-Day 1 Start tour
Day 2 Hello Glasgow
Meet your tour director and check into hotel
Details: Glasgow city walk
Home of Scottish Opera, Scottish Ballet, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, and the Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow is the center of contemporary Scottish culture-and a hotbed of trendy restaurants, boutiques and pubs. Glasgow grew around a church built in the mid-6th century, but many of its most impressive buildings are from the 19th century, when an industrial boom led to a building frenzy. Your Tour Director will lead you to some of the city's most famous sites, passing Glasgow's blend of modern and traditional architecture. See the Venetian-style colonnaded façade of the city chambers, take in the statuary at George Square, and peek into the academic world of Strathclyde University. Glasgow has more than just buildings. It's often referred to as "The dear green place," because of its many parks.
Day 3 Glasgow
Details: Glasgow Cathedral visit
Visit Glasgow Cathedral, a church so well-regarded that in 1451, the Pope declared a pilgrimage to it would merit the same as one to Rome. The present cathedral, built in the 12th century, sits on the site of a monastery founded by St. Mungo, founded in 550 CE. Explore the structure, which features post-WWII stained glass. The impressive Millennium Window is considered the most technical stained glass piece in the world. Our visit will also include the Chapel of St. John the Evangelist and Blacader Aisle.
Details: National Scottish Piping Center visit
Visit the National Scottish Piping Center and learn about the Great Highland Bagpipe, as well as other instruments used in Scottish music like the Scottish Smallpipes, Uillean Pipes, Fiddle, Accordion, and Percussion instruments.
Details: Glasgow choir performance
Choirs often enjoy performances at churches (some have restricted sacred repetoire and others allow secular,) temples, museums and cultural centers, significant historic sights or exchange concerts with local schools, universities or community groups. Participating in a choral or cultural festival can also be a rewarding experience. For all performances we work closely with each group to ensure the perfect venue to meet their vision. Speak with your Worldstrides representative about what options would be best for your group.
Day 4 Glasgow--Edinburgh
Travel to Edinburgh
Edinburgh city walkCharlotte Square, Alexander Graham Bell's home, Robert Louis Stevenson's home, Robert Burns monument
Details: Edinburgh city walk
The capital of Scotland, Edinburgh has steep streets and stone buildings zigzagging up hills and down into small valleys, and the brooding Edinburgh Castle looms over the whole thing. Follow your Tour Director through New Town's Charlotte Square, with its elegant Georgian townhouses. See where inventor Alexander Graham Bell was born in 1847, pass Robert Louis Stevenson's birthplace near the Royal Botanic Garden, and stroll by the monument commemorating Scottish poet Robert Burns. Hear the castle's ramparts echo with gunfire at 1 p.m. Gaze out at the steep slopes and craggy cliffs of the northwest Highlands, visible from Edinburgh's highest points. Peer down into the blue sea stretching out beyond the city.
Details: St Cecilia’s Hall and Music Museum visit
St. Cecilia's Hall, opened in 1763, is Scotland's oldest purpose-built concert hall. You can hear 18th-century music in an 18th-century concert hall, played by 18th-century instruments. St. Cecilia's also contains an important collection of historical musical instruments, many of which are still playable!
Details: Edinburgh choir performance
Potential venues include (but not limited to): St. Giles' Cathedral (lunchtime recital), Tynecastle High School, Queens Hall, South Leigh Parish Church, or St. Peter's Church. Subject to final confirmation.
Day 5 Edinburgh
Details: Princes Street Gardens
Walk through Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh's first New Town. A modern thoroughfare runs along a beautiful park, featuring the first floral clock (commissioned in 1903) and an iconic view of Edinburgh Castle. Shops range from high end fashion to the more traditional highland tartans and sweaters.
Details: Edinburgh guided sightseeing tour
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.
Details: Visit Edinburgh Castle
Perched high on a volcanic rock, Edinburgh Castle makes for an imposing and impressive sight. Explore this medieval castle, learn about its significance in Scottish history and appreciate its magnificent panoramic views of the city below.
Details: The Honours of Scotland (Crown Jewels)
The Honours of Scotland have been used throughout history in the crowning of Scottish, English and British monarchs.
Details: Hike Arthur's Seat
Weather permitting, we will have the opportunity to climb Arthur's Seat for a spectacular view over the Firth of Forth.
Day 6 Edinburgh--London
Travel to London by train
Details: London South Bank walking tour
Walk along the Thames river in one of London's most popular and vibrant neighborhoods: the South Bank. Spot the National Theatre and the historic pubs, stop to view the London Eye from the tree-lined walkway, and pause to watch one of the area’s famous street performers.
Details: Tate Museum of Modern Art visit
Take a walk back through time and experience the major historical events of the 20th century through the great artwork of Picasso, Warhol, Pollack and more at the Tate Modern in London.
Details: London Eye Wheel
Soar 450 feet over London in the world's highest ferris wheel. The London Eye, the fourth tallest structure in London, whisks visitors up up and away above the River Thames for spectacular views of the city and its surrounds. The unique, futuristic passenger "capsules" allow unobstructed, 180-degree views. On a clear day visitors can see as far as the King's residence at Windsor Castle -- 25 miles away.
Day 7 London
Details: London guided sightseeing tour
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.
Details: Abbey Road
Journey out to Abbey Road, where we can recreate the iconic Beatles' album cover for ourselves.
Details: London choir performance
Potential venues include (but not limited to): Southwark Cathedral, The Community of St. Stephens, Victoria Park Bandstand, St. Gabriel's Church Pimlico, the lively Spitafields Market, Hillsong Church, Christ Church Spitafields, or an exchange with a local school, university or community group. Additional options such as Cadogan Hall or St. Martin-in-the-Fields in Trafalgar Square are available at additional cost.
Day 8 Flight home from London
Tour Includes:
- Round-trip airfare and other transportation described in the itinerary
- Accommodation in three- or four-star hotels in twin (or occasional triple) rooms with private facilities guaranteed throughout
- Plentiful daily breakfast to start the day energized and ready to go
- Appetizing, culturally representative, three-course dinner daily
- Full time, multilingual, WorldStrides tour director who is LEAP-trained in experiential education
- Local guide at sites and on city tours as described in the itinerary
- All of the venue arrangement fees and promotional costs for included concert performances
- LEAP! Learning through Exploration and Active Participation; trademarked immersive approach of learning by doing
- Entrances and transportation to sites and activities described in your itinerary
- Local guide and local bus driver tips; see note regarding other important tips
- Basic Medical, Dental, Emergency Evacuation Insurance during trip
- 24/7 On Tour Emergency Support
- Up to three college credits upon course completion (grades 9-12) or high school credit (grades 6-12)
- Note: On arrival day only dinner is provided; on departure day, only breakfast is provided
- Note: Tour cost does not include airline-imposed baggage fees, costs for rental, transport of instruments or music stands, any passport or visa fees, or tips for the Tour Director or multi-day bus drivers. Optional excursions, optional pre-paid tips, or other customizations will be listed as separate line items in the total trip cost, if included.
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