Day 1 - Manchester - Chester

Upon your arrival at Manchester Airport this morning, you are privately met and transferred to the historic city of Chester, first settled by the Romans in 79 AD to defend the fertile land along the River Dee. The main street of Chester is lined with timber buildings called the Chester Rows. Here, you may like to stroll around the many interesting shops and visit the cathedral and the Roman amphitheatre.

Meal Plan: B

Day 2 - North Wales

Today your driver-guide takes you on a full-day excursion into north Wales. Head west past the fortified town of Conwy to the town of Caernarfon, where Edward I’s sizeable castle dominates this largely Welsh-speaking town. Here you tour the castle, before continuing into the Snowdonia National Park where you board the steam train up to the summit of Mount Snowdon, at an altitude of 1,085m. Afterwards you may wish to visit the delightful Italianate village of Portmeirion, built by the architect Clough Williams-Ellis in 1926, where you have free time to explore its extraordinary architecture and coastal scenery. Return to your hotel in Chester from here.

Meal Plan: B

Day 3 - Chester - Llangollen – Mid Wales

This morning drive over the scenic Horseshoe Pass to the quaint town of Llangollen that sits by a series of rapids on the River Dee. Llangollen is home to the International Musical Eisteddfod, when choirs from 47 countries worldwide come to perform. Explore the ruins of Valle Crucis Cistercian Abbey and take a walk across Pont Cysyllte, the world’s largest barge-carrying aqueduct. Also of interest here is Plas Newydd, once home to Lady Eleanor Butler and Miss Sarah Ponsonby, ‘the two most celebrated virgins in Europe’. Between 1778 and 1828 the eccentric ‘Ladies of Llangollen’ set up a scandalous, single-sex household in this beautiful cottage, collected remarkable curios and wood carvings and welcomed illustrious guests such as William Wordsworth and the Duke of Wellington. Continue south to Welshpool, where you can visit Powys Castle, an impressive edifice that is renowned for the elegant surrounding gardens and often used as a film location.

Meal Plan: B

Day 4 - Mid Wales

Enjoy a full day with your driver-guide, exploring the unspoilt countryside of mid-Wales. Begin with a visit to the National Botanic Gardens of Wales, where a number or rare plant species can be found. In addition to visiting the armadillo-shaped glass house, take a walk through the historic walled garden and explore the magnificent grounds and lakes. Afterwards you have the choice to visit one of two national parks – either the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park or the Brecon Beacons National Park. The Pembrokeshire Coast runs down West Wales and has a varied landscape of rugged cliffs, sandy beaches and estuaries. Here you find the Preseli Hills, a source of some of the stones that make up Stonehenge. On the far side of the hills sits St. David’s, the charming city that boasts the largest medieval church in Wales.

Alternatively, explore the Brecon Beacons, where you visit the delightful market town of Crickhowell, including its17^th-century bridge over the River Usk, the ruins of its medieval castle and some local food producers. Continue to the stunning Llanthony Priory, situated in a hidden valley close to the English border, before enjoying lunch at leisure. This afternoon return to your country hotel via the town of Brecon, overlooked by Pen-y-Fan, the highest peak in South Wales.

Return to your hotel for your evening at leisure.

Meal Plan: B

Day 5 - Cardiff - Bath

This morning depart your hotel to visit Cardiff, the capital of Wales. Stroll through the delightful Bute Park to majestic Cardiff Castle for a tour of the impressive interior. The castle is part Roman, part Norman and part Victorian, and the lavishly decorated interiors are the work of a wholesale reconstruction by William Burges in the 1870s, designed to satisfy every last whim of the castle's owner, the Marquess of Bute.

After a relaxed lunch, stroll through the city’s famous arcades, before visiting the National Museum of Wales to find out more about the country’s history. A short distance north of Cardiff is Caerphilly Castle, the second largest castle in Britain. Take the longest road bridge in Britain to cross the Severn Estuary and continue to your hotel in the city of Bath.

Meal Plan: B

Day 6 - Bath

Today explore the beautiful Georgian city of Bath, often regarded as one of the loveliest cities in all of England. From its beginnings as a Roman camp in the first century AD, Bath developed through troubled centuries to emerge in the 1700s as a fashionable spa resort.

Some of England's best-preserved Georgian architecture is housed here, together with fascinating relics of earlier eras. Your driver-guide is at your disposal for a full day for you to explore the city. Tour the Roman Baths that were discovered in an excellent state of preservation near to Bath Abbey and also witness the magnificent Palladian architecture for which the city is renowned. Subject to opening times, you might also visit Number One Royal Crescent that has been authentically restored to its Georgian appearance.

Meal Plan: B

Day 7 - Glastonbury - Devon

This morning continue your tour of Southwest England. En route, you may like to visit the town of Glastonbury and its abbey. Weather permitting, visit Glastonbury Tor – the walk is well worth it, with superb views out over the surrounding rolling countryside. Continue onwards to your hotel in Dartmoor National Park, Devon.

Meal Plan: B

Day 8 - Cornwall

Spend the day touring Cornwall. There are a number of beautiful beaches, picturesque cliffs, fjord- like estuaries and small fishing villages to be visited. Padstow is one of the largest medieval towns in Cornwall, and today it still retains its narrow streets and stone buildings. There are a number of quaint gift shops and little restaurants, including the famous Rick Stein’s Seafood restaurant.

Also of interest is Falmouth, situated at the estuary of seven rivers and guarded by two of Henry VIII's forts. St. Ives first attracted the English impressionists because of the quality of its light, and it remains an artist’s colony today. Meanwhile, legend and landscape combine to produce an air of romance that is still strongly felt in Tintagel, King Arthur's mythical birthplace.

Meal Plan: B

Day 9 - Devon – Hampshire

After breakfast this morning, begin your drive back to London with your driver-guide, visiting the national icons of Stonehenge and Salisbury Cathedral along the way. The 13^th-century cathedral boasts the highest medieval spire in England and its Chapter House can boast the best preserved of the four original copies of the Magna Carta that still survive today.

Continue past the hill of Old Sarum on your way up to the Salisbury Plain. Here you visit Stonehenge, arguably the most famous prehistoric site in Europe, which inspires wonder at the effort it must have taken to drag the enormous stones over the land and erect them in circles.

ALTERNATIVE OPTION: enjoy exploring the Exmoor National Park, which offers an amazing variety of scenery within its 267 square miles. Relax as you travel through its unique landscape of moorland, woodland, valleys and farmland, shaped by people and nature over thousands of years. The striking scenery is emphasised with high cliffs plunging into the sea.

Your driver-guide is at your disposal to drive you to various towns, beaches or restaurants should you wish. Witness the natural beauty of the area stopping at some of the pretty waterfalls located in Exmoor, or alternatively have a famous cream tea with delicious clotted cream and jam. 

Meal Plan: B

Day 10 - London departure

Transfer in the comfort of your private luxury vehicle to the airport where you are assisted with check-in for your flight.

Meal Plan: B