There is a contact form at the bottom of the page if you would like to be added to our mailing list for future trips.
For reference the final costs for this trip (8 travelers on UK portion only, 5 for UK and Paris extension):
UK only: $1500 down payment $3460 final payment $4960 Total (not including travel insurance, tips and gratuities)
UK and Paris: $1700 down payment $5960 final payment $7660 Total (not including travel insurance, tips and gratuities)
We look forward to having you join us as we explore the beauty of Scotland and England through art and architecture, history and landscape, cuisine and culture from May 1 – 10, 2024. We will spend time in historic Edinburgh, then travel across England from the glorious Lake District to the picturesque Yorkshire Dales, visiting museums, beautiful gardens, stately homes, charming villages and scenic vistas all while enjoying the companionship of old friends and new.
The optional extension to Paris May 10 – 14, 2024 includes visits to Musée d’Orsay, Sainte Chapelle and The Orangerie , sightseeing around town and a day trip to Chartres but you also have the flexibility to explore Paris on your own, particularly if you have been there before. The Morrison Travel Club has no membership fees or formal requirements and we welcome new travelers to our group. Our group members are kind, open-minded, easy going and eager travelers, many of whom have been traveling with the club for years. Based in Illinois we fly out of Chicago O'Hare, but we also have members from elsewhere in the US.
We will be traveling with Kipling Tours, a specialist group travel organizer based in the beautiful county of Dorset in Southern England. We have requested John Lionet as our Tour Director.
Seating is limited. If interest exceeds the number of reserved airline seats we will start a waiting list but we can’t guarantee additional reservations.
As you peruse the itinerary remember that you do not need to participate in all scheduled events. Taking a day off to explore on your own, or to rest and recuperate is perfectly acceptable.
ADDITIONAL COSTS (more information on this is included in the itinerary).
-Travel Insurance (more information below). You may need to book this as soon as within 7 days of your initial deposit. We will ask for proof of insurance closer to our travel date.
-Costs for the Paris extension are indicative at this point and subject to confirmation of any additional airfare costs. These will be advised when you request your place on the extension.
-Tips and Gratuities for our Tour Director, Tour Guides and Bus drivers will be collected closer to our travel date. More information is included in the itinerary.
-Lunch costs and personal beverages with dinners.
-Single surcharge for single rooms. See the itinerary for rates. If you would like to be put on a roommate list please contact Theresa Brandon (thebrandon@aol.com) but there is no guarantee that we can provide one if we have odd numbers.
-Fees for heavy or extra checked baggage.
-Transportation to and from O'Hare if you are local or your own flights and accommodations if you need to get to O'Hare from elsewhere in the US.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
You MUST have travel insurance to go on this trip. Your domestic insurance policy usually does not include international travel.
RESEARCH TRAVEL INSURANCE PROMPTLY. YOU MAY NEED TO BOOK YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE WITHIN 7 - 15 DAYS OF YOUR DEPOSIT. We realize that this is a tight time frame but some travel insurances have requirements dependent on when you sign up. Some may have longer time frames but it varies widely.
There are several factors that you need to consider in choosing your travel insurance including your age, health and the level and types of coverage that you are comfortable with. You may find a yearly policy is less expensive than a single trip policy. If you are over the age of 70 you will have fewer companies to choose from.
CHECK WITH YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE AND YOUR CREDIT CARD FIRST TO SEE IF THEY PROVIDE ANY COVERAGE FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL.
It will be up to you to research and choose your own travel insurance and to be familiar with your specific coverage details.
Based on recent discussions with other travelers we DO NOT recommend Allianz travel insurance.
ACCESSIBILITY
You should be able to walk up to 6 miles (12,000 steps) per day at a moderate pace, possibly over uneven cobblestones or somewhat hilly terrain in all kinds of weather. You need to be able to stand for a reasonable length of time in galleries and museums, negotiate stairs and escalators, manage your own luggage and get on and off a coach bus unassisted. Please take into consideration your health and physical capabilities as we want this to be a comfortable and successful trip for everyone.
If you are unable to keep up with the group, you may need to wait as we tour a site, or you may have to take public transportation or a taxi at your own expense to meet the group at a walking destination.
If you require any type of assistance, you must bring a capable travel companion who can help you get on and off the motor coach, in and out of hotels, and to accommodate your needs to keep up with the pace of the tour.
LUGGAGE
We recommend that group members restrict themselves to no more than one checked bag of less than 50 pounds, one piece of carry on luggage and one personal bag per person. (Less and lighter is better!) Each participant is responsible for their own baggage. Airline baggage size, weight and overall rules must be followed otherwise you may occur an additional fee.
Occasionally the coach bus may not be able to stop next to the hotel. If this is the case you will need to be able to transport your luggage a short distance to the hotel. Your luggage should not be so big or heavy that you cannot carry it up stairs, if needed, as not all hotels have elevators. You must be able to handle all of your own luggage.
INTERESTED? Drop us an email as soon as possible to let us know if you are interested in the trip as seating is limited. We suggest waiting to place your deposit (and buying your travel insurance) until we meet our minimum group size. Feel free to share this trip information with family and friends.
The Non-Refundable deposit is $500, due at registration by August 8, 2023. The remaining balance is due 90 days before travel by January 31st, 2024
Let us know if you are interested:
- in the Main Trip only OR the Main Trip with the Paris Extension
AND
- your roommate or single room preference.
Please address any questions or responses to Theresa Brandon at thebrandon@aol.com
PAYMENTS Participants can call Kipling Tours toll free number with a credit card
844 240 3979 from 6:00 a.m. to Noon, US Central Time (to accommodate the time zone for UK working hours) Monday - Friday
The NON-Refundable deposit is $500, due at registration by August 8, 2023
The remaining balance is due 90 days before travel by January 31st, 2024
(Your Travel Insurance may provide a separate cancellation policy.)
The deposit is NON REFUNDABLE once the trip is fully booked. It is only refundable if we don’t get enough people signed up by the deadline of August 8.
Cancellation 60 - 90 days before departure - 60% of the Tour Price is non refundable. February 1st – 1st March inclusive
Cancellation 30 - 59 days before departure - 80% of the Tour Price is non refundable. March 2nd - April 1st inclusive
Cancellation less than 30 days before departure - 100% of the Tour Price is non refundable. April 2nd onwards
KIPLING TOURS CUSTOMER SERVICE
US Toll Free 844 240 3979 from 6:00 a.m. to Noon, US Central Time (to accommodate the time zone for UK working hours), Monday - Friday
Out of hours + 44 7399 839725 (Out of hours will be before 9am and after 6pm UK time)
Itinerary is subject to change at any time Itinerary Morrison Travel Club Tour to Scotland & England
DAY 1 Depart from Chicago We depart from Chicago today for the overnight flight to Edinburgh
DAY 2 Arrive Edinburgh - Walking Tour
This morning we arrive at Edinburgh and we will be met at the airport by our full time Tour Manager, before traveling into the city. We will drive along Princes Street where we see the Scott Monument which commemorates Sir Walter Scott, perhaps the most famous of the Scottish romantic writers.
We have lunch and in the afternoon we have time to explore at leisure the sights along Edinburgh’s Royal Mile where bagpipers play their tunes from morning until evening. On the Lawn Market we can visit St Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh’s principal protestant Cathedral.
We continue with a visit to Greyfriars Church Yard where we can see the grave and monument to the Greyfriars Bobby, a Skye Terrier who was said to have guarded his masters grave for 14 years after his death. Also in this churchyard are several gravestones whose names are thought to have been the inspiration for several of the Harry Potter characters. The most famous is that of Thomas Riddell and his family, but you can also see the gravestone of William McGonagall, known as one of the worst poets in Scotland. Dinner this evening will be at a city center restaurant.
DAY 3 Edinburgh Castle & Royal Yacht Britannia
This morning we visit Edinburgh Castle, one of the most important castles in Scotland and one which dominates the city’s skyline. The castle occupies the summit of an ancient volcanic rock towering 260ft above the streets below. Edinburgh Castle is a place filled with history dating back to the twelfth century and has connections to many key events in Scottish history. Mary Queen of Scots met her people here for the first time after her landing from France and indeed she also processed along the Royal Mile. Mary’s son James, later James I of England, was born here.
Our tour of the Castle will include St. Margaret's Chapel, the State Apartments, the Great Hall and the Crown Chamber which houses the Scottish Crown Jewels. Our visit will also be timed so that we can see (and hear) the one o’clock gun.
After time for lunch, we travel to Leith where we visit the Royal Yacht Britannia. This was the ship used by the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh on so many of their overseas tours. De-commissioned in 1997 it is now a floating museum and visitor attraction permanently docked by the Firth of Forth.
Dinner this evening will be at a city center restaurant.
DAY 4 Scottish National Gallery & Holyrood House
This morning we visit the Scottish National Gallery where the permanent collection includes major works by Titian, Rembrandt, Botticelli and Vermeer. There are also iconic Scottish works including Edward Landseer’s ‘Monarch of the Glen’. After time for lunch, we visit Holyrood House at the far end of the Royal Mile. This has been the Monarch’s official residence in Scotland for hundreds of years, and the late Queen was a regular visitor. The tour includes the various magnificent state rooms as well as the private quarters used by Mary Queen of Scots. This includes the small chamber where her private secretary David Rizzio was murdered by Mary’s husband Lord Darnley and other Scottish Nobles.
The remainder of the afternoon will be free for you to explore Edinburgh on your own. Dinner this evening will be at a city center restaurant.
DAY 5 Lindisfarne - Travel to the Lake District
This morning we depart from Edinburgh by private tour bus and travel south to England. We cross the border just to the north of Berwick Upon Tweed before continuing to the small island of Lindisfarne, also known as Holy Island. By tradition, St Aidan came from the island of Iona in 635AD to found his monastery, and it subsequently became a center of Christianity in the north of England. The island is linked to the mainland by a narrow causeway which is cut off at high tide. Our visit will of course be timed to fit with the tide times. Lindisfarne is a romantic place, and the ruins of the Priory are one of the highlights. The priory was at the heart of the island’s community until the dissolution of the Monasteries under Henry VIII. Also to be seen here is Lindisfarne Castle, a defensive fortress which commands a fine view out across the North Sea.
In the afternoon we travel from East to West across Pennines, the upland hills which form the spine of the north of England. Our destination is the beautiful Lake District National Park and a hotel by Lake Windermere. Dinner this evening will be at a local restaurant.
DAY 6 Lake District - Grasmere, Rydal Mount & Hilltop House
One of Britain’s most famous romantic poets, William Wordsworth, spent nine years living in the Lake District and fell in love with the area whilst on a walking tour with Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Our first visit this morning is to the beautiful village of Grasmere, one of the most picturesque in the Lake District. We have time to explore the village and also visit St Oswald’s Church, where Wordsworth is buried. We then move on to Rydal Mount and Gardens in Ambleside where Wordsworth lived for 37 years until his death in 1850. While here, he wrote many of his most famous poems. He became England's most celebrated poet and in 1843 was made Poet Laureate to Queen Victoria.
In the afternoon we visit Hilltop House where the author Beatrix Potter lived. The garden and surrounding countryside were the inspiration for Beatrix Potter's many books, featuring characters such as Peter Rabbit, Tom Kitten and Mrs Tiggy-Winkle. There are only five rooms in the house, but each of them contains a reference to a picture in one of the tales and the books are left open for visitors to look through to find the items in the room that are featured in the books. Dinner this evening will be at a local restaurant.
DAY 7 Kirkstone Pass, Ullswater Lake Cruise & Keswick
This morning we drive north across the Kirkstone Pass, at 1,489 feet the Lake District's highest pass accessible by road. The journey gives us wonderful views of the Lake District ‘Fells’ (the local name for the hills). On the north side of the pass we descend into the Patterdale Valley (St Patrick’s Dale) and reach the small town of Glenridding which lies on the shores of Ullswater, the second largest lake in the Lake District behind Windermere. At Glenridding we board one of the heritage Lake Steamers and cruise up the lake to Pooley Bridge, a beautiful journey amidst some of the regions highest and most famous peaks including Helvellyn. At Pooley Bridge we disembark and can have lunch in one of the village pubs, some of which have outdoor seating if we are lucky with the weather.
In the afternoon we travel to Keswick, the largest town in the northern part of the Lake District. We have free time to explore here before we return to our hotel in Windermere. Dinner this evening will be at a local restaurant.
Day 8 Yorkshire Dales & Fountains Abbey
This morning we depart from the Lake District and travel to the Yorkshire Dales. This is a beautiful region of hills and farming country, - typified in the James Herriot book series All Creatures Great and Small. Our first stop is the village of Grassington which stands in for Darrowby, the main village in the newest TV series based on the books. We can explore the village and if you wish take a short walk to Linton Falls.
We continue to Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal. The ruins of this former Cistercian Abbey lie in a Medieval Deer Park. It was once one of the wealthiest monasteries in England until the Dissolution of the Monasteries by Henry VIII in 1539. Stone from the Abbey was removed to build nearby Fountains Hall such that only ruins now remain, although they hint at the former size and magnificence of the Abbey. Within the grounds, Studley Royal Water Garden is an outstanding example of the English garden style that was popular during the eighteenth century, and the design of this garden is a pre-cursor to the later style which became synonymous with Capability Brown.
In the afternoon we continue the journey to the spa town of Harrogate in the county of North Yorkshire. After we have checked into our hotel, we can explore the attractive town before dinner at a central restaurant.
Day 9 York, the Minster & the Jorvik Center
Today we travel to the city of York for a full day. The journey takes about an hour and on arrival we will visit the famous York Minster, widely regarded as northern Europe's greatest gothic cathedral. Dating to Medieval times the Minster is famous for its wonderful 14th and 15th-century stained glass windows. The Minster has suffered several devastating fires during its long history, the most recent being in 1984 when a blaze ripped through the roof of the south transept. Restoration work lasted until as recently as 2018. We then have time to explore the historic streets of the city including the much-photographed narrow street known as The Shambles, with its historic timber-framed buildings.
After lunch in York we visit the Jorvik Center which documents the city’s historic connection with the Vikings. In the afternoon we travel to Manchester our final dinner on tour.
DAY 10 Flight Home This morning you have an early transfer to the airport in Manchester for your homeward flight.
Or continue on to the optional extension to Paris.
Day 10 Flight to Paris - Montmartre & Sacre Coeur
This morning we depart from Manchester Airport for our flight to Paris, accompanied by our Tour Manager. On arrival we travel by private bus to our hotel for check in.
In the late afternoon we visit the bohemian quarter of Montmartre which is where many Parisian artists are based. You can stroll along the narrow streets and see artists both at work, and those selling their paintings. Montmartre is a great spot for photography, and there are many pleasant cafes where you can enjoy a coffee whilst peoplewatching. Montmartre is also famous for the Cathedral of Sacré Coeur which you can visit, and where you can also enjoy the spectacular panoramic view across Paris. We have dinner at a restaurant in the Place du Tertre.
Day 11 Musee d’Orsay & St Chapelle
Today you visit the Musée d’Orsay which houses a wide range of art but is particularly strong on Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works. After you tour you can visit the Latin Quarter which is home to the Sorbonne and a range of interesting little shops which occupy its narrow lanes. Don’t miss a visit to the Shakespeare and Company Bookstore, a unique English language bookshop in France.
You walk along the banks of the Seine and cross the pedestrian Pont des Arts with its multitude of lovers locks to the Left Bank of the Seine and you can stroll along to the Île de la Cité and Notre Dame Cathedral. The Île de la Cité is the historic centre of Paris and the location where the medieval city was founded. You can sadly only see Notre Dame from the outside as the reconstruction work has closed off the immediate area. Also in this area we visit Sainte Chapelle, a gothic masterpiece and residence of the French Monarchs until the fourteenth century.
In the afternoon you can stroll along the elegant Champs Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe before dinner in a city center restaurant.
Day 12 Chartres
This morning will be free for you to explore Paris on your own.
In the afternoon we travel to the city of Chartres, located an hour south-west of Paris and best known for its spectacular 13th century Gothic cathedral. Chartres is one of Europe’s great Cathedrals, renowned for its extraordinary stained-glass windows, almost all of which also date back to the 13th century. There will be time to explore the pretty old town with its cobbled streets and welcoming cafes. Within the church, the carved choir screen wraps around nearly half the length of the nave and is adorned with exquisitely carved scenes from both Old and New Testaments.
We have dinner in Chartres and can then enjoy the spectacular sound and light show which illuminates the cathedral and other buildings in the city. In the evening we return to Paris.
Day 13 Paris Extension The Orangerie & Palais Garnier
This morning you visit The Orangerie, a gallery housing impressionist and post-impressionist art, housed in a grand Palladian building. The Orangerie is famous for the Nympheas, a series of decorative panels by Monet. There are also works from other masters including Rousseau, Matisse, Cezanne, Renoir & Gaugin.
The Orangerie is situated in the Tuileries Gardens and you can enjoy a walk past the Bassin Octogonal with its fine view of the Place de la Concorde. These Italianate gardens were laid out by Catherine de' Medici in the 16th century.
You continue with a visit to the Palais Garnier, the traditional and historic home of Paris Opera. The modern, state of the art Opera House may have the acoustics and sight-lines, but the Opera Garnier retains the opulence and elegance of the belle epoque era. Our self-guided tour visits the ornate gilded public areas and the spectacular auditorium where you can see the ornate Chagall ceiling. (NB. This tour is subject to performance scheduling at the Opera House)
Close to the Palais Garner you can also visit the wonderful Galleries Lafayette, an opulent department store in a Haussmann style building. We have dinner this evening at a city center restaurant.
Day 14 Flight Home This morning you transfer by private tour bus to the airport for your homeward flight to Chicago.
What’s Included - UK Section
• Round trip economy class flights with British Airways from Chicago to Edinburgh, returning from Manchester • Check in baggage allowance of one piece up to 50 pounds (23 kgs) • Accommodation in centrally located 3 and 4 star hotels - twin share rooms • 3 Nights Hotel in Edinburgh, 3 Nights Hotel in the Lake District, 1 Night Hotel in Harrogate, 1 Night Hotel in Manchester • Breakfasts at your hotels • 8 Group dinners (includes drinking water, tea and coffee) • 1 Lunch on Lindisfarne • 1 Lunch at Pooley Bridge • Private tour bus for all touring in England (Day 5-10) • Full Time Tour Director - John Lionet • Tour Guides where necessary • All tours as described in the itinerary • Lindisfarne Visit
Paid Admissions & Tickets Included Edinburgh • Edinburgh Castle • Royal yacht Britannia • Holyrood House • St Giles Cathedral Lake District • Rydal Mount • Hilltop House • Ullswater Lake Steamer Yorkshire • Fountains Abbey • York Minster • Jorvik Center
What’s Not Included • Personal Travel Insurance • Lunches • Public transport if used • Soft or alcoholic drinks with group dinners • Any other tickets or admissions not listed above • Drivers Tips - allow around $200 in total for the whole group • Tour Manager Tips - allow approximately $10 per person per day • Tour Guide Tips - allow around $200 in total for the whole group (Tips will be collected before we leave) • Single Supplement $1612
Inclusions for the Paris Extension • British Airways flight extension to return from Paris • Flight from Manchester to Paris with Easyjet • 4 Nights Hotel Accommodation at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Republique or Similar (twin share rooms) • Breakfasts at the hotel • 4 Group dinners (includes drinking water, tea and coffee) • Musée d’Orsay • Sainte Chapelle • The Orangerie • Palais Garnier Self-Guided visit • Chartres Cathedral • Private bus transport for airport transfers on arrival and departure • Private bus transport to visit Chartres
What’s not included • Bus transport in Paris - except as listed above • Soft and alcoholic drinks with dinners • Lunches • Public Transport Tickets or Passes in Paris (which will be required) • Single Supplement - $450
THE FLIGHTS AND PRICES BELOW ARE NO LONGER VALID AS OF AUGUST 2. THE TRIP IS BEING RECONFIGURED FOR A SMALLER GROUP OF TRAVELERS.
These are the proposed return flights for those taking the extension and nothing is currently confirmed. Date Flight Number From To Depart Arrive May 1 BA294 Chicago ORD London Heathrow 4.50 pm 6.35 am May 2 BA1438 London Heathrow Edinburgh 9.00 am 10.25 am May 10 BA1383 Manchester London Heathrow 8.00 am 9.15 am May 10 BA295 London Heathrow Chicago ORD 10.35 am 1.15 pm
Flights are with British Airways from Chicago via London Heathrow Flights to Edinburgh and back from Manchester are confirmed and held on option until August 10 when they will automatically expire unless a deposit is paid
Flights from Paris to Chicago Date Flight Number From To Depart Arrive May 14 BA309 Paris CDG London Heathrow 12.10 pm 12.25 pm May 14 BA297 London Heathrow Chicago ORD 3.35 pm 6.15 pm
"Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.” ― Terry Pratchett