Best of Britain
From the home of Shakespeare, to the moors of Scotland and the beautiful Cornish Countryside, this really is the best of all that Britain offers.
Pricing
Classic group tour starting at $4,550* CAD per person, based on double occupancy
11 Days – London to London
Activity level: Balanced
Make travel matter experience
CORNWALL: Owner John welcomes you to historic Heskyn Mil for a Farm-to-Table dinner. Savour a delightful meal prepared by his wife, Ann. John and Ann take pride in the restaurants friendly service and the quality of its freshly prepared West Country produce. The farm’s ethos is to support local and reduce food waste. All food is sourced locally, even though this proves more expensive. A staff member grows seasonal vegetables and they have their own egg laying hens. They have relationships with the local farmers where they make sure to get the food that would otherwise struggle to be sold in order to reduce waste. Vegetables are chosen seasonally and are often picked in the morning for their guests to enjoy later the same day.
Top rated highlights
SCENIC DRIVES: Enjoy the beautiful Scottish countryside and scenery of the Trossachs and Loch Lomond before continuing through the English Lake District, over Severn Bridge and past Dartmoor and the Welsh Marshes.
STRATFORD-UPON-AVON: Learn about the life of William Shakespeare, arguably history’s most famous writer, when you visit his birthplace. Then enjoy some time to explore this pretty town with its iconic Tudor houses.
YORK: Walk with your Travel Director within the city walls to see the York Minster and crocked Shambles.
HADRIANS WALL: Stop to see part of the ancient wall that once marked the border of the Roman Empire.
JEDBURGH: See the Abbey, now in ruins.
EDINBURGH: Explore the city with your Local Expert as you travel along Princes Street to see the Scott Memorial, the neoclassical Adam facades of New Town and the official Scottish residence of the Queen, Palace of Holyroodhouse.
GLASGOW: See the grand public buildings, including George Square and St. Mungo’s Cathedral.
STIRLING: Travel via the historic site of Bannockburn and view Stirling Castle.
GRASMERE: Learn about the life of the poet William Wordsworth and visit his grave.
LUDLOW: Explore the narrow streets and lanes in front of the castle. Admire the medieval timber-framed buildings and Georgian mansions.
CARDIFF: During an orientation with your Travel Director, see the castle and Principality Stadium.
BATH: Explore the well-preserved Roman Baths with your Travel Director. Once used for public bathing, they are now open for visitors to explore their grounds and onsite museum.
GLASTONBURY: Explore the town rumored to be the resting place of legendary King Arthur and the Holy Grail, and location of one of the world’s largest music festivals.
PLYMOUTH: During your orientation tour with your Travel Director see Plymouth Hoe and the Citadel then continue to the Barbican and Mayflower Steps. Then head out to explore a quaint Cornish fishing village.
STONEHENGE: Walk around the strange and awe-inspiring monoliths that have reputedly stood for 5,000 years.
Day
Day 1
Location(s)
London
Meals
Description
Welcome to London. After checking into your hotel, the afternoon is free to enjoy a city that is famous for its pomp and pageantry. Perhaps relax with a walk along the Serpentine in Hyde Park or window shop in the elegant boutiques of Knightsbridge? Alternatively, you may want to stroll along the Thames to the iconic Tower Bridge and Tower of London.
Accommodation: The Grosvenor Hotel/Amba Hotel Marble Arch, London
Day 2
London – York
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
At 07:30, meet your Travel Director to begin your journey north to Stratford-upon-Avon, with its wealth of black and white timber-framed buildings. Discover how William Shakespeare and his incredible works continue to shape society today when you visit his birthplace, full of interesting memorabilia and artefacts relating to his life. Continue to historic York to stroll the narrow lanes including the Shambles and view York Minster, England’s largest medieval cathedral. Later, join your Travel Director for a warm and friendly Welcome Dinner and the opportunity to mingle over a pleasant evening.
Accommodation: Hilton York
Day 3
York – Edinburgh
Breakfast
See a part of Hadrian’s Wall, once spanning 80 miles from coast to coast, marking the northern frontier of the mighty Roman Empire. Continue past Jedburgh Abbey en route to the Scottish capital, Edinburgh, for your two-night stay in this stunning city.
Accommodation: Macdonald Holyrood Hotel, Edinburgh (2 nights)
Day 4
Edinburgh
Breakfast
In the morning, join a Local Expert to see the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official Scottish residence of Her Majesty the Queen, at the end of the Royal Mile. Continue past the Sir Walter Scott Monument to the 18th century New Town with its neoclassical Adam facades. Visit Edinburgh Castle, home of the Honours of Scotland, to view Mons Meg, and see the Stone of Destiny. The afternoon is at leisure. In the evening, select departures will attend the spectacular Military Tattoo – a colourful mix of pipes and drums, dance and display, set against the floodlit backdrop of Edinburgh Castle.
Day 5
Edinburgh – Loch Lomond – Glasgow
Breakfast
Drive via historic Bannockburn and Stirling and enjoy the scenery of the Trossachs. Continue along the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, before arriving in Glasgow for an orientation of the city with your Travel Director. See the grand public buildings, including George Square and St. Mungo’s Cathedral.
Accommodation: Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow
Day 6
Glasgow – Windemere (Lake District)
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Travel via Gretna Green to the English Lake District, with scenery so beautiful it inspired a host of writers. Learn about the life of William Wordsworth and visit his grave in the picturesque, stone-built village of Grasmere.
Accommodation: Macdonald Old England Hotel & Spa, Windermere
Day 7
Windemere – Cardiff
Breakfast
Stop in ancient Ludlow, one of England’s most attractive towns, dominated by its castle, rich in tragic royal history. Why not spend time exploring the traditional open-air market, admiring the local crafts and perhaps sampling the produce? Afterwards, cross into southern Wales and head for the capital of Cardiff for an orientation of the port city, upon the River Taff. See Cardiff Castle and the impressive Principality Stadium.
Accommodation: Clayton Hotel, Cardiff
Day 8
Cardiff – Bath – Glastonbury – Saltash
Breakfast
Cross the Severn Bridge back into England and drive to the Georgian City of Bath, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its curative waters have been famous since Roman times. See the 15th century Abbey Church with angels climbing Jacob’s Ladder. Visit the Roman Baths to see the incredibly well-preserved remains of one of the greatest spas of the ancient world, still flowing with the natural hot water from the springs below. Continue on to Glastonbury, steeped in legend and reputed to be the final resting place of King Arthur and the Holy Grail. Then head to your fabulous resort in the Cornish countryside.
Accommodation: St. Mellion International Resort, Saltash (2 nights)
Day 9
Saltash
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
In the morning, visit a quaint Cornish fishing village. Explore Dartmoor with Insight Choice. Choose between a walk and foraging experience in Dartmoor or a scenic cruise of Plymouth harbour to see the Barbican, Citadel, Plymouth Hoe and the Mayflower Steps, from where the Pilgrim Fathers set sail for America. Return via the hilly countryside of Dartmoor, home to wild ponies. Savour an unforgettable Celebration Dinner at Heskyn Mill. Join your Travel Director and newfound friends for the ultimate Farm-to-Table dining experience with mouth-watering meals prepared from organic seasonal produce, freshly picked from the surrounding fields, served with a glass of wine.
Day 10
Saltash – Stonehenge – London
Breakfast
Travel across Salisbury Plain to visit the pre-historic and mysterious Stonehenge, where the strange and awe-inspiring monoliths are reputed to be up to 5,000 years old.
Accommodation: The Grosvenor Hotel, London
Day 11
London
Breakfast
Your journey ends this morning.
*Hotel rooms are subject to availability and are confirmed by the supplier at time of booking; they may be replaced by other hotel rooms of similar category at the sole discretion of the supplier.
Interested in the itinerary above? Click on the “START PLANNING” button below and reference “Best of Britain” in the form, or give us a call at 587.997.5969 to book.
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*Prices are per person, based on double occupancy and subject to change and availability.