Friday 1st September – Friday 22nd September 2023
Explore the charming Cotswolds; full of history, beautiful gardens and quaint cottages before heading to the highlights of Scotland. Discovering the very best hidden gems and getting under the skin of the country with your expert guides. Relaxing in luxury at the end of each day, this will be a trip full of special moments.
Restaurant Recommendations – LONDON
Overnight: London, by own arrangements | Corinthia, London
Meals Included: None
This morning you will meet an expert guide to share with you some of the fascinating history of this multi-layered capital city as you explore some of the iconic sights in the centre. Admire Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, and discover the fascinating Churchill War Rooms. Make your own way there and get a glimpse of the private life of this giant personality as he lived through the Blitz and ruled the country from underground.
Then visit the nearby Royal Church of Westminster Abbey to soak in the unique atmosphere and stories as you explore with your guide. This World Heritage Site has witnessed many historic events over its thousand years of history. If the times align then you can watch the impressive Changing Of The Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace, the home of Her Majesty The Queen before lunch. Your guide will leave you at lunchtime with the rest of the day to relax together and continue your explorations at your own pace
Overnight: London, by own arrangements | Corinthia, London
Meals Included: None
Today is free for you to relax, enjoy your hotel facilities or keep exploring at your own pace. Maybe wander the varied local markets, Borough Market is always a favourite with foodie delights in all kinds of forms. Or perhaps explore the vibrant galleries or admire the layers of history in the British Museum. The choice is yours.
Overnight: London, by own arrangements | Corinthia, London
Meals Included: None
Private Transfer to Avebury, where you will be met by your private Guide for the Cotswolds (who will also act as your driver for the rest of your Cotswolds explorations). Avebury Henge & Stone Circles are awe-inspiring to visit. The site is actually older than Stonehenge, and is the largest Megalithic stone circle in the world. You will enjoy lunch together and there are some lovely short walks in the area if you have time before you continue to your luxurious hotel in the beautiful Cotswolds
(Drive Time London to Avebury = Approx 2.5hrs,
Drive Time Avebury to Lygon Arms = Approx 1 hr 45 mins)
Overnight: Cotswolds . The Lygon Arms, Broadway, ( Main House Classic Double Room )
Meals included: Lunch
Restaurant Recommendations – COTSWOLDS
Overnight: Cotswolds | The Lygon Arms
Room Type: Main House: Classic Double
Meals Included: Lunch
Today you explore the picture perfect Cotswolds with your knowledgeable guide. Take a short walk to admire the views to be seen from the hilltop position of Broadway Tower, then lose yourselves in the history of Sudeley Castle (and its beautiful gardens) before hopping aboard a charming steam railway to take you back to Broadway. Your guide will meet you from the train and you can either head back to the hotel to relax or head out for more explorations, such as Snowshill Manor. The choice is yours.
(Drive Time Approx 1 hr)
Overnight: Cotswolds | The Lygon Arms
Room Type: Main House: Classic Double
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Immerse yourselves in the unique setting of Sezincote House & Gardens this morning, a 200 year old Indian Palace which is still privately owned and managed by the family. Then maybe choose to explore one of the local quaint villages before a tour and tasting of the local Cotswolds Distillery. Your Guide will then take you back to your hotel to relax.
Note: Options for a gin-blending masterclass at the distillery.
(Drive Time Approx 2 hrs) .
Overnight: Cotswolds | The Lygon Arms
Room Type: Main House: Classic Double
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Your Guide will take you to Birmingham Train Station to catch your direct train to Edinburgh in Scotland this morning.
(Drive Time Approx 1.5 hrs)
Restaurant Recommendations – EDINBURGH
Overnight: Edinburgh, by own arrangements | Gleneagles Townhouse
Meals Included: Breakfast
In the morning you will be met by an expert local city guide who will take you on a tour to discover the true character of the Old Town and discover some of the lesser known sites. Edinburgh is a labyrinth of cobbled alleyways contrasted with Georgian townhouses and more modern architecture and this tour will give you a real insight into the history and character of this amazing city. Finish up discovering the tales of Edinburgh Castle itself, see the oldest crown jewels in Europe as well as The Stone Of Destiny which Scottish Monarchs have been crowned on for centuries.
Overnight: Edinburgh, by own arrangements | Gleneagles Townhouse
Meals Included: None
Today is free to visit some of Edinburgh’s wonderful attractions independently; venture underneath the streets into the dark tales, discover the Georgian opulence of the New Town or go aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia, once the floating palace of Queen Elizabeth II and The Duke of Edinburgh.
Overnight: Edinburgh, by own arrangements | Gleneagles Townhouse
Meals Included: None
A private driver will collect you from your hotel just before lunch and transfer you North into the beautiful Cairngorms National Park. Enjoy lunch at a local eatery before checking in and enjoying a relaxing evening.
(Drive Time Approx 2 hrs 45 mins)
Restaurant Recommendations – CAIRNGORMS – BREAMAR & BALLATER
Overnight: Ballater | Darroch Learg
Room Type: Master Room
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your guide for this morning has lived in this area for decades and has so many tales to tell. He will share these as you explore locally in the area, see where the Royal Family go to church when they are here, hear the tales of the Royal cairns and discover the beautiful scenery. He will drop you back to the hotel before lunch, and then you have the afternoon free to enjoy your hotel facilities or explore the charming village.
Overnight: Ballater | Darroch Learg
Room Type: Master Room
Meals Included: Breakfast
Meet your main guide for Scotland today, and together head north over the scenic ‘snow roads’ to Inverness. Stop at the atmospheric Culloden Battlefield, the site of the last battle of the Jacobite rising in 1746, and hear the bloody tales of the moor. You may also wish to visit the prehistoric site of three Bronze Age burial chambers and standing stones known as Clava Cairns. Your guide will then take you to your luxurious hotel in Inverness with time to settle in before dinner.
Drive Time Approx 2.5 hrs
Restaurant Recommendations – INVERNESS
Overnight: Inverness | Ness Walk
Room Type: Oak King
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
The Duke of Sutherland was a very controversial figure during the clearances, when thousands of crofters were evicted from their homes, and there are many tales to be told about his family history. Today you will visit Dunrobin Castle & beautiful gardens, seat of the Sutherland family since the early 1300s. If the timing is right you may also catch the daily falconry display to admire these incredible birds of prey.
This afternoon enjoy exploring this lovely section of the East coast with your guide. Keep your eyes open for the local dolphin pods and maybe stop into the popular Black Isle Brewery, or visit Glenmorangie Distillery to experience their unique take on classic drams.
Drive Time: Inverness to Dunrobin Castle – Approx 1.5 hrs each way
Overnight: Inverness | Ness Walk
Room Type: Oak King
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Enjoy some fabulous scenery as your guide drives you to Skye today, passing the deep waters of Loch Ness and through steep sided mountain glens on the way. Stop to explore the elegant Eilean Donan castle, set out on the water on a private island and surrounded by majestic scenery. You will then continue onwards, passing over the graceful arc of the Skye Bridge onto ‘the misty isle’ itself and carrying on to your lovely hotel which enjoys views out over the shoreline.
Drive Time Approx 2.5 hrs
Restaurant Recommendations – ISLE OF SKYE
Overnight: Isle of Skye | Kinloch Lodge
Room Type: Luxury Double
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Explore Skye with your private guide. Wander in Portree, maybe admire the Old Man of Storr, take a photo at the iconic Sligachan Bridge and finish up at Talisker Distillery for a tour and tasting of their unique spirit. Your guide will then take you back to your hotel to relax and enjoy the gorgeous location.
Drive Time approx 3 hrs depending on additional explorations and traffic
Overnight: Isle of Skye | Kinloch Lodge
Room Type: Luxury Double
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Head to the picturesque beach of Elgol and board a boat to take you to the foot of the Black Cuillin Mountains, watching out for seals and other wildlife along the way. Disembark to explore and soak in this awe-inspiring location which can’t be reached by road. Your guide will share the local tales with you before you take the boat back and then return to your hotel.
Drive Time Approx 2 hrs
Overnight: Isle of Skye | Kinloch Lodge
Room Type: Luxury Double
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Today you take the ferry back to the mainland and drive the ‘Road To The Isles’, stopping at Glenfinnan to admire the Viaduct and hear about the Jacobite history behind the monument and the ‘Lone Highlander’ on top. Your guide will then take you onwards to Glencoe and your unique luxurious hotel.
Drive Time Approx 3 hrs
Restaurant Recommendations – GLENCOE
Overnight: Glencoe | Glencoe House
Room Type: Suite
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Explore the stunning scenery of Glencoe this morning, these dramatic mountains and ridges have featured as the backdrop in many films and once you are looking up at these summits it is easy to see why! After you explore settle down in a traditional climbers pub and listen to local legends and fascinating tales of the dark past of Glencoe told by a local storyteller. You can then enjoy a relaxing afternoon.
Drive Time: Minimal
Overnight: Glencoe | Glencoe House
Room Type: Suite
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Today you head to Perthshire where you head out on a fun private Landrover safari with a kilted Ranger, exploring private estate tracks to see what traditional gillies and estate managers drive every day. Keep your eyes open for the local wildlife, Red Deer, Mountain Hares and Eagles that are all to be found here. When you get back down into the valley your guide will take you to your welcoming hotel to settle in before dinner.
Drive Time Approx 2 hrs 45 mins
Restaurant Recommendations – PERTHSHIRE
Overnight: Perthshire | Kinloch House Hotel
Room Type: Superior Room
Meals Included: Breakfast
There are plenty of options for today’s explorations with your guide, depending on your preferences. You could head to discover the Scottish design delights of the V&A Dundee, walk the elegant halls of Scone Palace, take a gentle hike in the beautiful landscape, or tour a local whisky distillery. The choice is yours!
Overnight: Perthshire | Kinloch House Hotel
Room Type: Superior Room
Meals Included: Breakfast
A private transfer will collect you from your hotel this morning to transfer you from Perthshire to Edinburgh Airport to catch your onward travel. On arrival in London Heathrow a private transfer will take you to your self-arranged hotel.
Drive Time Perthshire Hotel to EDI = Approx 1.5 hrs
Drive Time LHR to London Hotel = Approx 1 hr, very traffic dependant
Overnight: London | By Own Arrangements
Meals Included: None
A private transfer will collect you from your hotel this morning to transfer you from your hotel to London Heathrow Airport to catch your onward travel.
Meals Included: None
Pricing:
The NET price for this itinerary, based on 2 clients on a twin-share basis and including a £12 per person conservation contribution:
Conservation Contribution
This voluntary donation of £12 per person goes towards conservation projects in the locations we operate. If you would like to opt out just let your trip designer know.
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Please see our booking terms here.
Friday 1st September – Friday 22nd September 2023