA

Housing the Scottish Crown Jewels and the Stone of Destiny, Edinburgh Castle is one of the most imposing fortresses in the world. Explore the Royal Yacht Britannia, launched in 1953 and host to the Royal Family for 968 official voyages until its retirement in 1997. Visit Holyrood Palace, the official residence of the British Monarch, which once served as the home of Mary, Queen of Scots between 1561-1567. Cap off your Scottish experience with another night of entertainment at the ‘Taste of Scotland Show’ at Prestonfield House. B, D

DAY 13: FLY HOME FROM EDINBURGH

After breakfast, travel to the airport for your flight home, carrying memories of this unique adventure. B

ACCOMMODATIONS:
Nights 2-3: Hilton Olympia, London
Night 4: Apex Hotel, Bath
Nights 5-6: Radisson Blu, Liverpool
Night 7: Grange Manor Hotel (or similar), Glensburgh
Nights 8-10: Balavil Hotel, Newtonmore
Nights 11-12: Intercontinental The George, Edinburgh

Dates:

• Departure Date: August 4, 2024
• Return Date: August 16, 2024

Pricing:

• Double: $5699
• Single: $6899

*Per person rates

*Included airfare from STL or MCI (call for other gateway cities)

*Passport Required

Identification:

Valid passport required to travel.

Booking Information:

• Booking requires a valid passport
• $250 per person deposit required
• Includes airfare from St. Louis or Kansas City (call for other gateway cities)

Luggage:

Orange luggage tags are provided and are to be placed on your “checked luggage” (large bag). You do not need a tag for your carry-on bag, for which you will be responsible for taking on and off the coach. There is limited space in the cabin of the coach, so unless you require your carry-on bag while traveling, we will stow it in the luggage compartment.

Terms and Conditions:

Please refer to our policies HERE for more information on our terms and conditions.