A 9 night tour which captures the essence of these beautiful isles - the culture, the great cities blended with the sheer unadulterated beauty of its most scenic countryside regions.

Day 1 Arrive London – Transfer into London - a wonderful world-class city blending sophistication and style with a huge cultural legacy and colourful pageantry. Afternoon tour of London’s City highlighting the 12th century Tower of London and Sir Christopher Wren’s masterpiece St Paul’s Cathedral.

Day 2 London - Morning tour of London’s West End including Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Whitehall, Piccadilly, Trafalgar Square and featuring the Changing of Guard at Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey. Afternoon free with English afternoon tea at your hotel, followed by an evening theatre performance.

Day 3 London / Oxford/ Stratford - Touring through Oxfordshire to Oxford. Walking tour of historic university city of Oxford including visit to Christ Church College. Tour through green and gold landscapes of the English Cotswolds and some of the most picturesque villages including Chipping Camden and Stow-on-the-Wold. Continue to delightful Tudor town of Stratford-upon-Avon, visit William Shakespeare’s birthplace and the church yard at St Mary’s where he is buried. Continue to Coventry for overnight.

Day 4 Coventry/Chester/Lake District - Drive this morning to historic Chester with its rich cultural remains dating back to Roman times. See the Roman Amphitheatre, ancient city walls and the beautiful red sandstone Cathedral. After some time for lunch , continue our scenic journey northwards into County Cumbria, a source of inspiration for some of England’s writers, artists and luminaries. Cruise across vast and beautiful Lake Windermere and overnight in Keswick or Grasmere.

Day 5 Lake District / Edinburgh - Touring over the Scottish border through Gretna Green, Moffat and into the Scottish lowlands. Continue to Edinburgh. Afternoon walking tour of the Royal Mile including a visit to the Castle. Evening ghost tour.

Day 6 Edinburgh - Morning tour of this spectacular UNESCO city. A tour will include the Georgian new town and a visit to the Palace of Holyroodhouse as well as Holyrood Park and Arthur’s Seat. Afternoon free. Evening Scottish dinner

Day 7 Edinburgh (Trossachs & Loch Lomond) - Today tour out into the Scottish countryside, over heather clad moorlands into the Trossachs. This region of lakes and forests is immortalised in the literary works of Sir Walter Scott. Continue to the wild and pristine shores of Loch Lomond and take a boat ride across one of Scotland’s most beautiful Lochs.

Day 8 Edinburgh / Northumberland National Park /York - Enjoy a wonderful scenic journey through the wild landscapes of Northumberland National Park. Visit the ancient ruined abbey of Melrose and the house of Lord Byron at Abbotsford. Continue to York, one of England’s most beautifully preserved historic cities.

Day 9 York Our walking tour this morning takes in the historic narrow streets of York called the ‘shambles’ and a visit to York Minster . The afternoon is free to enjoy this unique city.

Day 10 York/London - Return to London by way of Cambridge, seat of the other great historic English university. Visit the famous King’s College and the breathtakingly beautiful chapel. Continue to London for our last evening. Enjoy a farewell dinner on a river Thames dinner cruise boat with memorable illuminated views of London by night.

Day 11 Departure London - Transfer to the airport for our return flight home.