Grand Tour of Scotland, England & Wales

10 days
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
View all 10 photos
4.9/5 Excellent
51 reviews  
98%
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
Small Group Tour
Scotland evokes images of bagpipes, the Loch Ness Monster, Edinburg’s vennels and wynds of Old Town, Glasgow’s Victorian grandeur, and the rugged beauty of the Highlands. Mystical Wales beckons with the breathtaking beauty of Snowdonia, walled cities, and Medieval Castles. More than 900 years of history awaits you at Windsor Castle, Her Majesty, The Queen’s f...
19%
$5,289
From$4,300
See departure dates

Member Savings

Save up to $700!

Sign in to see which companies give additional
savings to Travelstride Members (it’s free)

Unlock Savings

Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Be on the lookout for Nessy while cruising Lock Ness amongst the Scottish Highlands
    • Grab your spot of tea as we wind our way through medieval Edinburgh with a local guide
    • Scotland and whiskey. Learn all there is to know and become a famed expert at the Blair Athol distillery
    • Explore mighty Caernarfon Castle. This fortress had stood the test of time
    • Say no more – London
    • Head to new heights by cog railway on Mount Snowden.

What's this trip about?

    Scotland evokes images of bagpipes, the Loch Ness Monster, Edinburg’s vennels and wynds of Old Town, Glasgow’s Victorian grandeur, and the rugged beauty of the Highlands. Mystical Wales beckons with the breathtaking beauty of Snowdonia, walled cities, and Medieval Castles. More than 900 years of history awaits you at Windsor Castle, Her Majesty, The Queen’s favorite residence. An experience of a lifetime that is easy, inclusive and affordable awaits you on this guided tour of the United Kingdom.

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - 24 max
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportRound trip airfare and all internal transport included
Start CityGalsgow, Scotland
End CityLondon, England

Travel Themes

  • 50 plus
  • Cultural
  • Education / Learning

Destinations

  • Europe
  • England
  • Scotland

Attractions

  • Blair Castle
  • Caernarfon Castle
  • Conwy Castle
  • Edinburgh
  • Glasgow
  • Inverness
  • Loch Ness
  • London
  • Scottish Highlands
  • Windsor Great Park

Activities

  • Culture
  • Educational/ learning
  • History
  • Hot Springs
  • Nature
  • Photography
  • Wildlife viewing

Trip includes

    • Roundtrip International Airfare
    • 8-Nights 4-star Accommodation with Baggage Handling
    • 13 Meals
    • Glasgow, Edinburgh & London City Tours
    • Blair Athol Distillery
    • Loch Ness Cruise
    • Culloden Battlefield & Visitor Center
    • Palace of Holyrood House
    • Conwy Castle
    • Snowdon Mountain Railway
    • Caernarfon Castle
    • National Slate Museum
    • Windsor Castle
    • Tours of Distinction Tour Director & Certified Scottish Tourism Board Local Guide
    • All Gratuities for Tour Director, Local Guide and Drivers

Popular Trips

Itinerary

 Day 1 - Depart for Glasgow, Scotland Transfer to the airport for the flight to Glasgow, Scotland.  Day 2 - Arrive Glasgow - Pitlochry Following arrival in Glasgow Airport, you will be met by your Local Irish Guide and escorted to your awaiting motor-coach. This morning, you will enjoy a tour of Glasgow City, often described as Britain’s finest Victorian City. In 1999, its architecture won it the accolade of ‘UK City of Architecture and Design’. Your city tour will also include a visit to Glasgow Cathedral, one of the most ancient and historic sites in the city. This afternoon, you will travel to Pitlochry known as the Gateway to the Highlands, where you will check into the beautiful Athol Palace Hotel for a two-night stay. This evening, you will enjoy dinner in your hotel. (D)  Day 3 - Scottish Highlands Today, you head north to the Scottish Highlands. You travel through the breath-taking Cairngorms National Park to Culloden where the last major battle in Britain was fought on April 16th, 1746. This morning, you can relive the drama with a visit to Culloden Visitor Centre. You continue to Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, where you will have some free time for lunch. This afternoon, you will enjoy a guided cruise on Loch Ness, hear the historic intriguing tales surrounding a mysterious monster, and see the spectacular ruins of Urquhart Castle. From here, you return to Athol Palace and enjoy another delicious dinner. (B & D)  Day 4 - Blair Athol Distillery – St. Andrews – Edinburgh After breakfast and before departing Pitlochry, you will visit the Blair Athol Distillery and enjoy a guided tour followed by a wee dram before departing.  You continue to Dundee before crossing the Tay Bridge to St. Andrews. Not only is St. Andrews famed as the home of golf, it is also an ancient ecclesiastical capital and Scotland’s oldest university. You continue south traveling over the Forth Road Bridge to Edinburgh City for a two-night stay. (B)  Day 5 - Edinburgh This morning, a tour of Edinburgh City awaits you. You will travel down Princess Street and the historic Royal Mile before visiting the Palace of Holyrood House - the official Scottish residence of her Majesty the Queen. Hear the tales of some truly intriguing characters - the Bodysnatchers, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and Greyfriars Bobby. You will visit the majestic Edinburgh Castle and enjoy the breathtaking views of the city from the castle ramparts. This evening, you will enjoy the Spirit of Scotland Show at the Jam House. This will be a traditional Scottish evening of song and dance accompanied by a great selection of quality Scottish food. (B & D)  Day 6 - English Lakes District – Caernarfon, Wales This morning, you depart Edinburgh and travel south to the romantic town of Gretna Green for your first stop. You will have an opportunity to visit the Famous Blacksmiths Shop with over 260 years of history and heritage before departing. Your tour continues through England’s scenic Lake District, associated with the poet, William Wordsworth and children’s author, Beatrix Potter. You continue to Conwy where you will visit Conwy Castle regarded as one of the great fortresses of medieval Europe. From here, you travel to Caernarfon for a two-night stay. (B & D)  Day 7 - Snowdon Mountain Railway – National Slate Museum – Caernarfon Castle Today, we travel a short distance to Llanberis and board Snowdon Mountain Railway. This Victorian railway climbs 1085m to the Summit of Snowdon, the highest peak in Wales, where one of the world’s greatest panoramas awaits. From the visitor center, you will get some spectacular views of the valleys below, and on a clear day you can see Ireland in the distance. Following this adventure, you travel to the National Slate Museum and learn the story of the Welsh slate industry. On returning to Caernarfon, you will visit Caernarfon Castle, one of the most impressive castles in Wales. The remainder of the evening is free. (B)  Day 8 - Windsor Castle – London, England This morning, you depart Caernarfon and head south traveling by the foothills of Cotswold’s mountains before arriving in Windsor. Here, you will visit the impressive Windsor Castle, one of the Queen’s official residences. You will see the State Apartments and St. George’s Chapel where Prince Harry and Megan Markle were married.  Following your visit, you travel to London City for a two-night stay. (B & D)  Day 9 - London After breakfast, embark on a panoramic tour of the city. You will see many famous landmarks such as Westminster Abbey, Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Following your tour, the remainder of the afternoon is free to explore this wonderful city on your own. (B)  Day 10 - Depart London Breakfast at your hotel. Transfer to London Heathrow Airport for check-in for our flight home.  On arrival back in the USA, transfer home. (B)

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:

  • You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
  • Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Design custom trip

Dates & Availability

Price From $4,300
Price per day$430
Last Updated: 4/26/2024

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Tours of Distinction.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Travelstride Gift Card
One card, thousands of extraordinary trips
Gifts Card

Tours of Distinction Reviews & Ratings

4.9/5  Excellent
Excellent
46
Great
3
Average
0
Disappointing
1
Terrible
0
Write a Review

Other Tours of Distinction Reviews

J

J Lamb

Aug 2023

Written on

Great Itinerary and Value

We loved this trip. Our guide was excellent. We really enjoyed all th...

S

Suzie

Sep 2022

Written on

The trip itself was amazing!

The trip itself was amazing! The Venus were interesting and beautiful. The food was delicious (especially the buffet at The Grand on Mackinac Island). We enjoyed get...

M

MISLED

Feb 2024

Tours of Distinction Company Reviewsby Tours of Distinction

UNDERWHELMING TO SAY THE LEAST

TOURNAMENT OF ROSES PARADE DECEMBER 29, 2023 - JANUARY 3, 2024 I have wanted to attend The Rose Bowl Parade since I was a kid. Happened to spot the L.A./Pasadena tri...

Write a Review

Travelers also viewed

Tour Operator

Tours of Distinction

preferred
View Profile

Since 1971, Tours of Distinction has offered a diverse collection of escorted and customized individual tours, carefully crafted by our professional travel team to over 500,000 travelers. We are one of the best tour companies that specialize in everything from carefree Day Trips, Land & Multi-day Tours and Cruises. From the USA, Canada and all over the world, whether you are a first-time traveler or a seasoned globetrotter, if you love life-enriching moments and experiencing the heart, soul, and adventure of a destination, then traveling with Tours of Distinction is the right vacation for you.

We’ve been providing life-enriching experiences putting you at the heart of the destination and creating lasting memories for 50 years. Our expert service, guidance and years of experience help make all the difference.

Most tours are fully inclusive of airfare, superior accommodations, most meals, all gratuities, and the highlights of each destination. Mixed with a balance of free-time and the leadership of a professional Tours of Distinction Tour Director, you will see what you have dreamed to see in safety and security.

For Tours of Distinction, our goal is to make sure your journey is as distinct as you, and the best it can be.

Our name says it all.

Distinct Commitments:

Accountability 

Here at Tours of Distinction we believe in delivering on the commitments we make – to our colleagues, to our clients, to our community, and to our fellow travelers. Everything we do is done with purpose, passion, and a promise to always do the right thing.

Authenticity

We know because we’ve been there. Here at Tours of Distinction we are passionate about travel! With more than 45 years as a respected tour operator and more than 100 years of combined travel & tourism expertise, we know what’s important to consider when booking a tour. What’s more, many of our staff have traveled to the destinations we promote and are well-equipped to handle different situations as they may arise.

Easy to work with

We pride ourselves on being responsive and easy to work with from the very first point of contact to post-trip.

Support

Whether you are a solo traveler or part of a pre-formed group, our dedicated staff of professional Tour Planners and Tour Directors work hard to finesse all the details of custom planning, booking, and escorting your trip to ensure that you have the smoothest, most memorable experience possible.

Community Focused

Tours of Distinction is a close-knit bunch. Creating enjoyable tour experiences, along with a history of shared memories with our colleagues, clients, and fellow travelers is what unifies us and encourages loyalty. We value our clients and reward loyalty through several programs.

Innovative

Keeping up with the latest trends in travel and, more important, how you prefer to travel is paramount to how we operate. We are always leveraging the feedback we receive and industry data to deliver unique tour packages that inspire the imagination, offer relaxation, and promote optimal well-being.

Back & Relax Even Before Your Tour Begins:

Daily Experience                                                              

It's all in the details. Our Tour Directors are constantly working behind the scenes to ensure every moment matters. Hotel check-ins, porterage, meals and all our other tour inclusions are coordinated so everything runs right on time. Not only will your experience be seamless, but we promise you top-of-the-line accommodations, restaurants, and even more exclusive ways to witness first-hand the must-see sights of each and every area!

Professional & Passionate

Each of our Tours of Distinction Tour Directors has over 20 years of experience. They know how to make each tour safe, fun and inclusive. Sit back and relax - you are in good hands!

Knowledge

Been there and done that. Our Tour Directors know the road, and what works to really make each trip extra special and memorable. Their local knowledge of special sights, sounds and smells make every moment fun and the journey smooth.           

Local Guides

At times, our Tour Directors enlist the assistance of local guides in order to give our clients a more in-depth and authentic experience. Local guides are thoughtfully chosen for their insider's knowledge of local customs and traditions that gives visitors a glimpse of how life is really lived.

Time and Money

Your time and money are valuable! Guided travel offers you the unique value of saving precious time. Don't spend even a minute stressing over every aspect of your getaway, such as missing flights, the best attractions and incredible cuisine. Instead, we plan out every detail so you never have to think twice about your vacation running smoothly.

Get the most out of your travel experience traveling at the right time of year and getting the best experiences with the best people. We know the perfect time of the year to visit each of our unique locations around the world, for the very best value. Plus, our tour vacation packages are fully inclusive.

Small Groups

There are so many rewards to small group travel, which is the reason why Tours of Distinction specializes in this type of travel experience. As a general rule of thumb, small group travel means that group sizes are limited and normally do not include more than twenty people.

New Friends

One of the basic advantages to small group travel is that you will visit a destination with like-minded travelers. Traveling with people and sharing interests as well as experiences often bond travelers together. Small group travel is not only sharing life-changing experiences with others, but you also come away with fabulous memories and new friends!

Just Enjoy

Another perk of small group travel is that you get a more in-depth look at a destination without the logistical hassles of traveling completely on your own. In short, with a small group, you are able to enjoy more time experiencing a destination rather than organizing and haggling when in it.

Authentic Experiences

Much of the time, small group itineraries offer more authentic off the beaten path experiences that you would not find on your own. Special local guides take you into the heart of a destination allowing you to see more with the added benefit of sharing the delights of the adventure with like-minded others.

More Personalized

An experienced guide often makes a destination come alive by providing first hand, on the spot travel experience, knowledge and stories. Small group travel is more personalized and will make you feel more like a traveler and less like a tourist.

Safe

If safety is on your mind, when traveling with a small group you are most likely less likely to be blend-in with the local atmosphere. Plus, it is much easier for our Tour Directors to get know everyone.

We have partnered with the World Travel and Tourism Council with our Ready, Set Travel campaign highlighting our new safety policies and hygiene guidelines.

Economical

Economically small group travel is an excellent value for your money. In addition to the non-tangible benefits of a small group, on a Tours of Distinction tour the cost is calculated up front so once you have paid for your trip, all you need to bring along is some spending money for personal items and souvenirs.

Eco-Friendly

If you are concerned about the environmental footprint, small group travel is structured to leave a lighter footprint on a destination. For example, traveling in a group leaves a much lighter carbon footprint than if each person in the group hired an individual car. A small group also offer the added benefit of utilizing more local restaurants, guides, and hotels giving a little more back to the community we are visiting.

Tours of Distinction offers small group tours nationally and internationally.

About Travelstride

Find your perfect trip

An epic selection of pre-planned trips on every continent, for every style. Thousands of itineraries from over 1,000 trusted travel companies.

Save time

Use simple search and comparison tools to easily find the best trip. Don't sweat the logistics — travel providers plan for you.

Save money

Book directly with the operator. See inclusive packages for the best values, and get access to amazing deals.

Travel confidently

Read unbiased user reviews, pick the operator that suits your needs, and connect with them directly.

Logistics

What's excluded

    • Travel Insurance, Alcoholic Beverages, Items of a Personal Nature
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included

8 Breakfasts | 5 Dinners

Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
Trip ID
tourso-ScEnDis

Become a member

(it's free)
  • Save up to $700 per person
  • Access members-only specials
  • Personalize trip recommendations
Sign up and save

Popular Trips

Top Tour Companies on Travelstride:
All 1,600+ companies >
Sign in to reveal savings up to $700 per person!