Gems of Britain 2013

Day 1 - Cambridge & Medieval York
Meet your Tour Director early this morning and head to the gracious university town of Cambridge. A glimpse here of the age-old tradition of learning as you stroll by some of the colleges, including magnificent King’s College. Continue to historic York where inside the city walls, you see York Minster, England’s largest medieval cathedral. Then walk through the narrow cobbled streets to the crooked houses of the ‘Shambles’. After some free time, check-in to your hotel. This evening enjoy a Welcome Reception, drinks and a light informal meal. (WR)

Day 2 - Edinburgh, Athens of the North
Cross the wild Northumberland Moors and pass the romantic ruins of Jedburgh Abbey, en route to Scotland’s elegant capital, Edinburgh. On a guided city tour, see Edinburgh Castle which dominates the city from its rocky crag. Drive down the stately Royal Mile to Holyroodhouse Palace – the Queen’s residence in Edinburgh. Cross over to Princes Street past the Sir Walter Scott monument to explore the elegant Georgian Ne Town, built for the city's upper classes in the 18th century. (FB)

Day 3 - Lake District & Lively Liverpool
Drive via Gretna Green, where many an eloping English couple have married, then cross the border back into England. Enjoy a drive through the Lake District, a region so beautiful it inspired a host of English poets. Visit the grave of William Wordsworth before continuing to lively Liverpool. Your hotel is adjacent to the iconic Liver Building and overlooking the Dock Front World Heritage Site. (FB)

Day 4 - The Walled City of Chester, Shakespeare's Stratford & the Cotswolds
First stop today is at the former Roman fortress town of Chester. Walk with your Tour Director along part of the city walls. See the Eastgate Clock, Cathedral, the unique black and white ‘Rows’ (shopping arcades) and the remains of the Roman Amphitheatre. Continue to the pretty market town of Stratford-upon-Avon where you visit the half-timbered birthplace of William Shakespeare. Return to London through the flower-trimmed villages of the Cotswolds, one of the most beautiful parts of England. (FB)

• Cambridge: Walk by the colleges of Britain’s second university, seeing the magnificent King’s College
• York: Walk within the city walls to see the glorious Minster, largest medieval church in northern Europe and the topsy-turvy ‘shambles’, a picturesque street with warped over hanging timber-framed houses.
• Borders: See the ruins of Jedburgh Abbey
• Edinburgh: See Edinburgh Castle. Take a guided tour down the Royal Mile, past Holyroodhouse Palace, and over to the Walter Scott Monument and the 18C ‘New Town’ with its classical Adam facades.
• Lake District: Learn about the life of the poet William Wordsworth and visit his grave in the picturesque stone built village of Grasmere
• Liverpool: See the famous Liver Building
• Chester: Walk by Chester’s ‘black and white’ shopping arcades known as the ‘Rows’ and see the Cathedral and remains of the Roman Amphitheatre.
• Stratford: Visit the half timbered birth-place of William Shakespeare, now a museum full of interesting artefacts and memorabilia relating to his life.
• Scenic drives - Cotswolds, English Lake District, Northumberland Moors

• 3 full Breakfasts (FB)
• A Welcome Reception with light informal meal (WR)
• Escorted by a professional Tour Director
• Headsets for all guided visits and walking tours
• Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with extended leg room and on-board restroom
• Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage
• Insight Traveller document wallet, Welcome on Tour book and information pack

York: Hilton York
Edinburgh: George
Liverpool: Atlantic Tower

• Please ask your Vacations To Go travel counselor for more information.

* The prices shown are U.S. dollars per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability. Prices quoted for land/cruise arrangements are subject to increase without notice. Once we have received your deposit, land/cruise prices are guaranteed. Air prices quoted via phone or email are subject to increase and are guaranteed only from the time that full payment is received. Also, air prices or air promotions mentioned on this site or on the phone do not include baggage fees imposed by airlines. Sorry, we are unable to offer air from countries other than the U.S. However, for those international customers who are able to arrange their own transportation to the trip origination city, we are able to offer the land/cruise portion of the package, at the price quoted.