Ultimate England & Scotland Tour

Your journey begins on your overnight transatlantic flight to 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 leisure. Join us later for a welcome dinner at the hotel (included). (D)

After breakfast, head out on a panoramic city tour of one of history’s most influential capitals. You’ll see many of London’s most important landmarks from the comfort of your roomy coach including the Tower of London, Big Ben and Piccadilly Circus, as well as Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, and more!(B)

Leave London this morning, and make your way to Oxford, your first stop for the day. Go on a guided 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. Next, make a photo stop in the Cotswolds, a stunning rural area with lush rolling hills, beautifully maintained historic buildings and villages, before heading to Bristol for the night. (B)

Journey back in time at two of England’s oldest sites, Stonehenge and the Roman Baths. A prehistoric monument whose ring of massive standing stones was built
approximately 5,000 years ago, Stonehenge has no written records and its purpose and the methods of its construction remain a mystery! In Bath, you’ll tour 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 complex bathing areas. Explore largely intact ruins that are a testament to Rome’s incredible engineering skills. Return to Bristol for the night. (B)

Leave Bristol this morning and head to Stratford-upon-Avon. Explore Shakespeare’s birthplace, the restored 16th century home where he grew up and later lived with his beloved wife, Anne Hathaway. Hear family stories and live theatre recitals.Proceed to Liverpool and join us on an engaging optional tour where you’ll learn more about the life and times of The Beatles! (B)

Spend the day soaking up the beauty of Lake District, England’s largest national park, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Glide along the sparkling waters of Windermere, the largest lake in the area, as you sail past many scenic islands and majestic mountains. The circular cruise starts and ends at Bowness, a charming town on the banks of Lake Windermere. Bask in the scenery of the region, and later, return to Liverpool for the night. (B,D)

Tour Liverpool, a port city from where over nine 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. Your next stop is York. See the 13th century walls surrounding narrow streets, all of which wind their way toward the magnificent York Minster. One of 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. (B)

Proceed to London this morning and stop at Newstead Abbey enroute. This historic country home in Nottinghamshire is over 800 years old and is famous for being the residence of the Romantic poet Lord Byron. With over 300 acres of gardens, the sprawling grounds have pathways that wind past lakes and waterfalls. You’ll spend the night in London, and enjoy an included farewell dinner. (B,D)

Travel by scenic rail up to Edinburgh. The rest of the day is yours to spend at your leisure until the included welcome dinner at the hotel. (B,D)

Your first full day in Scotland starts with a comprehensive tour of Edinburgh. The beautifully maintained capital city is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and tour highlights include the Royal Scottish Academy, The Georgian House, and St. Giles Cathedral, as well as The Scottish Parliament, and Greyfriars Bobby. Your final stop this morning is Edinburgh Castle, home to the Scottish Crown Jewels, the Stone of Destiny, and Edinburgh’s oldest building, St. Margaret’s Chapel. Admission to the castle is included for you to enjoy a self-guided tour. The guided portion of the day concludes at lunchtime, after which you are free to remain in the city and explore on your own, or to join our afternoon optional tour. (B)

Visit one of the most historically significant places in all of Britain—the iconic Scone Palace in Perth. Home of the Earl of Mansfield, it has been the seat of parliaments and the crowning place of the Kings of Scots since the 9th century. Continue to the Highlands to enjoy some free time, including a stop for lunch in the town of Pitlochry. Today also includes a visit to the Leault Working Sheepdog Farm for a 45-minute demonstration of up to eight dogs working as a team to herd sheep and responding to their own personalized commands and whistles. Meet the sheepdogs, see the lambs, and perhaps take part in shearing a sheep. Keep an eye out for the Highlander cows that also roam around! En route to the hotel, see Britain’s tallest mountain range in Cairngorms National Park! Upon arrival at your hotel in Inverness, enjoy an included dinner. (B,D)

Our first stop this morning is the historic battlefield site of the bloody Battle of Culloden Moor. Enjoy an innovative interactive exhibit about the battle, as well as a guided visit of the battlefield. Continue to Cawdor Castle, an ancient medieval fortress with three very different and extraordinary gardens. Explore the grounds and castle on a self-guided audio tour before continuing to a Whisky Distillery for an informative tour and tasting of beautiful Scotch Whisky! (B)

Enjoy stunning views of Inverness as you make your way into the Great Glen, and Loch Ness. Up to 755 feet deep in places, the murky lake has plenty of hiding space for the mythical Loch Ness Monster, or “Nessie.” Take a short scenic cruise across the loch to Urquhart Castle to explore the ruins dating back to the 13th century. After stopping for lunch in Fort Augustus, continue on to the Commando Memorial, a commemorative statue pays tribute to soldiers who served in WWII. Next, stop at a woolen mill for some souvenir shopping End your day at Fort William in the early evening. (B)

Your tour takes you to the Isle of Skye, one of the Inner Hebrides islands. Enjoy a photo stop enroute at Eilean Donan Castle before crossing the bridge onto the Isle of Skye. Your tour of Skye will include several photo stops to take in the stunning scenery and picturesque mountains. Stop for lunch in Portree, the largest town and the capital of the Isle of Skye. End your day with a short ferry crossing to take you back to the mainland, and enjoy an included dinner upon arrival at your hotel in Fort William. (B,D)

Travel along the rugged shoreline into Argyll. Visit Inveraray Castle, built in 1743 in the Gothic Revival style, and see the extensive collection of pikes, muskets and other weaponry. Enjoy a short break on the banks of Loch Lomond, the largest lake in the country, and continue into Glasgow, the biggest city in Scotland. (B)

During a panoramic morning city tour, see the remnants of the monastery at Glasgow Cathedral and the Necropolis, an ancient cemetery in the middle of the city. Visit Glasgow Green, The Kelvingrove Art Gallery, and George Square, named after King George III and the de facto center of Glasgow. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon on your own, and join us for a farewell dinner. (B,D)