11-Nights Essential Britain from $3,599

Globus

OFFER ID 1515213

Thrones and scones. Hops and scotch. Rock stars and famous rocks. They’re all included on this enthralling and encompassing tour of Britain. Pack your tweed and tartans for the best of London and country, the Scottish Highlands and Lowlands, and the enchanting villages and valleys of Wales, and prepare to be swept away like a runaway bride at the elopement capital of Gretna Green. The castles and cathedrals of London, Edinburgh, and Cardiff, as well as the charming pubs on every corner, will steal your heart away. With visits to the baffling boulders of Stonehenge, the battlefield of Culloden Moor, Shakespeare’s birthplace of Stratford-upon-Avon, and The Beatles’ home city of Liverpool, this tour of Britain promises rocking discovery and enlightenment, not to mention honorary degrees in ancient history, English literature, and music appreciation.

11 nights from $3,599 per person

Valid for new bookings deposited from January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025 for travel January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025

*Promotion may not be combinable with any other offers, promotions, or discounts, and is subject to availability and airline booking guidelines. Other restrictions may apply.

Itinerary

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Itinerary Details

Essential Britain

Day 1 ARRIVE IN LONDON, ENGLANDWelcome to London! Uniformed Globus Hosts will be waiting to welcome you. Free time this afternoon.

Day 2 LONDON–STONEHENGE–ILMINSTER–PLYMOUTHSecrets of the Stones LONDON Meet your Tour Director and travel companions at 8 am before departing for Stonehenge.
STONEHENGE Visit the prehistoric monument.
ILMINSTER [LF] Lunch at a local pub.
219 mi / 352 km (B,L)

LOCAL FAVORITE
LOCAL TASTES Quench your thirst with local ales and ciders while tasting traditional pub fayre prepared following century old recipes. Nothing eases homesickness like hearty cooked food concocted with care and love like grandma used to make. Just like home away from home!

Day 3 PLYMOUTH. EXCURSION TO CORNWALLLegends of Land & Sea PLYMOUTH [LF] All aboard for a scenic cruise on Plymouth Sound. Enjoy a scenic drive through the West Country to Poldark’s Cornwall.
LOOE Visit the thriving fishing village and former smugglers’ port.
PLYMOUTH Free time this evening. (B)
42 mi / 70 km

LOCAL FAVORITE
EPIC RIDE Stunning views of Cornwall, the setting of Winston Graham's ‘Poldark’ saga of Cornish life in the 18th century, will leave you breathless on a scenic drive through the West Country. Get carried away with a spectacular scenic cruise on Plymouth Sound, a magnificent inlet on the English Channel.

Day 4 PLYMOUTH–GLASTONBURY–BATH–CARDIFF, WALESTimeless Kings & Thermal Springs GLASTONBURY Visit the town of the legend of King Arthur and the Holy Grail.
BATH Visit the excavations of the Roman Baths. (B)
184 mi / 295 km

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LEGENDS & LORE The Somerset town of Glastonbury is the site of King Arthur’s legendary quest for the mythical Holy Grail, the cup from which Jesus drank at the Last Supper. Hear how, while Arthur failed in his search, a noble knight named Galahad found the Holy Grail because of his pure heart.

Day 5 CARDIFF–BUILTH WELLS–LLANGOLLEN–LIVERPOOL, ENGLANDMoor than Meets the Eye Take a scenic drive along the Taff Valley and through the Brecon Beacons National Park.
BUILTH WELLS Stop at the ancient market town.
LLANGOLLEN Visit the picturesque town.
LIVERPOOL Free time the remainder of the day. (B)
190 mi / 306 km

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
NATURAL WONDERS Discover the extraordinary natural beauty of Brecon Beacons National Park while driving through its mountains, moors, and magnificent views. Look out for Welsh mountain ponies and sheep grazing in the wild and red kites gliding gracefully in the sky.

Day 6 LIVERPOOL–GRASMERE–GRETNA GREEN, SCOTLAND–GLASGOWSongs, Sonnets & Secret Vows LIVERPOOL Visit The Beatles Story for a fascinating journey into the life and music of the Fab Four.
LAKE DISTRICT Take a scenic drive.
GRASMERE Visit Wordsworth’s beloved village, and sample [LF] the original Grasmere gingerbread.
GRETNA GREEN See where a Scottish blacksmith performed weddings for eloping young couples and [LF] join in a fun wedding re-enactment. (B,D)
236 mi / 380 km

LOCAL FAVORITE
TIMELESS TRADITIONS Love will find a way to sweeten the day with classic gingerbread in Grasmere, or by parents hot on the trail of runaway brides and grooms who crossed them (and the Scottish border) to get hitched in 18th-century Gretna Green. Hear how romance was forged by a blacksmith who helped eloping couples hammer out the vows.

Day 7 GLASGOW–FORT WILLIAM–INVERNESS Landmarks, Lochs & Legends GLASGOW Orientation drive to see Glasgow’s landmarks, including the 12th-century cathedral, university buildings, and Georgian squares. Take a scenic drive past Loch Lomond, Rannoch Moor, and Glen Coe.
FORT WILLIAM See the gateway to Ben Nevis, UK’s highest peak.
LOCH NESS Drive the length of the legendary lake en route to Inverness. (B,D)
178 mi / 286 km

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LEGENDS & LORE Survey the shores of famed Loch Ness for the chance to catch a glimpse of its mysterious Nessie. Hear of the folklore and firm believers in the legend of the Loch Ness Monster, which is said to swim in the shimmering waters.

Day 8 INVERNESS–CULLODEN—PITLOCHRY–ST. ANDREWS–EDINBURGHBravery, Birdies & Bagpipes CULLODEN MOOR See the battlefield.
PITLOCHRY Walk through the Victorian mountain resort.
ST. ANDREWS Visit the home of golf and the famous university town. (B)
202 mi / 326 km

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ICONIC FOOTSTEPS See the fairways and greens at the birthplace of golf, where legendary players of the Scottish game made history in the university town of St. Andrews.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
THE ROYAL EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO Unpack your plaid! Edinburgh Military Tattoo performances included on departures July 26, August 2, 9 and 16.

Day 9 EDINBURGHCrown Jewels & Castle Views EDINBURGH Morning city sightseeing with a Local Guide includes the New Town, the Old Town, and a visit to Edinburgh Castle to see Scotland’s Crown Jewels. Free time. (B)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SPOT Ascend to Castle Rock to explore Edinburgh Castle, one of the most important historical strongholds in the Kingdom of Scotland, with a 1,100-year history as "the most besieged place in Great Britain.” Here, see the royal regalia and Scotland’s Crown Jewels.

Day 10 EDINBURGH–ALNWICK, ENGLAND–YORKLights, Camera, Alnwick! ALNWICK Visit Alnwick Castle, setting for many film productions. Choose between touring the castle or taking a stroll through the magnificent gardens.
YORK See York Minster and browse the shops of The Shambles. (B,D)
214 mi / 344 km

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SPOTS Visit Alnwick Castle to discover 700 years of English and family history of its owners, the Percy Family. Continuing the lineage of centuries of Dukes, Duchesses, and Earls whom have called the impressive castle home. The castle is a haven for movie and TV buffs as the filming location for many productions, including Harry Potter and Downton Abbey. If nature is more to your liking, consider a visit to the splendid 12-acre Alnwick Gardens.

Day 11 YORK–STRATFORD-UPON-AVON–LONDONMr. & Mrs. Shakespeare STRATFORD-UPON-AVON See Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace. (B)
255 mi / 410 km

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
A LEGEND SLEPT HERE Ah, young love! Even more true, as young Shakespeare’s fiancée was eight years his senior. See Anne Hathaway's Cottage, the family home where the bard’s wife-to-be was born and courted by young Will. Built more than 500 years ago, much of the original structure remains. Visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace and family home in the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon. Hear tales of Shakespeare’s family life, marriage, and children with a close look at fascinating artifacts in a world-class collection assembled by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.

Day 12 LONDONSafe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

Featured Destinations

York

Liverpool

Liverpool – just saying the name automatically brings the world’s most famous group to mind – The Beatles. Liverpool however has more to offer visitors though than just Beatles memorabilia. Located on the Irish Sea on the mouth of the Mersey River, Liverpool is one of England’s most important seaports, second only to London. A bustling port for the exchanging of goods, it is also a passenger port for those traveling to Ireland. Several churches in the city are notable; among them is the Anglican Cathedral, built in 1904 which is one of the largest ecclesiastical structures in the world. There are several museums in the city as well, the Walker Art Gallery and the Merseyside County Museum.

Excursions

Liverpool: Explore Liverpool - 8 hours

This morning, you are met as you disembark your cruise ship by your driver-guide. Begin your full day private sightseeing tour of Liverpool, once the most important centre of maritime trade in the world.

Liverpool was the European capital of Culture in 2008 as is also the birthplace of Beatles. You may like to walk through the Mathew Street to the Cavern Club, following in the footsteps of the Beatles. See the buildings known as the ‘Three Graces’, and the impressive civic buildings that were constructed as a result of the mercantile wealth. The most important of these is St. George’s Hall, that interestingly claims to be the world’s first air-conditioned building. The Walker Art Gallery houses one of the finest collections of paintings in the UK outside of London. However the two most magnificent buildings from the 20th-century in Liverpool are the cathedrals. The Anglican Cathedral built in traditional gothic style is the largest church in the UK; the Roman Catholic cathedral is a fine example of contemporary modernist architecture.

Time permitting you may also pass under the River Mersey to Port Sunlight, one of the first planned industrial villages in the world that was opened by the Lever Brothers to house their workers in better conditions. The focal point of the village is the Lady Lever Art Gallery that houses a large collection of Wedgwood Jasperware. You could also visit Speke Hall (closed Monday and Tuesday), a fine example of a Tudor half-timbered manor house that is richly decorated with wooden furniture inside.

Highlights:

Follow in the footsteps of the famous band the Beatles who grew up in Liverpool
See the impressive civic buildings, the Walker Art Gallery and the largest church in the UK

Tour Duration: 8 hours

Tour Can Operate: Morning / Afternoon

Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information

Physical Activity Level: Light

Inclusions:

Private transport by luxury car or minivan
An expert local driver-guide for 8 hours
Entrance fees to all sights and museums
All taxes

Exclusions:

All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
Gratuities

Plymouth, UK

Edinburgh

Dominated by the ramparts of Edinburgh Castle, this picturesque city offers shopping on Princes Street, the grandeur of the Royal Mile, St. Giles Cathedral and historic Palace of Holyrood House, where Queen Mary lived and many Scottish kings were wed. Or venture across the moors to marvel at the scenic Highlands.

Excursions

Edinburgh: Royal Edinburgh - 8 hours

With Scotland's most famous castle dominating the city, Edinburgh provides a fantastic introduction to this magical country. This morning you will receive a warm welcome by your local guide as you disembark your cruise for your full day sightseeing tour (8 hours) by private vehicle.

You will first head up to Edinburgh Castle, where you will see the 'Honours of Scotland', or the Scottish Crown Jewels, and have the opportunity to admire striking views across the city. Drive along the Royal Mile to the imposing Holyrood Palace*, the Queen's Official Residence in Scotland.

Continue the Royal theme this afternoon, with a visit to the Royal Yacht Britannia. Built in Scotland, and now permanently moored here, this famous ship hosted many official voyages during her working life. Your guide will bring the Royal Yacht Britannia’s intriguing history to life prior to the short transfer back to your cruise ship.

*You will tour the staterooms of the palace if no member of the Royal Family is staying here at the time.

Highlights:

Privately guided tour of Edinburgh Castle
Visit Holyrood Palace (Subject to Royal Visit)
Discover the history of the Royal Yacht Britannia

Tour Duration: 8 Hours

Tour Can Operate: Morning/ Afternoon

Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information

Physical Activity Level: Light

Inclusions:

Private transport by BMW 7 Series or similar for 1 or 2 passengers or Viano (6 passenger seats) or similar for 3, 4, or 5 passengers or Sprinter for 6 passengers.
Expert local guide for stated sightseeing 8 hours in Edinburgh
Entrance fees to all sights and museums
All taxes

Exclusions:

All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
Gratuities
Supplement for public holidays
Anything not specifically mentioned in the “Inclusions” list above.

Edinburgh: Introducing Edinburgh - 4 hours

Glasgow

London

Cardiff

Inverness

Inverness is an excellent tourism destination. With its suspension bridges across the River Ness and old stone buildings, it is a pretty place well-known for its floral displays. Walk along the river banks and to the Ness Islands for an escape from the hustle and bustle of the shops. Cross the river on little bridges and visit Bught Park. The Floral Hall has a sub-tropical horticultural extravaganza with a small waterfall, fish and all sorts of plants and trees. Walk up the river in the other direction and see Ben Wyvis on the skyline. Inverness has an excellent museum and art gallery. Local history talks take place here. Eden Court Theater, situated near the cathedral, has events listings and incorporates part of the old Bishop's Palace and is said to be haunted by the 'Green Lady' ghost of a wife of one of the bishops who hanged herself there. Also check out art.tm which is an art gallery and studio. The Spectrum Centre has a cafe and is the meeting place for local clubs and education classes. Look out for Scottish Showtime music and dance performances during the summer.

Excursions

Inverness: The Scottish Highlands - 8 hours

Vacation Details

Valid Date Ranges

08/02/2025 - 08/13/2025

from $4,099 per person

08/23/2025 - 09/03/2025

from $4,419 per person *

08/30/2025 - 09/10/2025

from $3,899 per person *

09/13/2025 - 09/24/2025

from $3,899 per person *

09/20/2025 - 10/01/2025

from $3,899 per person *

10/04/2025 - 10/15/2025

from $3,599 per person *

* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.

Prices Start At

from $3,599 per person

Length

11 Nights

Air City

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Vacation Rating

Deluxe

Remarks

All fares are quoted in US Dollars.

OFFER ID

1515213

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