Grand Tour of the UK

Our holiday begins as we meet at our hotel in the historic city of York. Enjoy some time to settle in, and perhaps begin exploring, before dinner at the hotel together this evening.

• Dinner

We discover much of the city's long and fascinating story on a guided walking tour. We see the iconic Minster, one of Europe's largest and most ornate Gothic cathedrals. Continuing, we visit the Shambles, a quaint, cobbled street lined with overhanging timber-framed buildings that's remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages. You then have time to take in the city at your own pace. Perhaps visit the fascinating Railway Museum. Later, we take the train to Edinburgh, where we stay for two nights. We're welcomed in true Scottish style, with a Great Scot's Dinner experience, complete with traditional entertainment.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We head out on a guided tour of Edinburgh, taking in the city's main sights. Edinburgh's centre is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a wonderful melting pot of old and new, with a beautiful medieval Old Town and Georgian New Town. On our tour, we see the 16th-century Palace of Holyroodhouse, home of the British monarchy in Scotland and the place the Queen typically spends part of summer. The rest of the day is free. You could take a journey through Scotland's unique history with a visit to the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, or take a stroll through the Old Town, perhaps pausing in a local pub or café for a bite to eat.

• Breakfast

We take the train to Glasgow, where we change and continue to historic Fort William, a delightful port town nestled within the mountains and hills of the highlands. We check into our hotel for the night, where we enjoy dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We enjoy a holiday highlight, a journey on the iconic Jacobite to Mallaig. Widely known as Scotland's most scenic railway journey, the train winds through quaint villages and dramatic landscapes of dense pine forests, rugged mountains and endless, shimmering lochs. A highlight of the journey is the 19th-century Glenfinnan Viaduct, famous as the bridge the Hogwarts Express crosses in the Harry Potter movies. We're free to explore in Mallaig before returning to Fort William by coach. Later, we take the train to Glasgow, where we spend the night.

*Please note: On some early departures, the Jacobite Steam Train may not operate, and we make this excursion on the Scotrail service.

• Breakfast

Leaving Glasgow, we take the train to Preston. From here, we take a coach to Liverpool. A modern and welcoming city with a fantastic cultural heritage, Liverpool is a fascinating place to explore. We check into our hotel where we spend the next two nights.

• Breakfast

We get to know Liverpool on a guided sightseeing tour of the city today. Liverpool is famous as the home of The Beatles, and we're introduced to much of this musical heritage on our tour, visiting the Cavern Club, known as the birthplace of the band, and Strawberry Field, immortalised in the hit 'Strawberry Fields Forever'. We also take in the Waterfront Pier Head, Penny Lane and the vibrant China Town. After our tour, you're free to explore at your own pace. There are some incredible museums in Liverpool; you could immerse yourself in the city's maritime history at the Maritime Museum, where there's a fascinating exhibition on Titanic, or visit the World Museum where you'll find a range of historical artefacts. Or, you could settle down in one of the city's great restaurants for dinner.

• Breakfast

We travel by train to Stafford, then change trains for Bristol, our base for the next two nights. An important sea trading port thanks to its location on the Severn Estuary, Bristol has evolved into a dynamic and cosmopolitan city.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We enjoy a wonderful journey by rail to the historic spa city of Bath. Bath is famous for its natural hot springs, and offers a magnificent wealth of architectural, cultural and historical heritage, as well as an abundance of eclectic shops, bars and restaurants. We embark on a guided tour, taking in the city's main sights, including the stunning Abbey, which dates back to 1611 and features exquisitely ornamented stonework. We also see the Royal Crescent, a famous semi-circular terrace that's one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in the country.

• Breakfast

Leaving Bristol, we take a coach to the famous prehistoric monument of Stonehenge. One of the most impressive Bronze Age monuments in the country, this ring of standing stones has long mystified archaeologists. We continue to London, England's vibrant capital, where we spend two nights. The rich and proud heritage of London dates back thousands of years. The city is home to the Queen and Royal Family as well as the Houses of Parliament, and bursts with an abundance of culture, enthralling history and artistic delights.

• Breakfast

We witness the Opening Ceremony at the Tower of London. We have a private meeting with a Yeoman Warder who gives us a short talk, before we witness the ceremony first-hand and have time to explore the famous landmark. Built in the 11th century, the Tower has been used as a prison and is now home of the Crown Jewels. The rest of the day is free in the capital. You may like to visit one of the city's wonderful museums and galleries, including the fantastic Natural History Museum and the ever-popular British Museum, before dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Our holiday comes to an end today and you're free to depart at your own pace.

• Breakfast