Essential Britain

Essential Britain

Tours Starts: London, England

Tours Ends: Edinburgh, Scotland

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. Then we continue to the home of the world’s most influential writer—William Shakespeare. Take a tour of Shakespeare’s Birthplace, the restored 16th century half-timbered home in Stratford-upon-Avon that the bard grew up in, and lived in for several years with his wife and muse, Anne Hathaway. Hear family stories and live theatre recitals during your time in this charming home. The day ends with a delicious dinner at your hotel in Wales. (B, D)

Ramada Plaza Wrexham or similar

Day 6

North Wales

Go deep into the Welsh mountains today on a visit to breathtaking Snowdonia National Park. Take in its wild landscapes of mountains and incredibly lush Welsh 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. You'll also learn about Wales’ slate mining industry and history, with a tour 500 feet underground at Llechwedd Slate Caverns, an historical mine. The day ends with another included dinner at your hotel. (B, D)

Ramada Plaza Wrexham or similar

Day 7

Liverpool & The Lake District

Today we tour Liverpool, a port city from where over 9 million emigrants left England for a new life in America. You’ll see the Liver building, the Headquarters of the Whitestar Shipping line where the Titanic was built, the Albert Docks, and the two cathedrals of Hope Street. This afternoon we arrive in of the prettiest parts of England—the Lake District. A popular holiday destination for centuries, the district is the ultimate country retreat for wealthy city dwellers, and the ideal place for poets and writers such as William Wordsworth, John Keats, and Beatrix Potter to get outside and write. (D)

The Damson Dene Hotel or similar

Day 8

Lake Windermere Cruise, the Beatrix Potter Gallery, and Hadrian's Wall

Cruise Lake Windermere, England’s largest natural lake. Surrounded by mountains, it was historically one of the most popular places to "get out of town." Then, tour the Beatrix Potter Gallery and see many original works of the beloved author and illustrator displayed in the delightful 17th-century house where her husband once practiced law. Miss Potter was famous for writing The Tale of Peter Rabbit and dozens of other whimsical, funny, charmingly-illustrated books. Your final stop is the Roman-era Vallum Hadriani, or Hadrian’s Wall. The stone remains of fortifications built by the Romans, the wall stretches 73 miles from coast to coast and reveals just how gifted Rome’s engineers were!

Jury Inn Newcastle or similar

Day 9

Newcastle and Edinburgh

Your tour’s final day dawns in Newcastle, Northeastern England’s most populous city. A riverside city with an ancient Roman past (you can see sections of Hadrian’s Wall from certain vantage points), Newcastle is full of fabulous sightseeing. On your guided tour this morning, see Gateshead Millennium Bridge, Tyne Bridge, imposing Newcastle Castle, and the towering Cathedral Church of St. Nicholas, a beautiful example of Perpendicular Gothic architecture. This afternoon, we arrive in Edinburgh, home to Edinburgh Castle, the historical fortress that dominates Edinburgh’s iconic skyline as a globally recognizable symbol of Scotland. The rest of the evening is at leisure until your included dinner. (D)

Hampton by Hilton Edinburgh Airport or similar

Day 10

Depart for Home

On certain tour dates, you may choose to combine this tour for an extended visit to Scotland. If you are joining us for our Ultimate Great Britain tour, you will enjoy the opportunity to explore Edinburgh on your own today before joining our Sights of Scotland itinerary. (B)

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. 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.