Join a licensed local guide for an in-depth look at London, from the royal haunt of Buckingham Palace (the official London residence of King Charles III) to the slightly more democratic Speakers’ Corner of Hyde Park, where anyone can pull up a soapbox and orate to his heart’s content. You’ll see the changing of the guard (season permitting), the clock tower of Big Ben with its 14-ton bell, and Westminster Abbey, where almost every English king and queen since William the Conqueror has been crowned. After a stop at the Houses of Parliament, continue on to the magnificent St. Paul’s Cathedral, the masterpiece of London architect Christopher Wren.

Examples of optional activities include National Theatre Tours, Lively Action Workshops at Shakespeare's Globe, Tower of London tours and much more! These activities are at an additional cost.

Enjoy a show in the West End, the British version of Broadway, with London's 40-or-so professional theaters, as well as restaurants, shops and cafés. Please ask your Program Consultant for a list of shows to submit a request.

Set on the southern shore of the Firth of Forth, Edinburgh has been the capital of Scotland since 1492. You can't help but imagine yourself in "auld lang syne" (times gone by) as you wander the cobblestone streets, craggy coast, and lush green spaces of Scotland. Today's Edinburgh is a hub for banking, and also well-known for festivals and universities that bring the city both tourists and acclaim. Described as one of the most beautiful cityscapes in the world, the Old and New Towns in Edinburgh became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995.

Regroup with the AHSTF administrative and tech teams, who will get you prepared for your schedule over the course of the festival!

Tonight, get to know your fellow AHSTF travelers during an icebreaker event.

Edinburgh Castle, the historical and emotional heart of the city, is just one of the many sights you will see on this tour, led by a licensed professional guide. Make your way along the Royal Mile, the main thoroughfare of the 16th and 17th centuries. (It's actually one mile and 107 yards long--from Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyrood House). As you make your way along cobbled streets, you'll see a handful of the several thousand buildings officially protected in Edinburgh because of their architectural or historic importance. The 200-foot spire of the Sir Walter Scott monument soars above the East Princes Street Gardens. Grand figures from Scottish history adorn its heights, make sure you also look down -- the figure below the marble statue is Scott's favorite dog, Maida.

From Edinburgh Castle walk the Royal Mile, one of the most famous and scenic city walks in Europe.

Groups will have two hours to run and refine the technical aspects of their production.

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is, quite simply, the largest and most prestigious performing arts festival in the world. Every August, the city transforms into a magical, thrilling world of all things performance: comedy, drama, dance, cabaret, circus, performance art, street performers, and anything else you can imagine. Original works, devised pieces, and classic theatre and dance are all welcome and celebrated. In addition to traditional theatre spaces, pubs, museums, churches, alleys, courtyards, and specially created spaces become venues. Almost nothing seems off-limits—entirely by design. Imagine a city swept away by the pulse of such creativity, and you’ve only started to understand what’s happening here. With over 300 venues, 3,800 shows, and 60,000 performances, you will be immersed in the arts and never lack for new experiences!

Support your peers and see great theatre and dance productions! All groups attend four productions put on by their fellow companies. You are encouraged to see as many student shows as possible, but four are included on your itinerary. Everyone deserves an audience!

Perform to festival attendees in your own 20-minute outdoor “Taster performance.” Garner excitement for your show by intriguing the passersby through the age-old art of busking!

The spirit of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe is to use any space for a production, including alleyways, conference rooms, church halls, nursery schools, and other types of non-traditional theatre space! You and your group will perform four times for a guaranteed live audience in a high-quality Fringe venue with a stage, audience seating, and lighting and sound equipment.

The medieval town of Stirling grew up around one of Scotland’'s most important fortresses and the Old Town is still surrounded by its original 16th century walls. The town served as the backdrop for one of William Wallace’'s 13th century battles and continued to be of strategic importance in the Jacobite uprisings. The Trossachs, home to Rob Roy and Loch Lomond, is a region of craggy hills, sparkling lochs and rich culture. Scotland’s first national park, Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park now make up a large part of the area.

Tour Stirling Castle, which dates from the Middle Ages and was an important seat of two kings; James IV and James V. View the Museum of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, presenting an excellent exhibit of colors, pipe banners, and regimental silver. From the castlethere is a wonderful view of the Wallace Monument.

Standing 30 meters (100ft) tall, The Kelpies sculptures stand majestically above all around them and pay homage to the working horses of Scotland which used to pull barges along Scotland’s canals and worked in the fields in the area where they now stand.

Travel through the spectacular landscape of the Trossachs. This area of rugged mountains, forests and lochs including Loch Lomond is forever associated with Sir Walter Scott's outlaw hero, Rob Roy. Take advantage of several photo stops to take time to admire the breathtaking Scottish highlands scenery.

Known as the Queen of Scottish Lochs the banks of Loch Lomond are amongst the most enchanting and romantic beauty spots in the British Isles. The largest expanse of fresh water in Great Britain Loch Lomond measures 23 miles long, 5 miles wide and is Scotland's third deepest Loch at 636 feet deep. The Loch's abundance of wildlife, rich history and spectacular natural beauty make it one of Scotland's most appealing and enduring visitor destinations.

Support your peers and see great theatre and dance productions! All groups attend four productions put on by their fellow companies. You are encouraged to see as many student shows as possible, but four are included on your itinerary. Everyone deserves an audience!

College faculty present their theater and dance programs and serve on panels for hundreds of performing arts students attending AHSTF. ICTF students may attend to provide their perspective on life at their schools.

The spirit of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe is to use any space for a production, including alleyways, conference rooms, church halls, nursery schools, and other types of non-traditional theatre space! You and your group will perform four times for a guaranteed live audience in a high-quality Fringe venue with a stage, audience seating, and lighting and sound equipment.

Support your peers and see great theatre and dance productions! All groups attend four productions put on by their fellow companies. You are encouraged to see as many student shows as possible, but four are included on your itinerary. Everyone deserves an audience!

The spirit of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe is to use any space for a production, including alleyways, conference rooms, church halls, nursery schools, and other types of non-traditional theatre space! You and your group will perform four times for a guaranteed live audience in a high-quality Fringe venue with a stage, audience seating, and lighting and sound equipment.

A tradition dating back to 1875, a Ceilidh is an evening of Scottish folk music and dancing. This evening, an authentic Scottish Ceilidh band will lead groups through dance steps while their own Ceilidh dancers entertain during much needed breaks.

Support your peers and see great theatre and dance productions! All groups attend four productions put on by their fellow companies. You are encouraged to see as many student shows as possible, but four are included on your itinerary. Everyone deserves an audience!

This spectacular event is acclaimed by many as “the greatest show on earth” and is undeniably one of the world’s most breathtaking spectacles. The Tattoo is a dazzling celebration of music, dance, and drama which takes place on the Edinburgh Castle Esplanade. The program includes the Massed Bands of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines, the Military Bands of the Scottish Division, the Massed Pipes and Drums representing Scotland’s Regiments, and many other bands from every corner of the earth. A sensational finale brings the show to an emotional climax. As the lights fade on the lone piper, wish a wish and “Haste ye back …”

The spirit of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe is to use any space for a production, including alleyways, conference rooms, church halls, nursery schools, and other types of non-traditional theatre space! You and your group will perform four times for a guaranteed live audience in a high-quality Fringe venue with a stage, audience seating, and lighting and sound equipment.

That’s a wrap! You’ve completed your show run at the largest performing arts festival in the world. Celebrate with your fellow companies with awards from the tech team, a special photo presentation, surprise performances, and more.