Top Three of the British Isles

When in London, what’s the next best thing to being invited to tea with the Queen? If you’re a history and royalty aficionado, it would be a royal tour of the capital in your private London taxi cab, another institution in itself. Drive along the ceremonial routes taken by British monarchs during their coronations and royal weddings, reliving the glorious regal ceremonies. Ride past London’s palaces and castles, occupied by England’s monarchs down the ages, as well as the royal residences of British princes and princesses, all the while picking up priceless trivia about the monarchy. Soak up the tales of royal scandals and public revolutions recounted by your guide cum cabbie as he drives your around town. (Time of day: Morning or Afternoon; Duration: 3 hrs; Private Activity & Transfer; Fitness level: Easy).

Brace yourself for the quintessential sights, sounds and flavors of the London Bridge area on this guided food tour. After a light breakfast at your hotel, meet your local guide at a designated spot. Prepare yourself for a gastronomic excursion, as you navigate local markets and popular old pubs for a taste of London. Start off with the classic English breakfast of bacon and egg bap at the Borough Market, with its distinctive character and history. Try a traditional fish and chips platter next, arguably the most popular British dish, and sample a freshly baked roll with traditional Cumberland sausages. Explore the bustling old marketplace, soak up the area’s history and walk up to Sir Francis Drake’s Golden Hind, the Shard, and Southwark Cathedral. Discover a traditional pub in the old neighborhood, and sit back to enjoy a select platter of English cheese with fruit, crackers and chutney, washed down with a tankard of traditional English cider. Wind your way to the Thames, passing by the Battleship HMS Belfast, the London Bridge and Tower Bridge, feasting your eyes on the city’s historic skyline. Call it a day at a cozy little tea room, enjoying a pot of English tea and the tour’s “secret dish”! (Half Day; Time of Day: Afternoon; Duration: 3–3.5 hrs; Times: 11:00 or 3:00; Shared Activity; Transfer not Included; Meals included: Street food, pub fare, cider & tea. Fitness level: Moderate; Please inform of any special dietary needs before tour, and wear comfortable walking shoes).

Discover the UK’s most mystical destination on this day tour of the Salisbury Plains. Return to Britain’s old Celtic world, replete with pagan tribes, druids and sacred rituals with a visit to the mystical monoliths of Stonehenge. This circle of enormous gray stones, surrounded by ancient burial mounds at Salisbury, continues to fascinate and intrigue travelers and pilgrims alike. Leave your London hotel early, accompanied by your local guide cum driver. On reaching Stonehenge, take the bus or walk down the picturesque mile-long stretch from the visitor center to the stones, soaking in the magical ambiance. Return to your waiting vehicle and drive over to one of the world’s oldest and largest continuously occupied royal castles. Windsor Castle has been inhabited by the British nobility as well as its royal family for nearly a thousand years and continues to be the Queen’s favorite weekend residence. Barring the Queen’s private quarters, most of the Castle is open to the public today. Take a peek at the stately halls and lavish rooms hung with chandeliers and grand portraits of royal personages, including St George’s Hall, the Grand Reception Room, and the Waterloo Chamber. (Full Day; Duration: 8 hrs; Private Activity & Transfer; Fitness level: Moderate; Please wear comfortable walking shoes).

Your Morning Masterclass is 90 minutes of sheer sensory indulgence planned specially for whisky enthusiasts! Arrive at the world’s largest collection of Scotch whisky and get ready for a detailed guided viewing tour. As you sip your coffee and nibble on scrumptious shortbread, learn more about what makes Scotch whisky so special. Take a fun sensory perception test and then go on to sample one blended, one single grain and two single malts for comparison and appreciation. Also on board is the nosing of a new-make spirit, after which you are ready to leave, but not before you have picked up your boxed crystal whisky tasting glass and complimentary gift. (Duration: 90 mins; Timing: 1000hrs; Shared Activity; No Transfer Included.)

Enjoy a leisurely stroll down the Royal Mile of Edinburgh’s picturesque Old Town, and pay a visit to the city’s iconic castle on this informative day tour. Meet your local guide at your hotel after breakfast or lunch before setting out. Stroll along the Royal Mile as you listen to the colorful legends and old ghost stories attached to almost every stone in town. Stop by the striking Edinburgh Castle and listen to the heroic Highland tales associated with this old symbol of Scottish independence. Pay a visit to the Crown Jewels and the Stone of Scone displayed within the castle walls. Explore the castle’s hoary halls and take a walk around its sprawling grounds. Next, making your way south of the castle, head to to Grassmarket. Get a feel of 18th-century Scotland, listening to gory tales of public executions that used to be held at this old marketplace that once served as the local market for cattle and horses. Walk over to Greyfriars Kirk, listening to the heartrending tale of the little churchyard dog, who is still remembered with a lifelike statue. Stroll around the lovely old churchyard, where many of Scotland’s best men and women lie, before returning to your hotel. (Half Day; Duration: 4 hrs; Times: 0900/1400 hrs; Private Activity; Transfer not required; Fitness level: Moderate; Please wear comfortable walking shoes.)

Explore Edinburgh’s royal past by visiting some of its most beautiful palaces and castles. Set off for Arthur’s Seat, a viewing point on top of a volcanic hill, which offers truly spectacular views of the city and nearby countryside. Get bonus views of Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Queen’s official residence in Edinburgh. Next stop is the Rosslyn Chapel, which dates back to the early 15th century but was rebuilt in mid-19th century on the orders of Queen Victoria. Explore this spectacular building covered with mystical symbols, which has also served as the setting for Hollywood blockbuster ‘The Da Vinci Code’ because of its Knights Templar and Masonic associations. Once you have taken in highlights of the chapel like the Apprentice Pillar, Green Man and the angel with bagpipes, it is time to proceed to Linlithgow Castle, which once served as a military base and even the royal residence before it was burnt down in mid-1700s. Head next for Blackness Castle, remembered especially for its dramatic location on the shores of the Firth of Forth in the popular television series, ‘Outlanders’. The last stop on your tour today is the magnificent country manor, Hopetoun House. Walk through the winding driveway to approach the ornate building and note priceless objects d’art and paintings as you explore its rich interiors. (Full Day; Duration: 8 hrs; Private Activity & Transfer; Admissions Included.)

Gain valuable knowledge about what goes into the making of each refreshing pint of Guinness in this interesting brewery tour. Start your exploration at what might be the world’s largest pint glass, situated in the heart of the building! Accompany your knowledgeable guide over seven floors of the structure that was once an old fermentation plant. The iconic beer brand has a history that dates back 250 years. Listen to the dramatic story of how the brand has grown to its current stature over the decades. Conclude your tour of the country’s premier attraction with a halt at Gravity Bar on the top floor. Settle in to enjoy a well-deserved complimentary pint along with stunning 360 degrees views of the city skyline. (Times: 1230/1630; Duration: 1.5 hrs; Private Activity Tour with Admission and Tastings; Transfer not Included; Fitness Level: Easy.)

Set off from the Temple Bar district, also known as the cultural quarter, as you embark on this evening exploration of the city on an electric bike. As you zip along, listen to your guide narrate anecdotes, lesser known historical facts, and the occasional ghost story about vibrant Dublin. Pause to take in the magnificence of Dublin Castle before you soak in the serenity of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. Get a glimpse of Teeling Whiskey Distillery before you make your way to the bustling New Market Square area. Take a good look at the Guinness factory, credited with producing some of the world’s finest beer. Cycle past the houses in the historic residential neighborhood of The Liberties as you head to the infamous Kilmainham Jail that is now a museum. Zoom past the old city walls that have stood as sentinels for centuries on your way to savor the beauty of picturesque Christ Church Cathedral. You could also ask your guide to include specific attractions in the tour before you start off, as long as they can be accommodated within the specified duration. (Times: 1900; Duration: 2 hrs; Private Activity; Transfer not Included; Fitness Level: Easy. Please arrive at the meeting point half an hour prior to departure time for orientation.)

Get picked up from your hotel as you embark on this self-guided tour of Powerscourt Gardens. Drive out for about an hour to reach this beautiful estate set at the foot of the Wicklow Mountains. Walk around the impressive mansion that was restored to its former glory in 1996 after being gutted by a fire nearly two decades prior. Enjoy gorgeous views of the sprawling gardens surrounding the courtly residence from the garden rooms. Originally designed in the mid-18th century, these gardens came in third among the list of top ten gardens of the world compiled by National Geographic magazine. Stroll across the manicured lawns, past ornamental lakes, and secret hollows at your own pace. See how many of the over 200 varieties of shrubs and trees you can identify! Explore the Japanese Gardens, Italian Garden, Walled Gardens, the Dolphin Pond, and Pets Cemetery to your heart’s content. Before your one hour drive back, enjoy a cup of coffee and munch on delicious nibbles at the terrace café as you savor stunning views of the gardens with Sugarloaf Mountain in the backdrop. (Flexible Duration; Self Guided Activity; Admission Included; No Guide inside Gardens; Private transfer; Admission Included; Fitness Level: Easy.)