Discover the regal heart of the United Kingdom

Step into a world of elegance and history as you explore Britain’s royal heritage. Imagine yourself wandering through the opulent halls of Buckingham Palace, taking in the grandeur of Windsor Castle, or strolling the historic corridors of the Tower of London, where British history is etched into every stone.

Whether you dream of exploring the famed gardens of royal estates, viewing priceless crown jewels up close, or attending traditional ceremonies like the Changing of the Guard, Calliope Travel can make it possible!


Sunny Edinburgh
Discover the regal heart of the United Kingdom

Step into a world of elegance and history as you explore Britain’s royal heritage. Imagine yourself wandering through the opulent halls of Buckingham Palace, taking in the grandeur of Windsor Castle, or strolling the historic corridors of the Tower of London, where British history is etched into every stone.

Whether you dream of exploring the famed gardens of royal estates, viewing priceless crown jewels up close, or attending traditional ceremonies like the Changing of the Guard, Calliope Travel can make it possible.


👑 Live like a king 👑

A Royal Journey Through the UK (9 days)

This nine-day Royal UK itinerary takes you through London’s most iconic royal sites, including Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, and the Tower of London, followed by scenic and historic excursions to the Cotswolds and Windsor.

In Edinburgh, you’ll explore Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace, and the Royal Yacht Britannia. The journey continues with trips to St. Andrews and Stirling, exploring historic sites like Stirling Castle and Linlithgow Palace, before departing from Edinburgh.

This experience is perfect for those wanting an immersive royal and historical journey through England and Scotland.


Day 1 – London, United Kingdom
Arrive London
Upon arrival at London Heathrow airport, you will be met by your Guardian Angel and transferred by private vehicle to your hotel in London, where you will be assisted with check-in.

Day 2 – London, United Kingdom
Royal Westminster
Today you will be met by your guide who takes you on a tour of the City of Westminster to explore the sites associated with the Royal Family.

Start in Parliament Square where you visit Westminster Abbey, the National Church of England and scene for many state occasions including the Coronation in 1953 and the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in 2011. From here you continue past the iconic Houses of Parliament and Downing Street into Whitehall. This street was once the site of Whitehall Palace built by King Henry VIII. Subject to availability, you visit the only part of the palace to survive, the Banqueting House, built by Inigo Jones and decorated by Peter Paul Rubens.

At the top of Whitehall is Trafalgar Square where you turn onto the Mall, the royal route that leads to Buckingham Palace, the King’s official residence in London, is one of the most iconic sites in the world.


Day 3 – London, United Kingdom
The City of London
Today you visit the Tower of London, the ancient royal fortress guarding the City of London. Here the Yeoman Warders – the ‘Beefeaters’ – guard the dazzling Crown Jewels that are still used for royal ceremonies to this day. Visit the White Tower, the central and oldest block of the complex, before seeing the reconstruction of the Medieval Palace that aims to show the style in which the medieval kings of England lived when they had apartments at the Tower.

You also visit St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Baroque masterpiece that was rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren after the Great Fire of London in 1666. It has also been used for state occasions, most notably the wedding of the Prince of Wales to Lady Diana Spencer in 1981.

This afternoon you may visit Kensington Palace, where you can take time to explore the state apartments of this ornate house, the official residence of the Prince & Princess of Wales and their children. After your tour of the palace, take a walk across Kensington Gardens to visit the fountain that was created in memory of Diana, the former Princess of Wales.


Day 4 – Tetbury, United Kingdom
The Cotswolds – Royal Associations
Today you embark on a full day excursion with your driver-guide into the rural English countryside that lies to the west of London. Your destination is the Cotswold Hills, one of the most picturesque regions of England where little villages built out of the honey-coloured local limestone pepper the countryside. You visit Cirencester, the centre of the Cotswolds and home to the Royal Agricultural College, and then pass Avening, the village where Gatcombe Park, the home of the Princess Royal, is located.

You stop in Tetbury, one of the most attractive of the towns in the region, known for its myriad of antiques shops. It is very close to Highgrove House, one of the residences of King Charles II & the Queen Consort.

You take a southern route back to London, on which you pass by Marlborough College, the private school where Kate Middleton was educated, and travel by the quaint village of Bucklebury in Berkshire which is Kate’s home town.


Day 5 – Eton, United Kingdom
Windsor and Eton – flight to Edinburgh
This morning you leave your hotel with your driver-guide and head west out of London to Windsor, the town to the west of London that has long been associated with royalty.

Enjoy a tour of Windsor Castle, which was one of Queen Elizabeth II’s favourite residences. Visit the State Apartments, including St. George’s Hall, which has been beautifully reconstructed following the fire of 1992. Here you see Queen Mary’s Doll’s House, a stunning miniature house with beautiful furnishings and fittings. You also witness the beautiful St. George’s Chapel, the home of the Order of the Garter and one of the royal sepulchres in England.

This afternoon you cross the River Thames to visit Eton College, the famous private school that was attended by Princes William and Harry. On your tour of the college you see the School Yard and the grandiose chapel, built in perpendicular Gothic style. You also visit the Museum of Eton Life where you can see how the school has evolved since its foundation by King Henry VI in the 15th century.

At the end of your visit, transfer to nearby Heathrow Airport for your flight to Edinburgh. Upon arrival at Edinburgh airport, you are met by your Guardian Angel and transferred by private vehicle to your hotel in Edinburgh, where you are assisted with check-in.

Day 6 – Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Royal Edinburgh
This morning you meet an expert local guide for a full-day sightseeing tour of Scotland’s capital city, in which you explore the landmarks that are associated with the city’s royal heritage.

You first head up to Edinburgh Castle, where you see the ‘Honours of Scotland’, or the Scottish Crown Jewels, and obtain stunning views of the city. You then continue down the Royal Mile to St. Giles Cathedral, home to the Order of the Thistle, of which the Queen is the head. The lower end of the Royal Mile is called the Canongate; here you admire the city’s royal church. At the end of the Royal Mile, and opposite the magnificent Scottish Parliament building, is Holyrood Palace, the King’s Official Residence in Scotland.

This afternoon you drive down to the city docks at Leith, where you board the former Royal Yacht Britannia, now permanently moored here. Built in Scotland, this ship was used by the Royal Family for many official voyages during her working life. See the elegant staterooms where Queen Elizabeth II hosted dinners. Discover the intimate private quarters where the Royal Family relaxed, and also the ‘behind the scenes’ areas where the crew lived and worked.

Day 7 – St. Andrews, United Kingdom
Scone and St. Andrews
Today enjoy a full-day excursion to the north of Edinburgh with your driver-guide. Cross the mighty Forth Bridge and head to Scone Palace, home of the Earls of Mansfield. In the grounds of the palace is Moot Hill, the ancient coronation place of the Scottish kings, who sat on the Stone of Destiny during the ceremony. This stone was taken to Westminster Abbey by the English King Edward I, but is now housed in Edinburgh Castle.

You then cross over the River Tay into the region known as Fife. On the far eastern side of Fife is the delightful town of St. Andrews, overlooking the North Sea. This town is known throughout the world as the home of golf, since the first modern golf course was developed here. However, St. Andrews was also originally the ecclesiastical capital of Scotland, and you visit the ruins of the cathedral, destroyed during the Reformation. The town is also the home of Scotland’s oldest university, and it is here that Prince William and Kate Middleton met while they were both students at the university. Take time to explore the quadrangles that house the present university departments and facilities before returning to Edinburgh.

Day 8 – Stirling, United Kingdom
Stirling and Linlithgow
Your final day of touring with your driver-guide takes you west of Edinburgh along the valley of the River Forth. Your destination is Stirling, the strategic site at a bridging point on the river where both William ‘Braveheart’ Wallace and Robert the Bruce defeated the English armies during the Scottish Wars of Independence.

Stirling Castle developed as one of the most important royal fortresses in Scotland. It boasts a fine Great Hall and a Chapel Royal, where Mary Queen of Scots was crowned when just an infant.On your return back to Edinburgh you visit the ruins of Linlithgow Palace. With a delightful setting on the banks of a lake, and a convenient location between Edinburgh and Stirling, this was one of the favourite residences of the Stuart Kings of Scotland and the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots in 1542. Although it is now a ruin, the stout remains indicate how majestically the medieval monarchs of Scotland lived.

Day 9 – Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Depart Edinburgh
Transfer to Edinburgh airport for your departure flight.

👑 Live like a queen 👑

Royal London (7 days)

This sample itinerary immerses you in the royal history, iconic palaces, and hidden gems of London’s regal past and present. It blends historic landmarks with modern attractions, luxurious dining, and VIP experiences for a truly majestic week.

Best of all, we can customize it to your needs to give you the most memorable royal vacation possible!

Day 1 – Buckingham Palace & Westminster

  • Morning: Begin with a visit to Buckingham Palace. If visiting during the summer months, tour the opulent State Rooms. Otherwise, watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony outside (typically 11:00 am).
  • Afternoon: Stroll through St. James’s Park to Westminster Abbey, where many British monarchs have been crowned and buried. Take a guided tour to learn about its 1,000-year history.
  • Later: Enjoy traditional afternoon tea at The Goring Hotel, frequented by royals, including the Duchess of Cambridge before her wedding.

Day 2 – Kensington & Hyde Park

  • Morning: Visit Kensington Palace, home to royals for over 300 years. Tour the King’s and Queen’s State Apartments and the stunning Sunken Garden.
  • Afternoon: Walk through Hyde Park to the Albert Memorial, built by Queen Victoria in honor of her beloved husband, Prince Albert.
  • Evening: Dine at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal in Knightsbridge, which reinterprets historic British dishes with a modern twist.

Day 3 – Tower of London & Thames Cruise

  • Morning: Tour the Tower of London. See the Crown Jewels, hear stories of imprisonment, and learn about the famed ravens who protect the Tower.
  • Afternoon: Take a Thames River Cruise from the Tower to Greenwich to view London from a royal vantage point.
  • Evening: Experience a luxurious evening on the Thames Dinner Cruise, with sights of illuminated historic landmarks, including the Houses of Parliament.

Day 4 – Windsor Castle Day Trip

  • Morning: Head to Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world. Tour the State Apartments, Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, and St. George’s Chapel.
  • Afternoon: Walk the Long Walk to enjoy views of the castle. Stroll through Windsor Great Park before returning to London.
  • Evening: Explore Eton’s quaint village or dine back in London at Claridge’s.

Day 5 – Hampton Court Palace & Richmond

  • Morning: Tour Hampton Court Palace, once home to King Henry VIII. Don’t miss the Tudor kitchens, the grand Great Hall, and the famous maze.
  • Afternoon: Walk through Bushy Park or visit the nearby Richmond Park for royal landscapes.
  • Evening: Dine at Petersham Nurseries Café for a unique, garden-inspired meal near Richmond.

Day 6 – Royal Museums & Shopping

  • Morning: Begin at The King’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace, for rotating exhibitions of royal treasures, then visit The Royal Mews to see the King’s carriages and horses.
  • Afternoon: Visit Fortnum & Mason for royal-approved teas, chocolates, and a spot of lunch in their Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon.
  • Evening: Explore Covent Garden with its royal connections and enjoy dinner at The Ivy.

Day 7 – Historic Royal London

  • Morning: Walk to Horse Guards Parade to view the Changing of the King’s Life Guard, then continue to Banqueting House, the site of Charles I’s execution.
  • Afternoon: End with a guided tour of St. Paul’s Cathedral, including the Whispering Gallery, crypt, and historic royal weddings.
  • Evening: Finish with a royal-themed cocktail at The Savoy’s American Bar, popular among aristocracy and royals alike.

👑 Princely options 👑

These are just two of the many day trips and tours that are available for lovers of royalty and history in the UK…

Royal Edinburgh (Full day tour)

EMAIL TO BOOK

Meet an expert local guide for a full day sightseeing tour of Scotland’s capital city, when you will see the landmarks that are associated with the city’s royal heritage. First head up to Edinburgh Castle, where you will see the ‘Honours of Scotland’, or the Scottish Crown Jewels, and obtain stunning views of the city. Continue down the Royal Mile to St. Giles Cathedral, home to the Order of the Thistle. The lower end of the Royal Mile is called the Canongate; here you will see the royal church in Edinburgh, the venue of the wedding of Zara Phillips, Queen Elizabeth II’s granddaughter. At the end of the Royal Mile, and opposite the magnificent Scottish Parliament building, is Holyrood Palace, the King’s Official Residence in Scotland. (You will tour the staterooms of the palace if no member of the Royal Family is staying here at the time.)

This afternoon, drive down to the city docks at Leith, where you will board the former Royal Yacht Britannia, now permanently moored here. Built in Scotland, this ship was used by the Royal Family for many official voyages during her working life. See the elegant staterooms where Queen Elizabeth II hosted dinners. See the intimate private quarters where the Royal Family relaxed, and also the ‘behind the scenes’ areas where the crew lived and worked.

Day tour can be booked as part of a wider itinerary.

Cotswolds – Royal Associations (Full Day Tour)

EMAIL TO BOOK

A full day excursion with your driver-guide into the rural English countryside that lies to the west of London.

Your destination is the Cotswold Hills, one of the most picturesque regions of England where little villages built out of the honey-colored local limestone pepper the countryside. Visit Cirencester, the center of the Cotswolds and home to the Royal Agricultural College, and then pass Avening, the village where Gatcombe Park, the home of the Princess Royal, is located.

Stop in Tetbury, one of the most attractive of the towns in the region that is known for its myriad of antiques shops. It is very close to Highgrove House, the home King Charles III and the Queen Consort. Visit the Highgrove Shop, where a wide range of organic foods are on sale.

Take a southern route back to London, when you will pass by Marlborough College, the private school where Kate Middleton was educated and travel by the quaint village of Bucklebury in Berkshire which is Kate’s home town.

Day tour can be booked as part of a wider itinerary.

The small print: Although all information is believed to be accurate at the time it is published, Calliope Travel assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content of this site. The information contained in this site is provided on an “as is” basis with no guarantees of completeness, accuracy, usefulness or timeliness.