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    • 2023 GROUP TOURS >
      • Medieval Britain (May 17-28)
      • The Cinderella Army (Sep 28 - Oct 14)
      • Italian Campaign (Oct 17-30)
    • 2024 GROUP TOURS >
      • Northwest Europe (Apr 21 - May 6)
      • 80th Anniversary of D-Day (May 29 - Jun 11)
      • Northwest Europe (Sep 19 - Oct 3)
    • 2025 GROUP TOURS >
      • Holland Liberation 80th Anniversary (Apr 21 - May 7)
  • Testimonials
  • Book🧳
  • About Us
    • Our Team
    • FAQs
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2023 Medieval Britain
Castles, Cannons & Crowns

CULTURAL and historic Landmarks from London to Edinburgh

2023 Medieval Britain: Castles, Cannons & Crowns

Cultural and Historic Landmarks from London to Edinburgh

At a glance     
May 17-28, 2023 • England & Scotland • 12 days

Overnight destinations     
London • Southampton • Stratford-Upon-Avon • Lincoln • York • Newcastle • Edinburgh • Stirling • Inverness • Edinburgh

Highlights     
Hampton Court Palace • Battlefields of Culloden & Bannockburn • Salisbury Cathedral • Stonehenge • Hadrian's Wall • Eilean Donan Castle • Scone Palace • and much more! • scroll down to see complete details
Click to Download Brochure
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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, bringing Britain’s fabled past to life.

​All our tours are carbon-neutral.

Castles, cannons and crowns.
A time of mystery, a time of intrigue.

ITINERARY
Tuesday May 16
For many of our Canadian travelers it is departure day, for the overnight transatlantic flight to England. Some travelers may choose to leave for Europe sooner to extend the start of the trip - let us know if we can quote you on pre-tour accommodations.

Guests who have other travels already in progress, or g
uests from other points of origin including the United Kingdom, the United States and elsewhere, will meet the start of the tour on Day 1 in London.
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Day 1
Wednesday
May 17
In the mid-afternoon all clients can check into the group hotel. In the meantime, luggage is stored in the hotel baggage lock-up. Today you are free to explore London, an amazing city of history and monuments waiting to be discovered including the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, the Imperial War Museum, Covent Garden, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, Platform 9-3/4 at Kings Cross Station ... and so much more! 

In the evening we gather in the heart of London for our Welcome Dinner, to share a glass of wine and set the stage for our special journey. Overnight London - Radisson Blu Edwardian Mercer Street. [D]

Day 2
Thursday May 18

We set out in earnest to begin our journey, starting with a visit to one of the most impressive of all medieval palaces - Hampton Court. This was the seat of power of the Tudor King Henry VIII of the 1500s and it survives as one of the most stunning of all royal residences, featuring amazing gardens, a prison, fabulously expensive art, and much more!

After lunch we travel to the south coast of England, to visit the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and a tour of Lord Nelson's flag ship - HMS Victory - launched in 1765 and still the pride of the Royal Navy. Your ticket includes access to the various other venues. 

Overnight
Southampton - Jurys Inn Hotel. [B,L]
Read what professional travel writer Dale Dunlop, "The Maritime Explorer," has to say from the 2018 tour:
HMS Victory
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Lord Nelson's ship, HMS Victory.

Day 3
Friday May 19

In the morning we travel to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Stonehenge, a prehistoric marvel built ~2500 BCE. Francis Pryor, one of England's top archaeologists (and former co-host of BBC Television's Time Team), joins us for a private tour to tell us about this remarkable site and what it might truly mean.

We travel into nearby Salisbury to enjoy lunch at leisure, with extended time in town to visit the marvelous 800-yr-old Salisbury Cathedral and catch a glimpse of the world famous Magna Carta. We then begin our travel northward, to Warwickshire for our night's rest. 


Overnight Stratford-Upon-Avon - Crowne Plaza. [B,L]
Read what professional travel writer Dale Dunlop, "The Maritime Explorer," has to say from the 2018 tour:
Stonehenge
Salisbury Cathedral

Day 4
Saturday May 20

We are headed for Bosworth Field Heritage Centre, to see where Richard III, the last Plantagenet king of England, fell in battle. It would mark the beginning of the Tudor dynasty.

In the afternoon we make a tour of the stunning Belvoir Castle, the ancestral home of the Duke of Rutland for almost a thousand years - a masterpiece of architecture and design and one of the finest examples of Regency architecture in the country. Overnight Lincoln - DoubleTree by Hilton. [B,L]

Day 5
Sunday May 21

Day Five begins with a drive into the forested countryside of England. We take a guided tour of a famous English country manor house, Haddon Hall. The house has been described as one of the most complete and important houses of the period. Other more lavish castles and manors dot the nearby county, but the smaller Haddon Hall is truly a unique and beautiful structure.

​In the mid-afternoon we drift into the back roads to visit the battlefield at Towton, considered the largest and bloodiest battle ever fought on English soil as part of the Wars of the Roses of the 15th century. Overnight
York - DoubleTree by Hilton. [B,L] 
Read what professional travel writer Dale Dunlop, "The Maritime Explorer," has to say from the 2018 tour:
Haddon Hall
Battle of Towton

Day 6
Monday May 22
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 walking down into a forested valley, to discover the well-hidden ruins of Fountains Abbey. From its beginnings in 1132 it became an important and wealthy centre of culture in the county. Despite raids from the Scots, and the Black Death of 1348, it persevered, until the Dissolution by King Henry VIII in the mid-1500s when it fell silent. Today it is a magical place to explore.

We pause for a group lunch at a quaint pub in the little village of Middleham. It's then time to learn about King Richard III by walking through his childhood home, Middleham Castle, which sits just behind the main street - on the high ground with a long view of the county. Overnight
Newcastle - Hilton Gateshead. [B,L]
Read what professional travel writer Dale Dunlop, "The Maritime Explorer," has to say from the 2018 tour:
Fountains Abbey
Middleham Castle
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Fountains Abbey

Day 7
Tuesday May 23

We begin the day at yet another UNESCO Site - the Roman ruins at Hadrian's Wall. Excavation continues even today at various sties along the 120+ km long wall, which stretched from coast to coast across the north of England and marked the very northern frontier of the vast Roman Empire. 

Our adventure then continues northbound, where we come to a stop at the border between England and Scotland. Then onward we go, to see Melrose Abbey which dates from 1136. Here rests the heart of King Robert the Bruce, whom we shall meet in the coming days in our travels through the highlands of Scotland.

The day concludes with an overnight in Edinburgh, the magical capital city of Scotland. Overnight
Edinburgh - Apex Grassmarket. [B,L]
Read what professional travel writer Dale Dunlop, "The Maritime Explorer," has to say from the 2018 tour:
Vindolanda
Melrose Abbey
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Enjoying a 'wee dram' at the border.
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Melrose Abbey

Day 8
Wednesday May 24

Stirling Castle is the focus of our day. Stirling Castle was the key to the kingdom of Scotland, dominating a vast volcanic rock above the river Forth at the meeting point between Lowlands and Highlands. Its origins are ancient and over the centuries it grew into a great royal residence and a powerful stronghold. Royal building projects like the Great Hall, the Chapel Royal and the Palace of James V, marked it out as one of the most important places in all Scotland. Your visit here includes time for lunch-on-the-go at the castle cafeteria, and features a special performance by the Dominion of Canada Pipes & Drums!

We also visit nearby at the Battlefield of Bannockburn of 1314, and also Stirling Bridge - historic sites which both fall within view of the castle. Amazing battles took place here, charting the course of Scotland. Overnight 
Stirling (Dunblane) - DoubleTree by Hilton. [B,L]
Read what professional travel writer Dale Dunlop, "The Maritime Explorer," has to say from the 2018 tour:
Bannockburn

Day 9
Thursday May 25

In the morning we walk to another small monument, marking a dark chapter in Scottish history - the Massacre of Glencoe. Our local guide tells the tale as no one else can.

After lunch we travel a short distance north to Glenfinnan, a small spot well off the beaten track but it is a very important place in Scottish history. It is here that Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobite Uprising of 1745 began. A monument marks where the prince came ashore, to begin an endeavor which would end in complete failure at Culloden. ​​Overnight Inverness - Best Western Palace Hotel & Spa. [B,L]
Read what professional travel writer Dale Dunlop, "The Maritime Explorer," has to say from the 2018 tour:
Glenfinnan

Day 10
Friday May 26

Day Ten is steeped in history as we explore the historic battlefield at Culloden Moor, where in 1745 the Jacobite Uprising came to a violent end. Those who follow the television series Outlander will recall this famous battle.

During our journey we stop to see if Loch Ness will reveal any monsters! We also drive out to the west coast to visit the most iconic of all Scottish landmarks - Eilean Donan Castle. Overnight
Inverness - Best Western Palace Hotel & Spa. [B,L]
Read what professional travel writer Dale Dunlop, "The Maritime Explorer," has to say from the 2018 tour:
Culloden

Day 11
Saturday May 27

We journey south on the homeward leg of our amazing trip, making our first visit of the day to Dalwhinnie Distillery for a little Scotch tasting - a fine way to begin any day! 

Later we pause in Perth, the gateway to the highlands, for a tour of the incredible Scone Palace - the place where successive
 Scottish kings were crowned through the centuries and thus a place of immense historic significance for over 1000 years. It is also one of the finest examples of late Georgian Gothic architecture in all of the United Kingdom. We will dine in the palace for our Farewell Lunch. Overnight Edinburgh - Radisson Collection Royal Mile. [B,L]
Read what professional travel writer Dale Dunlop, "The Maritime Explorer," has to say from the 2018 tour:
Scone Palace
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Scone Palace

Day 12
Sunday May 28
This morning is departure day for those Canadians returning home on the optional group flight - buffet or box breakfast is included, depending on departure time from the hotel. Some travelers may choose to remain in Europe longer to extend the end of the trip - let us know if we can quote you on post-tour accommodations so that you have extra time to explore the beautiful city of Edinburgh!

Others guests will depart for home or continue their travels on other routes. [B]​
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Note: This itinerary is subject to minor alteration 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.
Click to Download Brochure

PRICING
$6490 CAD Land Only, Per Person, Based on Double Occupancy (two people sharing a room)
$2100 CAD Single Supplement (the additional cost if traveling on your own - one person in the room); very limited quantity of single rooms are available on each tour - if you are a single traveler please book early to avoid disappointment
​ 

PRICING INCLUDES:
  • An expert Canadian Historian, and an expert Canadian Tour Director, who will both accompany you on your full tour, joined by various local experts along the way!
  • Eleven nights accommodation in twin or double rooms with private facilities
  • 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 meals as outlined in the itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner); lunches and dinners typically include a glass of wine/beer
  • All entrances as per your itinerary
  • All hotel service charges, local taxes, and porterage (where available, one bag per person) are included
  • Gratuities to Coach Driver and Local Guides are included ... these costs are extra on most other tours and can add up to $200 CAD or more per person at the end of your trip, be sure to compare​

PRICING EXCLUDES:
  • Airfare
    ​Note: an optional group air booking is available for Canadian travelers, departing from Toronto, details to be posted in December 2022; we can provide a quote for connecting flights from other gateways in Canada; alternatively, we can quote flights for any dates/routes of your preference; travelers on the group flight will be picked up from London Heathrow Airport on May 17, 2023 and dropped off to Edinburgh/Glasgow Airport on May 28, 2023; all other travelers are responsible for their own airport transfers
  • Meals other than stated on the itinerary
  • Travel Insurance Protection - check with your favourite travel agent or ask us for a quote from Manulife 
  • Passport & related fees
  • Any optional excursion not specifically stated
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Pre-tour and/or post-tour accommodations - check with your favourite travel agent or ask us for a quote
    ​ 
IMPORTANT NOTES:
  • Hotels have been pre-booked but are subject to change
  • This tour requires a minimum of 25 passengers to operate
  • Non-refundable deposit of $500 per person due upon booking 
  • Balance of payment due on or before the booking deadline: February 13, 2023
  • Liberation Tours will donate on your behalf to Forest Recovery Canada, to make your trip carbon-neutral
  • Download and read our Terms & Conditions ​prior to making your booking​​​

Book Your Trip!
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If you have questions, contact your favourite travel agent or:

John Cannon, Tour Director
1-833-252-0001  |  booking@liberationtours.ca 

​
​Travel Agents  ✈  
click here.
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©2023 Liberation Tours Inc.
info@liberationtours.ca

(833) 252-0001
(647) 812-9601


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