England, Scotland & Wales (2012)

“England, Scotland and Wales” is a perfect tour and this is the perfect time in all of our lives for it. The smaller group size allows flexibility and opportunities for getting to know the friendly ‘locals’ -- and that makes the trip memorable. Meanwhile the formal itinerary visits all of the obligatory iconic monuments that the folks back home expect. Cities, villages and country-side are stitched into a quilt of easy-going yet full days of sights and scenes and meals and sleep-overs blending uniquely different -- yet comfortably familiar experiences. The many unexpected moments and sights during the visit to Wales were so pleasant that those surprises alone made the entire trip rate as our best ever.

Traveler: David Ormerod from Ponte Vedra Beach, FL traveled on October 19, 2011

The entire trip was everything I hoped for and more. My personal favorites were everything in and about Edinburgh where the cashmere was the best and Whitby and Whitby Abbey. At the top of the favorites list is also Stonehenge which has such a "mysterious" feel and William
Shakespeare's birthplace. Llangollen, Wales, a small town with the greatest small shops selling one of a kind jewelry, was an unexpected treat. The home hosted dinner in Wales was exceptional. The hostess lives just a few miles from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
Oxford is beautiful except for the massive amount of cigarette butts littering the streets and sidewalks - a great disappointment. I would have like to have stopped at Lockerbie since we were so close. All the hotels were wonderful, especially the Carlton in Edinburgh. I also adored the Shapwells one night stop because I adore "old" hotels and we were served fresh vegetables. The ladies had plenty of time for shopping.

Traveler: Elizabeth Fritts from Fort Myers, FL traveled on September 27, 2011

I've been to the British Isles three times before this trip, but I learned so much more this time. Having travel guides certainly enhances travel. Our guide, Wendy, was excellent. Her knowledge of the country seemed endless. Its difficult to choose a favorite place - we loved them all.
For scenery we'd probably pick the Scottish Highlands - and the Isle of Skye is spectacular. In London some of us visited the London Eye - I think that should be included in the basic trip. It gave a good perspective on the scope of the city. We also visited the Churchill War Rooms. It was quite interesting for those of us who lived through the Second World War.
I'd also like to see a trip to Canterbury Cathedral included. I found the city fascinating when I was there before.
I know it would increase the cost of the basic trip, but I'd like to see more meals included. For me, part of the pleasure of guided tours is freedom from worry about meals!
Overall - a really excellent experience.

Traveler: Margaret Saupe from London, OH traveled on October 05, 2011

This review attempts to give suggestions based on our recent experience on the trip. First travel to the UK is expensive make sure you take enough money. Remember the Enlish Pound is worth about $1.66 of each American Dollar. Meals based on the pound can amount to $30 each american. be so advised. We arrived at Heathrow at 6:00am English time. After a nice bus trip to the Hotel we were placed on the second floor loby area of the Hotel and told that our rooms would not be ready until later in the afternoon. A six hour hang around was not pleasant and should have been addressed by GCT.
They arranged the travel plan and so knew of our arrival and the delay at the hotel. We suggest you check your bags at the desk and ride the subway downtown to ride the "I". It is that huge wheel that offers spectacular views of the City. The subway station is just around the corner from the hotel. Check at the desk they will give you instructions. Not riding the "I" is like visiting Paris and not going up the eifel tower. I know the next day has free time, but this gives you the opportunity to see even more like Harrods Department Store. Another suggestion for those who believe WWII was important is to visit the Churchhill museum along with his underground bunker from which he and others ran the British part of the War. This was for me a major highlight that is not on the regular itinerary. This too is accessable by the subway and is within a general walking distance from the "I". Pub food is the best you'll have in the UK. At your London Hotel I'd urge you to go to the Swan. A two block away place that has wonderful beer and food. The main staple is fish and chips. Ask the Hotel Desk for directions. Another suggestion is to pack pajamas. The people of the UK are the coldest blooded people I know. Rooms are colder than what we would want and heat systems are marginal. Forget Victoria Secret and go with flanel. Thinking of food, soup is a big thing. Plus it is not that costly. The Hotel had an excellent Mushroom soup that kept me from starving one afternoon. Soup comes with Hard Bread . Add a warm beverage and your are in business. Fuel up on breakfast
because lunches are usually late in the afternoon. We found the bus driver and tour director to be exceptional. They should be paid twice whatever they now receive. The roads are narrow, have all those traffic circles I do not like, and they do it all on the wrong side of the road.
In wales make sure you get to hear the men's choir. Then, do what I regret not doing, buy their CD. You'll play it in your car for years to come. If undecided about the Highlands, take the trip. The views are exceptional. Oh and on the regular trip make sure you tour the royal yaht. Queen Elizabeth left it just as she used it. A facinating look at how they live. The Yaht is part of an excellent shopping mall. Plane to stay there a while and then take a cab or bus back to the Hotel.
One thing I hope GCT picks up on this when we left to go home from Aberdeen
we got up early got to the airport to discover we had to stand around for nearly an hour for the airlines to open our check in line. This is a small airport and had to place to sit that was near the ticket counter. I suggest they check to determine the working hours of the airlines before arranging our departure from the hotel.

Would I do this again, You betcha...The history the sights, and the information given us made it all worth while. Should
you have questions (like nearly 30 did when I reviewed the Egypt-Jordan Trip)send me an E mail at Peters825@aol.com. We'll answer each and every one

Traveler: Gary Peters from London, OH traveled on October 05, 2011

The UK has been on my 'to go' list for quite some time. After riding the bus for tours last year on our Russia Revealed trip (which was fabulous also) we were worried about an entire trip on the bus.... not to worry. We enjoyed the bus and Debbie's history classes, as well as our driver. There was SOO much to see and do and learn.

We did the pre and post trip-- while we're there we may as well see it all. Our London days were broken up with our jet lag sleepiness, but we did take the bus and the 'tube' and go to all the highlights. Spence's ex-grad student's daughter was studying in Oxford, so we took the bus and spent an entire day there.........plus the tour with Debbie.

One curious item-- all those sheep in the UK and lamb was not served one time. We did order it in pubs.

As usual, GCT is the best. Hotels, restaurants, home meal, tours. What's not to like.

Edinburgh was delightful and fantastic. The Scottish Highlands was wonderful. So glad that we had Debbie on our post trip.

We're looking forward to our next adventure.

Traveler: Elna Swofford from Oakton, VA traveled on June 19, 2011

We just got back from this trip and it was fantastic. We had a great tour director Heather Davies. She was excellent, very knowledgable, helpful and a genuine fun person to be with . Our driver Malcolm was top flight professional. He handled the bus on the narrow roads with ease and was a very important team member to Heather our tour director to see the most unique places in the region. The scenic views while driving on all the days would never quit it was so awesome , the hotels in the major cities were in good locations to get out and explore on your own. You will do a good bit of walking if you want to get the most out of the trip but worth the effort. If you want to learn British history and see all the beauty that lies within these regions of the UK this is the trip. The optionals were also very good and enjoyable.

Traveler: Stephen Sulligan from Travelers Rest, SC traveled on October 12, 2011

If you want a relaxing vacation, you should NOT go on this trip. If you want an exciting, fairly fast paced, and fantastic learning and seeing experience, this is a trip you should not miss. In fact, I wish I could give a 5 star rating. Our program directors, Pamela and Heather, were most knowlege and excellent about all details and personal attention, as was our driver, Brian. We could not have asked for better. Other reviews give many of the same extras that we received, but we understand all the program directors are very good. Of course the itinerary is important, too, which we could not asked for better.
One matter not mentioned by other reviewers were the optional trips. We took all three offered, and all although pricey, we are really glad we did. The Royal Scottish Evening was not offered on our tour, but because we ate at The Dome in Edinburgh, we did not miss it. The Dome is one of the nicest (though somewhat expensive - at least $50 each with one glass of wine) and best food we have ever had anywhere (another example of our program director arranging for us since we asked).
Don't miss the Britannia and Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh. Also, for those interested in WWII, in your free time in London, be sure to visit the Churchill War Rooms, where Winston and his staff lived and supervised and coordinated British involvement in WWII.
Our group was very congenial and always on time and all agreed this was fantastic learning experience, which is recommended to all. .

Traveler: Richard Mcknight from Enid, OK traveled on September 27, 2011

This was our first Grand Circle Tour and we were not dissapointed. I'd always wanted to go on a trip to the UK and it was more than I had hoped for. The cities and countryside are just so beautiful. I loved the history. At every twist and turn we saw castles, ruined Abbeys, and Roman walls. Since the USA is a young nation, seeing buildings and ruins that were hundreds and sometimes thousands of years old was amazing.

We had a wonderful tour guide who made sure we didn't miss anything. Food wise she made sure we experienced haggis (which was surprisingly good), mint cakes, scotch whiskey and scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam. There was time built in for unexpected stops not listed in the itinerary. Our guide taught us about the history of the region we were currently in which helped us understand what we were seeing.

Highlights for me were the Men's Welsh choir, Evensong in York Minster, the home visit in Wales, the scenery in Scotland on the way to the Isle of Skye and the scenery in Northern Wales. Oh the sheep. So many sheep. I loved the sheep.

So thank you Grand Circle for such a wonderful trip. You ran a great tour.

Traveler: Marilyn Barton from Kingston, NY traveled on September 07, 2011

This was my 11th GCT trip and it was superb. The program directors were excellent, the itinerary interesting, the hotels superior, and the heather was in bloom. What more can one ask for?

Traveler: Michael Ross from Fort Lauderdale, FL traveled on August 17, 2011

I had been to school (St. Paul's) for a year when I was 13-14. and had always had a fondness for the United Kingdom. But I did not know the country well. I enjoyed my recent trip, particularly visiting beautifui and exciting Oxford and a college of Oxford University, Shakespeare's home and paricularly Ann Hathaway's cottage, a beautifully maintained 16th century dwelling. From there we went toi beautiful North Wales, with spectacular scenery, and then to the city of York.. I had never been to York before and was deeply moved by the preservation of so much of the ancient city, and particularly the Cathedral, which made me feel as though I was visiting late mideaval England.,
One of my chief desires in the tour was to visit the Highlands of Scotland, which I had never been to (as I had not visited York). Such beauty! A sense of being carried centuries back. It was particularly moving to visit the site of the battle of Culloden where the last hopes of freeing Scotland from English rule were extinguished.
There was nothing in the tour which disappointed me,
Bill Dalrymple
willdal@aol.com

Traveler: Willard Dalrymple from Ft Lauderdale, FL traveled on August 17, 2011

I loved the trip and especially enjoyed Stonehenge, Bath, and Wales. Oh well, I enjoyed it all. Wales and the Welsh people turned out to be special for me. A delightful surprise. Our trip, the last half of August, was very nice weather-wise and we were there at the right time to see hills adorned with purple heather. What a sight!!! We were in Scotland during their August festival and it was, indeed, very festive. Our Program Director, Wendy, was just great and my only wish was that we had had more time in London.

Traveler: Dorene Young from Vancouver, WA traveled on August 12, 2011

I did rate this trip very highly, probably because England was someplace I always wanted to go!
The weather was unexpectedly hot for April, I had to go shopping in London (no hardship there) for warm weather clothes. The hotel (Lancaster) was nice but still has some rooms with problems, we had to switch ours after we were awakened in the night with construction work (what it sounded like) next door, and our electric panel didn't work. Also, if you're a tall person in a single bed, your feet will be hanging out! But we were right around the corner from a tube station, which was helpful, and close enough for us to walk to the parks and shopping areas.
The hotel in Penrith (Shap) was not up to par, hot water remains an issue and they beds are saggy. But they did have wifi throughout the hotel with no problem logging in once you get a number from the front desk. The people there are very nice and helpful too.
I loved Stonehenge, we had a sunny, breezy day and it was awsome to see it in person. Amazing.
York was so much fun, we were there when the royal wedding took place a did a bit of a "pub crawl" in between shopping to watch it. The population was glued to their screens too, hardly anybody out shopping that morning and it was fun to talk to the ones who were out. We watched "the kiss" from a computer in a music shop with the girls who worked there. Will always remember that.
York Minster is so beautiful, we went back several times to see it and walk around it.
The hotel (Park Inn) has small rooms but was quite comfortable, and also within walking distance of the downtown.
Bath was fascinating, I wish we had more time there. We got to listen to the Abbey bells (my sister recorded them) and saw the Roman Baths. We also walked across town (about a ten minute stroll) to the Fashion Museum, where we saw their exhibit, "What Will She Wear?", a collection 300+ years old of wedding dresses. In honor of the royal wedding. Nice.
Edinburgh was great, very walkable from the Carlton Hotel, we covered the Royal Mile several times over and much of the New Town also. The hotel is slightly old but still workable, the bath fittings are very nice.
Our trip leader was Michael, from Wales, and he was always sending around stuff for us to try while we were on the bus.
I did like the "whispers" earphone system, it allowed me to hear him while I wandered off a little to view the buildings in Oxford. Best thing GCT has come up with!
Our home hosted dinner with Pete and Monica was delicious. She made one of the best chicken casseroles that I have ever tasted. Along with the Bara Brith she gave us and the trifle she made (I wonder if she'd share the recipes?). I even like the Mushy Peas that Pete made!
Definetely would recommend this trip, just be aware that hotels over there (and wifi access) are not like they are here. But it was a trip well worth making!

Traveler: Diane Cummings from Carmichael, CA traveled on April 17, 2011

This was a busy, but interesting, overview of these three areas. It ran smoothly, with a good well-informed director. Our favorite parts were the dinner in a Welch home, lunch on a heritage farm in the Lake District, and our free time in York.

I thought seeing Stonehenge wouldn't be particularly interesting after seeing so many photographs of it, but on a cool, bright sunny day with a view in all directions, you could see the scope of the site and the drama around it.

There were opportunities to hear music, enjoy museums, and talk to local people. There was no Highlands extension offered for our trip, so now we want to plan a trip on our own to explore more of Scotland.

Traveler: James Michael from Austin, TX traveled on June 08, 2011