London
You will be met on arrival by your driver and transferred by limousine to your central London hotel for check-in.
Enjoy the afternoon at leisure or take your complimentary hop on hop off bus tour. Finest Journeys host will be on hand during the day to meet you and advise and assist you with restaurant and sightseeing options.
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London
The day starts early with a private “behind the scenes” tour of the Houses of Parliament as it is being prepared for the days law-making, followed by a highlights sightseeing tour of London.
In the afternoon, discover the buzzing food culture of modern London on our walking Taste of London food tour.
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Windsor - Cotswolds
Leave London for a tour of the Rothschild mansion at Waddesdon and a private tutored wine tasting in the Rothschild cellars which house the collection of 12,000 bottles dating back to 1868.
After lunch, the day continues with guided tour of the University city of Oxford before continuing through the Cotswolds “Area of Outstanding Beauty”.
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Berkeley - Bath
The day starts with a private tour of Berkeley castle, guided by the owner whose family have lived there for 800 years. Then it's on to the World Heritage city of Bath for a tour of the original 2000-year-old Roman Baths and Bath Abbey. Time to taste the unique Bath bun at a historic tea shop and explore at leisure the boutiques and artisan shops.
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Stratford-upon-Avon
After breakfast leave for a tour through the Cotswolds, passing picture-book cottages and villages to Stratford-upon-Avon for a tour of William Shakespeare’s birthplace with exclusive access to the birthplace library and archive.
Enjoy some time at leisure to explore the pretty town and walk in the footsteps of Shakespeare along the river Avon. In the afternoon visit the home of Shakespeare’s mother and experience the sights, sounds, and smells of a working Tudor farm.
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Stoke-on-Trent - Ripon
An early start today as we head towards the north of England to visit the famous Wedgwood China factory where we can see this china being made before it is exported across the world. Here you will create your own china pot or decorate your own personal Wedgwood item at a tutored workshop which will be shipped home to you.
After checking into your castle hotel, the owners - Lord and Lady Masefield - will welcome us for an exclusive private talk about their family estate and a wine and cheese tasting.
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York
Today, we visit the heritage city of York, with its medieval city walls, cobbled streets and ancient buildings, for a walking tour including the Minster (cathedral) and the National Railway Museum.
We then visit a local brewery for a tour and tasting before returning to Swinton Park where this evening the multi award-winning executive chef at Swinton park, Simon Crannage, will host us for a chef’s table dinner.
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Alnwick Castle - Edinburgh
Alnwick castle and gardens are today’s highlight visit. The home of the Duke of Northumberland family for over 700 years, the castle featured as Brancaster Castle in the PBS Downton Abbey show and Hogwarts School in the Harry Potter movies. Our private tour includes the State Rooms to see one of Europe’s finest private collections of furniture and “Old master” art.
Your tour then heads over the border into Scotland for a panoramic tour of Edinburgh - often known as the Athens of the North for its fine classical architecture - before you check in and enjoy some time at leisure.
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Edinburgh
Today, you will discover the highlights of Scotland’s capital city, starting with a private “behind the ropes” tour of HM Queen Elizabeth’s Palace of Holyrood including private areas used by the Royal Family not normally open to the public.
We then take a tour of the 1000-year-old Edinburgh castle which still dominates the city. Once the home of the Scottish Kings and Queens, it is now an internationally acclaimed World Heritage site. The afternoon is free for you to explore at leisure the Royal Mile, the Scottish National Gallery of Art or the shops on Princes’ street.
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Edinburgh
An early start for a busy day of Scottish Highlands exploring. It starts with a private tour of the 700-year-old Blair Castle where you will hear tales of treachery and valor in the castle and the role of Europe’s last remaining private army. The day continues with a tour through the Cairngorm Mountains National Park before you join a cruise on Loch Ness which may provide a sighting of the monster and, certainly, spectacular scenery. The day finishes with a farewell dinner.
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Edinburgh
Transfer to Edinburgh airport and city center.
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