Majestic Britain

Hello, London! Welcome to one of the greatest cities in the world. Your private driver will meet you in the arrivals hall for your transfer into the city center. Drop your baggage at your hotel and get ready to explore!  

First, start to make use of your 24 hour hop-on/hop-off bus ticket and get your bearings of this wonderful city. If time allows this morning, stop off at Buckingham Palace for the changing of the guard. This takes place at 10:45 a.m. daily and lasts for approximately 45 minutes. Later in the day, return to the hotel for that quintessential British experience: afternoon tea at Rubens at the palace located opposite the Royal Mews of Buckingham palace. 

Highlights (included) : Hop-on/Hop-off Bus Tour (great idea to do this first!), Afternoon Tea at Rubens at the Palace. 
Highlights (optional): Take in a show in London’s West End, City Cruise 

Overnight in London
Tenon Recommends: 5-Star Rubens at the Palace Hotel

See London like a Royal from times past to the present day! Start with an early access admission to Westminster Abbey on a small group tour. See where the late Queen Elizabeth and the current King Charles were crowned, just a part of this famous Abbey’s 1000 year history. 

After traveling 20 minutes via Tube, visit the magnificent St. Paul’s Cathedral, the location for Queen Victoria’s jubilee celebrations, the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana, and the diamond celebrations of Queen Elizabeth the 2nd. If you’re feeling up for it, take the 141 steps up to the Triforium, which offers a spectacular view down from the top of the iconic Geometric Staircase and another down the nave from above the Great West Doors. 

Stroll around Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park and Kensington Palace, which has, in the past, been home to many Royals, including Princess Margaret, Princess Diana and the now Prince and Princess of Wales. 

Take a trip back in time at the Tower of London. Here, you’ll see the Crown Jewels, the ravens, Bloody Tower, Medieval Palace, the public outside areas of the Tower of London and magnificent armor displays in the White Tower, including Line of Kings. 

Highlights (included): Early Access tour to Westminster Abbey, Admission to Kensington Palace, Admission to the Tower of London
Highlights (optional): Fast Track London Eye

Overnight in London
Tenon Recommends: 5-Star Rubens at the Palace Hotel

900 years of history awaits at Windsor Castle, the longest occupied Royal palace in Europe. Included in your ticket is admission to the castle, where you can see its splendor. You can also pay respects to the late Queen and her husband Prince Philip who were buried in St. George’s Chapel. The chapel has also been the venue for many Royal weddings including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Windsor is a beautiful town with many pretty traditional shops, historic pubs and cafes to stop for tea before your return to London. 

This afternoon, take a visit to Churchill’s War Rooms. Churchill and Queen Elizabeth had a long and enduring friendship from the time of her ascension to the throne. Churchill’s War Rooms, also known as the Cabinet War Rooms, provided the secret underground headquarters for the British Government during World War II.

Highlights (included): Morning tour to Windsor Castle, Admission to Churchill War rooms.
Highlights (optional):Enjoy a gourmet dinner on a glass topped double-decker bus traveling around London.  

Overnight in London
Tenon Recommends: 5-Star Rubens at the Palace Hotel 

After breakfast this morning, enjoy a two-hour rail journey to York. This captivating adventure takes you through picture-perfect English Countryside scenes, historic towns (and a total change of scenery) as you travel from the metropolis of London to the charming city of York. 

After checking in at your centrally located hotel, it’s time to explore the city of York, also known as the City of Kings due to the importance of the city to certain Kings, particularly during the medieval period. 

Visit York Minster, a stunning example of Gothic architecture. York Minster holds a special place in the history of England. Its Royal connections, including coronations, marriages and visits by monarchs, add to its rich historical and cultural significance.

Take a wander down The Shambles, an area of Medieval history in the city featuring many well-preserved timber-framed buildings with jettied floors that overhang the street.

York also has a fascinating viking history with the densest settlement in all of England. A visit to the Jorvik Viking Center will illuminate this history.

Highlights (included): Train from London to York. Admission to York Minster.
Highlights (optional): York Fish and Chips cruise, Jorvik Viking Center

Overnight in York
Tenon Recommends: 5-Star Grand Hotel York

Say goodbye to England as you head northward to bonnie Scotland, a favorite destination of the British Royal family.  Your train ride from York to Edinburgh is just over three hours, time to sit back, relax and enjoy some more amazing scenery. 

After dropping your luggage at your hotel, enjoy lunch in the Old Town before making a stop at the Palace at Holyrood. While the castle was a Royal residence many years ago, recent history has seen the Royals use the Palace at Holyrood as one of their residences while in Scotland. Located at the opposite end of the Royal Mile of the Castle, the palace is in a quiet location beside Holyrood Park.  

After your visit, enjoy walking back along the cobblestone street of the Royal Mile and maybe partake in some shopping and even some sipping along the way. 

Highlights (included): Train from York to Edinburgh, Admission to the Palace at Holyrood
Highlights (optional): Spirit of Scotland dinner and show, Holyrood Distillery

Overnight in Edinburgh
Tenon Recommends: 5-Star Gleneagles Townhouse

Prepare to learn all about Edinburgh’s Royal mile this morning* with a small group tour led by an expert guide. Your tour includes admission to Edinburgh Castle, which you should allow an extra 1.5-2 hours to complete. After your explorations of the castle, enjoy the unique experience of afternoon tea in the Queen Anne Tea rooms. 

This afternoon, make your way to the Royal Yacht Britannia (about a 15 minute cab ride from the Royal Mile) and see how the Royals traveled in the past aboard this floating palace. 

*seasonality may affect times of the tours meaning sometimes Afternoon tea may not be possible.

Highlights (included): Secrets of the Royal mile with admission to Edinburgh Castle, Afternoon tea in the Queen Anne Tea Rooms at the Castle, Royal Yacht Britannia
Highlights (optional): Johnnie Walker Princes Street Whisky Experience 

Overnight in Edinburgh
Tenon Recommends: 5-Star Gleneagles Townhouse

Leaving Edinburgh this morning, you will first visit Scone Palace, the Iconic Crowning Place of Scottish Kings and the original location of the Stone of Destiny, which has just been used recently at the coronation of King Charles. On this tour, will explore the opulent interiors, including the state rooms, filled with art, antiques and historical artifacts.

A short drive away is the small town of Pitlochry, known for its scenic beauty, outdoor activities, whisky distilleries and cultural attractions. Queens View is a famous viewpoint in the area that offers panoramic views of Loch Tummel (and so named as Queen Victoria visited the area in 186 and was said to be particularly impressed by the stunning scenery). Enjoy lunch in Pitlochry before moving on. 

The final stop today is Balmoral Castle (open to the public April through July). Located in the picturesque Cairngorms National Park, the castle estate was purchased by Prince Albert in 1852 and the current castle was built between 1853 and 1856. It became a firm favorite with the Royal Family, and that love continues to this day with the current Royal Family having many gatherings there. The late Monarch even lived out her final days there.  

Highlights (included): Private driver tour, admission to Scone Palace and Balmoral Castle.  

Overnight in Edinburgh
Tenon Recommends: 5-Star Gleneagles Townhouse

Sadly, it’s time to say farewell to Scotland. Your private airport transfer driver will meet you at your hotel and drive you to the airport. Fly home with memories that will last a lifetime and a desire to return and see more of what the British Isles have to offer.