Essential Britain Tour

Essential Britain

Tours Starts: London, England

Tours Ends: London, England

Day 1

Depart for London

Your journey begins on your overnight transatlantic flight to London.

Day 2

Arrive in 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 your leisure until the included welcome dinner at the hotel begins. Get acquainted with your traveling companions and learn about the exciting days ahead. (D)

Lancaster Gate Hotel or similar

Day 3

London Sightseeing

After breakfast, head out on a panoramic city tour of one of history’s most influential capitals. Enjoy an overview of all of London’s most important landmarks from the comfort of your roomy coach and enjoy the rest of the day to explore as you wish. The city boasts many famous sights, including the Tower of London, Big Ben, Piccadilly Square, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, and more! (B)

Lancaster Gate Hotel or similar

Day 4

Stonehenge and Bath

Leave London this morning and go back in time to explore two of England’s oldest sites: Stonehenge and the Roman Baths. Stonehenge is the instantly recognizable ring of stones built approximately 5,000 years. With no written records, the purpose of the monument, and the methods of its construction, remain a mystery. Stand in awe beside these massive wonders and experience their glory up close! In Bath, we tour of 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 incredibly complex bathing areas with cold rooms, warm rooms, and a massive central pool. Explore this city, whose largely intact ruins are a testament to Rome’s incredible engineering skills. (B)

Mercure Bristol Holland House or similar

Day 5

The Cotswolds and Stratford-upon-Avon

Spend the morning in the Cotswolds, a stunning rural area renowned for lush rolling hills and beautifully maintained historic buildings and villages. The striking color of local structures— from grand manors and churches to humble single-family cottages—is due to the region’s native honey-colored limestone. The buttery yellow stone is a signature feature that’s distinguished the Cotswolds for centuries. Visit Cogges Manor Farm, which you may recognize from Downton Abbey. Continue to Shakespeare’s Birthplace, the restored 16th century home in Stratford-uponAvon that he grew up in and shared with his beloved wife, Anne Hathaway. Hear family stories and live theatre recitals. The day ends with a delicious dinner at your hotel. (B, D)

Holiday Inn Chester South or similar

Day 6

North Wales

Go deep into the Welsh wilderness of Snowdonia National Park. Take in its wild landscapes of mountains and lush oak forests. Its coastline is protected as a Special Area of Conservation, with rugged banks and a scattering of sand dunes in the park’s mid-coast. Then enjoy a ride on the Ffestiniog Railway, one of the “Great Little Trains of Wales,” through the heart of the park. Eat lunch on your own in the walled market town of Conwy, then stop at Conwy Castle. The rectangular stone fortress is a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized as one of the finest examples of late 13th century and early 14th century military architecture in Europe. (B, D)

Holiday Inn Chester South or similar

Day 7

Liverpool & Manchester

Tour Liverpool, a port city from where over 9 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. Continue to Manchester. Learn about one of Britain’s most passionate football cities on a panoramic tour. From your coach you will see , Old Trafford, the Lowry, and more. Enjoy free time in Manchester before continuing to York. (B, D)

York Marriott Hotel or similar

Day 8

York & Newstead Abbey

Start the day with a panoramic tour of York, a city that never quite left behind its medieval past. 13th century walls surround narrow streets, which all wind their way toward the magnificent York Minster. One of the 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. From there, enjoy the real life setting for the most famous outlaw in fiction—Robin Hood. After departing from York, visit Newstead Abbey, a historic country home over 800 years old and the former residence of the Romantic poet Lord Byron. Discover Lord Byron's private apartments, the Victorian kitchen and room depslays, plus cloisters from the Abbey's monastic period. Overnight in Birmingham and enjoy an included dinner. (B, D)

Conference Aston Hotel or similar

Day 9

Oxford & London

Take a panoramic and walking 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. Enjoy lunch on your own and free time in town, which is full of historic pubs where many of Britain’s sharpest minds bloomed. Return to London and sit down for an included Farewell Dinner. (B, D)

Lancaster Gate Hotel or similar

Day 10

Depart for Home

Depart for home, or travel by scenic rail up to Edinburgh. On certain dates, you may choose to combine Essential Britain with Sights of Scotland for our Ultimate Great Britain tour. (B)

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.