|
Day 1 Arrival
Arrive at Edinburgh/Glasgow airport and collect your hire car.
Make your way to your hotel in the Edinburgh Area for overnight.
Day 2 Edinburgh
 Enjoy
a full day in Edinburgh. Take a Hop On Hop Off bus tour or stroll
down the Royal Mile from Edinburgh Castle, past St Giles Cathedral
to Holyrood Palace, the official residence of the Queen whilst
she is in Scotland. Go across to the New Town to admire the Georgian
architecture and the well-laid out streets that are in complete
contrast to those of the Old Town. Join a Ghost Walk this evening.
Return to your accommodation overnight.
Day 3 Edinburgh - Durham
From Edinburgh journey into Northern England. At the border,
stop for a walk along Hadrian's' Wall, built by the Romans across
the north of England to mark the boundary of their empire. Next
to Alnwick Castle, known as the 'Windsor of the North,' and home
to the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland, whose ancestors have
lived here since 1309. The castle battlements resonate with history,
from the 14th century exploits of 'Harry Hotspur', to the magical
setting for 'Hogwarts' in the Harry Potter films. Continue to
historic Durham, a medieval treasure and one of the loveliest
cities in England. Overnight in Durham Area.
Day 4 Durham - York
 This
morning visit Durham Cathedral, completed in 1133. The cathedral
is one of Britain's most architecturally innovative buildings,
as it is the first English building with ribbed vault construction
and the first stone-roofed cathedral in Europe. Later visit Fountains
Abbey; the dramatic Abbey ruins are the largest monastic ruins
in the country. The Abbey - which in itself is a masterpiece
of twelfth century building ingenuity - this truly is a beautiful
place to visit. Continue to York area for overnight.
Day 5 York - Manchester
 Explore
the city of York. Visit York Minster, which features stunning
stained glass from the Middle Ages, continue to the Shambles,
once the meat-butchering centre of York, which remains a narrow
ancient street, filled with shops and cafes. Visit the Jorvik
Viking Centre, the Viking city, discovered many feet below present
ground level. Continue to Manchester for overnight
Day 6 Manchester - Chester
 Today
will be spent discovering Manchester, one of Britain's coolest
cities. This once industrial city has reinvented itself as a
truly contemporary metropolis, with modern landmark buildings
such as the Lowry Centre, the Imperial War Museum North, the
museum of Science and Industry and- it's home to the world famous
Manchester United Football Club. It's this dramatic mix of old
and new that gives Manchester its unique character. The city's
attractions offer something for everyone. Continue to Chester
for overnight
Day 7 Chester - Lake District
 Chester was originally settled by the Romans
as Fortress Deva and their surviving grid pattern of streets
are so compact that you can get around all the city's landmarks
on foot. Walk along the Roman walls, studded with historic towers
and gates, and then visit the amphitheatre - scene of a major
archaeological project. Have your camera ready for the elaborate
Victorian Eastgate Clock, the most photographed clock in Britain
after Big Ben. Soak up the flamboyant spectacle of a town crier
proclamation which is held at the Cross from Tuesday to Saturday
May to September at noon. Continue north day enjoying the lake
and mountain scenery, overnight in the Lake District.
Day 8 Lake District
 This
morning start with the Museum Of Lakeland Life in Kendal. It
shows how Cumbrians worked, lived and entertained themselves
during the past 200 years. Visit the National Trust's imposing
medieval Sizergh Castle, located just outside Kendal, with its
beautiful limestone rock gardens. Nearby is Levens Hall, a magnificent
Elizabethan mansion built around a 13th Century. The Grade I
listed garden, dating from 1694 boasts topiary that is some of
the oldest in the world and justifiably famous.
Later, visit Kirkby Lonsdale, a historic market town in Cumbria
and the pleasant drive is only thirteen miles south-east from
Kendal along the A65. The town is a great tourist attraction
with an excellent range of small speciality shops and many of
the shops are in listed buildings which offer arts and crafts,
plus there's a weekly market. There are also attractive 17th
and 18th century inns and a fine Norman church. Return to your
accommodation for overnight.
Day 9 Lake District - Glasgow
 Leaving
the Lakes behind, cross the Scottish Border at Gretna, a favourite
destination for eloping English lovers. Continue to Culzean Castle,
one of Robert Adam's most notable creations with its Oval Staircase
and saloon. Afterwards, venture into Rabbie Burns Country to
visit the village of Alloway, where Scotland's most famous poet
was born. See his birthplace and monument, as well as his 'Brig
o'Doon' before continuing to Glasgow.
Overnight in Glasgow
Day 10 Glasgow
 Glasgow is one of
the liveliest and most cosmopolitan destinations in Europe. The
city has been reborn as a centre of style and vitality set against
a backdrop of outstanding Victorian architecture. Glasgow boasts
world famous art collections, the best shopping in the United
Kingdom outside London, and the most vibrant and exciting nightlife
in Scotland. A must see is the splendour of Scotland's best known
architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh, whose style adorns many
unique attractions throughout Scotland's largest and greatest
city. Continue to Edinburgh Airport area for overnight.
Day 11 Departure
Sadly, it's time to leave the UK, check out of your hotel and
make your way to the airport to join your flight home.
|
