| Tour Schedule |
| Day 1 |
AUG 7 ARRIVE LONDON |
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Included transfer from London's Heathrow Airport to our hotel. Tonight join Fred Theurkauf for our Welcome Cocktails & Dinner with our whole group.
Hotel: The Dukes Hotel - London
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| Day 2 |
AUG 8 LONDON |
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The London Eye.
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Today we'll tour London's "West End" seeing Royal Albert Hall, Hyde Park, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, #10 Downing St., followed by a private guided tour of Westminster Abbey & Prince William & Kate's residence - Kensington Palace. This afternoon, we'll enjoy a ride on high on the famous London "Eye."
Hotel: The Dukes Hotel - London
 Dining and duplicate this evening hosted at the private Civil Service Club by London bridge players.
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| Day 3 |
AUG 9 LONDON |
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The Yeoman Warders
at the Tower of London.
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Today we'll enjoy a panoramic guided tour of the “City of London.” Then we’ll experience a private tour of the famous Tower of London. Chat with a Yeoman Warder. Afternoon highlight will be a “View from the Shard” with a cold glass of champagne.
Hotel: The Dukes Hotel - London
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| Day 4 |
AUG 10 LONDON - YORK |
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The Shambles - York.
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This morning we'll board the BritRail from London’s King’s Cross to York. Enjoy a private guided walking tour of the famous “Shambles” and York Minster.
Hotel: The Principal York Hotel
The afternoon we'll be the guest of York bridge players for lunch and an afternoon of duplicate.
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| Day 5 |
AUG 11 YORK |
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Today we drive to Castle Howard for a private guided tour. Afternoon free here in York.
Hotel: The Principal York Hotel
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| Day 6 |
AUG 12 YORK - EDINBURGH |
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Bamburgh Castle.
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Depart for Scotland. We visit the World of James Herriot. Then a tour of Durham. Stop at Headsgate and a photo-op at the “Angel of the North.” Guided visit to Bamburgh Castle. Finish our drive on to Edinburgh, Scotland.
Hotel: The Principal Hotel - George St.
This evening, we'll visit the famous Carlton Bridge Centre here in Edinburgh. We'll be the guests of local Scottish players for dinner and an evening of most social duplicate bridge.
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| Day 7 |
AUG 13 EDINBURGH |
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Guided tour of lively Edinburgh & the Queen’s Scottish residence—Holyrood Palace. Enjoy a festive Scottish evening of singing, dancing, dining & humor at Prestonfield House.
Hotel: The Principal Hotel - George St.
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| Day 8 |
AUG 14 EDINBURGH |
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The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
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This morning we drive out to the the "Firth of Forth" estuary to take a private guided tour of the Queen’s Royal Yacht Britannia. This evening we’ll attend a rousing performance of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo at the Edinburgh Castle. This amazing event only occurs in August.
Hotel: The Principal Hotel - George St.
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| Day 9 |
AUG 15 EDINBURGH - KINCLAVEN |
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St. Andrews 18th hole with the
Royal & Ancient Golf Club (behind).
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Today we head north for famous Saint Andrews. We'll enjoy a private tour of the city including a visit to the “Old Course,” and the origins of golf. You'll have photo opportunities of the 18th hole and the world-famous Royal & Ancient Golf Club. Then we’ll head north to Scone Palace for a private tour to see the significance of the famous "Stone of Scone."
Hotel: The Ballathie House Hotel
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| Day 10 |
AUG 16 KINCLAVEN - INVERNESS |
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This morning we tour Blair Atholl Distillery, one of Scotland's oldest scotch whisky distilleries, and enjoy a taste of single malt whisky. We travel on through Cairngorms Nat’l. P. to Inverness, cultural capital of the Scottish Highlands. Afternoon guided visit to the Culloden Moor to see the moving re-enactment of the Battle of Culloden, the final confrontation of the Jacobite uprising in 1745.
Hotel: The Kingsmills Hotel
This evening we'll enjoy the hospitality of local Inverness players for a social dinner followed by a session of duplicate.
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| Day 11 |
AUG 17 INVERNESS |
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Inverness - Home to Loch Ness.
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After a relaxing morning, we’ll enjoy a delightful private guided cruise on Loch Ness in search of the “Loch Ness Monster,” followed by a visit to 13th century Urquhart Castle at the lake’s edge.
Hotel: The Kingsmills Hotel
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| Day 12 |
AUG 18 INVERNESS - ISLE OF SKYE - FORT WILLIAM |
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Eilean Donan Castle en route
to the Isle of Skye.
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Today’s destination is the Isle of Skye. In route we stop for a photo-op at ancient & picturesque Eilean Donan Castle. We’ll cross the Skye bridge at Kyle of Lochalsh to reach the island. The natural beauty of the Inner Hebrides Islands is unmatched. We’ll have the opportunity to discover the life of these hardy people, often invaded by the Norse and Celts in centuries past. Time in Portree after lunch. Then south to Armadale and a ferry crossing to Mallaig before continuing on to Fort William for the night.
Hotel: The Alexandria Hotel
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| Day 13 |
AUG 19 FORT WILLIAM - LOCH LOMOND - GLASGOW |
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Infamous Glencoe.
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Today we head south and pass Ben Nevis, highest mountain in Scotland, before we reach infamous Glencoe. You’ll hear about the 1692 Massacre of Glencoe. Now on to beautiful Loch Lomond. Following lunch in Luss at the lake’s edge, we finally reach Scotland’s 2nd great city - Glasgow.
Hotel: The Radisson Blu Hotel
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| Day 14 |
AUG 20 GLASGOW - THE LAKE DISTRICT |
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Glasgow City Center.
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With a private guide, we’ll take a panoramic tour of Glasgow seeing the Glasgow Cathedral, Kelvingove Art Gallery, the “Style Mile,” the Merchant City & Princes Square. We now head south, nearing the border with England to stop at Gretna Green for those who wish to “renew” their marriage vows. On to Penrith in England’s scenic & serene Lake District.
Hotel: The North Lake Hotel
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| Day 15 |
AUG 21 THE LAKE DISTRICT |
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England's breathtakeing Lake District.
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Today, with a local expert guide, we drive around charming villages and lakes of the Lake District. We’ll have time to meander & shop. We’ll visit the Dove Cottage & the Wordsworth Museum. Also enjoy a guided tour of Brockhole Gardens plus included afternoon tea!
Hotel: The North Lake Hotel
Following an early dinner at our lovely hotel, we'll enjoy a session of duplicate just with our own group before retiring for the evening.
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| Day 16 |
AUG 22 THE LAKE DISTRICT - LLANDUDNO |
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Northen Wales famous beachfront
city of Llandudno on the Irish Sea.
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Today’s destination is Wales. But in route we’ll stop in charming & lively Chester with its well-preserved timbered houses and restaurants. A walking tour of Chester will include the “rows” and the “clock.” You’ll want a bit of time to shop. On from here to Northern Wales and our destination for the next two nights, the seaside resort of Llandudno.
Hotel: The Imperial Hotel
Local Welsh players, along with visiting English at this seaside resort city, will host us to an evening of dinner & duplicate bridge.
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| Day 17 |
AUG 23 LLANDUDNO |
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Wales narrow-gauge Ffestiniog Steam railway
at the gateway to Snowdonia National Park.
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With a local expert guide, we’ll head south along the Irish Sea to reach Caernarfon. We're here to visit Caernarfon Castle with its ties to the English throne. Now on to Porthmadog for a lunch break on our own. Here we board the famous narrow-gauge Ffestiniog Rail for a ride back in history through Snowdonia National Park and the tough days of slate and coal mining in centuries past. After disembarking in Blaenau Ffestiniog, we’ll visit the Llechwedd Slate Caverns and take the Deep Mine Tour. Hang on.
Hotel: The Imperial Hotel
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| Day 18 |
AUG 24 LLANDUDNO - STRATFORD-UPON-AVON |
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Enjoy a performance of
"Romeo & Juliet" at the
Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
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We depart northern Wales this a.m., with stops in scenic Shrewsbury & picturesque Ironbridge. Upon arrival in Stratford-upon-Avon, we’ll take a short guided tour of this historic city. Then dress quickly, as we head for dinner at the RSC “Rooftop Restaurant.” Following our delightful meal, we’ll be personally escorted to our excellent seats for a classic performance of Shakespeare’s “Romeo & Juliet.” Bravo...
Hotel: The Crown Plaza Hotel - Stratford
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| Day 19 |
AUG 25 STRATFORD-UPON-AVON |
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Anne Hathaway's Cottage.
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On a relaxing guided morning tour we’ll visit Shakespeare’s birth place, a 16th century half–timbered house. Then, with our guide, we’ll drive to Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, a 12-room farmhouse where Shakespeare’s wife spent much of her childhood.
Hotel: The Crown Plaza Hotel - Stratford
This afternoon, we are hosted by the Chairman of the Stratford Bridge Club, Roger Harris, for a delightful afternoon of luncheon & bridge with local English players.
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| Day 20 |
AUG 26 STRATFORD-UPON-AVON - OXFORD - WINDSOR |
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Great Hall - Christ Church College
at esteemed Oxford University.
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Today we drive through the scenic Cotswolds to visit the quaint village of Broadway. Then we’re on to Bourton-on-the-Water for more time just to wander. Soon we'll arrive at famous Oxford for a bit of meandering and a lunch break in town. We'll gather to meet our local private guide to tour famous Christ Church College at Oxford University. On to Windsor for a special dinner at the Christopher Wren Restaurant and check in.
Hotel: MacDonald Windsor Hotel
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| Day 21 |
AUG 27 WINDSOR |
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The permanent winter residence of
Queen Elizabeth II - Windsor Castle.
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Here, in the winter home of Queen Elizabeth II, we’ll take a guided but relaxing walking tour of Windsor followed by a short tour of some parts of Windsor Castle itself. There will be free time to stroll on your own before returning to our hotel. Tonight we’ll enjoy Farewell Cocktails & Dinner recounting fun events of our sojourn together including “anything goes!”
Hotel: MacDonald Windsor Hotel
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