Highlights of England & Scotland 2022 with Betsy McIntire main tour only

TUE, MAY 24 NEW ORLEANS, LA - EDINBURGH
Depart New Orleans for your international flight to Edinburgh, Scotland. Meal service on-board. 

WED, MAY 25 EDINBURGH
Welcome to Edinburgh! Upon arrival meet your private motorcoach and courier, who will escort you to your hotel. It is here that Sir Walter Scott wrote his romances and Robert Burns met his beloved Clarinda. This is also the city of Robert Louis Stevenson and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Be sure to climb Arthur’s Seat for a spectacular view over the Firth of Forth. This evening, enjoy some free time and dinner with your group. D 

THUR, MAY 26 EDINBURGH
Today, explore the highlights of Scotland’s capital on a walking tour that includes the Royal Mile, Edinburgh’s most famous street. The 200-foot Gothic spire on Princes Street was built in honor of Sir Walter Scott. Visit Edinburgh Castle, a fortress that sits atop the apex of a now extinct volcano! See St. Margaret’s Chapel, the State Apartments, Great Hall and the Crown Chamber. B, D 

FRI, MAY 27 EDINBURGH
Visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse, where Mary Queen of Scots lived, now the official residence of the British Monarchy when in Scotland. This afternoon is at leisure for further exploration of this historic city with your courier. B,D

SAT, MAY 28 EDINBURGH - ALNWICK
Transfer to Alnwick today. Visit Alnwick Castle, this iconic 1,000-year-old medieval castle is a favorite of the film industry, most notably as the location for Hogwarts in Harry Potter. Visit Dryburgh Abbey, originally built in 1150, where Sir Walter Scott is buried. B, D

SUN, MAY 29 ALNWICK-LAKE DISTRICT
On the way to the beautiful Lakes District stop for a visit at Hadrian’s Wall. Surviving for 2000 years, it is a monument to the builders and engineers of the Roman army. Discover Housesteads Roman Fort, the best preserved site along this ancient wall.  Continue to the Land of the Lake Poets in Cumbria, Windermere in the Lake District. Many writers and poets sang the praises of the Lakes, in particular William Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy, Robert Southey and Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Walk one of the hundreds of miles of trails in the beautiful mountains and hills of the Lake District. Enjoy a beautiful cruise on Windemere Lake. B, D

MON, MAY 30 LAKE DISTRICT
Visit Dove Cottage in Grasmere, home to the poet Wordsworth. Behind is a museum containing poetry manuscripts, memorabilia and Lakeland paintings. Wander in the village of Grasmere and see St. Oswald’s church where Wordsworth is buried. On to see Rydal Mount, Wordsworth’s best loved family home for the greater part of his life from 1813 to his death in 1850. Discover the stone circle at Castlerigg near Keswick. One of around 1,300 stone circles in the British Isles and Brittany, it was constructed as part of a megalithic tradition that lasted from 3,300 to 900 BC. B, D 

TUE, MAY 31 LAKE DISTRICT - YORK
Transfer to the Saddleworth/Moors area for free time to hike and explore (other activities to be decided.) Continue to York, a magnificent city that was founded in 71AD, rich in heritage and attractions.  B, D

WED, JUN 1 YORK
This morning take a walking tour of the 13th century walls surrounding the town during our orientation tour of this medieval city. Your tour leaders will show you the best of York today with entrances to the magnificent York Minster and Castle Museum. You will have free time to shop and explore today. B, D

THUR, JUN 2 YORK
Journey to Haworth to tour the Bronte Parsonage and the Bronte Museum. Return to York. Enjoy a York River Cruise to see this beautiful city from the water. B, D 

FRI, JUN 3 YORK - LONDON
Transfer to London. Enjoy plenty of free time to explore this now cosmopolitan city. Historically, home to classic literary icons such as Dickens, Shakespeare, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Virginia Woolf, who were moulded by the city of their time. B, D

SAT, JUN 4 LONDON - NEW ORLEANS
Transfer to the airport for the return flight to New Orleans with enriching memories of your trip to the UK. B