9 Day Best Of 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.

Tour 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 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
• Coventry: See the old and new cathedrals
• Stirling: See Linlithgow Palace. Travel via the historic site ofBannockburn. View the Wallace Monument. Visit King James IV´s Great Hall and the Great Kitchens inside the castle

Your Hotels

Stay at the following (or similar):

• Marriott, York
• Holyrood, Edinburgh
• Crowne Plaza, Glasgow
• Hydro
• Castle Green, Kendall
• Radisson Blu Cardiff
• Copthorne Plymouth

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

Quality Dining

• 8 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

A drive through the Cotswolds brings you to Stratford. Visit Shakespeare´s birthplace then continue to Coventry to see the old and new cathedrals. Tonight in the walled city of York, enjoy a Welcome Reception and light informal meal.     Stay: Marriott (RW)

Day 2 York – Edinburgh

Admire the York Minster and the medieval Tudor `Shambles´. Stop briefly at part of Hadrian´s Wall, then continue past the ruins of Jedburgh Abbey to the Scottish capital.
Stay: Holyrood (FB)

Day 3 Edinburgh – Sightseeing

Visit Edinburgh castle, then continue down the Royal Mile, past St Giles Cathedral to Holyrood Palace, and on to the Sir Walter Scott monument. The afternoon is at leisure. Tonight selected departures return to Edinburgh Castle to attend the Military Tattoo. (FB)

Day 4 Edinburgh – Trossachs – Glasgow

Drive to visit Stirling Castle. Enjoy the Highland scenery of the Trossachs, then drive along the banks of Loch Lomond. Continue to Glasgow for an orientation tour.
Stay: Crowne Plaza (FB)

Day 5 Glasgow – Gretna – Lake District

Drive via Gretna to the Lake District, a scenic wonderland of rugged mountains and tranquil waters. Learn about the life of William Wordsworth and visit his grave in the village of Grasmere.
Stay: Hydro/Castle Green, Kendall (FB/D)

Day 6 Lake District – Ludlow – Cardiff

Stop in ancient Ludlow, one of England´s most attractive towns. After some time to explore, cross into southern Wales and head for the capital city of Cardiff.
Stay: Radisson Blu Cardiff (FB)

Day 7 Cardiff – Bath – Plymouth

Cross the Severn Bridge to Bath. Visit the Roman Baths and see the Abbey before continuing to Glastonbury. On reaching Plymouth enjoy a Dine-Around evening.
Stay: Copthorne Plymouth (FB/DA)

Day 8 Plymouth Sightseeing

Enjoy a cruise up Plymouth Sound to the Mayflower Steps before seeing the Barbican and Plymouth Hoe. Now enjoy a scenic Dartmoor excursion before a Celebration Dinner tonight. (FB/HD)

Day 9 Plymouth – Stonehenge – London

Cross Salisbury Plain to visit the ancient stone circle of Stonehenge. You tour ends on your return to London. (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