14 days to tour the historic sites of England including:
Cambridge, York, Edinburgh, Chester, and the Highlands.

Day 1 Arrival in London, England. Uniformed hosts are available to help you make the most of your stay.

Day 2 London. After a hearty English breakfast, morning sightseeing with a professional London guide includes all the famous landmarks: Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Palace and the area’s splendid museums, Knightsbridge, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben beside the River Thames, and Westminster Abbey. Highlights are a visit to ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL and the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, if held. Free time in the afternoon for independent activities or to join an optional excursion to the Tower of London with its fabulous Crown Jewels. Tonight maybe an optional dinner followed by a cruise on the River Thames? (FB)

Day 3 At Leisure in London. A whole day free for sightseeing; shopping in Mayfair or Knightsbridge, home of Harrods; maybe a walk in one of London’s magnificent parks. A suggestion for this afternoon: an optional excursion to Windsor Castle or Hampton Court Palace. Tonight why not take in a show at one of London’s West End theaters? (FB)

Day 4 London-Cambridge-York. Meet your tour director and traveling companions and depart London at 9 a.m. for a memorable day of sightseeing. In the venerable city of Cambridge, join a local expert for a visit to 500-year-old KINGS COLLEGE, including the CHAPEL with its marvelous fan-vaulted ceiling and stained-glass windows (visits are restricted during examinations). This afternoon enjoy a tour of BELVOIR CASTLE, the stately home of the Duke and Duchess of Rutland, which houses one of England’s finest private art collections. Spend the next two nights in York, England’s most complete medieval city. Before dinner join your tour director and traveling companions for a toast to happy touring with a congenial group. (FB,D)

Day 5 At Leisure in York. On a walking tour in the company of your tour director, visit the CASTLE MUSEUM which recreates the atmosphere of everyday life in Britain during the past 300 years. Then follow a maze of quaint streets, including the narrow Shambles, before exploring the treasures of awe-inspiring York Minster. The rest of the day is free to enjoy this historic city at your own pace. Ask your tour director for this evening’s dining suggestions. (FB)

Day 6 York-Edinburgh, Scotland. Fascinating landmarks as your northbound journey unfolds: at Hadrian’s Wall visit SEGEDUNUM where Roman life is vividly explained; glimpse sturdy castles built to repel Scottish invasions; enjoy lunch in the lovely old town of Alnwick dominated by the ancient fortress home of the Percys, Dukes of Northumberland. Take in vistas of St. Aidan’s 7th-century Holy Island of Lindisfarne, cradle of English Christianity, as you cross the border into Scotland for a highlight visit to Sir Walter Scott’s ABBOTSFORD HOUSE. Descendent Dame Jean Maxwell-Scott often guides our tours herself. Late afternoon arrival in Edinburgh, the "Athens of the North." (FB,D)

Day 7 At Leisure in Edinburgh. A full day to enjoy this "Prince of Cities." Morning city sightseeing with a local expert starts with an orientation drive along Princes Street and the Royal Mile, with tales of some truly intriguing characters: the Bodysnatchers, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and Greyfriars Bobby. History comes alive as you tour mighty EDINBURGH CASTLE and the Queen’s HOLYROOD PALACE. The afternoon is at leisure. Later a unique optional experience: board the splendid former Royal Yacht Britannia for a tour of the royal apartments before continuing on for dinner. (FB)

Day 8 Edinburgh. A Taste of the Highlands Excursion. On this morning’s excursion cross the elegant Forth Road Bridge and drive through Fife to St. Andrews, whose Royal and Ancient Golf Club, founded in 1754, has given us the rules of golfing. Via Dundee and Macbeth’s Birnam enter the "Mouth of the Highlands" at the small cathedral city of Dunkeld, the former Pictish capital. Return to Edinburgh in the afternoon via Perth. Tonight don’t miss our optional Scottish evening with Highland dancers, bagpipers, and the Ceremony of the Haggis. (FB)

Day 9 Edinburgh-Lake District, England-Ruthin, North Wales. On the way through the history-steeped Lowland Hills, stop at Gretna Green, where the blacksmith used to wed runaway couples. Leave the land of the Scots, and journey through the tranquil Lake District, considered the finest of England’s national parks. Follow the shores of Ullswater, then head over Kirkstone Pass for a visit to Bowness-on-Windermere. Here enjoy one of the highlights of the day, a cruise along the lake on an historic iron steamship. Tonight Ruthin, a small market town in North Wales. (FB,D)

Day 10 Ruthin. Chester, England and North Wales Excursion. On your walking tour in the walled city of Chester see the Roman remains, the characteristic black and white half-timbered buildings, and the two-tiered arcades called the "Rows," with time afterwards to browse and shop. This afternoon’s excursion includes a visit to picturesque Llangollen, home of an annual international contest for poets and minstrels. A special treat: a guided tour of PLAS NEWYDD, the timbered black and white home of the eccentric "Ladies of Llangollen." Take the scenic route back over dramatic Horseshoe Pass. Dinner is not included to give you a chance to stroll into town for a pub supper or take our recommendation and participate in an optional Welsh banquet at your hotel. (FB)

Day 11 Ruthin-Stratford, England-Bath. Head south this morning to Stratford-upon-Avon. Take your pictures of Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and visit SHAKESPEARE’S BIRTHPLACE. Time to explore this fine example of an Elizabethan town on your own before driving through the beautiful Cotswold Hills to quaint medieval Stow-on-the-Wold. Afternoon arrival in the elegant Georgian city of Bath with its fine gardens and flower-festooned streets. (FB,D)

Day 12 Bath. Mendip Hills Excursion. A fascinating morning excursion over the Mendip Hills to the caves and limestone cliffs of Cheddar Gorge, the cathedral city of Wells, and King Arthur’s Glastonbury. Back in Bath see the amazing excavations of the ROMAN BATHS. Then plenty of time to explore this beautiful city at your own pace. This evening consider an optional excursion to the picture-book 13th-century village of Castle Combe. (FB)

Day 13 Bath-Winchester-London. Try to unravel the mystery of prehistoric STONEHENGE on the way across Salisbury Plain. Take a lunchtime break in Winchester, the ancient capital of Wessex, and visit the immense CATHEDRAL where the murdered King William Rufus and novelist Jane Austen of Pride and Prejudice fame are buried. Return to London around 3:30 p.m.  (FB)

Day 14 Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (FB)