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Elegance of Great Britain
A 15-Day Insight Tours tour starting from $2,835
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| Starting Price: | $2,835 |  |
| Tour Length: | 15 Days | |
| Countries Visited: | England, Scotland | |
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Cities Visited: This tour is leisurely paced with two-night stays in every place visited. In each city there is an expertly planned day excursion, with fabulous visits designed to showcase each region in depth. |
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Included Premium Highlights
- Visit Winston Churchill's former country residence of Chartwell
- Visit Hever Castle, the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, tragic queen of King Henry VIII
- Tour the Palace House, Abbey ruins and National Motor Museum at Beaulieu
- Visit the birthplace of the celebrated bard, William Shakespeare, in Stratford-upon-Avon
- Visit the house and gardens of Blenheim Palace, the greatest building of the English Baroque
- Visit the award-winning gardens of Sudeley Castle in the Cotswolds
- Visit the Edinburgh Botanical Gardens
- View the Honours of Scotland on your visit to Edinburgh Castle
- Attend the spectacular Edinburgh Military Tattoo (selected departures only)
- Visit Abbotsford, the house built and lived in by famous novelist and author, Sir Walter Scott
- Visit the fabulous 18th century Castle Howard, with its tapestries and scenic gardens
- Visit the dungeons, Great Hall and State Rooms of medieval Warwick Castle
Included Personal Insights
- At Ironbridge, the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, enjoy an introduction to the engineering miracle that changed the world forever
- Learn some of the lesser known facts about the life of William Wordsworth, Britain's best-loved poet
Included Additional Excursions & Sights
- See Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and Buckingham Palace on your London sightseeing tour
- See Churchill's statue in the village of Westerham
- Visit the cathedral town of Winchester
- See Salisbury Cathedral with its soaring 404ft spire, highest in England
- Visit Avebury's stone circles See Ludlow's ruined castle and Jacobean timbered buildings
- See Wenlock Edge Visit Gretna Green
- Tour the New Town and drive the Royal Mile to Holyroodhouse Palace in Edinburgh
- See Jedburgh Abbey Visit Hadrian's Wall
- See York Minster and Shambles Scenic Drives - Cotswolds, New Forest, Lake District
Included First Class Services
- Escorted by a professional Tour Director
- Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with onboard restroom
- Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage
- Insight Traveler document wallet, map book journal and information pack
- Free London Airport shuttle service.
Included Quality Dining
- Dine-Around evening at your own choice of restaurant from our selection in Stratford (DA)
- 1 Continental (CB) & 12 full Breakfasts (B) and 5 three-course Evening Meals with choice, or buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)
Day 1 - DEPART USA
Overnight flight.
Day 2 - ARRIVE LONDON
Welcome to London! After checking in
to your hotel, perhaps take a stroll to Hyde Park or the department stores of Oxford
Street.
Hotel: Thistle Marble Arch.
Day 3 - LONDON SIGHTSEEING
Your half day sightseeing tour of London’s West End shows youWestminster Abbey, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square and Buckingham Palace. The afternoon is free to explore or shop. (B)
Day 4 - LONDON - HAMPSHIRE
After a warm welcome from your Tour Director, make your way into the Kent countryside. At the pretty village of Westerham, Winston Churchill watches over the neat village green and you visit his nearby residence of Chartwell next. Continue through brilliant yellow and green pastures to Hever Castle, home to the tragic tale of Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII. Cross the moat to explore the fortified manor house and stroll the pretty gardens. Move on to your hotel set amid a 176-acre parkland golf course, with extensive leisure facilities and Health Spa. Enjoy a Welcome Drink before dinner tonight.
Hotel: Botley Park, Golf & Country Club (D)
Day 5 - NEW FOREST EXCURSION
A scenic drive through the woods and glades of the New Forest brings you to Beaulieu Abbey, once a Cistercian Abbey, now the stately home of Lord Montagu. Tour the Palace House, Abbey ruins and visit his lordship's collection of cars in the National Motor Museum. Travel on to Salisbury to see the 13th century cathedral, whose spire is the tallest in the land. After some free time, return to your hotel where the remainder of the day is at leisure. (B)
Day 6 - HAMPSHIRE - STRATFORD
Visit the cathedral town of Winchester this morning, where King Alfred stands guard in the High Street. The country roads lead you past pretty villages en route to Avebury, which is partially situated in a huge prehistoric henge monument of several stone circles. Continue on to Stratford-upon-Avon to visit Shakespeare's birthplace, full of memorabilia and artifacts relating to his life.
Hotel: Swans Nest (B)
Day 7 - COTSWOLDS EXCURSION
An enchanting day takes you across the beautiful Cotswold hills, a chocolate box scene of golden stone villages with roses round the doors. Visit Blenheim Palace, the greatest building of the English Baroque, residence of the Dukes of Marlborough and birthplace of Winston Churchill. After touring the house and gardens, visit the gardens of Sudeley Castle, former home to one of King Henry VIII's wives, Katherine Parr. Tonight, you are offered a choice of restaurants for your dining pleasure. (B,DA)
Day 8 - STRATFORD - LAKE DISTRICT
Travel through the orchards of Worcestershire to the border town of Ludlow, where elegant 18th century mansions rub shoulders with picturesque half-timbered Tudor buildings. The town is dominated by the massive castle, rich in tragic royal history. After some time to explore the lanes and hidden courtyards, continue through the remote Shropshire hills. You pass Wenlock Edge, as celebrated in the poetry of AE Housman, to reach historic Ironbridge Gorge, birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. From the eponymous 200-year-old bridge the smooth motorway carries you north to the English Lake District.
Hotel: Windermere Hydro (B,D)
Day 9 - LAKE DISTRICT EXCURSION
A whole day is devoted to the Lake District - a scenic wonderland of rugged mountains and tranquil waters and an inspiration to a host of English poets. Visit Wordsworth's grave in the small churchyard at Grasmere, then admire the vast expanse of Windermere, the largest of the lakes. Perhaps consider a cruise on its peaceful waters before returning to the hotel. (B,D)
Day 10 - LAKE DISTRICT - EDINBURGH
Cross the Scottish border at Gretna - for years the destination of eloping English lovers. Spend your spare time shopping before enjoying the contrasting beauty of the Southern Lowlands en route to Edinburgh. Here, discover the wonders of the plant kingdom in the Botanical Gardens, which form a remarkable haven of tranquillity in the south of the city, as well as being a world-renowned centre for botanical science.
Hotel: Hilton Grosvenor (B)
Day 11 - EDINBURGH SIGHTSEEING
Today a local guide shows you the glory of the 'Athens of the North'. In the old town visit Edinburgh Castle containing the Honours of Scotland, the oldest Royal regalia in the British Isles. Follow the Royal Mile to the Palace of Holyroodhouse where Mary Queen of Scots lived - it is still the official Scottish residence of the Queen. Drive along Princes Street to see the ornate Scott Memorial, then visit the 18th century 'New Town' with its classical Adam facades. The rest of the day is at leisure. Tonight, selected departures attend the spectacular Edinburgh Tattoo. (B)
Day 12 - EDINBURGH - BRONTË COUNTRY
Travel through the Borders region to Abbotsford House, the 19th century estate of Sir Walter Scott, which now serves as a museum for the Scottish memorabilia and artefacts collected throughout his lifetime. Head south past Jedburgh Abbey and over the border to visit Hadrian's Wall, boundary of the civilised world in Roman times! Stay for the next two nights in an historic, grand Victorian hotel, set amidst a landscape that fuelled the imagination of the Brontë sisters in writing their classic novels.
Hotel: Marriott Hollins Hall & Country Club. (B,D)
Day 13 - YORKSHIRE EXCURSION
After breakfast, drive to the walled city of York, one of the most historic cities in Britain, its story going back to the time of the Romans and the Vikings. See the huge Minster, Britain's largest medieval cathedral, and explore the maze of narrow streets, including the Shambles. Head out now through rich farmland to visit the fabulous 18th century Castle Howard, one of Britian's grandest historic houses with its fine furniture, paintings, tapestries and extensive gardens. (B,D)
Day 14 - BRONTE COUNTRY - LONDON
Travel south to visit Warwick Castle, with its magnificent medieval towers and ramparts perched on a crag above the River Avon. The chilling dungeon contrasts with the splendour of the State Rooms and baronial Great Hall. Return to London where you bid farewell to your Tour Director and your tour comes to an end. (B)
Day 15 - RETURN TO USA
Your tour comes to an end after breakfast. (CB)
Don't miss our current specials: | ||||
Touring Date |
Land Only |
Land + Air |
Single (Land Only) |
Single (Land + Air) |
5/3/2010 - 5/17/2010 |
$2,835 |
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5/17/2010 - 5/31/2010 |
$2,835 |
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5/31/2010 - 6/14/2010 |
$2,835 |
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6/14/2010 - 6/28/2010 |
$2,835 |
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6/28/2010 - 7/12/2010 |
$2,835 |
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7/12/2010 - 7/26/2010 |
$2,835 |
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7/26/2010 - 8/9/2010 |
$2,835 |
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8/2/2010 - 8/16/2010 |
$2,925 |
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8/9/2010 - 8/23/2010 |
$2,925 |
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8/16/2010 - 8/30/2010 |
$2,925 |
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8/30/2010 - 9/13/2010 |
$2,835 |
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9/6/2010 - 9/20/2010 |
$2,835 |
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9/13/2010 - 9/27/2010 |
$2,835 |
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Airfare Disclaimer Documents |
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Included Premium Highlights
- Visit Winston Churchill's former country residence of Chartwell
- Visit Hever Castle, the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, tragic queen of King Henry VIII
- Tour the Palace House, Abbey ruins and National Motor Museum at Beaulieu
- Visit the birthplace of the celebrated bard, William Shakespeare, in Stratford-upon-Avon
- Visit the house and gardens of Blenheim Palace, the greatest building of the English Baroque
- Visit the award-winning gardens of Sudeley Castle in the Cotswolds
- Visit the Edinburgh Botanical Gardens
- View the Honours of Scotland on your visit to Edinburgh Castle
- Attend the spectacular Edinburgh Military Tattoo (selected departures only)
- Visit Abbotsford, the house built and lived in by famous novelist and author, Sir Walter Scott
- Visit the fabulous 18th century Castle Howard, with its tapestries and scenic gardens
- Visit the dungeons, Great Hall and State Rooms of medieval Warwick Castle
Included Personal Insights
- At Ironbridge, the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, enjoy an introduction to the engineering miracle that changed the world forever
- Learn some of the lesser known facts about the life of William Wordsworth, Britain's best-loved poet
Included Additional Excursions & Sights
- See Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and Buckingham Palace on your London sightseeing tour
- See Churchill's statue in the village of Westerham
- Visit the cathedral town of Winchester
- See Salisbury Cathedral with its soaring 404ft spire, highest in England
- Visit Avebury's stone circles See Ludlow's ruined castle and Jacobean timbered buildings
- See Wenlock Edge Visit Gretna Green
- Tour the New Town and drive the Royal Mile to Holyroodhouse Palace in Edinburgh
- See Jedburgh Abbey Visit Hadrian's Wall
- See York Minster and Shambles Scenic Drives - Cotswolds, New Forest, Lake District
Included First Class Services
- Escorted by a professional Tour Director
- Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with onboard restroom
- Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage
- Insight Traveler document wallet, map book journal and information pack
- Free London Airport shuttle service.
Included Quality Dining
- Dine-Around evening at your own choice of restaurant from our selection in Stratford (DA)
- 1 Continental (CB) & 12 full Breakfasts (B) and 5 three-course Evening Meals with choice, or buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)
Red Hot Special Oberammergau Passion Play
Only once a decade does the Alpine village of Oberammergau stage
its world famous Passion Play and now is the time to book for 2010.
On selected departures, Insight Vacations has great value prices on Passion Play Options and is offering them at 10% off the brochure price!
So, instead of paying $1000 for the Passion Play Option, you’ll pay
only $900 pp! That’s a saving of $200 per couple!
Tour Name Promo Code Departure Date Tour Duration
- Country Roads of Bavaria, HOT106 4 Jun 2010 13 Days
Switzerland & Austria
- Road to Rome HOT107 8 May 2010 15 Days
- European Spotlight HOT108 18 Jun 2010 14 Days
In addition, check out the exciting itineraries below which offer even more
great savings. And should you wish to visit the Passion Play on these tours, simply add the regular Oberammergau Option supplement of $1000 p.p. to the reduced tour price. The choice is yours...
Promo Tour Departure Brochure Price Price
Code Name Date WAS NOW
HOT109 Best of Germany 28 May 2010 $1,935 $1,740
HOT110 European Explorer 27 May 2010 $5,750 $5,175
HOT111 Hightlights of Europe 28 May 2010 $4,225 $3,799
Save $300 Off per couple
Two travelers booking together on an air-inclusive 2010 Europe tour will each save $150 off on all Lufthansa or United Airline flights.
Book Now - offer end March 31st, 2010.
TERMS: Valid for new bookings only. Offer CAN be combined with all brochure discounts. Entire booking including air must be paid in full by March 31, 2010. Offer valid from March 1st-March 31st, 2010. All Travel must be completed by October 24th, 2010. Offer is valid on UA and LH flights only (no code share flights allowed over the Atlantic – must be on UA or LH only). Valid on all tours to Europe, Egypt, Jordan, Israel and Morocco. Offer - $300 off per couple or $150 off for single travelers. Offer subject to availability and valid off of all net fares. Promotion cannot be booked online. Commission paid on air for this promotion is 0%. Air tickets are non-refundable after purchase. No name changes allowed once a reservation is made. Once payment is received, cancellation penalties apply. Offer may be withdrawn at any time. Offer can be used for groups – with availability and names at time of booking – full payment on entire package due March 31, 2010. CST No. 2068745-20
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All prices are per person, double occupancy, subject to availability. These pages are not endorsed or supported by the tour operator in any way. All information presented is based on promotional material provided by the tour operator. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. The prices on this website are not guaranteed. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in pricing. Please call us toll free at 1-800-942-3301 to confirm availability and pricing.