7 Day Scenic Britain

Tour Description

In order to showcase Britain’s most charming towns and natural beauty, this tour sets a lively pace. Each glorious day is filled with wonder and excitement, history and tradition, all set against Britain’s most picturesque scenic landscapes. The charming and elegant Barceló Harrogate Majestic Hotel is set in a Victorian landmark building the heart of town. While the Edinburgh Missoni sets itself apart with its modern design.

Highlights

• Stratford: Visit the birthplace of William Shakespeare.
• York: See York Minster, city walls and medieval “Shambles”
• Harrogate: Stay in this restful spa town, famous for its gardens
• Yorkshire Dales: Witness the grey stone towns, windswept fells, rivers and valleys of one of Britain´s most scenic regions
• Durham: View the Castle and Norman Cathedral
• Borders: Stop at a part of Hadrian´s Wall. See the ruins of Jedburgh Abbey
• Edinburgh: Guided city tour visiting the Castle. See the Royal Mile, Holyroodhouse Palace, Scott Monument and `New Town´. Selected departures attend the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
• Lake District: Learn about the life of the poet William Wordsworth and visit his grave in Grasmere
• Chester: Walk by Chester´s `Rows´ and see the Cathedral, Eastgate Clock and Roman Amphitheatre.
• Conwy: See the castle and walk along the town walls.
• Snowdonia: Browse the shops in the pretty Welsh village of Betws-y-Coed. Ride the famous Blaenau Ffestiniog scenic railway through magnificent mountain scenery
• Caernarfon: See the mighty castle
• Ludlow: See the walls of the castle and Jacobean buildings
• Bath: Visit the Roman Baths and Pump Rooms. Witness the fine Georgian architecture
• Stonehenge: Visit the ancient megaliths of Stonehenge
• Scenic drives – Northumberland Moors, Lake District, Snowdonia National Park

Your Hotels

Stay at the following (or similar):

• Barcelo Majestic 
• Missoni Hotel
• Radisson Blu, Liverpool
• Celtic Royal
• St George´s Llandundo
• Marriott, Bristol

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

Quality Dining

• 6 Full Breakfasts (FB)
• A Welcome Reception with light informal meal (WR)
• Choose from a selection of local restaurants in Chester (DA)
• An end of tour Celebration Dinner including wine (CD)

First Class Services

• Escorted by a professional Tour Director
• Headsets for all guided visits and walking tours
• Enjoy the unique comfort of Insight´s Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with extended leg room and on-board restroom
• Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage
• Insight Traveller Welcome pack
• London Airport transfer service available

Itinerary

Day 1 London – Stratford – York – Harrogate

Drive to Stratford-upon-Avon to visit the birthplace of William Shakespeare. Head north to York, to witness the ancient city walls, crooked houses of the `Shambles´ and York Minster. Finally to your hotel in the spa town of Harrogate. On arrival enjoy a Welcome Reception and light informal meal.
Stay: Barcelo Majestic (RW)

Day 2 Harrogate – Durham – Edinburgh

Your route winds across windswept fells and valleys of the Yorkshire Dales. Stop in Durham for free time to explore the cathedral. Continue to part of the wall built by the Roman Emperor Hadrian. Cross the Northumberland Moors and pass the ruins of Jedburgh Abbey, en-route to Edinburgh
Stay: Missoni (FB)

Day 3 Edinburgh Sightseeing

On a guided city tour, visit Edinburgh Castle then drive down the Royal Mile, past St Giles´ Cathedral to Holyroodhouse Palace. Cross over to Princes Street past the Sir Walter Scott monument and on to the 18th century New Town. The afternoon is at leisure. Selected departures attend the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. (FB)

Day 4 Edinburgh – Lake District – Liverpool

Drive via Gretna Green to the Lake District, a region so beautiful it inspired a host of poets. Visit the grave of William Wordsworth before continuing to Liverpool. Choose from a selection of restaurants tonight.
Stay: Radisson Blu (FB/DA)

Day 5 Liverpool – Snowdonia – Caernarfon

See Chester Cathedral and the unique black and white `Rows´. Drive along the coast to Conwy, a walled town, dominated by its dark stoned fortress. Continue into the dramatic Snowdonia mountains. Browse in the craft shops of pretty Betws-y-Coed before climbing to Blaenau Ffestiniog. Board your old world steam train before continuing to Caernarfon
Stay: Celtic Royal/St George´s Llandundo (FB)

Day 6 Caernarfon – Ludlow – Bristol

Travel through the pretty Welsh countryside to the border town of Ludlow, with its half-timbered Jacobean houses and ruined castle, rich in tragic royal history. Continue to Bristol where tonight you can raise your glasses at a Celebration dinner.
Stay: Marriott (FB/HD)

Day 7 Bristol – Stonehenge – London

Stop at Bath with its Georgian streets and crescents, and visit the Roman Baths and Pump Room. Cross Salisbury Plain and stop to visit the mysterious megaliths of Stonehenge. From here, travel to London, where your tour comes to an end. (FB)

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