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 towns and cities.
Hotel Name: VOCO

Arrive in Scotland, where age-old legends intersect with scenic beauty. In Edinburgh, the country’s capital, you can enjoy time on your own to discover this eclectic and vibrant city. 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 two-hour walking tour of the Old Town, passing by Victorian houses and cobblestone streets. Explore the Royal Mile, ending at the top of the hill at Edinburgh Castle, where you’ll enjoy exploring this historic fortress. The rest of the afternoon is yours. Later this evening, take your seat at the spectacular, world-famous Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, one of Scotland's greatest events.

Breakfast Included
Hotel Name: Low Wood Bay Resort and Spa

Admittance: Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
Since 1950 the iconic Edinburgh Military Tattoo has dazzled millions of spectators with performances from musicians, pipers, drummers, singers and dancers. This epic show, unique every year, takes place at the haunting Edinburgh Castle illuminated under the open sky. In the past, the show’s themes have paid tribute to nature, Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th birthday, and Scotland's homecoming, to name a few. This international festival comes alive with performers from a multitude of countries and audience members from around the world. Military pageantry and cultural celebrations, culminating with a spectacular fireworks display, set the stage for an amazing evening.

Say goodbye to Scotland and travel to the scenic Lake District, eternalized through the works of Scott and Wordsworth. Along the way, visit the UNESCO site of Vindolanda and discover the gritty past of Hadrian’s Wall. This sixty-minute guided tour of the working archeological site will bring the Roman fortress and garrison to life. This afternoon stop for a quick 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

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.

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

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.

Head to Liverpool, England’s popular port city. You will visit Strawberry Fields, 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 Fields to give young people with learning difficulties the opportunity for work experience. This afternoon, embark on a two-hour walking tour of Albert Dock and learn about Liverpool’s rich industrial history and connection to the American Civil War, as well as exploring Merseyside's maritime past.

Breakfast Included
Hotel Name: The Queens Hotel

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.

This morning take a ferry across the Mersey and as Gerry Marsden sang, see how "life goes on day after day." This public commuter ferry gives you the most spectacular views of the iconic city scape. Continue your journey by motor coach to Shrewsbury, a historic English border town, where you can take some time to have your lunch. In the early evening, arrive in 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 for the night, in the heart of a charming Cotswolds town.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Visit Area: Strawberry Fields

This morning, visit Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. Over three hundred years old, this impressive house is a perfect example of a princely dwelling. This afternoon spend time in Stow on the Wold taking in the rolling hills and honey-colored stone homes that make this one of England’s most beautiful areas. Visit this quaint village and enjoy free time in this picturesque town. Take the afternoon to relax and enjoy the Cotswolds at your own leisurely pace.

Breakfast Included
Lunch Included
Hotel Name: The Cornwall Hotel and Spa

Visit Area: Maritime History Walking Tour

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 by a local Sea Shanty Band.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

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.

Today will be a full day tour of Cornwall’s dramatic north coast, with a combination of walking and traveling by motor coach. Learn of Cornwall’s tin mining past and how this shaped the landscape we see today. Along the way will provide opportunities to capture the rugged beauty of the coast on foot with free time for lunch in a typical Cornish town. After a full day of viewing beautiful Poldark country scenery, the journey ends in the early evening back at the hotel.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Admittance: Blenheim Palace
Discover the splendid Baroque-style home of Blenheim Palace. This was the birthplace of one of Britain's greatest leaders, Sir Winston Churchill, and is truly magnificent. Built in the 18th century, it is still lived in today but remains paused in time. Take in the elegant ambience that will give you a glimpse into the lifestyle of nobility in Britain. Stroll through the opulent halls that are adorned with magnificent portraits, tapestries and rooms filled with furniture fit for royalty. The palace is set on thousands of acres of stunning natural scenery perfectly designed and manicured, dotted with historic monuments, and home to an abundance of wildlife. As you meander through the palace and grounds you will be awed by the grandeur and beauty of this enchanting palace.

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 on foot with a local guide and discover what makes this pretty peninsula so special, followed by a traditional Cornish Cream Tea.

Breakfast Included
Hotel Name: Tower Suites Hilton

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.

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

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.

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 oldest and largest 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

Admittance: Sea Shanty Performance

Your journey through Great Britain comes to a close today.

Breakfast 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.