9-Nights Literary Landscapes of England and Scotland - Tailormade Journeys — CALL

1 Arrive London, England, U.K.

The British capital is an overflowing antiques cabinet on the River Thames, the cosmopolitan home of royalty and rascals, red double-deckers and black cabs. Catch a show in Shakespeare’s Globe Theater, roam the hallowed aisles of Westminster Abbey or soar above the skyline on the London Eye. Years could be spent idling between museums and markets, parks and pubs here, but even a day’s exploration promises an unforgettable first taste.

Step through a thousand years of British history at the Tower of London, the iconic, 11^th-century fortress that has been both a royal residence and dreaded place of execution. Meet the Tower’s famous ravens and traditional Yeoman Warders, before seeing the dazzling Crown Jewels. In the afternoon, explore Westminster Abbey, the traditional venue for coronations and the burial site for many monarchs. Continue to the Palace of Westminster, better known as the Houses of Parliament, and then head down Whitehall and past Downing Street to Trafalgar Square. Drive past Buckingham Palace, the King's official residence in London, and complete your day with a flight on theLondon Eyeto take in spectacular views of the city.

Listen carefully enough and you might just hear York groaning beneath the weight of its own history. Romans, Vikings, Tudors: they all crafted this cobbled, medieval tangle of streets and stone gatehouses, laid out in the skirts of the largest gothic church in Northern Europe, York Minster. With your local guide, stroll down cobbled lanes, peer into old shop windows in the Shambles and visit York Minster, the largest Gothic cathedral north of the Alps.

Embark on a gorge walk with your expert trekking guide around Yorkshire’s hidden natural gems. Your route takes you to natural plunge pools you can either circumnavigate or take a quick dip in.Alternatively, explore the rolling countryside of the Yorkshire Dales, including the Brimham Rocks, a dramatic location frequently used in films.In the afternoon, visit the ruins of Fountains Abbey, one of the best-preserved and largest Cistercian monasteries in the UK. Afterward, continue toa private medieval moated manor house for a private tour and afternoon tea experience.

Beyond the Yorkshire Dales lies the Lake District and Middleham Castle, a 12^th-century stronghold that once served as homebase for Richard III. Explore Middleham and then continue for a quick stop at Bolton Castle, where Mary Queen of Scots spent six months in confinement. Pass by picturesque Aysgarth Falls en route to the Wensleydale creamery, where you sample its namesake cheese at the very spot where it’s made.

Sail the scenic waters of Windermere, taking in magnificent mountain views, before exploring Hawkshead, a charming village close to the lake’s edge forever entwined with the life of author Beatrix Potter, who lived and farmed nearby and was instrumental in conserving the Lakeland landscape.

Where the Firth of Clyde meets the forested hills of Galloway, Ayrshire unfurls with all the hallmarks of a classic Scottish adventure. The flags of iconic golf courses flutter in the sea breeze and baronial manors age magnificently beneath heather-blue skies. But most of all, the county is a place of pilgrimage for devotees of Robert Burns; fans come to trace the life of Scotland’s National Bard, from his humble first cottage in Alloway to his stately tomb in handsome Dumfries.

Get a feel for the traditional farmer’s life with a visit to a working Ayrshire farm. Tuck into some fresh farmhouse baking on arrival before meeting the adorable, shaggy-haired Highland cattle and enjoying a picnic at a scenic spot on the farm.

Scotland’s lamplit capital is a wise old sage with a hundred tales to tell, brooding in the shadow of Arthur’s Seat. Delve into Edinburgh’s intriguing Old Town: wander the iconic Royal Mile to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the King’s official residence in Scotland. If no member of the royal family is in residence, explore the historic apartments in which Mary, Queen of Scots once resided.