Image Credit: David Iliff / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA 3.0
Image Credit: David Iliff / Wikipedia / CC-BY-SA 3.0
The London Pass - With a wealth of history, culture and exciting attractions, London always has plenty to offer the visitor. However, sightseeing in London can sometimes not be the easiest or cheapest experience!
We at London Pass have spent years understanding the needs of our customers and have ensured that the Pass provides the value and convenience that visitors to our great city demand!
The award winning London Pass has been delighting our customers for over 10 years. It's simply the best way to see all that London has to offer while saving both money and time!
All are nett and non commissionable
Entry is Free to the following attractions with the Holiday Pass included in this package
Image Credit: Aurelien Guichard / Flickr
York, Edinburgh, Inverness, Windermere
This morning, at the check-in point, you will meet your Tour Manager and join the coach for a leisurely drive from London to the Royal city of Windsor. On arrival we visit Windsor Castle, the largest inhabited Castle in the world, and the oldest in continuous occupation. On the tour, (subject to opening arrangements), visit: the State Apartments, St George's Chapel and Queen Mary's Dolls' House. Continue onto York area and late evening check into our hotel. (Dinner)
Driving through Northumberland National Park, we cross the Scottish border, and passing small valleys and river streams, our journey leads us past the romantic ruins of Jedburgh Abbey. Crossing River Tweed we reach Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. On arrival we meet our expert local guide for our sightseeing tour, which features a visit to the famous Edinburgh Castle. We will also view The Palace of Holyroodhouse, once home of Mary Queen of Scots, Old and New Town, the stately Royal Mile, and elegant Princes Street for tartans and tweeds. The evening is at leisure. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Depart north today for the scenic drive over the Monadhliath Mountains. Enjoy the grand panoramic scenery as we proceed across the Scottish highlands. Passing the waters of Loch Ness, famed for it's myths and legends. We later pass the town of Fort William, at the foot of the mighty Ben Nevis, and Loch Lomond. Late evening we check into our hotel. (Breakfast, Continental Dinner)
Today we return to England and drive south to the shores of Lake Windermere, the site of England's largest lake. Admire the natural scenery and breathtaking views. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Today we depart for the beautiful town of Stratford-upon-Avon, birthplace of William Shakespeare, where you have some free time to explore the historical town. Later, we continue onto London where the tour ends and time to say farewell to all the friends you have made on tour. (Breakfast)
Image Credit: Michael Hanselmann / Wikipedia / CC-BY-SA 3.0
Scotland is bounded to the west and north by the Atlantic Ocean, to the east by the North Sea, and to the south by England. The initial focus for many visitors to Scotland is the capital, Edinburgh, a dramatically handsome and engaging city famous for its magnificent castle and historic Old Town. Come here in August and you'll find the city transformed by the Edinburgh Festival, the largest arts festival in the world. An hour's travel to the west is the country's biggest city, Glasgow, a place quite different in character from Edinburgh.You don't have to travel far north of the Glasgow - Edinburgh axis to find the first hints of Highland landscape, a divide marked by the Highland Boundary Fault which cuts across central Scotland.
The lochs, hills and wooded glens of the Trossachs and Loch Lomond are most easily reached, and as a consequence busier than other parts. Further north, Perthshire and the Grampian hills of Angus and Deeside show the Scottish countryside at its richest, with colourful woodlands and long glens rising up to distinctive mountain peaks. South of Inverness the mighty Cairngorm massif offers hints of the raw wilderness Scotland can still provide, an aspect of the country which is at its finest in the lonely north and western Highlands.The summer months of June, July and August are regarded as high season, with local school holidays making July and early August the busiest period. Winter days, from November through to March, occasionally crisp and bright, are more often cold, gloomy and all too brief, although Hogmanay and New Year has traditionally been a time to visit Scotland for partying and warm hospitality - something which improves as the weather worsens.
Edinburgh, Glasgow
On arrival in Edinburgh, you will be met by a chauffeur driven car and transferred to your city centre hotel. The remainder of the day is free to relax and enjoy this magnificent city, which is dominated by a medieval castle on a towering crag and the Royal Mile with its museums and visitor centres on everything from weaving to childhood toys. Overnight in Edinburgh.
Today, take an open top bus tour of the City. Highlights include Holyrood Palace, Parliament Buildings, Greyfriars Bobby and the domineering Edinburgh Castle (admission to Edinburgh Castle is included). Later today, learn about whisky making on The Scotch Whisky Experience tour. Experience for yourself the varying aromas of our regional whiskies and whether you like fruity, sweet or smoky flavours our experts will help you select your perfect dram. Enter the vault containing the world's largest collection of Scotch Whiskies and enjoy a special tutored nosing and tasting of your dram. Conclude your visit exploring Scotland's whisky history from the very beginnings of a cottage industry through to the global success of today. Overnight in Edinburgh.
This morning (at 08:00am) you depart from Edinburgh Bus Station on a full day tour to Loch Ness & the Highlands. Our journey northwards takes us through Rob Roy MacGregor country to desolate Rannoch Moor. We'll travel through haunting Glen Coe, the "Glen of Weeping". In 1692 40 of the resident MacDonald clan were massacred in cold blood by the Campbells for not forswearing the Jacobite cause. It is said thatyou can still hear their cries! We'll make a stop in this awe-inspiring place so that you can marvel at the natural beauty of the glen for yourself.
Next we travel to Fort William, which sits in the shadow of Ben Nevis - Britain's tallest mountain. A real highlight is our drive through the Great Glen which is also the route taken by the Caledonian Canal. We will criss-cross the canal several times as we make our way to Inverness. The Great Glen contains three lochs which will offer us spectacular vistas. Firstly Loch Lochy then Loch Oich and lastly Loch Ness. The pretty little village of Fort Augustus is our gateway to Scotland's largest and most famous loch. We will tour the entire length of Loch Ness, stopping at Urquhart Castle for a photograph. Here you can visit the Castle and enjoy a cruise on the loch - could that shadow be the monster? Shortly we will arrive in Inverness.
We will make a further stop so that you can discover the Capital of the Highlands for yourself. Later we will start our journey southwards through the Spey Valley then on to the dramatic scenery of Glen Garry. We'll make a brief stop for refreshments in the rolling Perthshire countryside before we head for Perth then Edinburgh arriving back around 21:00 hrs. Overnight in Edinburgh.
Travel by train from Edinburgh's Waverly Rail Station to Glasgow's Queen Street Rail Station. As the journey time is only 60 minutes and trains run very frequently you can select a departure time to suit yourself.
You will be transferred by chauffeur driven car to the Railway Station in Edinburgh and met by a chauffeur drive car in railway Station in Glasgow and transferred to you Glasgow hotel. The remainder of the day is free for some personal sightseeing, shopping or just relaxing in either Edinburghor Glasgow. Overnight in Glasgow.
Today, explore Glasgow, one of the liveliest and most cosmopolitan destinations in Europe with an open top double-decker bus. See all the main sights as you hop-on and hop-off 21 conveniently located stopsaround the city. With great views from the top of the bus, strategically placed stops and an interesting commentary, this truly is the best way to see the sights of Glasgow. Glasgow is miles better - don't take our word for it, find out for yourself. The most vibrant and exciting of Scottish cities boasts excellent museums and art galleries as well as beautiful parklands and buildings. To complete your tour of Glasgow a visit to Glasgow Cathedral is included in your package.
Glasgow Cathedral, also called the High Kirk of Glasgow or St Kentigern's or St Mungo's Cathederal, is today a congregation of the Church of Scotland in Glasgow. Originally a Roman Catholic cathedral, the building is a superb example of Scottish Gothic architecture. It is also one of the Scottish medieval churches ( and the only medieval cathedral on the Scottish mainland ) to have survived the Reformation unscathed. The rood screen is also a very rare survivor in Scottish churches. Technically, the building is no longer a cathedral, since it has not been the seat of a bishop since 1690. However, like the vast majority of pre-Reformation cathedrals in Scotland, it is still a place of active Christian worship, hosting a Church of Scotland congregation. The building itself is in the ownership of the Crown, is maintained by Historic Scotland and is also a popular destination for tourists. Remainder of the day is free. Overnight in Glasgow.
This morning you say farewell to Glasgow. A chauffeur driven car will pick you up at your hotel and transferyou to Glasgow Airport for return flight home.
Image Credit: AndrewHorne / Wikipedia / CC-BY-SA 3.0
Edinburgh, Perthshire, Aberdeenshire, Inverness, Oban, Glasgow
Welcome to Edinburgh! After you pick up your car at the Car Rental Company desk, transfer to your accommodation Spend the remainder of the day soaking up the atmosphere of this exciting city. Discover the secrets of the "water of life" with a visit to the Scotch Whisky Experience which is located on the Royal Mile. Explore some of Edinburgh's many attractions such as famous Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the royal family's official residence in Scotland. Overnight: Edinburgh.
This morning leave Edinburgh via the Firth of Forth Bridge towards Perth, the former capital of Scotland. North of Perth lays Scone Palace, once the crowning place of the Kings of Scots. Continue on to the small town of Grieff. Visit Scotland's oldest working distillery Glenturret Distillery. home of the Famous Grouse, one of Scotland's most famous whiskies. Overnight: Perth or area.
Travel north today to Pitlochry, a picturesque highland town. Visit the smallest distillery in Scotland, the Edradour Whisky Distillery. Afterwards, why not stroll through the Victorian city before continuing north to Braemer via the very scenic and dramatic road over the Spittal of Glenshee one of the highest points in Scotland. Descend into Braemer which sits in the heart of Royal Deeside, the magnificient valley of the river Dee and home to the Royal Family's Highland retreat Balmoral Castle. Overnight: Aberdeenshire.
Spend this day exploring the beautiful landscape of Royal Deeside which overlaps the Cairngorms National Park. Why not visit Balmoral Castle (only open if the Royal Family is not there) or Crathie Church where the Royal Family attend Sunday Service when in residence at Balmoral. One of the most important distilleries in this area is the Royal Lochnagar Distillery situated on the south side of the River Dee. Overnight: Aberdeenshire.
Travel northwards towards Inverness. Follow the Malt Whisky Trail and visit some of the many famous distilleries in the area. Stop at Dufftown, the capital of Scottish Whisky. Visit Glenfiddich Distillery just north of Dufftown. It is the home of Glenfiddich Single Malt, one of the world's most famous Scotch Whiskies. Continue towards Inverness via Nairn, with its beautiful sandy beaches. End the day with a glass of Scottish whisky in one of the many pubs of Inverness. Overnight: Inverness or area.
Leave Inverness and travel along the legendary Loch Ness to Urquhart Castle which dates back to the 12th century and is magnificently situated on the banks of Loch Ness. Follow the Caledonian Canal along Loch Lochy to Fort William, set in the shadow of Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain. Continue on the west coast to the fishing village of Oban. Overnight: Oban.
Before leaving Oban visit Oban Distillery, one of the few distilleries to be built prior to the actual town which grew around the distillery. Travel through the beautiful landscape surrounding Loch Fyne to Inverary and its charming castle. Home to the Duke of Argyll, the head of the Campbell Clan the castle testifies the power and wealth of the Campbells, one of the most powerful of the Highland Clans. Continue on to Loch Lomond, the largest lake in whole Great Britain and known for the tranquil beauty of its wooded shores and islands. Overnight: Glasgow or area.
Return to Edinburgh Airport and take your flight home.