England and Scotland

DAYS 1/2—WELCOME TO THE UK!
Start your morning in England with a guided panoramic tour of London. See Big Ben, Parliament, Buckingham Palace, the London Eye and more before checking into the Hilton London Olympia, located just steps from Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, for a two-night stay. D

DAY 3—WESTMINSTER ABBEY/TOWER OF LONDON
Visit Westminster Abbey, an integral part of London’s history for almost 1,000 years. It has been the site of every coronation since 1066, numerous royal weddings, and the funeral of Princess Diana. Enter the Tower of London to learn of its fascinating (and sometimes bloody) history and get an up-close view of the Crown Jewels. B, D

DAY 4—STONEHENGE/HIGHCLERE CASTLE
Mysterious and magical, Stonehenge is Europe’s most famous prehistoric monument built in stages from 3,000 BC. Enjoy a tour of Highclere Castle and Gardens, site of the PBS hit TV series and movie, Downton Abbey. The privately-owned castle is open for tours on a very limited schedule – and we get a look inside! Continue to the Georgian town of Bath for an overnight at the four-star Apex City of Bath Hotel. B, D

DAY 5—ROMAN BATHS/STRATFORD UPON AVON
Located on the site of ancient springs, extensive Roman Baths offer a glimpse into the ancient civilization’s impact on southern England. Explore Shakespeare’s hometown, Stratford-Upon-Avon, and see the house and impressive gardens where the famous bard was born and grew up. Check into the four-star Marriott Liverpool City Center for a two-night stay. B, D

DAY 6—THE BEATLES
An immersive journey at The Beatles Story Museum explains how four young lads from Liverpool were propelled to heights of fame and fortune from humble beginnings. Visit the Cavern Club, where they made their first appearance in February 1961, and played over 200 times since then. Later, we’ll visit the Liverpool Cathedral, the largest in Britain. Then, enjoy dinner with your friends this evening before retiring for the night. B, D

DAY 7—LAKE DISTRICT NATIONAL PARK
A scenic drive through England’s Lake District National Park features incredible views of Lake Windermere, made famous in the writings of Beatrix Potter. Cross into Scotland and continue to our hotel for the night, the Grange Manor Hotel. B, D

DAY 8—BLAIR CASTLE
Continue north to the Scottish Highlands with a stop en-route at Blair Castle Estate for a tour of the last castle in the Brisith Islaes to be besieged in 1746 during the famous Jacobite uprising. Enjoy a three-night stay in the Highlands at the Craiglynne Hotel, located just a short walk to the town center of Grantown-on-Spey. The hotel dates to Victorian times and is located just outside Cairngorms National Park. B, D

DAY 9—EILEAN DONAN CASTLE/LOCH NESS
Depart in the mornning for two of Scotland's most famous experiences, Eilean Donan and Loch Ness. Dating back to 1214, Eilean Donan Castle stands on an islet connected to a causeway in Loch Duich. One of the most famous in Scotland, the completely restored castle has been featured in many movies (including Highlander) and displays fine furniture and paintings from its storied history. Enjoy lunch on your own in Fort Augustus before departing on a Loch Ness cruise where sharp eyes will come in handy to spot the mythical Nessie. .B, D

DAY 10—CULLODEN MOOR/CAWDOR CASTLE/GLENFARCLAS DISTILLERY
Visit the infamous Colloden Moor where the final battle of the Jacobite uprising was fought between the Scottish Highlanders. Take a tour of Cawdor Castle, dating back to 1370 and built as a private fortress by the Thanes of Cawdor, a family made famous by Shakespear's play "MacBeth". Later, taste a bit of Scotland on a visit to the Glenfarclas Distillery, set high in the foothills of the Cairngorm Mountains. B, D

DAY 11—FREE TIME/EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO
This morning, you'll have time to further explore Edinburgh on your own. Perhaps shop for a memento on the Royal Mile or take a stroll through Holyrood Park just steps from our hotel. Then, enjoy the highlight of this vacation - the Endinburgh Military Tattoo! Performed by British Armed Forces and international military bands, the Tattoo is televised in over 40 countries and watched by hundreds of millions! Spend two nights at the four-star Scholar Hotel centrally located in Edinburgh. B, D

DAY 12—EDINBURGH CASTLE/PALACE OF HOLYROOD HOUSE
Housing the Scottish Crown Jewels and the Stone of Destiny, Edinburgh Castle is one of the most imposing fortresses in the world. Explore the Royal Yacht Britannia, launched in 1953 and host to the Royal Family for 968 official voyages until its retirement in 1997. Later, tour the Palace of Holyrood House, the King's official residence in Edinburgh and the home of Scottish royal history. Cap off your Scottish experience with another night of entertainment at the Spirit of Scotland Show at the Royal College of Surgeons. B, D

DAY 13—FLY HOME FROM EDINBURGH
After breakfast, travel to the airport for your flight home, carrying memories of this unique adventure. B

Quality Accommodations
Nights 2-3: Hilton London Olympia
Night 4: Apex City of Bath Hotel
Nights 5-6: Marriott Liverpool City Center
Night 7: Grange Manor Hotel, Glensburgh, Grangemouth
Nights 8-10: Macdonald's Stathspey Hotel, Inverness Area
Nights 11-12: Scholar Hotel Edinburgh

Dates:
Jul 29-Aug 10, 2023

Price Per Person:
Double $5,297
Single $6,065

Pre-/Post Tour Hotel:
$278/night Pre Tour
$178/night Post Tour

Depart/Return:
Chicago, IL

Inclusions:
Round-trip airfare from the U.S.
Professional, English speaking Tour Director
Welcome Reception and meals as indicated (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
Fees and tips for included attractions and meals
Luggage handling of one suitcase per person at hotels
Free bottled water on coach
24-hour emergency call service

Arrival Time
Schedule your flight into Chicago O'Hare International Airport on Day 1 by 3:20pm. Our group flight departs Chicago O'Hare International Airport to London Heathrow International Airport at 6:20pm.

Departure Time
Schedule your flight home to depart Chicago O'Hare International Airport any time after 5:00pm on Day 13. Our group flight arrives into Chicago O'Hare International Airport from Edinburgh at 2:00 p.m.

Airport Transportation / Vehicle Parking
Our Pre and Post hotel offers complimentary shuttle service to and from Chicago O’Hare International Airport. Free parking is offered during the tour at our hotel in Chicago with a Pre or Post night booked.

Walking Distance
To fully enjoy your CTD vacation, you should be in good physical health and understand there are times when a good deal of walking is involved in our tours. Those who have difficulty walking may not want to take this trip or should discuss their personal situation with their doctor before deciding. You should be able to walk at a steady pace for a mile at a time for a daily total of three to four miles per day and be able to manage steps to board/de-board the motorcoach several times a day. In addition, many US and European airports require lengthy walks to get from ticketing counters to your departure gate. Due to the lack of proper facilities at some of the farms, ranches, and off-the-beaten-path sites we often visit, we are unable to accommodate walkers and wheelchairs.

We are finding that larger European cities are closing their historic districts to motor traffic. This, of course, adds to the amount of walking involved when visiting a city (sometimes on uneven and/or cobblestone walkways). In addition, you should know that you may be required to exit the motorcoach at each stop because local law often does not allow travelers to remain on the motorcoach while it is parked for a scheduled stop.

Average Temps
July – high of 70°, low of 55°

Currency
British Pound (England)
Euro (Scotland)

Time Zone
GMT+1 (5 hours ahead of New York)

Hotel Amenities

Hair dryers, TV/cable, coffee/tea makers, and WI-FI available at hotels.

Additional Information
A total of three mailings are sent to assist you in preparing for your tour, including information sent upon receipt of your reservation.

Dress on tour is casual. Comfortable walking shoes will add to your enjoyment of this tour.

A valid US Passport is required for travel to/from the United States.

Travel Protection Available
Yes, see CountryTravelDiscoveries.com/TravelProtectionPlan.