CIE Tours 2022 - 14 Day Highlights of Britain

13 Nights / 24 Meals
Overnights: 1 Windsor, 3 Tavistock, 1 Cardiff, 2 Chester, 3 Edinburgh, 2 York, 2 London
From London to London
Tour Code #: GB-HBA-22-14D CIE Tours Retail Price From: $3,695

CIE Tour Highlights:

Authentic Local Experiences:

Expect an unforgettable evening of music, ceremony, theater, and dance with reserved seats for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on August 1 – 15 departures. Discover the charm of Cornwall’s old port town of St Ives, a picturesque haven for art lovers. See St Michael’s Mount – a little island crowned by a medieval church and a castle that looks straight out of a fairytale.

Trip Highlights:

Abbotsford House Edinburgh Castle North Yorkshire Moors Railway Roman Baths Scottish Evening* Shakespeare’s Birthplace Stonehenge St Andrews Tower of London Cardiff Castle Windsor Castle York Minster

*August 1 – 15 departuresDining Experiences:

13 Breakfasts (B), 1 Lunch (L) and 7 Dinners* (D)

*Meal counts vary on Tattoo departures, as the Scottish Evening is replaced with the Tattoo and an independent dinner.Hotels:

MGallery Castle Hotel WindsorWindsor (1) The Bedford HotelTavistock (2) Hilton CardiffCardiff (1) DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Spa ChesterChester (2) Leonardo Royal Edinburgh HaymarketEdinburgh (3) Malmaison YorkYork (2) Hilton London KensingtonLondon (2)

CIE International Tour Itinerary

Day 1: London Arrival | Windsor Castle
Meet your guide at 2

Day 2: Stonehenge | Salisbury
Marvel at the prehistoric circle of vast monoliths of Stonehenge and learn about the primitive builders who managed to create such an enduring monument. Stop in Salisbury, a charming old city where the cathedral boasts the tallest spire in England. Arrive in Tavistock, a market town on the edge of Dartmoor National Park. (B, D)

Day 3: St Michael’s Mount | St Ives
Travel through the unspoiled beauty of Bodmin Moor; stop for photos at Jamaica Inn, built in 1750 and immortalized in Daphne de Maurier’s tale of daring smugglers. Visit the coastal village of Marazion to see the romantic outline of St Michael’s Mount, an island topped by a spectacular castle. In the old fishing town of St Ives, take a walking tour to see its cobbled streets, quaint cottages, art galleries, and surrounding sandy beaches. Enjoy time to explore before returning to a free evening in Tavistock (B)

Day 4: Roman Baths | Cardiff Castle
Explore Bath, a city of elegant Georgian buildings in a distinctive golden stone. Tour the wonderfully preserved Roman Baths. Head to Cardiff, where you’ll take a sightseeing tour of the city before touring Cardiff Castle, a medieval castle fabulously renovated in Victorian Gothic style. Dine in your hotel this evening. (B, D)

Day 5: Hay-on-Wye | Shrewsbury
Travel through the Brecon Beacons National Park to Hay-on-Wye, a town famous for its bookshops. Continue to Shrewsbury, a picturesque town near the English/Welsh border. Take a walking tour with the town crier to see black-and-white buildings that line the narrow streets. Travel through Cheshire to your hotel in Chester. (B, D)

Day 6: North Wales | Chester
Drive through the countryside of north Wales as you journey to Conwy, a medieval town dominated by a huge castle. Enjoy a walking tour around the picturesque streets and see the smallest house in Britain, followed by free time for lunch on your own. In Chester, take another walking tour to see medieval buildings and Roman walls. (B, D)

Day 7: Lake District | Scottish Evening*
Travel through the glorious Lake District, which inspired many of Beatrix Potter’s children’s books. Visit the village of Grasmere, where Wordsworth lived and is buried. Pass through the village of Gretna Green as you cross the border into Scotland. At your hotel, enjoy a lively Scottish evening with dinner and entertainment. (August 1 – 15 departures will have a free evening instead). (B, D*)

Day 8: Edinburgh Castle | City Tour
Explore central Edinburgh starting in the 200-year-old “New Town” with planned streets and elegant Georgian houses where many famous writers and inventors lived. See the Royal Mile with its narrow medieval houses, then tour Edinburgh Castle to see the Crown Jewels of Scotland and the Stone of Destiny. The rest of the day is free for you to explore. On August 1 – 15 departures, attend the world-famous Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. (B)

Day 9: Glamis Castle | St Andrews
Tour Glamis Castle, the legendary setting of Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” and childhood home of the Queen Mother. Cross the modern Tay Bridge to the medieval town of St Andrews, the “Home of Golf.” Take a panoramic tour of this scenic university town by the sea. Have lunch with your group and enjoy some time to explore. (B,L)

Day 10: Abbotsford House | York
Visit Abbotsford House, the rambling and picturesque former home of Sir Walter Scott, the internationally famed 19th-century novelist; one of Scotland’s greatest historic characters, he played a large role in the modern popularity of tartan. Head to York, an ancient city of narrow cobbled streets, charming tearooms and quaint old pubs, and fantastic medieval churches. Here you’ll have the rest of the day free to explore and dine as you wish. (B)

Day 11: Historic Train Ride | York Minster
Head to Goathland Station, which served as Hogsmeade Station in the “Harry Potter” series, and travel on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway by vintage locomotive. Visit the old fishing town of Whitby, known for its once-thriving whaling industry and as the setting for Bram Stoker’s “Dracula”; your tour director will take you on a stroll around the picturesque harbor and winding streets. Return to York and tour beautiful York Minster cathedral, Northern Europe’s largest Gothic church. (B, D)

Day 12: Shakespeare’s Birthplace | London
Travel to Stratford-upon-Avon and Shakespeare’s Birthplace. Discover the world that shaped the man as you look through an exhibition about his life and work, and take in a short performance to see his words come to life. Drive through the scenic Cotswolds region, renowned for picturesque villages built of honey-colored stone with charming gardens. Arrive in London and enjoy dinner with your group. (B, D)

Day 13: Tower of London | City Sightseeing
Take a panoramic London tour with a local guide to see some of the famous landmarks including Piccadilly Circus, Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar Square, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Visit the mighty Tower of London to see the many fortresses, Beefeaters in their elaborate uniforms, and the dazzling Crown Jewels. The afternoon and evening are free for independent activities. (B)

Day 14: Tour Ends in London
Your tour ends after breakfast. (B) B