When it comes to megalithic mystical circles and really old things made of stones, Britain’s Wiltshire countryside scores big on several fronts, including Stonehenge and the Iron Age earthworks and Norman castle ruins at Old Sarum. A great way to experience these iconic Wiltshire locations is with the guided Stonehenge Tour excursion operated by Salisbury Reds. Comfortable, modern tour coaches allow hop-on, hop-off journeys from Salisbury’s city center to Old Sarum and Stonehenge, where you can disembark and explore at your leisure. Tour commentary en route is provided in English and nine other languages, allowing you to gaze out the window of the coach to enjoy the landscape along the way while learning a bit about these historic sites and the mysterious circular “henge” of standing stones that’s become recognizable around the world.

Afterwards, disembark at Old Sarum. Besides the Iron Age settlers who built it, Old Sarum has been occupied in turn by Roman, Saxon and Norman communities. Once a thriving city with its own royal palace and castle, it was eventually abandoned, and a new town — present-day Salisbury — was built on the river, becoming the new urban nexus, complete with a magnificent cathedral. After Old Sarum, climb back aboard and head back to Salisbury to tour the towering cathedral with its stunning glasswork and stone interior. Several pick-up sites in Salisbury include the train station, and you’re unlikely to miss the double-decker, grassy green-colored buses with their friendly drivers. A single all-inclusive ticket includes the tour, priority entrance to Stonehenge and the visitor center and entrance to Salisbury Cathedral. These world-famous sites are managed by English Heritage, which oversees the care for more than 400 historic buildings, monuments and sites.