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A City Discovery: Edinburgh & York

  • England
  • OVERVIEW
  • ITINERARY
  • HIGHLIGHTS


itinerary Map

A City Discovery: Edinburgh & York

14 Days

Explore two of Britain’s most beautiful and historical cities on this two-week journey through England and Scotland. Split your time between exploring the city streets and the peaceful countryside as you uncover the local history and culture.

Begin in York, discovering the city’s long and winding history as well as the beauty of the surrounding area before you travel by train to Edinburgh, Scotland’s vibrant capital. Finally, venture to the rugged Highlands and the charming Isle of Skye.

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ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS



All of Dream Escape programmes are tailormade and could include any of the following exclusive experiences:

  • Step inside an awe-inspiring cathedral; the largest in northern Europe. Light floods the nave, pouring through the biggest collection of medieval stained glass in England.

 

  • Discover the Scotland of your imagination as you explore the Highlands; where the heather-clad hills and ancient landscapes are filled with castles, clans, and culture.

 

  • Walk down Europe’s best-preserved medieval street, the overhanging timber-framed buildings are just inches apart in some places and date back to the 14th century.

 

  • Get swept away by the scale and beauty of a 18th century stately home, which had designs so ambitious that it took over one-hundred years to build.

 

  • Let a private guide lead you through the cobbled streets of Edinburgh’s Old Town, where the tightly packed buildings, narrow closes and hidden courtyards are brimming with history.

 

  • Go on a guided walk with a local ranger through the Scotland’s most famous glen in heart of an ancient volcano.

 

  • Spend the day exploring one of England’s most beautiful national parks. Filled with spectacular limestone valleys, picturesque villages and historic castles, it stirs the emotions and senses of every visitor.
  • Visit a local farm and enjoy a working sheepdog demonstration which provides fascinating insight into the local way of life.

 

  • Step inside the mighty fortress of Edinburgh Castle and learn about its dramatic and turbulent history.

 

  • Accompany a local guide as they walk you through York; discover its impressive architecture where Georgian mansions, Viking settlements, Gothic masterpieces and Victorian streets are all held within the Roman walls.

 

  • Travel by ferry to the Isle of Skye and escape from the rush of the modern world on this breath-taking and secluded island.

 

  • Board a privately chartered, luxury motor cruiser after being greeted by a resplendent lone piper and sail across the waters of Scotland’s most famous loch.

 

  • Taste the ‘water of life’ with a guided tour and extended tasting at a Scotch single malt whisky distillery.

 

For your accommodation Dream Escape recommends a host of wonderful properties. In York and Edinburgh, stay in two former railway hotels, both grand and luxurious in their own right. Then move onto a stunning Victorian castle nestled at the foot of Britain’s tallest mountain before ending your journey at a beautiful Regency house surrounded by walled gardens, woodland and streams.

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HIGHLIGHTS

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HIGHLIGHTS

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THINGS TO DO

YORK MINSTER

If there is one building that epitomises York, it is the majestic Gothic cathedral called York Minster. The site was once the headquarters of the Romans who occupied the city, but the cathedral as it stands today was consecrated in 1472 following a build time of 250 years. It contains what many consider to be Britain’s greatest concentration of stained glass, including the Great East Window.

THE SHAMBLES – YORK

The Shambles are often regarded as Europe’s best preserved medieval street. It is complete with overhanging timber-framed buildings some dating back to the 14th century.

CASTLE HOWARD

Castle Howard is a truly magnificent 18th century house, it is situated in stunning parkland dotted with temples, lake statues and fountains. You’ll also be swept away by the scale and the beauty of Castle Howard’s monumental landscape, which offers spectacular views at every turn.

EDINBURGH CASTLE

Edinburgh Castle, perched on ancient volcanic rock, has stood guard over the city for 900 years and is brimming with tales, from it near destruction on the order of King of Scots, Robert the Bruce to its role as a garrisoned fortress through the Glorious Revolution and the Jacobite Risings.

HIGHLAND FARM VISIT

Meet the Highland Cattle. With their fluffy hair and long horns, the cows are a true icon of Scotland and make for a great photo opportunity! Perhaps also take the time to meet some of the farm’s smaller residents – chickens, turkeys, pigs, and sheep. Lambing takes place at the end of April, and you will be welcome to feed any pet lambs that may be around.

JACOBITE STEAM TRAIN

Travel over the 21 arches of the Glenfinnian Viaduct, now best known from the Harry Potter films.

TRAQUAIR HOUSE

Traquair House dates back to 1107, the house claims to be the oldest continually inhabited house in Scotland and was originally a hunting lodge for the kings and queens of Scotland. It has hosted 27 Monarchs including Mary, Queen of Scots.

LOCH NESS MOTOR CRUISE

Extending 23 miles, the loch provides spectacular views – the scenery is breath-taking regardless of the time of year.

CAWDOR CASTLE AND GARDENS

A fairy-tale castle is best known for its role in Shakespeare’s Macbeth.

PLACES VISITED

EDINBURGH

Scotland’s historic capital city. Edinburgh, sometimes referred to as the “Athens of the North”, is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. It has two distinct areas: the Old Town, dominated by a medieval fortress; and the neo- classical New Town, dating from the 18th century. The harmonious connection of these two contrasting historic areas, each with many important buildings, is what gives the city its unique character and saw it awarded World Heritage Site status by UNESCO in 1995.

ST ANDREWS GOLF COURSES

St Andrews is the undisputed home of golf. It has seven magnificent courses, including the world-renowned Old Course, which remains essentially unchanged from the days of Old Tom Morris in the mid-to-late 19th century. To play the hallowed grounds of the Old Course is often viewed as the pinnacle in any golfers’ history.

A RANGER GUIDED WALK IN GLENCOE

Scotland’s most famous glen.  It is often considered one of the most spectacular and beautiful places in the country and certainly one of the most dramatic; thundering waterfalls tumble down the sides of mountains into sparkling lochs. Scenery and geology aside, the glen has its place firmly in the history books due to its savage history. It was the site of the infamous massacre of Clan Macdonald of Glencoe by government troops in 1692. Reserved privately, a local guide will take you on a guided walk.

 

ISLE OF SKYE

Unquestionably the most popular isle of the Inner Hebrides. Voted by National Geographic as one of the world’s top five islands, it is rich in history and romance, famed for its natural beauty, traditional charm, breath-taking scenery and wildlife.

LOCH NESS

Extending 23 miles, Loch Ness provides spectacular views regardless of the time of year.The loch’s cold, deep waters are said to be home to the Loch Ness Monster, affectionately known as Nessie. It is said that the first sighting of the monster was in the 6th century by St. Columba, and sporadic sightings have been reported ever since.

YORKSHIRE DALES

The Yorkshire Dales National Park is home to some of Yorkshire’s most iconic scenery and attractions. With spectacular limestone valleys, picturesque villages and historic castles, it is a place that stirs the emotions and stimulates the senses of every visitor. The National Park was established in 1954 and covers an area of 680 square miles, straddling the central Pennines.

 

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    Clients of Jessica Thompson, Fairway Travel, Virtuoso

  • "....their time in the U.K. was PERFECT – loved everything you guys did for them, and sang praises for everyone! Thank you!! "

    Connie Hanes, Herff Travel

  • "Everyone, from the Tour Guides to our excellent driver, were amazing. All aspects of the trip were beyond expectations. Even changing our day schedule for outside reasons (like the airline sending my bag to a city 120miles away) they were always happy to help and move the schedule around so we could keep enjoying our trip. Everyone made us feel at home and like family."

    Client of Leah Molinari, Molinari Travel, Gifted Travel Network

  • "Dream Escape was the trip of a lifetime. Excellent choice of hotels, tour guide was awesome, the planned tours were wonderful and very informative."

    Client of Trisha Rathke, VIP Travel Designs, Gifted Travel Network

  • "Dreamscape designed an itinerary that combined an exploration of Scottish history and culture and a visit to some of the filming locations for the hit TV show Outlander. The tour guides provided were personable and knowledgeable and responsive to our interests. Our driver who was with us for the entire trip was professional and pleasant and again, flexible and sensitive to our interests. The hotels were magnificent and the pacing of the trip, spending at least two nights in each hotel was perfect. The itinerary was everything we wanted!"

    Client of Susan Morley, Journeys around the World, Cadence

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    Lauren Ainsley, Black Tomato

  • "Rosie...thank you for giving us such a world-class experience in Scotland. Everyone had such a wonderful time and your presence was a large part of that. Your warmth and generosity in taking care of us on our little excursion is so beyond appreciated and I can’t wait to work with you again soon."

    Alex Martinetti

  • "Thank you so very much for the amazing trip to Scotland that you planned for us!! It was truly a once in a lifetime fabulous family trip!! Not only were the accommodations perfect, the activities were above expectations, given the people involved with so much knowledge and compassion for what they do....Many, many heartfelt thanks for making this trip so very special for our family. "

    Clients of Kristen Meckem, Kristen Meckem Travel, An Affiliate of Brownell

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    Jennifer McCrea, Boutique Travel Advisors

  • "We cannot thank you enough for all you did for us during our stay in Scotland! We loved every minute of it....and we loved you teaching us the history of each town and visit. "

    The Pogue Family - Clients of Amy Spence, Strong Travel

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    Pat Bowden, Red Letter Travel, an independent affiliate of Brownell

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    Jennifer McCrea, Boutique Travel Advisors

  • "Without a doubt, what made all of it so special and unforgettable was having the true pleasure of having Sally Strange as our guide. She was truly incredible..so full of life, energy, amazing historical knowledge anywhere we visited was extraordinary. Her sense of humor and fun personality made her extra special. Sally was a winner in every way."

    Clients of Betsy Talbot, Travel by Talbot (Brownell)

  • "Your team excelled on all levels! The execution of the itinerary was flawless!!! Well done. The clients LOVED Sally and this was just the second note from them about how exceptional she was. "

    Cathy Major, Cerulean World Travel

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    Krista Boyles, Unique Romance Travel

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    Marieta Carrrero, Boost Journeys

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    Jennifer McCrea, Boutique Travel Advisors

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    Black Tomato Clients

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    Gretchen Ashworth Stewart, Client

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    Nancy Ebel, Virtuoso Travel Advisor

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    Shannon Marie Long - Reed and Mackay

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    Josh Whitaker - Owner, Rudi Steele Travel

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    Rob Arrow, Al Tayyar Group

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    William A Heim, Client

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    Jean Newman-Glock, Signature Travel Network

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    Sharon Delano, Frosch

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    Thomas Cohen, Client

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    Jill Jergel, Frontiers International Travel

  • "Our holiday in Scotland now tops their lists of best trips…… To their growing list of amazing and memorable first-time experiences, our sons may add fishing for trout and salmon on the River Tay; steering a motor boat on Loch Ness; and taking private guided tours on Culloden Moor Of the eight full days we were in Scotland, Alex and Mattie thought each and every day was the best"

    Michael Guadarrama & Trammi Nguyen, clients of Peter Carideo. CRC Travel

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    Max Levy, Direct client

  • "Thank you Karen and all of the staff and guides affiliated with Dream Escape…..the Flemings are having an awesome tour of Scotland. You all have made me look like a star! "

    Joni Gerace, The Travel Society, LLC

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    Clients of Courtney Regan, Affiliate of Brownell Travel

  • "Rosie was MORE than outstanding – she went out of her way to help us in every regard...She was so knowledgeable – we all loved her"

    Jill A. Jergel, Frontiers International Travel

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    Cindy Evans, Travel Consultant

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    Carole McFarland, Universal Travel

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    Donald M. Davis, President, Luxury Travel, Inc.

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    Peter Carideo, CRC Travel

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    Financial Times, How to Spend it

  • "It was, without doubt, one of the most spectacular weekends I have ever had"

    Country Life

  • "David Tobin’s an ace at getting inside private castles and estates and he’s well connected.... "

    Conde Nast Traveller Magazine

  • "The level of service they provide is outstanding. They truly care about every aspect of the trip to ensure you have a fantastic stay. Rosie is a hidden gem of a tour guide. Just fabulous."

    Yvonne Malka, Signature Travel Network, April 2018