Day 2 - Gloucester - Chester - Liverpool

This morning travel north to the town of Chester, where you view the Roman walls, Cathedral and the black and white half-timbered buildings known as ‘The Rows'.

You can enjoy free time in Chester, or why not join your fellow travellers on an excursion to North Wales to visit the town of Llangollen, home of the International Eisteddfod.

Tonight we stay in Liverpool, home of the Mersey Beat and the “Fab Four”.

Overnight: Ibis Centre Albert Dock, Liverpool (or similar)

Day 3 - Liverpool - Lake District - Glasgow

Relax as we take a scenic drive to the picturesque Lake District National Park. Enjoy spectacular views of Lake Windermere as you head north to visit the village of Grasmere, where the poet William Wordsworth lived and wrote his most acclaimed poem, 'Daffodils'.

Join a vintage steam train for a nostalgic ride from Haverthwaite to Lakeside, where you can take an optional cruise on Lake Windermere.

Stop at Gretna Green, where eloping couples were married over the Blacksmith's anvil.

Cross the Southern Uplands to Glasgow, one of Europe's liveliest cities.

Overnight: Ibis City Centre, Glasgow (or similar)

Day 4 - Glasgow - Glen Coe - Scottish Highlands

See the sights of Glasgow during your orientation tour, including the grand City Chambers in George Square, attractive parklands and ancient Glasgow Cathedral.

Drive north into the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park and follow the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, where there's a chance to take to the water on an optional cruise

Travel into the spectacular scenery of the Scottish Highlands and head for Glen Coe, the Glen of the Weeping.

We travel to Fort William, which lies in the shadow of the UK's highest mountain, Ben Nevis, whose summit stands at 4,409 feet above sea level.

Dine tonight at your Highland hotel in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park.

Overnight: Gaskmore Hotel, Laggan (or similar)

Day 5 - Scottish Highlands - St. Andrews - Near Edinburgh

Travel through the Grampian Mountains to reach Highland Perthshire.

Visit picturesque Pitlochry on the banks of the River Tummel. Famous for salmon fishing, a ‘fish ladder’ on the dammed river helps the salmon to swim upstream to spawn.

Take time to shop, explore, or join an Optional Experience to Blair Castle, home to the Duke of Atholl.

In St. Andrews, where Prince William went to university, stop to take a picture of the 18th green of the Old Course. Known as the home of golf, the game has been played here for over 600 years.

Our journey to Edinburgh will take us over the River Forth, where we’ll get great views of the iconic Forth Bridge.

Overnight: Airth Castle Hotel, Airth (Edinburgh) (or similar) (2 nights)

Day 6 - Edinburgh Sightseeing and Free Time

This morning's sightseeing tour with your Local Specialist includes views of the Georgian New Town, Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle.

Spend free time exploring on your own or join your Travel Director on an Optional Experience to the Royal Yacht Britannia in nearby Leith.  

Day 7 - Edinburgh - York - Bradford

Cross the Scottish Borders back into England.

Drive through Northumberland National Park and view part of Hadrian's Wall. Begun in 122 AD, the wall is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is among the most important monuments built by the Romans in Britain.

Continue south and arrive in York, a city of extraordinary cultural and historical wealth. During your orientation, your Travel Director takes you on a walk through the web of quaint, narrow streets and shows you York Minster, one of the most beautiful Gothic buildings in the world.

Finish the day in Bradford, the first ever UNESCO City of Film.

Overnight: Jurys Inn, Bradford (or similar)

Day 8 - Bradford - Stratford-upon-Avon - London

This morning visit Stratford-upon-Avon, where you have time to see the sights and shop for souvenirs. In your free time, why not visit Shakespeare's Birthplace and visitor centre for an in-depth look at the great man's life?

Say goodbye to your Travel Director and your newfound friends at the end of an exciting and memorable holiday as you return to London.