Experience Great Britain in all its luxuriant glory as you explore Alnwick and Edinburgh Castles. At the Tower of London, join the Yeoman Warder for a Ceremony of the Keys—a time old tradition carried out for the past 700-years, to help guard the Crown Jewels. Journey in style from Viking York to the magnificent Castle Howard for High Tea in the grand surrounds of the Grecian Hall, followed by a private tour of the castle and its grounds, after it closes to the public. In Bath join a Local Expert to visit Roman Baths, one of the greatest religious spas of the ancient world, before enjoying a spectacular lunch at The Olive Tree. This Michelin-starred restaurant serves up a mouthwatering menu of locally sourced, seasonal fare, paired with fine wines.
Locations Visited
London, Stonehenge, Bath, Cotswolds, Stratford, York, Ullswater, Lake District, Alnwick, Edinburgh
Countries Visited
England, Scotland
Travel Style
Luxury Gold
Accommodations
9
nights included
Age Requirements
Minimum age 5
Itinerary
COLLAPSE ALLEXPAND ALL
Day 1
Welcome to London
Your UK luxury tour begins with a private chauffeur to your five-star hotel, Rubens at the Palace. Here you are welcomed with the royal treatment from their red tail-coated doormen. Tonight, enjoy sumptuous British fare at the English Grill Restaurant.
Accommodation
The Rubens at the Palace
Meals
Dinner
Highlights
London English Grill Restaurant Welcome Dinner
Dine in style at the lavish English Grill Restaurant, just across the road from Buckingham Palace. Enjoy your Welcome Dinner prepared by executive chef Ben Kelliher using only the finest English produce and the same suppliers who serve the King’s kitchen.
Day 2
Traditions and Treasures of London
Hear the bells of Big Ben and admire the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. View bustling Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus before visiting the Household Cavalry Museum. After the sun sets and London lights up, you’re treated to a private, after-hours tour of the Tower of London and the historic Ceremony of the Keys.
Accommodation
The Rubens at the Palace
Meals
Breakfast
Highlights
Exclusive After Hours Visit to The Tower of London
You’re invited to the Tower of London to experience the Ceremony of the Keys, the oldest practiced military ceremony in the world. At your special after-hours visit you’ll get an inside look at the 700-year-old tradition that stood the tests of even the most tumultuous times.
London City Tour
Your passionate Local Expert will lead you from Westminster to Piccadilly Circus as they recount fascinating tales of London and its famous landmarks. Pass by the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Downing Street, and Trafalgar Square as you explore the English capital.
Visit Horse Guards Parade and Household Cavalry Museum in London
Step through history at Horse Guards Parade, the ceremonial grounds of St James Park in the shadow of Buckingham Palace. Discover the secrets of a cavalryman’s uniform in the Household Cavalry Museum before trying on the royal clothes yourself.
Day 3
Stonehenge and Georgian Bath
Savor a Relaxed Start before standing in awe of mysterious Stonehenge, Britain's best-known UNESCO World Heritage Site. Immerse yourself further into British history as you travel to Bath. Stroll the streets lined with Georgian architecture feeling as though you’ve stepped into a classic English novel.
Accommodation
Francis Hotel
Meals
Breakfast
Highlights
Visit Stonehenge
Visit the mysterious circle of upright stones, the best known prehistoric site in Europe. Experience the lives led by Neolithic builders 3,500 years ago and admire the selection of archaeological treasures that have been unearthed in this place.
Bath Orientation
Be taken through the grand historic sights of Bath with a private orientation tour. See the majestic Royal Terrace, the inspiring architecture of Bath Abbey, and, the stately Pulteney Bridge, completed in 1774.
Day 4
Explore Bath
Personalise your day with a visit to the Jane Austen Center or visit the Roman Baths and Georgian Pump Room, Britain’s only natural hot springs. Share the highlights of your morning over locally sourced dishes at the Michelin-starred Olive Tree restaurant.
Accommodation
Francis Hotel
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Highlights
Olive Tree Restaurant
Experience an exquisite Michelin-starred lunch at the Olive Tree restaurant. A fresh, seasonal menu, curated by award-winning Head Chef Chris Cleghorn, offers classic flavors combined with modern techniques. Relax in the chic, yet informal atmosphere and enjoy the best of British cuisine.
Roman Baths Visit
Visit the historic Roman Baths, which draw from Britain’s only natural mineral springs and gave the Georgian city its name. This remarkably preserved historic site was once a gathering spot for Romans to bathe and socialise over 2,000 years ago.
Bath Jane Austen Center Visit
Visit the immersive Jane Austen Center dedicated to the writer who lived here in the early 1800s and used the city as a setting for two of her novels. Learn about her life, her works and the Regency period from entertaining actors.
Bath City Tour
Join a Local Expert for an insightful tour revealing the town's history.
Day 5
Cotswolds, Stratford-upon-Avon and York
Travel through a storybook of rolling hills in the Cotswolds toward Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of Shakespeare, and admire quaint Tudor cottages. Your day concludes in York where cobbled streets, classic tearooms and Gothic buildings lure you further into the past. Step back in time with your Travel Concierge and stroll The Shambles, one York's most iconic streets, with its narrow, winding lanes and charming, timber-framed buildings.
Accommodation
The Grand Hotel & Spa
Meals
Breakfast
Highlights
Cotswolds Scenic Drive
Journey through the Cotswolds, one of the most quintessential and unspoiled regions of England, famous for gentle, rolling hillsides known as ‘wolds’, green river valleys and historic market towns, where time has stood still for over 300 years.
Stratford Orientation
Fans of the famous playwright, William Shakespeare, will love exploring this vibrant town where he was born. This cultural center still has many rows of attractive half-timbered houses that date back to the 16th century.
Day 6
Medieval Wonders of York
Step back into the Middle Ages in York joining an expert-led tour of the York Minster or a walk on the 13th-century city walls. Enter the stately Castle Howard through landscaped gardens before sitting down to a traditional English afternoon tea and private tour of the house.
Accommodation
The Grand Hotel & Spa
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Highlights
Castle Howard Grecian Hall Afternoon Tea
Visit one of Britain's finest noble houses, Castle Howard, in an exclusive after-hours visit and enjoy a traditional English afternoon tea in the Grecian Hall.
Visit York Minster
Embark on a leisurely guided tour to the grand York Minster, an excellent example of Gothic architecture.
York City Walls Walk
Get active and follow a Local Expert as you walk on the 13th century city walls and you soak up the spectacular views of River Ouse and the Old Town.
After Hours Tour of Castle Howard
Feeling like the star of a period drama, you’ll enter the 18th century mansion for a private, after-hours tour of the house.
The Grand Hotel York
Housed in the iconic former headquarters of the prestigious North Eastern Railway Company, the five-star Grand Hotel & Spa places you minutes away from museums, shops and the River Ouse.
Day 7
The Wild and Poetic Lake District
Let the rugged, dramatic beauty of the Lake District envelope and inspire you as you cruise shimmering Ullswater Lake, taking in some of the best views of this region. Enjoy some northern hospitality of a typical English Pub. Later, check into the lovingly restored country house overlooking Lake Windermere.
Accommodation
Merewood Country House Hotel
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Highlights
Ullswater Cruise
Enjoy a scenic cruise on one of England's most beautiful lakes.
Day 8
Alnwick Castle
Discover majestic Alnwick Castle’s magnificent interiors with a Local Expert before exploring Edinburgh's beautiful, walkable city. Should you visit during August, witness The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, one of the most spectacular military concerts and celebration of the history, heritage and colors of Scotland’s regiments.
Accommodation
Kimpton Charlotte Square
Meals
Breakfast
Highlights
Alnwick Castle Visit
Join a Local Expert for an in-depth exploration of the 11th century castle, with its striking medieval architecture and see why it was featured in the Harry Potter films.
Day 9
Highlights of Beautiful Edinburgh
Explore the grounds of Edinburgh’s “castle on the hill,” as your guide unlocks more than 900-years of history. Personalise your afternoon visiting the 17th-century Mary King's Close or with a stimulating whisky tasting. After a private performance from a former bagpiper to the Royals, a seasonal meal of fine dishes at award-winning Dine Edinburgh rounds off your final day.
Accommodation
Kimpton Charlotte Square
Meals
Breakfast
Dinner
Highlights
Edinburgh Castle Visit
A Local Expert guides you around magnificent Edinburgh Castle, perched on a black basalt outcrop. Discover the site’s 900-year history and take in the spectacular panoramic views over the city’s most famous landmarks.
Edinburgh City Tour
Wander along Princes Street with your Local Expert, past the Gothic Sir Walter Scott Monument, and continue down the old-world Royal Mile to the gates of Holyrood Palace, the principal residence of Scottish royalty since the 16th century, and the Queen’s official Edinburgh lodgings.
Edinburgh Celebration Dinner
Say farewell to Edinburgh with a final Celebration Dinner in the historic Scottish capital. Let your tastebuds be delighted with a delicious meal and raise a glass to the health of your companions and your unforgettable journey.
Visit Mary King's Close in Edinburgh
Visit the 17th century Mary King's Close with a Local Expert, walk in the footsteps of former residents and unlock fascinating stories from Edinburgh's sometimes dark past.
Edinburgh Whisky Tasting
Try a wee dram of whisky as you embark on a tasting experience of this Scottish staple.
Meet a Professional Bagpiper
In true Gaelic style, meet a fabulously entertaining bagpiper, playing pipes passed down since 1888. Hear fascinating tales from the time he played for the Queen Mother, to riotous nights at Edinburgh Castle.
Day 10
Farewell Edinburgh
Bid farewell to your travel companions and continue your onward journey with transfers timed to meet your flight.
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What's Included
On Road Team
Enjoy seamless personal assistance throughout your journey. From securing exclusive reservations, to organising transportation, your Travel Concierge ensures every aspect of your travel is tailored to your tastes and preferences.
In select destinations, our network of Local Expert Guides will illuminate your journey on a deeper level.
On days where a Relaxed Start (RS) is indicated, you can select to indulge in breakfast in bed.
Porterage
Included at all hotels.
Gratuities
Hotel taxes, porterage and tips, as well as tips for included dining experiences, are included.
Meals
Enjoy breakfast every morning, and an array of incredible dining options throughout your journey, infused with discovery and adventure.
Wifi
Enjoy complimentary hotel Wi-Fi. And, on select coaches, onboard Wi-Fi may also be available.
Transport
Transfers are included on your journey start and end dates, and where additional accommodation has been booked in advance through Luxury Gold. Transfers to train stations or alternate hotels, in the same start or end city as the itinerary, may be requested.
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Trip Notes:
International Air: Please note that airfares are not included. We will quote you the lowest possible airfare available on the day you book.
Travel to Europe often requires an overnight flight. Please arrange flights to arrive on or before Day 1 of itinerary.
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Prices listed are per person, land only and based on double occupancy (twin room). Single room supplements are available.
For 'Costco Vacations of a Lifetime: Artistry in Central Europe itinerary, price shown is the final base price, exclusive to Costco members and already reflective of any special member savings. *Please note may not be available at all gateways/cities. Where unavailable, will offer a discount for up to $100 USD. Additional, limited-time discounts are not applicable, other conditions apply.
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