Refined Trip Through Southern England & Scotland - 12 Days

Day 1: Arrive in London (England), Visit Royal Landmarks, Tea at The Ritz

Welcome to England! You'll arrive in London, the nation's historic capital with a legacy that spans almost 2,000 years, from the Roman conquest to the Tudor dynasty and Victorian era to today's multicultural metropolis. Touch down at the airport, and you'll meet your driver for a private transfer to your hotel. After settling in and a refresh, head out to explore. An excellent place to start is Westminster Abbey, whose hallowed halls have overseen royal weddings, the recent coronation of King Charles, and acts as the final resting palace for famous Britons, from Charles Darwin to Elizabeth I. 

You could continue the royal theme with a visit to Buckingham Palace to witness the "Changing of the Guard," a formal ceremony dating back to the 17th century. Another option is to catch the tube (subway) to Tower Hill station to discover the famous Tower of London. Built in 1078 by William the Conqueror, this landmark has served as a castle, a royal palace, a prison, and a place of execution. Inside, it's home to many historical artifacts and, of course, the priceless Crown Jewels.

Refuel after your sightseeing with one of England's time-honored traditions: afternoon tea. This custom began in the 1800s when Queen Victoria's confidante, the Duchess of Bedford, asked for something to satiate her afternoon hunger pangs. What was once a "light bite" has transformed over the centuries into a beloved ritual, and you'll experience it at The Ritz. Sit in the spectacular setting of the hotel's Palm Court while you partake in an array of sweet and savory delicacies like delicate finger sandwiches, tempting cakes, and, of course, homemade scones with clotted cream and jam.

Day 2: Transfer to Oxford, Chauffeured Punting & Picnic, Bodleian Library Tour

This morning, you'll say "cheerio" to London and meet your driver outside your hotel for a two-hour drive west to Oxford. Dubbed the "City of Dreaming Spires," the town is home to one of England's oldest and most prestigious universities (the other being Cambridge.) Once you've checked in to your hotel, you'll head down to the riverbank for a relaxing tour of the city along the River Cherwell. You'll travel on a chauffeured punt (flat-bottomed riverboat), gently gliding along the water and passing the city's iconic sights as you enjoy a light lunch from a picnic hamper.

See the Botanic Gardens, the playing fields of Magdalen College School, and Christ Church College (where Lewis Carroll taught in the mid-19th century and wrote "Alice in Wonderland"). Your chauffeur has in-depth knowledge of Oxford's history, so you'll hear the inside track of the city's colleges and famous university students. After passing the fertile gardens of St Hilda's College, you'll return to the boathouse.

You've spent the morning exploring the College Backs, and this afternoon, you'll head inside Oxford's 11th-century university for a tour of one of the highlights, the Bodleian Library. Oxford's main research library, the Bodleian, is home to over 13 million books. You'll find some of these on a visit to the 15th-century Divinity School, Convocation House, Chancellor's Court, the medieval Duke Humfrey's Library, and Radcliffe Camera, which houses the science library. 

Day 3: Transfer to Chipping Campden, Explore Hidcote Gardens, Horseback Ride

England's famous Cotswolds is a rural area in southern England that encompasses six counties and enjoys Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) conservation status. The region lies just over an hour's drive west of Oxford. Today, you'll transfer a short way north to Chipping Campden, a delightful Costwolds village known for its 17th-century market and beautifully preserved limestone buildings.

Check in at your hotel, and your first excursion is to nearby Hidcote Gardens, part of a historic manor house in the village of Hidcote Bartrim. The 10 acres (4 ha) that comprise these public gardens were inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement of decorative and fine arts that originated in Britain in the late 19th century. You'll enjoy a private, two-hour stroll around the gardens to admire its hedges, rare trees and shrubs, mazes of narrowed paved pathways, and secret gardens bursting with colorful blooms.

Afterward, you'll reunite with your driver for a half-hour drive to the nearby Cotswolds Riding equestrian center, located in the picturesque village of Stanton. Here you'll saddle up and set off on a relaxed countryside "hack," spending the next few hours trotting the miles of local scenic paths and bridleways, with lookout points in the hills offering fabulous views over southern England. Your pace and route will be decided by your level of experience, with everyone from beginners to well-seasoned riders catered to. 

Day 4: Guided Discovery Tour of the Cotswolds

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your accommodation, and when you're ready, meet your guide and driver for an in-depth tour of the southern loop portion of the Cotswolds Discovery Trail. You'll uncover plenty of fascinating Roman history and landmarks along the way, and the first is in Cirencester, home to the remains of one of the largest Roman amphitheaters in Britain. Built in the second century CE when the town was known as the Roman city of Corinium and second only to London in size and importance, the amphitheater is estimated to have a capacity of around 8,000 people.

Continue to Bibury, a picture-perfect village along the River Coln; home to the Arlington Row of Weaver's Cottages, the town remains one of the most photographed places in the Cotswolds. You'll have plenty of time to snap your own pictures and stroll the quiet lanes before hopping back in the car and following the river through a series of postcard-worthy villages along the Coln Valley. Other highlights include the lookout point of Painswick Beacon, where a short hike to the top reveals sweeping views of the area, and the village of Painswick, dubbed the "Queen of the Cotswolds."

Your last stop is the market town of Minchinhampton, perched on a hill amid fields filled with wildflowers and grazing cows; it's worth stopping to admire the views that stretch across to the neighboring country of Wales. At the end of the tour, your driver will drop you back at your hotel in time for your dinner reservation. 

Day 5: Transfer to Bath, Visit the Roman Baths

The town of Bath is one of the jewels of England's southwest. Its vast array of architectural gems and elegant Georgian architecture has earned it UNESCO World Heritage Status, while the surrounding countryside is quintessential England: rolling green hills dotted with villages, country lanes, and church spires. You'll see the scenery for yourself this morning on a two-hour private transfer to the city. Upon arrival, check into your hotel, then head out for lunch. From cute riverside cafés to upscale French bistros and modern English gastropubs, you'll be spoiled for choice with dining options. 

In the afternoon, you'll visit the city's ancient Roman Baths complex, which gives the town its name and is recognized as one of the world's best-preserved Roman bathhouses. The hot springs here bubble up to a toasty 115°F (46°C), and on a tour of the site, you'll walk the original Roman pavements and see the ruins of the Temple of Sulis Minerva. The rest of the evening is yours to relax. Choose one of the city's wine bars or microbreweries and settle in for an evening of locally sourced cured meats and cheeses, with a glass or two of your favorite tipple.

Day 6: Sunrise Stonehenge Experience, Bath Food Heroes Tour

Just an hour outside Bath lies Stonehenge, one of the UK's most fascinating landmarks and a testament to human ingenuity. A prehistoric megalithic structure on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, the Stone Circle is aligned toward the sunrise on the summer solstice and sunset on the winter solstice. Today, you'll wake early for an incredible early morning VIP tour of the site outside of regular visiting hours. Spend an hour walking freely among the stones, taking photos and discovering the fascinating details of these mighty sarsens and bluestones. 

Afterward, you'll transfer back to Bath, where the rest of the morning is yours to explore at your own pace. While the city is awash with historical sights and beautiful labyrinthine alleyways to saunter along, it also enjoys a centuries-old connection to author Jane Austen, who called the city home in the early 1800s. Walk in the footsteps of Austen with an optional 2.5-hour tour that reveals the nuances of life in Regency England as you explore the Royal Crescent, Sydney Gardens, and the Jane Austen Centre, where guides in period costume help bring the era to life.

If today's early start has awoken your appetite, fear not; you'll spend the afternoon on a half-day food tour, visiting the city's landmarks and meeting a selection of Bath's artisan food producers. From juicy red strawberries from the Cheddar Gorge to local sheep's ricotta, delicate goat's cheese, and fennel salami, you'll sample fresh produce from a selection of the city's leading independent cafés and street food sellers. In the evening (once you've recovered your appetite), put your newfound foodie knowledge to good use and spend your final night at one of the city's excellent restaurants. 

Day 7: Transfer to Bristol, Fly to Edinburgh (Scotland), Tour Edinburgh Castle

Today, you'll switch countries while still remaining in the United Kingdom. You're off to Scotland, and after a private transfer to Bristol Airport and a short flight, you'll arrive in Edinburgh. The captivating Scottish capital is known for its festivals, thriving art scene, and friendly locals. On arrival, meet your driver and transfer to your hotel. After a refresh, you'll set off to visit the city's most famous landmark, Edinburgh Castle, one of Europe's oldest fortified palaces.

Stroll through the cobbled streets, wynds, and alleyways of the world-famous Royal Mile until you reach the castle and spend a couple of hours touring the highlights. See the Great Hall of King James IV, which has borne witness to banquets and state events over the centuries. Then, learn about the castle's history through an immersive exhibition in the Argyle Tower, which details the Wars of Independence in the 13th and 14th centuries.

Afterward, you'll sit down for an afternoon tea fit for royalty. Within the castle walls, you'll feast on three tiers of homemade cakes, dainty finger sandwiches, savory bites, and freshly made scones with clotted cream and jam. 

Day 8: Transfer to Pitlochry via Scone Palace, Blair Athol Whisky Distillery

Your Scottish road trip begins today, and luckily, you have a private driver to take care of the driving, leaving you to sit back, relax, and admire the view. Your first destination is Scone Palace, one of Scotland's most important stately homes. With a history that dates back to the site of the country's first parliament in 906, the palace has served as the capital of the Pictish kingdom, the crowning place of Robert the Bruce, and more recently, as the ancestral home to the Earls of Mansfield for the last 400 years. Spend time exploring the State Rooms and priceless artwork before a stroll in the vast gardens.

Back on the road, you'll continue your journey north to Pitlochry. It's a beautifully scenic stretch with plenty of opportunities to stop and take photos. Highlights include the Hermitage at Dunkeld, a mystical tract of Perthshire forest and an 18th-century park designed for the Dukes of Atholl, and Queen's View, a famous vantage point just outside Pitlochry. It's said the location, which overlooks Loch Tummel and toward the mountains surrounding Glen Coe, is named after Queen Isabella, the 14th-century wife of Robert the Bruce, who used the spot as a resting place on her travels.

Arrive in Pitlochry, and after checking in at your hotel, your driver will drop you at the Blair Athol Whisky Distillery. This distillery dates back to 1798 and draws its water from the ancient Alt Dour that flows from the heights of Ben Vrackie. This local pure mountain water contributes to the whisky's mellow quality and smooth finish. After a behind-the-scenes exploration of the distillery, you'll get to sample several golden drams, including a whisky drawn straight from the cask.

Day 9: Cairngorms National Park Wildlife Safari, Transfer to Inverness

Cairngorms National Park offers some of the best wildlife diversity in the United Kingdom, and on today's full-day wildlife safari, you'll encounter its wilder side. After breakfast and checkout, meet your driver and guide, then set off on a drive through expansive heather-clad moorlands, passing towering Caledonian pine forests and pristine lochs. There'll be plenty of opportunities to stretch your legs throughout the day as your experienced guide helps you seek out the local wildlife, which should include red deer, golden eagles, and ospreys. 

At the end of the safari, you'll continue north with your driver to Inverness, a city on the banks of the River Ness known as the capital of the Highlands. Check into your hotel and you'll have the evening to relax ahead of your dinner reservation. 

Day 10: Culloden Battlefield Tour, Cruise Along Loch Ness, Transfer to Fort William

Today starts with a remarkable visit to the nearby Culloden Battlefield. The site of the last battle on British soil, this grassy plain marks the final, bloody conflict of the Jacobean Uprising led by Bonnie Prince Charlie. Meet your guide and head first to the on-site multimedia center, where you can get acquainted with the history surrounding the doomed rebellion and Charles' subsequent escape to France and death in Rome 43 years later.

After a short stop at the exhibition, accompany your guide across the battlefield to see the Well of the Dead, the Main Cairn, and the Clan Graves, the burial sites of some 1,300 clansmen who died. With many Highland families leaving Scotland, Culloden has become an important focal point for returning descendants. After a sobering and fascinating morning, you'll reunite with your driver for a short half-hour drive to Dochgarroch for a relaxing cruise along Scotland's most famous loch.

Step aboard your catamaran, and you'll start with a trip along the Caledonian Canal toward the legendary waters of Loch Ness. Soak up the Highland views as you pass landmarks, including Aldourie Castle, Bona Lighthouse, and the lakeside ruins of Urquhart Castle. Meanwhile, pay attention to stories from your guide about the elusive Loch Ness Monster—you may want to keep your eyes peeled! After your cruise, your driver will transfer you about 1.5 hours south to your overnight hotel in Fort William, a Highland town that's the gateway to adventures around Ben Nevis, the UK's highest peak. 

Day 11: Transfer to Glasgow, See City Landmarks, Craft Beer Tour

You'll want to save some energy for this afternoon's tour, though, as you'll discover another side to Glasgow on a special beer tour. Hear stories of the characters who created Scotland's largest city and learn how its brewing industry morphed Glasgow into the world's largest exporter of bottled beer. You'll get to quench your thirst as you go with stops at award-winning breweries and charming local pubs where you'll taste a range of beers, bitters, and ales. Afterward, you can segue nicely into a cozy gastropub for a memorable dinner and toast your British adventure. 

Day 12: Depart Glasgow

Your highlights tour of England and Scotland has come to an end. After one last hearty Scottish breakfast, say farewell to Glasgow and meet your driver for your transfer to the airport. Safe travels!

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