DETAILS

FULL LENGTH TOUR DESCRIPTION
PLEASE NOTE: THIS OVERLAND OPTION IS DESCRIBED BELOW AS A PRE-CRUISE EXTENSION, BUT CAN ALSO BE OFFERED AS A POST-CRUISE EXCURSION. IT OPERATES FROM THE TURNAROUND PORTS OF SOUTHAMPTON, DOVER, HARWICH AND TOWER OF LONDON, WITH MINOR VARIATION TO THE ITINERARY ON EMBARKATION/DEBARKATION DAY BASED ON THE SCHEDULED PORT OF CALL

DAY 1 – Arrive Edinburgh
See the two highlight cities of Great Britain, Edinburgh and London on this three-night cruise extension, starting with the old and new towns of historic Edinburgh.

On arrival at the airport in Edinburgh, collect your luggage and proceed through Customs clearance. After clearing Customs, continue out to the Arrivals Hall where you are met by a local representative who escorts you to your waiting transport and driver for the approximate 30-minute drive from Edinburgh Airport to your hotel, where you check in and enjoy a welcome drink. (Please note that rooms will be made available as soon as possible, however the official check-in time is 2.00pm.) Once settled in, the remainder of the evening is free for relaxing and independent dining.

DAY 2 – Edinburgh
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel then travel the short distance to Princes Street, with its array of fine stores on one side, and the beautifully laid-out formal gardens on the other. See Edinburgh Castle, home of Scottish kings and queens for centuries, perched on its rocky site 445 feet above the city. Inside, don’t miss the 15th-century Old Royal Palace, which houses the Scottish Crown Jewels. See the apartment in which Mary, Queen of Scots gave birth to the future King James VI of Scotland who also became James I of England. This castle has witnessed many tense moments in its thousand-year history. Driving through the Old Town, you will see the historical area known as the ‘Royal Mile’, Castlehill, Lawnmarket, High Street and Canongate with delightful multi-storied houses and quaint side streets. Pass Holyrood House, the official Scottish residence of the Queen.

After taking in the city’s highlights, arrive at a historic pub in the heart of Edinburgh for a light lunch, followed by a fascinating tour of Linlithgow Palace. Tour the splendid 15th-century ruin romantically set on the edge of Linlithgow Loch, which is perhaps best known as the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots. A 45-minute guided tour will allow you to familiarize yourself with this Royal Fortress, and you will enjoy exploring the endless nooks and crannies, spiral staircases and elegant bare rooms, echoing with footsteps and memories of times past. There will be time at the end for browsing the gift shop.

Departing Linlithgow Palace, travel by the world famous Forth Rail Bridge for a short photo-stop before returning to the hotel. The rest of the evening is at leisure for independent dining.

DAY 3 – Edinburgh to London
After an early check-out from the hotel, depart with your luggage for Waverly train station by motorcoach to catch the direct express train to London. Highlights of the journey are the coastline of Northumberland and the city of Durham. Drinks, meals and snacks are available for purchase onboard the train.

In the afternoon you arrive at London Kings Cross station and board a waiting motorcoach. From here you set out on a guided panoramic sightseeing tour of London, passing the major sights such as the London Eye, Tower of London, London Bridge, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. An interior visit of St. Paul’s is included in the tour. Following the Great Fire of London in 1666, the medieval cathedral of St. Paul’s was left in ruins. The authorities turned to Christopher Wren to rebuild it, but his ideas met with considerable resistance from the conservatives. Wren’s determined efforts can be seen in the grandeur of the present cathedral.

Conclude your tour of London sights at the hotel for check-in. The remainder of the day will be at leisure.

DAY 4 – London onwards
After breakfast at your hotel, it’s time to check out and join your transportation to the pier to board your cruise ship.
 
SHORT LENGTH TOUR DESCRIPTION
A three-night stay allows you to see the two highlight cities of Great Britain, Edinburgh and London. See the old and new towns of historic Edinburgh, staying in a central hotel. Travel by comfortable express train through the spectacular scenery of England’s east coast before seeing the highlights of majestic London.
 
TIMING BREAKDOWN
DAY 1
- Arrival at the airport in Edinburgh, baggage claim and Customs clearance
- Transfer from the airport to hotel, approximately 30 minutes from Edinburgh Airport
- Check-in and welcome drinks
- Remainder of the evening is free for independent dining
- Overnight in Edinburgh (Sheraton Grand Hotel or similar)

DAY 2
09:00 Begin sightseeing tour of Edinburgh
12:00 Arrive at historic pub for a light lunch
13:15 Depart lunch venue for Linlithgow Palace
13:45 Tour of Linlithgow
15:15 Depart Linlithgow Palace; photo stop at Forth Rail Bridge & return to the hotel
16:15 Arrive at hotel
- Overnight in Edinburgh

DAY 3
07:15 Depart hotel for Waverly train station with luggage by motorcoach
08:00 Direct express train to London in standard class seating
12:41 Arrive London Kings Cross where luggage is to be placed onboard the awaiting motorcoach. Begin panoramic sightseeing tour of London en route to hotel
17:00 Arrive at hotel for check-in, the remainder of the day will be at leisure
- Overnight in London (Marriott Hyde Park or similar)

DAY 4
Harwich / Southampton / Dover Guests:
11:30 - Leave the hotel by motorcoach for transfer to Harwich, Southampton or Dover to board the vessel. Transfer time is approximately 2 hours to either port
14:00 – Approximate arrival at Harwich / Southampton / Dover Pier

London Tower Bridge Guests:
12:00 - Check-out of hotel, lunch at leisure
13:00 - Leave hotel by motorcoach for transfer to London Tower Bridge to board the vessel. Transfer time is 30 – 45 minutes depending on traffic
14:00 - Arrive at London Tower Bridge to board ship

Approximate duration: 4 Days / 3 Nights
 
OPERATIONAL NOTES
- Includes three breakfasts and one lunch
- Express train Edinburgh to London is standard class seating. Drinks, meals and snacks are available for purchase onboard the train
- Comfortable walking shoes are recommended
- The chronological order of sightseeing is subject to change

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