In September 2024, WPS is embarking on a 12-Day adventure that will weave us through some of the most beautiful and historic destinations in Britain. From Buckingham Palace and Tower Bridge, to Stonehenge, Edinburgh, and the sweeping greens of the countryside - this is truly the comprehensive journey of a lifetime.
September 7 – 18, 2024
DAY 1: Depart – Depart Atlanta for London, England.
DAY 2: Arrival in London – Arrive in London. We are met by our tour managers and will transfer to the hotel. Enjoy free time in the afternoon. Welcome dinner and overview of the journey. Dinner and overnight.
DAY 3: London on the footsteps of the Reformers – In the morning we will enjoy a panoramic tour of London, incl. Big Ben, Tower of London (inside), Westminster Abbey, London Eye, Parliament, Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace (all outside). At the Palace we leave the Bus and walk through St. James Park to the Churchill War Rooms. This hidden site is the underground bunker where Winston Churchill and the British government basically ran the country in secret from 1939 to 1945. The space encompasses 27 rooms that served as personal living quarters and a fully functioning command center, which was all but abandoned after the war and not reopened to the public until 1984.
“London goes beyond any boundary or convention. It contains every wish or word ever spoken, every action or gesture ever made, every harsh or noble statement ever expressed. It is illimitable. It is Infinite London.” (Peter Ackroyd).
DAY 4: Stonehenge, Salisbury, Bath – In the morning we leave London and discover Salisbury Cathedral, one of the leading examples of Early English Gothic architecture. We continue to Stonehenge. As iconic as it is mysterious, Stonehenge holds over 4500 years of English history. Take a trip back in time and explore this ancient engineering masterpiece. Overnight in Bath (1 night)
DAY 5: Bath and and Stradford upon Avon (Shakespeare town) – In the Unesco world heritage site Bath we go on a city tour. For the last 2,000 years, its natural thermal springs, which give the city its name. Bath is home to a wide variety of historical attractions like the Roman Baths. It is also home to some of the most impressive Georgian architectural triumphs in the entire UK. In the afternoon we drive to the beautiful city Stratford upon Avon where Shakespeare himself was born and died. As a Warrior poet we wander in the footsteps of the greatest Poet of them all. There are many properties in and around the town that trace aspects of his life, mostly homes where either he or his close relations lived. We visit the church where he is buried, the birthplace museum and the major theatre company that performs his work all year round. After lunch we continue to Liverpool. Overnight at Hampton by Hilton Liverpool City Centre.
DAY 6: The Beauty of Wales, Hike Mt.Snowdon (3.560ft) the highest Mountain in Wales – Today we will experience the spectacular scenery of Wales. Wales has the highest density of castle in Europe! Starting with Caernafon Castle where the former Prince of Wales now known as Charles Philip Arthur George III was crowned. Then we drive through the mountain area of the Snowdonia national park into the city of slate; Llanberis, located at the foot of Mount Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales. Sir Edmund Hillary trained here for the first expedition to Mount Everest. Llanberis is a centre for outdoor activities in Snowdonia, including walking, mountaineering and climbing. We will drive up to Mount Snowdon with a historic steam train. In the National slate museum, we learn how important Welsh slate was for the industrial revolution and the development of the former British Empire.
DAY 7: Liverpool and the Beatles – Liverpool is noted for its culture, architecture and transport links. Liverpool is internationally known for music and is recognized by Guinness World Records as the World Capital City of Pop. The city is closely associated with the arts, especially music; the popularity of the Beatles. During a “Beatles city tour” we will walk on their footsteps. We continue to the Liverpool Cathedral, which is the largest cathedral and religious building in Britain and the eighth largest church in the world.
DAY 8: The Lake District, Cruise Windermere, Gretna Green, Glasgow – Early start into the scenic lake district national park. This is where modern tourism was born, in the shimmering lakes and hushed mountains whose radiant beauty inspired poets and painters to turn nature into art. Peter rabbit is one of the most famous characters created by author and conservationist Beatrix Potter. Beatrix Potter's love of the Lake District came from an early age, when she and her family holidayed in the area. We board our boat on the beautiful lake Windermere, the largest natural lake of England. We continue north to pass the border to Scotland. Dinner and overnight in Glasgow.
DAY 9: Inverary/Oban/Glasgow – This morning we start our adventure into the Scottish Highlands. We discover Inverary Castle the residence of the Duke of Argyll. The Castle, nestled on the banks of Loch Fyne in Argyll, serves as the fictional location of Duneagle Castle in the famous TV series “Downton Abbey”. We arrive at the beautiful city Oban, also known as the “gateway to the Hebride Islands”. We are going to taste the “water of life” throughout a Whiskey tasting at the Oban distillery. Return to Glasgow and overnight.
DAY 10: Battle of Stirling and Stirling Castle, Falkirk wheel, The Kelpies, Edinburgh – We continue to Stirling where we explore one of Scotlands finest Renaissance castles. It is one of the largest and most important castles in Scotland, both historically and architecturally. We will learn about the famous battles of William Wallace the national hero of Scotland. In Falkirk we visit the Falkirk Wheel, a rotating boat lift. It reconnects the two canals for the first time since the 1930s. It opened in 2002 as part of the Millennium Link project and is a masterpiece of modern engineering. As a contrast we admire “The Kelpies” a 98 ft high horse-head sculpture depicting kelpies (shapeshifting water spirits). Dinner and overnight in Edinburgh.
DAY 11: Edinburgh, the Heart of Scotland – Within a city tour by bus and by foot we visit the most important sights like Holyrood palace, the Royal Mile, Edinburgh castle, the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Victorian new town”. Edinburgh is known for its dark past, and this evening walking tour is the original one to showcase the city's historically sinister and spooky side. Discover the hidden ‘wynds’ (alleys) and closes of the Old Town as you learn their mysteries and horrors; visit the ghost-ridden Greyfriars Kirkyard; and explore the city’s underground vaults to uncover their spirits and secrets. Your tour is led by a creepily costumed guide.
DAY 12: Edinburgh/USA - With the stories of great poets, brave warriors, and the best memories out of England, Wales and Scotland in the front of your mind, you fly back to Atlanta.
NOTE: Schedule is subject to change due to various factors and tour guide’s discretion.
$5,595 / person based on double occupancy. Book now as space is limited.
Single room supplement – $1,295
$500 per person with registration to secure space.
50% of the total amount is due on or before March 7, 2024
Balance due on or before June 7, 2024
Signature Tours Inc.
PO Box 956817, Duluth, GA 30095
Email: info@signaturetours.com
Toll Free: (800) 915-3527
* Flight times, flight numbers, equipment, gates, and seats are subject to change. For the most current information check the airline website.
PASSPORTS: Passports must be valid with an expiration date of at least six months beyond the return home date of the tour. Participants with non-US passports are responsible for country-specific entry requirements. If you do not have a valid passport or need to renew your passport, enter "RENEWING" or "APPLIED FOR" when completing registration.
CANCELLATION POLICY: The $500 per person deposit is nonrefundable. Other payments exceeding the $500 per person are refundable in full up to ninety days prior to departure. After this date, refunds for unused accommodations and services will be limited to the amount received from and/or credited by all carriers, sightseeing operators, and hotels. All funds, including the deposit, are non-transferable.
AIR: The Standard Tour includes round-trip, economy-class airfare from the departure city listed in the itinerary. All group seating is assigned by the airline and cannot be changed by Signature Tours. Seat changes can only be made during check-in at the airport. Upgrades such as Comfort, Premium, Business, or First Class are not available with the standard tour. Participants who wish to upgrade or purchase a specific seat should choose the Land Only option when registering. Frequent flyer, TSA Precheck, and Global Entry numbers can only be added at check-in.
LAND ONLY: Participants who wish to arrange their own air should choose the Land Only option. $1000pp will be deducted from the standard tour price when selecting this option. Participants arranging their own air should notify Signature Tours at least 6 months prior to the departure date. Land Only Passengers arriving with or before the group are welcome to join the group bus at no additional charge. For those not traveling with the group, Signature Tours can provide contact information to arrange a private transfer.
GROUND/TRANSFERS: The group will be met on arrival by a Signature Tours representative and transferred to the hotel/airport. Land Only participants not traveling with the group are responsible for scheduling ground transfers.
HOTELS: Superior first-class hotels throughout. Priced based on two people per room with a private bath and shower.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: A limited number of single rooms are available at additional supplement prices. Signature Tours and/or the group leader will make every attempt to pair single participants requesting a roommate. However, the single supplement fee will be charged for each person occupying a single room, whether by choice or circumstance.
MEALS: Breakfast and dinner are provided daily. Lunch is provided on days as noted in the itinerary.
SIGHTSEEING: Entrance fees to all places listed in the itinerary are included, as well as an expert English-speaking guide.
LUGGAGE: Space is limited on the tour buses. Participants are allowed one suitcase weighing 50lbs or less and will be transported in storage under the bus. Participants are allowed one backpack/daypack or personal bag to carry on the bus during the tour. These requirements will meet most airline carrier restrictions. See the carrier website for airline-specific baggage restrictions and requirements. Medical devices are not included in these restrictions.
TIPS, SERVICE CHARGES, AND TAXES: Tips, service charges, and taxes ARE INCLUDED in the selling price. Taxes, as imposed by national and/or local governments, that are not included at the time of booking are the responsibility of the participant.
NOT INCLUDED: Excess baggage fees, passport fees, visa fees, food or drink items not listed on the regular table menu for included meals, and items of a personal nature such as room service, laundry, etc. Any service not indicated in the itinerary and/or the above list of included features.
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS: This tour requires a substantial amount of walking. Many of the sites are not accessible by wheelchair, and the uneven terrain is not feasible for rollators. Signature Tours reserves the right to refuse individuals who may require special attention beyond what the tour guide and tour host can provide.
TRAVEL INSURANCE: Travel Insurance is not included in the purchase price. For your convenience, we offer travel insurance through Travelex Insurance Services. For more information and rates, please review the product flyer or Click Here to enroll in the plan.
* Travelex Insurance Services, Inc CA Agency License #0D10209. Insurance coverages underwritten by Zurich American Insurance Company (NAIC # 16535).
