Compare Britain Sampler with Paris to Normandy by Avalon Waterways vs England & Scotland in 11 days - The Royal Capital and The Highlands - Charm by Exoticca
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5 | Excellent
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4.5 | Great
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| Duration | 16 days | 11 days |
| Price From | $ 6,768 | $ 1,999 |
| Price Per Day | $ 423 | $ 182 |
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| Trip Style | River cruise | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
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| Flights & Transport | No | Airfare included |
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| Meals Included | N/A | 10 Breakfasts. |
| Description | Join us for an adventure on this guided tour of Britain to sample iconic and inspiringly beautiful locales in England and Scotland. See the classic landmarks in exciting London, including Big Ben, and take an excursion to see the mysterious Stonehenge, and the excavations of the Roman Baths. Your Globus guided vacation in Britain also takes you to Liverpool (home of the Beatles), and Edinburgh, Scotland. Visit York, England, as well as William Shakespeare’s birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon, before concluding your England and Scotland vacation tour in London. Your Britain Sampler vacation segues into a wonderful French river cruise from Paris to Normandy aboard your Avalon Suite Ship®. You’ll board a Eurostar train from London to Paris to embark on your Seine River cruise from the “City of Light.” You’ll first sail to Vernon, where you’ll choose between two exciting guided visits—Claude Monet’s stunning gardens at Giverny or the remarkable Bizy Castle, known as “Normandy’s Versailles.” You may choose to go on an excursion to the historic Normandy Landing Beaches, including Omaha Beach, the Point du Hoc monument, and the American Cemetery. In Rouen, best known as the site of Joan of Arc’s persecution, you’ll go on a guided walk through the medieval quarter. From Conflans, join an excursion to the quaint and inspiring town of Auvers-Sur-Oise—the inspiration of famous artists, including Vincent van Gogh—or visit Napoleon and Josephine’s Malmaison.On this French river cruise, enjoy wine, cheese, and beautiful scenery along the Seine River. Discover the true heart of Paris on a guided walk through the sites of Paris’ rich history, or take a tour showing you the iconic sites of the Louvre Museum, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, and more. |
Discover the cosmopolitan city of London. Enjoy Edinburgh, the mountainous and compact capital of Scotland. Explore the different castles that Stirling and St. Andrews offer. Discover the port city of Aberdeen on a panoramic tour. Relax whilst tasting the famous whiskeys in Speyside. Admire the wild nature of the Highlands on the way to Inverness and enjoy a quick visit to the city of Glasgow. |
Day 1: LONDON, ENGLAND
Welcome to London, Start the Globus part of your vacation. Free time this afternoon.
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Day 2: LONDON
The Royal TreatmentMorning sightseeing with a Local Guide includes the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall, Prime Minister’s Downing Street residence, Piccadilly Circus, Buckingham Palace, and a visit to St. Paul’s Cathedral. Free time this afternoon.(Breakfast)
HISTORIC SITES See the legendary landmarks of England’s historic capital city. Walk where voices have rung out for centuries in Parliament Square and where chimes rise high above you with the ringing of Big Ben’s quarter bells. See Westminster Abbey, where royal coronations, weddings, and funerals have made history.
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Day 3: LONDON–STONEHENGE–BATH
Ancient Stones & Spa Days LONDON Meet your Tour Director and travel companions at 8 am before departing for Stonehenge.STONEHENGE Join a guided visit. (Departure 19 June: due to closure, Stonehenge visit replaced by Salisbury Cathedral visit).BATH Visit the excavations of the Roman Baths. Free time the remainder of the day. (Breakfast,Dinner)139 mi / 224 km
CULTURAL GEMS The traditions of one ancient Roman ritual are in full flow in Bath. Amid the remarkable Roman and Georgian architecture and the best-preserved Roman Baths of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, a good spa day is never hard to find in one of the “Best Spa Towns in Europe.” The city of Bath sits above geothermal springs that bubble up from the limestone below. Bath also turns up the heat with some of Britain's grandest Georgian buildings, a mecca for elite 18th-century society.
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Day 4: BATH–LUDLOW–LLANGOLLEN, WALES–LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND
Welsh Country Beauties LUDLOW Visit the historic market town.LLANGOLLEN Visit the picturesque town.LIVERPOOL Free time the remainder of the day. (Breakfast) 204 mi / 335 km
CULTURE & TRADITION Explore the charming medieval town of Ludlow on the River Teme. Noteworthy buildings include Ludlow Castle and the impressive St. Laurence’s church. With nearly 500 buildings on the Historic England list, Ludlow’s medieval and Tudor-style half-timbered architecture inspired poet laureate Sir John Betjeman to call it "the loveliest town in England."
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Day 5: LIVERPOOL–GRASMERE–GRETNA GREEN, SCOTLAND–EDINBURGH
Sonnets, Sweets & Scottish Blacksmiths LAKE DISTRICT Take a scenic drive.GRASMERE Visit Wordsworth’s beloved village. Sample the [LF] original Grasmere gingerbread.GRETNA GREEN See where a Scottish blacksmith performed weddings for eloping young couples.EDINBURGH Free time this evening. (Breakfast)237 mi / 390 km
LOCAL FAVORITETIMELESS TRADITIONS Sweeten the day with classic gingerbread in Grasmere baked following an 1854 recipe invented by Sarah Nelson, the Victorian cook who invented the world famous cross between cake and biscuit.
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Day 6: EDINBURGH
Crown Jewels & Castle Views EDINBURGH Morning city sightseeing with a Local Guide includes the New Town, Old Town, and a visit to Edinburgh Castle to see Scotland’s Crown Jewels. Free time this afternoon.EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO Attend the world-renowned Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo performance. (Departures July 31 through August 21 only).(Breakfast)
MUSIC & MASTERPIECES Ascend to Castle Rock to explore Edinburgh Castle, one of the most important historical strongholds in the Kingdom of Scotland, with an 11,000-year history as "the most besieged place in Great Britain". Here, you’ll find the royal regalia and Scotland’s Crown Jewels. The Castle forms the background of the spectacular Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, an extravaganza of bagpipes and drums performed en masse in August each year.
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Day 7: EDINBURGH–ABBOTSFORD–JEDBURGH–YORK, ENGLAND
Augustine’s Monks & Medieval Markets ABBOTSFORD Take a guided tour of Sir Walter Scott’s Abbotsford House.JEDBURGH Take photos of the Augustinian abbey ruins.YORK See York Minster on [LF] a guided walk through The Shambles.(Breakfast,Dinner)
LOCAL FAVORITEHISTORIC SPOT While strolling the cobblestones of York’s Shambles, it’s easy to imagine the medieval butcher shops and boisterous crowds bartering for beef and bones outside the 14th-century timber-framed windows. The Shambles is one of the best-preserved medieval shopping streets in Europe, said to have been the inspiration behind Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley, and today is a vibrant gathering place with cheerful cafés and quirky boutiques brimming with the sweet aromas of chocolate, pastries, and pies.
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Day 8: YORK–STRATFORD-UPON-AVON–LONDON
Mr. & Mrs. Shakespeare STRATFORD-UPON-AVON See Anne Hathaway’s Cottage. Visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace. (Breakfast)256 mi / 411 km
A LEGEND SLEPT HERE Ah, young love! Even more true, as Shakespeare’s fiancée was eight years his senior. See Anne Hathaway's Cottage, the family home where the bard’s wife-to-be was born and courted by young Will. Built more than 500 years ago, much of the original structure remains. Visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace and family home in the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon. Hear tales about his family life, marriage, and children with a close look at fascinating artifacts in a world-class collection assembled by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
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Day 9: LONDON–PARIS, FRANCE (EMBARKATION)
Transfer to Paris to board your Avalon Suite Ship®.
This evening, enjoy dinner on board.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VERNON
(Breakfast,Dinner)
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Day 10: VERNON
Monet’s Muses, Castle Courtyards, and Crêpes du Jour
Start the day with a Morning Stretch with your Avalon Adventure Host.
ACTIVE Explore Vernon's Chateau des Tourelles by foot with your Adventure Host, OR: CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of Giverny, home and inspiration of the master impressionist painter Claude Monet. Walk the grounds and see Monet’s charming residence, and the flower and water gardens captured in his masterpieces, OR: CLASSIC Join a Guided Visit to Bizy Castle—called “Normandy’s Versailles” for its magnificent courtyard, water garden, and stables.DISCOVERY While sailing, enjoy a traditional French luncheon of authentic French crêpes, followed by a Pastry Demonstration.This afternoon, enjoy a beautiful cruise to the picturesque town of Les Andelys.
LES ANDELYS
Serenity on the Seine
ACTIVE Join a Guided Hike up to the castle ruins of Château Gaillard—historic home of King Richard the Lionheart, OR: CLASSIC Take a Guided Walking Tour of Les Andelys—one of France’s most picturesque spots on the Seine.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO CAUDEBEC
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
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Day 11: CAUDEBEC
Ancient Abbeys Along the Seine ACTIVE Enjoy a relaxing bike ride along the river with your Adventure Host, OR: CLASSIC Take a Guided Trip along the Normandy Abbeys Route—where more than 100 medieval Benedictine and Augustine abbeys and churches were built along the Seine. This afternoon, you may choose a Guided Optional Excursion to the old seaside town of Honfleur.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN CAUDEBEC
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
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Day 12: CAUDEBEC. EXCURSION TO NORMANDY
Heroic Bravery on Normandy Beaches and French Farming Traditions CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of Normandy’s WWII landing beaches, visit significant U.S. sites, including Omaha Beach, the Pointe du Hoc monument, and the American Cemetery, OR: CLASSIC Take a full-day Guided Tour of the British and Canadian commemorative sites, including the British cemetery, Pegasus Memorial, the seaside town of Arromanches, the Juno Beach Center, and the Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, OR: CLASSIC Join “A Taste of Normandy” Guided Tour for an in-depth look at this rich agricultural region. See the famous Bayeux Tapestry, visit the beautiful village of Beuvron en Auge and taste Calvados at a local distillery.Later, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.
EVENING CRUISE TO ROUEN
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
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Day 13: ROUEN
The Cathedral of Our Lady and a Heroine for France
ACTIVE Take a Guided Bike Tour to discover and explore the most famous monuments and the lesser known hidden gems of Rouen on two wheels, OR: CLASSIC Take a Guided Walking Tour of Rouen—site of Joan of Arc’s martyrdom-and see the medieval quarter with its 16th-century Astronomical Clock, and Notre-Dame Cathedral.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO CONFLANS
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
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Day 14: CONFLANS
The Footsteps of Van Gogh, Bonaparte, and Louis XIV
ACTIVE Enjoy a relaxing bike ride along the Seine with your Adventure Host, OR: CLASSIC Join a Guided Visit to Auvers-sur-Oise, home and resting place of Vincent van Gogh, OR: CLASSIC Take a Guided tour of the opulent Château de Malmaison*—home of Napoléon Bonaparte and his wife Josephine.
Perhaps, join a Guided Optional Excursion to the Palace of Versailles—home to a succession of French kings.
Later, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.
EVENING CRUISE TO PARIS
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
*Château de Malmaison is closed the 1st Monday of each month and on 22nd September. On these dates, this excursion will be replaced by a visit to Château de Chantilly
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Day 15: PARIS
Cafés, Cathedrals, & Canvases in the City of Lights ACTIVE Experience the Seine river by foot with your Adventure Host, OR:
CLASSIC Discover the ancient heart of Paris on a captivating Guided Walk featuring the Palais-Royal, Louvre pyramid, ancient sites on Île de la Cité, the Left Bank, bustling Latin Quarter, and more, OR:
CLASSIC Join a Guided City Tour, that shows you the iconic sites of Paris, such as the Louvre Museum, the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, Opéra Garnier, and the famous Champs-Élysées.
Stroll through Paris on your own, or linger over wine in a literary café on the Left Bank.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN PARIS
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
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Day 16: PARIS (DISEMBARKATION)
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
(Breakfast)
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Day 1: US - Night on board
Arrive at your US departure airport ready to board a flight to London. Night on board.* * If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.
Day 2: London
Arrive in London and self-transfer to the hotel*. London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom. Located on the banks of the River Thames, London has been an important human settlement since it was founded by the Romans originally named Londinium almost two millennia ago. London is a global city, one of the nerve centers in the arts, commerce, education, maintenance, fashion, finance, media, research, tourism and transport. Rest of the day at your leisure to explore the city. Overnight stay in London. * You will have the option to add a transfer from the airport to your hotel in the next step of the booking process. Please contact our customer service if you require a transfer from an airport other than LGW or LHR.
Day 3: London
Breakfast at the hotel. See London from a different perspective today, with a sightseeing cruise along the River Thames! Take in the views of several of the capital's most emblematic riverside landmarks, such as Tower Bridge, Southbank and the London Eye and enjoy the fully-stocked bar to buy drinks and snacks as you listen to the entertaining onboard commentary! Afternoon free to enjoy the capital at your leisure. Overnight stay in London.
Day 4: London
Breakfast at the hotel. Free day to continue exploring the wonderful city of London. Overnight stay in London.
Day 5: London - Edinburgh
Breakfast at the hotel. At the indicated time, self-transfer* to the London Kings Cross Station to take the train to Edinburgh. Arrive in Edinburgh and self-transfer to the hotel. The capital of Scotland, Edinburgh is famed for its charming medieval Old Town and elegant Georgian New Town with neoclassical gardens and buildings. The rest of the day is free at your leisure to explore the city. Overnight stay in Edinburgh. Please note: During the winter season, the itinerary may be affected. In this case, it is important to review the notes section before your departure. * You will have the option to add a transfer from your hotel to the station and from the station to the hotel in the next step of the booking process.
Day 6: Edinburgh
Breakfast at the hotel. Discover the city’s most famous tourist sights and monuments on a panoramic walking tour of Edinburgh with a professional English-speaking guide, visiting the Grassmarket area of the city, the elegant Georgian New Town and the historic Old Town. Among its main attractions, there is the Palace of Holyroodhouse, St Giles Cathedral and The National Gallery of Scotland. Stroll along the majestic Royal Mile and visit Canongate. Take some free time in the afternoon to wander through the city's atmospheric streets at your leisure, browsing the shops or stopping for a warming 'dram' of whiskey in one of the local bars. We recommend an optional visit to legendary Edinburgh Castle*. Overnight stay in Edinburgh. * Optional Edinburgh Castle visit: Edinburgh Castle is an ancient fortress built on a volcanic rock located in the centre of the city. It has been used for military purposes since the 12th century, being used for civil uses only in very recent times. Enter it and explore all the corners of this wonderful castle!
Day 7: Edinburgh
Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a full day at your leisure to continue discovering this amazing city. Why not take in the views from Carlton Hill or, if the weather is good, take a hike up Arthur's Seat for an unforgettable panorama of Edinburgh and beyond. Alternatively, Edinburgh is a paradise for shoppers, with plenty of quirky boutiques to explore. Overnight stay in Edinburgh.
Day 8: Edinburgh - Stirling - St Andrews - Aberdeen
After breakfast, meet your guide and depart towards Stirling. The castle played an important role during the Scottish independence wars and many will recognise it as it is featured in the 1995 film, Braveheart. Continue to St Andrews where to visit this picturesque town, known as the home of golf. Enjoy some free time to take in the sea views before continuing towards Aberdeen, stopping on the way to take pictures of beautiful Dunnottar Castle. Overnight stay in Aberdeen.
Day 9: Aberdeen - Castle Fraser - Cairngorms National Park - Aberdeen
Breakfast at the hotel. Explore the city of Aberdeen on a guided Panoramic coach tour. Visit the area surrounding the Cairngorm Mountains, home to breathtaking scenery, typical of the Scottish Highlands. Enjoy some free time at your disposal at lunchtime. In the afternoon, head to Speyside, famous for the whisky distilleries. Here, pay a visit to a local whisky distillery for a fascinating tour and tasting session. Afterwards, return to Aberdeen for an overnight stay.
Day 10: Aberdeen - Inverness - Aviemore
Breakfast at the hotel. Head west today as you depart on a guided coach journey towards Inverness. Along the route, admire the wild nature of the Highlands as you pass by spectacular landscapes of moorlands and glens. Arrive in Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, and enjoy a city tour. Afterwards, leave the city behind as you head to your hotel in the beautiful area of Aviemore, within the Cairngorms National Park. Overnight stay in the Aviemore area.
Day 11: Aviemore - Trossachs - Glasgow - Edinburgh
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, depart south towards Glasgow via the beautiful Trossachs where you can admire the scenery and see the largest Loch in Scotland, Loch Lomond. On arrival in Glasgow, the second most important and largest city in Scotland, enjoy a panoramic tour and some free time to explore the city at your leisure. In the evening, return to Edinburgh to enjoy your final night in Scotland at your leisure. Overnight stay in Edinburgh.
Day 12: Edinburgh - US
Breakfast* at the hotel. At the indicated time, self-transfer** to the airport for a flight back to the US. Arrive in the US and end your trip. * Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day. ** You will have the option to add the airport transfer in the next step of the booking process.
