Duration
8 Days
Physical rate
Moderate
Starting city
London
Available
April 2024 / March 2025
Detailed day by day description
Introduction
This tour is part of our flexible coach touring range, guaranteed with a minimum of 2 people. Once the tour is booked, it is guaranteed so it will definitely go ahead, and will never cancel.
This tour is guided in English only. Please note if English speaking attendance numbers are low, the tour can become bilingual either accompanied by two tour leaders, one for each language, or a single tour leader providing explanations in both languages.
The tour offers flexibility, allowing you to customize it to your preferences. By clicking 'Quote or Book,' you will have the choice to select your desired start and end dates and destinations within the tour's defined parameters. Given this flexibility, it's important to note that the same people, tour guides or drivers may not be on your entire journey.
IMPORTANT: Please note that hotel check-in time is typically at 14:00 p.m. If you need early room access, consider booking an additional night at the start of your trip.
If you have booked additional nights, your room will be prepared upon arrival, but your trip guide will generally only contact you when the scheduled activities begin. At reception, you’ll find a sign with contact details and assistance hours for our staff. Until the tour begins, your schedule is free, and the hotel staff can assist with any inquiries.
Optional activities: During your trip, your guide may offer optional activities. We recommend booking these activities well in advance through the Europamundo app or your "My Trip" link to ensure availability. Last-minute bookings may result in limited availability (e.g., tickets, coach seats).
Note: The timings in this itinerary are indicative. The guide may adjust schedules as needed to make sure you have the best experience.
06:00 p.m. We’ll meet at Piccadilly Circus for a guided walk through Leicester Square, Chinatown, and Soho, enjoying its vibrant atmosphere, theaters, and entertainment.
08:30 p.m. We’ll return by bus to the hotel from Piccadilly.
Note: In some cases, the evening program might be organized for the previous day, upon arrival in London.
Scenery: Picturesque countryside with hills and woods.
07:30 a.m. - Departure from London. We’ll head north, traveling through the English countryside.
10:00 a.m. - Cambridge. You’ll have time to admire the beautiful colleges and have lunch.
12:30 p.m. - Departure from Cambridge. We’ll continue north, passing through agricultural fields and the legendary Sherwood Forest, former home of Robin Hood.
3:30 p.m. - York. We’ll see the ancient Roman walls and walk towards the cathedral. You’ll have time to explore the lively shopping streets.
5:30 p.m. - Departure from York. We’ll resume our journey north.
7:30 p.m. - Durham. This impressive medieval city invites you to stroll its cobbled streets and discover its cathedral and castle, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Accommodation.
Scenery: Beautiful castles and sea views as we cross into Scotland.
08:30 a.m. - Departure from Durham. We’ll travel to the north of England, skirting the edge of Newcastle.
09:45 a.m. - Arrival in Alnwick. This medieval town is dominated by its large castle and beautiful gardens, famously featured in the Harry Potter films. Enjoy time to visit the castle (admission not included) or stroll around.
Note: The castle is closed during winter months (01 October-31 March).
11:15 a.m. - Departure from Alnwick. We’ll cross into Scotland.
01:15 p.m. - Edinburgh. As Scotland’s capital and one of the most vibrant cities in Northern Europe, Edinburgh’s monumental center has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The castle overlooks the city’s steep streets and parks. The city comes to life in the summertime during the "Edinburgh Festival" and its various shows. You will have free time at leisure.
05:30 p.m. – Panoramic city tour with a local guide (occasionally, this tour may be done upon arrival in the city). Afterwards, we will provide a transfer to the hotel.
Scenery: Magnificent scenery of towering, often snow-capped mountains and deep, serene lakes. Keep your camera handy.
Note: We recommend you take warm clothing with you to fully enjoy the boat trip. Timetables for this section may change depending on the schedule for crossing Loch Ness. Adverse weather conditions may sometimes prevent the boat trip.
07:30 a.m. - Departure from Edinburgh. We’ll head towards the Northern Highlands of Scotland, crossing the bridge above River Forth. Along the way, we’ll see the unique Highland Cattle.
09:30 a.m. - Pitlochry. Enjoy a stroll and a coffee in this charming Victorian village.
10:00 a.m. - Departure from Pitlochry. We’ll travel through the Eastern Highlands, enjoying the beautiful landscapes of Cairngorms National Park and passing through Inverness.
01:45 p.m. - Brachla (Clansman Harbor). Take some time to capture photographs and perhaps spot the legendary Nessie. Around 02:00 p.m., we’ll embark on a boat trip on Loch Ness (included). We’ll visit Urquhart Castle, exploring the ruins of this imposing medieval fortress overlooking the lake (admission included).
03:00 p.m. – We’ll continue our journey, skirting lakes and passing high snowy mountains. Along the way, we’ll go through Fort Augustus and Fort William, a tourist hub at the foot of Ben Nevis, the highest summit in the United Kingdom. We’ll also enjoy stunning views across Glencoe. Our final lake will be the picturesque Loch Lomond.
08:00 p.m. - Glasgow. We recommend a walk around the center of this vibrant city.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Groups arriving in Edinburgh from the 15th of November until the end of February will follow this adjusted itinerary due to the shorter days and frequent snow on the roads:
08:00 a.m. - Departure from Edinburgh to Pitlochry (09:45 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.), a picturesque city in the heart of the Scottish region known for its whisky production. We will visit a traditional whisky distillery (admission included). Our journey will continue to Stirling (12:30 p.m. - 03:30 p.m.), where we will explore the impressive historic center dominated by the grand Stirling Castle (tickets included). This castle is one of the most significant in Scotland, having witnessed numerous historical events, including battles and the coronation of several kings. After lunch, we’ll stop to photograph The Kelpies, enormous sculptures of two horse heads inspired by Scottish mythology. Finally, we’ll continue to Glasgow. We’ll arrive at around 05:00 p.m. and you’ll have time to stroll through the city center before settling into your accommodation.
Scenery: Seaside, hills, and woods.
Note: Remember to keep your passport handy; you may need when we embark. Both Scotland and Northern Ireland print their own banknotes, which work fine in their regions but are often not accepted in England and can’t be exchanged internationally. In other words, you won’t be able to exchange any leftover Scottish or Irish pound bills outside the United Kingdom. Make sure you don’t have any remaining bills when you leave Scotland or after passing through Belfast. Please note that timetables for this part of the journey may vary depending on the ferry.
08:00 a.m. - Departure from Glasgow. We will start with a short bus ride out of the city, traveling to the west coast of Scotland. In Cairnryan, we will board a modern ferry to Ireland, which typically departs at 11:30 a.m. The crossing will take just over two hours. The ferry will offer modern amenities, including shops and bars where you can enjoy lunch.
01:45 p.m. - Arrival in Belfast, a city known for its Victorian architecture and the complex history between Protestants and Catholics. We’ll go for a walk and visit the famous murals dividing the Catholic and Protestant neighborhoods.
04:30 p.m. - Departure from Belfast. We’ll continue our journey to the Republic of Ireland.
06:30 p.m. - Arrival at the hotel in Dublin.
Note: Occasionally, depending on our arrival time in Dublin and the daylight hours, the tour may take place the previous afternoon.
Note: Please be aware that the hotel check-out time is usually 10:00 a.m. You can leave your luggage in reception upon check-out, allowing you to explore the city without carrying your bags. You can retrieve your luggage at your convenience later in the day. If you require additional time to use your room, we recommend booking an extra night at the end of your tour.