England & Scotland (Winter)

Good morning dear Londonites! And welcome to your 9-day deep dive into all things England and Scotland. Big things are just around the corner. So big we've nicknamed one of them Big Ben. Chat all things Beatlemania & football in your best Scouse accent - this is the call of the day as we pull up in lively Liverpool.

Tonight we'll bed down in Manchester – Liverpool's neighbouring city and fellow home of musical royalty. Dinner's included tonight and after that, you're free to explore. Just remember that toniiiiiight, you're a rock and roll star. (D) Stay: ibis Manchester Centre Princess Street (or similar)

Lap up your last dose of Manchester before we go back to the time of the Vikings... in the traditional walled city of York. 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. (B) Stay: Holiday Inn Express Wakefield (or similar)

Even if the ghosts of York kept you awake all night, you're going to need to rise and shine and wave goodbye to the Harry Potter like setting of this ancient city. Whatever you do, don't Google this place before we arrive. It will spoil the surprise of its unfathomable beauty. Endless green hills, 16 serene lakes & streets of stone homes will have you pining for the country life.

End the day in quaint and charming Carlisle, England's northern-most town before Scotland! Nothing like the northern air to cosy up and wake as fresh as a daisy the next morning for all our activities. (B) Stay: Ibis Carlisle City Centre Hotel (or similar)

Today we are in for some border hopping along the English/Scottish border to see the sights on our way to Edinburgh! But first we'll take a spectacular drive this morning 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, a city that, although still simmering in ancient history, comes alive with music festivals, a rousing creative scene & fun bars. Top the day off with a Scottish meal, complete with haggis and a traditional bagpiper. (B) Stay: Ibis Edinburgh Centre South Bridge (or similar)

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!! ) to kickstart your love affair with this city. Or maybe you'll do a spot of tartan shopping on Princes Street or indulge in some whisky tasting. (B)

It's time to blaze a trail out of Edinburgh & head for Inverness. 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. We make a stop in Stirling, known for its famous Castle nestled right on a hill, and the town where William Wallace took on the English and yelled "Freeeedom! " Already blown away by the beauty of the rugged mountain scenery en route, we'll arrive in Inverness amped up for mystical tales. (B/D) Stay: Columba Hotel Inverness (or similar)

We might be coming down from a high (geographically speaking) this morning, but as we seek out the stunning Loch Ness and Glenfinnan Viaduct, the mood will only be rising. We'll stop to see lovely Loch Ness, 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...

We'll also check out Aviemore, a picturesque jewel in the Cairngorms' crown - home to lochs, mountains trails and plenty of panoramic views. With breath-taking scenery still in mind, today's sights will leave you more than content with your day's discoveries. (B)

After a few days of remote and rugged goodness, a change of pace in Scotland's biggest city is sure to fire things up a notch. We make a stop in Stirling, known for its famous Castle nestled right on a hill, and the town where William Wallace took on the English and yelled "Freeeedom! " Get involved with everything great about Glasgow. Live music on every corner, a gothic cathedral & plenty of quirky characters make this city unique. (B) Stay: Ibis Glasgow City Centre Sauchiehall Street Hotel (or similar)

The trip sadly comes to an end after breakfast in Glasgow. It's time to catch the train back to London, where the trip ends upon arrival. (B)