Highlights
In England
In Scotland
Discover England and take an extended journey through Scotland on this magical tour through these magnificent countries. Visit castles, countrysides, culturally-rich cities, and more!
2 Countries
Locations Visited
Hotel Accommodations
Meals
Service
Baggage Handling
London, England
Glasgow, Scotland
Your journey begins on your overnight transatlantic flight to London.
If you purchased airline tickets through YMT, a representative will welcome you at the airport and transport you to the hotel. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure. Join us later for a welcome dinner at the hotel (included).
Meals: Dinner
Hotel Dorsett or similar
After breakfast, head out on a panoramic city tour of one of history’s most influential capitals. You’ll see many of London’s most important landmarks from the comfort of your roomy coach including the Tower of London, Big Ben and Piccadilly Circus, as well as Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, and more!
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel Dorsett or similar
Add-On: London Eye & Dinner
Leave London this morning, and make your way to Oxford, your first stop for the day. Go on a guided tour of Oxford, a city known around the world as the home of Britain’s oldest and most prestigious university. See the school and 1,100-year-old village, including Christchurch, Oxford Castle, and more of the famous halls and greens of Oxford University. Next, make a photo stop in the Cotswolds, a stunning rural area with lush rolling hills, beautifully maintained historic buildings and villages, before heading to Bristol for the night.
Meals: Breakfast
Journey back in time at two of England’s oldest sites, Stonehenge and the Roman Baths. A prehistoric monument whose ring of massive standing stones was built approximately 5,000 years ago, Stonehenge has no written records and its purpose and the methods of its construction remain a mystery! In Bath, you’ll tour some of the best Roman ruins in the world. Romans started taking advantage of Bath’s natural hot springs when Claudius invaded Britain in 43 AD. They turned the site into a religious shrine that housed complex bathing areas. Explore largely intact ruins that are a testament to Rome’s incredible engineering skills. Return to Bristol for the night.
Meals: Breakfast
Leonardo Hotel Bristol City or similar
Leave Bristol this morning and head to Stratford-upon-Avon. Explore Shakespeare’s birthplace, the restored 16th century home where he grew up and later lived with his beloved wife, Anne Hathaway. Hear family stories and live theatre recitals.Proceed to Liverpool and join us on an engaging optional tour where you’ll learn more about the life and times of The Beatles!
Meals: Breakfast
Novotel Liverpool Paddington Village or similar
Add-On: The Beatles Experience
Spend the day soaking up the beauty of Lake District, England’s largest national park, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Glide along the sparkling waters of Windermere, the largest lake in the area, as you sail past many scenic islands and majestic mountains. The circular cruise starts and ends at Bowness, a charming town on the banks of Lake Windermere. Bask in the scenery of the region, and later, return to Liverpool for the night.
Meals: Breakfast
Novotel Liverpool Paddington Village or similar
Tour Liverpool, a port city from where over nine million emigrants left England for a new life in America. You’ll see the Royal Liver Building, the headquarters of the White Star Line, the Albert Docks, and the two cathedrals of Hope Street. Your next stop is York. See the 13th century walls surrounding narrow streets, all of which wind their way toward the magnificent York Minster. One of England’s most impressive cathedrals looks down at the city that inspired and influenced the magical look of the Harry Potter movies—particularly Diagon Alley. Your tour takes you past York Minster, Exhibition Square, Margaret Street, and Fishergate.
Meals: Breakfast
Proceed to London this morning and stop at Newstead Abbey enroute. This historic country home in Nottinghamshire is over 800 years old and is famous for being the residence of the Romantic poet Lord Byron. With over 300 acres of gardens, the sprawling grounds have pathways that wind past lakes and waterfalls. You’ll spend the night in London, and enjoy an included farewell dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel Dorsett or similar
Travel by scenic rail up to Edinburgh. The rest of the day is yours to spend at your leisure until the included welcome dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Best Western Kings Manor Hotel or similar
Your first full day in Scotland starts with a comprehensive tour of Edinburgh. The beautifully maintained capital city is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and tour highlights include the Royal Scottish Academy, The Georgian House, and St. Giles Cathedral, as well as The Scottish Parliament, and Greyfriars Bobby. Your final stop this morning is Edinburgh Castle, home to the Scottish Crown Jewels, the Stone of Destiny, and Edinburgh’s oldest building, St. Margaret’s Chapel. Admission to the castle is included for you to enjoy a self-guided tour. The guided portion of the day concludes at lunchtime, after which you are free to remain in the city and explore on your own, or to join our afternoon optional tour.
Meals: Breakfast
Best Western Kings Manor Hotel or similar
Add-On: Royal Yacht Britannia Tour with Dinner
Visit one of the most historically significant places in all of Britain—the iconic Scone Palace in Perth. Home of the Earl of Mansfield, it has been the seat of parliaments and the crowning place of the Kings of Scots since the 9th century. Continue to the Highlands to enjoy some free time, including a stop for lunch in the town of Pitlochry. Today also includes a visit to the Leault Working Sheepdog Farm for a 45-minute demonstration of up to eight dogs working as a team to herd sheep and responding to their own personalized commands and whistles. Meet the sheepdogs, see the lambs, and perhaps take part in shearing a sheep. Keep an eye out for the Highlander cows that also roam around! En route to the hotel, see Britain’s tallest mountain range in Cairngorms National Park! Upon arrival at your hotel in Inverness, enjoy an included dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Kingsmill Hotel or similar
Our first stop this morning is the historic battlefield site of the bloody Battle of Culloden Moor. Enjoy an innovative interactive exhibit about the battle, as well as a guided visit of the battlefield. Continue to Cawdor Castle, an ancient medieval fortress with three very different and extraordinary gardens. Explore the grounds and castle on a self-guided audio tour before continuing to a Whisky Distillery for an informative tour and tasting of beautiful Scotch Whisky!
Meals: Breakfast
Kingsmill Hotel or similar
Add-On: Inverness Castle Experience with Dinner
Enjoy stunning views of Inverness as you make your way into the Great Glen, and Loch Ness. Up to 755 feet deep in places, the murky lake has plenty of hiding space for the mythical Loch Ness Monster, or “Nessie.” Take a short scenic cruise across the loch to Urquhart Castle to explore the ruins dating back to the 13th century. After stopping for lunch in Fort Augustus, continue on to the Commando Memorial, a commemorative statue pays tribute to soldiers who served in WWII. Next, stop at a woolen mill for some souvenir shopping End your day at Fort William in the early evening.
Meals: Breakfast
The Moorings or similar
Your tour takes you to the Isle of Skye, one of the Inner Hebrides islands. Enjoy a photo stop enroute at Eilean Donan Castle before crossing the bridge onto the Isle of Skye. Your tour of Skye will include several photo stops to take in the stunning scenery and picturesque mountains. Stop for lunch in Portree, the largest town and the capital of the Isle of Skye. End your day with a short ferry crossing to take you back to the mainland, and enjoy an included dinner upon arrival at your hotel in Fort William.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
The Moorings or similar
Travel along the rugged shoreline into Argyll. Visit Inveraray Castle, built in 1743 in the Gothic Revival style, and see the extensive collection of pikes, muskets and other weaponry. Enjoy a short break on the banks of Loch Lomond, the largest lake in the country, and continue into Glasgow, the biggest city in Scotland.
Meals: Breakfast
ibis Syles Glasgow Central or similar (Note: Porterage service is not available at this hotel)
Add-On: ‘Meet the Piper’ & Dinner at The Pipers Tryst Restaurant
During a panoramic morning city tour, see the remnants of the monastery at Glasgow Cathedral and the Necropolis, an ancient cemetery in the middle of the city. Visit Glasgow Green, The Kelvingrove Art Gallery, and George Square, named after King George III and the de facto center of Glasgow. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon on your own, and join us for a farewell dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
ibis Syles Glasgow Central or similar (Note: Porterage service is not available at this hotel)
Meals: Breakfast
Note: This tour is not suitable for those who have difficulty walking. The included sightseeing and optional tours will involve walking and standing, steps, stairs and uneven ground at ancient sites and other locations. Accommodations used throughout this tour are commonly situated in rural, scenic areas and local amenities may be limited.
Please note that this is a proposed itinerary; the actual itinerary may vary due to season, special events, or weather. Hotels may differ depending on date. 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. By their nature, all tour 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. Please ask your Travel Consultant for more information.
YMT Vacations itineraries may contain suggestions for activities for your leisure time; these suggestions do not constitute a recommendation nor an endorsement of any specific service provider and the decision to participate in any such activities should be made independently.
Make your vacation extra special by adding optional excursions to your tour. It’s a great opportunity to enhance your trip, these experiences slot seamlessly into your package, and we’ll take care of all the logistics for you. Remember that adding an optional experience might increase the overall activity level of the tour, so always keep that in mind when planning your trip.
Take a ride high above the Thames on the London Eye, one of the English capital’s most iconic structures. Board the London Eye and travel 443-feet over the city on a spectacular 30-minute ride. Look out at incredible views in every direction as you take in landmarks like Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, countless lush green parks, and of course the lifeblood of the city, the mighty River Thames. After seeing London from high above, experience it on a more intimate level by breaking bread at a cozy community pub. Enjoy a sumptuous dinner here.
Inclusions
Duration: Approx. 4.5 Hours (Evening)
Activity Level: Easy
Price: $ 169 USD
Join us on an unforgettable tour of Liverpool, the birthplace of The Beatles. Immerse yourself in the iconic sights and sounds that shaped the legendary band’s journey to stardom. The tour includes a delightful three-course meal, complemented by a refreshing beverage at The Philharmonic ( John Lennon’s favourite pub)
Inclusions
Duration: Approx. 3.5 hours (Evening)
Activity Level: Easy
Price: $199 USD
Discover what life was like on board The Queen’s floating Royal residence, The Royal Yacht Britannia. Explore this famous ship that was home to The Queen and the Royal Family for over 40 years and that sailed 1 million miles around the world. Named UK’s no. 1 attraction in the 2014 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards, the ship has consistently been judged Scotland’s best visitor attraction by the National Tourism Agency, Visit Scotland. See the fabulous state apartments and royal bedrooms, the Sun Lounge, and much more, and learn how the ship’s crew of over 200 sailors operated behind the scenes. After your self-guided audio tour, transfer to The Doric, Edinburgh’s oldest gastro pub, for a traditional Scottish dinner.
Inclusions
Note: Admission not available for some departures
Duration: Approx. 6 Hours
Activity Level: Moderate
Price: $129 USD
Inclusions
Duration: Approx. 4 Hours (Evening)
Activity Level: Moderate
Price: $129 USD
Learn all about bagpipes, Scotland’s most legendary musical instrument! You’ll be welcomed to the National Piping Centre by a master piper clad in a traditional tartan kilt, and given a tour of the fascinating museum. Learn about the long history of bagpipes, how they spread throughout Europe and reached the British Isles before the 14th century, when they were first mentioned by Geoffrey Chaucer in the Canterbury Tales. The bagpipes served many purposes; as instruments of war inspiring historic Highlanders into battle, and in the Scottish Lowlands as part of weddings and celebrations. Your tour includes a full bagpipe demonstration, and you can even try your hand at playing one! Next, head next door to the adjoining Piper’s Tryst Restaurant for a delicious 3-course meal made with beautiful local ingredients. They call their food “true Scottish fayre with a twist.” We just call it delicious!
Inclusions
Note: Admission not available for some departures
Duration: Approx. 3.5 Hours (Afternoon)
Activity Level: Moderate
Price: $119 USD
Join us on a spectacular vacation that highlights the culture, scenery, and history of England. Whether you want to relax in the countryside or enjoy the bustle of London, you’re sure to relish this exciting tour.
Experience a wild, otherworldly country filled with history, mystery, and magic—where craggy mountains stand sentry over misty moors, and grand castles overlook murky lochs.
Experience the best of 2 stunning countries on this journey through Scotland and Ireland, which promises to be an adventure you’ll never forget. First, see the great cities of Scotland on guided panoramic tours.
