Itinerary
- Day 1
Edinburgh
You'll arrive at Edinburgh Airport and hop on a transfer to your hotel (departures at 09:00, 11:00, or 13:00). After settling in, the day is free to relax and get your bearings. This evening, you'll meet your Travel Director and the group for a Welcome Dinner featuring modern European cuisine and wine at a chic bistro in the New Town.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome Dinner of modern European cuisine and wine at a chic bistro in New Town)
- Day 2
Edinburgh
A Local Expert guides you through Edinburgh's highlights, driving along Princes Street past the ornate Scott Memorial, then walking through the 18th century New Town to see its neoclassical Adam facades. You'll visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse (the official Scottish residence of the Queen) and Edinburgh Castle, where you can see Mons Meg, the Stone of Destiny, and the Honours of Scotland. The afternoon is yours to do as you like, perhaps catching the National Gallery. On certain departures, you may attend The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, with its pipes, drums, dance and performance set against the floodlit castle backdrop.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided city tour with Local Expert
- Drive along Princes Street to Scott Memorial
- Explore New Town's neoclassical Adam facades
- Visit Palace of Holyroodhouse
- Visit Edinburgh Castle to see Mons Meg, Stone of Destiny and Honours of Scotland
Optional Activities
- Visit National Gallery
- Attend The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo (select departures)
Landmarks Scott Memorial Palace of Holyroodhouse Edinburgh Castle National Gallery of Scotland - Day 3
Edinburgh to Bowness-on-Windermere
You'll depart Edinburgh for Ardgowan Estate, a 10,000-acre coastal property where Sir Ludovic Shaw Stewart welcomes you to tour his family castle and share its history. A traditional Scottish tea and scones follow. From there, head to Gretna Green to see the famous blacksmith's shop where runaway lovers were married over the anvil. The route then takes you through the English Lake District to Bowness-on-Windermere, where dinner awaits at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Brunch (Traditional Scottish tea and scones at Ardgowan Estate), Dinner
Included Activities
- Tour of Ardgowan Estate and family castle with Sir Ludovic Shaw Stewart
- Traditional Scottish tea and scones at Ardgowan
- Visit Gretna Green blacksmith's shop
Landmarks Ardgowan Estate Gretna Green 
- Day 4
Bowness-on-Windermere
Today focuses on the Lake District, a scenic wonderland of rugged mountains and tranquil waters that inspired English poets. You'll see Wordsworth's grave in the churchyard at Grasmere, then take a relaxing cruise on the lake to admire the mountains, secluded bays, and wooded islands. Later, you'll ride a nostalgic steam train along the banks of the River Leven.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Wordsworth's grave at Grasmere churchyard
- Lake District scenic cruise
- Steam train ride along River Leven
Landmarks Grasmere - Day 5
Bowness-on-Windermere to York
The morning is free to relax before traveling through the Yorkshire Dales to Haworth, a charming village home to the Brontë Parsonage Museum. You'll explore the actual family home and learn about the Brontë family's literary legacy and inspirations. After that, continue on to York, one of England's oldest cities. In the evening, you'll have a home-hosted meal at Thirsk Hall, a Grade II* listed three-storey town house built in 1720 and extended in 1770 by architect John Carr.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Home-hosted meal at historic Thirsk Hall with wine)
Included Activities
- Visit Brontë Parsonage Museum in Haworth
Landmarks Brontë Parsonage Museum Thirsk Hall 
- Day 6
York
You'll explore York, one of Britain's most historic cities, once controlled by Vikings in the 9th and 10th century. A Local Expert leads you within the town walls to see York Minster, Britain's largest medieval cathedral, and through the narrow cobbled streets to the Shambles. The rest of the day is yours to wander, perhaps visiting the National Railway Museum with over 300 years of history or walking the well-preserved city walls.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided walk within York's town walls with Local Expert
- See York Minster
Optional Activities
- Visit National Railway Museum
Landmarks York Minster The Shambles National Railway Museum - Day 7
York to Stratford-upon-Avon
You'll visit Lincoln Castle, one of England's finest Norman castles, to see one of the four remaining copies of the Magna Carta. Then head to Stratford-upon-Avon, situated on the River Avon, where your hotel sits in private grounds just a short walk from the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and the town's black and white timber-framed buildings.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Lincoln Castle
- View one of the four remaining copies of the Magna Carta
Landmarks Lincoln Castle Royal Shakespeare Theatre 
- Day 8
Stratford-upon-Avon
Visit William Shakespeare's birthplace, filled with interesting memorabilia and artifacts relating to his life and works. Later, you'll join your Travel Director for a traditional Sunday roast dinner with Yorkshire pudding and all the trimmings.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Traditional Sunday Roast Dinner with Yorkshire pudding and all the trimmings)
Included Activities
- Visit Shakespeare's birthplace
Landmarks Shakespeare's Birthplace - Day 9
Stratford-upon-Avon to Bath
You'll travel through the Cotswold hills, a picturesque landscape of golden stone villages. The day includes a visit to Blenheim Palace, an impressive stately home and gardens representing English Baroque architecture. From there, head to Bath, an elegant Georgian city built in amphitheatre style on surrounding hills. Your Travel Director will show you the Pulteney Bridge, built in local stone, and point out the angels climbing Jacob's Ladder on Bath Abbey.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Blenheim Palace and gardens
- Tour of Bath including Pulteney Bridge and Bath Abbey orientation
Landmarks Blenheim Palace Pulteney Bridge Bath Abbey 
- Day 10
Bath
Bath is a UNESCO World Heritage Site built above one of Britain's thermal mineral springs. With Insight Choice, you can visit the incredibly well-preserved Roman Baths or explore the town's connection to Jane Austen's life and work. The afternoon is free, so you might relax at Thermae Spa. This evening, join your Travel Director for a Celebration Dinner with wine at Brasserie Blanc, reflecting on your journey while enjoying French-inspired cuisine.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Celebration Dinner at Brasserie Blanc with French-inspired meal and wine)
Optional Activities
- Visit Roman Baths
- Visit Jane Austen Centre
- Visit Thermae Spa
Landmarks Roman Baths Jane Austen Centre Thermae Spa - Day 11
Bath to London
You'll travel across Salisbury Plain to visit Stonehenge, where the monoliths are believed to be up to 5,000 years old. Continue into Wiltshire to Salisbury, where you have time for lunch and exploration. See England's tallest cathedral spire and walk streets showing architecture from medieval walls and Tudor houses to Georgian mansions and Victorian villas. Your journey concludes when you arrive at your London hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Stonehenge
- Orientation of Salisbury including the cathedral with England's tallest spire
Landmarks Stonehenge Salisbury Cathedral 
