England & Scotland

Good morning dear Londonites! Meet your new 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 sea-side wonder of Bristol. Colourful buildings, crazy cliffs, beautiful bridges - you're in for a treat. Speaking of treats…you can drop your bags off at our hotel before we feast on some well-deserved dinner.

Afterwards, you're free to roam the streets for a night out with your newly-made friends. (D) Stay: Ibis Bristol Centre Hotel (or similar)

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 but we have a quick stop 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 drop our bags off at the hotel and stroll around in the streets and grab a bite on the way. Get a good night's sleep because tomorrow, we're heading up North! (B) Stay: Ibis Birmingham New Street Station (or similar)

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 city tour. Tonight we'll bed down in Manchester – Liverpool's neighbouring city and fellow home of musical royalty that you're free to explore. Just remember that toniiiiiight, you're a rock and roll star.

Heads up! Some departures will include an overnight stay in Liverpool rather than Manchester. Details about this will be shared in your travel documents closer to departure. (B) 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 & 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. (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! 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, a city that, although still simmering in ancient history, comes alive with music festivals, a rousing creative scene & fun bars.

We'll kick off the evening with the option to indulge in a whisky tasting experience. (B) Stay: Courtyard by Marriott Edinburgh (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. (B)

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. (B/D) Stay: Loch Ness Lodge Hotel Drumnadrochit (or similar)

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 into the wild. Plus, you have the option afterwards to canoe across the stunning southern end of Scotland's most famous lake and see even more wildlife along the way.

We'll arrive into Glasgow tonight, grab a bite to eat and then hit the hay ready for some more exploration in the am! (B) Stay: Ibis Budget Glasgow (or similar)

Wakey wakey everyone. We're up bright and early this morning. Next stop, Stirling! We'll make a stop in Stirling, the town where William Wallace took on the English and yelled "Freeedom! " (and also known for its famous hill-top Castle). Today, we'll also check out the epic engineering feat called the 'The Kelpies' in Helix Park.

Get involved with everything great about Glasgow. Live music on every corner, a gothic cathedral & plenty of quirky characters make this city unique. Plus, you've got the option to celebrate our final night in Scotland with a local meal accompanied by a live, traditional music. (B)

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. (B)