Best of England in 14 Days Tour

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Lorraine was perfect. Great Tour Guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Probably too many to note."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a great time! We learned so much about parts of history to which we had never really been exposed.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Number one moment was visiting Gareth and Rhiann on their sheep farm in Wales. It was fun and highly educational. Good to be reminded of the integral role farmers play in our world - not only providing the food we eat, but also being good stewards and conservationists."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful adventure. Our tour guide was outstanding. Helped in any situation, energetic and a wealth of information. We enjoyed all the stops and want to revisit them all again.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"That I was touching stones and walking paths that others were at 2000 years ago."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This one one of the best trips I have ever experienced. The best part were the people that were on the tour and our tour guide Lorraine. Wonderful...I'd do it again.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The window view from my hotel room in Keswick was amazing!!! It is the one image I show everyone when they ask about my trip. Keswick was not on my radar as a place to visit and it was a great surprise. I love being introduced to places that I had no expectations."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It’s difficult to put into a few sentences how satisfying this trip was for me. I’ve been an armchair Anglophile for 50 years and this trip proved the stork dropped me off in the wrong country. I adored all of the UK experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Selecting one “wow” out of hundreds is a tall order. At this moment I’m going to say walking Hadrian’s Wall, but if asked again in 15 minutes it could well be something else."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I went to North England to see the sights and came away not only seeing many sights, but getting a history lesson as well. I have a much better understanding of English history and its people now. This is our first Rick's tour in several years due to Covid. It was much as we remembered. Not just the major sights. Rick's guide was very friendly and welcoming. As well as very knowledgeable. The coach was comfortable and the driver was very accomplished, as well as friendly.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I don't think I had a real wow moment. Everything was very good. Some moments were a little better than the others. I enjoyed seeing Conwy and the sheep farm. It was interesting to see the various cathedrals and their relationship to their place in history. I really enjoyed the Hadrian's Wall museum. The Indian food restaurant in York was outstanding."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

What a great journey! Terrific tour leader David, driver Dave, and fellow travelers. Coach rides were often long but needed to get us to fabulous places. Loved the countryside along the way and the beautiful locations visited.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our “wow” was Wales. What a beautiful part of the UK—lush, green and full of sheep! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a great time throughout the tour, although we had a slow start. We lost 3 of our tour members to COVID, so that put a bit of a damper on our initial interactions with the other travelers.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our visit to Bodnant Gardens was spectacular. The weather cooperated (the sun popped out for a while), and although it was September and fewer plants were in bloom, it was still a beautiful site."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide, David, made the trip smooth and his knowledge of history made it more interesting! We saw castles and Abbeys along with Roman ruins and baths! But I most liked seeing the countryside and staying in small villages where we met the locals! Our bus was first class and the driver was amazing! We made friends with wonderful people who were on the tour! Visits to St Paul’s Cathedral , the Tower of London and riverboat ride down the Thames River didn’t disappoint!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Although it’s hard to pick just one moment, I enjoyed going to the sheep farmers home in Wales and seeing his dog herd sheep and then the farmer shear a lamb! He talked about being a sustainable farm. Also he shared that he showed a man with a vineyard how putting wool as mulch on his vines was not only profitable but biodegradable! "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We’ve been to England many times so this was sort of a fill in tour for things that either one or both of hadn’t seen. The tour was at a good speed. Perhaps because we didn’t feel it was necessary to try to get a lot done on our free time. I caught a cold (tested negative for Covid)early on and we were segregated at the back of the bus and in restaurants so we missed out on the interaction with the others which is something we normally enjoy on a Rick Steves tour. Wore a mask so no one caught it

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The sheep farm was a typical Rick Steves experience, something wonderful you’d never do on your own. We certainly enjoyed the folk music. I couldn’t believe that time was up when they quit. The time just flew by. York Minister was something we looked forward to and it didn’t disappoint. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a wonderful time exploring England and Wales with our tour guide David and our coach driver Dave. Starting at breakfast before our first meeting when David introduced himself, he was the consummate host. He remembered things about each traveler and would point things out of special interest to each one of us. He also had a great sense of humor and was definitely a learned scholar.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many from this awesome tour - the group dinner at the Indian restaurant in York, the walk along the lake with Dave, and Blenheim Palace were some of my favorite moments. The York tour with our local guide, Albert, was just jaw-dropping. I loved the multi-vintage buildings, "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

England was both familiar and full of surprises. I was not expecting the variety of the experience. In our limited time I think we covered all that could be expected. Each day I went to bed tired and satisfied that we had maximized the day. I especially like the mix of structured time and free time so that it was possible to tailor the tour to my interests.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There is very little I would do differently. One night in Stow in the Wold a band played traditional music for us. It was so emotionally satisfying I didn't want it to end. Incredible. I think driving through Wales and the Lake District was very special."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Thoroughly enjoyed the diversity of towns, cities, historical sites and local attractions visited.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Scarper side trip to Stonehenge (65 years in the making), Westminster Cathedral and Buckingham Palace for Changing of the Guards."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This is our second Rick Steves tour and the trip met all of our expectations based on our wonderful first trip

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing the parts of England that were not so well-known to us such as The Lakes District"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a wonderful time! Our tour guide, Bill, was fantastic--very knowledgeable and personable. The group of travelers got along very well. We saw a good mix of sites/points of interest and the pace of the tour was appropriate.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Gosh, there were so many! We especially loved exploring the Lake District. It was like living inside a painting! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great opportunity to see a lot of amazing places in England and Wales. The lake district was just stunning, and really enjoyed seeing the cotswolds in person.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing a lot of artifacts from the Roman occupation of Britain (primarily in Bath, and along Hadrian's wall). Very enjoyable, especially since I had visited Rome last year on another Rick Steves tour."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Another fantastic Rick Steves Tour! Guide Jeanie reviewed a wealth of relevant English history with us and tied it all together. She also shared her views of current issues in the UK including the need for better government leadership, Brexit issues & excessive government spending. The English people we met were very welcoming and friendly. I didn't realize there were so many churches, abbeys, cathedrals and minsters in the country. The beautiful golden color of local stone was unexpected.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Attending the evensong service in York Minster was a very special experience. The quality of the choir voices and the resolution and clarity of the sound was amazing. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This tour has a little bit of everything!! Beautiful Bath, daytrip to Wells and Glastonbury, rugged Wales, Keswick in the Lake District, York and London! Our guide Jeannie was amazing and we had a few things pop up on our tour like a train strike, that meant a long bus ride from York to London so there were a few things we weren’t able to do!! A few days with torrential rains! Our tour mates were wonderful!! The bus was comfortable!! The food was great! We already are booked for next fall Italy!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many!!! The Roman Baths, Ruined Glastonbury Abby, the pub dinner and music in Stowe. Walking the castle walls in Conwy and Bonate garden in Wales. Aburey stone circle!! Castlerigg stone circle near Keswick, Walking on Hadrian’s Wall! Beautiful York and the cathedral!! And the sights of London!! Our wonderful tour guide Jeannie had cheese and wine party for Berta’s birthday while in Keswick and our whole group showed up to help celebrate!! What a great group of people!!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a great tour guide, Paul, and a wonderful bus driver, Craig. We had a lovely group of 21, and we all got along and had a lot of laughs together. The weather wasn’t the greatest during the first half of our tour, but that didn’t stop us from seeing some marvelous places. We enjoyed the smaller inns and unique travel experiences, like sheep herding in Wales. We came away feeling like we had really experienced England, from both its humble and magnificent past. Loved it!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I was most awestruck by the cathedrals and the stained glass. We even went to Evensong at the Minster in York, which was beautiful. I also loved the history at Hadrians Wall and the Roman ruins that still remain."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The leader, Paul, was outstanding and provided humor and information throughout the tour. The hotels were tremendous! The weather was cold and wet but we still had a brilliant time, or as they say in England, “It was alright.”

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Viewing the sycamore tree at Haiden’s Wall before it was cut down the day after. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Had a wonderful time! Our tour guide Paul was great, as was Craig our bus driver. Everyone on our tour were fun loving, I couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to be with for 14 days.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved watching Don and Stacy herd sheep, the Tower of London was my favorite, so much history and of course the Crown Jewels."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"sheep shearing in Wales"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a “bucket list” trip that we waited 25 years to take. It was definitely worth the wait! We learned so much about the history and culture of England and saw places that we would have not known to see on our own. Our guide, David, brought the tour to life! It was a “once in a lifetime” experience for us.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many WOW moments! I loved Wells Cathedral. It was our first cathedral and had so many interesting details. Our local guide, Peter, was so enthusiastic about sharing his love of the architecture and inside stories. Other WOW moments included: the way the folk singers in Stow bonded our group, the scenery in Wales and Snowdonia, the magic of the stone circles, the charm of Bath, the variety of historical homes, the eclectic feel of York and the excitement of London!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide,David, was very knowledgeable and wanted us to enjoy the trip. He worked very hard to insure everything went smooth. Dave the driver was very professional and outgoing.All the stops on the tour were very enjoyable. We came home with lots of good memories.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The trip to Wales and the beautiful scenery."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a great trip. It would have been perfect except for Covid!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It may sound strange but my favorite moments were not WOW moments. My favorite times on the tour were the quiet walk through the Cotswolds, the drives around Wales, and visiting Bodnant Gardens."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Tour itself was excellent. Our tour guide, David, was outstanding. Hotel accommodations varied from adequate to very good.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to pick just one, but I’ll say Hadrian’s wall. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a great tour with an outstanding tour guide, great traveling companions visiting a wonderful country. Our guide David was knowledgeable, funny, entertaining and compassionate when Covid troubles popped up. The weather didn't always cooperate, but we put on our rain gear, opened the umbrellas, and pushed on.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I expected it to be Blenheim Palace but I think that it was walking the wall in York. Great views and so much history all around."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was filled with mostly amazing things to see and experience. Our guide David was beyond excellent. Our coach driver David was also excellent. Hotels were mostly very good and always central to the sights.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"York and Yorkminster were amazing. So many things to see."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Nice itinerary - felt a bit rushed.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sheep farm in Carneddau Mountains."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a very enjoyable and broadening experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We enjoyed the Roman baths in Bath, and the ruins near Hadrian’s Wall. The sheep farm in Wales was also very memorable. Our favorite city was York."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great!!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many, loved the green hills and sheep everywhere!!!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our overall experience on the Best of England tour was great! We enjoyed learning England's history, the small towns were fascinating, our tour guide, Bill, was very personable, and the people in our group were friendly and fun.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our WOW moments were several: the Roman baths in Bath, the stone circle outside of Keswick, the pencil museum, the wall walks, all of Wales, Hadrian's Wall, Glastonbury Abbey, York Minster, Thames River boat cruise. Now also the Sycamore Tree in that Gap that no one else will be able to enjoy. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide, Bill was exceptional, he was personable, perceptive, so very knowledgeable and he had good leadership skills. The tour sites were the right ones to see. We were given a good overview of England, history going back to the stone circles, Roman influence, the current day differences within Britain including Wales and the unique language, and the scenery was fabulous. We saw more churches than usual on this tour. We went to St Pauls' instead of Westminster which I regret.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It's hard to choose just one. Wells Cathedral was really something, but then York was wonderful too. The bucolic scenes of the Cotswolds were a kind of wow moments, but then we went to Keswick and saw the gorgeous scenery of the Lake District which competed for "wow". Watching the herding dog round up sheep in the mountain top farm in Wales with the fog laden morning mist and the glimpse of the ocean in the distance had to be my biggest wow moment."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Despite an overly warm first few days in Bath and Stow-in-Wold, the trip couldn’t have been any better. The group I travelled with were a fun and adventurous bunch of people who rolled with the punches and lack of a/c. Camaraderie abounded. This was definitely aided by the gentle and professional hand of our guide Bill who was phenomenal.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Enjoying the “shabby chic” of Stanway House in the morning and then enjoying an afternoon by myself walking through the village of Stow-in-the-Wold talking to different shop owners and getting the feel of life there."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our Best of England tour was wonderful, as I suspected it would be since we had been on a Rick Steves tour before. The balance of destinations, experiences and fellow tour members was just right - immersing us comfortably in the culture, history, art, architecture, people and natural beauty of this extraordinary land. Our tour guide, Bill, was amazing - so thoughtful and kind as he orchestrated the very best experience every step of the way with genuine humor, helpful support and deep insights.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So hard to choose a favorite - we were “wowed” at every turn! We were especially moved, though, by the beautiful (and sustainable) English countryside with its distinctive hedges, meandering dry stone walls, sheep-covered grassy hills, and walkable fells; the depth of Roman history from the Roman baths at Bath to the remarkable sites and museum at Vindolanda; and the rich (and enriching) “music” of folk singers, the spoken English and Welsh languages and the sublime evensong at York Minster."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great guide, great driver, fun tourmates, beautiful sites.

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our 5th RS tour and they keep getting better. The fellow travelers were awesome-we bonded quickly enhancing our travel experience. Bill -awesome guide could not have been better--loved his knowledge, personal touch--he bonded with our group--became part of it--cared with special attention to each of us. England: my ancestral roots are here, the history, super friendly people, beautiful countryside, stunning castles, palaces, museums--it's all here-our 3rd trip to England--the best by far!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many. Actually the entire experience was a huge wow! Evensong at Westminster Abby is a top wow! As was Glastonbury Abby and hiking the Tor! Just about everything about York--especially the Cathedral (evensong here as well) were all WOW's ! If I had to pick one--it'd be the incredible beauty of The Lake District and hiking the Catbells! Unforgettable and beautiful experience in the middle of an unforgettable trip. While I'm adding wow's I'd Bill and Greg--our driver--were wow's"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It exceeded all our expectations

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The delicious food. We had heard that the food in England was rather bland! This is not true! Every meal which we had on our tour was wonderfully delicious with a nice assortment of dishes!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall, the experience exceeded my expectations. I enjoyed the touring with other people so much more than I ever thought I would.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The countryside was so beautiful- like something in a story book."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a wonderful tour! The selected sights were varied and enjoyable. The guide, Bill, was terrific. We were fortunate to experience mostly sunny weather - albeit warmer than expected - and that just added a pleasant bonus to a great trip.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Tour of the personal home of a current English noble. Fascinating to see first-hand what life is really like, and the burdens of caring for extensive property in a modern time."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Variety of activities keep tour interesting!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Victoria and Albert museum was wow moment for us. Such a great museum!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our first Rick Steves tour surpassed our wildest expectations. Our guide, Bill, was so personable and knowledgeable that he just added to a fantastic experience. Everything was thoughtfully planned for our comfort with just the right amount of downtime for us to explore each location. I can't wait to go on another tour!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many that it's hard to pick just one. However, I will never forget herding sheep at Gareth's farm. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

After some busy years on the home front, it was a luxury to have someone take care of transportation, lodging, tickets, and some meals. Our guide was organized, good humored, very knowledgeable of areas visited, and a good walker. The Best of England in 14 Days included the places that I had hoped to visit plus several that I didn’t know about or would have been difficult to visit on my own such as the sheep farm and Stanway House with the water-powered mill for flour. Punctual tour mates.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to choose a favorite. I liked the stone circles at Avebury. Hard to imagine construction of the circle and surrounding ditch considering the limited tools available at the time. I enjoyed walking the circle of ancient stones strolling among the sheep, opening and closing gates as I progressed. The mostly treeless rolling green hills were lovely. The houses in the village, some with thatched roofs covered with mesh wire to protect thatch from birds seeking nesting material, were charming. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was our first Rick Steves tour! It was nice to have all the planning taken care of. Overall we enjoyed the itinerary, great tour guide and bus driver. Wonderful food!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hadrian's Wall and Vindolanda and learning about the Roman ruins in Britain. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our first RS Tour and we were pleased with most of our experiences. Everything was very planned out, from our first evening walk in Bath to our last evening meal together. However we felt a little rushed at times.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Conwy Wales and Wales overall. The town, the sheep farm, Snowdonia National Park and Bodant Gardens. Beautiful area and very friendly people."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first Rick Steves tour so we were excited, curious, and a little nervous. No need for the latter. From the first meeting to the final meal we were made to feel welcome and comfortable. The tour suited us perfectly. It was casual and a good balance of structured activity and free time. This might have been our first but it won’t be our last!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It’s hard to choose one because there were so many “wows,” so I will select York because it was an “aha, I get it” moment. It seemed everything we had experienced to that point suddenly came together and made a complete picture out of the puzzle pieces."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 5th Rick Steves tour, a fantastic guide, a great itinerary, interesting hotels with good food and outstanding local guides. Plenty of free time to make the trip meet our interests. We were so fortunate to be a part of a really great group of travelers. We'll have memories for a lifetime.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hadrian's wall and Vindolanda was our WOW moment. Just being there to witness the remains of a civilizations in the 3rd century is such a rare and powerful experience."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I enjoyed every aspect of the tour from the group size, the roominess of the bus, the organization of the tours, the tours themselves, the hotels, the group dinner gatherings and most of all our tour quite Lorraine. I came to experience the history, the culture and the countryside of England. This tour checked all those boxes and more.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I would have to say my favourite wow moment was the Bauden garden tour in Wales followed closely by the sheep farm tour in Wales. If I had toured England on my own I would never have seen these. They were both a surprise to me."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The whole trip was a wonderful experience. But I did, especially appreciate the encouragement of getting to know all the fellow travelers. Our tour guide was exceptional! Most all of the experiences were very good. A few of the hotels could’ve been a little nicer, but I understand the location was the first and foremost important factor of where we stayed.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It’s hard to pin down one moment, because I probably said wow many times in the course of the tour. But I especially liked Keswick and York, and many of the beautiful gardens that we visited."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was wonderful. The guide was extremely knowledgeable and shared his thoughts and insights on many of the sites and events. The pace of the tour was great and not too demanding. We made many friends who we hope to keep in touch with. The coach driver was very helpful and friendly. We had a great time on the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The visits to the Cathedrals was very meaningful to us. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was my first RST and I really enjoyed it. I went on the 2 week best of England tour. Our guide David was great!! As I was a single woman by myself he made me feel welcome. He encouraged everyone to make new friends.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Wales and The Lake District. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very good to excellent. Well organzed, David our tour guide was entertaining and still deleivered historical content. Tony the driver was outstanding-- a master of his craft.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The visit the Welsh sheep farm (Ty'n Llyyfan) and meeting Gareth and his wife Rhian. Entertaining, fun, but what impressed us the most was his passion and respect for the land, his sheep and doing what he can to maintain the cutlure and values of of the local farmers. Meeting real people and learning about the real culture and traditions-- this is what separates Rick Steve's tours from others. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Informative, entertaining, lots of walking, great food.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hadrian’s Wall"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a thorough tour of highlights of the north and south of England - very full days with lots to see and do. In two weeks we covered a lot of ground and experienced many of the experiences England has to offre

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved the 'history lessons' given by our guide throughout the trip. In-depth information and stories about the politics, history and lots to information about the places we were visiting were presented on the bus as we travelled from place to place. Made the tour 100% more interesting and the talks were always laced with dry British wit and humour. "

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Although this tour was rated as moderately active, it was much more strenuous. I've been on the 17 day tour of northern Italy, listed as very active and had no trouble keeping up. Most of us were tired after the first week. I think I also had unrealistic expectations about the English countryside. After seeing many shows on TV about the quaint little towns, they really didn't appear that way.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved the sheep herding outside Conwy, and the evening entertainment in the pub in Stow-on-the-Wold."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour had it all for a history lover at heart! From ruined Abbeys to towering Cathedrals, from stately Manor Houses to fortified Castles, from quant countryside villages to a city with over 2000 years of occupied history. I greatly enjoyed every stop and experience on this whirlwind first trip to England and Wales.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"A couple of my favorite tour experiences included walking among the ruins of Glastonbury Abbey, witnessing the beauty of Wells & York Cathedrals, conquering two castles in northern Wales, walking the medieval town walls in Conwy and York, and literally touching history at Avebury and Vindolana sites. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Traveling with a small group is wonderful. Our guide, Nigil, was fun and full of information. His knowledge was shared with us effortlessly and he went above and beyond to keep us engaged and energized. From the ease of transportation, the unique and varied accommodations, and the mix of sites we visited, our expectations were exceeded.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were “wow” moments every day, some days multiple, but my favorite has to be attending Evensong at the Minster in York. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Had a great time as I met others in our tour group. We kept busy as our tour guide gave us insight during each activity/place we visited.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My wow moment would have to be the great fields along the hills that used rock walls to be separated. The walls seem to be random not square blocks like would be seen in other areas. It was great to see all the sheep, and to see the stop, we made to see the sheep being corralled and shared. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I appreciated the balance of historical and cultural experiences.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking up to Bath Abbey at the beginning of the trip. It had been 37 years since we had been in Europe and toured the historical sites of Europe in 21 days guidebook. I forgot just how grand the buildings are. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved it! We saw more than I thought possible in 14 days and it was an awesome introduction to the best parts of England and Wales.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Oh boy...so many! The Cotswolds was probably my overall favorite in terms of scenery. However, there were places and experiences that I loved that were a surprise! Wales was beautiful! The experiences that I will remember most fondly are the hike to Castlerigg stone circle in the rain, drinking in traditional pubs and talking to locals, walking through the Cotswolds, walking by Derwent Water lake, and walking the castle walls in Conwy. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Good tour members, all friendly. We were worried that we would be the oldest (75) and hold people up so we joined the YMCA and got back in shape. Mark, our guide, walked at a descent pace, chatted all the while telling us about what we were walking by. I think he’s been in every little town we passed though. Also he knew all the guides and families we visited and we in turn were treated special! Thanks Mark!!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Jones Hill Farm was a special night! "

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

The experience of traveling all around Great Britain which I have never done was a real treat mile after mile of green roving hills and thousands of sheep. The rain got tiring which happened on most days but our daily experiences were great. Our guide Mark was extremely knowledgeable and kind during the trip and was available to all.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"While in Conway we took in a concert right behind our hotel during our afternoon break. Two choruses sang in Welsh to a packed house and in the end the groups must have ended in singing the national anthem as all the audience stood. Other wow moments were getting to experienced the castles especially trekking up and around Caernarfon Castle. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent experience. Our first Rick Steves tour. It was exactly what I anticipated. Tour guide was great and fellow tour members were very likeable and pleasant.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There was not a favorite wow moment, but the entire tour was outstanding. Every stop had fond memories."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great tour and tour guide, Mark. This was our fifth Rick Steves' tour and it did not disappoint.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Wells cathedral, York cathedral, Hadrian's wall, folk music, sheep dogs and dinner with Gareth and his family"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I enjoyed the entire tour and the people in our group. The tour guide was terrific.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Difficult to pick just one but I especially liked our picnic in Glastonbury which included the best strawberries I have ever tasted. An equal highlight was Bodnant Gardens in Wales. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

First time taking vacation / tour. We had a wonderful time. Our tour guide was outstanding. He was very knowledgeable and personable and he made us like locals. We thoroughly enjoyed our guide and he went out of his way to make sure everyone had a great time. We also had plenty of time each day to explore on our own. We quickly bonded with the other people on the tour and we made new friends. We plan to go on another Rick Steves tour with several of our new tour friends.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Wow moment - every day of the tour was a Wow moment. Each day was another new adventure. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Initially, I believed I was not a group tour person as I always took care of my own travel and did my own planning. But after our 14 days touring the UK, I’m a convert. This was such a varied, intellectually interesting, well planned/executed tour that was stressfree and cost-effective for us. We tallied up what it would have cost to pay for hotels, food, tours ourselves and we could have done it for less. Such variety and the depth of information and care for members was outstanding.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many to choose from… wandering through the ruins of Vindolanda, the Roman fortress at Hadrians’ Wall was something I will never forget. Dozens of leather shoes in the museum worn by inhabitants during the 7 centuries of Roman occupation starting in the 1st century AD! The charismatic Wales sheep farmer, the Conwy and Caernarfon Castles, walking the ancient city walls of York at dusk hearing the York Minster bells ringing in song. Touching the stones of Avebury."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

What we saw and did while on the tour, was beyond expectations!! I learned so much about each area and it's history. Plus made new friends doing activities with the group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It's a hard choice, I would have to say the beauty of Bodnant Gardens was stunning and also seeing the beautiful mountains in the Lake District. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The itinerary, our fellow travelers, the guides and virtually every other aspect of our tour exceeded our expectations.

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Terrific time, guide, driver and great group

Favorite "WOW" moment

"English gardens in Wales and hiking in Lake District "

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Good tour, saw a lot of England which is what I was looking for. Hotels were average at best, group meals were not great, one drink should have been included with group meals.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"York - I found York to be a very cool city. I loved it"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I was blown away by the beauty of the English countryside and seeing sheep sprawling on rolling green hills. The tour truly imbued the quaintness and rich history of Great Britain.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Our tour guide, Robert, timed an impromptu visit to Castlerigg during the brief interlude between rainfall. The views of the valleys and masonry on our way to the stone circle will be with me forever."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 4th Rick Steves tour, and once again it was a life-long memorable experience. Having the itinerary carefully chosen for both education and entertainment, the transportation arranged in a diverse and exciting way, the meals served at quality and local-flair restaurants, the unique and personalized hotel accommodations, and the opportunity to connect closely with great people were all wonderful and greatly appreciated.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The rainbows in Conwy Wales."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

We enjoyed our tour, Deborah our tour guide was hardworking and very helpful. She also kept us up to date on things we needed to know each day. I wish that there had been a visit to a more picturesque Cotswold Village in the tour (the only thatched cottages we saw, we driving by on the bus.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Minster in York. York was probably our favorite place and probably deserves three nights vs just two."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This is my second Rick Steves tour, both to England. Our guide, Deborah, was a fount of knowledge, adept at wrangling all of us, and set the tone for an excellent trip. My fellow tour members were friendly and helpful, and I enjoyed getting to know them. I highly recommend the Best of England in 14 days and will not soon forget the Roman ruins, picturesque villages and soaring cathedrals and all the rest of our experiences.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hadrian’s Wall was unforgettable."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

England/Wales in 12 days was our second Rick Steves' tour following our 2019 tour of Ireland. We thoroughly enjoyed it; learned so much about England and Wales; saw places and sites that we had never seen or experienced. Our tour guide, Deborah and driver David were outstanding! Deborah added to our understanding of every place we traveled; was an understanding guide with a diverse group of 26; and ensured that we had a nice experience with small touches like a July 4 picnic!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"That's a tough one as unlike Ireland, there were no Cliffs of Moher or Giants Causeway. To pick one in England/Wales, I'd have to go with the York Minster. We had never been to York and were so impressed with everything about the city. The tour of the Minster with Chris; Evensong on Wednesday night; climb to the roof and sheer history and beauty carried the Minster for us. I'll write it later but 3 nights in York and only 2 in Bath would be our recommendation for the future."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The itinerary was great. Three nights in the city of Bath was effective in helping me and my traveling companions acclimate to England and the time change. Our journey through the English countryside, though not as exotic as other European sites,was charming, and each stop had its special delights. By the time we got to London we were seasoned travelers, ready to take on this crowded bustling town.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Although the uphill walk to Hadrian's Wall was a bit challenging, being on the Wall was a wow moment for me. I loved the history and the surrounding countryside was beautifully atmospheric on this cloudy chilly day. My favorite stay was in Conwy, Wales. Gareth's sheep farm was both fun and thought-provoking. add an exciting tractor pulled wagon ride, a couple of adorable dogs, a round up and sheep shearing demonstration, it was the kind of unforgettable experience I've had on Rick Steves tours."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fantastic experience mostly because I was very lucky to be with the whole tour group that I bonded with immediately. We had so many laughs together. Many of us were single travelers that also loved art. We had many things in common. All our personalities matched very well. Our guide, Jamie also had a great sense of humor that made us feel very comfortable. He was very easy to talk to because he shared many things about himself and his experiences growing up in England.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My first “wow” monument was in Bath on the first evening when we walked to Royal Crescent. I’m a big fan of Jane Austen’s books and seen many dramatization programs showing those buildings, so to see them in person was like a dream. Glastonbury cathedral ruins was another wow romantic and haunting place for me. Many fabulous meals were also wows because I was in England 20 years ago and remembered food being terrible. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

There were many interesting places to see. Each day brought new and exciting landmarks. Each day was also challenging but definitely worth the effort to be able to have such marvelous views.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The tour of Westminster Abby was my "wow" moment - really enjoyed our tour guide."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 4th Rick Steves tour and it did not disappoint. A fantastic tour guide, a friendly group of travelers, and a great itinerary made for an excellent tour. The mix of charming countryside, mountains, lakes and city kept things interesting. We enjoyed exploring on our own and visiting some of the many English pubs!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The walk with our guide in the Cotswolds was so picturesque and something I had looked forward to. Our hike up to Hadrian's wall was both challenging and exciting. Our time in Wales and especially our visit to Gareth's farm was entertaining and informative. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

There were only a few things I would change - one is the weather, and of course we have no control over that! It was. VERY hot in Bath, and no air conditioning made it uncomfortable. A little more free time in a few towns would be nice, also.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Avebury standing stones were amazing - silently magical and compelling. It was exciting to see them and wonder about their purpose, and about the people who placed them there."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 9th Rick Steves tour so we knew what to expect and this tour was no different…. a great tour guide, a wonderful itinerary, great hotels, good local dining and outstanding local guides, with ample free time and a lively, interesting tour group. A winning combination!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Too many to mention, Bath in it’s entirety, the visit to Glastonbury, the Folk group concert at Stow-on-the -Wold, the drive through the Cotswolds, the beautiful scenery in and around Keswick, Evensong at York Minster, the visit to Oxford, the sites in London, all were exceptional."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was my first RS tour and I appreciated the overall thoughtful planning that was so obviously done so that our arrivals at different sites were well timed and provided insight into how history and geography have influenced British society today. Britain has the best ruins,

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Glastonbury Abbey ruins. It was a picturesque day. The grounds were quiet. The historical evidence of a time long past yet still bearing witness to the huge impact of a willful act by a narcissistic king puts life into perspective. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

professionally put together, outstanding history told by our tour director Debora all along the routes, perfectly times tours, great tours (all) great coordinated group diners, loved all the unique hotels specifically Conwyn and Keswick, we will be back

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Roman village and fort and all the cathedrals "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I enjoyed every aspect of the tour. We had a fun group, outstanding guide and the itinerary was great.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The inspiring beauty of the Lake District. Keswick was such a fun town. From our hotel we had an amazing view of the Lake and the surrounding mountains. Our visit to Castlerigg Stone Circle and our boat ride on the lake were a highlight."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fabulous tour! Great mix of castles, cathedrals, pubs, towns and cities!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite moment was meeting Andrew Birley at Vindolanda, which, as a history teacher and archaeologist, was a dream come true! The museum and site are incredible, and the time we spent there will be a lifetime memory!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

All went smoothly. Great restaurant choices!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We took a side trip to Liverpool, that tour was our “wow” moment. Liverpool would be a great addition to this tour."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our third Rick Steves tour and it was the third time that the tour had an outstanding guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Not a particular moment, but I was wowed by the consistent high quality of the food. I wasn't expecting this in England of all places."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Plenty to do...new things to see...travel with a knowledgeable guide and new acquaintances. Deborah kept the group moving at a good pace and provided all with a wealth of new information about each place we visited. She did a wonderful job in providing information that gave everybody something that they craved to know a bit more about.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Several wow moments were to be had. For me, it was the wide-open spaces, the views of mountains, rolling hills, lakes, and the Irish Sea. I had always envisioned England as having larger, more populated areas. I welcomed the country and all the "green"."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The itinerary, accommodations and transportation were great (the hotels in the Lake District and York were a little weak). Tony our bus driver was wonderful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing and touching (when allowed😃) objects from thousands of years ago! Loved seeing cities and the country. Since I’m more of a country mouse, I loved the country and gardens best. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Having traveled to Europe several times on our town, this was our first tour. It was outstanding. We went places and saw things we never could have stone on our own. Also, having all the logistics taken care of for us took much of the strain of traveling away.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were several, but being a Landscape Architect, the beautiful, verdant landscape and the amazing, ancient trees throughout England and Wales wowed me.."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was a very good tour overall. We went to a lot of very interesting places and we had a very good tour guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The stone circles at Avebury was a very impressive site."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was lovely and fun to visit the places we went. I had been to most of the places we went but got a much better impression of the,.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sheep dog and shepherd and standing on Hadrian’s Wall"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Generally I had lots of fun. Had a bit of a misunderstanding regarding a mix up of orders at the Sheep on Sheep Street restaurant.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Gareth Wyn Jones has to be one of my highlights of the tour. He's very passionate about what he does. But my personal favorites were visiting the Lake District and York. I loved having the afternoon off to explore on my own."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a wonderful tour with a great guide and a great group of travelers. Each place we went was unique and interesting. I loved traveling through the countryside and visiting Wales.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to choose just one. Loved the sheepdog demonstration on Gareth’s farm. The Cotswolds were great as was Bath, Wells, Keswick, York, etc. Bodnant Gardens was especially nice."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was a great tour and took me to places I always wanted to see plus some extras!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hadrian’s wall did not disappoint even though it rained it was amazing standing in ancient history. We visited the museum first which gave me all the information needed to make it an even better Wow moment."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well organized and timed. Good level of interaction time and free time- nicely balanced. Robert our guide was fantastic.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Wales- specifically the farm/ farmer visit. Gareth was amazing. We were picked to herd the sheep- it was a once in a lifetime experience. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

My first RS tour convinced me that more are in my future. I experienced much more in England than I could have on my own. I'm grateful to Robert the guide and Tony the driver, and I'm delighted with all my new friends. As a vegetarian, I was doubly pleased to have so many dining options. The level of activity was just right for me, and every stop on the itinerary was stimulating.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I can't pick one "wow" moment. Robert's narration of the history and significance of the Avebury stone circle in the context of other Neolithic monuments and earthworks in the area was meaningful and memorable. Also, I will remember always the lushness and seasonal beauty of Bodnant Garden in Wales."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide, as always, was excellent, very knowledgeable on so many topics. We saw so many "bucket list" sites, enjoyed varying scenery, and got a feel for the different cultures in different areas as well as the amazing history of those areas. Did require a bit of bus time, however.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hadrian's wall"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first time in the UK and I'm so glad I chose a Rick Steves tour for my adventures, especially as a solo traveler. Everyone in the group was so warm and welcoming. And nearly every place on the itinerary was so awe-inspiring---there were just a few places in which I wish I had had more time to explore. Now trying to figure out when I can go on another tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Everywhere you turned in the Lake District was a "wow" moment. From the view from my hotel room to the view from Castlerigg stone circle to the view from Castlehead. I really must get back."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Perfect size group of friendly folks of all ages interested in learning new things. Efficiently run. Was our first Rick Steves tour and certainly won’t be our last.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to pick one so the list would include the gravity fed fountain at Stanway House, the view from Dover’s Hill and the every day scenery of the amazing country side. Oh yeah, the innovative use of wool promoted by Gareth Jones which is now being used in our garden. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was exceptional! Our tour guide (Roy) was absolutely wonderful. He was kind and considerate as well as being very organized and professional. I thoroughly enjoyed our discussions. Our fellow travelers felt like family members. We got along very very well and always were willing to help each other. We would love to have a reunion tour with our same group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many “wow” moments including our trip to the sheep farm was n Wales, the visit to Hadrian’s Wall, the trip to Stanway House, the tour of York Minster and Westminster Abbey. The towns we visited were equally exciting and being given the time to explore them was a huge bonus. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was well planned and included many wonderful sites. Roy was a very knowledgeable and conscientious guide. I was a little underwelmed from my expectations of England itself. I guess I had this idyllic idea in my mind of what we would see. The actual experience didn't live up to my expectations. We had spent previously spent a week in London and two weeks in Scotland on RS tours and had an amazing time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I would have to say it was the first sight of Blenheim Palace. Unfortunately it was shortlived. Upon entering the Palace the opulence and extravagence was disappointing. I've commented about this on almost all of our tours to Europe. I know this is historical, but I still imagine how much this wealth could have and still could help those in need in England."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was very well organized to cover the maximum experience of traveling through England and Wales.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The stone circles"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Each day there was something new and interesting to look forward to. I loved every minute of this tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Always hard to pick just one "wow" moment but overall I would say the beautiful pastoral countryside of England and Wales. In Keswick, the view from our hotel room was breathtaking."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved the tour! Good mix of country charm, and well- healed decadence. England in a nut shell. Our guide, Roy, is This tour is a perfect balance of country England and ancient history. Our guide, Roy, was an amazing treasure trove of history! Plenty of activity and lots of walking, which balances the bus time. As Rick gets older, his tours get more comfortable 😁

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved the sheep farm! It showcases the old ways and forward thinking for farming and conservation. And did I mention the sheep herding dog, showing his talents?"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Guide was great, he made everything go smoothly. His knowledge of history enhanced my experience of what I was seeing.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There are many. Evensong at York Minster, walking in Bath and York, seeing the small Turner watercolors and sketchbooks at the Courtauld Gallery in London. Seeing a play as a groundling at the Globe. Bodnant Gardens in Wales. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour met or exceeded my expectations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking along Hadrian's wall and visiting Vindolanda were my favorites. The scenery was breathtaking. The sense of time and space were all that I imagined they would be and more."

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

This was my 5th Rick Steves (RS) tour and I am comparing to the others when making this assessment. As I look back through my pictures, I am reminded of several tour stops that were highlights for me. We love to walk/hike and nature, so my "fav" activities involved these. Standouts: Keswick - boat ride/hike back to town, Bodnant Gardens, Hadrian's Wall & Vindolanda, Stow on Wold - hike to Church. NOTE - RS always does a great job of allowing personal/down time so that one can explore

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved attending York Minster Evensong. This is such a special end of day activity that allows one to slow down and reflect on our beautiful world. NOTE - the local guide was excellent in York. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was very well managed. It kept on schedule and everything fell into place as expected. We had an excellent, knowledgeable and friendly tour guide for the overall trip and excellent local guides in each town we visited. The accommodations were very comfortable and very centrally located which made exploring the each town on our own very easy,

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Honestly there were so many it is hard to choose one. But if I have to, for me it was the visit to the sheep farm in Wales."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first Rick Steve's tour, and my first time in England. The arrangement of places and experiences was fabulous. A variety of sites, and then deliberate experiences for food, music, and sheep farming balanced our experience of England.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Tower of London was not what I expected, yet the Crown Jewels was more exciting than I expected. But then--all the Castles were my wow moments!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

First time on RS Tour. Very enjoyable. Organized, friendly and very knowledgeable tour guide made the difference. Selection of sites and activities were great. Accommodations, eating and travel arrangements were highly satisfactory. Other travelers were fun and friendly. Amount of free time for self was perfect. No complaints.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The daily pace and activity levels were perfect. I made a lot of friends with the other travelers. I enjoyed the guide. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our first tour impressed us with the knowledgeable, friendly guide and driver, a compatible group of courteous co-travelers, a good mix of guided and free time, and well-located accommodations at each stop.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"York had never been on my list of places to visit but we found it to be one of the highlights. In particular, the guide’s suggestion to attend Evensong service at the York Minster, was a surprising, moving experience."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Enjoyed visiting small villages and learning about the English history.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"York was a pleasant surprise"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved it!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Tower of England and boating on the famous river Thames. Blenheim Palace was great too."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my first tour and I so thankful I chose a Rick Steves Tour. The guide was excellent. Very knowledgeable about the history, architecture, etc, and thoughtful of the group and it's comforts. The choices of places to visit were well thought out and varied; whether it be a Roman wall or a lovely English garden. This was the first time I traveled by myself in many years. Any fears I might have had melted away with the dynamics of the wonderful group of people who made up the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There are so many! I am a gardener and so I would have to say visiting Bodant Garden in Wales. However, visiting the sheep ranch in Wales and all of York were right up there. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

As first time travelers, the tour exceeded our expectations.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many “wow” moments it’s hard to decide. My husband loved York Minster Cathedral. The overall history of EVERYTHING was fascinating. The knowledge of our tour guide, David, was incredible and so interesting. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 10th Rick Steves Tour, and it did not disappoint! I discovered that there is way more to England than just London! Our guide, David, was outstanding, and we had a great group of travelers. There was a great mix of things to do and also enough free time. I could not get enough of all of the English countryside that we got to enjoy from the bus. We were so blessed with beautiful weather - not a drop of rain the whole trip! We also had such a wonderful coach driver.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I can't name just one! My favorites: our time at Glastonbury (with wonderful guide "Maude") and the delicious picnic on the grounds, visit to Stokesay Castle and the mill, our time at the sheep farm with Gareth and Rihan, Bodnant Gardens, the Roman Fort Vindolanda and it's accompanying museum, attending the Evensong performance in York Cathedral (we had 23 out of 24 in our group attend!), and walking the city walls in Conwy with our guide,"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our tour was absolutely wonderful! We had a fantastic guide, Paul, who was very helpful, kind and humorous. The group we were with were very fun and enjoyable to travel with, and the itinerary was great. The country side that we toured through was so beautiful and serene, and the sites we visited were perfect... rich in history and beauty.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many wow moments for me, including the cathedrals, castles, and gardens...but my absolute favorites were the day at Gareths farm watching the sheep herding, the beautiful Bodnant gardens, and walking on Hadrians wall."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Paul Guest our tour guide was awesome. He had many surprises and engaging experiences to enjoy and I returned home with wonderful memories.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Meandering down a country road enjoying the scenery, sheep and nature. I looked up and there just over the stone wall was Castlerigg Stone Circle on a hill. It was as if I had stepped back in time and made this ancient discovery. Such an awesome goosebump moment to treasure."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Fantastic experience! Loved seeing the countryside of England and Wales.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many wow's on this tour - each stop was a wow. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my 11th RS tour and definitely one of my faves. Seeing rural England and Wales was magical, even better than I had envisioned. It showcased the pastoral beauty of the landscape - farms, lakes, rivers, and surprising mountains while weaving history throughout. Paul, our guide, shared personal stories of his having grown up in England which enriched my experience at every turn. Even Craig, our driver sought opportunities to be with us,

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The entire trip was one wow moment after another. One precious moment was at our farewell dinner where we sang a personalized tribute to Paul who was genuinely touched. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent selection of places to visit and accommodation and meal choices, especially some of the traditional meals A really fine sampler of England. Our guide Paul Guest was fantastic, knowledgeable enthusiastic and funny, and kept us on target. The pace was good, plenty of walking, but a good amount of free time. We were lucky to have a fun and friendly travel group, as well as good weather. I felt like we got to see and do a variety of things from ancient ruins to current say sheep farmer!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I have to give you five: 1. Climbing the bell tower in the Bath Abbey: fantastic experience! 2. Sheep farm visit with Gareth WYN Jones, Fun, informative and really cool to see border collie at work! 3. View from top of Cat Bells hike in Lake District : invigorating hike, and Felt like Julie Andrew’s at the top:” the hills are alive..” 4. Touching ancient stones in stone circles 5. Seeing flour made at water driven mill at Stanway"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The overall experience was very good. We had outstanding weather and our guide was knowledgeable and had a wonderful sense of humor. The places we toured were very interesting and scenic.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My "wow" moment would probably be the beautiful scenery of the Lake District and the number of sheep we saw!!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was well organized and packed in a lot of activities, but still some free time. We really enjoyed seeing the English countryside and exploring the different regions. I thought the specific sites were thoughtfully selected to provide a wonderful, well-rounded experience. Our guide was excellent and we had a great group of fellow travelers.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many "wow" moments I can't name just one!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour locations were extremely enjoyable to visit, and our guide and his intimate knowledge of the sites, history, and entertaining way of presenting them to our group made our tour an outstanding experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hiking to the top of Cat Bells in the Lake District."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

All the ingredients were present. We had a fun and humorous guide in Paul Guest, an interesting crew of fellow travelers, beautiful English countryside, great weather, pleasant local folks with whom I could converse and interesting and knowledgeable guides at Wells Cathedral, Stanway House, Caernarfon Castle, York and St. Paul's Cathedral.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I had too many to accurately rank. Walking on the city walls at sunset in Conwy and York were magical experiences. Bodnant Garden was extraordinary and unlike any place I had ever been. The short hike and beautiful location of the Castlerigg stone circle was what the doctor ordered after a long bus ride to near Keswick."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved the places we visited, the other people on the tour and our guide. I had no idea that parts of England were so beautiful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking in the early morning beside the lake in Keswick and seeing the mountains reflected in the water. Also, the hike to the top of Cat bells was a winner."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

The tour was amazing, I feel like we didn’t miss out on hardly anything, and we had a phenomenal tour guide, Paul. He took amazing care of us and we didn’t have a single worry the entire trip. He even squeezed in extra attractions for us all throughout the tour, enhancing the experience. My only complaint is the walking tours and/or guided tours through each attraction/area can get very lengthy, cutting into our free time and/or making us late for our next destination/attraction.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Definitely Wells Cathedral and Snowdonia. Both are breathtakingly beautiful. York Minter is right up there too, mind blowing. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was made really enjoyable by the friendliness,professionalism,knowledge,and kindness of Paul Guest and bus driver Craig.They have a good working relationship .The tour was organized,hotels great and Zi especially liked the country side and small villages that were hidden gems.This was my first Rick Steves tour and enjoyed every minute.I appreciate the time they invest in getting congenial and friendly people to navigate these trips.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Bodnant Gardens and Wells Cathedral.That was a very hard decision to make because I was overwhelmed with the beauty of the English country side let alone the castles that were still standing."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Some on the tour could not fully participate because they physically couldn't.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The City of York. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was all we have come to expect from a Rick Steves tour: Congenial fellow travelers, a well-informed tour guide, interesting (and, often, funny) local guides, quirky hotels, a good sampling of local foods at shared meals, and some very busy days.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Vindolanda tablets at the Roman Army Museum. This tour took us through thousands of years of British history, and we experienced how buildings, languages, religions, technology all change, sometimes drastically, throughout time. But the Vindolanda tablets show that people, at their core, pretty much stay the same."

Though England was beautiful, we preferred our second leg of the tour to Scotland.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"In England it was the Westminster Abby and National Museum, for Scotland it was the Highlands."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent tour with a wide variety of experiences and sites from the bucolic Cotswolds to the urban London!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Bodnant Garden was extraordinarily beautiful."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was my 3rd Rick Steves Tour; so I went with very high expectations & this one really exceeded all of them! Each offering, from the convenient places to stay, things to see, eat & experience, to the overall pace were generally well thought out plus a good value. As promised, this was an "active" tour & I took advantage of every opportunity (including all the optional hikes & walks). Our main guide, Robert, was outstanding; with just enough information to aid understanding & appreciation.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Unexpected serendipity is the hallmark of my memories. For example, while waiting for our visit to the Roman Baths (in Bath, UK), a truly remarkably talented singer serenaded the square with operatic arias & Broadway Show tunes. I was humming the love theme from "West Side Story" for the rest of the trip! An especially spine-tingling moment -- her singing -- not my humming!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall the tour was exceptional. With one exception the hotels were charming and comfortable, the food was great and the schedule of activities gave us the “tour” experience plus time on our own. Our guide, Robert, was outstanding! A+

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many — but Evensong at the York Minster was definitely a wow moment. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour lived up to our expectations - the quality and excellence of the Rick Steves' Tours.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Bodnant Garden, Big Ben, London Bridge, and Buckingham Palace."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Traveling with Steve's"s was great. Fellow travelers were friendly and fun. A good balance of planned tours/outings with free time to explore or just rest. Tour guides were knowledgeable and offered their personal experiences on the tour. A good balance between bus travel to activities.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Getting to help get the sheep in the pen, working with Gerth and Max the border collie. Sunrise view from my window at Keswick (I was lucky and had a view of the golf course, lake and mountains) Bodnant Gardens, spectacular Cat Cafe in York All the cathedral's"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

One of the first things that struck me during our first meeting as tour members, was how many folks had been on a Rick Steve’s tour before— some, multiple times. I quickly learned to listen to those experienced tour members for advice on how to get the best experience out of our time together. The sharing & communal time really enhanced the decisions I & my spouse made on how to structure & enjoy our free time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting the first stone circle at Avebury and sensing a connection with my ancestors on the land where I was standing. Another was the unique beauty of Wales & it’s people/language "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a great tour! The tour was organized so that we were able to see a variety of historical sites and enjoy the English countryside. Our guide, Robert, was excellent.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Evensong in York"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Guide Robert started great! Started the tour on a great note getting everyone ready to go. Always felt like the tour was under control even with unexpected challenges . Great driver, great commentary along the way. Wonderful traveling companions. Enjoyed every stop

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Glastonbury abbey was my moment . Could feel so much of the history and human energy, Felt spiritual walking among the ruins "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was an excellent adventure, aided by two solid weeks of beautiful weather (in England)! The days were filled to the brim (sometimes maybe a little overfilled) with history, interesting sites, amusing guides, excellent food and comfortable, convenient hotels.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many: the Roman "curse tablets" at the Bath spring; the beautiful Vicar's Close in Wells; the dramatic size and exploration of Vindolanda. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

This was a first Rick Steve tour for us. We wren happy that it was not crowded and that tour guide York got to know each one of us.

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We enjoyed the itinerary and pace of the tour. Our guide, Yorick, was terrific as were the local guides at each of our stops.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"For us Keswick and York were both standouts. Great hiking around the lake in Keswick and the mishmash of York architecture was delightful. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was fantastic, a trip of a lifetime. We had a wonderful tour guide, Yorick, and fabulous tour mates. Everyone got along really well, and we were an extremely cohesive group.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Wales was my favorite stop on the tour. The experience at the farm in LLansairsechan in the Carneddau Mountains was amazing. My daughter and I got hands-on experience learning how to herd sheep, along with a very well trained dog and its owner, Gareth Wyn Jones. A once in a lifetime experience!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was amazing. This was my first organized tour in Europe and I had a fabulous time. The locations were fantastic and our guide was superb. Would 100% recommend a Rick Steves tour to all my friends and family, and I already have!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Everything in Wales. I could spend another week there. Also coming around the corner in York and seeing the Minster was a wow moment for everyone in the group. There was an audible intake of breath when everyone first saw it. So cool."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Outstanding tour. Each day was well planned and had great content. Best group of travelers of any of our RS tours. Our amazing guide, Yorick, truly spoke from the heart, made each day fun and showed wonderful enthusiasm at each stop on the tour. We loved every day of the tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many. Glastonbury Abbey had a special aura to the entire town - loved the discussion of King Arthur and Avalon. Our local guide at Wells Cathedral brought you right into the history and back to the current day. Gareth Wyn Jones at the sheep farm really drove home a great message of sustainability and the fact that his family has owned the farm for 375 years - WOW"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Absolutely wonderful! Great cities, great food, great group, great great great tour guide!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Keswick and the Lake District are gorgeous!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Tour was great! Tour Guide Yourick was very interesting and knowable. He was kind and kept the group engaged and cemented together as as a traveling community.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The beautiful Lakes District and scenary. I always prefer the rural areas to the cities like London."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first Rick Steves tour. So well-organized with the right balance of activities and free time. Loved the breakfasts and the location of the hotels. As you would expect with Rick Steves, it’s about learning and experiencing, not checking off boxes.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It’s the things you wouldn’t do on your own, the sheep farm visit in Wales, the traditional music in Stow-on-the-Wold, and the evensong service in York."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

really had a great time and particularly was pleased to do this tour as it had been delayed three years because of Covid- and we are now three years older!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Being on the boat on the lake at Keswick on an absolutely beautiful sunny day after many rainy days"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We were delighted with the places and experiences we had and loved the pace of our time together. We loved the active parts of exploring and free time to rest and be still. It was wonderful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There was a wow moment daily but our favorites were what we couldn't have seen on our own, the shepherding demonstration and the folk singing after dinner. Those were the best."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

excellent group of people and very good tour guide

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Bodnant Gardens and English folk singers"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Loved it, the pacing was great, interesting things to see at every stop.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The city of York in general."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I really enjoyed our tour guide, David. You could tell he’s a Pro! He did a wonderful job of making this a cohesive group. I really enjoyed every single person that was on the tour, and feel sad I likely will never see any of them again. I would join the exact group of people on a different tour.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I think the natural gravity fountain at Stanway House. I loved that day and the local guide that took us through the house was delightful!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a great trip. David Willette was our guide, tour director, and DJ! He was fun, informative and easy to talk to. Enjoyed talking to him and the rest of our intrepid group. Lots of variety on the tour; cathedrals, gardens, farms, castles, hiking and sightseeing boat trips. Each place we visited we wanted to stay longer. David did a great job keeping us inline (mostly) on time (always)and well fed (of course)!Thanks for the picnic in Glastonbury, the cheeses were great.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Lots of wow moments for us. The evening walking tour of Bath when we saw the Virgin and Bath Gin hot air balloons come right in front of us. Walking Hadrian’s wall, walking the walled city of Conwy. We enjoyed the day we walked the stone circles at Avebury. In London we enjoyed the tours and then went out to Kew Gardens on the tube. One wow moment was watching Craig maneuver the very large coach through the medieval walled archway of Conwy, kudos to Craig the best coach driver in UK!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was a fabulous tour. Our tour guide was outstanding. David made experience, educational and fun.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Conwy I wish you could’ve stayed there an extra day. It would’ve been nice to explore the village a little more."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

So many interesting things to see and experience. Our guide was wonderful as well as very knowledgeable and helpful throughout the tour. I would definitely recommend this tour to others.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Westminster Abbey was one of my favorites. So much history there."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great guide, he took time to make sure everyone had a great time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sheep dog working "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was wonderful and had all the features of a Rick Steves' trip; comfortable accommodations in excellent locations, a good variety of sites from gorgeous landscapes to ancient ruins, spiced up with congenial fellow travelers, an outstanding guide who clearly loved his role and a super bus driver. King Charles III was riding in his golden coach while we had our own! Early morning starts got us to spots before the crowds and, amazingly, the sun was shining most of the time. Brilliant!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The stone circle at Avebury was a "wow" for me who normally is taken with Gothic cathedrals. Our guide Roy's explanations made the mysteries of prehistory come alive. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The selection of locations and sights to see was perfect. It's incredible how much we were able to experience in two short weeks. Our guide Roy's knowledge of British history added so much color to the tour. The hotel selections were excellent and the food was to die for. We were amazed by the skill of our bus driver negotiating narrow roads and passages in that large, comfortable coach. All in all, I would not change anything about this tour; it was perfect

Favorite "WOW" moment

"One "wow" moment is hard to pick, but I would have to say the folk musicians after the pub dinner was my stand out moment. They were talented, funny and very animated. I loved the music."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Roy Nichols made this trip a success. I felt like an old friend showed me the neighborhood where he grew up. This was our sixth RS tour and the group coalesced well. I feel I really KNOW the UK now and learning has always been a vital element of the RS experience. I was a little anxious about British food but even that turned out to be OK.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Narrowing down to just one I cannot do. The two, however, were Vinolandia and the tomb of the unknown British Warrior at Westminster. An “after wow” moment was when we returned home and watched the coronation on tv. We kept saying, “Oh, oh look, we were there, we were there”."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Solid overview of the sights that were important to me.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting the English lakes district."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was wonderful and like the other 2 RS tours we've been on, exceeded our expectations. The choice of cities, the pacing, the amount of free-time, the meals and the variety of hotel styles--we enjoyed it all. To start off the tour in the incredible city of Bath with a Sunday roast beef dinner was wonderful. The tour guide, Roy was absolutely fabulous. When the coronation caused changes in the itinerary, and we got caught in London highway traffic he was calm and comforting.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Avebury Stone Circles: it felt awesome to be in the midst of an ancient, sacred area and to think about all the people whose footsteps we were following in. And it didn't rain on us."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This is our 3rd RS Tour and just like the others this one was excellent. Tour was well balanced between activities and free time to explore. Not too much time on the bus! Hotels were clean, staffed with friendly helpful people. Hotel location was excellent. Roy, our guide was first rate, knowledgeable, personable, and always helpful. Great overview of England and Wales.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Loved Wales - the people, scenery and the sites visited. Also, really loved the history of the Romans in Britain."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was so fun, educational, and life changing. I loved every minute of it.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Lake District. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Much more and enjoyable than I imagined.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"All was great "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great guide and wonderful, engaged fellow travelers.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved Wales. Gareth and his family were a highlight. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Couldn’t be more pleased with our experience. The hotels were great, the activities enlightening and our guide was exceptional.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The visit with Garett at his farm and the beauty of the Lake District."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

An exceptional tour with an enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The cathedrals!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had an amazing tour in England and Wales! The days were well-planned, with group activities and free time nicely timed. We loved our guide and enjoyed the hotels and meals. We learned so much and had fun while doing it. The history and architecture made the trip fascinating.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"That is so hard to say, as so many things we saw exceeded every expectation. The really old things—Glastonbury, Avebury, Hadrian’s Wall and Vindolanda were very exciting to visit. And, of course, being in London on Coronation weekend!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This is my 15th tour with Rick Steves and they just keep getting better. I love the back door approach, seeing small villages, connecting with citizens and local guides.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Watching sheep dog demonstrations on a farm in Wales and meeting the local farmer and his family."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful, viewing the sights, learning about the Sceptered Isle, and meeting her people

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Gareth and sheepherding"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Very enjoyable tour. Hotels were comfy, food was delicious, good range of activities and balance between group activities and time for my own. Jeanie was a fabulous guide with great stories to make the places we visited come alive.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I don’t travel for wow moments, but a favorite day was our visit to Garth Wynn Jones’s farm. I am very interested in sustainable farming and I loved hearing him talk about how important it is to him. Making connections makes for great travel. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was a total immersive experience. It felt as though Rick Steve took us by the hand and shared his favorite things.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many and each equally impressive because of the intimate nature of the tour."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The sights I saw and the guides we had made this a truly wonderful travel experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many wow moments but I chose Garth and his wife sharing their hill farm stories with our group. Watching the dog herd sheep, viewing a shearing and listening to their family history to this way of life was inspiring. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was wonderful. Our tour guide, Jeannie, was witty, knowledgable, and no nonsense. She was perfect. The local guides were also good, as were our bus drivers. We saw so much, did so much, and ate too much. England was full of history and fun. The trip would not have been as great without my wonderful tour mates, they all became friends. I also appreciated the RS Covid policy, with vaccinations being a requirement.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many. I loved Wales the most I believe. From Snowdonia to Gareth the sheep farmer, to the wonderful Castle Hotel and the lamb dinner, I just had to keep pinching myself that I was in Wales!! But really, it was all pretty much a fun and "wow" trip. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I enjoyed the itinerary and the touring of the various places in England. The group was good, the guide exceptional and I got a great appreciation for the natural beauty of the more rural parts of England.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My Wow moment was Conwy Wales and the surrounding area. It was stunning and picturesque, a wonderful mixture of seaside, countryside and castles and historic structures"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our first Rick Steves tour and it did not disappoint! Our guide, Jeannie, was fabulous! Witty, informative, and professional and kind! Our group of merry travelers were the especially enjoyable! Loved driving through the beautiful countryside!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many! The sheep farm with Garth and the Mill at Stokesay Manor. York Minster, especially walking the ancient city wall and attending Evensong! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Jeanie, our tour guide, was outstanding. Her knowledge and presentation made this a memorable experience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"It is hard for me to pick just one movement. Each day I looked forward to the next part of our tour."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a wonderful trip! Our tour guide, Jeanie, was informative, clear, and very responsive to each person on our tour. We felt fortunate to have such a terrific group to travel with on our first post-pandemic tour. The Best of England (and Wales!) was fantastic….we highly recommend it!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I loved Wales, especially the trip to Garett’s family sheep farm. The sense of continuity through hundreds of years, the connection to the Welsh land and culture…it was deeply moving and fun. Jeanie wowed us every day with her knowledge of history and appreciation for England and Wales. Bodnant Gardens, the working flour mill, just walking in the Cotswolds, being in London during such an historical time…what a gift! "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The best guide in Jeanie Carmichael and a fantastic tour group. There were no grumps!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many but the time in the Lake District was a highlight."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our 5th RS tour, thus we are quite familiar with tour routines. We enjoyed our guide Jeanie, especially that we did not have to play any silly "getting to know you" games. We appreciated the balance of seeing the major sights, along with the uniquie events, sheep shearing, renovated water mill, etc.

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our guide was knowledgeable, funny and prompt!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The visit to the working sheep farm in Wales"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

I am 69, 90% retired for 3 years, and have travelled through the US with my wife quite a few times. We are healthy and have looked forward to traveling together on longer, farther away trips. I was a history major in college and have countinued to read hisrically correct novels and time pieces, so going to England some day was always a plan. I enjoyed the tour, our first, and found the chance to link up historical locations with events and people of England quite enjoyable. I liked not nee

Favorite "WOW" moment

" I liked not needing to spend a lot of time working out driving and arranging rooms for each night. I liked being able to watch the country side as we road the bus. By the way, the large, modern bus was very comfortable and relaxing. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Was better than I’d even imagined! Every detail was researched and arranged well. From the lodging, meals, local guides, and orientation to new cities and suggestions for our free time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"For me, it was the unexpected. For several stops, I had an idea of what we would see and do, but there were 2 stops that would not have necessarily been on my must see list. So glad I got my eyes opened and enjoyed every minute. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great guide and fellow travelers. Bill was excellent.

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We thoroughly enjoyed this tour (our 7th RS tour). The people in the group were all interesting and bright - can curious about history and the world. Our local guides were fabulous. All of them were fascinating to listen to - very knowledgeable, articulate and with a sense of humor too.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Probably going to Gareth Wyn Jone’s sheep farm in Wales. He was one of the most charismatic, passionate individuals we have met. Very committed to sustainability and constantly being innovative. We and his wife and our experience on his farm was my “wow” moment."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

I really liked this itinerary which included a good variety of experiences and locations. Our group and guide were very compatible.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were lots of "wow" moments, but for me our visit to the woking mill at the Stanaway House was fascinating. I have seen mills before, but never really understood how a mill worked. Being inside, listening to the miller and watching the process was fascinating."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Nice pace, great 'insiders' tours, wonderful tour leader (bill Higgs).

Favorite "WOW" moment

"York Minster tour and Bodnant Gardens."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

There was something to interest everyone on this tour — cathedrals, ruins, sheep dogs, live music, and great local dinners. All of it appealed to me. I always appreciate it when local guides join us for a tour. It’s engaging to see a sight from their perspective. As usual, the tour was well-organized even with the glitch of working around site closures for the queen’s funeral.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking among the standing stones at Avesbury. It was a glorious warm day with blue skies and views that stretched on forever. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

England (and Wales) are as beautiful as one reads about or sees on Masterpiece Theater! We were so fortunate with our weather - only one day with measurable precipitation and a day that was cloudy. So much for rainy England! Enjoyed very much the historic aspects of the trip - especially the castles and ruins. Saw the must-see abbeys/cathedrals. Too bad London is tearing down and building-over many of its historical areas. Guide Robert was outstanding - especially enjoyed his bus commentaries.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Stokesay Castle (or fortified manor house more correctly) was a big highlight. What a view into castle/manor house life in 13th century through 17th century. So well preserved! Of course, Tower of London was great; Lakes District was beautiful. There really are hedgerows, stacked stone fences, sheep and cattle dotting the hills. The whole country is so beautiful and just what you would imagine England would look like! "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Most of our tour was a very rewarding, educational and interesting experience. Unfortunately, both my wife and I contracted covid while on the tour, most probably from other(s) on the tour. It is likely several others on the tour contracted covid, but didn't test, so they didn't know for sure. We missed the Tower of London, the last dinner and last breakfast. Perhaps, it would be better if tour members were required to test everyday?

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite wow moment was visiting the graceful Wells Cathedral. I was amazed at the beautiful and magnificent scissor trusses that held up the center tower."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Good mix of historical sites, cultural experiences, and lovely scenery. Due to the Queen’s funeral, the schedule the following day was a little hectic but it worked out ok. Our guide Robert was very informative and kept everything running smoothly. The local guides were uneven - York was great but Blenheim Palace was dull. And I must give a shout out to our incredibly skilled bus driver! Would I take this trip again? Absolutely!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The sheepdog demonstration in Wales was a lot of fun. I particularly liked the stone circle at Avebury - I wasn’t expecting a site on that scale. I found the town of Conwy totally charming. "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our guide made good adjustments when everything was shut down for the queen's funeral.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The beauty of the Lake Country was beyond expectations. All travel scenery was outstanding."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very positive. As advertized. Would do another Rick Steves Tour

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing York Minster tower over the town."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was thoroughly enjoyable. We learned, laughed, and had some wonderful new experiences.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Probably the breathtaking view from the front porch of our hotel in Keswick - the Lake District is stunningly beautiful."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The Best of England tour coincided with the death of Queen Elizabeth. Paul Guest managed to keep the Tour in outstanding rate.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Roman Bath"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was well organized and our tour director was pro-active in meeting the challenges that were related to the queen's funeral.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My husband chose Minster, but for me to choose a "wow" moment would be like having to choose your favorite child. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Great experience with a great guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Watching the water mill at Stanway House in action."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was terrific. The hotels were all clean and comfortable, the food was great, and the guide (Paul Guest) was just terrific. He went over and above.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"So many to choose from. Since I am continuing to think about the cathedrals we visited in Bath, Wells, and York, I guess that would be one of the "wow" moments. These buildings are incredible! They are so massive that one wonders how they were built. And to realize that they are still centers of worship even amidst the crowds of tourists passing through. We were there in the days following the death and burial of Queen Elizabeth, and these cathedrals were an active part of all that."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was everything I had hoped for. We went to most all of the promised destinations (Wales was a disappointment due to the funeral of the queen), and hotels were far and above what I would book for myself. Meals were excellent. Tour guide, Paul Guest, was patient, knowledgeable, and energetic. Don't know how the tour could ever be improved.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Think that the Lake District was the best place to visit with its stunning scenery and great places to walk."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing Buckingham Palace. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was exactly as I expected based on my experience with Rick's books, his recommendations and his programs.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The Queen's death! Also visiting Bodnant Gardens and Blenheim palace. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was everything thing I expected and even better.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Sheep farm with Garth the hill farmer in Wales. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour was a carefully thought-out introduction to England and a bit of Wales. It was well organized and was very enjoyable. It was educational, fun and I had a great time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many, but for me I think my favorite was the York Minster cathedral. Having a guide dedicated to York Minster enhanced the knowledge and the enjoyment of the tour. Attending Evensong was a great highlight of the true purpose of this great cathedral. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was all I was hope it would be -- a great combination of history, architecture, music, countryside, and new friends.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My first look at Wells Cathedral. The view took my breath away!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

We had a great group of travelers and a fantastic guide (David) who had a great sense of humor, timing, and was very knowledgeable. Our accommodations were great, the restaurants and hotel board was great, and the pace was just right. My only regret is that we couldn’t spend more time in each of the places we visited.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hmmm, the scenery in the countryside and the quaintness of the towns were all “wows.”"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour of England provided me with the depth and scope of experiences I had hoped it would. The history and experience of the British people is far greater than that of our country. The history was highlighted on a daily basis, it was wonderful. The cultural differences were notable: session drinking, low alcohol level so you could enjoy your friends company more often, no weekends required, it was a weekend night every night. Pubs are interwoven into the fabric of every day living. Fantastic!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The scenery of Snowdonia was remarkable. The fences which take generations to build were amazing. Deer, sheep and cows were everywhere. I was surprised at how hard it was to find lamb on the menus. Slate roofs everywhere..think of the longevity! The age of the stone buildings there was remarkable. When you go, do so in a bus where you can see over the fences and enjoy the scenery. Would and will do it again!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Very well organized. We thoroughly enjoyed our guides, tour leader David, the sights, the meals.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The historicity of the buildings: the gorgeous old churches, the castles, the way people still use buildings that are a couple of centuries to a thousand years old, the beauty of evensong at York Minster and the thought that this had been happening for centuries. "

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

I'm not sure if it was just England, or tour content, but I didn't enjoy this one nearly as much as the 3 weeks in Europe tour in 2018. Too many hedgerows while traveling via bus, and not much variety in scenery until we got to Wales & Lakes District. Time at Caernarfan Castle would have been better spent if we had known we would be standing, listening to guide for entire hour with no time to look around. Local guides at Blenheim & Stanway were knowledgable but too many names rattled off.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I really didn't have a wow moment. Unfortunately."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Our guide, David was knowledgeable and entertaining. The transportation on the coach was comfortable and well done. The hotels were fine and well placed in the towns for convenience.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"As we walked through the gate at Wells Cathedral and saw the majesty of that building all I could think was "Wow!" The York Minster evensong was a beautiful experience."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall experience with sites, hotels, and meals provided was good. Our only caveat would be masking on the bus while being bunched up together at tables in small rooms for dinner. One specific occasion was at the Salamander Pub where we had a Sunday roast. We were literally inches apart. Made no sense to then mask when there was plenty of space between us on the bus.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We especially liked Keswick , Bodnant Garden and the Cotswolds. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour delivered as promised. A perfect balance of guided time to free time. City and village walks as well a country and nature walks. Our heads were filled with all things British: history, art, culture, custom, politics and language.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My first bite of sticky toffee pudding on the first night following 24 hours of travel woke me right up!"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

It was a wonderful introduction to England and locales we visited. Activities varied and different locations were explored.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking in the Cotswolds and the Lake District."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Like our first Rick Steves tour, 21-day Best of Europe, this tour was very satisfying. Our fellow travelers were interesting and fun folks and the selection of "base camps" was interesting and well-chosen. We saw and experienced some great stuff, both in-town and on the bus. Very enjoyable. We were disappointed in the lack of free time as our time was too scheduled. A couple of the excursions amounted to just standing and listening to historical details instead of letting experience stuff.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We peeled-off one of the group walks, turning it into our own free time, and made the arduous climb to a terrific lookout at the top of one of the hills outside of Keswisk in the Lakes region. Simply fantastic 360 degree views that won't be forgotten! We really enjoyed our free time in York as we hung-out in the old town and took it all in. The tour of the cathedral was fantastic. We went back to enjoy the evensong service and were reminded of the original purpose of cathedrals."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I was amazed by the massive churches found in almost every little town."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This tour exceeded my expectations. I learned so much about the history of England. Our tour guide, David, entertained and informed us. Because of the Queen’s death and funeral, there were a few Plan Bs, but we were well cared for. The hotels had lots of character and we’re well situated.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Gareth and the sheep farm, with the beauty of the Lake District coming a close second."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

From the beginning our trip was everything we hoped it would be. Our guide, the amazing David, was full of humour, information for all the places we visited, and was able to make the whole adventure seemless. The hotels we stayed at and food we shared ranged from good to excellent and there were no surprises there. We anticipated a range of establishments and had no outstanding issues anywhere. The company was lovely and as one of only 3 Canadians we were warmly included by our American cousins.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were so many and hard to choose one so I will say touring the Roman Baths was a special treat. The history of Britain is amazing! The wonderful quaint villages and beautiful scenery was also special. Especially the Lake District "

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Great group and guide. Well-planned itinerary and true to what was advertised for most part.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"I can’t choose one. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour provided a great exploration of northern England and a bit of Wales. I felt as if I not only saw “the sights” but that I was able to interact with the people who lived their and get their views on the history that we were seeing. I also liked the free hours/ days that we had to explore an area on our own. Ray, our guide, was terrific at giving us ideas as to what to do on these days.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The outstanding moment of the tour for me was climbing the Cat Bells by Lake Derwentwater! I have never climbed something so high and the views were incredible all of the way up. Also, the people hiking the trail were all friendly and helpful and we helped each other over the rough parts and we laughed so much both on the way up and down. And, their was an ice cream truck waiting for us at the end of our climb!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Favorite "WOW" moment

"We happened to be in London the day of the, Queen's funeral. it was amazing to hear the procession and the cannon salute, and see the throngs of people."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Really enjoyed this, my first group tour. Very historic sites, great food, extremely knowledgeable guide, nice hotels, comfortable coach with smooth driver. Bucolic views and cute sheep all over the countryside. We saw SO much! The incredible settings and history were fascinating. Many 'pinch me' moments!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Choose just one?? Seeing Big Ben from the Thames cruise boat maybe? The Crown Jewels exhibit? Walking in front of Buckingham Palace hours after Queen Elizabeths' funeral? The Monet & Picasso pieces at the V&A? The incredible design of the Wells Cathedral? I don't know-it was all so iconic I often couldn't believe my eyes!"

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

Too many of the hotels had maintenance issues in our hotel rooms. Most were eventually fixed, but it shouldn't have been this hard. This was our seventh Rick Steves tour and I haven't seen this level of maintenance issues before. The tour guide was excellent, as always. Going forward I will pick tours with fewer churches and country houses. I should have paid more attention to itinerary ahead of time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were two. The first was Hadrian’s wall and the Roman Army site and museum at Vandolando. The second was the “proscribed croissant rolls” at breakfast at the Castle Hotel in Conwy, Wales. I thought I was in the Seinfeld “Soup Nazi” episode."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

My first time on a RS' tour so nothing to compare it with but I was pleased at the quality of the tour overall - what we saw, our guide, our group dinners, our accommodations. Roy is a gem and was faced with a changed s.landscape when the Queen died on the 2nd day of the Best of Britain. Logistically he had a lot to negotiate besides dealing with a huge moment of change for the UK, royalist or not. All in all, a great trip - full of memories and "I need to come back here" moments.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hmmm.....hard to narrow to just one. I think the day we did Glastonbury & Wells Cathedral was just WOW! Glastonbury is a just magical place even for a skeptic like me and Wells Cathedral is a gem. I've seen many cathedrals in Europe but I think Wells is my favorite. And our picnic on the grounds at Glastonbury was the perfect touch - Cornish pasties, cheeses, veg and tasty desserts while a little rain squall blew through. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Exceeded our exceptions

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Experiencing London"

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall, considering that the Queen of England died and our tour itinerary had to be changed at the last minute, we had a wonderful experience of the varied sites and historical places unique to England and Wales. While we could have spent days at each place, a taste of the highlights of the Best of England and Wales gave the tour enough so that we could go back home charmed by each of the sites. My biggest regret was that Roy never had us introduce ourselves to each other to learn our names.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Watching my granddaughter Molly help "The Hill Farmer" Gareth Wyn Jones herd sheep with his sheep dog in Wales. This was an experience Molly will never forget. I remembered to video the experience, as this was a once-in-a-lifetime thrill for Molly, who loves all animals. We each bought Mr. Jones's book and wonder how to watch his TV show from the States. I loved Alfred Hickling's fun tour of York. His historical knowledge was interesting but also great fun. At Wells, the guide Tom also was great"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

It was awesome! I loved Gareth and the sheep. Due to the Queen, things had to be changed around a bit but we were still able to see everything.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Seeing Blenheim Palace was a big wow for me. The place is huge and the grounds are enormous. "

Overall rating: rating 3 of 5

The Queen died, and nobody got COVID! A historic time to be in England, and all did well health-wise ... so overall a successful trip!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"When we returned to London at the end of the trip, and we were let loose to explore, with the hundreds of thousands of mourners, roads closed to autos and pedestrians, and amidst the mobs, no trouble or concerns .. an air of excitement in the air, and all were thrilled to be there."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Wonderful experiences, well paced, great preparation and explanations from our guide.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Evensong at York Minster, with choir."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

A really great tour guide.Jeanie Carmichael had so much information to share and went out of her way to be helpful.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Touring the British Museum."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

A wonderful and historic time to tour England.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"York, everything about it......I LOVED York."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The England Wales tour was all we had hoped and dreamed. The people in our group were fun and friendly. Our wonderful guide Jeanie helped make the experience very memorable. She brought insight to the local places and made great suggestions of things to do and places to eat. Unfortunately, the Queen passed during our trip, this caused some unexpected site closures. Jeanie made adjustments look effortless. Suggestion...group dinners to NOT be served family style and restaurants to be airy, roomy.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"There were many WOW moments. Snowdonia National Park and the sheep farm. The farmer and his wife were friendly and informative. The view was SPECTACULAR. Bodnant Gardens in Wales was unbelievably beautiful. Wells Cathedral, Glastonbury, The Tor, all wonderful experiences. We can't wait to return to the Lake District and do some more hiking. I really enjoyed the boat rides, walks, and scenery. We wished we could have spent more time in the Lake District. Hadrians Wall and Avebury. I could go on.."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Excellent tour with a wonderful guide and fantastic travel mates.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Visiting the sheep farm, Snowdonia National Park and Bodnant Gardens. (more than one "wow" moment!)."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

The tour was fantastic. We were very interested in the history as well as the natural environment. We liked all the places we went to. Our guide Jeanie Carmichael was excellent. Her knowledge was extensive, her humor was superb. We were there at a pivotal time the death of the Queen, a new King, and a new Prime Minister. Living history for sure!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hard to pick! Maybe the stones at Avebury. Or the majesty of York cathedral. Or the stunning beauty of the Lakke District."

Overall rating: rating 4 of 5

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

This was our fourth Rick Steves tour and it was marvelous fun all around. We learned so much and had so many unique experiences.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Walking on top of Hadrian’s Wall was quite a thrill...and a great learning experience about the extent of the Roman Empire."

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Well organized and well paced.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Harrison's wall"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Best tour guide imaginable, great bus driver. Except for the Queen dying necessitating some changes was well organized.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"The morning with the sheep herder"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Although I had been to Bath and Wales before, I learned so much more about them on the tour. All the places we visited were so interesting!

Favorite "WOW" moment

"Hadrian’s Wall was my wow moment. I’ve always wanted to see it and we had such a good tour of the wall itself and Vindolandia too!"

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Our best of England Tour was excellent! Sites on this tour are varied, educational, and beautiful. During the tour we were able to see the historic and cultural connections between locations. Our guide Paul worked with our driver, David, to provide little extras during the trip that really enhanced our experience. The Queen passed away during our trip and Paul handled all the schedule changes effortlessly. Overall, an incredible tour that mixed the cities and countryside very well.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"My favorite "Wow!" moment was the natural beauty of the Lake District. Everywhere you looked the views were incredible. We had marvelous weather for a walk to the Castlerigg Stone Circle, and the mountains, valleys, and clouds were so beautiful. It was an area where I felt like I could really relax and truly be on vacation with no responsibilities. I just needed to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the lakes and mountains. "

Overall rating: rating 5 of 5

Paul, our guide and David, our driver were outstanding. They took us on many a side trip as possible to enhance our trip and understanding of the time.

Favorite "WOW" moment

"As we got to Bath on the coach from Heathrow, my sister remarked that she woke up in a Masterpiece theatre set. (She had never been to England or London before)."