England & Wales Classic

Meet your Tour Manager at the airport to begin this memorable journey through England and North Wales. Today, we travel to Cambridge – our first of 6 Heritage Cities, to learn about the history, culture and the world-changing discoveries that makes Cambridge home to more Nobel Prize winners than any other city. Enjoy a ‘Punt’ along the River Cam, a long, wooden boat which glides through water, steered by a metal pole. Punting dates back as far as medieval times – these days they’re just for fun in Cambridge. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner at your hotel.

Dinner/ Overnight – Clayton Hotel, Cambridge

Leaving Cambridge we head north to another Heritage city, York. Upon arrival, meet your local guide and enjoy a walking tour of this beautiful & historic walled city. Look up and be awestruck by the ‘Heart of Yorkshire’, York Minster Cathedral with its stunning Gothic architecture. Meander through the cobbled streets and overhanging buildings that frame York Shambles, one of England's most iconic shopping destinations. You will then have free time to discover all the city has to offer, including dungeons, Viking museums and artisan shops & markets. Tonight, we enjoy dinner at our hotel.

Dinner/ Overnight – The Grand Hotel, York

The North York Moors is a special place, forged by nature, shaped over generations – where peace and beauty rub shoulders with a rich history and a warm welcome. We travel to the coastal town of Whitby. Here there are many visitor attractions that are connected to the town's fascinating past, such as the Captain Cook Memorial Museum, where you can learn about the famous explorer's life in the port town, or you may want to visit the Dracula Experience on the seafront. We enjoy lunch today at one of the ‘must’ have fish & chip spots in the North of England. Afterwards, we board the infamous North York Moor Rail and experience the age of steam as we sit back and enjoy beautiful vistas of the North York Moors National Park. ​Tonight is a free evening to explore the bars & restaurants in the city.

Overnight – The Grand Hotel, York

This morning, we head west to Liverpool, a UNESCO City of Music. We meet our local guide, who will show us the origins of the greatest band in the world and the legacy the Beatles left behind in Liverpool. See iconic locations from the band’s story including their childhood homes, Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields. Next we visit the historic Royal Albert Dock, where we have an included entrance to The Beatles Story. We then make our way to Chester, where we spend the next 2 nights.

Overnight – The Queen Hotel, Chester

Today we cross the border into beautiful North Wales. Our day starts at the Victorian seaside town, Llandudno, renowned for its sweeping bay and Victorian era architecture. Here you will have free time to enjoy the quirky shops or perhaps stroll along the seafront promenade. Next, we make our way to the picturesque Llangollen Wharf, where we board our canal boat, the Thomas Telford. Enjoy peaceful cruising through the stunning Dee Valley, which has rightfully been awarded World Heritage Status, whilst live commentary from your skipper gives you the history, local knowledge and up to date gossip along the way. During our cruise we are served a delicious Afternoon Tea. This evening is at leisure. 

Overnight – The Queen Hotel, Chester

Snowdonia is home to breathtaking peaks, spectacular lakes, rich history and a vibrant and unique culture. We have a leisurely day meandering through the scenic area and small villages that make this part of Wales a must see for all visitors. We will travel through Snowdonia National Park, seeing Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales, and visiting quaint villages along the way. After dinner we will travel by coach to a very special Male Choir Rehearsal – this will be a most memorable evening.

Dinner / Overnight – The Queen Hotel, Chester

This morning, we travel south to Warwickshire, and the historic city of Stratford-upon-Avon. We start with a walking tour which introduces us to more than 800 years of history, seeing many buildings that have stood the test of time and would have been familiar to Shakespeare himself. We visit Shakespeare’s Schoolroom and Guildhall, where we are immersed into 16th century Stratford and sit in the very room that he sat as a pupil in the 1570’s. Then we enjoy an informative gin tasting, by Shakespeare Distillery, in beautiful and opulent surroundings. Discover the fascinating history of gin together with an insight into how the spirit is made. This is followed by a tasting of 3 Shakespeare Distillery spirits. Tonight, we dine at our hotel.

Dinner/ Overnight – Hotel Indigo, Stratford Upon Avon

Our day is spent in the county of Somerset, with a visit to the beautiful city of Bath. Here we have a panoramic tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you can see the Roman Baths dating back to 43AD, the Royal Crescent and Pulteney Bridge. Afterwards, enjoy a tour of Bath Abbey, with magnificent stained-glass windows, columns of honey-gold stone and some of the finest fan vaulting in the world. This all creates an extraordinary experience of light and space. Tonight, Stratford is yours to explore at leisure.

Overnight – Hotel Indigo, Stratford Upon Avon
 

Making our way through the Cotswolds, we will stop in one of the quintessentially English villages of honey-coloured stone, before reaching the lovely city of Oxford. The City of Dreaming Spires, here you will have free time to explore the city on your own. You may want to visit the University and the Bodleian Library or look for that perfect keepsake in one of the many independent shops. Later we arrive in the nation’s capital, London. Here we spend our final 2 nights at The Riu Plaza. Tonight is at leisure.

Overnight – Riu Plaza, London
 

The full day is yours to explore all London has to offer using your Hop On/Hop Off pass. Check out the famous streets, squares, magnificent buildings, beautiful parks & great shopping. Afternoon is at leisure, where you have the chance to explore some of London’s famous sites, before a farewell evening dinner. 

Dinner / Overnight – Riu Plaza, London
 

Your tour ends after a hearty English breakfast. Please inquire about departure transfers.