Best of Britain

(8 reviews)

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CAD $5485 Was CAD $6095

11 Days

Best Rate: Guarantee

Trip Type: Group Tour

Activity Level: Easy

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Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 27 Apr 2027

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Experience Overview

See the very best of Britain on this 11-day guided tour that traverses Scotland, Wales and England. At Edinburgh Castle, sit on the Stone of Destiny, the sandstone seat upon which dozens of Scottish monarchs were crowned. Survey the English Lake District, where mountainous peaks give way to expansive lakes and scenery so picturesque it inspired the words of William Wordsworth. Plus, discover the mystery of Stonehenge, where towering prehistoric stones cast shadows on emerald green fields and sail across Plymouth harbor, with views of the city's royal citadel. Finally, indulge in a feast at a historic mill in the English countryside, enjoying organic seasonal produce freshly picked from the fields just outside.

Highlights

Dining Summary

10 Breakfast (B)
3 Dinner (D)

Top Rated Highlights

Stratford-upon-Avon: Learn about the life of William Shakespeare, arguably history's most famous writer, when you visit his birthplace. Then enjoy some time to explore this pretty town with its iconic Tudor houses.
York: Your Travel Director will show you the York Minster, the city walls and the medieval Shambles during your orientation of the city.
Hadrian's Wall: Stop to see part of the ancient wall that once marked the border of the Roman Empire.
Jedburgh: See the impressive 12th century Jedburgh Abbey, dominating the center of town. Even though it is now in ruins it is still a magnificent structure and you can climb a spiral staircase to view the spectacular architecture from a balcony. Built by King David I of Scotland for Augustinian monks, Jedburgh is one of four major Abbeys of the Borders between England and Scotland, and was damaged and rebuilt several times during the Wars of Independence in the late 13th and early 14th centuries.
Edinburgh: Explore Edinburgh Castle with your Local Expert to see the Scottish Crown Jewels and the Mons Meg up close.
Edinburgh: Explore the city with your Local Expert as you travel along Princes Street to see the Scott Memorial, the neoclassical Adam facades of New Town and the official Scottish residence of the King, Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Edinburgh: A hush descends, and eyes turn to the castle. The skirl of the pipes rises and drums crack the night air as a tide of tunics and tartan flood from the drawbridge. For a limited time in August, witness the incredible spectacle of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
Glasgow: Led by your Travel Director, take an easy orientation through Glasgow, where broad streets and bold Victorian architecture set the tone. Pause in George Square to take in its statues and grand civic buildings before continuing to St Mungo’s Cathedral, its dark stone and soaring interior hinting at the city’s medieval roots.
Stirling: Travel via the historic site of Bannockburn and view Stirling Castle.
Grasmere: Learn about the life of the poet William Wordsworth and visit his grave.
Ludlow: Explore the narrow streets and lanes in front of the castle. Admire the medieval timber-framed buildings and Georgian mansions.
Cardiff: During an orientation with your Travel Director, see the castle and Principality Stadium.
Bath: Visit the Roman Baths, one of the best-preserved ancient bathhouses in Northern Europe whose waters still flow today. Enjoy a personal exploration of the site, including the Sacred Spring, original Great Bath, temple remains and museum displays of artifacts uncovered on site. This complex offers a clear view of public bathing and religious practices during the Roman occupation of Britain nearly 2,000 years ago.
Bath: During an orientation you will see the Royal Crescent, Pulteney Bridge and Bath Abbey.
Stonehenge: Walk around the strange, awe-inspiring megaliths that have reputedly stood for 5,000 years.

Authentic Dining

York: In the evening, enjoy a Welcome Dinner and the chance to get to know your fellow travelers.

Make Travel Matter

Saltash: John and Anne welcome you to historic Heskyn Mill for a farm-to-table dinner. Savor a delightful meal, with all ingredients responsibly sourced from local producers or carefully foraged from the local area to reduce waste. The farms ethos is to support local and reduce food waste. All food is sourced locally, even though this proves more expensive. A staff member grows seasonal vegetables and they have their own egg laying hens. They have relationships with the local farmers where they make sure to get the food that would otherwise struggle to be sold in order to reduce waste. Vegetables are chosen seasonally and are often picked in the morning for their guests to enjoy later the same day. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

Insight Choice

Plymouth: Set sail on a relaxing cruise from Plymouth harbor, where the pilgrims left over 400 years ago.
Dartmoor National Park: Visit Dartmoor to learn about the history of stone circles and indigenous traditions from your knowledgeable Local Expert on a scenic exploration.

Choice Highlights

Choose between two carefully selected activities

Plymouth: Set sail on a relaxing cruise from Plymouth harbor, where the pilgrims left over 400 years ago.
Dartmoor National Park: Visit Dartmoor to learn about the history of stone circles and indigenous traditions from your knowledgeable Local Expert on a scenic exploration.

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Trip Details

Product Code: 34073

Tour Type: Group Tour

Accommodation: Deluxe

Transport: Private

Guide Language: English

Travel Styles: Explorer, Budget

Tour Operator: Insight Vacations (CA)

Supplier Code: 8.396B

Starts: London, United Kingdom

Finishes: London, United Kingdom

Duration: 11 days

Departures: Guaranteed

Physical Rating: Easy

Includes

Price

Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $5485 ($499 /day)

Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to London

Welcome to London. After checking into your hotel, the afternoon is free to enjoy a city that is famous for its pomp and pageantry. Perhaps relax with a walk along the Serpentine in Hyde Park or window shop in the elegant boutiques of Knightsbridge? Alternatively, you may want to stroll along the Thames to the iconic Tower Bridge and Tower of London.

Accommodation: Thistle Marble Arch, London

Day 2: London and Medieval York

Meet your Travel Director to begin your journey north to Stratford-upon-Avon, with its wealth of black-and-white, timber-framed houses. Discover how William Shakespeare and his incredible works continue to shape society today when you visit his birthplace, full of memorabilia and artifacts relating to his life. Continue to historic York to stroll the narrow lanes, including the Shambles, and view York Minster, England's largest medieval cathedral. Join your traveling companions for the opportunity to mingle over a pleasant evening of dinner and wine.

Accommodation: Hilton, York
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3: Hadrian's Wall to Edinburgh

See a part of Hadrian's Wall, an impressive Roman construction that once spanned 80 miles from coast to coast, marking the northern frontier of the mighty Roman Empire. Continue past Jedburgh Abbey en route to the Scottish capital, Edinburgh, for your two-night stay in this stunning city. Round off the day with an Optional Experience at a Scottish cultural evening with traditional dinner, live music and a ceilidh.

Accommodation: Malmaison Edinburgh, Leith
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4: Edinburgh Sightseeing

In the morning join a Local Expert to explore the Royal Mile. You will see the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official Scottish residence of His Majesty the King. Continue past the Sir Walter Scott Monument to the 18th-century New Town with its neoclassical Adam facades. After a drive through the city, you'll visit Edinburgh Castle, home of the Honours of Scotland, to view Mons Meg. The afternoon is at leisure. In the evening, select departures will attend The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo - a colorful mix of pipes and drums, dance and display, set against the floodlit backdrop of Edinburgh Castle.

Accommodation: Malmaison Edinburgh, Leith
Meals: Breakfast

Day 5: Loch Lomond to Glasgow

Drive via historic Bannockburn and Stirling and enjoy the scenery of the Trossachs. Continue along the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, before arriving in Glasgow for an orientation of the city with your Travel Director. See the grand public buildings, including George Square and St. Mungo's Cathedral.

Accommodation: Radisson Blu, Glasgow
Meals: Breakfast

Day 6: The Glorious Lake District

Stop in Gretna Green en route to the English Lake District, with scenery so beautiful it inspired a host of writers. Learn about the life of William Wordsworth and visit his grave in the stone-built village of Grasmere.

Accommodation: Castle Green, Kendal
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7: The Welsh Marches and Cardiff

Pause in the historic market town of Ludlow, where medieval streets and a striking hilltop castle speak to centuries of royal intrigue. Enjoy time to explore at your leisure. Perhaps browse the traditional market stalls, admire the timber-framed buildings or sample some of the region’s renowned local produce. Continue across the border into southern Wales and journey to the capital of Cardiff, set along the banks of the River Taff. On arrival, join your Travel Director for a city orientation. See the distinguished buildings of the University of Wales, pass the impressive Principality Stadium, and admire the civic grandeur of City Hall and the National Museum.

Accommodation: Clayton, Cardiff
Meals: Breakfast

Day 8: Georgian Bath and Devon

Cross the Severn Bridge back into England and drive to the golden Georgian City of Bath, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the well-preserved Roman Baths, before continuing to your hotel in the heart of Plymouth.

Accommodation: Leonardo, Plymouth
Meals: Breakfast

Day 9: Dartmoor National Park

Explore Dartmoor with Insight Choice. Choose to join a scenic exploration of Dartmoor National Park. Spend time reconnecting with nature amidst the stunning landscape of towering granite tors, open moorland, beautiful rivers and lush, wooded valleys. Alternatively, enjoy a relaxing cruise of Plymouth Harbor and see the Mayflower Steps, Barbican, Royal Citadel and Plymouth Hoe. Later this evening, savor an unforgettable dinner at Heskyn Mill during a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Join your Travel Director and newfound friends for the ultimate Farm-to-Table dining experience. Enjoy a mouth-watering meal prepared from organic seasonal produce, freshly picked from the surrounding fields, served with a glass of wine

Accommodation: Leonardo, Plymouth
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 10: Stonehenge and London

Travel across Salisbury Plain to visit the pre-historic and mysterious Stonehenge, where the strange and awe-inspiring megaliths are reputed to be up to 5,000 years old. Explore this fascinating site and learn about its historic and modern interpretations before returning to London for a final evening at leisure.

Accommodation: Thistle Marble Arch, London
Meals: Breakfast

Day 11: Homeward Bound

Bid farewell to England, Scotland and Wales as your journey ends this morning.

Meals: Breakfast

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Tour Operator

Insight Vacations (CA)

Part of The Travel Company (TTC) family of brands, Insight Vacations began operations in 1978 and is based in Cypress, CA. Journeys are featured to destinations, such as the U.S. and Canada, Europe, Latin America, North Africa, Asia, the UK and Ireland. The company offers are a variety of tours under the classifications of Regional Journeys, Country Roads, Discovery Journeys, Easy Pace trips, and Special Interest tours. Insight is the ideal name for the tour operator, as the journeys provided by Insight Vacations allow travelers to gain further insight into whatever destination they wish to explore. For example, Discovery Journeys are the ideal choice for first-time visitors to Europe. Itineraries include Dine-at-Home or Farm-to-Table experiences so travelers can learn more about how locals live and dine. Regional Journeys allow trip-goers to see a specific location in Europe that they have always wanted to see – Poland, Switzerland, Italy, etc. The carefully planned trips enable customers to immerse themselves in one specific region or country and to become acquainted with its culture, traditions, and people. For anyone seeking travel off the beaten track, Insight Vacations offers Country Roads – trips that lead travelers off the well-tread tourist trail to explore hidden gems where visitors can savor the local produce with Farm-to-Table dining. Some trips are offered under the Easy Pace travel style – the ideal trip choice for trip-goers who wish to slow their pace during their vacation. During these tours, vacationers stay at least 3 nights at each destination, giving them some additional time to explore a place and enjoy it. Regardless of the travel style, many of the vacations offered by Insight Vacations begin with Relaxed Starts – giving travelers time to sleep in a little, spend more time at breakfast, or explore an area on their own. The tour company prides itself on providing business class tours that features luxury coaches with 40 seats. While most coach touring operators provide vehicles with 53 seats, Insight Vacations has re-configured its motor coaches to hold up to 40 guests. This gives passengers extra leg room while traveling and offers them more space and privacy.

In Business Since 1978

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Reviews

Marlene S. - Traveled, May 2024

Great service from my booking with our driver. Nice service at all of our hotels too. I have been traveling for fifty years, but I am rather new to tour travel. This tour was perfect for me. The itinerary is fast-paced, but there are so many wonderful things to see. We took great advantage of the stops between hotels that we made each day. Stopping in small towns and interesting sites was a great way to break up the bus rides. Thank you for the insight on places we visited. I loved the meals in the small pubs, cultural sites and restaurants that I never could have found on my own. The food was good and the entertainment was too. As a solo traveler, I really do appreciate how welcomed I felt by the tour guide my fellow travelers and our driver. For navigating those narrow country roads. This was my third Insight Vacations Tour in a year and a half....I am already planning number four for this fall.

Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/05/2024

David P. - Traveled, October 2024

We should have received the detailed itinerary and director's contact information earlier. It arrived in our email when we were already en route to the airport. On the positive side, it was great to have an Insight representative at the hotel. He was helpful with welcoming information and advice. It gave an overview of some of the most significant historical sites. Our tour director was very well informed and an excellent communicator.