Category: Tours in Europe

UK & Ireland

Day 1: LONDON

Arrival at your pre-selected London airport, welcome by our representative and transfer by private coach to your hotel. Settle into your pre-booked room at hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

Day 2: LONDON

Breakfast at hotel and departure at 9 a.m. for a guided tour of the City di Westminster, during which we can see the Houses of Parliament (also known as the Palace of Westminster) with its two famous towers: the Victoria Tower and St. Stephen’s Tower (which houses Big Ben). We will see the Royal Palace, and pass some of the most famous sights of London: Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus. We will stop in front of Buckingham Palace, official residence of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, to watch the colourful Changing of the Guard. We will also have a look at Hyde Park, the largest park in central London, and visit Regent Street and Oxford Street, two of the busiest shopping streets. Free time for lunch. In the afternoon, we will visit St. Paul’s Cathedral, with its impressive 11-metre high dome, London Bridge, built on the site of the first Thames crossing, and Tower Bridge, the most famous bridge in Europe. Dinner and overnight stay in hotel.

Day 3: OXFORD – STRATFORD – CHESTER

After breakfast at the hotel, we will board the coach with our luggage and head to Oxford for a guided visit of Christ Church Cathedral. We then continue to Stratford-upon- Avon, home town of William Shakespeare. We will visit his house and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Free time for lunch. In the afternoon, we will drive to Chester, a town founded by the Romans and with one of the most attractive mediaeval centres in Britain. Settle into hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 4: CHESTER – WINDERMERE – GLASGOW

Breakfast at hotel, and we will then head to the charming scenery of the Lake District, stopping at Windermere to admire England’s largest natural lake. You will have time to either enjoy a walk or to take part in an optional mini boat cruise. Free time for lunch. In the afternoon we will drive on to Scotland, with dinner and overnight stay at a hotel in Glasgow.

Day 5: GLASGOW – FORT WILLIAM – AVIEMORE

After breakfast we will begin an itinerary which fully justifies the journey! The land of Scotland is one of the most beautiful in Europe; with a landscape constantly punctuated by mountains and with sudden glimpses of valleys and lochs, narrow lakes that combine with the deep firths (fiords) along this fragmented coastline. The best-known of these is Loch Ness, a mysterious lake that owes its fame to the legendary monster. We will stop for free time and lunch at Fort William, situated at the head of a deep sea-loch, and then continue for Inverness and Aviemore. In the evening, we will arrive at our hotel near Aviemore, for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 6: AVIEMORE – PERTH – EDINBURGH

After breakfast, we will leave early to drive through the Scottish Highlands, an area of mountains, passes and heather-covered moors. You have free time for lunch at Perth, where we will visit the castle and also a whisky distillery (time permitting). We then continue to Stirling, where you can admire the castle perched on top of a rock. In the evening, we will reach Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital and one of the most beautiful and artistically rich cities in Britain. Settle into hotel, with dinner and overnight stay.

Day 7: EDINBURGH

Breakfast at the hotel will be followed by a guided tour of Edinburgh, a city awarded World Heritage status by UNESCO. We will see Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh Castle, St. Giles’ Cathedral, the monument to Sir Walter Scott, the Royal Mile and the picturesque streets flanked by historic churches and houses. Free time to get lunch and free afternoon. Return to the hotel in the evening for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 8: EDINBURGH – JEDBURGH – YORK

After breakfast we leave for Jedburgh, and stop to look at the red sandstone remains of the mediaeval Abbey. We continue to York, the ancient capital of the kingdom of Northumbria, and founded by the Romans in the 4th century. Free time for lunch. In the afternoon we will explore some of the more picturesque corners of the city and visit York Minster: one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in Europe. In the evening we will settle into the hotel, for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 9: YORK – LONDON

After breakfast we drive back to London. Free time for lunch. The afternoon is free for relaxation or your own choice of activity. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.

Day 10: LONDON

Breakfast at hotel and transfer to airport. End of our services.

Tour Details

Category: Tours in Europe

UK & Ireland

Day 1: LONDON

Arrival at airport and transfer by bus to hotel, with time to settle into your (pre-booked) room and relax. Dinner and overnight stay in hotel.

Day 2: LONDON - SALISBURY - PLYMOUTH

After breakfast we leave on a full-day trip to explore some of the most interesting places in Cornwall: St. Ives, a charming and popular tourist destination with its little winding streets; Land’s End, the most westerly point of Cornwall and in a wonderful position on the rocky coastline; and finally Marazion, an interesting little village from where you can enjoy splendid views of St. Michael’s Mount. This granite island is crowned by a once famous abbey, founded by Edward the Confessor in 1047 and transformed into a private home in the 15th century. Return to the hotel in the evening, with dinner and overnight stay.

Day 3: EXCURSION TO ST.IVES, LAND’S END AND ST. MICHAEL’S MOUNT

After breakfast we will board the coach and leave for Tintagel, famous worldwide as the birthplace of King Arthur. You will be able to see the remains of the ancient fortifications and of a monastery active between the 6th and 9th centuries. Free time for lunch. In the afternoon we will visit the city of Exeter, the county town of Devon. Despite being heavily bombed during the Second World War, the town has preserved much of its historical and artistic heritage: St. Peter’s Cathedral, the Guildhall, Mol’s Coffee House, and other sights. We will continue by coach to Bristol. On arrival, we will have a short walk around the city centre. Settle into (pre-booked) hotel rooms, dinner and overnight stay.

Day 4: PLYMOUTH - TINTAGEL - EXETER - BRISTOL

Breakfast at hotel, and we will then head to the charming scenery of the Lake District, stopping at Windermere to admire England’s largest natural lake. You will have time to either enjoy a walk or to take part in an optional mini boat cruise. Free time for lunch. In the afternoon we will drive on to Scotland, with dinner and overnight stay at a hotel in Glasgow.

Day 5: BRISTOL - WELLS - BATH - LONDON

After breakfast we will board the coach and leave for Wells. We will have a guided visit in this charming Somerset town, which features one of the prime examples of Early English architecture: the Cathedral constructed between 1180 and 1239. We will then leave by coach for Bath. In the afternoon, we will be taken on a guided tour of this delightful spa town, which enjoyed its golden age in the 18th century. We will then return to London by coach. Settle into (pre-booked) hotel rooms, dinner and overnight stay.

Day 6: AVIEMORE – PERTH – EDINBURGH

After breakfast, we will leave early to drive through the Scottish Highlands, an area of mountains, passes and heather-covered moors. You have free time for lunch at Perth, where we will visit the castle and also a whisky distillery (time permitting). We then continue to Stirling, where you can admire the castle perched on top of a rock. In the evening, we will reach Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital and one of the most beautiful and artistically rich cities in Britain. Settle into hotel, with dinner and overnight stay.

Day 7: RETURN

Breakfast at hotel and transfer to airport. End of our services.

Tour Details

Category: Tours in Europe

UK & Ireland

Day 1: EDINBURGH

Arrival at airport and transfer by bus to hotel, with time to settle into your (pre-booked) room and relax. Dinner and overnight stay in hotel.

Day 2: EDINBURGH

Breakfast at Hotel, followed by guided tour around Edinburgh, Scotland’s most literary city. Indeed, it was the first place to be nominated a world City of Literature by UNESCO. Edinburgh provides a stimulating creative environment and has been a source of inspiration for many writers, from Robert Louis Stevenson to Muriel Spark. JK Rowling was living here when she began writing the Harry Potter series. Other distinguished writers native to Edinburgh include Kenneth Grahame, author of the children’s classic, “The Wind in the Willows”, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of Sherlock Holmes. During our walking tour, you will be able to explore the little streets, courtyards and pubs of Edinburgh, which reflect the lives of important Scottish writers. You can also opt for special visits in relation to the best-selling Rebus novels by Ian Rankin, or “Trainspotting” by Irvine Welsh. In addition, we can pay a visit to the Writers’ Museum and to the Scottish Storytelling Centre. Return to the hotel in the evening, with dinner and overnight stay.

Day 3: ALLOWAY - WIGTOWN

After breakfast, we leave for the picturesque town of Alloway, birthplace of Scotland’s most famous bard: Robert Burns, author of such well-known poems as Auld Lang Syne and Tam O’ Shanter. We will visit the historical Burns National Heritage Park, which contains the cottage where the poet was born, as well as a museum and monument. We can also see various places that appear in his famous works, such as the old bridge over the Doon (Auld Brig o’ Doon) and Alloway Church (Alloway Kirk), and can pay a visit to the Tam O’ Shanter Experience. In the afternoon we drive to Wigtown, Scotland’s National Book Town and home to many bookshops, publishers, printing works, bookbinders and writers. Wigtown also stages an annual book festival. Return to the hotel in the evening, with dinner and overnight stay.

Day 4: GALASHIELS - MELROSE

Breakfast and departure for St Mary’s Loch, a picturesque spot associated with Sir Walter Scott, William Wordsworth (the English Lakeland poet), and the Scottish writer and poet James Hogg. We continue to Galashiels and Melrose, where you can admire Melrose Abbey and Abbotsford House, home of Sir Walter Scott, where you can visit his study, the library, living-room, hall and armouries. Abbotsford House is a rich repository of historical and literary documents in relation to Scotland. In the afternoon, we will visit the famous viewpoint known as Scott’s View: a vista that he preferred to any other, overlooking the River Tweed and the Eildon Mountains. Return to the hotel in the evening, with dinner and overnight stay.

Day 5: DUNKELD - KIRRIEMUIR

Breakfast and departure for Dunkeld. Here we will visit The Hermitage, a beautiful wooded area by the River Braan and the setting for two bizarre follies: Ossian’s Hall and Ossian’s Cave, built by the Dukes of Atholl and inspired by the works of James MacPherson. In the afternoon we will continue to Kirriemuir, birthplace of James Matthew Barrie, the creator of Peter Pan. His tale of fairies, crocodiles and a boy who never grew up was published in 1904. Kirriemuir is now the property of the National Trust for Scotland, and the early years spent here with his brothers and sisters influenced Barrie’s development of his fictional characters. Indeed the outdoor wash-house served as his first theatre! There’s a fascinating exhibition charting Barrie’s life, together with theatrical costumes and memorabilia. Return to the hotel in the evening, with dinner and overnight stay.

Day 6: GLASGOW

The last stage of our tour will take us to Glasgow, a lively, cosmopolitan city, very different from Edinburgh and combining the energy of a great international centre with some of Scotland’s most spectacular scenery. We will visit the impressive City Chambers (the City Council headquarters), George Square, the Merchant City, and Glasgow Necropolis (a Victorian cemetery situated on a small hill to the east of Glasgow Cathedral). You can also admire the Burrell Collection, the Fossil Grove and the McLellan Galleries. Return to the hotel in the evening, with dinner and overnight stay.

Day 7: RETURN

Breakfast at hotel and transfer to airport. End of our services.

Tour Details

Category: Tours in Europe

UK & Ireland

Day 1: LONDON

Departure from main Italian cities. On arrival at Heathrow/Stansted airport, you will be met by one of our representatives and transferred to your Hotel. After dinner, you will be taken on a guided bus tour as an introduction to London. You will see St. Paul’s Cathedral, with its imposing 111-metre high dome; London Bridge, on the site of the city’s oldest Thames crossing; Tower Bridge, Europe’s best-known bridge; Westminster Abbey, the most famous church in London, Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus. Return to Hotel and overnight stay.

N.B.: Collective transfers will be available between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. from Heathrow and between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. from Stansted. If you are due to arrive after 6 p.m., we can organise an individual transfer, but a supplement may be applied to the original cost.

Day 2: LONDON

After breakfast, at 9 a.m. we will leave by bus for Buckingham Palace, official residence of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, where we will watch the colourful Changing of the Guard. Free time for lunch. In the afternoon, we will go to Trafalgar Square and visit the National Gallery, generally acknowledged to be one of the world’s most important art collections. You can see works by many of the greatest artists: Leonardo, Caravaggio, Monet, Van Gogh, Botticelli and Raphael, to name but a few. You can immerse yourself in art and beauty. We will also visit the British Museum, one of the world’s largest and most impressive museums of history. Finally, we will go to Regent Street and Oxford Street, two internationally important shopping streets, both in terms of visitor numbers and quantity of trade. You will have free time for shopping. Dinner in the evening at a typical English pub. Return to Hotel for overnight stay.

Day 3: LONDON

Breakfast at hotel and leave at 9 a.m. for guided visit to the Tower of London, UNESCO World Heritage site and home to the Crown Jewels. We will then travel by bus to Portobello Road Market, situated in the north-west district of Notting Hill, close to Hyde Park. The market sells a wide range of things, from jewellery, art and silverware to vintage clothes, knick-knacks and much else besides. In the afternoon, you can go on a ride on the famous London Eye, and admire a wonderful view of the city from up high. At 5 p.m. precisely, in line with British tradition, we will board a boat to partake of AFTERNOON TEA: a custom established by the 7th Duchess of Bedford in the 19th century. We will conclude our tour by visiting the historic area of Covent Garden. Return to hotel, with dinner and overnight stay.

Day 4: RETURN

Breakfast at Hotel. At 8 a.m., you will join the collective transfer to your airport. Estimated arrival times will be 9.30 a.m. at Heathrow and 10 a.m. at Stansted. You will then go through airport formalities and board your flight home.

Tour Details

Category: Tours in Europe

UK & Ireland

Day 1: EDINBURGH

Breakfast in Hotel, and we then board a private bus for a guided tour of Edinburgh, Scotland’s most literary city. Indeed, it was the first place to be nominated a world City of Literature by UNESCO. Edinburgh provides a stimulating creative environment and has been a source of inspiration for many writers. For example, J.K. Rowling lived here when she first created the Harry Potter series. Other prominent writers include Kenneth Grahame, author of the children’s classic, “The Wind in the Willows”, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes. During our tour of the city, we will visit the ancient walls, the imposing monuments, and the little streets and courtyards, which tell amazing stories of kings and battles and define the character of Scottish culture. In addition, we will see the outside of Edinburgh Castle, an ancient fortress built on an extinct volcano and offering stupendous views of the city. We will return to the hotel in the evening, for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 2: GLASGOW

After breakfast at the Hotel, we leave for Glasgow: a lively, cosmopolitan city, very different from Edinburgh and combining the energy of a great international centre with some of Scotland’s most spectacular scenery. It is certainly Scotland’s greatest city. The first stop on our tour will be Glasgow Cathedral, the country’s only mediaeval cathedral to have survived the Scottish Protestant Reformation of 1560. We then continue to George Square, the River Clyde, and Kelvingrove Park. From here, we can admire the neo-Gothic buildings of Glasgow University and see the Kelvingrove Museum. We will visit City Chambers (the City Council headquarters), George Square, the Merchant City, and Glasgow Necropolis (a Victorian cemetery situated on a small hill to the east of Glasgow Cathedral). You can also admire the Burrell Collection, the Fossil Grove and the McLellan Galleries. Return to the hotel in the evening, for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 3: ST ANDREWS & CASTLE

Breakfast at the Hotel, and we then leave for St. Andrews, where we will do a scenic tour of the town. We will visit the most important streets, and the ruins of the cathedral, together with its adjoining museum. Here, we can climb the famous Norman tower of St. Rule and enjoy a fantastic view over St. Andrews. We will also visit the ruined St. Andrews Castle, where you can creep along a secret passage: certain to delight the more adventurous visitor. Driving back towards Edinburgh, we will make a brief stop at the fishing village of South Queensferry, where we can photograph the steel structure of the Forth Rail Bridge, a candidate for UNESCO World Heritage status. Return to the hotel in the evening, for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 4: DOUNE CASTLE AND STIRLING CASTLE

Breakfast at the Hotel, and we then leave for Doune Castle, made famous in Britain by the cult film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail”. We continue our trip through thick forests and imposing mountains, before arriving at the magnificent sight of Stirling Castle. Dating from mediaeval times, it is one of the largest and most important castles in Scotland and indeed in Western Europe, both from the historical and architectural point of view. Return to the hotel in the evening, for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 5: BLAIR CASTLE AND DEANSTON DISTILLERY

Breakfast at the Hotel, and we then leave for a guided visit to Blair Castle, situated close to the small Highland village of Blair Atholl in Perthshire, between Perth and Inverness. The Castle has been constantly altered during its seven hundred years of history, and houses a valuable collection of antique furniture, objets d’art, historic costumes, weapons, armour, and hunting trophies. In the afternoon, we will visit the Deanston Distillery, dating from the 18th century. You will learn all the secrets of how Scotch whisky is prepared. Driving back past Gleneagles, we can talk about whisky, golf, religion, and Scottish legends. Return to the hotel in the evening, for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 6: LOCH LOMOND, LUSS AND INVERARAY CASTLE

Breakfast at Hotel. We will start the day by driving along the edge of Loch Lomond, the largest fresh water lake in the British Isles, until reaching our first destination: Luss, a lovely little village on the western shore of the Loch. Luss is one of the most charming villages in central Scotland, surrounded by green hills and full of picturesque cottages. In the afternoon, we will visit Inveraray Castle. It was built in 1745 in the Gothic style, on the ruins of a 15th-century castle, and is the seat of Clan Campbell and home of the Duke of Argyll. Return to the hotel in the evening, for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 7: EDINBURGH

Breakfast at the Hotel will be followed by a visit to the National Museum to see the Celtic and Roman treasures (some in silver and gold) and the sculptures of cherubs. Free afternoon, with the opportunity to explore the shops and gardens around Princes Street. Dinner and overnight stay at Hotel.

Day 8: RETURN

Breakfast at Hotel and transfer to airport. End of our services.

Tour Details