ENGLAND, WALES and SCOTLAND

THE BEST OF THE UNITED KINGDOM

20 days/19 nights

(with optional add-on to Northern Ireland)

This is an upscale itinerary with a lot of private services. However, this can easily be adapted for more price conscious travelers or those wishing more independence. 

This itinerary can also be made shorter for clients with less time and wishing to concentrate on just one area.

DAY 1  ARRIVE LONDON

Today on your arrival to London, you will be met in the arrivals hall by your driver, who will then transfer you to your central London accommodation. Once you have checked- in you can then relax and enjoy free time for the rest of the day.

DAY 2  HALF DAY DISCOVER LONDON WITH YOUR BLUE BADGE GUIDE

Your guide will meet you at your central London hotel at the specified time. Then, laugh, gasp and shake your head as your Classic London Private Tour takes you through the sights, sounds and stories of one of the greatest cities in the world. For lunch, how about fish & chips in a traditional London pub? Some of the sights you will see are: Westminster Abbey, Churchill’s War Bunker, Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace

DAY 3  FREE DAY WITH LONDON EYE FLIGHT

Today is a free day to explore as you wish, you have a Fast Track London Eye Ticket, which allows you to arrive at anytime to take your flight and jump the long queues that can occur for one of London’s favorite attractions.

DAY 4  LONDON TO BRIGHTON

After breakfast and once you have checked out, make your way to City Thames Link Train Station, which is about 3 miles from your hotel, here you catch a direct train to Brighton, taking just over 1 hour 20 minutes (First Class) Once you arrive in Brighton, take a taxi to your hotel, where you can then check-in and relax for the remainder of the day. Fashionable, fun and packed with style, Brighton has everything you could want from a trip to the seaside – a royal palace, elegant architecture, great museums, laid-back beach life and superb shopping.

DAY 5  PRIVATE BRIGHTON HALF DAY WALKING TOUR

Today, Brighton is still famous for its bohemian vibe and permissive lifestyle, among many other attractions! Your guide will take you to North Laine, an amazing area with a wealth of interesting and unique shops, studios, restaurants, galleries and markets.

Tour the seafront with its fishing boats and explore the 120 year old Palace Pier that stands out over the sea. 

DAY 6  FREE DAY IN BRIGHTON

Today is a completely free day with nothing planned, just enjoy the seaside, do something British, find a deck chair and an ice-cream and watch the world go by!

DAY 7  STONEHENGE, WELLS and BATH

This morning you will meet your private driver-guide who will spend the next couple of days with you. First stop this morning is Stonehenge, the mythical circle of stones that have had the very best wondering just how they got there! Here will be a stop for about 2-3 hours to walk in the footsteps of your Neolithic ancestors at Stonehenge. 

Next you continue your scenic drive to the England’s smallest City, Wells. Here will be a great place to have lunch. Wells is a medieval city nestling on the southern side of the Mendip Hills. It can call itself a city because of the famous 13th century Cathedral. 

Later in the afternoon, continue your journey to Bath, where you can check-in to your hotel and relax for the remainder of the day. 

DAY 8  BATH TOUR

Today you will have a tour of the city with a local guide. You will on your tour of the city of Bath, hear stories of the city’s origins as the country’s only natural hot-water springs. Visit inside the ancient Roman baths, see the water bubbling up from underground and sip a sample (if you wish). Walk across the honey-coloured limestone bridge designed by Robert Adam in the late 18th century – the only river crossing in England that still has shops along it, just to name a few attractions.

DAY 9  BATH TO CARDIFF (WALES)

Today you will arrive in Cardiff, Wales. This vibrant city is built around a castle and features plenty of impressive historic buildings to visit as well as handsome parks and gardens. Enjoy a half-day private walking tour here to discover the highlights of the city

DAY 10  SOUTH WALES

On this private day tour, you will explore some of the finest ruins and ancient Roman architecture of South Wales, beginning with a visit to Britain’s most preserved Roman town - Caerleon - “Fort of the Legion”. Explore the amphitheatre, the National Legionary Museum, the majestic ruins at Tintern Abbey, Raglan Castle, and enjoy the wonderful views of the Monmouthshire countryside along the way.

DAY 11 MID WALES

Today you can spend the day exploring the stunning National Park. An Area of out-standing Natural Beauty, it is the perfect place to take a walk and discover some of the wonderful waterfalls it is known for. Other hightlights Carreg Cennen castle, the award-wining whisky distillery of Penderyn. Today's tour ends in the popular coastal town of Aberystwyth.

DAY 12  ABERYSTWYTH

The bustling market town of Aberystwyth has plenty to offer everyone! Spend some time exploring the town and taking the train up Constitution Hill where you will be offered fantastic views of the bay and the castle ruins.

Later on, enjoy a half-day tour of the surrounding area and take a trip from the town centre through the beautiful valley of Cwm Rheidol on the Vale or Rheidol Steam Railway.

This will take you all the way to Devil’s Bridge where views here are simply stunning, and the nearby waterfalls are shrouded in myth about when the Devil visited Wales for the last time!

DAY 13  MID WALES - SNOWDONIA (NORTH WALES)

Today continue to North Wales, having the chance to explore another of our country’s National Parks - Wales has three! - Snowdonia National Park which holds the highest mountain in England and Wales. Enjoy some time in the picturesque Betws-y-Coed, 

DAY 14  SNOWDONIA MOUNTAIN RAILWAY

Continuing your exploration of the wonders of North Wales, continue to the busy market town of Caernarfon. The imposing medieval Castle, built by Edward the 1st, dominates the town and has well-deserved UNESCO World Heritage status. Nearby is also the University town of Bangor, where you can visit the neo- Norman Penrhyn Castle and Bangor Cathedral. Why not book yourself onto the Snowdonia Mountain Railway this afternoon which will take you up the highest mountain in England and Wales?

DAY 15  WALES TO SCOTLAND

Today you will be driven to Manchester Airport, where you will catch a plane to Edinburgh. On arrival to Edinburgh, you will be met in the arrivals hall by our driver who will transfer you to your city centre hotel. Once you have checked in, you will be free to relax for the remainder of the afternoon in Edinburgh.

DAY 16  EDINBURGH CITY TOUR

The Old Town and New Town districts of Edinburgh were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. There are over 4,500 listed buildings within the city. We’ll introduce you to the city’s main attractions.

DAY 17  DAY TRIP TO ST ANDREWS

Today is a quiet and simple day out to one of Scotland’s most famous towns. St. Andrews in Fife, Scotland, has quite a history for such a small place. St Andrew’s is just an hour and a half away. Once there you can visit the historical sites, wander around the town and have a really good lunch, there are plenty of places to choose from.

DAY 18  BRAEMAR AND BALMORAL CASTLE

Heading into the heart of The Cairngorm Mountains and National Park are two iconic castles. Braemar Castle is a 17th Century Castle with an exciting story. Built in 1628 by the Earl of Mar as his Highland hunting lodge, burned in the first Jacobite uprising, home to the leader of the 1715 rebellion and garrison for government troops after the final defeat of the Jacobites at Culloden. Balmoral Castle has been the Scottish home of the Royal Family since it was purchased for Queen Victoria by Prince Albert in 1852, having been first leased in 1848. Overnight in a typical Highland Hotel in Ballater.

DAY 19 BATTLEFIELDS AND MONSTERS

Today is your final full day. First stop today is Culloden Visitor Centre. Visit the powerfully moving site of the final Jacobite Rising – the last and most harrowing pitched battle to be fought on British soil. Next  up, Loch Ness. Loch Ness is brimming with history, and tales of the world’s shyest monster. All-aboard one of our cruises for a seat to one of the greatest shows on earth. Cruise the Canal & Loch and visit a castle on this four-hour tour packed with history, legends and breathtaking views. Your journey takes you along Thomas Telford’s famous Caledonian Canal and onto the world-famous waters of Loch Ness. Here, you’ll be treated to panoramic views of the Highlands, Aldourie Castle and Bona Lighthouse.

What’s more, you’ll disembark to take in the stirring sights and stories of Urquhart Castle, with two hours to have a good nosey around this once mighty stronghold –

entry fee included. Overnight in Inverness.

DAY 20 DEPART SCOTLAND

Transfer to Inverness airport for your onward journey or flight back home.

Optional add-on to Northern Ireland:

4 days/3 nights

DAY 20  INVERNESS - BELFAST

Your driver will come and collect you from the hotel and take you to Inverness Airport. Fly Inverness to Belfast in Northern Ireland. Once you land you will head straight to your hotel for the evening, where you can book your table for dinner.

Overnight in Belfast.

DAY 21  GIANT’S CAUSEWAY

Today you head out with your driver-guide on a fantastic excursion of Northern Ireland's amazing attractions. The first stop of the day is at the beautiful town of Carrickfergus so you can have a walk round the 12th century castle and see the ramparts stone walls and ancient harbour. Next you are off to The Magheramorne Quarry which has featured in HBO’s TV series Game of Thrones and has been used to film scenes for Castle Black, Hardhome & The Wall. You will be travelling along the fantastic Antrim coast road with the Irish sea on our right and the Glens of Antrim on the left, you will also be passing the spectacular Glens of Antrim and even climbing Glencorp and crossing the Glen Dun Bridge before climbing to the top of Glen Dun and then descending into the town of Ballycastle. There will be a stop at the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge or visit the old quarry of Larrybane which was featured in HBO’s Series Game of Thrones throughout season two as it was used for Renly Baratheon’s camp. Lunch stop at The Giant’s Barn.

After lunch the highlight of the day is your stop to the Giant’s Causeway itself where you will be able to walk across the stones themselves.

Lastly on your way back to Belfast the final stop of the day is at the amazing Dark Hedges. Overnight in Belfast.

DAY 22  BELFAST TO DUBLIN

Your journey from one capital to another, before you depart Belfast though, you will have one last visit, which will be to The Titanic Museum. Enjoy a self-guided visit to the newest “must-see” visitor attraction in Belfast, Titanic Belfast. The picturesque village of Rostrevor has a history of ancient kings and buried giants and is a beautiful point in which to explore more of Carlingford Lough. Make a stop in Newcastle, famous for long, sweeping beaches and its golf course, then head to Downpatrick, an ancient town where you can visit the reputed final resting place of Ireland’s patron saint, St Patrick, as well as the lovely 12th and 13th century ruins of Inch Abbey, on the bank of the Quoile River.

One you pass over to the south you will be stopping to explore Newgrange and the Morne Coast en route.  Overnight in Dublin.

DAY 23 DEPART DUBLIN.

Private Transfer to Dublin Airport for your flight home.

Contact us if you would like a customized itinerary for your clients.