March 23, 2016
An example of what we can do for you in England and Scotland. This tour itinerary will be conducted for a couple in June, 2017. All of our tours are custom designed and private. If you are interested in booking this trip, please go to this sign-up form on our web site and select “England Countryside 1”
Historical Sites & Areas of Natural Beauty
of
England, Wales and Scotland
This custom designed itinerary just for you covers many areas known for their natural splendor, history and prehistoric sites.
Highlights
- Cambridge
- Flag Fen
- York, including Yorkshire moors & dales, Castle Howard & Fountain’s Abbey, an open-air historical museum about Yorkshire
- Northumberland, including Hadrian’s Wall, Alnwick Castle
- Edinburgh
- Glen Coe and Loch Lomond
- Lakes District / Cumbria, with a focus on Roman, Iron Age sites and stone circles
- Wales/Snowdonia, including Conwy, the natural beauty as well as charming villages
- Ludlow and Ludlow Castle
- The Cotswolds, Bath and Stonehenge
Day 1 (Cambridge, 2 nights)
Arrival at London Heathrow, where you’re met by a private driver who brings you to a lovely B&B with wonderful hosts in Cambridge. You’re met at the B&B by Jenean. Not much is planned for this first day as you’ll be recovering from jet lag. We’ll give you tips on how to best acclimate to local time. Early evening spent strolling through the old part of Cambridge, with dinner in a highly rated restaurant with views of King’s College and Chapel across the street.
Dinner included tonight
Day 2 (Cambridge)
Getting to know Cambridge and the colleges with a guided, morning walk through the center of Cambridge, along with a visit inside parts of Queens’ College, King’s College and the incredible Chapel. The afternoon can be spent in any number of the museums or perhaps a guided trip on the River Cam, called Punting on the Cam.
Day 3 (York, 4 nights)
We make the approximate three-hour drive north to York, breaking the drive up by making a stop at Flag Fen Archaeology Park along the way. This will be a long day, with much ground to cover and much to see at Flag Fen. This evening you’ll be able to stretch your legs and explore a little bit of York.
Day 4 (York)
Most of our sightseeing today will be of the city of York – the old walled town, the beautiful York Minster, St. Mary’s Abbey ruins, Jorvik Viking center and more as your interests dictate. It’s fun to explore the many little streets with their array of shops, pubs and restaurants.
Day 5 (York)
Today we take a day trip and go out into the countryside to visit Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal Water Garden/ We’ll have plenty of opportunity to see the countryside of this western part of Yorkshire, including an area within the Yorkshire Dales National Park that provides scenes of classic Yorkshire Dales countryside. I’m certain we’ll be able to find a cozy pub with excellent food along the way.
Day 6 (York)
Another day of exploration of Yorkshire sites and countryside in a different direction. We head north for a visit at Castle Howard as well as a folk museum in the North York Moors National Park where we learn about the heritage, culture and people of Yorkshire.
Days 7 & 8 (Northumberland, 2 nights)
We leave York and Yorkshire today and make our way to Northumberland for the next two nights. Headquartering near Alnwick, we’ll try to see the castle the day we arrive. The following day, we’ll be going to one of the best places to view Hadrian’s Wall, out in the Northumberland countryside. It’s possible to see the wall at several places, including in Cumbria for other perspectives and a Roman fort.
Days 9 and 10
Edinburgh for two nights at a lovely small boutique hotel with a restaurant in the center of town. We explore the city and its history for the next two days.
Days 11, 12, 13
Making the 3-hour drive from Edinburgh, we headquarter the next three nights in the Lake District where we’ll explore the rich offerings for Cumbria and the Lake District and their wealth of prehistoric sites, sweeping and inspiring vistas and quaint villages. Staying in or near Keswick on one of the largest bodies of water (Derwent Water) in the Lake District, we’re perfectly situated to explore a number of the stone circles that this area is known for. In addition, we can take a boat excursion on Derwent Water and hop-on/hop-off to explore villages along the water’s edge.
Days 14 and 15
Our next destination (3-hour drive) is Snowdonia/Wales. We explore the sights of Snowdonia, a land of mystery, timeless villages, castle & abbey ruins and breathtaking natural beauty.
We headquarter in a renowned village of beauty which is centrally located for visiting Conwy Castle, Caernarfon Castle, and the ruins of Dolbadarn Castle. We can explore other ancient fortresses as time allows.
Day 16
Making our way from Snowdonia, we travel through Wales to reach Ludlow (2 to 2 ½-hour drive) for an overnight and a visit to Ludlow Castle.
Days 17, 18
Headquarter in the heart of the world-renowned and designated Area of Natural Beauty that is the Cotswolds, within a picturesque and typical Cotswolds village. The Cotswolds has historically been known for its sheep, and the ancient market towns that are spread throughout were primarily important wool-trading venues. We visit enchanting villages and historic market towns that appeal to your interests. Note: Some places around the edges of the Cotswolds are NOT infused with Cotswold character. These include Stratford-Upon-Avon and Swindon.
Day 19 (Bath, 1 night)
Meander through old town Bath and visit the Baths at night, skipping the massive daytime lines.
Dinner and Roman Bath tickets included tonight
Day 20
A visit to Stonehenge and then a stay overnight at a lovely pub/inn that I discovered last year, which is about an hour away from Heathrow. Their food is wonderful and the grounds are lovely, located next to the Kennet & Avon Canal
Day 21
Departure back to the United States. You are met at our inn by a private driver who gets you to Heathrow in plenty of time for your flight. If your flight is quite early, then we would arrange for you to stay your final night closer to Heathrow.
Like this tour? Book it now using this link and choose “England Countryside 1” or call us at 800-401-7802.
Your Private Tour in England, Scotland and Wales
Includes:
- Breakfast (at hotels and inns), a light lunch and guidance on selecting a place for you to have dinner if desired. Some dinners are included and are noted on your itinerary.
- Double occupancy spacious and extremely comfortable rooms always with private bath/shower and toilet in high quality four-star or similar hotels or high standard B&Bs and inns.
- Transportation by a rented, comfortable small SUV
- Incidentals, tolls, fuel, sightseeing entry fees for those attractions listed on your itinerary, tips or payments to local guides, etc.
- Your guide’s professional fee. No tip expected!
Your trip is priced in British Sterling Pounds since that is the currency that we’ll be using.
The price for your trip in British Sterling Pounds for two persons : £ 23,000
- Deposit amount: £1000 per person sent by check to our office in Florida (as of today that equals US $2,877 (the exchange rate is currently at 1.43)
- Followed by one third of the balance due 90 days before trip start
- Balance is due 30 days before trip start
It will be my pleasure to show you a wonderful time in the British Isles!
Thank you,
James Derheim
European Focus Private Tours
1748 Independence Court
Suite F-6
Sarasota, FL 34234 USA
800.401.7802
+1 941.706.4508