Hit the highlights of England & Scotland for a full dose of sightseeing, history & culture. Follow in the footsteps of The Beatles, stroll Edinburgh's Royal Mile & look for 'Nessie' on a boat cruise across Loch Ness.
1 LONDON TO LIVERPOOL
Meet up with your fellow travellers and Trip Manager and jump on the coach for a look at London’s iconic buildings and UNESCO World Heritage sites in our included tour. Start your tour by learning about the Royal Family’s place of residence (Buckingham Palace), the horror tales of the Tower of London and the magnificent Westminster Abbey, where Prince William and Catherine Middleton were married in 2011. Head out of the big city today, we're off to Liverpool! This place is famous for its football team, accents & it's most famous ex-residents, The Beatles. On arrival, get in the know with a tour to learn all about the 'Fab Four' & explore this cool water-side city. If you're feeling like getting into Liverpool by night then you could opt to party at the city's famous Cavern Club, where Beatlemania was born!
2 LIVERPOOL TO YORK
Spend more time exploring Liverpool this morning. Then, back on the coach, take in the wild countryside as we head to York. It’s soaked in history and English traditions. Your Trip Manager will wind back the clock and fill you in on York’s 2000-year-old history as you walk through the web of little lanes within the medieval city walls. You’ll see the impressive York Minister, the Shambles and Clifford’s Tower. For legends and folklore, opt for a night-time ghost tour that takes you through dark historic alleyways of York. Our expert Local Guide, a typical story-teller, will give you the low down on whose ghosts haunt which houses!
3 YORK TO LAKE DISTRICT
Back on the coach, we wind our way through the jaw-droppingly beautiful Lake District. The area has a reputation as England’s most scenic region and you’ll soon understand why. Filled with 16 major lakes, high peaks and cute, stone-built settlements, this region is all about picture-perfect countryside. This morning we travel to Bowness-on-Windemere. With free time, opt for a cruise on Lake Windermere and see for yourself why this region inspired so many poets. Otherwise, walk through this bustling town and find a cute tea room. If you’re keen, try a traditional English afternoon tea with tasty scones and hot tea. Then if you feel like getting some adrenaline pumping, try a high ropes course. For those who want to keep their feet firmly on the ground, there’s plenty of hiking trails through the beautiful English countryside.
4 LAKE DISTRICT TO EDINBURGH
Northbound, we’ll drop by the 2000-year-old Hadrian’s Wall, the Roman Empire’s most impressive engineering feat, before traveling on through the English countryside. Afterwards, we farewell England and cross the border into Scotland, where we visit the small village and romantic hot spot of Gretna Green, famous for holding runaway marriages. Later, we pull into the buzzing city of Edinburgh. Home to loads of festivals, cutting-edge Edinburgh serves up a fun, creative mix of ancient and modern. You’ll get a good look around this striking city as your Trip Manager fills you in on the core sites of the Old and New Towns. Check out the Robbie Burns statue, the National Gallery and the Grass Market, where local artists, designers and craftspeople sell their wares. Tonight, there’s a chance to experience a hearty Scottish meal, complete with haggis and a traditional bagpiper. After dinner, round up some friends and head out into the city’s pumping nightlife. Edinburgh has so much on offer – so ask your Trip Manager for some tips on the city’s cosy pubs, basement bars and happening clubs.
5 EDINBURGH
With a free day, decide how you want to shape your Edinburgh experience and explore this living time-line. Explore the scene-stealing Edinburgh Castle, perched high up above the city on an extinct volcano, where the Scottish crown jewels and famous Stone of Destiny are housed. Retrace Scottish royalty’s footsteps and walk the Royal Mile with its jumble of medieval houses and buildings. See the Holyrood Palace, former home to Mary Queen of Scots. For a one-stop shopping spot, make the most of Princes Street. From kilts and tartans to modern labels and cashmere, this street has it all. At lunch, go local and order some traditional fish’n’chips and a deep fried chocolate bar if you’re feeling adventurous! For a relaxing afternoon, spend some time in Edinburgh’s famous Botanical Gardens. Explore the 72 acres of grounds, exotic plants and stunning glass houses.
6 EDINBURGH TO SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS
Stop by St. Andrews, Scotland’s oldest university town and the “home of golf” where you’ll see the famous course of the same name that is used in major international tournaments. Then roll on through the Scottish Highlands, packed with wild mountain scenery, rugged green hills and the tales of old clans. Next up is the stuff of legends – a cruise on the gorgeous & world-famous Loch Ness. This afternoon find out more as your Trip Manager fills you in on the lake’s mythical monster. Back on the coach, plug in your headphones, sit back and take in the dramatic scenery. We drive past turreted castles and surging rivers before stopping for the night in this spectacular spot.
7 SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS TO WEST HIGHLANDS
This morning, we continue on past tiny villages, emerald green moors, lakes and seaside cliffs that the West Highlands are so famous for. On the stunning Isle of Skye, we visit the seaside town of Portree, known for its brightly coloured houses and charming fishing port. Your Trip Manager will tell you the stories and legends connected too this remote inner Herbridean Island and fill you in on how people live in this dramatic environment. Later, we pass Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain, as we continue through the remote West Highlands.
8 WEST HIGHLANDS TO GLASGOW
We make our way to Glasgow this morning. Your Trip Manager will tell you all about this historic area and of the conflict and battles that took place here before we reach Scotland’s largest city. We arrive in Glasgow this afternoon. It’s pulsing with urban soul, pubs filled with colourful characters and the most happening live music scene in the country. There’s free time to explore this UNESCO city of music. Walk around the down town and see the city’s famed Victorian architecture, including Glasgow’s Gothic cathedral, the impressive City Chambers and St. George’s Square – located right in the city’s heart. Tonight, get out amongst the locals and try some of Scotland’s tasty produce. Order yourself some of the country’s world-renowned salmon, trout or Aberdeen Angus beef and grab yourself a pint. Later, make the most of the live music scene and ask your Trip Manager where to go for door-to-door music venues.
9 DEPART GLASGOW / TRAIN TO LONDON
The tour ends after breakfast in Glasgow. It’s time to say goodbye to your friends. Or if you've chosen to end in London, catch the train back to London, where the tour ends upon arrival.
£1079
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