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4.7
Read 35 reviews

Get to know Britain on this whirlwind tour 

This fast-paced tour is the perfect introduction to England, Scotland and Wales, showcasing the very best historical and scenic spots, alongside vibrant cities.  

Trip details

Tour start Windsor

trip-destination

Tour end London

10 icon

Days

9 icon

Nights

13 icon

Meals

Available Promotions for this tour

In the Air

Booking window

01 Sep 2023 - 30 Sep 2023

Solo Traveler

Solo Travel

Group Discount

Repeat Guest Savings

Highlights

Edinburgh Castle

Walk in the footsteps of soldiers, kings and queens, and even the odd pirate or two, in this medieval-era royal residence, military garrison, prison and fortress, alive with many exciting tales.

Roman Baths & Pump Room

Stop at one of the oldest spas in the world, with hot springs, built during the Roman Empire.

Tower of London

See this former royal fortress, prison, palace, and current home of the Crown Jewels.

Cardiff Castle

Visit one of the most iconic of the 600 castles that dot Wales' landscape.

Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

Travelers on our August 8-22 departures can watch kilt-clad corps perform with drums and pipes in military precision.

Windsor Castle

Visit the Queen's magnificent home, the longest-occupied palace in all of Europe.

Stonehenge

Marvel at the massive stone circle crafted by prehistoric people.

Visit one of the most iconic of the 600 castles that dot Wales' landscape.

Blenheim Palace
Blenheim Palace

Visit the gilded State Rooms with their priceless collections of portraits, tapestries and furniture, and an exhibition devoted to the palace's most famous son, Winston Churchill.

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Itinerary

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slide Day 1Windsor Castle | Walking Tour | Welcome Drink
Your tour departs at 2:00 PM from your Windsor hotel. Visit Windsor Castle, residence of the King and the largest inhabited castle in the world. Take a walk around this compact and historic town with your tour director. In the evening, join your group for a welcome drink; you are then free to dine independently.
Travel to Blenheim Palace, a monumental country house and home to the Dukes of Marlborough. Enjoy a scenic drive through the picturesque Cotswolds, passing through quaint towns and villages nestled in distinctive rolling hills and valleys. Travel on to York, a city founded by the Romans in the first century and a major wool trading center in the Middle Ages. (B, D)
Take a walking tour of York's medieval streets, including the Shambles, one of the city's narrowest alleyways. Tour Gothic York Minster, renowned for its magnificent medieval stained glass windows. Visit Bamburgh Castle, an imposing medieval fortress that is one of the largest inhabited castles in Britain. This magical castle is set high on a rocky plateau affording wonderful views along the coast. Continue to your hotel near Edinburgh, where you will enjoy an evening free to dine independently. (B)
Explore central Edinburgh starting in the 200-year-old “New Town” with its planned streets and elegant Georgian houses. View Princes Street, the city's premier shopping street, and see the Royal Mile, where medieval houses are clustered closely together. Tour the imposing Edinburgh Castle to see the Crown Jewels of Scotland and the Stone of Destiny. The afternoon is free to explore on your own. Enjoy a lively Scottish evening with dinner and entertainment. August 6 - 20 departures experience the spectacular Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on the Castle Esplanade. (B, D*) * Meal counts vary on Tattoo departures, as the Scottish Evening is replaced with the Tattoo and an independent dinner.
Travel through the Lake District, a region that inspired the famed children's author Beatrix Potter. Stop in the village of Grasmere to visit the Grasmere Gingerbread Shop. Enjoy a talk and tasting of this traditional spicy-sweet treat, first made 165 years ago. Head to Liverpool, a city that once dominated global trade and is now better known as the home of the Beatles. Take a short walking tour of the docks before some free time for dinner. Meet your group again to experience live music at the world-famous Cavern Club, where the Fab Four got their start. (B)
Travel through scenic Shropshire, one of the most unspoiled parts of rural England. Stop in Ludlow, a quintessentially English town, to see the castle and quaint old black-and-white houses. Continue through the lovely Welsh countryside to visit the picturesque ruins of Tintern Abbey. Head to Cardiff and tour the splendid Cardiff Castle, which was magnificently restored in the Victorian era. Dine at your hotel. (B, D)
Take a panoramic drive around Cardiff with a brief walk to see the principal areas and buildings. Head to Bath for a visit to the Roman Baths, hot mineral-rich springs that have been popular since ancient Roman times. Stop for lunch on your own in this historic spa town. Then marvel at the prehistoric circle of vast monoliths of Stonehenge at Salisbury Plain and learn about the primitive building methods used to create such an enduring monument. Arrive in London and savor dinner with your group at your hotel. (B, D)
Set out on a panoramic tour of central London with a local guide to see famous landmarks including Piccadilly Circus with its statue of Eros, Nelson's Column flanked by huge lions in Trafalgar Square, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and the Houses of Parliament. Visit the mighty Tower of London to see the many fortresses, ravens, Beefeaters in their distinctive uniforms, and the priceless Crown Jewels. The rest of the day and evening is free for further exploring. (B)
Take in a day of independent sightseeing in London as you tour by Hop-On, Hop-Off bus. Choose from two routes to see the iconic sights as you please, at your own pace: Buckingham Palace, St Paul's Cathedral, Picadilly Circus and more await you. (B)
Your program ends after breakfast. (B) B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner>

Where you’ll stay

Castle Hotel, Windsor - MGallery Hotel Collection

Castle Hotel Windsor Windsor, England

The Castle Hotel, Windsor – MGallery Hotel Collection is a 4 star luxury hotel-based in the heart...
York Marriott

Delta Hotels by Marriott York York, England

The York Marriott Hotel is within a 20-25 minute walking distance of York city centre and its many...
Norton House Hotel

Norton House Hotel & Spa near Edinburgh, Scotland

Set in a Victorian mansion in 55 acres of grounds, Norton House features a luxury spa, award-...
Hilton Hotel Liverpool

Hilton Liverpool City Centre Liverpool, England

In the heart of the Liverpool One development in the city center, this 4-Star hotel has...
Clayton Hotel Cardiff

Clayton Hotel Cardiff Cardiff, Wales

Enjoy your stay in one of our modern, air-conditioned rooms with complimentary Wi-Fi. You can also...
100 Queen's Gate Hotel - an impressive white building on a London street

100 Queen's Gate Hotel London, Curio Collection by Hilton London, England

A stylish city spot, a fashionable location where history meets modernity: 100 Queen's Gate was...
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Inclusive package with no hidden extras

What's included?

  • Full daily breakfast and many meals*
  • An evening of Scottish entertainment
  • Transportation (Buses, shuttles & ferries)
  • Welcome drinks with your group
  • Free Wi-Fi on luxury coaches
  • All entrance fees to attractions
  • Comprehensive travel itinerary

 

*Breakfast is not included on Day 1

Our welcome gift to you

  • A travel backpack
  • Travel adapter
  • Rain poncho
  • Luggage strap and tags
  • Documents wallet

From our travelers

Windsor Castle

We had a wonderful tour. All the accommodations were first class. The very first day we saw a mile long line at Windsor Castle, but our tickets were already taken care of and we went straight in with no waiting. That was the way it was at all sights on the trip. We visited the important sights and did not have to worry about booking, driving, parking, where to stay or where to eat.

Matthew Allan Mccready
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See what people are saying about this trip

4
Julie Lynn Kilts
1 month 1 week ago

Everything we saw castle countryside small towns

5
Sally Sypek
1 month 4 weeks ago
I would highly recommend the "Best of Britain" tour.

The tour was well planned and we did get to visit England, Scotland and Wales. What we were able to see was wonderful, but we were not able to visit Edinburgh Castle or Cardiff Castle which was a disappointment. I know CIE had no control over the scheduling and other arrangements were made for us. I must say that Phil did a great job planning other activities for those days and made the entire trip enjoyable and fun.

4
CIE Tours Customer
2 months 3 weeks ago

Loved small town of Grasmere and Blenheim Palace. Beautiful rolling countryside with stone fences reminded me of Ireland that we toured with CIE also in 2004

3
Mr. David George Baker
2 months 3 weeks ago

en joyed blenheim , windsor and bath.

5
Mr. Russell Stewart Breish
2 months 3 weeks ago
Great trip

Everything was well organized

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