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Air Canada Vacations

Spirit of England & Scotland, English Guided Tour

Overview

This 9-night guided tour offers a comprehensive route through England and Scotland, beginning in London and ending in Edinburgh, perfect for first-time visitors. Enjoy exploring the wonders of two cultures in the comfort of a modern coach escorted by a professional guide and driver.
Highlights of this itinerary include overnights in: London, Stratford Upon Avon, Liverpool, York, Glasgow, Fort William, Inverness, Aberdeen and Edinburgh
 

Format

Guided tour

Locations

  • London
  • Stratford
  • York
  • Glasgow
  • Fort William
  • Inverness
  • Edinburgh

Inclusions

  • Round-trip flights to London and from Edinburgh (if Flight & Hotel package option is chosen)
  • 9 nights of comfort accommodation, a combination of traditional 3- and 4-star hotels
  • 9 breakfasts, 3 dinners in hotels, 3 lunches
  • Modern coach transportation throughout tour
  • English-speaking guide
  • Entrances per itinerary:  Tower of London, cruise on River Thames, Gretna Green, cruise on Loch Lomond with whisky coffee, Uruhart Castle, Loch Ness Exhibition Center, distillery visit with tasting, Edinburgh Castle
  • Additional Inclusions: Scottish Evening with dinner and show, Shakespeare’s birthplace visit, The Beatles Story Museum
  • Earn extra Aeroplan® points per member on this tour

Itinerary

Day 1

Depart Canada

Fly to London.

Day 2

Welcome to England

Upon arrival in London make your own way to your hotel.

Spend the remainder of the day at your own leisure to explore.

Overnight in London.

Day 3

London Sightseeing

After breakfast, meet your local guide and coach driver for a panoramic city tour, passing by Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Trafalgar Square, and the London Eye. Visit the Tower of London, home to the Crown Jewels and the famous Beefeaters. Then, take a river cruise to Greenwich to explore its maritime heritage. Enjoy free time if schedule allows. Return to central London. Evening at leisure.

Overnight in London.

Meal(s): Breakfast

Day 4

Oxford, Starford Upon Avon

After breakfast, depart for Oxford, the “City of Dreaming Spires”. Enjoy a panoramic tour of the university town’s grand colleges and charming streets. Continue to Stratford-upon-Avon, birthplace of William Shakespeare. Explore the historic market town.

Check-in at your hotel, where you’ll have dinner and spend the night around Stratford-upon-Avon.

Meal(s): Breakfast, dinner

Day 5

Liverpool - York

After breakfast, head to Liverpool, a city of maritime history and musical heritage. Enjoy a panoramic tour, including the Albert Dock and historic waterfront, as well as a visit to the Beatles Story Museum for an in-depth look at the Fab Four’s rise to fame.

Continue to York and take a walking tour through its medieval streets. After, enjoy free time to explore the Shambles or discover hidden gems. Check-in at your hotel, where you’ll have dinner and then spend the night in York.

Meal(s): Breakfast, dinner

Day 6

Welcome to Scotland - Glasgow

After breakfast, journey to Scotland with a stop at Gretna Green, famous for runaway weddings or elopements. Enjoy a 2-course lunch before continuing to Glasgow. On arrival, embark on a panoramic tour, passing George Square, Glasgow Cathedral, and the River Clyde. Check-in at your hotel and spend the night in Glasgow.

Meal(s): Breakfast, lunch

Day 7

Loch Lomond – Fort William

Travel through the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, enjoying a cruise on Loch Lomond with coffee and whisky. Continue north to Fort William, a gateway to the Highlands. If time allows, stop for a photo at Glenfinnan Viaduct which you might recognize from film. Check-in at your hotel, with dinner and overnight in Fort William.

Meal(s): Breakfast, dinner

Day 8

Loch Ness - Inverness

After breakfast, stop at Uruhart Castle for breathtaking views. Then, explore the Loch Ness Centre, diving into the legend of Nessie. Enjoy a 2-course lunch, then continue to Inverness, capital of the Highlands, for a panoramic tour. Check-in at your hotel, overnight in Inverness.

Meal(s): Breakfast, lunch

Day 9

Saint Andrews - Edinburgh

Start the day with a visit to a whisky distillery to learn about Scotland’s iconic drink. Continue south to St. Andrews, known for its historic university and golf heritage.

Arrive in Edinburgh and take in its magnificent skyline. Check-in at your hotel where you’ll spend the night.

Meal(s): Breakfast

Day 10

Edinburgh

After breakfast, enjoy a panoramic tour of Edinburgh, including the Royal Mile, Palace of Holyroodhouse, and Scottish Parliament. Visit the iconic Edinburgh Castle, home to the Scottish Crown Jewels

Then, enjoy the afternoon at leisure to explore the city at your own pace before your traditional Scottish evening with dinner and a show.

Meal(s): Breakfast, dinner

Day 11

Return Home

After breakfast make your way to the airport for your return flight back home.

Meal(s): Breakfast

Accommodations

Where you'll stay

The hotels listed below are presented as examples for your reference only. Hotel accommodation details will be communicated to you or your travel agent prior to departure.

Comfort Accommodation

Location

Hotel

London
The Cophtorne Tara (or similar)
4
Stratford-upon-Avon
Strataford Manor (or similar)
4
York
Holiday Inn York (or similar)
4
Glasgow
Ibis Styles Glasgow Central (or similar)
3
Fort William
Caledonian Hotel (or similar)
3
Inverness
Columba Hotel (or similar)
3
Edinburgh
Yotel Edinburgh (or similar)
4

Room details

Type of bed(s): 1 double bed or 2 twin beds
Room occupancy: Maximum 2 people
Comfort Accommodation: a combination of 3 and 4 star hotels.
Unless otherwise specified, guests will stay in a standard room at all hotels during the trip.

Important Information

    • May 17 
    • May 31
    • Sep 13
    • Sep 27
  • Not included:

    • Meals, unless specified
    • Transfers unless noted
    • Additional activities and excursions, entrance fees
    • Personal expenses and insurance
    • Porterage
  • Coach

  • The order of the itinerary could vary including the number of consecutive overnights per city.  This itinerary is for reference only.

  • Local hotel taxes, if applicable, are paid locally to hotel in local currency.

  • Check in: 3:00 p.m.
    Check out: 12:00 p.m.