9-Nights Tailor Made England & Scotland: Capitals & Country Splendors - Luxury Tailor Made Travel — CALL

Itinerary Details

Abercrombie & Kent: Tailor Made England & Scotland: Capitals & Country Splendors

Day 1 London, England

Arrive in London, where you are met by your Guardian Angel and privately transferred to your hotel.

Experience some of the most recognizable landmarks of this illustrious world capital, starting with a visit to the Tower of London, where you are welcomed by an iconic Beefeater. Built by William the Conqueror in 1078, the fortress has served as both a royal residence and a prison. View the dazzling Crown Jewels stored on site — a royal treasure closely guarded by the Yeoman Warders — and take in impressive views of Tower Bridge. Next, visit St. Paul's Cathedral, site of such memorable state occasions as the funeral of Sir Winston Churchill and the marriage of the former Prince of Wales, now King Charles III, to Lady Diana Spencer. Following time at leisure for lunch, explore Westminster Abbey. Steeped in royal history, it is the traditional venue for coronations and the burial site for many monarchs. Continue to the Palace of Westminster, better known as the Houses of Parliament, and then head down Whitehall and past Downing Street to Trafalgar Square. Drive past Buckingham Palace, the King's official residence in London, and complete your day with a flight on the London Eye to take in spectacular views of the city.

Privately transfer to London King's Cross station and board a train to York, where you are met by your driver-guide. With its brooding moors and green dales rolling down to a dramatic coastline, Yorkshire has some of Britain's finest scenery, which you view en route, passing stone-built villages set among idyllic landscapes of farms, fields and flower-rich meadows. Upon arrival, enjoy time for lunch at leisure, followed by a tour of this history-laden city. Walk with your guide through York’s narrow cobbled streets lined with medieval, half-timbered buildings, including the Shambles, formerly a butchers' quarter and now home to antique, art and book shops that beckon you to browse. Next, visit soaring York Minster, the largest Gothic cathedral north of the Alps to view its stunning 15th-century stained glass windows. Time permitting, you may also wish to visit the award-winning York Castle Museum. Continue to your accommodations at the edge of Yorkshire Dales National Park and check in.

Continue into the rolling countryside of the Yorkshire Dales to discover the Brimham Rocks; a dramatic location that has been used in film adaptations including Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre. Look out across Nidderdale, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, where the native limestone strata have been eroded into odd, curvaceous shapes — including formations nicknamed the Sphinx, the Dancing Bear and the Druid's Writing Desk — all set amid winding paths, dark nooks and tempting ledges. Return to your hotel for an afternoon at leisure.

Before arriving in the Lake District, discover more highlights of the Yorkshire Dales — immortalized by James Herriot in his books about life as a veterinary surgeon — to absorb some of the most tranquil vistas in the north of England. Visit both the ruins of Fountains Abbey and the adjacent landscape gardens of Studley Royal or stop at Skipton Castle, a wonderfully preserved fortress offering insight into what local life was like in medieval times. Continue to your hotel located in the UNESCO-designated Lake District National Park, an 800-square-mile area of jagged mountains, shimmering lakes and charming villages — the spellbinding scenery that inspired writers like William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter.

This morning, explore the Lake District, England's largest national park and home to its highest peak as well as its deepest lake, with your driver-guide. Start with a shared cruise on Lake Windermere, taking in magnificent views of the surrounding islands, Lakeland mountains, wooded shorelines and bays. Afterward, stop to explore Hawkshead, a small village close to Lake Windermere filled with intriguing alleyways and secret squares. Time permitting, opt for a visit to Wordsworth's Grammar School or the Beatrix Potter Gallery before returning to your hotel for an afternoon at leisure.

Venture north to the breathtaking county of Ayrshire, situated in the southwest of Scotland, in a region once bounded by Hadrian's Wall to the south and the lesser-known Antonine Wall to the north. On crossing the border, make a quick stop at the Old Blacksmith's shop in Gretna Green, a traditional destination for eloping couples from England. Perhaps take a break in Dumfries as well, to visit the Robert Burns Centre, dedicated to Scotland's national poet. Continue along the scenic coastal road toward historic Sweetheart Abbey and later visit the birthplace of John Paul Jones, founder of the American navy. Next, head west and make a stop at Threave Castle and Gardens, nestled on a small island on the River Dee. Continue your adventure by exploring the enchanting ruins of Glenluce Abbey, a medieval Cistercian monastery with an intriguing history, and later arrive at your historic castle turned hotel.

This morning, get a firsthand feel for life on a working farm in southern Ayrshire. Upon arrival, meet your hosts who invite you into their farmhouse to sit at their kitchen table and enjoy traditional farmhouse baking, fresh off the range. Then, set out on a guided tour of the farm where you can meet Highland Coos (cattle), take pictures of them on the hill or groom young Highland heifers in the field. Cap off your experience with a sumptuous picnic at a scenic spot on the farm. Afterward, return to your castle hotel for an afternoon at leisure.

Drive to Edinburgh and check in to your hotel. Then, join your local guide for a tour of the Scottish capital, starting at Edinburgh Castle, a royal fortress that symbolizes the Scottish nation. View the Honours of Scotland, the oldest set of Crown Jewels in the UK, and enjoy stunning vistas of the city from the castle’s impressive military installations. Next, follow the Royal Mile, which stretches from the castle through the Old Town of Edinburgh, passing St Giles Cathedral and stopping at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the King’s official residence in Scotland. If no member of the royal family is presently in residence, visit the staterooms on your own and explore the historic apartments in which Mary, Queen of Scots resided. Afterward, view the Scottish Parliament Building, its modern architecture providing an eye-catching contrast to the classical style of the palace.

After breakfast, transfer to Edinburgh airport for your departing flight.