Highlights of the United Kingdom

Your great exploration of the United Kingdom begins today in Edinburgh. As you arrive, transfer independently to our central hotel to check in for two nights, and then you are free to unwind or explore the local area.

The heart of this impressive city is a UNESCO World Heritage site, from the historic Old Town to the Georgian streets of the New Town. As you admire neoclassical buildings or stroll up Calton Hill to view the National Monument of Scotland, modeled after the Greek Parthenon, it is easy to see why Edinburgh came to be regarded as the "Athens of the North."

Return to the hotel early this evening to meet the Tour Manager and your group of fellow travelers, and then we sit down to our first dinner together at the hotel. Overnight Edinburgh.

• Dinner

Enjoy a memorable introduction to Edinburgh this morning on a guided walking tour of the city. Setting out with a guide after breakfast, we travel along the cobbled streets of the Royal Mile and pass hidden gems and iconic locations, including St. Giles Cathedral, Parliament Square and John Knox House. Your guide's stories bring each location to life and unveil Edinburgh's history.

You have some free time to find lunch on your own after the tour ends, and then we continue to Edinburgh Castle, where your entrance is included. Perched on a craggy volcanic rock, this site has a long history, with a castle in place since the 11th century. As you wander through the castle complex at your own pace, you can see the crown jewels and admire the preserved rooms while relishing hints of the past.

Returning to the hotel this evening, the excitement continues in our hotel's Great Scots Hall. With traditional furnishings and a festive ambiance, it is an ideal setting for a fine feast accompanied by a traditional piper and dancer. Overnight Edinburgh.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Leaving Scotland after breakfast, we transfer to Edinburgh's railway station to take our First Class seats on the train to York. Our southbound journey takes just over two hours and, somehow, carries us even further back in time.

This North Yorkshire town brims with ancient ambiance, featuring more than 2,000 years of history that encompasses the Romans, Saxons and Vikings. Old-world architecture lines the cobbled streets, and there are endless sites worth uncovering.

Upon arrival in York, we delve into its past with a guided walking tour. Our knowledgeable escort takes us through the 13th-century Shambles, past the original city walls, and to the grandiose York Minster, where entry is included. There is time to take in its medieval stained glass windows, including its Great East Window, which is England's largest expanse of medieval stained glass.

From this point, the remainder of the day is yours to continue exploring or unwind after checking in at the hotel. York is home to a wide range of restaurants and pubs that you can enjoy for dinner this evening. Overnight York.

• Breakfast

Enjoy a look at England's interior this morning as we depart York by coach, traveling past big cities and smaller towns to the cathedral city of Chester. While located in England, Chester enjoys a rich Welsh heritage, as well, since it sits on the border of Wales. This is one of the best-preserved cities in England, with original city walls surrounding its historic center.

We arrive in time to witness the time-honored tradition of the town crier, who comes into the square at noon each day to share the local city news. After hearing his announcements, a guided walking tour introduces the rich history of Chester. See the town walls and Roman ruins, and look over the medieval buildings lining the streets.

After checking into the hotel, you can continue the day at leisure, absorbing more than 2,000 years of history at your own pace. This evening, we have dinner together with a special guest; the town crier joins us and gives a talk on the history of Chester as we dine. Overnight Chester.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Moving into the third country of our outstanding journey today, we continue by coach to Llanberis, a small village nestled within Snowdonia National Park in North Wales. Llanberis sits at the base of the imposing Snowdon, the highest peak in Wales, and it is here that we step aboard the Snowdon Mountain Railway.

Dating to 1896, this railway is a feat of engineering and your ticket to truly astonishing views. The 4.7-mile journey over Llanberis Pass to the summit is wrapped in scenes of mountains rising from rolling hills and shimmering lakes, and the train is designed to ensure unobstructed views from every seat.

Reboarding our coach in the valley, we continue to Conwy, where there is free time for lunch before touring its UNESCO-listed castle. See its eight imposing towers and high curtain wall, as well as the best preserved medieval royal apartments in Wales. All of this is complemented by outstanding views of Snowdonia from the 13th-century battlements, painting a picture that seems frozen in time.

We return to Chester in time for dinner this evening. Overnight Chester.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Sprawling views of the English countryside guide the way for today's coach journey south to Stratford-upon-Avon, the renowned hometown of playwright William Shakespeare. We set out after breakfast, passing quintessential rural scenery and some of England's most notable towns, pausing en route at the majestic Kenilworth Castle in Warwickshire.

A jewel in the crown of English Heritage castles, Kenilworth has witnessed more than 900 years of history and remains England's largest castle ruin. On arrival, we can wander its grounds and gardens, looking over its Norman keep, which dates to the 1120s, and uncovering medieval battle tales.

We then continue to Stratford-upon-Avon, where on arrival, a local guide meets us for a guided tour. We set out at a gentle pace, wandering past well-preserved Tudor buildings, half-timbered houses and medieval structures. Highlights of our excursion include Shakespeare's birthplace and the 500-year-old cottage that belonged to the family of his wife, Anne Hathaway.

Wrap up this English heritage-filled day with a medieval feasting banquet in our hotel's Tudor hall this evening. Overnight Stratford-upon-Avon.

• Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, a coach transfer takes us onward to Oxford, known as the "City of Dreaming Spires" for the grand architecture of its 900-year-old university campus. On arrival, we are met by an Oxford University graduate, who leads us on a guided tour through the city.

Having lived in the area during their time at Oxford, our guide is an invaluable source of information and insight as we uncover the city's history and the ornate buildings of the campus. The excursion ends at the River Cherwell, where we get another perspective on the cityscape from a punting boat. Sit back and relax as a private chauffeur guides you along the river, drifting under bridges and passing idyllic gardens. Your route may reveal more college buildings or other historical points of interest to complement your tour.

Upon returning to the shore, we are transferred to Oxford's railway station, where we take our First Class seats on the train to London, arriving this evening. We have dinner together after checking into our hotel for two nights. Overnight London.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Our day begins with a tour of London's highlights. Traveling around the city by motorcoach, our onboard guide narrates our journey as we pass notable attractions, including Buckingham Palace and Big Ben, and marvel at various parks, neighborhoods, cathedrals and historic buildings.

After the tour, we continue to the Tower of London, where our entrance is included. Built in the 11th century, this famous landmark now houses the Crown Jewels, but it has played an important role in much of British history. As an infamous prison, former inmates included royals such as a Scottish king, Anne Boleyn and the "Princes in the Tower."

The rest of your afternoon is free to unwind or continue exploring the local area. You could head to Regent's Park or the British Museum, or stroll along Oxford Street, home of the Selfridges department store. Seek out vintage style at Camden Market, or delve into the fictional world of Harry Potter at King's Cross station, where you can find Platform 9¾.

We reconvene for our final dinner together this evening. Overnight London.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Traveling between the capitals of Scotland and England has showcased an abundance of history, culture and fascinating cities. From enjoying a Scottish gala dinner in Edinburgh to climbing Wales' highest peak, exploring castle ruins, wandering through the streets that inspired Shakespeare, and admiring London's abundant landmarks, each day brought a new way to immerse yourself in the United Kingdom.

After breakfast at our hotel this morning, your vacation comes to a close. You are free to make your own way to the local railway station or London Heathrow for your onward travels home.

• Breakfast