Greatest of Great Britain 13 Days
This journey includes active participation in the local environment through our local sustainability partners. See where your contribution to sustainability goes when booking through Global Dream Travel.
Discover the best of Royal England, Enchanting Wales and Noble Scotland on this three nation exploration of all that is British. We start in Cosmopolitan London and finish in Royal Edinburgh taking in some of the best highlights the country has to offer on the way. From taking a steam train journey in meandering British countryside, to seeing the many varieties of sheep, visiting historic castles and learning the history of the Royal Family, there will be plenty to learn and debate here.
When it comes to food and drink, most people are surprised to taste some of the best food in Europe and explore the incredible British love affair with baking. All things tarts, cakes, and treats can be discussed and tasted as well as of course trying some excellent seafood, a Great British Sunday Roast and sampling some of the famous hand-pulled ales.
Most native English speakers outside of Britain have British ancestry and this will be an opportunity for you to reconnect with friends, family, family history and your ancestors who may have left Britain over the last 500 years in search of new beginnings, out of necessity, for love or a myriad of other reasons. What's for sure is that you'll feel at home in this historic, cultured and open-minded country proud of her traditions and ceremonies.
Itinerary and Specifics
Highlights:
- Experience the best of England, Wales and Scotland
- Indulge in the local pubs, try the best lamb, crab, fish and local specialities. Stop being the tourist, be the explorer.
- See mountains, lakes, lochs, Bens, peaks and hills
- Lake District - we'll discover Cumbria
- Engage with your British counterparts - there's only Yorktown, George III and 300 years between you! Apart from that, it's a similar culture and the locals enjoy your participation.
- See London in a way you never have, we are a UK based company and we know the capital more than anyone.
- Choose from museums galore - Greenwich Meridian GMT, Victoria and Albert, City of London Museum, Tait Britain, Tait Modern, National Museum, National Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, Tower Bridge, Tower of London.
- Explore England's cultural diversity - we are pround to be diverse and multicultural. Food-wise we've got everything just try Borough Market in London to see for yourself.
- Explore Edinburgh - the world's most beatiful city and known as Athens of the North.
- English countryside - nobody could be happier looking at thatched cottages, enjoying a Shakespearean Sonnet in the theatre.
- Cream Tea you say? Finest Early Grey and freshly baked scones with cream and jam. We can arrange that.
- Memories of a lifetime - guaranteed
- Expert knowledge - yes, we only use the best talent to keep you stimulated in learning and seeing.
Included:
- 4 Star Accommodation on a Bed and Breakfast Basis
- Meet and Greet at Airport
- Transfers to and from hotel
- Expert driver/guide
- Luxury, electric-powered touring vehicle
- Local knowledge, recommendations and help with any bookings you want to make
- Porterage - 1 piece per person in and out of hotels
Not included
- Flights - purchase your own flights in and out of destination
- Gratuities - minimum recommended $10 per person per day
- Lunches and Dinners - we like our guests to be able to choose their own dining options
- Any entrances to museums, attractions and concerts - most of what you're looking for will be free entrance anyway.
Itinerary:
Day 1
Arrive in London Heathrow , Meet and Greet, transfer and check into your hotel in central London. The local guide will conduct an orientation walk around your hotel so you have your bearings and know what to do in case you're still full of energy.
Day 2
Panoramic City Tour and walk near Buckingham Palace, the Mall, Trafalgar Square, Piccadily, St. James' Park and Westminster Abbey. Encounter the Houses of Parliament, see Big Ben, St. Paul's Cathedral, Churchill War Rooms, the Horse Guards and Changing of the Guard - there's just so much to do and see here, never mind an entire day you could spend at the Tower of London chatting to the Beef Eaters.
Day 3
Free time to explore all the cultural curiosities. We're on hand if you wish to advise on Greenwich, Bletchley Park, Royal Palaces or whatever takes your interest in London.
Day 4
We're off to Oxfordshire enjoy all of the sustainability benefits afforded through your contribution and Global Dream Travel's participation in conservation and environmental projects, before heading to the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Indugle in your obessions for the Royals - we are bringing you the best places of royal renown. This area is so typically English with thatched cottages, friendly pubs, and historic stone buildings. Overnight in the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage city of Bath, associtated with Jane Austen and possessing some of the finest architecture in the world.
Day 5
Explore Bath. There's a local guide, panormic tour, indulge in the breathtaking sights of English architectural beauty at the Royal Crescent and Circus. Georgian architecture as you've never seen before with many interesting museums and even the King's Theatre.
Day 6
Today we're in Wales. We do it better than anyone else - Snowdonia, mountains, lakes, National Parks, sheep, deer, we're guaranteeing you'll fall in love with a region unkown to many. Should you want to take the train to the top of Snowdon, Wales' highest mountain, we can orchestrate that. We are staying in Llandudno for two nights, a wonderfully relaxed coastal town beside the Great Orme Limestone hill and Victorian pier. We love it here for more reasons than one.
Day 7
It's all about Anglesea today, home of the Tudors. Gladly, you get to see UNESCO Beaumaris Castle and develop an understanding of King Edward I, Hammer of the Scots and builder of a ring of coastal castles to defeat the Welsh Princes at the end of the 13th century. We'll also visit Caernarfon and the spectacular 800 year old castle there too.
Day 8
Today you're leaving Wales. Overnight in Liverpool whether you like the Beatles or love them! The city has 3 Graces, buildings that are architecturally imporant enough to be protected by UNESCO Heritage Status. You will get the chance to see all of them. We love it here. Strawberry Fields, Penny Lane and more, Beatlemania is the talk of the town and you're seeing it all. We like the Pullman hotel, a great accommodation on the Mersey. You'll do a Beatles tour of the city, visit the Cavern Club and enjoy some of the cultural highlights. The City of Liverpool Musuem and the Beatles Story museum are two of the very best in Britain.
Day 9
We'll have a day of exploration in Liverpool - it's a cultural capital and a chance for you to regain some energy before continuing north.
Day 10
Onwards to the Lake District - Wordsworth and the like. Stay in a Spa Hotel, lunch in a 16th century pub with exposed beams and order your lunch from someone with an accent much different from the one's we've heard thus far, it's all part of the journey. We'll have a lake cruise and a lot will be learned about the famous children's writer Beatrix Potter. Visit her musuem if you wish, it's fascinating.
Day 11
Cross Northern England over to Hadrian's Wall, the UNESCO 1,800 year old Roman Army structure and arrive in Edinburgh for two nights. The scenery in Northumbria is spectacular. Learn about the Armstrong clan and other Border Clans who fought each other for centuries for land and livestock, as well as enjoying many stories about Roman Britain.
Day 12
Edinburgh Castle beckons. Panoramic City Tour and walking tour to show you the best of the Athens of the North. We can also go to Leith today if you wish, the Port of Edinburgh. You'll spend some time in the UNESCO Old Town and New Town.
Day 13
The morning is free to explore your favourite attractions including Royal Yacht Britannia and Holyrood Palace. Learn about Bonnie Prince Charlie and Mary Queen of Scots. This afternoon/evening take a flight home. Thanks for visiting the United Kingdom, we know you have enjoyed it and we want to see you again soon.