Ultimate Great Britain

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 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)

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)

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.

Continue to Shakespeare’s Birthplace, the restored 16th century home in Stratford-uponAvon that he grew up in and shared with his beloved wife, Anne Hathaway. Hear family stories and live theatre recitals. The day ends with a delicious dinner at your hotel. (B, D)

Go deep into the Welsh wilderness of Snowdonia National Park. Take in its wild landscapes of mountains and lush 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.

Eat lunch on your own in the walled market town of Conwy, then stop at Conwy Castle. The rectangular stone fortress is a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized as one of the finest examples of late 13th century and early 14th century military architecture in Europe. (B, D)

Tour Liverpool, a port city from where over 9 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.

Continue to Manchester. Learn about one of Britain’s most passionate football cities on a panoramic tour. From your coach you will see , Old Trafford, the Lowry, and more. Enjoy free time in Manchester before continuing to York. (B)

Start the day with a panoramic tour of York, a city that never quite left behind its medieval past. 13th century walls surround narrow streets, which all wind their way toward the magnificent York Minster. One of the 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. After departing from York, visit Newstead Abbey, a historic country home over 800 years old and the former residence of the Romantic poet Lord Byron. Overnight in Birmingham. (B)

Take a panoramic and walking tour of Oxford, a city known around the world as the home of Britain’s oldest and most prestigious university. Enjoy lunch on your own and free time in town, which is full of historic pubs where many of Britain’s sharpest minds bloomed. Return to London and sit down for an included dinner, before making your way to Scotland the following day. (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)

included 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)

Today’s itinerary takes you farther south along the rugged shoreline into Argyll. First, you will visit Inveraray Castle, built in 1743 in the Gothic Revival style. You’ll enjoy seeing the extensive collection of pikes, muskets and other weaponry. There will also be a short break on the banks of Loch Lomond, the largest lake in the country. After leaving the tranquility of the Highlands, your trip takes you 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)