Itinerary
Depart Edinburgh at 08:15 and travel west, past Stirling castle to your first stop at Doune Castle. This area of Scotland has certainly seen its fair share of fighting and warfare. Stirling castle was once known as the 'Key to Scotland', and it was here that William Wallace (immortalised by Mel Gibson in the film Braveheart) defeated the English army in 1297. After William Wallace's death it was Robert the Bruce who continued the fight for independence and you will pass the site of his most famous victory in 1314 at the Battle of Bannockburn. Then you arrive at the fantastic medieval stronghold of Doune castle. Built for Robert Stewart, the Duke of Albany, over 600 years ago the castle is still in great condition and you will have time for photos. You might even have seen the castle before, it was made famous by the film 'Monty Python and The Holy Grail', with many scenes filmed here.
You then continue a little further on to Callander. After a short coffee stop you cross the Highland boundary fault line leaving the rolling farms for the wild mountains and forests of the Highlands. You will make a short stop at Loch Luibnaig before you continue over the Braes of Balquhidder, the final resting place of Highland outlaw Rob Roy MacGregor. Made famous by Sir Walter Scott, Rob Roy was a sort of Highland Robin Hood, he stole from the rich, but never quite got round to giving it to the poor!
From Balquhidder the tour winds its way through the tough knot of mountains known as Breadalbane (meaning the 'high country of Scotland') before we stop for lunch in a small West Highland village. Shortly after lunch you stop for the short walk out to visit Kilchurn Castle, a magnificent ruin situated in the middle of Loch Awe and former home of the Campbells of Breadalbane. You will continue along the banks of Loch Awe through Campbell country to the picturesque town of Inveraray on the shores of Loch Fyne. Here you can visit the 18th-century castle and home of the Duke of Argyll, chief of the Campbell clan. (castle open Easter to mid-October). The town was built at the same time as the castle and has the air of a classic 18th-century planned village with its straight wide streets and dignified Georgian houses. You can take time to explore the town and maybe call at the Old Jail or the maritime museum, the Arctic Penguin.
Leaving Inveraray, you take a drive up through the steep-sided mountains known as the Arrochar Alps to the great viewpoint at 'Rest and Be Thankful'. It was given its name in 1753 by the weary soldiers who had just finished building the old military road up through Glen Croe. From here you skirt around Loch Long and down to the Bonnie, Bonnie banks of Loch Lomond. This is Scotland's largest loch and it takes its name from the mountain Ben Lomond on the eastern shore. You make a short stop at the conservation village of Luss, with its quaint houses and stunning views across the loch. At 17.30 you make your way back to Edinburgh, with a short photo stop underneath Stirling Castle.
Return time: 18:30 approx
Create a London sightseeing schedule to suit you! This Hop-On Hop-Off open top bus tour includes 91 stops across London that you can jump off at and explore the city. On-board commentary gives you a few details about the attractions you can pass on the route - these include Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London and St Paul's Cathedral!
Hampton Court Palace has provided a luxurious retreat for many of Britain's most famous Kings and Queens. Henry VIII was so inspired by it that he spent three of his honeymoons here. And visitors continue to escape to Britain's greatest palace to experience its history, splendour and stunning scale.
Discover what it was really like to live and work at Hampton Court Palace. Take a fascinating journey through 500 years of royal history. Marvel at the impressive architecture and opulent interiors of the State Apartments and see the vast Tudor Kitchens in full swing. Enjoy the breathtaking Great Hall and Chapel Royal, and see how Sir Christopher Wren transformed the palace to rival Versailles. Take time to appreciate one of the finest collections of Renaissance paintings in Europe, and listen to tales of intrigue at the royal court from expert guides dressed in full historical costume. Or enjoy an audio tour, available in 9 languages: English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Russian, Korean and Japanese. They can be collected from the Information Centre in Clock Court.
And that's before you've even begun to explore the stunning riverside gardens where you'll find the famous Maze and one of the world's oldest vines.
‘Top Ten’ things to see and do at Hampton Court. These sights are 'unmissable'
Access to these sights is included in your admission ticket, unless otherwise stated.
Henry VIII's Great Hall
The Great Hall is England’s greatest medieval hall and one of Britain’s oldest theatres. William Shakespeare’s company performed there in 1603-4.
Young Henry VIII exhibition Meet the 'pin-up' prince, before he became fat old Henry VIII, at our Young Henry VIII exhibition (included in your admission ticket). The exhibition includes paintings and interactive displays.
The world famous Maze
Test yourself and get enjoyably lost in 'the most famous Maze in the history of the world'. Entry is included in your ‘All Palace and Gardens’ admission ticket. A 'Maze only' entry is also available.
Tudor kitchens and live Tudor cookery
Built to feed the Court of Henry VIII, the kitchens were expected to provide meals for 600 people twice a day. See the kitchens today and experience the sights and smells of a real Tudor kitchen!
Beautiful gardens
Wander through over 60 acres of beautifully maintained and internationally celebrated gardens at Hampton Court Palace. Entry is included in your ‘All Palace and Gardens’ admission ticket.
Henry VIII: Heads and Hearts
Join Henry for his wedding celebrations and see surprising portraits and personal objects of his wives.
Family fun activities
We have a wide range of activities and tours to entertain families. Choose from family trails, our world-famous maze, costumed guided tours, live Tudor cookery and much much more.
The Chapel Royal
This beautiful chapel has been in continuous use for over 450 years. Visitors are welcome to attend religious services at The Chapel Royal.
Tiltyard café - kids' meal deal!
History makes you hungry! At the Tiltyard café, choose from any kid's hot meal with lemonade or milk and a fairy cake for just Deliciously great value.
Enjoy the best sightseeing experience and see all the sights of Dubai and Abu Dhabi on any chosen day with the special ‘Big Bus Twin-City ticket’.
Hop-on and hop-off at any of the stops and explore the places of interest at your own leisure. The ticket includes a FREE intercity shuttle (Dubai–Abu Dhabi–Dubai) departing from Mall of the Emirates in Dubai to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
INCLUDES:
Classic Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour (Dubai)
Classic Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour (Abu Dhabi) Attractions valid for 1 Day in each city.
REDEMPTION INSTRUCTION:
Redeem vouchers at Big Bus Dubai Sales points: The Dubai Mall, Mall Of The Emirates, Deira City Center, Wafi, Burjuman, Atlantis the Palm, Marina Mall, The Beach, Souk Madinat Jumeirah and Abra Station.
Recorded commentary in English, Arabic, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Russian and Mandarin
CITY TOUR
Explore the traditional capital of Oman on board a traditional open top double decker bus and take in the majestic views of Muttrah Corniche and the old quarter.
Tour Highlights:
–Historic Forts
–Royal Opera House
–Al Alam Palace
–National Museum
–Oman Parliament
–Incense Burner
–Mountain Viw
–Mangroves
–Muttrah Suq
–Beach
BUS STOPS First bus Last bus
Mutrah Suq 09:00 17:00
Churches & Temples 09:10 17:10
Central Business District 10:10 18:10
Parliament 10:20 18:20
Marina Views 10:25 18:25
Al Alam Palace 10:30 18:30
Mirani Fort and Harbour 10:35 18:35
AlBahriRoad (Corniche) 10:40 18:40
Mutrah Suq 10:45 18:45
