Compare England & Scotland in 11 days - The Royal Capital and The Highlands - Charm by Exoticca vs London Like A Royal – A Deluxe Journey by Sky Vacations

Day 1: US - Night on board

Arrive at your US departure airport ready to board a flight to London. Night on board.* * If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.

Day 2: London

Arrive in London and self-transfer to the hotel*. London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom. Located on the banks of the River Thames, London has been an important human settlement since it was founded by the Romans originally named Londinium almost two millennia ago. London is a global city, one of the nerve centers in the arts, commerce, education, maintenance, fashion, finance, media, research, tourism and transport. Rest of the day at your leisure to explore the city. Overnight stay in London. * You will have the option to add a transfer from the airport to your hotel in the next step of the booking process. Please contact our customer service if you require a transfer from an airport other than LGW or LHR.

Day 3: London

Breakfast at the hotel. See London from a different perspective today, with a sightseeing cruise along the River Thames! Take in the views of several of the capital's most emblematic riverside landmarks, such as Tower Bridge, Southbank and the London Eye and enjoy the fully-stocked bar to buy drinks and snacks as you listen to the entertaining onboard commentary! Afternoon free to enjoy the capital at your leisure. Overnight stay in London.

Day 4: London

Breakfast at the hotel. Free day to continue exploring the wonderful city of London. Overnight stay in London.

Day 5: London - Edinburgh

Breakfast at the hotel. At the indicated time, self-transfer* to the London Kings Cross Station to take the train to Edinburgh. Arrive in Edinburgh and self-transfer to the hotel. The capital of Scotland, Edinburgh is famed for its charming medieval Old Town and elegant Georgian New Town with neoclassical gardens and buildings. The rest of the day is free at your leisure to explore the city. Overnight stay in Edinburgh. Please note: During the winter season, the itinerary may be affected. In this case, it is important to review the notes section before your departure. * You will have the option to add a transfer from your hotel to the station and from the station to the hotel in the next step of the booking process.

Day 6: Edinburgh

Breakfast at the hotel. Discover the city’s most famous tourist sights and monuments on a panoramic walking tour of Edinburgh with a professional English-speaking guide, visiting the Grassmarket area of the city, the elegant Georgian New Town and the historic Old Town. Among its main attractions, there is the Palace of Holyroodhouse, St Giles Cathedral and The National Gallery of Scotland. Stroll along the majestic Royal Mile and visit Canongate. Take some free time in the afternoon to wander through the city's atmospheric streets at your leisure, browsing the shops or stopping for a warming 'dram' of whiskey in one of the local bars. We recommend an optional visit to legendary Edinburgh Castle*. Overnight stay in Edinburgh. * Optional Edinburgh Castle visit: Edinburgh Castle is an ancient fortress built on a volcanic rock located in the centre of the city. It has been used for military purposes since the 12th century, being used for civil uses only in very recent times. Enter it and explore all the corners of this wonderful castle!

Day 7: Edinburgh

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a full day at your leisure to continue discovering this amazing city. Why not take in the views from Carlton Hill or, if the weather is good, take a hike up Arthur's Seat for an unforgettable panorama of Edinburgh and beyond. Alternatively, Edinburgh is a paradise for shoppers, with plenty of quirky boutiques to explore. Overnight stay in Edinburgh.

Day 8: Edinburgh - Stirling - St Andrews - Aberdeen

After breakfast, meet your guide and depart towards Stirling. The castle played an important role during the Scottish independence wars and many will recognise it as it is featured in the 1995 film, Braveheart. Continue to St Andrews where to visit this picturesque town, known as the home of golf. Enjoy some free time to take in the sea views before continuing towards Aberdeen, stopping on the way to take pictures of beautiful Dunnottar Castle. Overnight stay in Aberdeen.

Day 9: Aberdeen - Castle Fraser - Cairngorms National Park - Aberdeen

Breakfast at the hotel. Explore the city of Aberdeen on a guided Panoramic coach tour. Visit the area surrounding the Cairngorm Mountains, home to breathtaking scenery, typical of the Scottish Highlands. Enjoy some free time at your disposal at lunchtime. In the afternoon, head to Speyside, famous for the whisky distilleries. Here, pay a visit to a local whisky distillery for a fascinating tour and tasting session. Afterwards, return to Aberdeen for an overnight stay.

Day 10: Aberdeen - Inverness - Aviemore

Breakfast at the hotel. Head west today as you depart on a guided coach journey towards Inverness. Along the route, admire the wild nature of the Highlands as you pass by spectacular landscapes of moorlands and glens. Arrive in Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, and enjoy a city tour. Afterwards, leave the city behind as you head to your hotel in the beautiful area of Aviemore, within the Cairngorms National Park. Overnight stay in the Aviemore area.

Day 11: Aviemore - Trossachs - Glasgow - Edinburgh

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, depart south towards Glasgow via the beautiful Trossachs where you can admire the scenery and see the largest Loch in Scotland, Loch Lomond. On arrival in Glasgow, the second most important and largest city in Scotland, enjoy a panoramic tour and some free time to explore the city at your leisure. In the evening, return to Edinburgh to enjoy your final night in Scotland at your leisure. Overnight stay in Edinburgh.

Day 12: Edinburgh - US

Breakfast* at the hotel. At the indicated time, self-transfer** to the airport for a flight back to the US. Arrive in the US and end your trip. * Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day. ** You will have the option to add the airport transfer in the next step of the booking process.

 DAY 1 – Welcome to London

Arrive into London Heathrow and meet your Sky Vacations ambassador for transfer to your hotel in London City Center. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure. 

DAY 2 – London

Today you will meet with your private guide for sightseeing in London. Depending on the time of year you will have the opportunity to visit Buckingham Palace State rooms before exploring the Westminster area and they famous Abbey. Buckingham Palace Buckingham Palace is the London home and the administrative centre of the British royal family. The enormous building and extensive gardens are an important site of ceremonial and political affairs in the United Kingdom, as well as a major tourist attraction. But for a monarchy that dates back almost a thousand years, Buckingham Palace is a relatively new home. Westminster Abbey The Gothic masterpiece of Westminster Abbey has been at the heart of British history since the formation of the Abbey by Edward the Confessor in 1065. The Abbey became the coronation church for the English monarchy in 1066, was transformed into the modern stone Abbey in the reign of Henry III and has since been the venue for countless magnificent, joyous and sometimes unfortunate royal events. In modern times the marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton, coronation of Queen Elizabeth II and funerals of the Queen Mother and Princess Diana have etched the Abbey into the common memory of billions around the globe. A visit of Westminster Abbey takes in such highlights as the Coronation Chair, the medieval Lady Chapel, museum containing a collection of royal effigies, and the Abbey Gardens, which whisk you away from the hubbub of the city. There is also a café and shop onsite.

DAY 3 – London

Today you will visit Kensington Palace along with the Tower of London with your private guide. Kensington Palace Explore the birthplace of Queen Victoria and home to young royals for over 300 years. Walk in the footsteps of royalty in Victoria’s re–imagined childhood rooms and the magnificent King’s State Apartments and Queen’s State Apartments. Tower of London On the banks of the River Thames in the heart of London stands the Tower of London and nearly 1000 years of history and intrigue. The Tower of London has been used at various times as a palace, barracks, military stronghold, Zoo and most famously as a prison incarcerating famous names like Sir Walter Raleigh, Anne Boleyn and Guy Fawkes. During a visit to the Tower visitors can see crown jewels worth over £20 billion, meet the ravens who legends say have the fate of the Kingdom in their claws, talk to the distinctive Yoeman guards with their white ruffs, and learn about the gruesome torture that went on within the walls. The Tower is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the only intact medieval buildings on the list. At the Tower there are also cafes and a shop. 

DAY 4 – London

Meet with your driver guide today for a tour out to Kew Gardens & Palace along with Hampton Court Palace. Kew Palace Kew Palace is the smallest of all the royal palaces.  It was originally built as a fashionable mansion for wealthy London silk merchant, Samuel Fortrey in 1631. George II (r 1727-60) and Queen Caroline were first attracted to little Kew, thinking it a perfect lodging for their three eldest daughters.  After them, several generations of Georgian royalty used Kew and nearby Richmond Lodge as weekend retreats from an intensely public life in town. Kew reflects the intimate personal and domestic life of Georgian kings and queens for much of the 18th century. Today the interior of this tiny, atmospheric palace tells the powerful story of George III, his mental illness and the members of his family who lived and died there. Hampton Court Palace Discover the magnificence of Henry VIII’s favourite royal residence. Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the bustling Base Court and marvel at the breath-taking grandeur of Henry’s State Rooms. Tickle your taste buds in the vast Tudor kitchens, stroll through over 60 acres of enchanting gardens, lose yourself in the famous maze and appreciate the beauty of one of the greatest palaces on earth. Creep along the Haunted Gallery and discover another palace, the Baroque Palace, full of intrigue and gossip from the Stuart and Georgian era.

DAY 5 – London

Spend today at leisure in London, why not do some legendary shopping or visit one of the many free museums within the city. In the evening you will enjoy a dinner river cruise on the Thames. Bateaux London The crème de la crème of our cruise experiences: let us seat you at your table on the river in preparation for an evening that’ll take your breath away. As we depart from the dock and the sun begins to slowly set, sip on an aperitif, soak up the sounds of our talented live musicians and take in the unmatched scenery as we serve up dishes from our seasonal five-course à la carte menu complimented by free-flowing selected wines. As day turns to night, we journey further down the river, floating past majestic architecture, illuminated skylines, divine river lights and ever-changing scenes of a city from a beautifully unique perspective.

DAY 6 – Kent

Meet your driver guide again today for a full day tour out to Kent where you will visit Leeds Castle & Chartwell House. Leeds Castle Leeds Castle in Kent, England, has been called the “loveliest castle in the world”. Listed in the Domesday Book, this castle has been a Norman stronghold, a royal residence and a royal palace. It’s situation is stunning, set on two islands in a magnificent lake. The Royal Manor was originally built in 857AD and owned by a Saxon royal family. After the Norman Conquest, work began on building the first stone castle on the site. In 1278 the Castle became a royal palace for Edward I and his Queen, Eleanor of Castile. Major improvements were made to the castle during the reign of Edward I. The Barbican, constructed during this time, is unique in that it is made up of three parts, each having its own entrance, drawbridge, gateway and portcullis. The medieval Keep, incorporating the Great Hall, is called the Gloriette, in honour of Queen Eleanor. Perhaps the Castle’s most famous owner was King Henry VIII, who transformed the castle for his first wife, Catherine of Aragon. The stunning painting of the ‘Field of the Cloth of Gold’, which commemorates the meeting between King Henry VIII and the French King Francis I in 1520, hangs here at Leeds Castle. Chartwell House Discover the house that Churchill called home, where he brought up his young family. Decorated as it was in the 1930s, make your way through rooms like the library, study, sitting room and dining room displayed as if the family have only just left the room. Explore the museum rooms filled with gifts that Churchill received and see the personal possessions that Churchill and the family kept at Chartwell. As you make your way around the house uncover the home and family man behind the statesman.

DAY 7  – Farewell

Transfer to London Heathrow airport for your onward journey.