Globus Essential Britain(GC)
12 Day Tour from London to London
Thrones and scones. Hops and scotch. Rock stars and famous rocks. They’re all included on this enthralling and encompassing tour of Britain. Pack your tweed and tartans for the best of London and country, the Scottish Highlands and Lowlands, and the enchanting villages and valleys of Wales, and prepare to be swept away like a runaway bride at the elopement capital of Gretna Green. The castles and cathedrals of London, Edinburgh, and Cardiff, as well as the charming pubs on every corner, will steal your heart away. With visits to the baffling boulders of Stonehenge, the battlefield of Culloden Moor, Shakespeare’s birthplace of Stratford-upon-Avon, and The Beatles’ home city of Liverpool, this tour of Britain promises rocking discovery and enlightenment, not to mention honorary degrees in ancient history, English literature, and music appreciation.
Itinerary (2024)| Day 1 | ARRIVE IN LONDON, ENGLAND | | | Welcome to London! Uniformed Globus Hosts will be waiting to welcome you. Free time this afternoon. | | Day 2 | LONDON–STONEHENGE–ILMINSTER–PLYMOUTH | | | Secrets of the Stones LONDON Meet your Tour Director and travel companions at 8 am before departing for Stonehenge.STONEHENGE Join a guided visit to the legendary site. ILMINSTER [LF] Lunch at a local pub.219 mi / 352 km (B,L)LOCAL FAVORITELOCAL TASTES Quench your thirst with local ales and ciders while tasting traditional pub fayre prepared following century old recipes. Nothing eases homesickness like hearty cooked food concocted with care and love like grandma used to make. Just like home away from home! | | Day 3 | PLYMOUTH. EXCURSION TO CORNWALL | | | Legends of Land & Sea PLYMOUTH Enjoy a scenic drive through the West Country to Poldark’s Cornwall.LOOE Visit the thriving fishing village and former smugglers’ port.PLYMOUTH [LF] All aboard for a scenic cruise on Plymouth Sound. Free time this evening. (B) 42 mi / 70 kmLOCAL FAVORITEEPIC RIDE Stunning views of Cornwall, the setting of Winston Graham's ‘Poldark’ saga of Cornish life in the 18th century, will leave you breathless on a scenic drive through the West Country. Get carried away with a spectacular scenic cruise on Plymouth Sound, a magnificent inlet on the English Channel. | | Day 4 | PLYMOUTH–GLASTONBURY–BATH–CARDIFF, WALES | | | Timeless Kings & Thermal Springs GLASTONBURY Visit the town of the legend of King Arthur and the Holy Grail.BATH Visit the excavations of the Roman Baths. (B) 184 mi / 295 kmTOUR HIGHLIGHTLEGENDS & LORE The Somerset town of Glastonbury is the site of King Arthur’s legendary quest for the mythical Holy Grail, the cup from which Jesus drank at the Last Supper. Hear how, while Arthur failed in his search, a noble knight named Galahad found the Holy Grail because of his pure heart. | | Day 5 | CARDIFF–BUILTH WELLS–LLANGOLLEN–LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND | | | Moor than Meets the Eye Take a scenic drive along the Taff Valley and through the Brecon Beacons National Park.BUILTH WELLS Stop at the ancient market town.LLANGOLLEN Visit the picturesque town.LIVERPOOL Free time the remainder of the day. (B) 190 mi / 306 kmTOUR HIGHLIGHTNATURAL WONDERS Discover the extraordinary natural beauty of Brecon Beacons National Park while driving through its mountains, moors, and magnificent views. Look out for Welsh mountain ponies and sheep grazing in the wild and red kites gliding gracefully in the sky. | | Day 6 | LIVERPOOL–GRASMERE–GRETNA GREEN, SCOTLAND–GLASGOW | | | Songs, Sonnets & Secret Vows LIVERPOOL Visit The Beatles Story for a fascinating journey into the life and music of the Fab Four.LAKE DISTRICT Take a scenic drive.GRASMERE Visit Wordsworth’s beloved village, and sample [LF] the original Grasmere gingerbread.GRETNA GREEN See where a Scottish blacksmith performed weddings for eloping young couples and [LF] join in a fun wedding re-enactment. (B,D) 236 mi / 380 kmLOCAL FAVORITETIMELESS TRADITIONS Love will find a way to sweeten the day with classic gingerbread in Grasmere, or by parents hot on the trail of runaway brides and grooms who crossed them (and the Scottish border) to get hitched in 18th-century Gretna Green. Hear how romance was forged by a blacksmith who helped eloping couples hammer out the vows. | | Day 7 | GLASGOW–FORT WILLIAM–INVERNESS | | | Landmarks, Lochs & Legends GLASGOW Orientation drive to see Glasgow’s landmarks, including the 12th-century cathedral, university buildings, and Georgian squares. Take a scenic drive past Loch Lomond, Rannoch Moor, and Glen Coe.FORT WILLIAM See the gateway to Ben Nevis, UK’s highest peak.LOCH NESS Drive the length of the legendary lake en route to Inverness. (B,D) 178 mi / 286 kmTOUR HIGHLIGHT LEGENDS & LORE Survey the shores of famed Loch Ness for the chance to catch a glimpse of its mysterious Nessie. Hear of the folklore and firm believers in the legend of the Loch Ness Monster, which is said to swim in the shimmering waters. | | Day 8 | INVERNESS–CULLODEN—PITLOCHRY–ST. ANDREWS–EDINBURGH | | | Bravery, Birdies & Bagpipes CULLODEN See the battlefield of Culloden Moor.PITLOCHRY Walk through the Victorian mountain resort.ST. ANDREWS Visit the home of golf and the famous university town.EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO Attend the world-renowned Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo performance. (Departures July 27 through August 17 only). (B) 202 mi / 326 kmTOUR HIGHLIGHTICONIC FOOTSTEPS See the fairways and greens at the birthplace of golf, where legendary players of the Scottish game made history in the university town of St. Andrews. | | Day 9 | EDINBURGH | | | Crown Jewels & Castle Views EDINBURGH Morning city sightseeing with a Local Guide includes the New Town, the Old Town, and a visit to Edinburgh Castle to see Scotland’s Crown Jewels. Free time. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHTHISTORIC SPOT Ascend to Castle Rock to explore Edinburgh Castle, one of the most important historical strongholds in the Kingdom of Scotland, with an 11,000-year history as "the most besieged place in Great Britain.” Here, see the royal regalia and Scotland’s Crown Jewels. | | Day 10 | EDINBURGH–ALNWICK, ENGLAND–YORK | | | Lights, Camera, Alnwick! ALNWICK Visit Alnwick Castle, setting for many film productions. Choose between touring the castle or taking a stroll through the magnificent gardens.YORK See York Minster and browse the shops of The Shambles. (B,D) 214 mi / 344 kmTOUR HIGHLIGHTHISTORIC SPOTS Visit Alnwick Castle to discover 700 years of English and family history of its owners, the Percy Family. Continuing the lineage of centuries of Dukes, Duchesses, and Earls whom have called the impressive castle home. The castle is a haven for movie and TV buffs as the filming location for many productions, including Harry Potter and Downton Abbey. If nature is more to your liking, consider a visit to the splendid 12-acre Alnwick Gardens. | | Day 11 | YORK–STRATFORD-UPON-AVON–LONDON | | | Mr. & Mrs. Shakespeare STRATFORD-UPON-AVON See Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace. (B) 255 mi / 410 kmTOUR HIGHLIGHTA LEGEND SLEPT HERE Ah, young love! Even more true, as young Shakespeare’s fiancée was eight years his senior. See Anne Hathaway's Cottage, the family home where the bard’s wife-to-be was born and courted by young Will. Built more than 500 years ago, much of the original structure remains. Visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace and family home in the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon. Hear tales of Shakespeare’s family life, marriage, and children with a close look at fascinating artifacts in a world-class collection assembled by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. | | Day 12 | LONDON | | | Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B) |
Included Globus Meals Full buffet breakfast daily; 1 lunch; 3 three-course dinners
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