This tour is leisurely paced with two-night stays in every place visited. In each city there is an expertly planned day excursion, with fabulous visits designed to showcase each region in depth. Elegance Tour, Departs from & returns to London.

Included Premium Highlights

    * Visit Winston Churchill's former country residence of Chartwell
    * Visit Hever Castle, the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, tragic queen of King Henry VIII
    * Tour the Palace House, Abbey ruins and National Motor Museum at Beaulieu
    * Visit the birthplace of the celebrated bard, William Shakespeare, in Stratford-upon-Avon
    * Visit the house and gardens of Blenheim Palace, the greatest building of the English Baroque
    * Visit the award-winning gardens of Sudeley Castle in the Cotswolds
    * Visit the Edinburgh Botanical Gardens
    * View the Honours of Scotland on your visit to Edinburgh Castle
    * Attend the spectacular Edinburgh Military Tattoo (selected departures only)
    * Visit Abbotsford, the house built and lived in by famous novelist and author, Sir Walter Scott
    * Visit the fabulous 18th century Castle Howard, with its tapestries and scenic gardens
    * Visit the dungeons, Great Hall and State Rooms of medieval Warwick Castle

Included Personal Insights

    * At Ironbridge, the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, enjoy an introduction to the engineering miracle that changed the world forever
    * Learn some of the lesser known facts about the life of William Wordsworth, Britain's best-loved poet

Included Additional Excursions & Sights

    * See Churchill's statue in the village of Westerham
    * Visit the cathedral town of Winchester
    * See Salisbury Cathedral with its soaring 404ft spire, highest in England
    * Visit Avebury's stone circles
    * See Ludlow's ruined castle and Jacobean timbered buildings
    * See Wenlock Edge
    * Visit Gretna Green
    * Tour the New Town and drive the Royal Mile to Holyroodhouse Palace in Edinburgh
    * See Jedburgh Abbey
    * Visit Hadrian's Wall
    * See York Minster and Shambles
    * Scenic Drives - Cotswolds, New Forest, Lake District

Included First Class Services

    * Escorted by a professional Tour Director
    * Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with onboard toilet
    * Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage
    * Insight Traveller document wallet, map book journal and information pack
    * Free London Airport shuttle service, conditions apply.

Included Quality Dining

    * Dine-Around evening at your own choice of restaurant from our selection in Stratford (DA)
    * 10 full Breakfasts (B) and 5 three-course Evening Meals with choice, or buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)
 

ITINERARY INSIGHT VACATIONS Elegance of Great Britain

Day 1 - LONDON - HAMPSHIRE

After a warm welcome from your Tour Director, make your way into the Kent countryside. At the pretty village of Westerham, Winston Churchill watches over the neat village green and you visit his nearby residence of Chartwell next. Continue through brilliant yellow and green pastures to Hever Castle, home to the tragic tale of Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII. Cross the moat to explore the fortified manor house and stroll the pretty gardens. Move on to your hotel set amid a 176-acre parkland golf course, with extensive leisure facilities and Health Spa. Enjoy a Welcome Drink before dinner tonight.
Hotel: Botley Park, Golf & Country Club (D)

Day 2 - NEW FOREST EXCURSION

A scenic drive through the woods and glades of the New Forest brings you to Beaulieu Abbey, once a Cistercian Abbey, now the stately home of Lord Montagu. Tour the Palace House, Abbey ruins and visit his lordship's collection of cars in the National Motor Museum. Travel on to Salisbury to see the 13th century cathedral, whose spire is the tallest in the land. After some free time, return to your hotel where the remainder of the day is at leisure. (B)

Day 3 - HAMPSHIRE - STRATFORD

Visit the cathedral town of Winchester this morning, where King Alfred stands guard in the High Street. The country roads lead you past pretty villages en route to Avebury, which is partially situated in a huge prehistoric henge monument of several stone circles. Continue on to Stratford-upon-Avon to visit Shakespeare's birthplace, full of memorabilia and artifacts relating to his life.
Hotel: Swans Nest (B)

Day 4 - COTSWOLDS EXCURSION

An enchanting day takes you across the beautiful Cotswold hills, a chocolate box scene of golden stone villages with roses round the doors. Visit Blenheim Palace, the greatest building of the English Baroque, residence of the Dukes of Marlborough and birthplace of Winston Churchill. After touring the house and gardens, visit the gardens of Sudeley Castle, former home to one of King Henry VIII's wives, Katherine Parr. Tonight, you are offered a choice of restaurants for your dining pleasure. (B,DA)

Day 5 - STRATFORD - LAKE DISTRICT

Travel through the orchards of Worcestershire to the border town of Ludlow, where elegant 18th century mansions rub shoulders with picturesque half-timbered Tudor buildings. The town is dominated by the massive castle, rich in tragic royal history. After some time to explore the lanes and hidden courtyards, continue through the remote Shropshire hills. You pass Wenlock Edge, as celebrated in the poetry of AE Housman, to reach historic Ironbridge Gorge, birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. From the eponymous 200-year-old bridge the smooth motorway carries you north to the English Lake District.
Hotel: Windermere Hydro (B,D)

Day 6 - LAKE DISTRICT EXCURSION

A whole day is devoted to the Lake District - a scenic wonderland of rugged mountains and tranquil waters and an inspiration to a host of English poets. Visit Wordsworth's grave in the small churchyard at Grasmere, then admire the vast expanse of Windermere, the largest of the lakes. Perhaps consider a cruise on its peaceful waters before returning to the hotel. (B,D)

Day 7 - LAKE DISTRICT - EDINBURGH

Cross the Scottish border at Gretna - for years the destination of eloping English lovers. Spend your spare time shopping before enjoying the contrasting beauty of the Southern Lowlands en route to Edinburgh. Here, discover the wonders of the plant kingdom in the Botanical Gardens, which form a remarkable haven of tranquillity in the south of the city, as well as being a world-renowned centre for botanical science.
Hotel: Hilton Grosvenor (B)

Day 8 - EDINBURGH SIGHTSEEING

Today a local guide shows you the glory of the 'Athens of the North'. In the old town visit Edinburgh Castle containing the Honours of Scotland, the oldest Royal regalia in the British Isles. Follow the Royal Mile to the Palace of Holyroodhouse where Mary Queen of Scots lived - it is still the official Scottish residence of the Queen. Drive along Princes Street to see the ornate Scott Memorial, then visit the 18th century 'New Town' with its classical Adam facades. The rest of the day is at leisure. Tonight, selected departures attend the spectacular Edinburgh Tattoo. (B)

Day 9 - EDINBURGH - BRONTË COUNTRY

Travel through the Borders region to Abbotsford House, the 19th century estate of Sir Walter Scott, which now serves as a museum for the Scottish memorabilia and artefacts collected throughout his lifetime. Head south past Jedburgh Abbey and over the border to visit Hadrian's Wall, boundary of the civilised world in Roman times! Stay for the next two nights in an historic, grand Victorian hotel, set amidst a landscape that fuelled the imagination of the Brontë sisters in writing their classic novels.
Hotel: Marriott Hollins Hall & Country Club. (B,D)

Day 10 - YORKSHIRE EXCURSION

After breakfast, drive to the walled city of York, one of the most historic cities in Britain, its story going back to the time of the Romans and the Vikings. See the huge Minster, Britain's largest medieval cathedral, and explore the maze of narrow streets, including the Shambles. Head out now through rich farmland to visit the fabulous 18th century Castle Howard, one of Britian's grandest historic houses with its fine furniture, paintings, tapestries and extensive gardens. (B,D)

Day 11 - BRONTË COUNTRY - LONDON

Travel south to visit Warwick Castle, with its magnificent medieval towers and ramparts perched on a crag above the River Avon. The chilling dungeon contrasts with the splendour of the State Rooms and baronial Great Hall. Return to London where you bid farewell to your Tour Director and your tour comes to an end. (B)

Your Insight tour already includes a host of bonus highlights and comprehensive sightseeing. However, there is an exciting array of optional excursions which will turn an already amazing experience into the trip of a lifetime! These are entirely optional and can be booked through your Tour Director/Local Representative at the commencement of your tour. All prices are quoted in local currency. Payment can be made in cash or by Visa, Mastercard or American Express. To help your pre-tour budgeting we suggest you allow approximately GBP 35 per person per day for optional excursions.

SAL01 SALISBURY CATHEDRAL
For 750 years pilgrims have been visiting this 13 century church.We too follow in their footsteps visiting the interior of this Cathedral built with amazing speed taking only 38 years.See the oldest working clock in the world and marvel at one of the original copies of the Magna Carta,the basis of the constitution for the Commonwealth countries & the USA. GBP £8

ST01 STRATFORD DINNER
Enjoy an evening out featuring a three course dinner with wine. GBP £26

LKD01 - LAKE WINDERMERE CRUISE & STEAM TRAIN RIDE
Windermere is Englandís largest lake. What better way to enjoy the beautiful scenery than a relaxing cruise followed by a short ride aboard a steam train from Lakeside to Haverthwaite. GBP £14

EDI04 - ROYAL YACHT BRITANNIA
This magnificent ship has played host to some of the most famous people in the world. But, above all, Britannia was home to Her Majesty The Queen and the Royal Family. For four royal couples, Britannia was to provide a honeymoon sanctuary before the onset of married life in the world's most photographed family. Now berthed in Leith, you are welcomed on board to discover the heart and soul of this most special of Royal residences. GBP £14

EDI02 - DINNER IN EDINBURGH
Join your tour companions this evening for a night out in this splendid city as we visit a well established restaurant for a three course dinner with a drink included. GBP £26

EDI01 - SCOTTISH DINNER & CABARET
Join us for a memorable evening of traditional singing, dancing and bagpipe playing. There is food, wine and a great atmosphere to enjoy. Join in with the singing, weíll show you a Highland dance or two and there's a chance to sample Scotlandís national dish - haggis. It is a grand night and a wonderful way to celebrate an evening in Edinburgh. GBP £47