Day 1 : London to Bristol via Windsor and Bath
Good morning dear Londonites! Meet your new sober curious crew and hop onto our coach. It’s time to make some moves. Hello Windsor, at the top of our agenda today is obviously, getting a magnificent view of the royal Windsor Castle! Afterwards, you’ve got some free time. So why not strut like a royal around this beautiful town studded with gardens and riverside views. And then it’s back on the coach to our next destination. Ready? We’re going back in time. Because you’ve got some free time to explore this historical town. Visit the Royal Crescent, Roman Baths, the Jane Austen museum or maybe do a canal cruise! (Go on, live your period drama dreams.) Welcome to the wonderful city of Bristol. Colourful buildings, charming streets, beautiful bridges - you’re in for a treat. Speaking of treats…dinner’s on us today! So, drop your bags off at our hotel and join us. What next? We’ve got one last trick up our sleeve. It’s time for a magic show!
Accommodation : Ibis Bristol Centre Hotel (or similar)
Day 2 : Bristol to Birmingham via Oxford and Stratford-upon-Avon
Time to wake up! We’ve got some more exploration to do. And you’ve got a delicious breakfast waiting for you. Today, you can choose to check out Bristol’s street art with a local guide before we make our way into Oxford! You’ve been dreaming about this. Haven’t you? We’re finally in THE Oxford - with its world-famous museums, libraries, churches and of course, University. You can even choose to roam around the river on a Punt. There's so much to be discovered here. So, it's a good thing you've got some free time in this quaint little town (that's also the home of Shakespeare!). In the evening, we'll head to our stop for the night - Birmingham. Hungry? We’ll grab a quick bite in town. Then, it’s time to make our very own treat at a great British baking class! (You know, the iconic white tent and all.)
Accommodation : Ibis Birmingham New Street Station (or similar)
Day 3 : Birmingham to Manchester via Liverpool
Birmingham, you’ve been grand. But we’ve got places to be. Grab some breakfast before we hop onto our coach once more. Welcome to Liverpool. Chat all things Beatlemania & football in your best Scouse accent as we take a guided walking tour of the cities best hotspots. Tonight’s dinner is a 5-course local farm-to-fork meal, followed by a stroll around the farm to see where the food you just ate was grown. Hope you brought a big appetite!
Accommodation : ibis Manchester Centre Princess Street (or similar)
Day 4 : Manchester to York
You’ve got the morning to spend exploring the red-bricked streets of this city. Need a caffeine boost? The local coffee shops here have just what you need. 2,000 years of history will unfold upon us as we amble down narrow lanes of York, exploring the Minster, the Shambles and Clifford’s Tower. For fans of folklore, sign up to a night of ghostly horrors and dark alleyways & prepare to be spooked.
Accommodation : Holiday Inn Express Wakefield (or similar)
Day 5 : York to Carlisle via Lake District
Even if the ghosts of York kept you awake all night, you're going to need to rise & shine and wave goodbye to the Harry Potter like setting of this ancient city. (Sorry). Obstacles aren’t really our thing. But when they’re all natural? Like rocky chutes, clear pools of water and even the occasional mini waterfall - all in the oh-so-stunning Lake District? Who can say no? And today, you have the option to explore it all. We’ll end the day in quaint and charming Carlisle, England's northern-most town (right on the border of England & Scotland)! Nothing like the northern air to cosy up and wake as fresh as a daisy the next morning for all our activities.
Accommodation : Ibis Carlisle City Centre Hotel (or similar)
Day 6 : Carlisle to Edinburgh via Hadrian's Wall
Today we are in for some border hopping along the English/Scottish border to see the sights on our way to Edinburgh! We'll take a spectacular drive to the Roman Empire’s impressive Hadrian’s Wall as well as English country charm in abundance. Back in the 21st Century, we'll find ourselves in Edinburgh - all alive and buzzing during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. We'll stroll around the cobblestoned streets and then catch a comedy show to see what the world renowned festival is all about.
Accommodation : Ibis Edinburgh Centre South Bridge (or similar)
Day 7 : Edinburgh
Today is yours to roam free - but if you want to get the low down on the history of this city why not join our local guide for an optional tour of Edinburgh Castle (which is resting on an extinct volcano!). Or maybe you'll do a spot of tartan shopping on Princes Street. Up for a mini adventure? Then join us this afternoon for a hike to Arthur’s Seat - one of the city’s most famous spots.
Accommodation : Ibis Edinburgh Centre South Bridge (or similar)
Day 8 : Edinburgh to Scottish Highlands
It's time to blaze a trail out of Edinburgh & head for the Scottish Highlands. On the way to the main affair of the day we'll stop by St. Andrews, the birthplace of golf, would you believe? As well as Scotland’s oldest university town. Already blown away by the beauty of the rugged mountain scenery en route, we'll arrive in the Scottish Highlands amped up for mystical tales and a chance to compete in some optional traditional Highland games.
Accommodation : Loch Ness Lodge Hotel Drumnadrochit (or similar)
Day 9 : Scottish Highlands to Glasgow via Loch Ness and Dundreggan
We might be coming down from a high (geographically speaking) this morning, but as we seek out the stunning Loch Ness, the mood will only be rising. We'll stop to see lovely Loch Ness and hop on board for a cruise of the most voluminous lake in the UK - containing more water than all the lakes of England and Wales combined! It's also rumoured to contain something else, something far more legendary which you're sure to have heard of... Small pitstop! We'll check out the lush, hilly rewilding centre here to learn about how Scotland's native animal species are reintroduced in the wild. We'll arrive into Glasgow, drop our bags and dive straight into all that makes this city glow. Think live music on every corner, a gothic cathedral & a chance to savour a home-cooked meal too.
Accommodation : Ibis Budget Glasgow (or similar)
Day 10 : Glasgow
Wakey wakey everyone. We're up bright and early today, and this city's all yours to explore. Plus, you've got the option to check out the nearby Stirling castle (and the town where William Wallace took on the English and yelled "Freeedom!"). And even learn & eat all about Scotland's national Dish - Haggis.
Accommodation : Ibis Budget Glasgow (or similar)
Day 11 : End Glasgow/Train to London
The trip sadly comes to an end after breakfast in Glasgow. It’s time to say bye to your new travel squad and plan the next journey. Or if you've chosen to end in London, catch the train back to London, where the trip ends upon arrival.
Accommodation :