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The Grand Tour of Great Britain
7 days/6 nights departing on a Friday from and returning to London Victoria.
Departure Dates
Prices
Above price is per person based on shared accommodation in a superior room at The Caledonian, Edinburgh and The Chester Grosvenor, Chester.
Room upgrades information is available on request.
We are pleased to offer a 5% discount on a party of four people.
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Click on an area above to find out more
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Price Includes:
- All travel on board the Northern Belle
- Three nights accommodation at The Caledonian, Edinburgh in a deluxe double/twin
- Three nights acccommodation at the Chester Grosvenor, Chester, in a superior queen double/twin
- Sightseeing visits and entertainment as described in the itinerary
- Table d’hôte meals and all drinks on board (house brands)
- Other meals as described in the itinerary
- Baggage handling
- Orient-Express Tour Guides throughout
It is recommended that you and your party take out adequate travel insurance for your trip. Please contact our reservations for more details.
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| ITINERARY |
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Day 1 (Friday)
- London / York / Edinburgh
Your trip begins in style as a traditional Scottish piper welcomes you to the gleaming carriages of the Northern Belle waiting at London’s Victoria Station. A champagne brunch is served on board as you journey north.
On arrival at York you visit the superb stately home of Castle Howard. Home for 300 years to the Howard family, this estate has been as the setting for many films, most notably “Brideshead Revisited.” Afternoon tea in the Grecian Hall is followed by a private visit to the house, which includes artworks by Van Dyck and Gainsborough. Should you wish to visit to explore York further, there is also an optional sightseeing tour of the city for your enjoyment.
Rejoin the Northern Belle with your fellow voyagers and exchange ideas and impressions from what you have seen along the way. A delicious dinner is served as the train continues north offering fine views of the historic cities of Durham and Newcastle on the River Tyne and the seascape of the North Northumberland Heritage Coast. Upon arrival in Edinburgh, transfer to the Caledonian Hilton hotel for three nights. This five-star hotel is situated in the heart of the city with air-conditioned rooms overlooking the famous Edinburgh Castle.
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Day 2 (Saturday)
- Edinburgh
After breakfast at the hotel a guided tour explores Scotland’s capital. Edinburgh is a city of striking contrasts: tall, dark buildings in medieval Old Town and classical architecture in Georgian New Town. Lunch is taken at your leisure on our account.
The remainder of the day is at leisure to take in such sights as Edinburgh Castle, the National Gallery and the Palace of Holyroodhouse or enjoy Edinburgh’s variety of shops and boutiques.
Your evening is spent aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia, once the floating home to Her Majesty the Queen and The Royal Family and host to many prestigious State and official occasions. You are invited to dine in style in the State Apartments.
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Day 3 (Sunday)
- Oban & Isle of Mull
Your Scottish adventure continues as the Northern Belle journeys through the Scottish Highlands to Oban while a light lunch is served en-route. The splendid views of Loch Lomond, mountains and moors are there to captivate you. Sail across to the Isle of Mull where you’ll be welcomed at Duart Castle, ancestral home of the Laird of Lachalan, head of the McLean clan. This 13th century castle, set high atop a cliff, offers remarkable views of three intersecting sea lochs and serves as the ideal backdrop for experiencing a display of falconry from Wings Over Mull. Enjoy Scottish liqueurs and malt whisky before sailing back to the mainland to partake in a gourmet Scottish dinner aboard the Northern Belle as you travel back to Edinburgh.
If you wish to remain in Oban a local guide is on hand to introduce you to the delights of this Scottish seaside town. A visit to a local distillery allows you to experience the age-old craft of whisky making first hand. (Pre-booking essential)
Alternatively, you may prefer to sample one of the many golf courses for which Scotland is renowned. A private car takes you to a course close to Edinburgh and returns you later the same day. Dinner is provided at your hotel. (Pre-booking essential)
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Day 4 (Monday)
- Edinburgh / Chester
Departing Edinburgh after breakfast at the hotel, you journey through the magnificent rolling countryside of the Scottish Borders before crossing back into England.
Lunch is served on board as you travel along the edge of the magnificent Lake District, Britain’s largest national park, and over Shap Summit which rises to 916 feet. Continue through the county of Lancashire and finally into Cheshire, arriving at the walled city of Chester in the afternoon. Transfer to the Chester Grosvenor Hotel for three nights. Located in the heart of the historic city of Chester, the Chester Grosvenor and Spa is one of the finest hotels in the north-west of England.
Chester is the historic gem of North West England and has inspired travellers and tourists for centuries. There is plenty of time for a guided walking tour, shopping or just soak up the city’s atmosphere. Alternatively, relax and unwind in The Grosvenor Spa. Treatments may be booked with Northern Belle staff during the first day’s journey to Edinburgh, details are available on the train. Later this evening, you are off to a special venue for a memorable dinner.
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Day 5 (Tuesday)
- Wales / Portmeirion / Chester
This morning you enjoy brunch on board Northern Belle as you travel into Wales - the land of song. Travel through the breathtaking scenery of the Vale of Conwy, Gwydyr Forest, past Dolwyddeland Castle high on a crag, and down to the former slate mining town of Blaenau Ffestiniog.
A coach transfers you to Portmeirion and the grounds of Castlell Deudraeth Hotel. Here you may admire the skilled teamwork between shepherd and his dogs as one of the Welsh national champions at Sheep Dog Trials, puts his dogs through their paces. You’re certain to find this a fascinating event.
Take afternoon tea at the hotel before an optional guided tour of the fascinating Italianate “village” of Portmeirion, created by Clough Williams-Ellis; a remarkable example of architectural imagination built on the shores of Cardigan Bay. Afterwards, why not browse through The Ship Shop with its range of famous Portmeirion ceramics or one of the other retail outlets for a souvenir.
A delicious dinner is served on Northern Belle as you journey back through Wales to Chester. The finale to this wonderful day is an uplifting choral recital from Chester Male Voice Choir and brief tour of the impressive sandstone Cathedral. Enjoy a nightcap in the tranquil Chapter House of the Cathedral before returning to your hotel.
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Day 6 (Wednesday)
- Bath
After breakfast join the Northern Belle for a journey through the scenic heart of England, enjoying a light lunch en route to the golden city of Bath. Founded by the Romans as Aqua Sulis, Bath was made fashionable in the 18th century by the likes of “Beau Nash” and “Beau Brummel”.
Today, Bath is Britain’s best preserved Georgian city. Your guide conducts you on a tour of this beautiful city including the splendid Abbey and Georgian terraces, culminating in a visit to the fascinating Roman Baths and Georgian Pump Room. Enjoy some last minute shopping before rejoining the Northern Belle. A sumptuous Grand Tour finale dinner is served on board as the train journeys back to Chester.
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Day 7 (Thursday)
- Chester / London
Breakfast at the hotel before boarding the Northern Belle for your final day of the Grand Tour. Your journey takes you through the “Black Country”, so named as the area was transformed by the industrial revolution of the 19th century. Today the many canals are an attractive reminder of its proud heritage. Rural Oxfordshire follows with its gentle rolling hills and pretty sandstone villages.
Enjoy a final lunch on board the train as countryside slowly gives way to metropolis. Sit back and reflect on the places you have visited, the people you have met, and the friends you have made All too soon, you arrive in London and it’s time to say farewell to new-found friends and the attentive staff of the Northern Belle – or is it only “see you soon”.
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