Claim your bags and make your way to your hotel on the Underground using your Oyster Card, or arrange an optional private transfer. You have the rest of the day to explore London on your own.

(Accommodations, London)

Today you will have a Private London City Tour by Iconic Black Taxi. The best way to see London is with a London Taxi Driver, who must possess "the Knowledge" in order to obtain his cab license. Your London Highlights Taxi Tour will maximize the sightseeing time you spend in London and the fun you have. That's why the London Highlights Taxi Tour is our most popular. On your 3-hour tour you will see some of the most iconic, famous historical London sights–all with a full commentary from your London Taxi Tour Guide and lots of photo opportunities on the day. Your Taxi Tour will include: Westminster Abbey, Hyde Park Memorial, St. Paul's Cathedral, Houses of Parliament, Downing Street, Whitehall, Tower Bridge, Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, London Bridge, and much more!

(Breakfast and accommodations, London)

Today you have the morning and most of the afternoon free for personal exploration of London. In the late afternoon, make your way to 22-24 Bride Lane, near St. Paul's Cathedral. This is the home of the City of London Gin Distillery. Here you'll have a tour of the distillery while discovering the history of gin in London and learning about the small-batch gin making techniques used by this distillery, which opened in 2012. A 3-flight gin tasting follows the tour. After this experience, you have the evening at leisure.

(Breakfast and accommodations, London)

This morning, travel by Underground to Kings Cross Station, where you'll board your first-class train coach for the two-hour journey to York. Upon arrival at your hotel, you will receive a Welcome Gift: a Yorkshire Hamper Basket, containing a local beer and samples of local foods. You'll have the rest of the day to explore this fascinating walled city. Walk the narrow lanes of the medieval city center, and don't miss York Minster, one of the largest and most beautiful cathedrals in England. If time permits, the National Railway Museum is an attractive option.

(Breakfast, London; Accommodations, York)

This morning you'll have a most enjoyable experience. Walk to 16 Gillygate at the appointed hour. This is the address of Love Cheese, York's favorite cheese monger. Here you will have a guided tasting of 8 different teas, matched with 8 different cheeses provided by Love's. At the end of the afternoon you'll have a thorough understanding of the differences between white, green, black, oolong, and Pu'er teas, and will have unlocked the secrets of pairing cheese and tea. You'll be guided through each tasting by local tea and cheese connoisseurs.

(Breakfast, London; Accommodations, York)

This morning, meet your driver at the appointed time for a short drive to the spa city of Harrogate, where you'll have a Private Food Walking Tour. Explore the cultural center of Harrogate on foot as you taste your way through this charming town. During your 3-hour tour you'll visit: the Starling Independent Beer and Coffee House (where the tasting begins!); Hales Bar, the oldest pub in Harrogate; Farrahs, a sweets shop, home to the famous Harrogate toffee; Oliver's Fish & Chips; and Vanilli's artisan ice cream shop. You'll also sample Yorkshire Tapas, small plates done in the British style. You're guaranteed to be full at the end of this tour! Then you'll be driven back to York to further explore the city.

(Breakfast and accommodations, York; lunch, Harrogate)

This morning, take your first-class train coach on the 2¾-hour journey to Edinburgh. The capital of Scotland, Edinburgh has offers a mixture of old and new, along with many historic sites such as Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood House, and Arthur's Seat. When you arrive at Waverly Station in Edinburgh, a kilted concierge will be waiting to take your luggage to the hotel via a hotel luggage trolley. Your hotel is only a two-minute walk from the train station.

After checking in to your hotel, you'll have the rest of the day to explore the city on your own.

(Breakfast, York; Accommodations, Edinburgh)

This morning is free for you to explore Edinburgh on your own. You could walk the Royal Mile from Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood House; take a tour of Edinburgh Castle, one of the most important buildings in Britain; or walk along Princes Street to visit the elegant shops.

In the afternoon, the Balmoral Hotel is offering a Champagne Afternoon Tea, which will be taken in The Balmoral's beautiful Palm Court room. In addition to a glass of champagne it includes a selection of sandwiches and savories, fresh homemade scones, and pastries accompanied by a choice of infusions and loose-leaf teas. Evening at leisure.

(Breakfast, Accommodations, Edinburgh)

Today you'll have a full-day tour of Stirling Castle and Deanston Whisky Distillery with a Private Driving Guide. The tour begins with a one-hour drive to Stirling, site of Stirling Castle, one of the most historic and important castles in Britain. Stirling Castle was the key to the kingdom of Scotland, dominating a vast volcanic rock above the river Forth at the meeting point between Lowlands and Highlands. Its origins are ancient—going back to 1107—and over the centuries it grew into a great royal residence and a powerful stronghold. Mary Queen of Scots and James VI of Scotland (later James I of Britain) lived here as children. Many important battles were fought at and near this castle, including those involving William Wallace ("Braveheart") and Robert the Bruce.

After your tour of the castle you'll have a tour of nearby Deanston Whisky Distillery. After learning the history of the distillery and seeing the distilling process, enjoy a dram of their award-winning single malt scotch whisky, before returning to Edinburgh for your last evening in Scotland.

(Breakfast, Accommodations, Edinburgh)

After breakfast, it's time to start your journey home or continue on to your next Avanti destination!

(Breakfast, Edinburgh)