Britain’s Royal Heritage Tour of Germany, Scotland & England

DAY 1 Monday July 22, 2024 Depart Australia
Today we board flights to Berlin, Germany.

DAY 2 Tuesday July 23, 2024 Potsdam, Germany
This morning we arrive in Berlin, Germany, and after clearing customs we board our coach and have a sightseeing tour of the city of Berlin. We then travel to Potsdam. Upon arrival we check into our city hotel, our home for the next three days. Potsdam is a city of UNESCO World Heritage, a city of parks and palaces on the idyllic lakes of the Havel, a grand and historical city of culture, a centre of film, education and science, characterized by a 1000-year-old history as a royal capital and State capital.

DAY 3 Wednesday July 24, 2024 Potsdam
Palaces as far as the eye can reach! Prussia’s kings and prince electors created a fascinating retreat comprising palaces and parklands in Potsdam. The original 16 palaces spread over 3 parks in Potsdam and its city centre. They offer a huge ensemble of palaces and shaping one the largest UNESCO World Heritage site in Germany. We start our first day with a short stroll through the Russian Colony Alexandrovka. The fairytale-like wooden blockhouses originally were built in honour of the Russian Tsar Alexander who was a good friend of Friedrich Wilhelm III. We visit the Cecilienhof Palace in the New Garden where the American President Harry S. Truman, the British Prime Ministers Winston Churchill and the Soviet Leader Joseph Stalin after World War 2 decided with the “Potsdam Agreement” to divide Germany into four occupation zones, which led to the division of Europe in the end.

DAY 4 Thursday July 25, 2024 Potsdam
Today we visit Sanssouci Park, the most famous of all the Parks in Potsdam with 300 hectares of garden art and more than 11 palaces and historic buildings. We will visit the Orangery Palace with a great collection of about 50 copies of Rafael’s paintings such as the Sistine Madonna and the Transfiguration. We will visit the New Palace, favourite residence of Kaiser Wilhelm II who was the grandson of Queen Victoria. It’s by far the biggest palace in Potsdam and in strong contrast to the intimate and rather modest Sanssouci Palace. The building, which Friedrich himself referred to as Prussia’s “boast”, became famous for its impressive interiors: the Grotto Hall, the Marble Hall, the Concert Room and the palace’s own theatre. The Grotto Hall with the glitter of thousands of shells, quartzes and minerals was intended to impress the guests of Frederick the Great.

DAY 5 Friday July 26, 2024 Gotha, Germany
This morning we travel to Gotha, and on the way visit the Friedenstein Castle or the Friedenstein Palace, Germany’s oldest Baroque palace with the world’s oldest surviving Baroque theatre. Built by Ernest I, Duke of Saxe-Gotha, between 1643 and 1654, Friedenstein Castle became the seat of the Dukes of Saxe-Gotha as well as their residence. It was one of the places where the Prince Consort Prince Albert husband of Queen Victoria grew up. Constructed to represent strength and authority, it’s hardly surprising to learn that the incredible building was one of the largest of its time. We will enjoy a guided tour of the Palace and visit the Historic Museum, the Museum of Nature, the Castle Museum, and the Ekhof Theatre. Later we are transferred to our hotel.

DAY 6 Saturday July 27, 2024 Gotha
Today we travel to Coburg, a beautiful North Bavarian town, situated between the Upper Main Valley and the Thuringian Forest. Thanks to the dukes who once lived in the town this erstwhile seat of royal power now enjoys a unique heritage of art treasures and beautiful buildings. But it was the former Saxe-Coburg and Gotha duchy’s cunning marriage politics that earned it world renown. Many famous people have spent time here: Richard Strauss, Nicolo Paganini, Franz Liszt, Friedrich Rückert, Jean Paul, Queen Victoria and Martin Luther. We will visit the Coburg Fortress, which is called the “Franconian Crown” because of its beauty and dominating location, rising high above the city of Coburg with its mighty walls and towers. We then visit Rosenau Castle near Coburg which was Queen Victoria’s favourite travel destination. It’s where, in 1819, her beloved husband Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha was born and spent the majority of his youth. When Queen Victoria saw Rosenau Castle for the first time, she took out her sketchbook and painted a watercolour thereof in order that she had a constant reminder of this unique view. Albert spent the happiest days of his childhood in Rosenau. Victoria longed to visit the place, where Albert had frolicked and studied. But it was many years before Victoria and Albert could finally embark on the long journey from England to Rosenau.

DAY 7 Sunday July 28, 2024 Kronberg, Germany
Today we travel to Kronberg for our overnight stay at the Friedrichshof castle, the former home of the dowager Empress Victoria Friedrich (who was the daughter of Queen Victoria). It is now an elegant castle hotel in the green Taunus hills above Frankfurt/Main. The Princess Royal, wife of the German Kaiser and King of Prussia, Friedrich III, as well as mother to Germany’s last Emperor, Wilhelm II, had the castle built in 1893 after the death of her husband. The castle and park, in the English landscape style reflect her abiding interest in the arts and philosophy as well as her love for her native country, Great Britain. We will have time to explore the castle and its grounds.

DAY 8 Monday July 29, 2024 Utrecht, Netherlands
This morning we are transferred to the Frankfurt Railway Station for our journey to Utrecht, Netherlands. On arrival we board our coach and travel to visit Huis Doorn, the residence of the last German Emperor and grandson of Queen Victoria, Wilhelm II. After the German defeat in the First World War, Wilhelm fled to the neutral Netherlands and he lived on this estate from 1920 to 1941. Wilhelm renovated the House and made some changes to the estate, which covers 35 hectares and is in the style of an English landscape garden. In 1920, 59 train wagons transported around 30,000 objects to the Netherlands from Wilhelm’s palaces in Berlin and Potsdam to furnish the House. We are then transferred to our city hotel.

DAY 9 Tuesday July 30, 2024 Aberdeen, Scotland
This morning we travel to Amsterdam and board our flight to Scotland. Upon arrival we travel to the city of Aberdeen to check into our hotel.

DAY 10 Wednesday July 31, 2024 Balmoral, Scotland
Today we visit Balmoral Castle, one of two personal and private residences owned by The Royal Family, unlike the Royal Palaces, that belong to the Crown. The Queen Victoria and Prince Albert first became interested in Balmoral in 1847. After Queen Victoria bought the Castle in 1852, plans were made to build a new castle about 100 yards north-west of the old building. Prince Albert set about landscaping the area, starting a programme of improvements lasting several years. In 1861 the main farmhouse and buildings were finished. We can see the outside of Balmoral castle and the ballroom. Later we visit the Royal Lochnagar distillery which is the Royal Family’s favourite. It produces one of Scotland’s most exclusive whiskies. We will enjoy a guided tour of the distillery and try a dram of the award-winning Royal Lochnagar 12 Year-old Single Highland Malt.

DAY 11 Thursday August 1, 2024 Edinburgh, Scotland
Today we visit Glamis Castle, the ancestral seat to the Earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne since 1372, the inspiration for Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the childhood home of HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, and the birthplace of HRH Princess Margaret. On our guided tour of the castle we will follow in the footsteps of Mary, Queen of Scots, James V, Bonnie Dundee, the Old Jacobite Pretender to the throne James VIII, the ill-fated Janet Douglas and of course tell the story of the bitter-sweet life of Mary Eleanor Bowes. We will also learn of the importance of the castle to the Queen Mother who spent much of her early childhood at the castle. Later we will travel to Edinburgh.

DAY 12 Friday August 2, 2024 Edinburgh
This morning we visit Edinburgh Castle, home to the Scottish Crown Jewels and the historic Stone of Destiny. It was also for many years the residence of the Kings of Scots. In the afternoon we will travel along the Royal Mile to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence of the Monarchy in Scotland. Founded as a monastery in 1128, the Palace of Holyroodhouse has a close association with the History of Scotland. Today, the Palace is a close focus for national celebrations and events in Scotland, most notably The King’s ‘Holyrood Week’.

DAY 13 Saturday August 3, 2024 Edinburgh
This morning we step aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia, her Majesty the Queen’s former floating palace for over 40 years and follow in the footsteps of Royalty. We will see where Prince William and Prince Harry spent their summer holidays. Discover where kings and queens, world leaders and celebrities were wined and dined; from Frank Sinatra and Liz Taylor to Nelson Mandela and Sir Winston Churchill. We will enjoy a tour starting at the Bridge, and see the State Apartments and Crew’s Quarters and finishes at the gleaming Engine Room. The reminder of the day will be free for independent sightseeing.

DAY 14 Sunday August 4, 2024 Peterborough, England
This morning we board our train and travel to Peterborough, a cathedral city in Cambridgeshire. Upon arrival we are transferred to our hotel.

DAY 15 Monday August 5, 2024 Sandringham, England
Today we visit the Sandringham Estate which had long been the beloved private country home of Queen Elizabeth II and other monarchs. From its tidal mudflats and fruit farms to the famous museum and gardens, Sandringham is a versatile estate that has seen many a royal occasion, but it is perhaps best known as the home where the Windsors spend their Christmases. Located just over 100 miles north of London, the Sandringham Castle Estate covers 20,000 acres of land. The British royal family acquired the estate in 1862, when it was purchased as a country home for Edward VII, then Prince of Wales, and his soon-to-be wife, Alexandra of Denmark. Prince Edward’s son and heir George V described the sprawling property as “dear old Sandringham, the place I love better than anywhere else in the world.” He would eventually die at Sandringham house on January 20, 1936. His son and Queen Elizabeth II’s father, George VI, would also eventually pass away in the house on February 6, 1952. Later we travel to London.

DAY 16 Tuesday August 6, 2024 London, England
Our day today starts with a visit to Buckingham Palace which has served as the official London residence of the UK’s sovereigns since 1837. Buckingham Palace has 775 rooms. These include 19 State rooms, 52 Royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices and 78 bathrooms. We will enjoy a tour of the State Rooms and see the Throne Room, the Ballroom and the White Drawing room. We then visit the Royal Mews and see the collection of historic carriages. Then visit the Tower of London where we will be able to visit the jewel house and see the crown jewels of the United Kingdom.

DAY 17 Wednesday August 7, 2024 London
Today we visit Windsor Castle the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. Founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, it has since been the home of 39 monarchs. On our guided tour we will go on a journey through 1,000 years of royal history. We will discover how William the Conqueror’s wooden castle was rebuilt by Edward III as a stone fortress with magnificent apartments; how Charles II set out to rival the Versailles of his cousin Louis XIV, while George IV filled the rooms with outstanding works of art and gave the Castle its famous skyline. We will also hear how the State Apartments are used today by The King on State and ceremonial occasions. Later in the afternoon we visit Westminster Abbey, an architectural masterpiece of the 13th to 16th centuries, it also presents a unique pageant of British history – the shrine of St Edward the Confessor, the tombs of kings and queens, and countless memorials to the famous and the great. It has been the setting for every Coronation since 1066 and for numerous other royal occasions, including sixteen royal weddings.

DAY 18 Thursday August 8, 2024 Portsmouth, England
This morning we will visit Kensington Palace, the birthplace of Queen Victoria and home to young royals for over 300 years. On our tour this morning we will discover the story of Princess Victoria, the young girl destined to be queen, in the rooms where she was born and raised at Kensington Palace. We will view an exquisite piece from the wardrobe of Diana, Princess of Wales alongside original sketches created for her during the design process and wander through the lavish rooms of the King’s State Apartments, each one grander than the last. Later we travel to Portsmouth and upon arrival settle into our hotel.

DAY 19 Friday August 9, 2024 Isle of Wight, England
Today we take the ferry over to the Isle of Wight to visit Osborne House.”It is impossible to imagine a prettier spot” said Queen Victoria of Osborne House, her palatial holiday home on the Isle of Wight. On our tour today we visit Victoria and Albert’s private apartments, their bathing beach and children’s play-cottage for an intimate glimpse of royal family life. Then stroll through the garden terraces where the stunning views across the Solent reminded Prince Albert of the Bay of Naples. Osborne reflects Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s passions, tastes and style. Ornate furnishings and artefacts from The Royal Collection fill rooms and corridors where Victoria entertained heads of state, inventors, princess and princesses and ruled the vast British Empire. Later we are transferred to Heathrow Airport for our flight back to Australia.

DAY 20 Saturday August 10, 2024 Arrival Australia
We arrive in Australia and tour activities conclude.