Best of Britain 12 Day Tour

Price Per person double occupancy

Dates	Land Only No Transfers
This is only a sample itinerary. Ask about custom tour planning from one of our experts. Please Call us at 800.322.0788 or fill out a request form above for dates/pricing.

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Price Includes: All motor coach and land transportation, sightseeing, admissions, services of tour director and driver, lodging, meals as specified in tour itinerary, taxes, gratuities to bellhops and waiters at included meals.

Not Included: Cost of obtaining passports or visas, laundry, meals, beverages or sightseeing not included in the itinerary, travel insurance, gratuity to guide, driver, communication charges, & excess baggage fees. Port charges and gratuities to crew are not included on cruises.

Day 1: DEPART FROM US

We depart today and enjoy our overnight flight to London. Dinner and Breakfast will be served aloft.

Day 2: ARRIVE IN LONDON (3 NIGHTS)

Upon our arrival, we will be met by our guide and immediately transported into the heart of one of the most historic cities, London. Upon arrival in the city we immediately have a short orientation tour. Hotel check in, dinner and overnight.

Day 3: LONDON

Our morning sightseeing of the city will include a visit to the Tower of London, one of London's oldest historical landmarks. Originally built by William the Conqueror as a fortress, this site has also served as a royal residence and a prison. See the White Tower, where prisoners such as Sir Walter Raleigh and Princess Elizabeth were held; the Crown Jewels; and St. John's Chapel, the oldest church in London. We then board our boat for a trip down the Thames passing St. Paul's Cathedral, Sir Christopher Wren's wonderful Renaissance masterpiece, the Globe Theater and disembarking to view Big Ben. We have Dinner and a CONCERT tonight in one of Londons wonderful settings. *Concert Tonight in London

Day 4: DAY TRIP TO DOVER

This morning we travel south to Canterbury, the spiritual center of the Anglican community, the Canterbury Cathedral; also the place where Thomas of Becket was murdered. Enjoy a guided tour; visit Canterbury Cathedral, Possibility of singing informally here. Continue on to Dover to see "the cliffs" and Dover Castle. We return to London for Dinner and overnight.

Day 5: LONDON - SALISBURY - STONEHENGE - BATH (1 NIGHT)

After breakfast drive west to visit Salisbury Cathedral which boasts the tallest spire. At 404 ft it is visible for miles around and is immortalized in the paintings of John Constable. Continuing north we stop at Britain's most famous monument, Stonehenge more than 3000 years old. We Continue to Bath for a visit to the Pump Rooms and the original lead lined Baths dating back to Roman times. We have dinner before our CONCERT. *Concert Tonight in Bath

Day 6: BATH - STRATFORD-UPON-AVON (1 NIGHT)

Depart Bath and traveling through the Cotswolds, we arrive in Stratford, home of the world's famous playwright Shakespeare. We will visit the Shakespeare Center, Shakespeare's Birth place, Anne Hathaway's Cottage and Trinity Church. (possible impromptu concert at Trinity) This evening we included a performance by the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Day 7: STRATFORD - COVENTRY - RUTHIN (1 NIGHT)

Departing Stratford early this morning we travel just north to Coventry. This city of Lady Godiva was dramatically transformed on the night of November 14, 1940, when 500 tons of bombs and 30,000 incendiaries aimed at local munitions factories were dropped in a massive German raid that razed most of the city. The shell of the 14th century Coventry Cathedral, its sanctuary graced with moving crosses - one made of charred timbers, the other of twisted nails - is now a memorial shrine. Tour the Cathedral before continuing to Warwick Castle for a short visit. Continue across the Welsh border into Ruthin, the charming little village with a true working castle and hotel. Medieval Banquet and overnight in Ruthin.

Day 8: RUTHIN - YORK (1 NIGHT)

After breakfast we depart Ruthin for Chester one of the few remaining walled cities and noted for its Norman and Roman foundations. Chester was a strategic naval city for the Romans during the occupation of England. We visit the great red stoned Chester Cathedral, where an informal concert is possible. Then drive across England into York. York remains today as a true representation of medieval England. As we take a walking tour through these historic streets we arrive at York Minster, England's largest cathedral. In side you view the great stained window dating back to 1338 and reputably the size of a doubles tennis court. We continue through York to the remains of the keep of the former York Castle, Glifford's Tower, which contains excellent views from the top. After dinner we give a CONCERT performance. *Concert Tonight in York

Day 9: YORK - EDINBURGH (3 NIGHTS)

After hotel breakfast we continue north to Scotland. We make a stop at England's Roman treasure, Hadrian's Wall. We visit Chollerford, site of one of a series of troop bases added to the wall soon after it was built. We also view the remains of the Roman Fort at Carrawburgh. Upon arrival in Edinburgh we check into our hotel, dinner and evening walking tour of the Royal Mile with your tour escort.

Day 10: DAY TRIP TO THE TROSSACHS

Today we have a full day of sightseeing in the Trossachs, the Highlands of Scotland. The Trossachs are the beautiful range of mountains and lakes straddling the border between the Highlands and Lowlands. The area is home to a variety of wildlife, including the golden eagle, peregrine falcon and even wildcats. The untouched land with its rugged scenery inspired Sir Walter Scott to write, The lady of the Lake and also provided the setting for the bandit hero, Rob Roy. This evening we have a CONCERT in the area surrounding Edinburgh. *Concert Tonight in Edinburgh Area

Day 11: EDINBURGH

Today we have a full day of touring surrounding Edinburgh's most famous sights. We begin with a visit to the Edinburgh Castle. Here you have a guided tour learning the great and tragic history of the castle and the country is represents. Traveling down the Royal Mile we view Greyfriars Kirk and Churchyard and at the end of the Royal Mile we visit Holyrood House, where (subject to the Royal family being in residence) we visit this royal house. We finish our sightseeing with a visit to St. Giles Cathedral. Tonight we have a wonderful farewell Scottish Banquet and overnight in Edinburgh.

Day 12: DEPART FOR HOME

Our Great Britain tour ends this morning with a transport to the airport and a flight home from Glasgow.