Britain Sampler Tour
Tour the iconic cities London, Bath, York & more
For those who want to see the highlight cities of England & Scotland, this 8-night guided vacation is a perfect fit with a host of special experiences along the way!
What's Included
- Round-trip economy class airfare to London (LHR)
- Round-trip airport transfers
- Accommodations in hotels listed, or similar:
- 2 nights in London at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel
- 1 night in Bath at the Hilton Bath City Hotel
- 1 night in Chester-Cheshire at the Mercure Chester Abbots Well Hotel
- 2 nights in Edinburgh at The Mercure Edinburgh Princes Street Hotel
- 1 night in Skelton-York at the Mercure York Fairfield Manor Hotel
- 1 night in London at the Hilton London Metropole Hotel
- Full English Breakfast daily
- 1 Lunch; 3 three-course dinners (with wine and choice of menus) and Welcome Dinner in Bath
- Guided sightseeing as described in itinerary, including:
- Guided tours of London, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Stonehenge, Bath's Roman relics,
- Guided tours of Stow-on-the-Wold, Stratford-upon-Avon, Llangollen, Chester, Grasmere,
- Guided tours of Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace, Abbotsford, Jedburgh, York and Cambridge
- Services of a Professional Travel Director
- Transportation by private first-class air-conditioned motorcoach (with complimentary Wi-Fi)
- Hotel tips, taxes, porterage and service charges
Great Ways to Explore
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You'll travel to Britain and enjoy all the sights that it has to offer!
- Don't miss a thing with a local guide taking you to all of the highlights. Escorted tours ensure you see it all.
-
You'll enjoy guided tours to almost every city in Britain!
-
All hotels offer unique stays that are close to the major attractions
-
It's truly authentic, providing unique insights into the fascinating British culture and history.
Please note that some recommendations in the following suggested itinerary may not be included in your package. Check What's Included above for full details on inclusions.
- Round-trip economy class airfare to London (LHR)
- Round-trip airport transfers
- Accommodations in hotels listed, or similar:
- 2 nights in London at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel
- 1 night in Bath at the Hilton Bath City Hotel
- 1 night in Chester-Cheshire at the Mercure Chester Abbots Well Hotel
- 2 nights in Edinburgh at The Mercure Edinburgh Princes Street Hotel
- 1 night in Skelton-York at the Mercure York Fairfield Manor Hotel
- 1 night in London at the Hilton London Metropole Hotel
- Full English Breakfast daily
- 1 Lunch; 3 three-course dinners (with wine and choice of menus) and Welcome Dinner in Bath
- Guided sightseeing as described in itinerary, including:
- Guided tours of London, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Stonehenge, Bath's Roman relics,
- Guided tours of Stow-on-the-Wold, Stratford-upon-Avon, Llangollen, Chester, Grasmere,
- Guided tours of Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace, Abbotsford, Jedburgh, York and Cambridge
- Services of a Professional Travel Director
- Transportation by private first-class air-conditioned motorcoach (with complimentary Wi-Fi)
- Hotel tips, taxes, porterage and service charges
-
You'll travel to Britain and enjoy all the sights that it has to offer!
- Don't miss a thing with a local guide taking you to all of the highlights. Escorted tours ensure you see it all.
-
You'll enjoy guided tours to almost every city in Britain!
-
All hotels offer unique stays that are close to the major attractions
-
It's truly authentic, providing unique insights into the fascinating British culture and history.
Please note that some recommendations in the following suggested itinerary may not be included in your package. Check What's Included above for full details on inclusions.
Day 1. Welcome to London!
Uniformed hosts are available to help you make the most of your stay.
Check-in - Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London
Elegance, luxury, and sophistication - everything that makes the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London so quintessentially English. Relax in this swanky hotel that boasts chic decor, modern amenities, and stunning city views. Settle into your room and find large comfortable beds, free WiFi, a refrigerator, a flat screen TV, and much more. Its central London location makes this hotel your ideal base. Yes, it's true, you can see Big Ben from the hotel entrance!
After a fun day of sightseeing, head back to the hotel and take a dip in the large indoor pool. Didn't do enough walking during the day? Work all your stresses away in the on-site fitness center. Did too much walking? Not to worry. A relaxing massage at the on-site Mandara Spa should do the trick. Pampering yourself is what vacation is all about.
When you work up an appetite, indulge in mouthwatering French cuisine at the on-site Brasserie Joel. Feeling something a bit more exotic? Try the delicious on-site Ichi Sushi & Sashimi Bar. Be sure to check out the Patisserie for some tasty teas and treats. Spend your evening unwinding at the trendy Primo Bar. Dance the night away, sing along to the live music, and enjoy a delicious craft cocktail. Don't worry, the Espressamente Illy Coffee Bar will be there to make sure you're recharged for your next day of English adventure.
Day 2. London
After a hearty English breakfast, morning sightseeing with a Local Guide includes all the famous landmarks: the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben beside the Thames River, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall's mounted horse-guards and the Prime Minister's Downing Street, Piccadilly Circus, and Buckingham Palace. Highlights are a visit to St. Paul's Cathedral (except on Sundays) and the ceremonial pageantry of the Changing of the Guard, if held. Use the afternoon to explore on your own. Maybe take a trip to the Windsor Castle or the Tower of London with its fabulous Crown Jewels. (Breakfast)
Day 3. London - Stonehenge - Bath
Meet your Tour Director and traveling companions and depart at 8 am for a full day of sightseeing. Your Tour Director will take you on a walk to see the Great Vine, Pond Garden, Privy Garden, and the flower borders of the Great Fountain Garden. Then, head westward to the prehistoric monument of Stonehenge! Explore the stunning new visitor center with its imaginative exhibitions, then take the shuttle to the stone circle and admire the monument up close. Across Salisbury Plain, head for the elegant Georgian city of Bath, where you see the amazing excavations of the Roman Baths. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner with wine at your hotel. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Check-in - DoubleTree by Hilton Bath
Ease your stress away at the DoubleTree by Hilton Bath. Enjoy views of the stunning Pulteney Bridge, rolling hills, and lovely skyline from one of the four beautifully decorated suites. Guests can enjoy free Wi-Fi, a fitness center, 200-capacity meeting rooms, a 24-hour front desk, daily breakfast, coffee and newspapers in the lobby, an on-site restaurant, a bar, and concierge services.
Rooms are spacious and stylish, and feature air conditioning, complimentary mineral water, a desk, a safe, ironing facilities, and private bathrooms including a hairdryer and complimentary toiletries. Deluxe rooms also feature sitting areas, and suites also include a separate bath and power shower.
Day 4. Bath - Stratford-upon-Avon - Llangollen, Wales - Chester, England
Savor vistas of the Cotswolds on your way via the medieval market town of Stow-on-the-Wold to Stratford-upon-Avon. You'll have time here to visit Shakespeare's Birthplace and for pictures of Anne Hathaway's Cottage. The afternoon is dedicated to North Wales. Take a stroll in picturesque Llangollen, home of an annual international contest for poets and musicians. Spend the night at Chester, the historic county town on the Dee River. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Check-in - Mercure Chester Abbots Well Hotel
Day 5. Chester - Grasmere - Gretna Green, Scotland - Edinburgh
This morning's walking tour includes the Roman remains, black and white half-timbered buildings, the cathedral, and the two-tiered shopping arcades called the _Rows._ Focus now on the tranquil Lake District, considered one of the finest of England's national parks. Take a break in Wordsworth's beloved Grasmere, and try Grasmere Gingerbread. Then, head north for the Scottish border. On the way through the history-steeped Lowland Hills, stop at Gretna Green, where the blacksmith used to wed runaway couples. In Edinburgh, don't miss our optional Scottish evening with Highland dancers, bagpipers, and the Ceremony of the Haggis. (Breakfast)
Check-in - Mercure Edinburgh Princes Street Hotel
Stay in a fine 3-star Edinburgh hotel, ideally located in the city center’s popular Princes Street. Mercure Edinburgh Princes Street Hotel has great views of Edinburgh Castle. Complimentary high speed Wi-Fi is available in the 169 stylish guest rooms and throughout the hotel. Scott's on Princes Street is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner; as well as for light snacks and drinks. Enjoy panoramic views of the majestic Edinburgh castle from the hotel. It’s a few minutes’ walk from the Edinburgh Airport Shuttle bus and only 7 minutes walking distance from Waverley train station.
The Edinburgh Princes Street hotel is above the Princes Street shops near Edinburgh Waverley Station, with direct rail services to UK cities. Edinburgh bus station is 500 meters away, and the Edinburgh Airport Shuttle bus stops 150 meters from the hotel. From Edinburgh Airport Shuttle bus-stop follow Waverley Bridge, walk up towards the Scott Monument on your left. Continue over the crossing towards the monument. The hotel is opposite you, between Jenner’s department store and Marks & Spencer.Day 6. Edinburgh
Morning city sightseeing with a Local Guide introduces you to the 200-year-old _New Town_ and famous scientists, inventors, and novelists. In the _Old Town,_ drive up the narrow Royal Mile to Edinburgh Castle to admire Scotland's Crown Jewels, then explore Holyrood Palace (except when the Queen is in residence). The afternoon is free to enjoy the Scottish capital at your own pace. Dinner rounds off this evening. NOTE: For departures between August 2-24, tickets are included for tonight's performance of the world-renowned Military Tattoo, a vast spectacle of massed Scottish pipe bands that takes place in an arena on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle.
Day 7. Edinburgh - Abbotsford - Jedburgh - York, England
First on today's agenda is a guided tour of Sir Walter Scott's newly refurbished Abbotsford House. After the tour, enjoy a cup of tea and shortbread at Ochiltree's Dining. Melrose Abbey and the ruins at Jedburgh are pointed out on the way to the English border and Northumberland National Park. In York, England's most complete medieval city, stand in awe in front of the great structure of York Minster, then follow your Tour Director through a maze of quaint streets including the narrow Shambles. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Check-in - Fairfield Manor York
Complimentary wireless Internet access is just one of the great things you'll find at Mercure York Fairfield Manor Hotel, a formidable choice for guests looking for green/sustainable York hotels. This York hotel has its own restaurant serving breakfast and lunch where you will find a selection of items to try. Guests wishing to relax with a drink will surely want to visit the bar/lounge. This hotel has a business center and conference/meeting rooms as well as secretarial services and audio-visual equipment, so if you are planning a meeting you will have everything you need to make your event a success. Enjoy free newspapers in the lobby, where you will also find a safe at reception for your valuables. Multilingual staff are available at the front desk 24 hours-a-day and can provide express check-in and express check-out. Free parking is available on site. Other amenities include laundry facilities, dry cleaning/laundry services and an elevator (lift).
Day 8. York - Stamford - Cambridge - London
Leave Yorkshire and its associations with James Herriot and drive through the richest farmland in Britain. Pause in the market town of Stamford before arriving in the beautiful university city of Cambridge. Return to London around 3:30 pm. (Breakfast)
Check-in - Hilton London Metropole
This hotel in London offers bright and spacious guest rooms, all with WiFi and modern comforting amenities. Choose a Suite or Executive Room for complimentary access to the Executive Lounge, with continental breakfast and refreshments. Superior Family Rooms, the largest double-double rooms in London, offer adjoining rooms and a babysitting service.
Dine on international cuisine at Fiamma Restaurant. Savor Asian Fusion favorites and breathtaking views of London at Minako at the Met on the 23rd floor or enjoy exciting sports events in the Sports Bar. Send emails from the WiFi enabled Lounge Bar (charges apply) or sip a latte in the lobby-level Caffe Cino. Work out in the LivingWell Health Club gym and take advantage of Hilton Fitness by Precor weight machines and cardio equipment. Take a swim in the 12.5 meter heated indoor pool. Unwind in the sauna or steam room and treat yourself at Contrasti, the beauty salon.
Day 9. Depart London
Your vacation ends after breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)
Fly home!
We have selected the most economical flight schedule for you. Please note that shorter and more convenient flight options may be available at an additional cost.
Advertised vacation package prices are per person based on two people traveling together, unless otherwise noted. Advertised package rates are based on select departures as noted on the booking calendar above, were available via the Aer Lingus Vacation Store website and may not represent current prices.
Vacation packages include round-trip economy class airfare on valid Aer Lingus transatlantic services as noted in specific package inclusions and as indicated on booking engine calendar, which may also include code share flight agreements between carriers as indicated during the booking process. Carriers may vary based on city of origin.
Air fares are based on a 14-day advance purchase and include round-trip economy class airfare, including carrier and government-imposed taxes and fees, and the September 11th Security Fee of $5.60 per enplanement originating at a U.S. airport. Fluctuations in exchange rates may affect some taxes or fees. Other departure dates and origins are available at slightly higher rates and may be operated by our partner airline, JetBlue, our codeshare partner, United Airlines, or interline partners American Airlines and USAirways. Travel to Britain / Continental Europe are via connecting service in Dublin, Ireland and may be operated by our partners Stobart Air (operating Aer Lingus Regional) and Flybe. Fares apply to North American originating passengers only, and are not eligible for accrual of frequent flyer points/mileage. Full payment is required at the time of reservation. Seats are limited and fares may not be available on all flights. Child/infant discounts are not available, and stopovers are not permitted. Advance seat selection may not be available on all flights.
Optional Bag and Service Fees: A second checked bag fee applies. Click here for optional bag and service fees.
Vacation packages are subject to availability, are capacity controlled, may not be available on every date or on all flights, and may be restricted to certain hotel room and car categories. Higher rates may also be available throughout travel period. Full payment is required at the time of reservation. Rates cannot be combined with any other discount/promotion, and are valid for new bookings only. Offers may be changed or withdrawn at any time without notice. Website contains special pricing that is exclusively for Internet sale only. Bookings made through our call center may incur a concierge fee of up to $25 per person.
Escorted vacation packages are per person based on two travelers (unless otherwise specified), and typically include hotel accommodations; transportation with professional driver/guide; sightseeing as listed, some meals, local taxes, hotel service charges and porterage of one (1) suitcase per person, due to limited capacity on motor coaches. Space is limited and prices may be restricted to certain travel dates, length of stay or room type. Driver and guide gratuities are not included, and are at the discretion of the traveler. Terms and conditions apply. Minimum child ages and handicapped traveler restrictions may apply on escorted tours; please call for details.
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