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 From
south to north, Great Britain is a small island
on the world map, and yet contains an amazing
diversity of land, coasts, stories, and people.
This itinerary will help you explore many famous
monuments and hidden corners of the largest
of the British Isles. Flying into Heathrow,
you'll take the high speed Paddington Express
into the north of the city centre, and then
will be picked up by limousine and brought to
the door of One Aldwych, an exclusive address
in the heart of Covent Garden, near two beautiful
parks and the edge of the theater district.
From the sparkling contemporary public areas
and sleek, cozy rooms of One Aldwych you'll
plan your city excursions, seeing wonderful
theater and famous sites.
 Your
last day in London will find you picking up
your automatic Mercedes C150 and driving northwest
into the Cotswolds and the pretty river city
of Stratford, where you will stay at the Shakespeare
- formed from townhouses built in the 17th century
- and view the best of the Bard's work in evening
theater sessions in the round.  Stratford
is also a lovely place to shop, and to rent
bicycles for countryside exploring. Later, one
beautiful stage of coastal driving will take
you to the Lake District and the welcoming Victorian
manor of Holbeck Ghyll on Lake Windermere. Hiking,
fishing, and fine cuisine will be your regimen
among the lakes - the restaurant here is Michelin-starred
and famous throughout the country.
 Across
the borderlands in Scotland, you will find a
different kind of hospitality at the Roxburghe,
a baronial manor on 200 acres of unspoiled meadows
in the Tweed Valley. One of the finest golf
courses in Scotland is here, as are a wonderful
pub and restaurant featuring the catch of the
day. Your room will look out onto the gardens,
which spread out right to the forest fence,
beyond which lies several mystical ruined abbeys
and standing stones.
 Stopping
in Edinburgh on your way north for lunch and
shopping, you'll find the cliffs over the city
stunning and the locals warm and welcoming.
Passing Perth, you'll make your way into the
Great Glen of Scotland, a cleft in the midlands
containing the Scotch channel and Loch Ness.
Here you'll stay at the Dunkeld Hilton in the
forest, cozying by the evening fire and perhaps
even hunting in season. You'll take daytrips
to Loch Ness and Aberdeen, and can easily get
back to Glasgow or Edinburgh if you need some
urban company or nightlife. On your last day,
you'll drop off your car and share a 1st class
compartment on the speedy, historic train from
Edinburgh all the way back to London.
Who
will enjoy this trip:
Those who enjoy seeing it all. First time travelers
with flexible time and budget who want to gain
depth and breadth of experiences in both England
and Scotland.
Who
should avoid this trip:
Those travelers preferring to travel exclusively
by train and air. Those with modest amounts
of time and resources. Travelers looking for
true beach destinations.
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