Edinburgh (Leith)

Take in the very heart of Scotland as you spend 3-nights in the capital city of Edinburgh discovering all the historical landmarks. Visits include the Palace of Holyrood House, the Royal Yacht Britannia, the family home of the descendants of Robert the Bruce king of Scotland, the beautiful Rosslyn chapel and last but not least, attendance at the world-renowned Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

NOTE: Due to the amount of walking at times over hilly and/or cobbled ground, this program is not recommended for guests with limited mobility.

DAY 1 – August 15, 2025

On arrival at the Edinburgh International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel which has been an icon on Princess Street since 1903.

The Caledonian Edinburgh Hotel (formerly the Waldorf Astoria) combines modern luxury and Victorian style in a former rail station. From this location you can savor views of Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Old Town, A UNESCO World Heritage Site, are within a mile.

Check in time is at 3:00pm. Should your room not be ready upon your arrival, luggage may be stored with the Bell Captain.

Meals are on your own today.

DAY 2 – August 16, 2025

After breakfast at the hotel, meet your tour guide in the lobby. Begin your tour with a transfer to Hollyrood House. a royal residence and the official home of the queen when she is in Scotland. There, you will gain an understanding of the palace's close associations with some of Scotland’s most well-known historical figures such as Mary, Queen of Scots, and Bonnie Prince Charlie. You will also learn how the queen uses the palace when carrying out official engagements.

You will then be given time on the Royal Mile for lunch at your leisure.

You will then be transferred to the beautiful Rosslyn Chapel made famous by the film “The da Vini Code”. First built in the 15th-century, this chapel is renowned for its ornate stonework and has attracted visitors, artists, and writers due to its mysterious symbolism and captivating beauty. The chapel is situated within Roslin Glen, approximately 7-miles south of Edinburgh, and its construction is almost entirely in stone, showcasing remarkable craftsmanship.

After your tour return to Edinburgh, the evening is at your leisure with dinner on your own.

Note: Edinburgh is quite hilly with many cobblestone streets, so wear comfortable walking shoes.

DAY 3 – August 17, 2025

After breakfast at the hotel, meet your guide once again in the hotel lobby. Transfer to Broomhall House.

Dating from 1702, the private family residence is the seat of the Earl of Elgin and Kincardine, 37th Chief of the Bruce Family. The Bruces can trace their history back 1,500 years and claim descent from the royal families of Scotland, Ireland and France.

Guests arriving at Broomhall House are given a private tour by a member of the Bruce family, of the principal rooms which include a library with over 4,000 books and a piano played by Chopin, a picture gallery hung with old master paintings, a private museum laid out as a cabinet of curiosities, and a dining room furnished with sixteenth century Dutch furniture, dominated by a colossal carved mantelpiece. Artefacts, portraits and memorabilia on display include important people and documents from British history, diplomatic gifts gathered from around the world and letters from Queen Victoria.

Return to Edinburgh for some free time for lunch before proceeding to Dean Village, a tranquil green oasis on the Water of Leith, and only a five-minute’s walk from Princes Street. The village once housed various mills and remnants of the industries can still be seen today. Be sure to notice the mill stones and carved stone plaques on display outdoors.

Following the walkway along the Water of Leith, you will come to the impressive Dean Bridge designed by Thomas Telford and the classical temple of St Bernard’s Well. You will also pass Well Court, built in the 1880s as model housing for local workers. It adds to the picturesque charm of the area.

Return to your hotel for some time to freshen up before what we think will be the highlight of your tour – world-famous Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

With over 9000 people attending this event every night in August, our group’s VIP Access will allow you to you skip the crowds and enjoy some of the best seats the house.

Prepare yourself for a once in a lifetime show, the most popular event on the Scottish calendar and one of the greatest displays of song and dance in the world. Your evening begins with a private three-course dinner of traditional Scottish cuisine. From your reserved seats, witness this memorable night unfolding in comfort and in front of the floodlit Castle Esplanade. You’ll watch as an ensemble cast of international performers regales you with a vibrant pageant of folkloric dance, historic re-enactments, and military precision displays. Feel your heart synchronize to the commanding rhythm of the Massed Pipes and Drums, played by the Bands of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines, along with visiting civilians and military bands –a tribute to the traditional battle signals of Scotland’s Regiments.

Afterwards a short transfer will bring you back to your hotel for the evening.

Note: Edinburgh is quite hilly with many cobblestone streets, so wear comfortable walking shoes

NOTE: Should the group size exceed 25 guests; on day 3 we would substitute Broomhall house with Hopetoun House – known for its role in the Outlander series - as Broomhall cannot accommodate large groups. We weren’t sure if you wanted this in the description or not.

DAY 4 – August 18, 2025

After breakfast at the hotel, meet your guide in the hotel lobby.

Today you will visit the Royal Yacht Britannia, once home to the queen and the royal family, and host to state and official occasions when she visited foreign shores. In the shoreside Visitor’s Centre, you will receive an audio-phone to enhance your self-conducted tour through the various sections of the yacht. Later, you can browse the gift shop for products associated with the yacht, which is berthed as a permanent exhibition.

After your visit, you will be transferred to Lieth Cruise Terminal where you will check-in for your cruise.

Land Program Details Step by Step

•The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. Program times are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.

•Itineraries with the up-to-date details will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. You will then receive a final itinerary from our ground operator with a Welcome Letter upon arrival or at your hotel. Please review the letter and your final itinerary carefully for further amendments.

•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.

•Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released.

Extra Nights

•All extra nights booked through the cruise line are confirmed at the hotel that is used on the FIRST NIGHT of your land program

•If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be met as per the flight details provided and transferred to your hotel. Check-in is 3:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast, as well as activities, are on your own until day 2 of the program.

•If you have an early-arriving flight, you may wish to book an extra night as your room will not be ready for occupation until approximately 3:00pm.

•If you book extra nights on your own, transfers are not included.

DAY 1

Arrive at the Edinburgh International Airport, you are met and transferred to your hotel

3:00pm Check-in at the hotel

Remainder of the day at leisure, meals on own

Overnight at the Caledonian Edinburgh Hotel or similar hotel

Meet and Greet and transfers

•Final cruise documents will be emailed 21 days prior to sailing. The local ground agent’s telephone number will be on page 1, if you can’t locate the meet-and-greet representative upon arrival. Be aware that the representative may be assisting others and may not be in sight when you first exit Customs and the luggage claim area.

•Look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo and possibly your name. If in doubt, ask the airport staff to direct you to the meeting area for transfers or to page our representative.

•Meet and Greet and transfers are arranged for guests arriving on Day 1 of a land program or for extra nights booked through the cruise line and are arranged based on the flight details received by guests at least 14 days before sailing. Guests arriving independently before the program start date will not have a transfer included.

•If we have not received your flight details or your flights have changed, and the Destination Services Land Team has not been notified, then a transfer cannot be provided, and guests will be responsible for getting to the land program hotel at their own expense. Please immediately contact our Reservations Department for any flight changes before departure.

DAY 2

AM Full English breakfast at the hotel

9:30am Meet your guide in the hotel lobby

9:45am Drive to Holyrood Palace

12:00pm Free time for lunch

1:45pm Drive to the Rosslyn Chapel

2:30pm Visit the Rosslyn Chapel

2:45pm Drive back to Edinburgh

Evening at leisure, dinner on own

Overnight at the Caledonian Edinburgh Hotel or similar hotel

DAY 3

AM Full English breakfast at the hotel

9:00am Meet your guide in the hotel lobby

9:15am Drive to Broomhall House

10:00am Visit Broomhall House

12:00pm Drive back to Edinburgh

12:45pm Free time for lunch

2:15pm Transfer to Dean Village

2:30pm Walking Tour of Dean Village

3:45pm Return to hotel for free time

5:30pm Transfer to Military Tattoo for meal and show

11:00pm Drive back to the hotel

Overnight at the Caledonian Edinburgh Hotel or similar hotel

DAY 4

AM Full English breakfast and check-out of hotel

9:45am Meet your guide in the hotel lobby

10:00am Transfer to The Royal Yacht Britannia

10:30am Visit the Royal Yacht Britannia

12:00pm Transfer to the Cruise Terminal for embarkation

Expected Weather:

Weather in the United Kingdom is very unpredictable, and you may experience rain at any time.

Daily high temperature - 63°F (17°C)

Daily low temperature - 50°F (10°C)

What to Bring:

Prepare for moderately mild weather at all times and be able to supplement basic dress with a warm sweater and/or a rainproof top. Pack sensible footwear, as most rural attractions and even some urban areas are best described as “rugged terrain,” and the ground is wet occasionally. Also bring hats and sunglasses.

Local Currency:

Pound Sterling. Credit cards are widely accepted.

Electricity:

230v / 50hz (plugs are 3 square pins). An adjacent switch typically controls outlets. Some hotels will have adaptors available, although this cannot be guaranteed.

Documents and Visa Requirements:

A valid passport is required. Please check with your local Scottish embassy for any up-to-date entry requirements for your nationality.

Hotel address:

Caledonian Edinburgh Hotel

Princes St, Edinburgh EH1 2AB, United Kingdom

*We will only substitute hotels in unforeseen situations. If a similar hotel is substituted, it will be of equal ratings and standards. If guests are not notified of any changes in advance, then the group will be staying at the hotel listed in the program details.

Program Includes:

•Three nights at the Caledonian Edinburgh Hotel or similar – Queen premier room with castle view

•Transfer from Edinburgh Airport to Hotel on Day 1

•Transportation and the services of an English-speaking tour guide for three full days of sightseeing and all associated expenses

•Tickets and dinner at the Edinburgh Royal Military Tattoo

Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.

Program Excludes:

•Meals or beverages not listed above

•Hotel incidentals, including mini bar and room service

•Gratuities for guides and drivers

Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.

Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land Programs must be purchased no later than 90 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 90 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program. Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released.