Day 1: Arrive London & Windsor

Start your tour at Heathrow Airport with a transfer to your hotel in Windsor. In the afternoon visit Windsor Castle, residence of The Queen and the largest inhabited castle in the world. See the lavishly decorated State Apartments and St. George's Chapel. In the evening meet your tour director and trip participants over a welcome drink to discuss your itinerary before dining in your hotel. (D)

Day 2: Oxford & York Walks

Drive to Oxford where a walking tour is the best way to get around the town and see some of the colleges. Oxford University is the oldest university in the English-speaking world with 38 colleges and is the setting for many movies and TV programs, including Harry Potter films and the Inspector Morse Mystery series. Pass the Bodleian Library, the largest university library in the UK, holding over nine million printed items.

Head north to York for a walking tour through narrow medieval streets to see black and white half-timbered houses with overhanging upper floors. Walk along the Shambles, the oldest street where houses almost meet in an archway. View the exterior of the stately York Minster, which towers over the old city. Check in to your hotel and relax before dinner. (B, D)

Day 3: Alnwick Castle & Edinburgh Cabaret

Travel north to visit Alnwick Castle, the second largest inhabited castle in England, and is proudly known as "The Windsor of the North." Dating back to 1096, the Castle has been home to the Percy family, Dukes of Northumberland, since 1309. A guided tour will show you the lavish State Rooms packed with a stunning array of art and furniture collected over the years by generations of owners. The Alnwick Garden has been developed recently to show beautifully landscaped gardens and magnificent architecture, brought to life with water. Drive through the Borders to Edinburgh and your hotel on the Royal Mile. In the evening dine at the Edinburgh Nights cabaret show with bagpipes, dancing, song and storytelling. (B, D)

Day 4: Edinburgh Castle & Guided City Tour

Explore central Edinburgh this morning, starting in the 200-year-old "New Town" with its planned streets and elegant Georgian houses where many famous writers and inventors lived. See the Royal Mile where the medieval houses are clustered closely together with some as high as 11 floors. Tour the massive Edinburgh Castle to see the Crown Jewels of Scotland and the Stone of Destiny and enjoy great views right across the city.

The afternoon is free for independent activities. You may like to visit some of the many museums or browse in the little shops along the Royal Mile. On August 04 to 18 departures watch the spectacular Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle. (B)

Day 5: Lake District & Beatles' Liverpool

Stop in Gretna Green, the first village across the border from England where since 1754 young couples have crossed into Scotland to be married at the Old Blacksmith's Shop. It is still a popular wedding place to this day. Drive through the Lake District, a region associated with Beatrix Potter. See stunning views of lakes, gentle hills and valleys.

Stop in Grasmere where William Wordsworth penned some of his popular lines and you can see his grave in the village churchyard. Continue to Liverpool where a Beatles-themed tour will show you Penny Lane and the world-famous Cavern Club while your guide will fill you in on the Beatles' lives. Check in to your centrally-located hotel. (B, D)

Day 6: Tintern Abbey & Cardiff Castle

Drive south through Shropshire, one of the most unspoiled parts of rural England and close to the Welsh border. Stop in Ludlow, a town that can trace its origins back 900 years, to see the huge castle and old black-and-white houses. Continue south through the lovely Welsh countryside to visit the picturesque ruins of Tintern Abbey, founded in 1131, in the River Wye Valley. It was a prosperous Cistercian abbey which grew and thrived until it was dissolved by order of King Henry VIII in 1536. In the 18th century it became a popular haunt of the poet, William Wordsworth.

Continue to Cardiff, the youngest and fastest-growing capital city in Europe. In the heart of the city visit Cardiff Castle, which dates back nearly 2,000 years. See the 19th century fairytale apartments with ornate decorations and then enjoy a great Welsh banquet right in the Castle. (B, D)

Day 7: Roman Baths & Stonehenge

Take a panoramic tour around the highlights of Cardiff including the older Victorian buildings as well as the iconic Millennium Centre. A short drive will bring you to the spa city of Bath, popular for its natural hot springs with the Romans 2,000 years ago and again in the 18th century Regency period. View the stately mansions of Queen's Square, the Pulteney Bridge and many other fine Regency buildings.

Visit the Roman Baths and Pump Room, wonderfully preserved after two millennia, with hot springs still sending out healing waters. At Salisbury Plain marvel at the prehistoric circle of vast monoliths of Stonehenge and learn about the primitive builders who managed to create such an enduring monument. Continue into London and check in to your hotel. (B)

Day 8 and 9: Home or London Tour

If you have chosen our 8-day tour, transfer to Heathrow Airport. If you are on our 9-day program, explore London independently. Use one voucher for an open-top sightseeing bus tour – and also a walking tour and a River Thames cruise. Your second voucher is for a visit to the Tower of London. Airport transfer is included on Day 9, when you depart for home.

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• 8 day Best of Britain Tour
  
• 9 day Best of Britain Tour