English Countryside: Lake District, Edinburgh, and Harrogate

This afternoon, guests will board the private coach from their hotel in Grasmere and travel to nearby Wordsworth Museum and Dove Cottage. William wordsworth is considered one of England's best poets of the Romantic Era and he was also the Poet Laureate of England for 7 years. Wordsworth lived with his sister at Dove Cottage, and its garden today, largely looks like it did when the Wordsworths' were in residence. Your group will see a variety of typical English plants in the garden, including honeysuckles, Rosa Rugosa, English primrose, daffodils, and bluebells, as well as mosses ferns and ivy. Inside the museum, guests will see a collection of manuscripts, paintings and memorabilia related to the poet. Wordsworth died in 1850 and was buried in a nearby graveyard at the village church in Grasmere. Once the tour is concluded, your group will return to the hotel.

After breakfast, guests will meet the Tour Director for a full-day excursion around Lake Windermere. There is plenty to discover and experience on this day, as guests travel from one picturesque destination to another. They will visit the former home of beloved children's author Beatrix Potter, and view the beautiful Holehird Gardens, one of the best in the country. After a short cruise, guests will return to the hotel in time for dinner.

This day-long tour will begin with a guided tour of Hill Top, the former home of Beatrix Potter, a favorite author of children all over the world for her book "The Tale of Peter Rabbit." In 1906, Potter moved to this 17th-century house, which was located on the site of a working farm. Before she passed away, she bequeathed the house to the National Trust with instructions to leave the house as she left it! The garden that surrounds this stone and slate farmhouse very much typifies the English country garden style with beds informally filled with flowers and vegetables, as guests will discover. There will be free time for lunch, after which, your group will continue to Holehird Gardens, home to the Lakeland Horticultural Society. Long considered one of the best gardens in all of England, its 17 acres contain a walled garden, alpine plants, stunning perennial borders, rock gardens, heather gardens as well as an extensive variety of trees and shrubs. Holehird Gardens also maintains three National Collections: Astilbe, Hydrangea and Polystichum Ferns. After the visit, your group will proceed for a cruise to the nearby Lake Windermere, the largest natural lake in England and a source of inspiration for many poets and artists. The lake forms part of the Lake District National Park, and since the mid 1800's, it has been a favorite vacation spot for the British. After the cruise on the lake, your group will return to the hotel in Grasmere for dinner.

This morning, your group will set out to discover some of the most important castles and manor houses located in the Lake District. Accompanied by the Tour Director, the first stop will be at Holker Hall, followed by free time for lunch. In the afternoon, your group will travel to the 13-th century Sizergh Castle for a comprehensive tour, before returning to the hotel in time for dinner.

This day-long tour begins with a visit to Holker Hall and Gardens in Grange-over-Sands. Holker Hall is Cumbria's premier stately home and is surrounded by 25 acres of beautifully landscaped, award-winning gardens. Guests will also find a motor museum and exhibitions, as well as a deer park, cafe and an adventure playground on the premises. What's more, there is the world's largest slate sundial for them to see as well! There will be free time for lunch, and then your group will once again travel to the town of Kendal to visit Sizergh Castle, regarded as one of the very best houses in Cumbria. This castle was originally built in the early 13th century and was occupied by the Strickland family for 750 years. The gardens here are regarded as some of the best in the country. They feature the largest limestone rock gardens, which are managed by the National Trust. After the tour, your group will return to the hotel for dinner.

A hearty Scottish breakfast later, your group will board the coach to visit Edinburgh Botanical Garden and tour the city. There will be time for lunch after the botanical garden, and then your group will continue on the city tour abord the private coach. As the capital of Scotland, Edinburgh is famed for its rich culture and architecture, as guests will discover during this immersive tour. The day will conclude at the hotel where guests will have dinner. The rest of the evening will be at leisure.

This morning begins with a visit to the Edinburgh Botanical Gardens with a specialized guide. At the Inverleith Garden, guests will see many wonders of the plant kingdom that are displayed in the grounds. The display includes ten plant houses, a world famous rock garden, and peat and woodland gardens. There are also herbaceous borders, an arboretum, and an executive collection of rhododendrons to view. After a delightful morning spent amid nature, guests will have some free time for lunch. Afterward, they will meet the guide at the hotel for a half-day panoramic tour of Edinburgh to see many of its iconic landmarks. Guests will visit the famous Old Town with its medieval architecture, and visit the hilltop Edinburgh Castle overlooking the city. The Georgian New Town showcases a contrast to this, with its beautiful monuments and squares. Walking up the volcanic Arthur's Seat, guests will learn more about the city's rich history and culture from their guide. There will be time to visit other landmarks, before the tour ends at the hotel in time for dinner.

In the morning, your group will board the private coach for their visit to Inveresk Lodge Gardens and Culross Palace & Town House. This promises to be a delightful day where history and natural beauty will intertwine. Guests will wander through beautifully landscaped gardens and meadows, and explore a beautiful 17th-century house with a seasoned guide, before returning to the hotel. After dinner, the remainder of the day is free for guests to simply relax or explore Edinburgh as they please.

Inveresk Lodge Gardens' inviting terrace garden entices visitors with its colorful herbaceous beds, a variety of attractive shrubs and a collection of old roses selected by Graham Stuart Thomas. The fine Edwardian conservatory has an aviary, tree ferns and hardy exotics. In the informal area, many of the plants hold the Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit, as guests will discover. Afterward, they will have some free time to stop and eat lunch. Later, guests will continue on to Culross Palace and Town House near Fife. The palace was built between 1597 and 1611 for Sir George, and it features many decorative items. On the ground floor of the West Wing, guests will discover a collection of Staffordshire and Scottish pottery. At the rear of the palace exists a model 17th-Century garden with raised beds, a covered walkway, and a flowery mead. Accompanied by their guide, guests will see a variety of unusual vegetables, herbs, and perennials. After the tour, they will return to the hotel for dinner.

This morning, your group will board the coach for a visit to the nearby city of York. They have the entire day at leisure to explore this city, which was founded by ancient Romans and features a giant 13th-century cathedral. There is deep history embedded in the winding streets of this old town, with beautiful shops and houses that lend it a quintessentially British appeal. Apart from the cathedral, and the medieval streets, York is also home to a York Castle Museum, houses in a formed prison, which guests can explore. Afterward, they will meet the coach driver at a designated meeting point to be arranged between the driver and the group, for the return transfer back to the hotel. A group dinner will be arranged for guests at the hotel's restaurant.

This morning, guests will board the private coach for their visit to Harlow Carr Botanical Gardens and the Bronte Parsonage museum. Afterward, they will have some time to stop for lunch on their own. Later, your group will continue on to the Bronte Parsonage Museum, which was the home of the Bronte sisters, including Charlotte Bronte who wrote "Jane Eyre". The Parsonage setting in the moorland provided much of the inspiration for these novels, as guests will discover. After the tour, guests will return to the hotel in Harrogate for dinner. The remainder of the evening is at leisure for guests to discover Harrogate as they wish.

After breakfast, guests will board the private coach for their transfer to Manchester Airport for the departure flight back home.