Coasts and Countrysides of England

From bustling capitals to poetic countrysides, experience the many distinctive sides of Great Britain. Encounter the history, connect with the locals, and see what life is like in the United Kingdom.
Hotel Name: VOCO

Your journey begins in Scotland, where age-old legends intersect with scenic beauty. Start in Edinburgh, the country’s capital, and enjoy time to settle in for your stay. Delve into Scottish culture with a locally inspired dinner with a modern-day twist.
Dinner Included

Admittance: Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle is a historic castle and fortress located in Edinburgh, Scotland. It sits atop Castle Rock in the city center and is an integral part of Edinburgh’s skyline. In present day the castle is a major tourist attraction for the city. It is the most visited paid visitor attraction in Scotland.

See the city like a local during a walking tour of the Old Town, passing by Victorian houses and cobblestone streets. Explore the Royal Mile, ending at Edinburgh Castle, where you’ll enjoy a guided tour of this historic fortress. The rest of the day is yours. Take advantage of free time to experience the city however you please.

Breakfast Included
Hotel Name: Low Wood Bay Resort and Spa

Visit Area: Lake District
The Lake District is a mountainous region in northwest England. This region is famous for its lakes, mountains and forests. In this region hiking the mountain trails and boating on the lakes is a popular activity.

Say goodbye to Scotland and travel to the scenic Lake District, eternalized through the works of Scott and Wordsworth. Along the way, stop for a break at England’s most famous motorway station, Tebay. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon on the shores of Lake Windermere, your home for the next 2 nights. Breathe in the crisp air and admire the rolling hills nestled against the water.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Admittance: Choice on Tour: Rydal Mount Visit or Guided Hike Through the Lake District
Today in the Lake District, you have a choice between two activities. First, you may choose to explore Rydal Mount, which lies between Ambleside and Grasmere, and commands glorious views of Lake Windermere and Rydal Water. This was William Wordsworth’s best-loved family home for the greater part of his life from 1813 to his death in 1850 at the age of 80. Your second option is to explore the area’s famed trails, wildlife, villages and culture on a leisurely-paced hike, in the company of a professional guide. Two centuries after Wordsworth penned his famous lyric poem, “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud,” travelers still flock to this rugged corner of England to enjoy the splendor of nature that inspired so many of England’s literary giants. Visit to Rydal Mount, the land of William Wordsworth - NEO Day 4 Activity Level: 2 Guided Hike Through the Lake District - NEO Day 4 Activity Level: 4 4 hours. Travelers must have rain gear and good walking shoes, preferably hiking boots or sturdy sneakers. Pacing will be leisurely, though there may be some steeper inclines. Travelers should be in good physical shape and be capable of walking 3 or more miles up and down hills, occasionally on unsteady terrain.

See the area from a different perspective and set sail on Lake Windermere, England’s largest lake. Take in the tranquil backdrop before visiting the charming village of Grasmere. Personalize your afternoon because it’s your choice! Soak up the romance of the Lake District with a visit to Rydal Mount, the home of poet William Wordsworth -OR- embark on a two-hour guided hike through glacial valleys and along lakeside trails.

Breakfast Included
Hotel Name: Hotel Indigo

Visit Area: Liverpool
Liverpool is a port city located in Merseyside, England. Liverpool is known as the World Capital City of Pop, and is famously known for being the birthplace of The Beatles. Liverpool has the largest collection of museum and galleries outside of London.

Head to Liverpool, England’s popular port city. You will visit Strawberry Field, the site where John Lennon came to play as a child, which he later immortalized in the song, ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’. Here you will experience an Impact Moment and learn about the work the Salvation Army does at Strawberry Field to give young people with learning difficulties the opportunity for work experience. This afternoon, it’s your choice! Visit the Tate Liverpool, home to an eclectic range of art from the 16th century to modern day -OR- embark on a walking tour of Albert Dock and learn about Liverpool’s rich industrial history, connection to the American Civil War, as well as explore Merseyside’s Maritime Past.

Breakfast Included
Hotel Name: The Queens Hotel

Visit Area: Strawberry Fields

Your glimpse into the quintessential English lifestyle continues as you make your way to the Cotswolds. A region of hilly fields and stone houses, the Cotswolds is a charming collection of storybook villages. Settle into an 18th-century modern boutique hotel, in the heart of a charming Cotswold town.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Admittance: Choice on Tour: Maritime History Walking Tour or the Tate Liverpool
Your first option is to visit the Liverpool Tate Modern Gallery. Tate holds the national collection of British art from 1500 to the present day and international modern and contemporary art. British art is represented by artists chosen for their contribution to its history and development, rather than their nationality alone. The collection continues to expand its holdings of modern and contemporary art from around the world. Your second option is to uncover Liverpool’s rich maritime history with a local expert. Once considered Britain’s “gateway to the world”, Liverpool was one of the most important cities in the British Empire. Learn about the role it played in the American Civil War and World War II, the luxurious ocean liners that called it home, and the renaissance its historic waterfront is experiencing today. This tour will visit the Merseyside Maritime Museum. Tate Modern - NEO Day 5 Activity Level: 2 Bags larger than cabin-size (55cm x 40cm x 20cm) are not allowed in the gallery. If you want to sit down in the galleries, you can pick up a folding stool. Folding stools are available on every floor by the lifts. Visit is free but travelers may wish to purchase their own ticket for any exhibition shown on the day. Tour Manager to walk travelers to the gallery and secure their entrance, via free ticket. There is a free guided tour at 2:15pm. Please do not promote without checking it is running. Maritime History Walking Tour - NEO Day 5 Activity Level: 3 Travelers must wear comfortable walking shoes and be able to walk at a leisurely pace for 2 hours.

This morning explore the Cotswolds, taking in the rolling hills and honey-colored stone homes that make this one of England’s most beautiful areas. Visit the quaint villages and enjoy free time for lunch in this picturesque town. Take the afternoon to relax and enjoy the Cotswolds at your own leisurely pace.

Breakfast Included
Hotel Name: The Cornwall Hotel and Spa

Visit Area: Cotswolds
The Cotswolds is an area in south central England that includs parts of 6 different counties, mainly though the counties of Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire. The region is known for its small towns and villages, made from golden colored Costwold stone, as well as lush greenery and rolling hills.

The morning will be spent in the city of Bath, where centuries-old history is told with a visit to the Roman Baths. Learn about the indulgence and opulence of a bygone time and see how Bath developed over centuries. After lunch on your own, the journey will continue to Poldarks Cornwall. Tonight, after dinner, join your fellow travelers for an evening of song and discovery with a local Sea Shanty Band.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Visit Area: Bath
Bath is a city in Somerset, southwest England located 97 miles west of London. The city is known for the Roman baths located here that the early Romans built. In the Georgian era the city became a popular spa town, and today many tourists come to view the Roman baths. In addition to the Roman baths and hot springs, Bath is also known for its Georgian architecture.

Today will be a full day tour of Cornwall’s dramatic north coast. With a combination of walking and traveling by motor coach, hear tales of Cornwall’s tin mining past and learn how this shaped the Cornish landscape we see today. The day will bring opportunities to capture the beauty of the rugged north coast on foot and a visit to a typical Cornish town.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Visit Area: Cornwall
Cornwall is a peninsula in southwest England bordered by the Celtic Sea and the English Channel. Cornwall is a region comprised of many different towns and villages that feature beautiful beaches and picturesque coastlines. Cornwall is a very popular vacation destination in the summer for Brits and tourists alike.

This morning, visit the Lost Gardens of Heligan, the largest garden restoration in Europe and home to a National Collection of camellias and rhododendrons and bursting with romance and intrigue around every pathway and corner. Explore Cornwall’s idyllic south coast with a local guide on foot and discover what makes this pretty peninsula so special, followed by a traditional Cornish Cream Tea.

Breakfast Included
Hotel Name: Double Tree Hilton, West End

Admittance: Sea Shanty Performance

Wish the countryside goodbye and travel on the Great Western Railway to London, England’s lively capital. Upon arriving in London, get the lay of the land on a walking tour with a local expert. Take in the exterior of London’s iconic sites on foot, such as Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, and Buckingham Palace. The rest of the evening is yours to explore independently.

Breakfast Included

Admittance: Great Western Railway
Travel from Cornwall to London aboard what some call, “God's Wonderful Railway." Founded in 1833, the Great Western Railway (GWR) was a British railway company that linked London with the south-west and west of England, the Midlands, and most of Wales. Your journey takes you into to London’s Paddington Station.

Spend the day discovering London on your own. Perhaps you’ll grab a pint with the locals, wander through one of the many museums, or see the city from a different perspective on the London Eye. You may choose to join an optional excursion to Windsor Castle, the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world. This evening, gather with your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant and toast the end of an incredible adventure.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Visit Area: London
A world in a city is a common way to describe the capital of England and its 9 million inhabitants. A cultural melting pot of over 230 nationalities, London is the financial, political and cultural capital of the UK and has a history dating before the Romans in A.D. 43.

Your journey through Great Britain comes to a close today.

Breakfast Included