South Coast to Skye – England and Scotland 2024

This morning, use your included rail pass to take the train deep in to the English West Country. Arriving in England’s sunniest city, your afternoon is free to relax or explore the charming city of Exeter. Perhaps visit the Royal Albert Museum, visit the historic quayside or simply take in the views on the green in front of the stunning Norman Cathedral which dates back more than 650 years. By evening, we get together to meet your tour leader and the rest of the group for a welcome meal.

Overnight: Exeter

Meals: Dinner included.

Today we explore the rugged beauty of South Devon. Crossing the wilds of the Dartmoor National Park we’ll see desolate landscapes, rocky tors and wild ponies before pausing in one or more of the quaint moorland villages. The charming market town of Tavistock makes for the perfect spot for a traditional cream tea. By afternoon we enjoy a steam railway journey through the Devonshire countryside before returning to our overnight base in Exeter.

Overnight: Exeter

Meals: Breakfast included.

This morning we cross the county border in to Cornwall. Arriving on the North Cornish coast, we’ll visit Tintagel Castle, a dramatic cliffside fort steeped in Arthurian Legend and reputedly home to Merlin’s cave beneath. Then we’ll pass South along the coast to visit the quintessential fishing village of Port Isaac, better known as Port Wen, the stomping ground of television’s ”Doc Martin”. Here we’ll enjoy a brief walk through the village before free-time to explore. By afternoon, we’ll cross the Cornish Peninsula to the South heading for the seaside resort of Falmouth home to sweeping sandy bays and our overnight base for the next two nights.

Overnight: Falmouth

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included.

Our day today takes us on an epic excursion to explore the farthest reaches of the Cornish Peninsula. We’ll navigate Cornwall’s dramatic coastlines, discover the historic mines of Poldark country, pause in cobbled fishing towns such as the bohemian artist retreat of St Ives and visit the most southerly point in Britain where only the Atlantic separates you from the Americas. We’ll spot the island monastery of St Michaels Mount and visit the enchanting Minack Theatre – an amphitheatre carved in to the Cornish cliffs over-looking the churning waters of the ocean. After our enjoyable day we’ll return to Falmouth where your evening is free to dine at your leisure.

Overnight: Falmouth

Meals: Breakfast included.

Today we bid farewell to Cornwall but not before visiting one of the region’s opulent country estates to wander the historic house and manicured gardens. We’ll pause for lunch in a local town and head back over the Devonshire moors on route to rural Somerset; here we’ll pass through the picturesque Mendip Hills, an area of protected natural beauty. Our destination this evening is the Regency city of Bath, a city which enjoys UNESCO world heritage status owing to its unique history and architecture.

Overnight: Bath

Meals: Breakfast included.

This morning we enjoy an excursion over the Salisbury Plain to visit the iconic English landmark of Stonehenge. Here we can lose ourselves in the state of the art visitor centre and immersive exhibition to try to unravel the mysteries of this ancient site before walking the perimeter of the colossal stone-circle itself, an enchanting experience. By afternoon you return to Bath where your afternoon is free to explore. You’ll have complimentary tickets to visit the ancient Roman Baths or wander the avenues and parades of the city at your leisure before we reconvene for dinner.

Overnight: Bath

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included.

This morning enjoy a leisurely breakfast before bidding farewell to your South West group and tour leader. Use your included rail passes to board the train for Oxford (just over one hour’s journey). Here your afternoon is free to explore the city at your own pace. Oxford is a picturesque university city nestled on the banks of the River Thames, home to cobbled squares and parades and elegant medieval architecture, particularly present in the chapels, spires, lawns and ivy-clad cloisters of the college quadrangles. Tonight convene with your driver guide and the rest of the group for an evening dinner together.

Overnight: Oxford

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included.

This morning we’ll take an orientation walk around Oxford with our driver to see some of the historic colleges and soak up the whimsical academic ambience of the city which once inspired the likes of Tolkien, CS Lewis and Oscar Wilde. Then it’s all aboard the mini-coach for a journey to nearby Blenheim Palace; this opulent English stately home was the childhood home of Winston Churchill and today hosts interesting exhibitions which showcase the wartime legacy of England’s best-known prime ministers. Later we head in to the heart of the Cotswolds for our overnight stay and dinner together with the group.

Overnight: Cotswolds

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included.

Today we enjoy a day dedicated to exploring the beautiful Cotswolds region; we’ll meander winding country lanes between patchwork fields and take time to pause in several of the eccentrically named, honey-coloured villages each characterized by cobbled market squares, lofty church spires and chocolate-box thatch cottages. By afternoon we head for a renowned local brewery to enjoy a tour of the farm-based brewing facility to learn the secrets of the brewing process and, of course, to sample some of the innovative English beer and cider before returning to our base in the central Cotswolds for an evening at leisure.

Overnight: Cotswolds

Meals: Breakfast included.

Departing the Cotswolds, we turn north. We’ll head firstly for the hidden gem of Worcester, a charming medieval town of timberwork buildings, rich in Tudor history and home to a glorious cathedral. We’ll enjoy plenty of free-time to explore and take lunch. Then it’s all aboard board an historic steam train for a scenic rail journey along the Severn Valley to the charming town of Bridgnorth. Later we'll continue to the elegant city of Chester where your evening is free to dine independently.

Overnight: Chester

Meals: Breakfast included.

Today we have a leisurely start; after breakfast we’ll enjoy a brief stroll around Chester to see some of the highlights of this charming city such as the old medieval town walls, cathedral and the unique Tudor Facaded shopping arcades. Then we board the bus for nearby Liverpool and its famous Albert Docks. The Birthplace of the Beatles, here you can see the statue of the fab four in front of the famous Liver Buildings and enjoy plenty of free-time to wander the revitalised docklands, visit the Tate Art Gallery, the Merseyside Maritime Museum or the Beatles Story exhibition. By afternoon, we'll continue north from the bright lights of Liverpool to our overnight base, the heart of the Lake District.

Overnight: The Lake District

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included.

Our day today is dedicated to exploring the enchanting natural beauty of the English Lake District. We’ll head off the beaten track to the lesser known corners of England’s favourite National Park; our journey will take us through winding country lanes, over mountain passes and past sheep scattered fells to charming villages, ancient stone-circles and look-out points where we can drink in the views. It will be easy to see how this region has inspired poets, authors and artists alike. Your evening is free to dine at leisure.

Overnight: The Lake District

Meals: Breakfast included.

Departing the Lake District we traverse the North of England exploring the rustic landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales. We’ll pause in one or more of the typical Yorkshire villages, visit the peaceful Fountains Abbey and Water Gardens, learn about locally produced cuisine and spot some of the natural highlights such as the beautiful Aysgarth Falls. By afternoon, we’ll pause in the elegant Victorian Spa town of Harrogate, the perfect spot for afternoon tea before continuing to the magnificent city of York, our base for the next two nights.

Overnight: York

Meals: Breakfast and Afternoon Tea included.

Boarding the bus, we’ll take the short drive to one of the North of England’s finest country estates, Castle Howard. Dating back to the 17th century we’ll have the opportunity to stroll magnificent house and gardens which have featured in various television productions also including the Netflix series ”Bridgerton”. Then it’s back to York for a stroll around the highlights before an afternoon at leisure to explore this magnificent historic city independently. Climb the steps to walk atop the medieval city walls, visit one of the many local museums and exhibitions or simply gaze in awe at the magnificent York Minster – the largest Gothic cathedral in Northern Europe. Tonight we reconvene for dinner.

Overnight: York

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included.

Today, enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel and then bid farewell to your England driver. After checking out from your hotel, use your inclusive rail passes to take the train north to Edinburgh in Scotland (journey time approx. 2hrs). After checking-in at your hotel your day is free to explore this historic city at your leisure. You’ll have complimentary tickets for admission to Edinburgh Castle which is home to the Scottish Crown Jewels and St Margaret's Chapel. By evening meet your tour leader and the rest of the group where we’ll enjoy dinner together at a local restaurant.

Overnight: Edinburgh

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included.

After a leisurely breakfast, we’ll get together to enjoy a brief drive through Edinburgh spotting the city’s many highlights from the elegant avenues of the Georgian New Town to the rambling alleys and stacked town houses of the medieval old town. Then we head for the National Museum of Scotland for to gain an insight into Scotland’s turbulent history. The balance of your day is then free to explore Edinburgh further – perhaps visit the Royal Yacht Britannia in Leith Docks or the Queen’s residence at Holyrood Palace.

Overnight: Edinburgh

Meals: Breakfast included.

This morning we board the mini-coach and head into the Scottish countryside. We’ll pass through the rolling hills of Fife on route to St Andrews, a charming seaside town that is the renowned spiritual home of golf and where Prince William and Kate Middleton first met at the historic university. Later, we’ll head for Glamis Castle; this elegant country house has an intriguing history with connections to Shakespeare's "Macbeth" and more recently as the childhood home of the Queen Mother. We round off our day passing north in to Aberdeenshire and to our hotel on the banks of the River Dee, where we’ll enjoy an included dinner.

Overnight: Aberdeenshire

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included.

Today we leave the coast and head in to the heart of Scotland; meandering along the course of the River Dee we’ll pass through Royal Deeside and pause at various points of interest such as scenic waterfalls, unique castles and a church attended by the Royal family when they’re in residence in Balmoral. Later we turn north in to the dramatic landscapes of the Cairngorms National Park. Reaching the renowned Speyside Whisky region, we’ll visit one of the many Scotch distilleries to tour the facilities, learn about the Scottish “Water of Life” and of course sample a dram or two. Later we continue to Inverness and our overnight base for the next two nights, where we dine together.

Overnight: Inverness

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included.

Today is completely free for you to spend at your leisure. Equipped with your complimentary open-top-bus tour tickets you can discover the “Capital of the Highlands” at your own pace. Take in the historic cathedral, hill-top castle or simply indulge in some souvenir shopping in the many gift shops and boutiques of the town. Using public transport you may choose to visit the nearby Culloden Moor Visitor Centre, site of the infamous battle which played a crucial role in Scottish history. Your evening is free to dine in one of Inverness’ many restaurants.

Overnight: Inverness

Meals: Breakfast included.

Today we board the mini-bus for an epic journey over the Scottish Highlands. Departing Inverness we’ll follow the scenic shores of Loch Ness to Urquhart Castle whose weather beaten ruins hide an intriguing history and whose ramparts offer a perfect lookout for legendary Nessie. We then continue across the barren landscapes of the Highlands pausing at Eilean Donan Castle for a photo-stop and stretching our legs in a traditional highland village. The final leg of our journey today takes us over the bridge to the scenic Isle of Skye, our destination and base for the next two nights. In the evening enjoy dinner together as a group.

Overnight: Isle of Skye

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included.

Today is dedicated to exploring the enchanting Isle of Skye. We’ll head through the heart of the island past the imposing Cuillin Mountains to the northern territories. Passing along the picturesque Trotternish Peninsula we’ll take in dramatic landscapes and seascapes as we spot the region’s unique geological features such as Kilt Rock and the Old Man of Storr. There’ll be plenty of time to visit Portree, the island’s principle town, where pastel fishermen cottages bustle around the harbour. A day on Skye is one to remember.

Overnight: Isle of Skye

Meals: Breakfast included.

Today we head for the south of the Isle of Skye to board the ferry for a journey over the water back to the mainland at Mallaig. Enjoying scenic Highlands landscapes on our journey to Glenfinnan, we’ll climb to a viewpoint, for stunning vistas overlooking the Glenfinnan Monument, Loch Shiel and the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct which featured in the “Harry Potter” movies. There’ll be time for lunch in Fort William before pass through the beguiling landscapes of Glencoe to our overnight base where we enjoy a farewell dinner together.

Overnight: Ballachulish / Glencoe Area

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included.

The final leg of our journey takes us through more dramatic landscapes as we pass South over the desolate Rannoch Moor and through the wilds of the Trossachs National Park; we’ll pause at various view points for some final stunning photo opportunities. After lunch we’ll visit the imposing Doune Castle which you may recognize as Winterfell from “Game of Thrones” or from the “Outlander” series. We’ll pause briefly to view the magnificent modern sculptures of the Kelpies arriving back in Edinburgh where our tour ends by early evening.

Meals: Breakfast included.