Honeymoon Sample Itinerary 2017

Transcription

1 Honeymoon Sample Itinerary 2017

2 London: We may be biased, but the Big Smoke is simply the best city in the world: we have it all in this fabulously eclectic hub of world class restaurants, arts, fashion, architecture and sport. London is of course home to our Royal Family too! Scotland: Despite its small size, Scotland has an abundance of treasures packed into its tiny territory - picture wild coastlines, rugged landscapes, historic castles and that s just to name a few Honeymoon Sample Itinerary

3 We have highlighted the main points of your journey on the map below. Honeymoon Sample Itinerary

4 Day 1 Arrival to the UK, transfer to your London hotel with an afternoon panoramic tour to orientate yourselves Upon arrival into London Heathrow, once you have passed through security and customs, you will be met by your private driver in the arrivals hall for your transfer to London Depart Heathrow and drive to your London hotel, The Goring (approx. 1 hour 30 mins). Receive a royal welcome at the Goring Crafter over a century by one family, The Goring Hotel is the perfect romantic retreat with impeccable manners and a subtle streak of wit and wonder right in the heart of Royal London. After all, it is where Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge spend the night before her wedding to Prince William! Enjoy the balance of the morning and lunch at leisure before this afternoons panoramic tour This afternoon, your driver-guide will meet you in the hotel lobby to set off on your panoramic Tour of London s Well-known Sights This element of the day will include a drive by of London s well-known landmarks. London is actually made up of two cities the City of Westminster and the City of London (also known as the Square Mile). The City of Westminster is of course famous for its Abbey, but also within this district is Churchill War Rooms, London Eye, Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Bridge and the National Gallery. For those with an interest of our Monarchy - see Buckingham Palace, Royal Horse Guards Parade and the Queen s Life Guards, along with Kensington Palace (the home of Prince William and Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge). Stop by the Royal Parks of London, like St James s Park, Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. Drive past several famous areas of Westminster, such as Covent Garden, Trafalgar Square and Mayfair. At the end of the tour, your driver-guide will return you to the hotel to refresh before dinner. Dine in-house at The Dining Room The Goring s Michelin starred Dining Room is one of the most admired restaurants for fine dining in London. The colourful and flavoursome dishes attract dining guests from Belgravia and beyond. A perfect start to your honeymoon! O/N at The Goring Hotel A: 15 Beeston Place, London, SW1W 0JW T: +44 (0) Honeymoon Sample Itinerary

5 Day am Pre-opening tour of Kensington Palace, a visit to the Victoria & Albert and a Royal Tailors, Gieves & Hawkes This morning, your guide and private driver will meet you in the hotel lobby to set off on your full day touring London starting at Kensington Palace. A private out of hours explainer Tour of Kensington Palace Kensington Palace, a palace of secret stories and public lives has been influenced by generations of royal women. Make your way through the magnificent King s and Queen s State Apartments adorned with remarkable paintings from the Royal Collection. Explainers provide you with information about the site, its evolution and its people. The Explainer brings the history of the exhibition space Victoria Revealed to life, using their expert knowledge and often, personal anecdotes about their time on site, which gives the visit a personal touch that you would not find from guides based elsewhere. A Visit of the Victoria and Albert Museum The Victoria and Albert Museum is the world's largest museum of decorative arts and design, housing a permanent collection of over 4.5 million objects. Visit the Fashion Collection, which spans over 5 centuries and contains 17 th century gowns to 1960 s post-war couture. Lunch at leisure at Launceston Place A true hidden gem in South Kensington, Launceston Place serves a flamboyant and seasonally-inspired British menu. After lunch, your guide and private driver will take you on to explore Jermyn Street, Princess Arcade, Burlington Arcade and Fortnum & Mason This area is characterised by the beautiful shop fronts of Jermyn Street and Sir Christopher Wren s church on Piccadilly, leaving visitors eager to discover its rich heritage Jermyn Street is synonymous with British style, luxury and service for over 300 years, it is also where you will find many Royal Warrant holders. Explore the three elegant and grand old shopping arcades; Princes, Burlington and Piccadilly which are defined by their commitment to quality and luxury before you discover the iconic store; Fortnum & Mason Private tour at Gieves and Hawkes Gieves & Hawkes have continuously enjoyed the patronage of British royalty and have been Warrant holders since Enjoy a private tour of No.1 Savile Row, their home since Over a glass of champagne experience behind the scenes of this extraordinary store and witness the craftsmanship that is required to create the finest suits in the world. At the end of the tour, your guide and private driver will transxfer you back at the hotel for an evening at leisure O/N at The Goring Hotel Honeymoon Sample Itinerary

6 Day 3 Explore Windsor and Eton with a visit to Windsor Castle with a special lunch in Bray This morning, your private driver-guide will meet you in the hotel lobby to set off on your full day touring the countryside (approx. 1 hour). Windsor and Eton Windsor and Eton are twin towns separated by the River Thames and joined by Windsor Bridge. Windsor is most famous for its castle which dates back to 1075 making it the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world. On the other hand, Eton is the smaller of the 2 towns and is dominated by the prestigious Eton College. A Visit to Windsor Castle Windsor Castle is the largest and oldest inhabited castles in the world. It has been a Royal home and fortress for over 900 years and still remains a working Palace today. The magnificent State Apartments are decorated with some of the finest works of art in the Royal Collection and look out onto beautiful gardens and picturesque English countryside. After your tour, your private diver-guide will take you to Bray for your special lunch at leisure at The Fat Duck The Fat Duck In the village of Bray, celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal owns The Fat Duck the proud holder of 3 Michelin Stars. The restaurant offers a French and British Gastronomy menu. After a leisurely lunch, your private driver-guide will take you back into London to enjoy the balance of the afternoon and evening at leisure. O/N at The Goring Hotel Honeymoon Sample Itinerary

7 Day 4 Visit to Westminster Abbey, St Paul s Cathedral and the Tower of London & Crown Jewels This morning, your guide and private driver will meet you in the hotel lobby to set off for Westminster A Private Walking Tour of Westminster, Parliament and Big Ben Westminster is the very centre of royal and political London: home to the Queen and Parliament this area is synonymous with pomp, pageantry and power. On this walk you will see the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben as well as Westminster Abbey, the church of royal coronations for 1000 years. But behind Westminster's corridors of power are plenty of tales, whether it is political, royal or religious. A Visit to Westminster Abbey, the chosen place for Royal weddings Kings, queens, statesmen and soldiers; poets, priests, heroes and villains, the Abbey is a must-see living pageant of British history. Explore this wonderful 700-year-old building and site of the 2011 Royal Wedding in the heart of London. 1.00pm Lunch at leisure at Barbecoa overlooking St Paul s Jamie Oliver's menu of grilled British and Irish meats, plus extensive list of American whiskies. St Paul s Cathedral and the romantic Whispering Gallery St Paul's, with its world-famous dome, is an iconic feature of the London skyline. Step inside and you can enjoy the cathedral's awe-inspiring interior and discover fascinating stories about its history. Visit the crypt below the Cathedral floor and the world famous Whispering Gallery which is our favourite of the three galleries. 4.30pm Evening Drinks at Madison Rooftop Terrace where your guide will leave you to enjoy the evening. Your private driver will remain on hand for the balance of the evening. Start the evening in style at Madison s with its amazing views of St Paul s Cathedral s dome! Famous for its cocktails, Madison s is the perfect venue for pre-dinner drinks! Your private driver will transfer you to Tower of London for an exclusive dinner a real highlight to your trip for last night in London! Dine in the Medieval Palace within the Tower of London After the tourists have dispersed and it s quiet behind the walls of the Tower of London, enter through the grand gates where you will be taken to the Medieval Palace for a spectacular feast just for the two of you! Your private staff will be there to wait on you hand and foot you can t help but feel like royalty! *Why not go that one step further and include an exclusive viewing of the Crown Jewels! An incredible experience which attracts thousands of tourists daily, but you will get to visit on an entirely private basis! O/N at The Goring Hotel A: 15 Beeston Place, London, SW1W 0JW T: +44 (0) Honeymoon Sample Itinerary

8 Day am Transfer to Scotland After checking out of the hotel, your private driver will be on hand to take you to London Euston Train Station If you prefer to fly we can arrange a transfer to the airport and a flight to Edinburgh Travel First Class by train to Edinburgh, (approx. 4 hours 30mins). Welcome to Scotland! Your private driver will meet you at Edinburgh Waverley Train Station and transfer you to the G&V Hotel With an incredible backdrop of the capital, this hotel is perfectly situated amongst the historic streets of Edinburgh. This evening, make your way to The Witchery by the Castle for a wonderfully romantic secret garden dining experience Classed as Scotland s most famous restaurant, the original oak-panels and candle-lit atmosphere is romantic and special. It s unique location and legendary food have ensured it has become a fine dining experience. O/N at G&V Hotel A: 1 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh, EH1 1AD T: +44 (0) Honeymoon Sample Itinerary

9 Day 6 Full day walking tour of Edinburgh This morning your private guide will meet you in the hotel lobby to set off for your full day touring Visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse The Palace of Holyroodhouse is the Queen s official residence in Scotland and stands at the end of the Royal Mile in Scotland s capital, Edinburgh. Have a wander around the elegant 17 th century State Apartments which were once home to Mary, Queen of Scots. Today, the palace is the setting for State Ceremonies and exhibitions change regularly with items from the Royal collection on display. The Royal Mile The Royal Mile is probably the oldest street in Edinburgh, connecting Edinburgh Castle in the west with Palace of Holyroodhouse in the east. The street now houses an eclectic mix of shops, restaurants, pubs and visitor attractions including the narrow 15 th century house owned by John Knox, the Real Mary King s Close, St Giles Cathedral and the ultra-modern Scottish Parliament building. Explore Edinburgh Old Town Because Edinburgh is a relatively compact city, walking is actually the best way to see most of it. This is especially true in the city's Old Town, where narrow passages and alleys -- or in the local vernacular closes (pronounced "clozes") and vennels - run off both sides of the main street, like ribs from a spine. You really owe it to yourself to wander down a few of them to appreciate the medieval feel of the Scottish capital. Lunch at leisure Visit to Edinburgh Castle This instantly recognisable fortress dominates Scotland s capital and gives stunning views of the city and the countryside. Housed inside the castle are the Scottish Crown Jewels, known as the Honours of Scotland which are even older than their counterparts in London! The oldest building in the castle is St Margaret s Chapel that dates back to the 12 th century. Listen out for the One O Clock Gun that is fired every day except for Sunday; apparently it can be heard two miles away in Leith Harbour! Explore Edinburgh New Town Edinburgh's New Town is not that new. Built in the mid-to-late 18th Century, in response to overcrowding in what is now known as the Old Town, Edinburgh's New Town is a marvel of urban planning, combining elegant architecture with spacious and comfortable housing. New Town buildings are typically of a neo-classical style sometimes even with grandiose, graecian pillars outside and tall ceilings and decorative friezes and trimmings inside. 5.00pm Your private guide will finish the tour back at the hotel for you to enjoy the evening at leisure If you wish to stay in house for dinner this evening, the G&V s restaurant Cucina, offers a traditional Italian flare with a modern gourmet twist O/N at G&V Hotel A: 1 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh, EH1 1AD T: +44 (0) Honeymoon Sample Itinerary

10 Day 7 Start exploring outside the city! After checking out, your private driver-guide will be waiting for you in the hotel lobby ready to set off for the Highlands. En route you will pass the Forth Bridge, an iconic structure and World Heritage Site built in 1882 A Walking Tour of St Andrew s St Andrew s is a charming and historic town that is known as The Home of Golf ; the Old Course is arguably the most famous golf course in the world, and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club is still the ruling body for the rules of golf. The town s university is the oldest in Scotland and dominates the centre of town with its elegant, ivy-clad buildings and delightful gardens not to mention - the meeting place of royals Kate and Wills! St Andrews is in fact a medieval town which is evident when winding through the narrow, cobbled streets that lead on to the town s Cathedral and Castle. Enjoy lunch at the Road Hole Restaurant within the Old Course Hotel Award winning and classed as an experience, the restaurant has amazing views of the Old Course and sea. Walk barefoot along the golden sands of St Andrew s beach, before continuing on to Fonab Castle. 5.00pm Arrive at Fonab Castle and be greeted with champagne and strawberries In the Highlands of Perthshire, Fonab Castle is a fairy-tale stay, describing itself as beyond the ordinary Dine at Sandeman this evening - Fonab s fine dining restaurant and owner of 3 AA Rosette awards Enjoy a rose petal turn-down to end your first night in the Highlands O/N at Fonab Castle A: Foss Road, Pitlochry, PH16 5ND T: +44 (0) Honeymoon Sample Itinerary

11 Day 8 Explore the Highlands and National Park This morning your private driver-guide will meet you in the hotel lobby ready to set off on your full day exploring the Highlands. Visit Balmoral Castle, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert s marital summer retreat Once a private getaway for Queen Victoria and her husband Prince Albert, Balmoral Castle is still a yearly retreat for the Royal Family. Queen Victoria described this place as a dear paradise. The castle is surrounded Caledonian Forest, which was created at the end of the last Ice Age. Cairngorms National Park Britain's highest and most massive mountain range, its biggest and best ancient forests, vast moorlands, fields and villages, rivers and lochs, red squirrels, reindeer, ospreys, eagles, wildcats in the woods... Nowhere else in Britain has the range of landscapes all in one place that the Cairngorms has; it is a unique part of Scotland celebrated for its diversity. There are traces of people who were here 7,000 years ago, and amazingly, you can still see the remains from prehistoric, Celtic and Pictish times. The archaeological record and Gaelic place names illuminate the history of the relationship between people and place in the Cairngorms. Lunch at leisure Private tour of Edradour Distillery with your own in-house expert and complimentary whisky tastings Hidden in the very heart of Perthshire, this picturesque little Model Village of Edradour is the perfect base for a whisky tasting. Edradour boasts over 25 distinctive expressions of Highland Single Malt Scotch whisky all with their very own wonderful characters and flavours. On your private tour you ll experience the day to day workings of this traditional distillery and enjoy a tasting along the way! 5.00pm At the end of your tour, your private driver-guide will take you back to Fonab Castle to enjoy the evening at leisure For an informal dinner, why not try the Fonab Brasserie, followed by a cocktail in the Lounge Bar O/N at Fonab Castle A: Foss Road, Pitlochry, PH16 5ND T: +44 (0) Honeymoon Sample Itinerary

12 Day 9 Explore the National Park and a Private Boat Ride across Loch Lomond After checking out, your private driver-guide will meet you in the hotel lobby to set off for further touring Drummond Castle Gardens and a romantic wander around the rose gardens Classed as the best formal terrace gardens on Scotland, Drummond Castle Gardens definitely lives up to its name. Explore the mainly pathways, walled gardens and Italian themed borders. Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park Loch Lomond is 24 miles long, five miles wide and at the deepest point is some 600 feet deep. Surrounding the loch is the National Park of Trossachs which is an area is renowned for its natural beauty and snow-capped mountains. Loch Lomond has something for everyone whether it be outdoor activities (on and off land) or simply enjoying the tranquillity and picture postcard views that appear around every corner. Arrive at Cameron House Hotel and check in to your room to refresh before your afternoon private boat trip Private boat trip on Loch Lomond with a glass of Champagne Arrive at Cameron House and board your luxurious yacht for a 2 hour private experience. There are 30 islands on the loch and you should either slowly go past or speed through most of them! Throughout the trip, you ll learn about the local history whilst sipping on your champagne! 5.00pm Arrive back at Cameron House Hotel for your last night in Scotland On the banks of Loch Lomond in the National Park, Cameron House is luxurious and full of romanticism. One night here is all you need to unwind and be truly relaxed. Dine in-house at Martin Wishart, a Michelin Starred Restaurant with a changing menu to suit the current season and available local produce. O/N at Cameron House Hotel A: Loch Lomond, Alexandria, G83 8QZ T: +44 (0) Day 10 TBC Departure Day After checking out, your private driver will be on hand to transfer you to Edinburgh Airport in good time to catch your flight home It is roughly 1.5 hours to the airport from Cameron House Hotel Farewell! LIFE IS IN THE DETAIL Honeymoon Sample Itinerary