Day 5 This morning you will visit Stonehenge before continuing onto Bath for a tour of this
UNESCO World Heritage Site. No one is sure how the megaliths of Stonehenge got to Salisbury Plain, but their mystery continues
to enchant academics and sightseers alike. In Bath, admire the unique beauty of its surrounding countryside and its Roman
Baths which are fed by hot springs. The Romans built a temple to Minerva and built what we now know as the Roman Baths
over the next three centuries.
Day 6 After breakfast you will set out for Wales across the beautiful
English countryside. You'll visit Llangollen, a small town in North Wales steeped in myth and legend. You
will enjoy lunch on your own in this lovely town. This evening you will experience the legendary hospitality of the
Welsh and savor some traditional dishes at a Home Hosted Dinner with a local family.
Day 7 You may choose
an optional Welsh experience in Snowdonia, the mountain heartland of Wales. You'll begin with a ride on a narrow
gauge Ffestiniog Railway which will delight you as you view the spectacular scenery. Then you will visit the town of
Portmeirion, famed for its distinctive pottery. After lunch you will visit a Welsh slate mine. Or you can have
the day at leisure to explore Snowdonia on your own.
Day 8 You will enjoy the scenery as you go by motor
coach to York, via the Welsh coast. You will stop to visit Chester, one of England's most historic cities.
From its Roman origins and 900 year old cathedral to its medieval walls which you will be able to walk upon, and Tudon galleries,
Chester spans almost every age of the country's history. Its "Rows" area is a multilevel warren of half
timbered shops and eateries. After arriving at the hotel in York, you will enjoy a relaxing dinner there.
Day
9 Today is your day to explore York, a city that has played a central role in British history under the Romans,
Saxons and Vikings. You will tour this ecclesiastical city and admire the York Minster Cathedral, medieval city walls,
and a tangle of historic streets. The tour will include a talk on stained glass making. Your guide will teach
you about the creation of the special glass. The remainder of the day can be spent with Sara if you wish to go with
her to the Quilt Museum in York, which is home to the Quilter's Guild of the British Isles. There you will
see over 700 quilt items on display including clothing, coverlets and miniatures. Or you may want the afternoon to explore
on your own.
Day 10 You may wander around York today to discover it on your own or join an optional tour
to the charming coastal town and former whaling port of Whitby. You'll visit Whitby Abbey where clear skies may
offer spectacular views of the city and the North Sea. After a traditional lunch of fish and chips, you will visit
Castle Howard, one of England's finest stately homes.
Day 11 This morning you will depart for the
scenic lake district, home of 16 major lakes set amid mountains. Enjoy an afternoon cruise on Lake Windermere in the
heart of the Lake District. Arrive at your hotel in the late afternoon and enjoy dinner there.
Day 12
In route to Edinburgh in the morning, you will discover Gretna Green, a small village in Southern Scotland. Gretna Green
is home to a blacksmith shop dating back to 1712 where many marriages were performed. Since there was no parental consent
in Scotland necessary to marry as ther was in England, this became a popular spot to elope. The blacksmith shop is still
available for marriages today. After checking into your hotel in Edinburgh, you will embark on an included city tour
featuring the Royal Mile, the Gallery of Scotland and more.
Day 13 Today is yours to discover Edinburgh
on your own or you may choose to join the optional tour Royal Scotland which features a visit to Edinburgh Castle and a tour
of the Royal Yacht Britannia. Tonight join an optional tour for a Scottish Evening in historic Prestonfield House.
Here you will savor dinner and a performance of traditional dances and merry Scottish melodies played on the accordion, fiddle
and hornpipes.
Day 14 Today is yours to explore Edinburgh. Purhaps you will want to visit
one of Edinburgh's many art museums or stroll through the 17th century Royal Botanical Gardens, considered one of Britain's
finest. This evening you will join your fellow travelers at a Farewell dinner where you will say goodbye to many new
found friends.
Day 15 You will either be catching your flight home or extending your stay in the Scottish
Highlands.
