England & Scotland

Featuring a Visit to Highclere Castle and the Edinburgh Tattoo

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Aug 1 - Aug 13, 2025
13 days | 12 nights

Has Great Britain been calling your name? Travel the cities and countryside of England and Scotland for this immersive journey through the UK. See an up-close view of the Beatles history in Liverpool, gaze in wonder at the mysterious Stonehenge, cruise Loch Ness Lake in the Scottish Highlands, enjoy a drink at a local Distillery, and so much more.

  • Visit Highclere Castle of Downton Abbey fame
  • Experience the mystery and majesty of Stonehenge
  • Celebrate “The Beatles” in their hometown of Liverpool
  • Enjoy reserved seats at the world-famous Edinburgh Tattoo
  • Liverpool Cathedral
  • Culloden Moor
  • Step into history at Bath’s Roman Baths and view flowing hot water springs over 2,000 years old
  • Tap your toe at The Cavern Club where the Beatles hosted over 290 shows
  • Individual audio headsets for the entire tour
map

DAYS 1-2: WELCOME TO THE UK!

Start our journey with a visit to Westminster Abbey, an integral part of London’s history for almost 1,000 years and the site of every coronation since 1066, numerous royal weddings, and the funeral of Princess Diana before checking into the four-star Holiday Inn London Kensington High Street for a two-night stay. Meals In-Flight, D

DAY 3: LONDON HIGHLIGHTS/TOWER OF LONDON

Bring your camera to capture spectacular views on a guided panoramic tour of London where you will spot sites such as Big Ben, Parliament, Buckingham Palace, the London Eye and much more. Enter the Tower of London to learn of its fascinating (and sometimes bloody) history and get an up-close view of the Crown Jewels. B, D

DAY 4: STONEHENGE/HIGHCLERE CASTLE

Mysterious and magical, Stonehenge is Europe’s most famous prehistoric monument built in stages from 3000 BC. Enjoy a tour of Highclere Castle and Gardens, site of the PBS hit TV series and movie, Downton Abbey. The privately-owned castle is open for tours on a very limited schedule – and we get a look inside! Continue to the Georgian town of Bath for an overnight at the four-star Hampton by Hilton Bath City Hotel. B, D

DAY 5: ROMAN BATHS/STRATFORD UPON AVON

Located on the site of ancient springs, extensive Roman Baths offer a glimpse into the ancient civilization’s impact on southern England. Explore Shakespeare’s hometown, Stratford-Upon-Avon, and see the house and impressive gardens where the famous bard was born and grew up. Check into the four-star Novotel Liverpool Centre for a two-night stay. B, D

DAY 6: THE BEATLES

An immersive journey at The Beatles Story Museum explains how four young lads from Liverpool were propelled to heights of fame and fortune from humble beginnings. Visit the Cavern Club, where they made their first appearance in February 1961 and played over 200 times since then. Later, we’ll visit Liverpool Cathedral, a 20th-century construction recognized as the fifth largest cathedral in the world. B, D

DAY 7: LAKE DISTRICT NATIONAL PARK

A scenic drive through England’s Lake District National Park features incredible views of Lake Windermere, made famous in the writings of Beatrix Potter. Cross into Scotland at Gretna Green, the first village in Scotland, on the old coach route from London to Edinburgh. Overnight at the four-star Peebles Hydro Hotel. B, D

DAY 8: BLAIR CASTLE

Continue north to the Scottish Highlands with a stop at the imposing Blair Castle Estate, one of Scotland’s premier stately homes and the last castle in the British Isles to be besieged in 1746 during the famous Jacobite uprising. The Castle was the traditional home of the Dukes of Atholl, with magnificent artifacts and expansive gardens to explore. Enjoy a three-night stay at the Kingsmills Hotel located in the heart of the Scottish Highlands. It is surrounded by immaculate gardens with impressive views of Cromdale Hills. B, D

DAY 9: URQUHART/LOCH NESS CRUISE

Dating back over 1,000 years, Urquhart Castle offers a taste of the Highlands at their most dramatic chapters of history. Tour the castle’s Great Hall and towers including time to peer into the cell which held legendary Gaelic bard Domhnall Donn. Watch as the shepherd masterfully directs his working Border Collies to herd and round the sheep. What a treat! Enjoy lunch on your own in Fort Augustus before departing on a Loch Ness cruise where sharp eyes will come in handy to spot the mythical Nessie. B, D

DAY 10: CULLODEN/CAWDOR CASTLE

Visit the infamous Culloden Moor where the final battle of the Jacobite rising of 1745 was fought between the Scottish Highlanders, led by Bonnie Prince Charlie, and the English Crown. Take a tour of Cawdor Castle, dating back to 1370 and built as a private fortress by the Thanes of Cawdor, a family made famous by Shakespeare’s play MacBeth. Later, enjoy a taste of Scotland on a visit to a distillery, set high in the foothills of the Cairngorm Mountains. B, D

DAY 11: FREE TIME/EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO

Spend the afternoon exploring Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, on your own before enjoying the highlight of this vacation in the evening - the Edinburgh Military Tattoo! Performed by British Armed Forces and international military bands, the Tattoo is televised in over 40 countries and watched by hundreds of millions! In 2025, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo celebrates its 75 year jubilee with their milestone show The Heroes Who Made Us. Spend two nights at the four-star Apex Waterloo Place in Edinburgh. B, D

DAY 12: EDINBURGH CASTLE/ROYAL YACHT BRITANNIA

Housing the Scottish Crown Jewels and the Stone of Destiny, Edinburgh Castle is one of the most imposing fortresses in the world. Pass beneath a 450-year-old raised portcullis, view the Stone of Destiny, glance out at unrivaled sights of Scotland and more while exploring the Castle! Explore the Royal Yacht Britannia, launched in 1953 and host to the Royal Family for 968 official voyages until its retirement in 1997. Cap off your Scottish experience with another night of entertainment at the Taste of Scotland Show at Prestonfield House. B, D

DAY 13: FLY HOME FROM EDINBURGH

After breakfast, travel to the airport for your flight home, carrying memories of this unique adventure. B, Meals In-Flight

ACCOMMODATIONS:
Nights 2-3: Holiday Inn, London Kensington High Street, London, England
Night 4:
Hampton by Hilton, Bath City, England
Nights 5-6:
The Pullman Hotel, Liverpool, England
Night 7:
Peebles Hydro Hotel, Peebles, Scotland
Nights 8-10:
Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness, Scotland
Nights 11-12:
Apex Waterloo Place, Edinburgh, Scotland

Dates:

  • Departure Date: August 1, 2025
  • Return Date: August 13, 2025

Pricing:

  • Double: $6,499
  • Single: $8,249

*Per person rates

*Included airfare from STL/MCI/SGF (call for other gateway cities)

*Passport Required

Extend Your Vacation!
Subtract $1,000 per person from the combined rate when you join us for "England and Scotland" and "Irish Lands & Legends"

Helpful Hints
The British are known for their politeness, so remember to say "please" and "thank you." In Scotland, you’ll find locals particularly friendly and welcoming.

In 2025, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo celebrates its 75 year jubilee with their milestone show The Heroes Who Made Us.

Tipping is appreciated but not always expected. In restaurants, a 10-15% tip is customary if service gratuity isn’t included. If you take a taxi somewhere, round up taxi fares.

Trying food in a different country is a benefit of travel! For some of the meals on your own, try fish and chips, cornish pasties in England, and haggis or Scottish salmon in Scotland. Perhaps grab a pint at The Saracen’s Head pub in Bath, dating back to 1713 and known for its connection to Charles Dickens who visited here during his time in the city or at “Ye Hole in Ye Wall” Liverpool pub dating back to 1726. Cheerio!

On day 7, you will travel through England’s Lake District which is famous for its beauty and inspired not just William Wordsworth’s poetry, but also Beatrix Potter’s famous "Peter Rabbit" stories.

Scotland’s official national animal is the unicorn, a symbol of purity and strength in Celtic mythology. Look for unicorns in historic Scottish heraldry and on public buildings.

Interested in doing laundry on tour? Liverpool, England, would be the best place to do laundry. The Pullman Hotel has laundry/dry cleaning service and is mid-tour with a two-night stay.

Walking Information
England and Scotland involve a considerable amount of walking and sometimes for long durations. These distances can be over paved, unpaved and cobblestone walkways.

Weather
The climate tends to be cool to mild, with frequent cloud cover and occasional rain showers that often clear up quickly. It's always a good idea to be prepared for sudden changes in weather. Perhaps unsurprisingly, weather is a popular topic of conversation in the UK!

Currency
British Pound Sterling – GBP (currency code)

Time Zone
British Summer Time, UK (GMT +1)

Accommodation Notes
You will need a travel adapter to plug in any devices. Some hotels may not provide washcloths in the bathrooms, and others may lack elevators, meaning you might need to use the stairs.

Itinerary Notes
Due to its historic location, there are quite a lot of stairs to climb from the coach parking up to the Edinburgh Castle Tattoo, followed by even more stairs to reach your seats.

Identification
Valid passport required to travel.

Other General Information
We will send 3 key communications for your tour; “Get Ready” is your email confirmation and initial tour information sent upon registration, “Get Set” email will be sent about two months before departure, “Go” trip documentation mailing is sent via USPS 3-4 weeks before departure and will include your daily itinerary, luggage tags and final departure information.

Travel Protection is optional and highly recommended and can be purchased until the day before departure. We offer Travel Guard from AIG, which costs 8.5% of your tour, information about which will be sent with your Get Ready email.

Unless otherwise noted, your Sunrise Tour includes: Professional Sunrise Tour Director, meals as indicated, local step on guides including gratuity (international tour guide gratuity inclusion vary by tour), deluxe motorcoach transportation w/rest room, admission to activities and events as indicated, airfare from designated airports, transportation to/from designated airports from our convenient local pickup points*, luggage handling at hotels when available

We believe tipping is a personal and discretionary interaction between our guests and our staff. A typical gratuity for your Sunrise Tour Director and motorcoach driver may be $5-$7per person, per day on tour. Sunrise Shuttle drivers appreciate gratuities (suggest $5 per person) for excellent service as well. Our staff will not solicit gratuities or pass out envelopes.

We are happy to offer refreshments on most motorcoach travel days on tour. We recommend you bring a refillable water bottle to maintain healthy hydration.

If less than 4 people request a pickup point, we may ask that you choose another pickup point from which to join your Sunrise Tour.

If you would like to join a tour from a city not listed as a departure point, we would love to have you along! Please discuss arrangements with our friendly reservation team. From a departure city not listed, typical airfare will be +$100 higher than our published fare for domestic tours, and +$200 for international tours.

If you have a TSA precheck or Airline Rewards numbers, you MUST give those numbers to our reservations team at least 60 days before departure, otherwise they may not be applied.

Preferred seating may not be available on group air. In some cases, seats are not assigned until the airport. Your tour fare includes an economy seat on the flight; it does not include seat selection. Seat upgrades may be available at an additional cost.

To help make our tours the most comfortable in the business, we limit Sunrise Tours motorcoaches to 80% capacity, or 44 passengers on a coach built for 55. We reserve the right to amend this practice.

Your Tour Director will rotate seats on the motorcoach each day of your tour. A single fare does not guarantee two seats on coach; you may be seated next to another friendly Sunrise Tours guest.

Terms and Conditions
Please refer to our policies HERE for more information on our terms and conditions.

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