Castles and Crowns

Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Buckingham Palace

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.

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.

Head to London's famous West End to sit back and enjoy a theater performance.

Bodleian Library visit, Oxford University college guided 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.

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.

Create a prime time TV show fit for sixteenth-century England. Compare Shakespeare’s world to our own and see his timeless work in a fresh light.

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.

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.

Visit York Minster, which traces its origins from the early 7th Century, and features stained glass from the Middle Ages.

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.

Take a scenic drive along portions of Hadrian's Wall.

Meet great Britons from history. Debate their merits and contributions to decide who is the greatest of them all!

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.

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.

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.

Learn the art of Scottish dancing at a social gathering, or Ceilidh, (pronounced “Kay-lay”). Dance to live music as an instructor shows you some traditional steps.