6 Day Britain Sampler

Tour Description

Our most popular Britain holiday offers you the absolute best of this great land. After departing London, enjoy a special walk through the ornamental gardens of Hampton Court Palace. Then venture on to Stonehenge and Bath, and visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon and picturesque Llangollen in North Wales. On to Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital, to visit its famous castle and the Queen’s Holyrood Palace, and the next day Sir Walter Scott’s Abbotsford House. A walking tour of the medieval city of York, and visits to unique Belvoir Castle and the market town of Stamford complete this magnificent holiday.

Your Hotels

• London, Park Plaza Westminster Bridge (SF)
• Bath, Hilton (F)
• Chester, Ramada (F)
• Edinburgh, Ramada Mount Royal (F)
• York, Ramada (F)
• London, Hilton London Metropole (SF)

Hotel Classifications: Deluxe (D), Superior First Class (SF), First Class (F)

Included Features

• HAMPTON COURT: A special walking tour through the palace’s ornamental gardens.
• STONHENGE: Visit the prehistoric monument.
• SALISBURY: Visit the cathedral city.
• BATH: Visit the Roman relics; welcome dinner.
• STOW-ON-THE-WOLD: Take a stroll in this Cotswolds village.
• STRATFORD-UPON-AVON: Take pictures of Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, visit Shakespeare’s birthplace.
• LLANGOLLEN: Visit the picturesque village.
• CHESTER: Walking tour.
• GRASMERE: Visit Wordsworth’s village.
• GRETNA GRREN
• EDINBURGH: Guided sightseeing, visit Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace.
• ABBOTSFORD: Guided tour of Sir Walter Scott’s house.
• JEDBURGH: Take pictures of the abbey ruins.
• YORK: Walking tour.
• STAMFORD: Visit the market town.
• CAMBRIDGE: Explore the university city.

Tour Meals

• Full English breakfast (B)
• 3 three-course dinners (D)
• Choice of menus
• Welcome dinner in Bath.

Day 1: London – Hampton Court – Stonehenge – Salisbury – Bath
Meet your Tour Director and travelling companions and depart at 8 am from your London joining hotel (see your travel documents) for a memorable day of sightseeing. First, a special visit to admire the breathtaking ORNAMENTAL GARDENS of Henry VIII’s Hampton Court Palace. Your Tour Director will take you on a walk to see the Great Vine, Pond Garden, Privy Garden, and the flower borders of the Great Fountain Garden. Then westward to the intriguing prehistoric monument of Stonehenge. Via Salisbury with its magnificent cathedral, the ultimate in Early English Gothic architecture, head for the elegant Georgian city of Bath, where you see the amazing excavations of the ROMAN BATHS. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)

Day 2: Bath – Stratford-upon-avon – North Wales – Chester
Savour vistas of the Cotswolds on your way via the medieval market town of Stow-on-the-Wold to Stratford-upon-Avon. Time here to visit SHAKESPEARE’S BIRTHPLACE and for pictures of Anne Hathaway’s Cottage. The afternoon is dedicated to North Wales. Take a stroll in picturesque Llangollen, home of an annual international contest for poets and musicians. Spend the night at Chester, the historic county town on the River Dee. (B/D)

Day 3: Chester – Lake District – Edinburgh, Scotland
This morning’s walking tour includes the Roman remains, black and white half-timbered buildings, the cathedral, and the two-tiered shopping arcades called the “Rows”. Focus now on the tranquil Lake District, considered to be the finest of England’s national parks. After a break in Wordsworth’s beloved Grasmere, head north for the Scottish border. On the way through the history-steeped Lowland Hills, stop at Gretna Green, where the blacksmith used to wed runaway couples. In Edinburgh, don’t miss our optional Scottish evening with Highland dancers, bagpipers, and the Ceremony of the Haggis. (B)

Day 4: Edinburgh
Morning city sightseeing with a Local Guide introduces you to the 200-year-old “New Town” and famous scientists, inventors, and novelists. In the “Old Town”, drive up the narrow Royal Mile to EDINBURGH CASTLE to admire Scotland’s Crown Jewels, then explore HOLYROOD PALACE (except when the Queen is in residence). The afternoon is free to enjoy this “Prince of Cities” at your own pace. Later, a unique optional experience: board the former Royal Yacht Britannia, once the perfect royal residence for the Queen’s glittering state visits and family holidays. Dinner rounds off this optional evening. (B)

Day 5: Edinburgh – York, England
First on today’s agenda is Sir Walter Scott’s ABBOTSFORD HOUSE for a fascinating guided tour. Melrose Abbey and the ruins at Jedburgh are pointed out on the way to the English border and Northumberland National Park. South now to York, England’s most complete medieval city. Stand in awe in front of the great structure of York Minster, then follow your Tour Director through a maze of quaint streets including the narrow Shambles. (B/D)

Day 6: York – Stamford – Cambridge – London
Leave Yorkshire and its associations with James Herriot, and drive through the richest farmland in Britain. Pause in the market town of Stamford before arriving in the beautiful university city of Cambridge

. Return to London around 3:30 pm., where the holiday ends. (B)

Dates and Prices for 2011

Dates and Prices for 2012

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Accommodation rating Represents the standard of hotel used most frequently throughout this tour

Extras Represents the individual operators suggested budget to pay for additional activities on tour (dinners,entertainment,excursions etc) NOT included in base tour price

Hotel legend:
D deluxe | SF superior first | F first | MF moderate first | ST superior tourist | T Tourist