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 maybe begin exploring, before dinner at our hotel.

• Dinner

We discover more about the long and fascinating history of York today on a guided walking tour. We see the iconic Minster, one of Europe's largest Gothic cathedrals, and visit the Shambles, a quaint, cobbled street lined with overhanging timber-framed buildings, that is virtually unchanged since the Middle Ages. With free time to explore you could visit the Yorkshire Museum and the ruins of St Mary's Abbey, the city Art Gallery or the fascinating Railway Museum. Later, we take the train to Edinburgh, our base for two nights. We're welcomed in true Scottish style, with a Great Scot's Dinner experience.

• 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 an atmospheric, medieval Old Town and Georgian New Town. With a free afternoon you could visit the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, stroll through the wonderful Botanical Gardens or the Old Town, possibly stopping 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 past quaint villages through dramatic landscapes of dense pine forests, rugged mountains and shimmering lochs. A highlight of the journey is the 19th-century Glenfinnan Viaduct, famous as the bridge which 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 travel 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 fondly regarded as the home of The Beatles, and we're introduced to 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. 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. There's a choice of good restaurants for dinner too.

• Breakfast

We travel by train to 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 journey by rail to the historic spa city of Bath, known for its natural hot springs. This Georgian city has a wealth of architectural, cultural and historical heritage, and many 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 England.

• Breakfast

Leaving Bristol, we take a coach to the fantastic prehistoric standing stones 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. Home to the British Royal Family and the Houses of Parliament, London holds a wealth of historical, cultural and artistic heritage.

• Breakfast

Today we witness the Opening Ceremony at the Tower of London. We meet with a Yeoman Warder who gives us a short talk, before the ceremony and time to explore the famous landmark. Built in the 11th century, the Tower has been used as a prison and now houses the Crown Jewels. The rest of your day is free in the capital. You may like to visit one of the city's wonderful museums and galleries, such as the Natural History Museum, the National Gallery or 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