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10-Day Palaces, Castles and Cathedrals in the UK

Customisable Itinerary
4.3 • 2 travellers have booked with Mario F.

Trip Overview

For anyone with a love of English and Scottish heritage, this 10-day customisable itinerary is perfect. On this trip, you'll visit some of the best English castles as well as the grandest palaces and churches in the nation, which cumulatively represent many millennia of history and culture.

The entire journey, accompanied by a luxury private car and an expert guide, is a fascinating architecture tour that allows you to see a number of places where key historical figures ruled and reigned, from Buckingham Palace to Edinburgh Castle.

As well as discovering the highlights of London’s royal heritage, you'll tour the charming university city of Cambridge and enjoy the historic city of Edinburgh!

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Itinerary

Day 1

Welcome to the Capital of England!

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Welcome to the Capital of England!

With its nightlife, culture, history, and world-class dining scene, London is the perfect place to kick off your U.K. holiday. You'll arrive in style with a private transfer from the airport to your hotel in central London. Likely you'll be a bit jet-lagged from your flight, but the perfect remedy for that is to get out and explore! Hit the streets on a double-decker bus, in a black cab, or even on foot.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hard Rock Hotel London4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    LondonOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Heathrow Airport to Hard Rock Hotel London

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    London

    Greater London

Day 2

Discover London's Royal Legacy

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Discover London's Royal Legacy

After breakfast, you'll visit some of London's most famous palaces, castles, and cathedrals on a luxury driving tour of the city. This, of course, includes a stop at Buckingham Palace as well as Westminster Abbey and St. Paul’s Cathedral, where Princess Diana married Prince Charles in 1981. This guided tour is the most personalised way to see the royal and religious landmarks that have been an integral part of Britain's heritage from antiquity through to present day.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hard Rock Hotel London4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Discover London's Royal Legacy Tour

    Buckingham PalaceOptional Activity

    Westminster Abbey

    St. Paul's Cathedral

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Greater London

    London

Day 3

Day Tour to Windsor Castle from London

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Day Tour to Windsor Castle from London

Today, you will travel to Windsor Castle, one of the best English castles. Sitting on 13 acres of well-manicured grounds and boasting a whopping 1,000 rooms, this 11th-century castle is an architectural marvel of Georgian and Victorian design. On a tour of the castle, you'll see royal portraits depicting those famous monarchs from the House of Tudor, as well as many other highlights. You'll also be able to stroll all those acres of glorious English gardens surrounding the property.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hard Rock Hotel London4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Explore Windsor Castle

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Greater London

    Windsor

Day 4

Travel to Cambridge Followed by Wine Tasting or Afternoon Tea

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Travel to Cambridge Followed by Wine Tasting or Afternoon Tea

Next, you will travel by private car on a 1.5-hour journey north to the charming university city of Cambridge. This is a historic city surrounded by rolling green hills, family farms, and country villages. Cambridge itself is best known for its globally renowned university. In the afternoon, you will have two options for activities, both delicious. You can travel to Chilford Hall Vineyard for a wine tasting or enjoy afternoon tea outdoors on the lovely grounds of Chilford Hall's visitor centre.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hotel du Vin Cambridge4 star

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    Activities

    CambridgeOptional Activity

    Wine Tasting or Afternoon Tea at Chilford Hall

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from London to Cambridge

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Greater London

    Cambridge

    Cambridgeshire

    England

Day 5

Tour the Ely Cathedral

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Tour the Ely Cathedral

Today, your guide has a special treat for you as you step away from the hustle and bustle of central Cambridge and escape to the countryside. Nestled in this bucolic region of Cambridgeshire is the charming city of Ely. Here, you will enjoy a special tour of the 11th-century Ely Cathedral, a stunning example of Romanesque/Norman architecture and one of the UK’s top attractions. Formally an abbey church, the cathedral is now the principal church of the Diocese of Ely.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hotel du Vin Cambridge4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Tour the Ely Cathedral

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Cambridgeshire

    Ely

Day 6

Guided Tour of the University of Cambridge and Anglesey Abbey

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Guided Tour of the University of Cambridge and Anglesey Abbey

Today, you'll head to the city's namesake university for a guided walking tour. On this private tour, you'll visit the various university buildings, such as King’s College, Trinity Hall, Pembroke College, and more. It even includes a relaxing stroll along the River Cam. After a break for lunch, you'll hop back in the car and drive just outside the city of Cambridge to the 12th-century Anglesey Abbey. You'll tour the reconstructed rooms of this historic home as well as its landscaped grounds.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hotel du Vin Cambridge4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Guided Tour of the University of Cambridge and Anglesey Abbey

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Cambridgeshire

    Cambridge

Day 7

Travel to Edinburgh

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Travel to Edinburgh

After breakfast, your luxury travel experience continues as you head north into Scotland and its incomparable capital of Edinburgh. You'll travel by rail and have ample opportunity to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the English countryside as it passes outside your window. Once you arrive you'll be struck by the city's palpable history, which is evident in its architecture and on its streets.

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    Accommodation

    Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Edinburgh New TownOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Train from Cambridge to Edinburgh Park

    Private Driver from Edinburgh Park to Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel

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    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Cambridgeshire

    Edinburgh

Day 8

Special Tour of Holyrood Palace

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Special Tour of Holyrood Palace

Today, you'll enjoy a special tour of Holyrood Palace, which is the official residence of the Queen when she is in Scotland. The palace sits at the bottom of Edinburgh’s famous Royal Mile in historic Old Town Edinburgh. During the tour, your expert guide will offer insight into Holyrood's architecture and construction, as the palace dates back to 1501 and was built on the site of a former abbey. You will also have free time to explore the palace’s landscaped gardens.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Walk in the Footsteps of Royalty at Holyrood Palace

    Holyrood Palace

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Edinburgh

Day 9

Discover Edinburgh Castle on a Guided Tour

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Discover Edinburgh Castle on a Guided Tour

Today, you'll be visiting the most iconic attraction in Edinburgh: the historic castle. It's a dominating fortress located atop Castle Rock, a basalt cliff formed by a volcanic eruption over 340 million years ago. This fortress/palace was the seat of royalty since its construction in the 12th century, and it frequently changed hands between Scottish and British monarchs during and after the wars for independence. You'll spend the day exploring this wonderful landmark with your guide.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Discover Edinburgh Castle

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Edinburgh

Day 10

Farewell Scotland!

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Farewell Scotland!

Today, your vacation comes to an end. You will be treated to one final luxury with a private transfer from your hotel to the airport for your flight home.

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    Transportations

    Private Driver from Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel to Edinburgh Airport

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Edinburgh

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What’s included?

  • 9 nights accommodation
  • 10 activities
  • 9 breakfasts
  • Airport transfer
  • Entrance fees
  • Ground transportation
  • Licensed English speaking guides

What’s not included?

  • Alcohol beverages
  • Domestic flights
  • Entry visas / airport departure tax
  • Gratuities
  • International flights
  • Laundry
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Trekking permits