Elegance of Great Britain - Start Edinburgh, Classic Group

Elegance of Great Britain - Start Edinburgh, Classic Group

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12 Days From

$4850

$4123

Elegance of Great Britain - Start Edinburgh, Classic Group

12 Days Starting in Edinburgh and ending in London

Visiting: Edinburgh, Ardgowan House, Gretna Green, Kendal, Windermere, Lake District National Park, York, Thirsk, Lincoln, Stratford-upon-Avon, Blenheim Palace, Bath, Stonehenge, Salisbury, London

Tour operator:

Insight Vacations

Tour code:

B917ZN19

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Physical rating:

Balanced

Trip Styles:

Luxury, UK tours by Coach

Interests:

Cultural, History

From:
$4850
$4123 (USD) Operator discount: -$728 -15%

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

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 home-hosted meal at York's Thrisk Hall, an 18th-century town house renovated by English architect John Carr.

Highlights

  • Choose between two carefully selected activities

  • Lincoln: Visit Lincoln Castle and admire one of the four remaining copies of the Magna Carta, which is over 800 years old.

  • Lincoln: In Lincoln visit a local café fighting against poverty, for delicious tea and cakes.

  • : Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.

  • : Experience enhanced hygiene protocols to align with the latest guidance following COVID-19.All Travel Directors, Well-Being Directors and Drivers have completed training in enhanced well-being and hygiene protocols.

  • : We only work with establishments we are confident will consistently adhere to our high well-being standards, which include hotels, restaurants and sight-seeing venues.

  • : Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.

  • : "One experience that is not to be missed on this trip is a visit to the Roman Baths, because it’s an incredible relic of Roman times from 2000 years ago."

  • : "Towering mountains, glittering lochs, beautiful forests, crumbling toothy ancient castles, rushing rivers, grand vistas, clear air... there's nowhere else like the Highlands, in how it looks but also how it feels: strong, bright, impressive and light."

  • : "One food I really love introducing my guests to is haggis because it’s surprisingly really nice and they love hearing about how it’s made. "

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Places You'll See

Itinerary

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Day 1: Welcome To Edinburgh

Location: Edinburgh

Accommodation: Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa, Edinburgh.

Meals Included: Dinner with Wine

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. On arrival at Edinburgh Airport, transfers depart for your hotel at 09:00, 11:00 and 13:00. Then the rest of the day is yours to relax before joining your Travel Director and fellow travellers at 16:30 for a Welcome Dinner.

Day 2: Edinburgh, The Capital Of Culture

Location: Edinburgh

Accommodation: Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa, Edinburgh.

Meals Included: Breakfast

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 - the official Scottish residence of His Majesty, The King 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 colourful mix of pipes and drums, dance and display, set against the floodlit backdrop of Edinburgh Castle.

Day 3: Ardgowan And Gretna Green

Location: Edinburgh, Ardgowan House, Gretna Green, Kendal

Accommodation: Castle Green Hotel, Kendal.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Afternoon Tea, Dinner with Wine

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 area, 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 over the anvil at the blacksmith's shop. Your travels continues to the picturesque English Lake District and dinner is served at your hotel in Kendal.

Day 4: English Poets And The Lake District Experience Relaxed Start

Location: Windermere, Lake District National Park, Windermere

Accommodation: Castle Green Hotel, Kendal.

Meals Included: Breakfast

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.

Day 5: Windermere To York Relaxed Start

Location: Windermere, York, Thirsk, York

Accommodation: Hotel, York Marriott

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner, with Wine

Enjoy a morning at leisure before travelling through the Yorkshire Dales to arrive at the charming village of Haworth. Visit the Brontë Parsonage Museum, created within the actual home of the Brontë 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 home-hosted meal 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.

Day 6: The Viking City Of York Relaxed Start

Location: York

Accommodation: York Marriott Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Enjoy an exploration of one of Britain’s most historic cities, controlled by the Vikings during the 9th and 10th century and now renowned for its exquisite architecture. Walk within the town walls with a Local Expert to see the huge York Minster, Britain’s largest medieval cathedral. Explore the tangle of quaint, narrow, cobbled streets and see the Shambles. Spend the afternoon with Insight Choice. Visit the National Railway Museum housing over 300 years of history, or the magnificent York Minster, one of the largest in Northern Europe.

Day 7: Lincoln’S Magna Carta

Location: York, Lincoln, Stratford-upon-Avon

Accommodation: DoubleTree by Hilton Stratford-upon-Avon.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Visit Lincoln Castle, one of the finest Norman castles in England. Your tour will include a chance to see one of the four remaining copies of the Magna Carta. Continue to pretty Stratford, beautifully situated on the River Avon. Your hotel is set in its own private grounds, just a short walk from the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and the town's wealth of black and white timber-framed buildings.

Day 8: Shakespeare's Stratford-Upon-Avon Relaxed Start

Location: Stratford-upon-Avon

Accommodation: DoubleTree by Hilton Stratford-upon-Avon.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Discover how William Shakespeare and his incredible works continue to delight audiences today when you visit his birthplace, full of interesting memorabilia and artefacts relating to his life. Later, join your Travel Director for a traditional Sunday roast dinner, served with Yorkshire pudding and all the trimmings.

Day 9: The Cotswolds, Blenheim Palace And Bath

Randolfo Santos
Steven Eastham
Diego Alberto Etchevarne

Location: Stratford-upon-Avon, Blenheim Palace, Bath

Accommodation: Hotel, Bailbrook House Bath.

Meals Included: Breakfast

An enchanting day awaits in the morning. Cross the beautiful Cotswold hills, a chocolate box scene of golden stone villages with roses round 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 amphitheatre style on the surrounding hills. Your Travel Director introduces you to the Pulteney Bridge, built in mellow local stone. See the angels climbing Jacob's Ladder on Bath Abbey.

Day 10: Bath Relaxed Start

Randolfo Santos
Steven Eastham
Diego Alberto Etchevarne

Location: Bath

Accommodation: Bailbrook House Hotel, Bath.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

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 travellers as you raise a glass over your Celebration Dinner to commend your wonderful journey.

Day 11: Ancient Stonehenge To London

Randolfo Santos
Steven Eastham
Diego Alberto Etchevarne

Location: Bath, Stonehenge, Salisbury, London

Accommodation: The Clermont Victoria, London., Thistle Marble Arch, London.

Meals Included: Breakfast

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 reach the city of Salisbury where you have time at leisure to enjoy lunch and explore the city. See the tallest spire in England, atop the medieval cathedral and walk the streets to 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.

Day 12 : Homeward Bound

Location: London

Your journey comes to an end after breakfast.

What's Included

  • Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.

  • Our highly-skilled Travel Director will ensure your journey is seamless, serving as your expert guide, consummate organiser, and friend overseas.

  • We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.

  • Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.

  • Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).

  • From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.

  • If your arrival flights are as per the itinerary start date, then arrival transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport. You may purchase transfers to London Heathrow and Gatwick airports on departure day, or when additional night accommodation has been booked through Insight Vacations. Alternatively, please make your own way from/to the airport.

Check out our Q&As

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    We regret that no refunds can be made for absences from a tour, including experiences such as missed meals or sightseeing.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Since 1978.

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Insight Vacations is a founding member of the TreadRight Foundation, a joint initiative created by the brands within The Travel Corporation (TTC) almost 15 years ago to ensure our impact through tourism is positive. Our ethos to #MakeTravelMatter guides our decision-making at every level of our business.

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    You have two options as a solo traveller. Either choose to be matched with a same sex partner for a room share - at no extra cost. Or choose a room of your own with a reduced or even free private room upgrade on select tours.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies

Reviews of this Operator

Peggy Lindenborn  

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02-Nov-2021

Country Roads of Southern Italy and Sicily is a delightful trip and our travel guides and driver, Enzo, Chris and Greg were amazing and made the trip very memorable. We saw so many places and had great experiences along the way! Thanks to them for such a wonderful vacation.!

Feefo Trusted Reviews
Trusted Customer  

Best of Spain & Portugal

11-Jan-2023

Great itinerary, good pace, tour director was friendly and very knowledgeable and organised. Bus was very spacious and driver was great. Yes would recommend insight to friends and families

Feefo Trusted Reviews
Jacqueline Thornberry  

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31-Oct-2021

The number is our group was small which meant we got to know each other. Our tour guide, Laura Spiers, was excellent as was our driver. The food was good, and of course everything we saw in Iceland was beautiful and educational.

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Kathryn Ronca  

Enchanting Canyonlands

08-Nov-2021

The trip was fantastic. Everything was well planned and exceeded my expectations. All insight personal were courteous helpful and professional Ann Manual and Kevin were a topnotch team There was attention to every detail and at all times felt safe and always a personal touch to the trip. The motor coach was clean and roomy and there was multiple wipe downs during the day All hotels were top notch and all staff at the hotels and restaurants were helpful and courteous I would recommend this trip as it gave you a fantastic view of the natural wonders of the the West.

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12-Jan-2023

This trip is absolutely amazing! Worth every Penny! Our Tour guide did not Disappoint.

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Dates & Availability

Instant Booking Available

Sunday - Thursday

May 12, 2024 - May 23, 2024
$4850 $4123 (USD)

Operator discount: -$728 (USD)

Instant Booking Available

Sunday - Thursday

Jun 23, 2024 - Jul 04, 2024
$4950 $4208 (USD)

Operator discount: -$743 (USD)

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Sunday - Thursday

Jul 07, 2024 - Jul 18, 2024
$4975 $4229 (USD)

Operator discount: -$746 (USD)

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Sunday - Thursday

Aug 11, 2024 - Aug 22, 2024
$5550 $4718 (USD)

Operator discount: -$833 (USD)

Instant Booking Available

Sunday - Thursday

Sep 01, 2024 - Sep 12, 2024
$4925 (USD)
Instant Booking Available

Sunday - Thursday

Sep 15, 2024 - Sep 26, 2024
$4925 $4433 (USD)

Operator discount: -$493 (USD)

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Sunday - Thursday

May 11, 2025 - May 22, 2025
$5275 (USD)
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Sunday - Thursday

Jun 22, 2025 - Jul 03, 2025
$5395 (USD)
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Sunday - Thursday

Jul 06, 2025 - Jul 17, 2025
$5425 (USD)
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Sunday - Thursday

Aug 03, 2025 - Aug 14, 2025
$6150 (USD)
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Sunday - Thursday

Aug 10, 2025 - Aug 21, 2025
$6150 (USD)
Instant Booking Available

Sunday - Thursday

Aug 17, 2025 - Aug 28, 2025
$6150 (USD)
Instant Booking Available

Sunday - Thursday

Aug 31, 2025 - Sep 11, 2025
$5350 (USD)

Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    Insight Vacations requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of insight vacations charges.

    Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.

    At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.