Medieval Britain: Castles, Cannons & Crowns

Battlefields & Cultural Landmarks from London to Edinburgh

At a glance                                                                                                
September 13-24, 2020 • England - Scotland • 12 days
deadline to book: June 12, 2020

Overnight destinations                                                                   _     
London • Portsmouth • Stratford-upon-Avon • York • Durham • Perth • Fort William • Edinburgh

Highlights _______________                                                                  _     
Battlefields of Hastings, Culloden, Bannockburn • Salisbury Cathedral • Stonehenge • Hadrian's Wall • Warwick & Urquhart Castles • Scone Palace • Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre • scroll down to see complete details

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Medieval Britain - a time of castles and cathedrals, knights and archers, clans and kilts, pipes and cannons … and war.

Who would wear the crown? Mary Queen of Scots or Elizabeth? Charles or Cromwell? Lancaster or York? Or Arthur? Did Robin Hood really exist? Was Macbeth a real person or did Shakespeare invent him? And Merlin - was he real or “such stuff as dreams are made of?” Britain is a land of fact, myth and magic. Stonehenge, Guy Fawkes, Magna Carta, Hadrian's Wall, Loch Ness, The Tower of London - each have their place in this storied history.

​Join us as we visit the sights of London, then tour the Channel coast, turning north through Stratford, York and Edinburgh, and all the way up into the mystical Scottish Highlands. Twelve glorious days, with local experts, bringing Britain’s fabled past to life.

ITINERARY

Day 1
Sunday September 13
Depart for your overnight transatlantic flight to London, except for those who may choose to leave for London sooner to extend their trip. Where available, guests will enjoy the luxury of a premium airport departure lounge.

Day 2
Monday September 14
Upon arrival in London we will enjoy a tour of the city with a local expert guide. The afternoon is your to enjoy at leisure. In the late afternoon we gather together with our fellow travelers for our evening Welcome Dinner. Overnight London. [D]

Day 3
Tuesday September 15
We begin the day with a visit to the battlefield of Hastings. It was here in 1066 the Norman invasion began, which would forever change the course of history of the British Isles. After lunch we travel to Portsmouth to see Lord Nelson's flag ship, HMS Victory, launched in 1765. Overnight Portsmouth. [B,L]

Day 4
Wednesday September 16
In the morning we travel to the historic UNESCO World Heritage Site of Stonehenge, a pre-historic marvel built ~2500 BCE. We travel into nearby Salisbury to enjoy lunch, with time to visit the marvellous cathedral and catch a glimpse of the Magna Carta, then later we carry onward to the historic district of Warwickshire. Overnight Stratford-Upon-Avon. [B,L] 

Day 5
Thursday September 17
The day begins with a visit to the enchanting 1,000 year old Warwick Castle. Then, with the mood of history well established, we travel to the Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre for a fascinating look at the Battle of Bosworth and King Richard III. Overnight Stratford-Upon-Avon. [B,L]

Day 6
Friday September 18
Day Six begins with a drive north into the forested countryside of England. We take a guided tour of a famous English country manor house, Haddon Hall, which concludes with a special lunch within. In the mid-afternoon we drift into the backroads to visit the battlefield at Towton, considered "probably the largest and bloodiest battle ever fought on English soil" as part of the Wars of the Roses of the 15th century. Overnight York. [B,L] 

Day 7
Saturday September 19
The Norman Invasion of 1066 was preceded by a great battle, which we'll discuss at Stamford Bridge in the morning. Our journey then finds us amongst the ruins of the enchanting Fountains Abbey, hidden away in a valley. Following lunch we explore the imposing Middleham Castle, childhood home of King Richard III, before winding our way to northern England for the evening. Overnight Durham region. [B,L]

Day 8
Sunday September 20
We begin the day at yet another UNESCO Site - the Roman ruins at Hadrian's Wall, followed by lunch in the valley. Having stopped at the border we cross into Scotland and head north to see Melrose Abbey. The day ends in the Kingdom of Alba ... Scotland! Overnight Perth. [B,L]

Day 9
Monday September 21
Today’s first stop is just on the edge of town - a tour and lunch at the incredible Scone Palace, the place where successive Scottish kings were crowned. We are then off to the west coast of Scotland to visit Glenfinnan and hear all about Bonnie Prince Charlie, and see a few memorable sites along the way. Overnight Ft. William. [B,L]

Day 10
Tuesday September 22
Day Ten is steeped in history as we extend all the way north into the Highlands and to the battlefield at Culloden Moor. During our journey we stop to see if Loch Ness will reveal any monsters! The day includes a brief stop at the ruins of Urquhart Castle on the shores of the loch. Overnight Ft. William. [B,L]

Day 11
Wednesday September 23
Stirling Castle starts our day, including time for lunch-on-the-go at the castle cafeteria. We'll visit the battlefield of Bannockburn of 1314, and also Stirling Bridge, then carry onward to Edinburgh where we conclude our amazing journey with our Farewell Dinner. Overnight Edinburgh. [B,L,D]

Day 12
Thursday September 24
Morning departure via Edinburgh or Glasgow Airport for those returning home, while others may extend their stay at their option. Box or buffet breakfast depending on departure time.

Note: This itinerary is substantially complete but minor changes are possible prior to the booking deadline. Clients should also keep in mind that minor variances are always possible during the actual tour based on the need to adapt to circumstances we encounter during our travels.

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PRICING COMING SOON!

PRICING WILL INCLUDE:

• 10 nights accommodation in twin-bedded rooms with private facilities
• Guests on the group flight will enjoy gathering at a premium departure lounge on departure from Canada (where available and schedules permitting) ... an exclusive benefit not offered by other battlefield tours
• Travel by luxury air-conditioned coach with reclining seats, facilities and free on-board Wi-Fi
• Buffet breakfast (cold and/or hot) at the hotel each morning, plus select lunches/dinners as outlined in the itinerary
• All hotel service charges, local taxes, baggage handling (one bag per person) are included
• Gratuities to Coach Driver, On-Board Agent and Local Guides are included! ... these costs are extra on most other tours and can add up to $150 CAD or more per person at the end of your trip, requiring an awkward search for a bank machine in the final days of your vacation ... we eliminate this. Be sure to compare!
• Group pick-up from London Heathrow Airport on September 14, 2020 and return group transfer to Edinburgh/Glasgow Airport on September 24, 2020; individual transfers are the responsibility of the client

PRICING WILL NOT INCLUDE:

• International flights to/from UK; optional group airfare to be posted ~Nov 2019
• Meals other than stated on the itinerary
• Travel / Cancellation / Medical Insurance, Passport & related fees
• Any optional excursion not specifically stated
• Items of a personal nature
  
  

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• ​Prices will be subject to change based on currency fluctuations, to be confirmed at time of final payment 
• Hotels will be pre-booked but are subject to change
• This tour will require a minimum of 20 passengers to operate
• $500 deposit per person due with booking. 
• Balance of Payment will be due on or before June 12, 2020. All deposits and payments are non-refundable.
• Download and read our Terms & Conditions ​prior to making your booking.

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