Day 1

Your trip to Great Britain begins with an overnight trans-Atlantic flight to London.

Day 2

Arrive in London, Capital City of England and the United Kingdom. If you purchased airline tickets from YMT Vacations, a YMT representative will welcome you and transfer you to the hotel. If you made your own flight arrangements, please make your own way to the hotel. The remainder of the day is at your leisure and this evening, meet your tour director and fellow travellers over a welcome dinner in the hotel. Overnight in London, Hotel Ibis Earls Court or similar. (D)

Day 3

After breakfast enjoy a morning sightseeing tour of some of the most renowned sights in all of London. Accompanied by an expert city guide, we will visit to Westminster Abbey, setting for the 2011 Royal Wedding of Prince William and Katherine Middleton where you’ll be given a guided tour. Additional sights during today’s tour will include Buckingham Palace, The Houses of Parliament, Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square. This afternoon you are free to explore the city on your own or take an optional tour to see the Tower of London, famous home to the Crown Jewels and where Henry VIII executed two of his wives. Dating from the 11th Century, the Tower of London is one of London’s most popular attractions. To conclude your first full day in London, this evening you may chose to enjoy an optional tour to view central London from the world famous London Eye. Situated on the South Bank of the River Thames, marvel at views across the city and up to 25 miles beyond from your air conditioned capsule. Overnight in London, Hotel Ibis Earls Court or similar. (B)

Day 4

Today we head west towards the spa city of Bath, nourished by natural hot springs and designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, it presents some of the finest architectural sights in Europe such as the Royal Crescent, the Circus and Pulteney Bridge. We’ll visit the Roman Baths, a magnificent temple and bathing complex that still flows with natural hot water. See the water’s source and walk where Romans walked on the ancient stone pavements around the steaming pool. After lunch, we continue our drive west over the River Severn, into Wales and onto Cardiff, its capital city. Before arriving at the hotel, we’ll stop and visit St Fagan’s National History Museum, Wales’s most popular heritage attraction. The open air museum is situated in the grounds of the magnificent St Fagan’s Castle, a late 16th-century manor house donated to the people of Wales by the Earl of Plymouth. Overnight in Cardiff, Hotel Holiday Inn Cardiff City Centre or similar (B)

Day 5

Before leaving Cardiff we enjoy a two hour panoramic sightseeing tour with a local city guide to view the highlights of the city including Cardiff Castle, Millennium Stadium, the River Taff and Cardiff Bay. We arrive this afternoon in Stratford Upon Avon, birthplace of the “Bard of Avon”, William Shakespeare. Situated on the banks of the river Avon, Stratford is one of the most important tourist destinations in the UK and included is a visit to the half-timbered house where William Shakespeare was born in 1564. Descendants of the dramatist lived there until the nineteenth century, and it has remained a place of pilgrimage for over 250 years. We will view the exhibition of the poet’s life and make our way through the house, which is furnished in period style with many historic manuscripts and books. Overnight in the Stratford Upon Avon area, Hotel Stratford Manor or similar. (B)

Day 6

Today we visit Liverpool, a port city where its impressive waterfront is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and from where over 9 million emigrants left England for a new life in America. This is a culturally rich city, home to the legendary Liverpool soccer team and of course it’s most famous sons – the Beatles. You’ll see Liverpool Cathedral and Albert Dock, where we stop to visit The Beatles Story to see how four young lads were propelled from the tiny Cavern Club to the dizzying heights of worldwide fame and fortune, becoming one of the world’s most popular bands. After lunch we continue northbound heading for the Lake District and this evening dinner is included at the hotel. Overnight in the Preston or Lancaster area, Legacy Preston International Hotel or similar. (B, D)

Day 7

After breakfast we depart on a scenic drive through the Lake District. At 885 square miles, it is England’s largest national park and home to both Lake Windermere and Scafell Pike, England’s largest lake and highest peak. We’ll stop to visit Hill Top, once home to Beatrix Potter and a time capsule of the life of the famous children’s author and creator of Peter Rabbit. The Lake District landscape offers stunning scenery and views that provide plenty of photo opportunities. Then it’s northward, crossing the border into Scotland and on to the Scottish capital Edinburgh, where you will stay for two nights. Overnight in Edinburgh, Hotel Holiday Inn Express Leith or similar. (B)

Day 8

This morning an expert local guide will lead a half day sightseeing tour of this historic city with its royal connections. You’ll see the elegant Georgian architecture of Edinburgh New Town, the Palace of Holyrood – once Home of Mary Queen of Scots, the new Scottish Parliament building and views of Edinburgh Castle, perched on the hill looking over the city. This afternoon is at leisure; you may chose to stroll the Royal Mile, sample a single malt whiskey in one of the city’s numerous friendly pubs, or join us for an optional visit to tour the Royal Yacht Britannia. This famous ship that was launched in 1953 and officially decommissioned in 1997 has played host to some of the most famous people in the world, including Presidents Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan. But, above all, she was home to Her Majesty The Queen and the Royal Family. This evening you may join an optional Scottish Night with dinner and entertainment. Overnight in Edinburgh, Hotel Holiday Inn Express Leith or similar. (B)

Day 9

We leave Edinburgh and head back into England where we will make a short stop in the small city of Durham before continuing on to Castle Howard. Set in the Yorkshire countryside and home to the Howard family for over 300 years, Castle Howard is a magnificent 18th-century residence set within 1,000 acres of breathtaking landscape. We arrive late afternoon in the York area. Overnight in the York area, Hotel Holiday Inn York or similar. (B)

Day 10

After breakfast we’ll take a guided tour of York where you will see the famous York Minster and the medieval walls that surround the city. We will also have time to explore the picturesque cobbled street ‘Shambles’, lined with 600 year old wooden framed buildings with roofs that almost touch. Before lunch we’ll continue our journey towards Sherwood Forest, a royal forest in the county of Nottinghamshire famous for its association with the legendary Robin Hood. This afternoon you’ll see some of the oldest trees in Europe, with many veteran oaks over five centuries old. Take a 15 minute walk to see ‘Major Oak’, thought to be over 800 years old and according to local lore, its hollow trunk was used as a hideout by Robin Hood’s men. We continue onto Oxford where we will stay for two nights and this evening dinner at the hotel is included. Overnight in the Oxford area, The Oxford Belfry Hotel or similar. (B, D)

Day 11

Today we visit Blenheim Palace, home to the 11th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough, birth place of Sir Winston Churchill and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Set in 2,000 acres of ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped parkland, Blenheim Palace was a gift from Queen Anne and a grateful nation to John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough following his famous victory at the Battle of Blenheim in 1704. Visit the gilded State Rooms, which house one of the finest collections in Europe and you’ll also see The Churchill Exhibition which includes the room where Sir Winston Churchill was born in 1874. This afternoon, we’ll tour some of the pretty ‘chocolate box’ Cotswold villages, in the ‘Heart of England’, known for their local limestone cottages and individual character. We’ll make a short stop for you to explore up close and you may choose to take tea in one of the quaint teashops. This evening we return to Oxford. Overnight in the Oxford area, The Oxford Belfry Hotel or similar. (B)

Day 12

Your day will start with a panoramic and walking tour of Oxford, The City of Dreaming Spires and home to one of the world’s most famous and oldest Universities. We will also view Carfax Tower and Bodleian Library amongst other Oxford sights. Next drive to Windsor for lunch on your own, followed by a visit to Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world and the Official Residence of Her Majesty The Queen. Its rich history spans almost 1000 years and you’ll take a self guided audio tour of this fascinating building which will include the magnificent State Apartments furnished with treasures from the Royal Collection (including paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, Canaletto and Gainsborough) and St George’s Chapel, the burial place of 10 monarchs. There will be a short period of free time for exploring the old town of Windsor just outside the castle gates before we travel the short distance to your hotel near London Heathrow. Tonight enjoy an included farewell dinner with all your new friends. Overnight in the London Heathrow, area. Hotel Jury’s Inn Heathrow or similar. (B,D)

Day 13

Today, bid farewell to Great Britain, taking home a suitcase full of memories and stories to share about your YMT British vacation! If you purchased airline tickets through YMT Vacations, your airport transfers are arranged. If you made your own flight arrangements, please make your own way to the airport in plenty of time to check in for your flight. (B)

Includes: Cooked English breakfast daily, except in London where a continental breakfast is served, plus four dinners as stated.

Please note that this is a proposed itinerary; the actual itinerary may vary due to season, special events, or weather. Because our tour arrangements are often made a year or more in advance, YMT Vacations reserves the right to alter the itinerary. Itinerary changes are made to improve your vacation experience, as well as respond to any unforeseen circumstances that mandate alterations.

Note: By their nature, all tours vacations involve a certain level of physical activity. While YMT tours have been designed with our guests in mind and are not physically demanding, this tour does include walking and periods of standing during the sightseeing visits. You will also encounter steps and some uneven ground along the way, particularly at older, historical sights.

The Motor Coach Experience