DAY 1: LONDON
For your added comfort, a Meet & Greet assistant will be waiting for you in the Arrivals Hall of the airport after you pass through customs. They’ll direct you to your transfer, assist in the hotel check-in process, and take you through your travel documents.
Meet your private driver and vehicle for an airport transfer.
A welcome package with a city map, train tickets (if relevant), and any other touristic information that we deem you may find useful, will be provided to you on your first day in destination. Accommodation: Corinthia Hotel or similar
DAY 2: LONDON
Meet your private driver and guide, and set out on a full day tour to familiarize yourself with London’s signature sights. In order to avoid the crowds later in the day, you’ll first make your way to the majestic Tower of London, heading through London’s historic center, passing Pudding Lane where the Great Fire of London started in 1666. Upon arrival, you’ll visit the Tower, an 11th century castle initiated by William the Conqueror, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home of the priceless Crown Jewels. From there, head through the City of London, home to the Bank of London and the London Stock Exchange, arriving to St. Paul’s Cathedral for a visit of England’s largest church, used for Sir Winston Churchill’s funeral, and the Queen’s 2002 Golden Jubilee. Pause midday in historic Covent Garden Market for an opportunity to spot street performers, unique souvenirs, and lunch at leisure, with many deli and bakery stalls to choose from. Afterward, make your way to view London’s iconic Buckingham Palace, the residence of the Queen, before continuing through Westminster, renowned home of Hyde Park, the Houses of Parliament with Big Ben, Piccadilly Circus, Bond Street, and more. Wrap up your tour as you take to the skies for a magnificent vantage point over London, celebrating your day with fast track entry for a nearly 30-minute ride on the world famous The London Eye observation wheel.
DAY 3: LONDON – YORK
Meet your private driver and vehicle for a train station transfer. Transfer from London to York today by train. Approximate travel time is 3 hours. Meet your private taxi for a short train station transfer. Accommodation: The Grand Hotel & Spa or similar
DAY 4: YORK
Your private guide will meet you at your hotel and lead you on foot on a half-day walking tour of York, a city with heritage to rival any in Britain. King George VI famously remarked that York’s “history is the history of England.” Perhaps that’s overstating it, but York has nevertheless seen a lot, from the Roman and Norman periods to the vast changes in the Victorian era. As if to ward off time, the city is still encircled by two-and-a-half miles of medieval walls. Whereas sentries used to walk the wide ramparts in days of yore, you get to spend time walking their perimeter today. As one of the most intriguing cities in northern England (the heads of traitors used to hang at the entrance to Micklegate), York boasts a number of historical landmarks. As you stroll the medieval core, it’s impossible to miss the stunning facade of the 13th century York Minster – Northern Europe’s largest Gothic cathedral. Discover the snickelways, an intricate maze of narrow alleyways and twisting lanes, along with the Shambles, one of the best preserved medieval streets in Europe. Even gaze up at the 13th century hilltop-perched ruins of Clifford’s Tower, part of the York Castle complex. History abounds in York!
DAY 5: YORK
Embark on a full day tour with a private driver-guide, setting out to discover the coastal town of Whitby, followed by a visit to Castle Howard. You’ll head northeast, driving through the scenic North York Moors National Park, a place of sheer beauty, shaped by nature over thousands of years, arriving to historic Whitby on the east coast of Yorkshire, former home 18th century explorer Captain James Cook. Take in the views of this town, soak in the fishing village ambiance, and admire sights of the hilltop ruins of Whitby Abbey, a piece of atmospheric inspiration for Bram Stoker’s famous horror novel, Dracula. Looping back toward York, you’ll head to Castle Howard, to visit one of Britain’s finest stately homes. Built for the third Earl of Carlisle over 300 years ago, the home has remained in the possession of the Carlisle branch of the Howard family ever since. Be dazzled by ornate interiors and world-renowned works of art, and enjoy time wandering the landscaped gardens before returning to York.
DAY 6: YORK – EDINBURGH
Meet your private taxi for a short train station transfer. Transfer by train from York to Edinburgh today. Approximate duration is 2.5 hours. Take a short, self-guided walking transfer, as your hotel is located at street level above the train station.
Meet your private guide at your hotel and depart on foot for a half-day walking tour through Scotland’s hilly capital, Edinburgh, founded over 1,200 years ago. The New Town, co-listed with the Old Town as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, features the famous Princes Street with its ornate 200-foot-high Scott Monument, along with historic Georgian and neo-classical architecture. With a structure-free south side of the street, Princes offers panoramic views back across the scenic Old Town, considered one of the most beautiful skylines in Europe. Stroll the renowned Royal Mile in the UNESCO-listed Old Town, bookended by the 12th century Edinburgh Castle at one end, and the 16th century Holyrood Palace at the other, residence of the British monarch in Scotland. Spot the prominent St Giles’ Cathedral, a religious focal point for nearly 900 years. Pass the National Museum of Scotland, and learn of the city’s hidden subterranean passages running below street level. Visit the iconic Edinburgh Castle, perched on Castle Rock with an imposing stance upon the historic old town below. Stroll the courtyard and learn about the historic royal residence from the outside before leaving your guide while you visit the inside of the castle, where you can see the lavish interiors, and even the Crown Jewels. Accommodation: The Balmoral or similar
DAY 7: EDINBURGH
Departing with a private driver-guide, you’ll set out today for a full day tour to St Andrews and its scenic surrounds in the county of Fife, with a landscape varying from gentle hills in the rural hinterland to the windswept cliffs, rocky bays and sandy beaches on which scenes from the film ‘Chariots of Fire’ were shot. As a coastal area 1.5 hours northeast of Edinburgh, fishing still has a role here, but ultimately, it is to St Andrews, Scotland’s oldest university town and the home of the world-famous Royal and Ancient Golf Club, that most visitors are drawn. The town itself and the hills and hamlets of the surrounding area retain an appealing and old-fashioned feel. Stroll the historic old town, where two of the original medieval gates are still in tact – the West Port, and the Sea Yett. See the oldest church in St Andrews, the Holy Trinity which dates to 1144, featuring a beautifully restored medieval exterior. Visit the cliff-top ruins of the 16th century St Andrews Castle as well as the the stunning graveyard and ruins of the 12th century Cathedral of St Andrew, its stone towers indicating pieces of what would have been the largest church to have been built in Scotland, at 390 feet long. South of St Andrews, the tiny stone harbors of the fishing villages of the East Neuk – Anstruther, Crail, St Monans and Pittenweem – are an undeniably appealing, and worth dedicating some time to as you visit this part of Fife. Please note, in order to keep this day flexible, any desired entrances are payable on the spot.
DAY 8: EDINBURGH – INVERNESS
Departing with a private driver-guide this morning, transfer from Edinburgh to Inverness, the capital of the Scottish Highlands, ensuring an abundance of stunning Highland scenery en route; rugged mountain ranges, serene lochs, and sweeping vistas. Along the way, you’ll stop for a visit and tour of Blair Castle and its gardens and grounds, the ancient seat of the Dukes and Earls of Atholl. Dating back to the 13th century, see over 700 years of Atholl family history brought to life within exquisite 18th century interiors. The castle enjoys one of Scotland’s finest settings in the heart of Highland Perthshire. Afterward, continue onward to Inverness, making a stop en route at either the Dalwhinnie or Tomatin Distillery for a wee dram of whisky and a tour of the distillery. Please note the exact distillery visited will depend on distillery opening schedules.Accommodation: Rocpool Reserve or similar
DAY 9: INVERNESS
With your private driver-guide, set out for a full day of touring in the stunning surrounds of Inverness. You’ll visit the 15th century Cawdor Castle, romantically linked to Shakespeare’s Macbeth, and a fantastic example of a fairy-tale Scottish castle steeped in history. Stroll the beautiful gardens, then see the legendary Hawhtorne tree at the heart of the castle, admire family portraits in the lavish Drawing Room, see the commemorative mantelpiece in the Dining Room, and take in the century-old contraptions in the Old Kitchen. After, enjoy a visit to the historic site of Culloden Battlefield, largely preserved the same way it was back in 1745 where the Jacobite uprising was quashed by loyalist troops. Step back in time as you walk the footpaths and see the 20-foot memorial cairn, erected in 1881. After, you’ll get to visit the garrison fortress of Fort George. Strategically built by the sea, the fortress had an immediate reinforcements and supply route in the event of a siege, put in place with the intention to pacify the Scottish Highlands after the Jacobite rebellion.
DAY 10: INVERNESS – GLASGOW
After check-out, meet your private driver-guide for a full day transfer to Glasgow. En route, you’ll pass through the stunning Glencoe Valley of the Scottish Highlands, a picturesque and historic pass – as it was the location of the 1692 Massacre of Glencoe, where 38 members of Clan MacDonald were killed by forces of King William II. Continuing along, you’ll pass through Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, catching views of the Arrochar Alps as you skirt alongside the shores of the massive loch. Enjoy a visit of the quaint village of Luss, with cottages for the 18th and 19th century workers of the nearby quarry. At the end of the pier, you can gaze out over Loch Lomond with the imposing Ben Lomond in the background. Conclude your day on arrival to Glasgow. Accommodation: Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel or similar
DAY 11: GLASGOW
Glasgow is one of the liveliest and most cosmopolitan destinations in Europe. Meet your private driver-guide and depart for a half-day tour through Scotland’s largest and greatest city, discovering highlights of the city reborn as a center of style and vitality, set against a backdrop of outstanding Victorian architecture. See the elegant Glasgow City chambers, discover the upmarket Buchanan Street – a shopper’s delight, and pass the 19th century Theater Royal, home of the Scottish Opera. Discover the 18th and 19th century mercantile buildings tethered to Merchant Square, now a trendy hub for bars and restaurants, and spot the historic Tolbooth Steeple and clocktower which dominates Glasgow Cross, a relic from 1625. See the 11th century Glasgow Cathedral in medieval Gothic style, admire the architecture of the Clyde Auditorium, known as the ‘Armadillo’, and set your eyes on the impressive University of Glasgow, the fourth oldest university in the English-speaking world. Keep your eye out for the splendor of Scotland’s best-known architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh, whose style adorns many unique attractions throughout Glasgow.
DAY 12: GLASGOW
Meet your private driver and vehicle for an airport transfer. Depart from International Airport. End of itinerary.
Luxury Custom Tour from $9,999USD per person, land only
Please note this is a sample package only. Rates are per person based on double occupancy and subject to change without notice. Starting from rate based on travel in off peak months. Rates may be higher or lower depending on your specific travel dates and hotel selections. Package can be fully customized to the travelers needs. Airfare is not included but can be added. Valid US passport required for travel.
Contact us today for your custom quote!