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Elegance of Great Britain - Start Edinburgh, Classic Group
Follow in the footsteps of historical figures and literary giants on a 12-day guided tour of Scotland and England. In Edinburgh be dazzled by the jewels of Scottish royalty and join a Local Expert as you explore the best the city has to offer. Dine with Sir Ludovic, a Scottish Baronet, on his 10,000-acre coastal home - Ardgowan Castle. He'll tell you about the castle's history and surrounding area as you enjoy traditional tea and scones. Cruise the English Lake District, and visit William Shakespeare's birthplace in Stratford-Upon-Avon. Plus, marvel at Stonehenge's monoliths and indulge in a Dine-at-Home Experience at York's Thrisk Hall, an 18th-century town house renovated by English architect John Carr.
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Welcome to Edinburgh
Welcome to Scotland - land of legends and romance, from the great cultural cities in the south, to the dramatic mountains and misty lochs of the Highlands. After a transfer to your Edinburgh hotel, the rest of the day is yours to relax before meeting your Travel Director and fellow travelers.
Hotel: Apex Waterloo Place, Edinburgh
Edinburgh, The Capital of Culture
Join a Local Expert to see the highlights of the city. Enjoy a drive along Princes Street to the ornate Scott Memorial and see the 18th century New Town with its neoclassical Adam facades. Over in the Old Town, see the Palace of Holyroodhouse and visit the castle, home of Mons Meg, the Stone of Destiny and the Honours of Scotland, Scotland's glittering Crown Jewels. With the afternoon at leisure, why not visit the art treasures in the National Gallery? On select departures, you will also attend The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo a colorful mix of pipes and drums, dance and display, set against the floodlit backdrop of Edinburgh Castle.
Hotel: Apex Waterloo Place, Edinburgh
Ardgowan and Gretna Green
Depart the majestic Scottish capital and journey to Ardgowan, set on a stunning 10,000-acre coastal estate. Sir Ludovic Shaw Stewart welcomes you to his family castle. Learn the history of the Shaw Stewart family and the conservation efforts to protect the land on this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience, followed by a degustation of traditional Scottish tea and scones. Continue to Gretna Green to see the famous spot where runaway lovers were married at the blacksmith's shop. Your travels continue to the picturesque English Lake District.
Hotel: The Ro, Windermere
English Poets and the Lake District Experience Relaxed Start
Devote the day to a scenic wonderland of rugged mountains and tranquil waters - inspiration to a host of English poets.Visit Wordsworth's grave in the small churchyard at Grasmere.Appreciate the scenic beauty of the English Lake District on a relaxing cruise admiring the magnificent views of rugged mountains, secluded bays and wooded islands. Then, embark on a nostalgic steam train ride along the banks of the beautiful River Leven.
Hotel: The Ro, Windermere
Windermere to York Relaxed Start
Enjoy a morning at leisure before traveling through the Yorkshire Dales to arrive at the charming village of Haworth. Visit the Bronte Parsonage Museum, created within the home of the Bronte family. Learn about the family's literary legacy and what inspired them from the surroundings of their own home. Your journey continues to York, one of the oldest cities in England. In the evening join a family for a Dine-at-Home Experience at the historic Thirsk Hall. This grade II* listed three-storey town house was built in 1720 and extended in 1770 by York architect John Carr.
Hotel: DoubleTree by Hilton, York
The Viking City of York Relaxed Start
Enjoy an exploration of one of Britain's most historic cities, controlled by the Vikings during the 9th and 10th centuries and now renowned for its exquisite architecture. Walk within the town walls with a Local Expert to see the York Minster, Britain's largest medieval cathedral. Explore the tangle of narrow, cobbled streets and see the Shambles. Spend the afternoon with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the National Railway Museum housing over 300 years of history, or the magnificent York Minster, one of the largest in Northern Europe.
Hotel: DoubleTree by Hilton, York
On to Cardiff
Begin your day seeing Anne Hathaway's cottage in Shottery, a 15th-century farmhouse with a timber frame and thatched roof, where Shakespeare is said to have courted his future wife. Surrounded by traditional gardens, the site offers a view into rural Tudor life. Continue into Stratford-upon-Avon to visit the house where Shakespeare was born in 1564. This modest dwelling, now a museum, contains original furnishings and documents that chart his early years. Later, cross into Wales and arrive in Cardiff, declared the nation's capital in 1955. This evening, you may choose to attend an Optional Experience featuring traditional Welsh music, storytelling and a locally inspired menu.
Hotel: Indigo, Wales
Cardiff Relaxed Start
Explore Cardiff Castle with your Local Expert. Built on Roman foundations and transformed in the 19th century, the castle reveals layers of Welsh heritage and national identity. Join your Travel Director for an orientation to see the city's landmarks, including the Principality Stadium, Wales Millennium Center, Pierhead Building and The Senedd, home to the Welsh Parliament. Discover how Cardiff developed from a coal-exporting port into a modern capital. You'll have time to explore further at your own pacevisit a museum, stroll along the bay or pause at a local cafe.
Hotel: Indigo, Wales
The Cotswolds, Blenheim Palace and Bath
An enchanting day awaits this morning. Cross the beautiful Cotswold hills, a chocolate box scene of golden stone villages with roses around the doors. Visit the magnificent stately home and gardens of Blenheim Palace, the greatest building of the English Baroque, and learn more about Churchill's life at Blenheim during a talk by a historian. Continue to the elegant Georgian city of Bath, built in amphitheater style on the surrounding hills. Your Travel Director introduces you to the Pulteney Bridge, built in mellow local stone.
Hotel: Lansdown Grove, Bath
Bath Relaxed Start
The City of Bath is a UNESCO World Heritage Site built above one of Britain's thermal, mineral springs. Enjoy a visit to its incredibly well-preserved Roman Baths. With the rest of the day at leisure, why not soak and relax with a visit to Thermae Spa? In the evening, join your Travel Director and fellow travelers as you raise a glass over your dinner to commend your wonderful journey.
Hotel: Lansdown Grove, Bath
Ancient Stonehenge to London
Travel across Salisbury Plain to visit the prehistoric and mysterious Stonehenge, where the strange and awe-inspiring monoliths are reputed to be up to 5,000 years old. Continue into the heart of Wiltshire to the city of Salisbury where you have time at leisure to enjoy lunch and explore. See the tallest spire in England, atop the medieval cathedral, and observe an architectural timeline from the city's medieval walls and half-timbered Tudor town houses to Georgian mansions and Victorian villas. Upon arrival in London you are at leisure for the rest of the afternoon.
Hotel: Thistle Marble Arch, London
Homeward Bound
Your journey comes to an end after breakfast.
Departure Dates
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Start: May 10, 2026 End: May 21, 2026 Price: $5,225 pp | Land Only Price My Trip |
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Start: May 24, 2026 End: June 4, 2026 Price: $5,225 pp | Land Only Price My Trip |
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Start: June 21, 2026 End: July 2, 2026 Price: $5,250 pp | Land Only Price My Trip |
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Start: July 5, 2026 End: July 16, 2026 Price: $5,295 pp | Land Only Price My Trip |
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Start: August 2, 2026 End: August 13, 2026 Price: $5,995 pp | Land Only Price My Trip |
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Start: August 9, 2026 End: August 20, 2026 Price: $5,995 pp | Land Only Price My Trip |
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Start: August 16, 2026 End: August 27, 2026 Price: $5,995 pp | Land Only Price My Trip |
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Start: August 30, 2026 End: September 10, 2026 Price: $5,595 pp | Land Only Price My Trip |
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Start: September 13, 2026 End: September 24, 2026 Price: $5,325 pp | Land Only Price My Trip |
Price My Trip
Product Code: IVUSAS-B917AN26