Britain: From England’s crown jewels to Sherwood Forest

Shakespeare meets the Beatles, Robin Hood and Beatrix Potter on a guided 13-day coach tour in summer 2012 of England, Scotland and Wales. The trip begins and ends in London, host of the 2012 Olympic Summer Games, and covers cities and villages as far north as Edinburgh, Scotland, and Durham, England.

Visit William Shakespeare’s birthplace (Stratford on Avon, England), the Beatles’ home turf (Liverpool, England), Beatrix Potter’s house (Lake District) and Sherwood Forest (legendary English digs of Robin Hood). The countryside of the Cotswolds, the Victorian city of Bath and palaces and castles also are on the itinerary for the English part of the trip. In London, sightseeing stops include Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Houses of Parliament, Piccadilly Circus and Windsor Castle.

When: Lowest prices are the May 3 and Sept. 27 tours.

Price: $1,699 per person, based on double occupancy; add $900 for single supplement. It includes 12 nights accommodations, daily breakfast and four dinners, baggage transfers and guided tours. Airfare is extra.

Tested: This is a good trip for those who want to see more than just London. Participants travel throughout the country via motor coach with a group of about 40 to 45. I called and found availability for two for both dates (note that this tour leaves on other dates, but at higher rates). The base-rate cost (without tax and fees) pencils out to about $150 a day per person -- not bad for all hotel stays, transportation and other extras.

Contact: YMT Vacations, (800) 922-9000