Overview
Our program brings you the best of both worlds: the consistency you rely on and the flexibility your group needs.
Discover two stunning world capitals on this immersive journey through London and Edinburgh. Your students will catch a West End theater performance and explore the vast collections of the National Gallery. On your way to Edinburgh, your students will tour Oxford University and visit Shakespeare’s birthplace. Your group can look forward to driving along Hadrian’s Wall on your way to Edinburgh, where you’ll roam the Royal Mile and embrace Scottish culture at a traditional dance class.
Itinerary
Day 1
Overnight flight to England (London)
Day 2
Meet your Tour Director
Your 24-hour Tour Director will meet you at the airport and remain with your group until your final airport departure.
London city walk
Take a city walk through the heart of London. Cross Trafalgar Square, a lively gathering place for the city, and step inside the National Gallery, home to masterpieces by da Vinci, Monet, and Rembrandt. Continue past the bright lights of Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square, and finish in Covent Garden, where markets, street performers, and the Royal Opera House showcase London’s lively spirit.
Day 3
London guided sightseeing tour
Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Buckingham Palace
Tower of London visit
Step inside the Tower of London, a vast 18-acre fortress of 20 towers, winding staircases, and hidden passages on the Thames. From the 11th to 16th centuries it served as royal palace, treasury, and prison. Learn the fate of Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard, two wives of Henry VIII executed here, see the Crown Jewels with their dazzling 530-carat diamond, and hear stories brought to life by the Beefeaters who still guard its gates.
Classic fish & chips dinner
Nothing says local flavor quite like fish and chips. Join your Tour Director at a traditional pub to enjoy this classic dish, usually served with a side of malt vinegar. From bustling cities to seaside towns, “chippies” remain a favorite stop for locals and visitors alike.
Day 4
Windsor Castle guided excursion
See how the King relaxes on this guided tour of the royal weekend estate, originally built as a fortress in the 11th century under William the Conqueror. Visit the East Terrace Gardens, marvel at the Gothic St. George’s Chapel, or peek into Queen Mary’s dollhouse with its perfect miniature furnishings.
West End theater performance
End with a night at the theater in London’s West End, the British version of Broadway, featuring more than 40 professional theaters surrounded by lively restaurants, shops, and cafés. Please note: Performances may be moved to alternate days based on availability.
Day 5
Travel to Stratford via Oxford
Oxford guided sightseeing tour
Explore the historic city of Oxford with a local guide, gaining insight into daily life and long-standing traditions. Discover the University of Oxford, founded in 1096, by touring one of its 39 colleges, which may include Brasenose, Christ Church, or New College. Visit the Bodleian Library, one of Europe’s oldest libraries, and learn why a college bell still rings 101 times at 9:05 p.m.
Anne Hathaway’s Cottage visit
The cottage provides a rare insight into the life of a family in Shakespearean times, and many of the original furnishings are preserved inside the house.
Shakespeare's Birthplace visit
Visit Shakespeare’s birthplace, a half-timbered house preserved to reflect family life in the 16th century that also contains a museum dedicated to his life. The modern Shakespeare Centre was built next door to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the Bard's birth. Next, you’ll visit Anne Hathaway’s cottage. The cottage provides insight into the life of a family in Shakespearean times and many of the original furnishings are preserved inside.
Day 6
Travel to York
Visiting York is like walking thorough a living museum. Its medieval structures are impressively preserved in its timbered houses and winding, cobbled streets surrounded by the remains of the city walls. Founded by the Romans in 71 CE, York was, for a long time, a strategic point used by both Saxons and Vikings.
York Tour Director-led sightseeing
Charming York blends medieval intrigue with modern energy. Stroll cobblestone streets lined with Gothic buildings and lively shops, and walk along the city’s ancient walls that once guarded its heart. With your Tour Director, explore the birthplace of Guy Fawkes and uncover the stories that shaped this historic city.
Day 7
Travel to Edinburgh
Set on the southern shore of the Firth of Forth, Edinburgh has been the capital of Scotland since 1492. You can't help but imagine yourself in "auld lang syne" (times gone by) as you wander the cobblestone streets, craggy coast, and lush green spaces of Scotland. Today's Edinburgh is a hub for banking, and also well-known for festivals and universities that bring the city both tourists and acclaim. Described as one of the most beautiful cityscapes in the world, the Old and New Towns in Edinburgh became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995.
Roman Army Museum visit
Drive along Hadrian's Wall
Take a scenic drive along portions of Hadrian's Wall.
LEAP
LEAP Who Rules?
Meet great Britons from history. Debate their merits and contributions to decide who is the greatest of them all!
Edinburgh city walk
The capital of Scotland, Edinburgh is a city of steep streets, stone buildings, and dramatic views, all watched over by the imposing Edinburgh Castle. Follow your Tour Director along the Royal Mile, which runs from Holyrood Palace to the castle, passing St. Giles’ Cathedral, long a center of learning and civic life in the city’s Old Town.
Day 8
Edinburgh guided sightseeing tour
Explore Edinburgh, the historic and cultural heart of Scotland. Led by a licensed guide, walk the Royal Mile through the city’s Old Town, from Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Admire the elegant Georgian New Town, known for its neoclassical design, and gaze up at the 200-foot Sir Walter Scott Monument in East Princes Street Gardens, a tribute to one of Scotland’s greatest literary figures—and his loyal dog, Maida, immortalized below.
Edinburgh Castle visit
Perched atop an ancient volcanic rock, Edinburgh Castle commands the skyline with its imposing presence. Explore this medieval fortress, uncover its role in Scottish history, and take in sweeping views of the city below.
Scottish Steps dance class
Day 9
Return home
TourFlex: Your Experience, Your Way
Explore Your Way
- Add experiences like theater tickets or unique excursions
- Swap activities for ones that better serve your group
- Extend the learning through go-aheads or stay-behinds
Go Your Way
- Choose the most accessible departure airport for your group
- Opt for 2-, 3-, or 4-star hotels that are centrally located or a convenient ride to major itinerary attractions
Dine Your Way
- Opt for pre-selected meals or encourage exploration by dining on your own
- Enjoy 2-3 course, culturally representative meals or opt for 3-course, authentic dinners at local restaurants
Already Included
WorldStrides Tour Director: A dynamic destination expert who makes learning come to life by leading your group's activities and discussions
Transportation to & from your destination
Hotel accommodations
Meals (unless otherwise noted on your itinerary)
Admissions to top attractions (details in itinerary)
Guided sightseeing tours & city walks (details in itinerary)
Tips for local guides and drivers
WorldAssist staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help
Free high school credit for students who choose to complete WorldStrides free online coursework post-program
Professional development credits (CEUs) for educators
Scenes from London & Edinburgh
Health & Safety
Additional health and safety measures may be available within your respective destination. Refer to your program-specific materials for complete details.
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance
WorldStrides provides over $2.5 million in financial assistance each year to thousands of families. Families with annual adjusted gross incomes of less than $85,000 may qualify. One simple call to Customer Service and you’ll know how much may be available for your trip even before signing up. Please note: financial assistance is given on a first-come, first-served basis.
Payment Plans
Advantage Payment Plan
At program sign-up you can opt to pay in full, or break up the cost of your trip with the Advantage Payment Plan. This plan allows you to pay a small initial deposit, then have your remaining payments spread out into affordable monthly amounts.
EZPay
We offer an EZPay option, which is a simple way to pay for your WorldStrides program by scheduling hassle-free, automatic drafts from your checking account. With EZPay, you'll never be late or miss an installment.
Fundraising Tools
Our easy-to-use tools put students in the driver's seat of their own fundraising efforts. Students can send e-cards, share links on social media, and even send out printed letters through WorldStrides' Gift of Education program. In one click friends and family members can make a direct donation to the trip - with 100% of the money raised going to offset their trip price. Thousands of students pay for their entire trip each year through the Gift of Education.
Also, WorldStrides makes program-specific scholarships available as well as other scholarship resources. Ask your Account Manager for more information about scholarships and fundraising tools.