Compare England, Scotland & Wales 2021 by Tauck vs Country Roads of Wales, Devon & Cornwall - Classic Group by Insight Vacations

Day 1 Arrive Edinburgh

Tour begins: 1:00 PM, Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa. A transfer from Edinburgh Airport or Edinburgh Waverley train station to the Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa, Edinburgh, is included. Your journey starts with a guided visit to Stirling Castle, where memories of the historic struggle between the Scots and the English for control of the kingdom live on. Inside, you’ll find elaborately restored color and craftsmanship, reflecting the importance of the arts to its Renaissance-era royal occupants. Join us for a welcome reception and dinner tonight.

MEALS : D

LODGING : Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa

PORTOFCALL : Edinburgh, Scotland

Day 2 A Private Visit to Holyroodhouse

A sightseeing tour of historic Edinburgh with a local guide is the perfect place to begin any Scotland and England travel; enjoy an introductory tour to this city of cobbled streets, Georgian architecture and trendy lifestyles. Your tour includes a private visit to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Queen’s official residence in Scotland (if Her Majesty is not visiting), and a tour of famed Edinburgh Castle, built into rugged rock above the city skyline. Following a free afternoon in Edinburgh and lunch as you please, join us this evening for a journey through the aromas and flavors that lead to the perfect Single Malt Whisky. At the “Scottish Whisky Experience,” you’ll learn the history of Scotland’s most famous export, hear the stories behind the craft, and enjoy a tasting and dinner. Journeys departing August 7 – 28 will attend an outdoor evening performance of the annual Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

MEALS : B, D

LODGING : Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa

PORTOFCALL : Edinburgh, Scotland

Day 3 On to England’s Lake District

Departing Edinburgh, you’ll travel south through landscapes of forest, rivers, castles and country houses to Cumbria, England’s northwestern-most county, stopping at Birdoswald Roman Fort, the ruins of a fort along Hadrian's Wall, built by Roman emperor Hadrian to guard the border of the province of Britannia, representing the wild northwestern frontier of the Roman Empire. Here, you can see the longest remaining portion of the wall, which stretched 73 miles from coast to coast. In contrast to the long-ago scenes of skirmishes between the Scottish and British that once took place here, Cumbria today is a place of peaceful natural beauty. Sparsely populated, it is best known as the home of England’s Lake District and many a charming town and village; enjoy lunch in a grand manor house surrounded by gracious gardens. Traveling on through landscapes of woods, hills and tranquil fields, you’ll have time for a brief stop in the village of Grasmere. As you please, enjoy the sights of this pretty village of pubs, cafes and the churchyard where England’s poet laureate, William Wordsworth, was laid to rest. Or visit tiny Dove Cottage, where Wordsworth wrote some of his most famous poems before continuing on to your Lake District resort, where you'll enjoy dinner tonight.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Langdale Hotel & Country Club

Day 4 A Topiary Garden & a Night at the Pub

Living sculpture inspires the imagination today at Levens Hall, a manor house on the banks of the River Kent. Fine furnishings and paintings adorn this stately home, a family residence throughout its history and one of the best preserved Elizabethan interiors in the UK. Best known for its gardens, Levens Hall is surrounded by an orchard, hedges, a pond, a willow maze, rose and herb gardens, and thousands of flowers – plus the most extensive topiary garden in the world. Over 100 sculpted pieces, some several hundred years old, date back to their original planting in the 1690s, when this Dutch-style garden was all the rage (closed on Saturdays; alternate property is visited). Spend the afternoon at leisure at your country club hotel before going to a local pub to learn the finer points of pairing your favorite ale with pub fare and enjoy dinner.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Langdale Hotel & Country Club

Day 5 Walled City of Yore & Modern Wales

Huge, strong and first built by the Romans, discover the power of walls built to keep ancient invaders out on a visit to the small city of Chester, England. Strategically close to Wales and the Irish Sea, Chester is one of England’s best preserved walled cities. The town is nearly completely encircled by broad walls which still offer grand views from atop. Head to Colwyn Bay, a seaside resort town on the north coast of Wales where you’ll have time to get settled in at your hotel and take in the idyllic views. Evening brings an outing to Furnace Farm, part of the Bodnant Estate in the Conwy Valley – a place of tranquil mountains, lakes and moorlands. The farm’s 18th-century buildings have been lovingly restored as a home for the Bodnant Welsh Food Centre, whose artisan chefs are devoted to sharing the best of Welsh cuisine using locally sourced ingredients. Enjoy a Tauck-only cooking demonstration, followed by dinner (and stories) with the chef.

MEALS : B, D

LODGING : The Quay Hotel & Spa

PORTOFCALL : Conwy, Wales

Day 6 Mighty Caernarfon & medieval Conwy

Mighty Caernarfon Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the setting for the investiture of Prince Charles as Prince of Wales in 1969, sets a remarkable scale this morning. Constructed to endure, the palace was begun circa 1283 by Edward I as a symbol of English power over the Welsh. Enjoy a privately guided tour of the castle and then time for lunch on your own in the adjacent town. En route back to your hotel, you may choose to stop to explore the walled city of Conwy, an earlier stronghold of Edward I, on your own. Or return to the hotel for relaxation and spectacular views. Enjoy dinner at your hotel this evening, where optional outdoor dining includes a view of Conwy Castle and the beauty of the bay.

MEALS : B, D

LODGING : The Quay Hotel & Spa

PORTOFCALL : Conwy, Wales

Day 7 Shakespeare’s Stratford & Oxford

In the village of Shottery, you’ll visit the restored, timber-framed farmhouse and childhood home of Anne Hathaway, wife of William Shakespeare. Back in the Bard’s day, it was known as Newlands Farm and had more than 90 acres of attached land; today it’s a museum surrounded by gardens. From here, it’s a short distance to Stratford-upon-Avon, where Shakespeare was born and raised. You’ll visit his birthplace and have time to browse exhibits that tell the story of how his name came to be known around the world, as well as check out the surrounding town at leisure; Stratford-upon-Avon's favorite son is buried in the town's Holy Trinity Church. Late afternoon, it’s off to the bookish world of Oxford, one of the world’s most famous university towns. A guided orientation walk introduces its cobbled streets, guarded quadrangles, celebrated libraries and archaic traditions of learning. Dine tonight at Oxford University before returning to your elegant hotel – the bar was frequently used as the film setting for television's famed detective Inspector Morse’s pondering crime conversations.

MEALS : B, D

LODGING : The Randolph Hotel

PORTOFCALL : Oxford, England

Day 8 Blenheim Palace and the Cotswolds

A first stop at St. Martin’s Church in Bladon offers an opportunity to visit the gravesite of Sir Winston Churchill. He explicitly chose to be quietly buried here, near his parents’ graves. Then discover a world of Baroque contrast at Churchill’s birthplace, Blenheim Palace and Park. The 18th-century palace was built as a celebration of the English victory over Louis XIV’s French troops at the Battle of Blenheim. Since the early 1700s, it’s been a home to 11 Dukes of Marlborough (Churchill was the grandson of the seventh). Your private guide will share the history and beauty of the palace and its extensive grounds. After lunch, choose between spending time here to explore further on your own, or depart for nearby Woodstock Village. There you’ll find the charm of the Cotswolds: dove-grey cottages, a church, a village green and a park said to have once been Henry II’s royal hunting grounds – and a place of seclusion for his mistress. Back at the hotel, enjoy the evening as you please.

MEALS : B, L

LODGING : The Randolph Hotel

PORTOFCALL : Oxford, England

Day 9 Ancient Wisdom at Stonehenge & Bath

At Stonehenge, this morning’s self-guided walk around the famous ring of stone (bluestones from Wales and sarsens thought to be from the Avon River, some weighing as much as 50 tons) shares the mystery of its origins. Purposefully put into place some 5,000 years ago, Stonehenge was a massive undertaking requiring the labor of thousands. Bath, one of Britain’s most beautiful cities, is your next destination. Arrive in time for lunch (and live music) at the stylish Pump Room Restaurant, set within the city’s ancient Roman Baths complex. Founded upon natural hot springs, the baths were built for bathing and socializing around 70 AD; they are among the world’s best preserved – as you’ll see on your included tour. Afterward, check in to your tastefully restored Regency-period townhouse hotel located on historic Queen Square, and enjoy dinner.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Francis Hotel Bath – MGallery Collection

PORTOFCALL : Bath, England

Day 10 Georgian Bath: Early Urban Elegance

Founded by the Romans as a thermal spa and developed more than a thousand years later into a lavish resort by the 18th-century British aristocracy, Bath today reigns as a magnificent Georgian townscape crafted from native limestone. Architecturally, it ranks among Britain’s finest cities and enjoys UNESCO World Heritage status. You’ll learn why on a city tour with a local guide that takes in the 18th-century terraced houses known as the Royal Crescent and the Circus, distinctive elements of British urban planning that were later incorporated in the city of London. View the elegant Pulteney Bridge and Bath Abbey, where the first king of England was crowned. The remainder of the day is free to enjoy this inviting city as you choose.

MEALS : B

LODGING : Francis Hotel Bath – MGallery Collection

PORTOFCALL : Bath, England

Day 11 Hampton Court & London Bound

On a morning’s drive toward London, stop for a visit to Hampton Court Palace, set in London's borough of Richmond upon Thames. Grand in every way, during the 16th century Hampton Court Palace first caught the eye of King Henry VIII... and a legacy of monarchs in ensuing centuries contributed to the palace's rich history – and amazing artworks. Arrive in London mid-afternoon for an introductory sightseeing tour featuring some of the British capital's most iconic sights, including Big Ben, the famed clock face and bell atop Parliament’s Elizabeth Tower; Buckingham Palace, housing the offices of those who manage the Queen’s affairs; Hyde Park, one of the city’s Royal Parks and home to the Memorial to Diana, Princess of Wales; and historic St. Paul’s Cathedral, the masterpiece of the great British architect Sir Christopher Wren. Check in for a three-night stay at your iconic hotel, The Savoy. The remainder of the day and evening are free to spend in London as you please.

MEALS : B

LODGING : The Savoy

PORTOFCALL : London, England

Day 12 London & West End Delights

London is a city filled to the brim with history, culture and diversity... and the entire day is yours to enjoy it exactly as you please, pursuing what interests you most in the British capital. And this evening, you'll enjoy the dual pleasures of dining at a West End restaurant followed by an evening at the theatre – your choice from selections of restaurants and shows.

MEALS : B, D

LODGING : The Savoy

PORTOFCALL : London, England

Day 13 A Day in London

Experience more of monumental London today on a guided visit to Westminster Abbey, site of England’s coronations since 1066, 16 royal weddings, and the final resting place of 17 kings and queens. The church houses not only remarkable tombs and memorials to statesmen, poets, scientists, musicians and others, but is a treasure trove of paintings, stained glass and artifacts. Following the tour, your afternoon is free to pursue what interests you most in London. There are abundant opportunities to pursue art, history, architecture, Shakespeare, Bobbies or simply people-watching. But please save some energy and room for our farewell dinner at The Savoy, where you’ll definitely want to share your thoughts about this amazing journey to England, Scotland and Wales.

MEALS : B, D

LODGING : The Savoy

PORTOFCALL : London, England

Day 14 Journey home

Tour ends: The Savoy. A transfer is included to London’s Heathrow Airport or Gatwick Airport. Fly home anytime; please allow a minimum of three hours for flight check-in.

MEALS : B

PORTOFCALL : London, England

Day 1: Welcome to London

Welcome to London. After checking into your hotel, the afternoon is free.

The Clermont Victoria, London.

Day 2: Oxford, the Cotswolds and Bath

From lush green rolling hills to old-world villages, this pretty country surprises and delights at every corner. At 07:30, make your your way along the scenic Great West Way to Oxford. A city built to be discovered, Oxford is a wholesome image of leather-bound books, libraries, storybook buildings and picnics. Continue your journey on to the Cotswolds. Just as charming as Oxford, this breathtaking area is about as quintessentially British as it gets. Honey-coloured stone houses line the winding streets of the area’s most beautiful towns and villages, while rapeseed fields decorate this colourful part of the UK in splashes of gold. See Bourton-on-the-Water and the pretty market town of Stow-on-the-Wold, before heading to the historic city of Bath, with its Roman and Georgian architecture. Head on an orientation of the city before checking in to your accommodation for the night, the luxury Apex Hotel. End your day in the most British of manners with a Sunday roast at your Welcome Dinner.

Apex Hotel, Bath.

Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Day 3: Bath through the years Relaxed Start

After a relaxed start to enjoy the amenities at your spa hotel, begin your exploration of Bath in a rejuvenated manner. Having attained UNESCO World Heritage status in 1987, this unique city is famous for its Georgian and Victorian architecture and of course its Roman-built baths. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as you visit the incredibly well-preserved Roman Baths, also an important hub of culture and education for the area. During free time perhaps learn more about the life of the esteemed author Jane Austen, who made Bath her home?

Apex Hotel, Bath.

Breakfast

Day 4: Brecon Beacons National Park

After a relaxed start you’ll move cities, and countries, as you make your way to Cardiff, the capital of Wales. Along the way you’ll visit the Brecon Beacons. A mountain range in South Wales, it is little surprise this striking location is a chosen destination for so many hikers and nature enthusiasts. Its old red sandstone cliffs hold a variety of plant life, including roseroot, green spleenwort and rue-leaved saxifrages, while its range of fauna includes otters, herons, kingfishers and the soaring red kite, which is the national bird of Wales. Visit the Brecon Beacons with Insight Choice. Choose to join your Local Expert for a foraging walk in the stunning surroundings of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Under her tuition she will show you how to reconnect with nature, and forage for edible and medicinal plants. Alternatively, visit a local kitchen garden for a peak into the freshest seasonal aromatics from the Brecon Beacons. After a morning in the great outdoors, rectify your lethargic bliss with a hearty Farm-to-Table pub lunch, where a delicious seasonal menu with local ingredients will be available. In the afternoon, you’ll arrive in Cardiff, Wales’ cultural hub.

Clayton Hotel, Cardiff.

Breakfast, Lunch with Wine

Day 5: Cardiff Relaxed Start

Enjoy a relaxed start this morning. Join your Travel Director for an orientation of this vibrant city. See Principality Stadium, home of Welsh Rugby, and Cardiff Castle. The rest of your day is at leisure.

Clayton Hotel, Cardiff.

Breakfast

Day 6: Exmoor National Park to Dartmoor

Start your day at Glastonbury Abbey, where you can explore its historic ruins. Founded in the 7th century, the monastery is now registered as a Grade I listed building. Later, you’ll move on to Exmoor National Park, a beautiful area of moorland in Somerset. A protected Area of Outstanding Beauty, this stunning park is a mass of verdant open land, livestock and flora. Stop in historic Bideford. Your day ends at Bovey Castle, where you’ll stay for the next two nights in the rolling valleys of Dartmoor National Park. Catch up with your fellow travellers tonight over a wholesome dinner at the hotel.

Bovey Castle, Dartmoor.

Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Day 7: Exploring the Southwest Relaxed Start

This morning, head to the port city of Plymouth in Devon. Famous for its cobbled streets, gin distilleries and of course the Mayflower, the English ship that transported the first English Puritans to the New World. Next, you’ll journey to the quaint coastal town of Looe. With its turquoise waters and sandy beach, on a sunny day you could easily pass this destination off as one in the south of France. A holiday hotspot in the Victorian era, explore Looe’s comely stores and winding streets at leisure before travelling back to Bovey Castle.

Bovey Castle, Dartmoor.

Breakfast

Day 8: Legends and Glitz in Cornwall

Begin your day in Padstow. Though it has become more gentrified in the past few years, the town has not lost its nautical ambiance. If anything, its gentrification has brought a glitzy gastronomic scene to this pretty port town. Move on to Port Isaac, a pretty fishing village on the Atlantic coast. It is the filming location of British television show Doc Martin, and more recently, Poldark. Be sure to have your camera ready as you enjoy an orientation around the village. Continue your scenic drive to Tintagel, mentioned in the legendary tale of King Arthur. See the ruins of its 13th century castle. Your day ends in the river-port town of Barnstaple.

The Barnstaple Hotel., The Royal and Fortescue Hotel, Barnstaple.

Breakfast

Day 9: Pirates of Penzance

Begin your full day exploring Cornwall with a trip to Penzance. Famous for the comic opera, “The Pirates of Penzance”, true to the story, its shores just 100 years previous, in the late 18th century, had met real-life pirates. Explore this beautiful destination with your group before moving on to St Ives. Perhaps England’s equivalent of St Tropez, it has long been popular with artists, with galleries and studios lining its fanciful streets. It is also the preferred retreat for British celebrities Gordon Ramsay and Kate Winslet, who both have holiday homes close by. Your final discovery for the day is Land’s End. A world-famous landmark, you’ll explore Britain’s most southwestern point. From its wild cliffs you can see the Isles of Scilly. Beyond that is the Atlantic Ocean and North America. In the evening, you have the option of heading out for a traditional Cornish meal enjoying the ambience of a local pub.

The Bodmin Jail Hotel, Bodmin.

Breakfast

Day 10: Country houses in Dorset Relaxed Start

Your first stop this morning is at Athelhampton, a 500-year-old Tudor Manor House in the heart of Dorset. Join the estate manager Owen for a walk through one of the world’s greatest estates, with free time to explore the tranquil Elizabethan gardens. Next enjoy a quintessential Devonshire high tea, with freshly baked scones garnished with seasonal fruits from the kitchen garden.

Summer Lodge Country House Hotel & Restaurant, Dorset.

Breakfast, Morning Tea, Dinner with Wine

Day 11: Dorset at Leisure Relaxed Start

Today is your to enjoy at leisure at the beautiful Summer Lodge Country House Hotel and Restaurant. Perhaps visit nearby stately homes Montacute House or Mapperton House? In the evening, join your fellow companions for an elegant Celebration Dinner at your hotel's famed restaurant. Delight in a seasonal and local menu.

Summer Lodge Country House Hotel & Restaurant, Dorset.

Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Day 12: Depart Dorchester

It’s time to say goodbye to Dorchester as you make your way to Stonehenge. A prehistoric monument found in Wiltshire, its ring of standing stones is believed to have been constructed between 3000 BC and 2000 BC. It was made a legally protected Scheduled Ancient Monument in 1882 and as one of Britain’s most iconic sites, it draws visitors in every year to find out more about its mystical formation. Later, head to Selborne to visit the Selbourne Pottery workshop famous for the pottery established by Robert Goldsmith in 1985. Meet Robert himself and learn more about how he makes these acclaimed ceramics over a demonstration. End your day back in London at the hotel.

The Clermont Victoria, London.

Breakfast

Day 13: Homeward Bound

Your journey ends this morning.

Breakfast