British Regency
Superior First Class
Hotels - 10 day tour
If you have not visited Britain before, consider
the British Regency tour. You'll be surprised and delighted at
how much of England and Scotland you can see on this 8-night
program which starts and ends in the exciting metropolis of London. Visit
many of the places that have featured prominently
throughout history - St. Paul's Cathedral, Shakespeare's Birthplace,
York Minster and Edinburgh Castle - to name just a few. Superior
first class hotels and most meals make for a satisfying travel
experience. Special evenings at Elizabethan Hatfield House and a
Scottish cabaret complete your vacation.
DAY 1
THURSDAY - United States to London
Take an overnight flight to London.
Relax with inflight meals and entertainment
as you start your vacation.
DAY 2
FRIDAY - Arrival in London
Land in London, complete immigration formalities and collect your baggage. Reach
your hotel by independent transfer and enjoy the balance of the day to rest
after your journey. Your recently renovated and refurbished hotel is located in
South Kensington close to the Natural History and Victoria & Albert Museums
and a short distance from Knightsbridge's elegant stores. Get together with your
fellow travelers and your guide over a welcome drink to discuss your itinerary
and dinner is served in your hotel. (D)
DAY 3
SATURDAY - London Highlights
Enjoy a sightseeing tour around the center of London this morning. Start with a
visit to St. Paul's Cathedral, Sir Christopher Wren's architectural masterpiece
which was built between 1675 and 1710. Many important ceremonies have taken
place in the Cathedral, most notably the funeral of Sir Winston Churchill and
the wedding of Prince Charles to Lady Diana. Then drive around the city center
to see famous places such as the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, Westminster
Abbey, Piccadilly Circus, the West End and Trafalgar Square. After an afternoon
at leisure drive to Hatfield House on the outskirts of London for a jolly
evening of Elizabethan feasting and entertainment. (CB, D)
DAY 4
SUNDAY - Warwick Castle and Stratford-upon-Avon
This morning head north from London to take a guided tour of Warwick Castle, a
historical medieval castle dating from the 14th century which was transformed
into a stately home in the 17th and 18th centuries. See the Great Hall and State
Rooms and also the Royal Weekend and Kingmaker Exhibitions. A short drive will
bring you to Stratford-upon-Avon to check into your hotel. In the afternoon
visit Shakespeare's Birthplace and Museum. Learn about medieval life in England
in the museum and then walk through his house which is furnished in the style of
his times. Enjoy some leisure time to stroll through this delightful riverside
town and you may like to check the availability of tickets to the Globe Theatre.
(CB, D)
DAY 5
MONDAY - York Minster and Shambles
This morning head north to the charming city of York. After checking into your
hotel take an afternoon tour to see around this compact medieval settlement.
York Minster with its wealth of stained glass and historic monuments dominates
the city. Tour the Minster and then walk through the tiny streets with your
guide to see the wonderful old houses and shops, especially along the Shambles,
the narrowest medieval street remaining. You will have some time for independent
browsing and can explore the portions of medieval city walls that still stand.
(B, D)
DAY 6 TUESDAY - Borders Country and
Jedburgh
Drive north from York and see some of Hadrian's Wall, the barrier built by the
Romans to keep the Scots from invading their occupied territory. Continue
through the delightful scenery of the Borders Forest Park and across the border
into Scotland. At Jedburgh stop to visit the Abbey, founded in 1138 by the
Augustinians. Learn about the history of the community before strolling through
the mellow stone ruins. Take some time to look around the town before driving
north to Edinburgh to check into your hotel. At Prestonfield House enjoy a
Scottish cabaret with local specialties and whisky followed by a program of
lively dances and music. (B, D)
DAY 7 WEDNESDAY - Edinburgh Touring
This
morning see the capital of Scotland with a local guide. Travel
around the
"New Town" with its wide streets, Georgian houses and shady squares. See the
popular shopping mecca of Princes Street, which stretches through the center of
the city with delightful gardens sloping up to Edinburgh Castle. See the Palace
of Holyroodhouse, official residence of the Queen in Scotland and drive along
the Royal Mile with its tall medieval houses. Visit Edinburgh Castle to walk up
to the summit and get an overview of the city. The afternoon and evening are
free for sightseeing on your own. On August 2 to 16 departures see the famous
Edinburgh Military Tattoo which takes place on the Castle Esplanade. (B)
DAY 8 THURSDAY - Southern Uplands and Lake District
Drive south through the peaceful pastoral countryside where much of Scotland's
wool is produced. Stop at the Moffat Woollen Mills to shop for Scottish products
before continuing south past Gretna Green and cross into England once more.
Journey through the Lake District which provided inspiration for many writers
and poets, most notably William Wordsworth, who is buried in Grasmere. Stop in
the town to enjoy the cozy cottages with pretty gardens before continuing
through the lake-filled landscape via Windermere. Then drive through Lancashire
and Merseyside to the attractive medieval city of Chester for dinner and
overnight. (B, D).
DAY 9 FRIDAY - Chester &
Cotswolds
This morning take a walking tour around the center of Chester which has many
fine black-and-white buildings and the "Rows", arcaded buildings with stores at
street level and on the first floor. Learn about historical Chester and then
walk along part of the city walls which still circle the old city center. Drive
south to the Cotswolds region to wander through some of the picturesque old
towns. This area owed its riches to the wool industry in the Middle Ages when
most of the towns were built using the local honey-colored stone. Drive through
Broadway and Bourton-on-the-Water, stopping to stroll through the villages
before heading to London for the final overnight of your tour. (B)
DAY 10 SATURDDAY - Depart for Home
Travel to Heathrow Airport by group coach transfer or to Gatwick Airport by
independent transfer. Allow plenty of time for check in formalities and do some
duty free shopping before your flight home. (CB)
DEPARTURES
Departs every Thursday from
May 10 - October 4
HOTELS
Stay at the following (or
similar):
• Vanderbilt Hotel, London (2 nights)
• Stratford
Moat House Hotel, Stratford-upon-Avon (1 night)
• York Moat
House Hotel, York (1 night)
• Hilton Edinburgh Grosvenor Hotel,
Edinburgh (2 nights)
• Chester Moat House Hotel, Chester (1
night)
• Vanderbilt Hotel, London (1 night)
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