PROPOSAL: DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY Route Map: Map Key: A. Edinburgh B. Liverpool C. London Tentative Flight Schedule: Our proposal is based on the flights listed below. We are currently holding space with the airline. Group airfare is based on a minimum of 18 people traveling on the same flights. Please be advised that any changes to the below flight schedule might result in an increase to the airfare. May 15 Houston / London Heathrow BA 196 Depart: 8:25 PM (May 16) Arrive: 11:45 AM May 16 London Heathrow / Edinburgh BA 1446 Depart: 1:15 PM Arrive: 2:40 PM May 28 London Heathrow / Houston BA 195 Depart: 9:55 AM Arrive: 2:20 PM BA = British Airways Millennium Tours 2 | P a g e Tentative Itinerary: Depart Houston This afternoon depart Houston for Edinburgh via London on Monday, May 15 Day 1 British Airways. Sit back and enjoy dinner and entertainment onboard. Bon Voyage! Arrive Edinburgh Tuesday, May 16 Day 2 Arrive Edinburgh International airport at 2:40 PM English-speaking assistant to meet/greet group at airport and transfer by private motor coach to hotel. Group check-in at the Ibis Edinburgh Centre South Bridge (3- Edinburgh star) or similar – Hotel Website Remainder of the day free for independent activities. Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant (3-course meal). Overnight at the Ibis Edinburgh Centre South Bridge or similar Full-Day Cultural Visits Wednesday, May 17 Day 3 Full Scottish breakfast in hotel Morning walk to the Edinburgh Castle (entrance included) Dominating the Edinburgh skyline from its perch on Castle Rock, the Edinburgh Castle is one of the most important strongholds in Scotland and has been involved in many historical conflicts from the Wars of Scottish Independence in the 14th century to the Jacobite Rising of 1745. Recent research has identified 26 sieges over the course of the castle’s 1,100-year history, giving it a claim to being the most besieged castle in Great Britain and one of the most attacked castles in the entire world. Time to explore Edinburgh Castle on your own Edinburgh Time for lunch on own Walk to the National Museum of Scotland (free entry) Embark on a journey of discovery that will take you through the history of Scotland and the world, including the wonders of nature, the beauty of art, design, and fashion, and the advancements of science and technology. Time to explore the National Museum of Scotland on your own Reminder of evening free Overnight at the Ibis Edinburgh Centre South Bridge or similar Full-Day Cultural Excursion Thursday, May 18 Day 4 Full Scottish breakfast in hotel Edinburgh Full-day private motor coach to remain with the group Millennium Tours 9 | P a g e Edinburgh Morning drive from Edinburgh to Roslin ~ 8 miles ~ 0.50 hrs Visit to Rosslyn Chapel (entrance included) Built in 1446 as a place of worship, Rosslyn Chapel continues to hold services on a weekly basis. The beauty of this intricately carved chapel has been drawing visitors for generations and was Roslin featured in Dan Brown’s novel, The Da Vinci Code and the subsequent film. Time to explore Rosslyn Chapel on own Time for lunch on own Afternoon drive from Roslin to Melrose ~ 35 miles ~ 1.25 hrs Visit to Melrose Abbey (entrance included) A magnificent ruin on a grand scale with lavishly decorated masonry, Melrose Abbey might be the most famous ruin in Scotland. Founded in 1136 by David I for the Cistercian Order, it was mostly destroyed by Richard II’s English army in 1385. The exterior of the abbey is decorated with unusual sculptures Melrose including hobgoblins, cooks with ladles, and a bagpipe playing pig. In addition, the abbey is thought to be the burial place of Robert the Bruce’s heart, which is marked with a commemorative plaque within the grounds. Time to explore Melrose Abbey on own Drive from Melrose to Edinburgh ~ 40 miles ~ 1.25 hrs Remainder of evening free Edinburgh Overnight at the Ibis Edinburgh Centre South Bridge or similar Free Day (Class A), Cultural Visits (Class B & C) Friday, May 19 Day 5 Full Scottish breakfast in hotel Edinburgh Classes Split for Separate Activities Edinburgh Class A Free day to explore this beautiful city on your own Morning walk to Holyrood Palace (entrance included) The Palace of Holyroodhouse, Her Majesty the Queen’s official residence in Scotland, stands at the end of the historic Royal Mile. Visitors can explore 14 historic and State apartments, the ruins of the 12th century Holyrood Abbey, and the royal gardens. Although the palace is best known as the home of Mary, Queen Edinburgh Class B of Scots, and provided the setting for many dramatic events during her short rein, today, the State Apartments are used regularly by The Queen for state ceremonies and official entertaining. Time for lunch on own Remainder of afternoon and evening free Millennium Tours 10 | P a g e Morning walk to Holyrood Palace (entrance included) The Palace of Holyroodhouse, Her Majesty the Queen’s official residence in Scotland, stands at the end of the historic Royal Mile. Visitors can explore 14 historic and State apartments, the ruins of the 12th century Holyrood Abbey, and the royal gardens. Although the palace is best known as the home of Mary, Queen of Scots, and provided the setting for many dramatic events during her short rein, today, the State Apartments are used regularly by The Queen for state ceremonies and official entertaining. Edinburgh Class C Time for lunch on own Afternoon private Edinburgh Scottish Enlightenment Tour with English-speaking guide On this tour you will have the chance to explore both Edinburgh’s Old and New Town’s, while discovering the history of Edinburgh enlightenment and how a few men transformed philosophy, history, science, and literature, laid the foundation for modern economics, and inspired great leaps for modern medicine. Remainder of evening free Edinburgh Overnight at the Ibis Edinburgh Centre South Bridge or similar Free Day (Class A & B), Full-Day Excursions to Glasgow (Class C) Saturday, May 20 Day 6 Full Scottish breakfast in hotel Edinburgh Classes Split for Separate Activities Edinburgh Class A Free day to explore this beautiful city on your own Edinburgh Class B Free to explore this beautiful city on your own Full-day excursions to Glasgow Full-day private motor coach to remain with the group Morning drive from Edinburgh to Glasgow ~ 46 miles ~ 1.25 hrs Glasgow Private walking tour of Glasgow with Dr. Stephen Mullen, PhD During this tour, you will learn the history of Glasgow, while discovering the city’s connection to slavery in the West Indies, the 18th century tobacco trade, and visiting places where Frederick Class C Douglass spoke. Time for lunch on own Drive from Glasgow to Clarkston ~ 11 miles ~ .50 hrs Visit to Greenbank Garden (entrance included) Clarkson Greenbank Garden in an 18th century house and garden owned by the National Trust for Scotland. Built in the 1760s by Robert Millennium Tours 11 | P a g e Allason, the garden provides a relaxing landscape of soaring beeches, chattering waters, and beautiful sculptures. Time to explore Greenbank Garden on your own Edinburgh Class C Drive from Clarkson to Edinburgh ~ 60 miles ~ 1.50 hrs Remainder of evening free Edinburgh Overnight at the Ibis Edinburgh Centre South Bridge or similar Depart Edinburgh, Arrive Liverpool Sunday, May 21 Day 7 Full Scottish breakfast in hotel Transfer by private motor coach from hotel to Edinburgh Waverly station Edinburgh Board train from Edinburgh Waverly to Liverpool Lime Street station (one-way, 2nd class train tickets included) Arrive Liverpool Lime Street Station English-speaking assistant to meet/greet group at train station and transfer by private motor coach to hotel Group check-in at the Ibis Styles Liverpool Centre Dale Street (3-star) or similar – Hotel Website Time for lunch on own Commence private Liverpool Slavery History Trail tour with English-speaking guide During this tour you will be taken on a 300-year journey through Liverpool the controversial past of Liverpool. From the sleepy fishing village of the 17th century, to the coasts of Africa, to the islands of the Caribbean, to South America, and the U.S. You will experience history through the eyes of the oppressed as you gain insight into how the wealth of Liverpool was accrued and the great empires were made. Remainder of evening free Overnight at the Ibis Styles Liverpool Centre Dale Street or similar Half-Day Cultural Visit Monday, May 22 Day 8 Full English breakfast in hotel Walk to the Museum of Liverpool (free entry) As the world’s first national museum to be devoted to the history of a regional city, the Museum of Liverpool showcases popular culture, while tackling social, historical, and contemporary issues Liverpool in an accessible and engaging manner. Exhibits include Ben Johnson’s Liverpool Cityscape, a life-size Liverbird, the first Ford Anglia, and Chris Boardman’s famous Lotus sport bike. Time to explore the Museum of Liverpool on your own Millennium Tours 12 | P a g e Time for lunch on own Liverpool Remainder of afternoon and evening free Overnight at the Ibis Styles Liverpool Centre Dale Street or similar Full-Day Cultural Visits Tuesday, May 23 Day 9 Full English breakfast in hotel Morning half-day Beatles Walk tour with English-speaking guide On this 90-minute tour you will walk in the footsteps of the Beatles as you wander the streets of Liverpool. Visit the Cavern Club located at 10 Mathew Street, where the Beatles got their start, enjoy photo opportunities at the Eleanor Rigby and John Liverpool Lennon Statues, see the Liverpool Town Hall, stop in at the NEMS (North End Musical Store) and Rushworth’s, all while learning about the famous band.