UK & Ireland: Panoramas & Pubs

Touch down in London town.

First nights, British bites: drop your bags, meet your fellow travellers and get ready to kick things off. You'll be spending the next couple of weeks together, so tonight's your chance to swap names, that “where have you just flown in from?” chat over a proper meal. London's food scene serves every flavour going – but tonight, we're keeping it classic. Think staple British fare to mark the first night of what's sure to be an *incredible* two weeks ahead.

Later, your way: jet lag calling? Head back home for a well-earned rest. Still buzzing? Follow your curiosity down cobbled streets to a cosy pub for a pint or fruity mocktail, or catch the glow of the city on a twilight stroll past the Thames. Whatever pace you're feeling, London's got you. Stay: Generator London (or similar) (D)

Medieval lanes and ghostly tales.

Northward bound: this morning it's all aboard for York. After winding your way north, your Trip Leader will show you around one of England's most storied (and haunted) cities. Wander the crooked lanes and timbered houses of the Shambles, take in the city walls and step inside the soaring York Minster with your included entry.

Darkness falls: dinner's on you tonight, so go hunt down a cosy pub to tuck into Yorkshire pudding the size of your head. Still got energy? Join an optional ghost tour and hear the gory, grisly tales that make York one of the most haunted cities in Europe. Stay: Ibis Styles York Centre (or similar) (B)

Vikings, ghosts and chips.

Your day, your call: today, York's yours to explore. Step back in time at the Jorvik Viking Centre or wander the cobbled lanes with a coffee in hand. And don't miss the city's sweet side – York is the UK's chocolate capital (hello, Terry's Chocolate Orange and Kit Kat!) – so a little chocolate fix in the city centre is a must. Prefer a slower pace? Duck into an old-school tea room or kick back by the river with a book, then round off your day with a tasty included dinner – perfect for comparing step counts and chocolate consumption stats. Stay: Ibis Styles York Centre (or similar) (B/D)

Castles, cobbles and a wee tipple.

All aboard: head north to Edinburgh and feel the city come alive as you arrive in Scotland's vibrant capital. Your Trip Leader will guide you on a walking tour of the Old Town and the Royal Mile, taking in streets steeped in stories and the towering shadows of Edinburgh Castle.

Your way to explore: wander the winding lanes at your own pace. Pop into the Writers' Museum to trace Scotland's literary legends, browse independent boutiques and galleries or climb up to Calton Hill for sweeping city views. Dine on Scottish seafood – or haggis if you're feeling brave – and later, join an optional pub crawl to sample some of Scotland's strongest drams. Stay: A&O Hostel Edinburgh (or similar) (B)

Hill climbs, sips and city beats.

Take on new heights : you're free to roam Scotland's capital today – why not wander through Edinburgh Castle and imagine royal dramas unfolding around you, then make your way up Arthur's Seat for a view where the city sprawls like a miniature model below – rooftops, spires and all?

Let the streets guide you: listen for bagpipes drifting through the Grassmarket and watch street performers juggling and dancing along the Royal Mile. You can also join the optional stroll through Edinburgh's UNESCO Old Town, where a kilted guide will whisk you into the world of Outlander with tales of rebels, swords and Scottish secrets. Fancy a different angle? Head to Calton Hill or the city's many terraces to catch the sun dipping behind the castle as the skyline lights up. Your evening, your pace, your Edinburgh. Stay: A&O Hostel Edinburgh (or similar) (B)

Highland winds and hearty bites.

Highlands on the horizon: on your morning jaunt towards Inverness, watch the Scottish countryside roll past – lochs, rolling hills and maybe a sheep or two keeping you company. Arrive in the afternoon and stretch your legs with a wander through Inverness, meandering down cobbled streets, poking into quirky shops and discovering hidden nooks.

Dinner with a local twist: dig into dinner packed with hearty Scottish flavours – you might tuck into smoked salmon, gamey venison, creamy tatties and maybe haggis if you're feeling brave. Trade tales about who can actually understand the thick Scottish accents, who's dared the haggis and whether the whisky here really hits differently. It's food, fun and a crash course in Highland quirks all in one. Stay: Royal Highland Hotel (or similar) (B/D)

Loch Ness: myth or magic?

Monster hunting: set sail on a half-day adventure and keep your eyes peeled – Nessie could be waving, lurking or just having a nap. Snap photos and make up your own theories as you soak up the mind-blowing Highland scenery.

Evening, your way: back in Inverness, the evening's yours to make memorable – kick back at the hotel or wander into town to catch live music and practise rolling your Rs like a true Scot. Stay: Royal Highland Hotel (or similar) (B)

Scottish streets, bites and beats.

Glasgow on foot: after arriving in Glasgow, join your Trip Leader for a walking tour through Scotland's largest city. You'll wander past Victorian architecture, street art that winks at you from every corner and statues that have seen Glasgow grow from gritty to glamorous. After the tour hunt out a local café or bakery for a flaky pastries and maybe a cheeky tablet or shortbread to sweeten your steps. Eat it like a Glaswegian: with a grin, a few crumbs in your pocket and a story to tell.

Glasgow after dark: in the evening, the city's yours to play with. Explore quirky bars, discover live music hidden down side streets or simply wander through the city's glow. (B)

All aboard to Belfast.

Streets, stories and a splash of culture: this morning, you'll make your way to Cairnyan, then sail across the waves on the ferry to Belfast. Once in the city, settle in and watch the waterfront fade into city streets as your adventure begins.

Belfast on foot: after dropping your bags, you'll join a walking tour through the heart of the city with a local guide. You'll wander past colourful murals, quirky alleyways and buzzing markets, all while tuning your ear to the lilting Irish accent – a whole new challenge after finally decoding the Scottish lilt. Stay: Ibis Belfast City Centre (or similar) (B)

Ireland's legendary north awaits.

Giant adventures: This morning, wind your way up to Giant's Causeway and wander among 40,000 perfectly hexagonal basalt columns – nature's own game of giant Jenga. Snap a few photos and stare out at the Atlantic. Nature, myth and a hint of sea spray make it a full-on sensory adventure.

Derry on foot: in the afternoon, arrive in Londonderry and join a local guide for a walking tour of the city's walls where you'll see storybook lanes lined with colourful doors. Keep an eye out for spots you might recognise from Derry Girls – cue the theme tune in your head. Explore the only completely walled city in Northern Ireland, stroll along streets where history is etched into every stone and discover the vibrant murals that tell stories of rebellion, resilience and local pride. Test your ear on the Irish dialect, debate the best spots to grab a pint and uncover the quirks that make Derry one-of-a-kind. Stay: Ibis Belfast City Centre (or similar) (B)

Galway, your way!

Galway on foot: after arriving in Galway, join your Trip Leader for a walking tour through the city's lively streets. Discover lanes lined with colourful shopfronts, browse craft stalls selling handwoven scarves, ceramic mugs and quirky local jewellery, and pause to watch buskers play fiddle, bodhrán or trumpet in the squares.

Supper, with a side of craic: enjoy a meal showcasing some of Galway's best bites, and afterwards, take a wander through the city's storied streets – the nights here are never dull. (B/D)

Galway's calling!

Island adventures: today's a free day to soak up Galway however you like – rain or shine. Fancy a ferry ride? There's an optional trip to Aran Islands on the cards today. You'll hop over to Inis Mór (the largest of the three Aran Islands) and wander rugged cliffs, stone walls that twist through tiny villages and whitewashed cottages with doors painted every colour of the rainbow. For maximum drama, combine it with a trip to the Cliffs of Moher for a true edge-of-the-world experience – sheer cliffs, Atlantic winds and the type of views that demand a double-take.

Back on the mainland: bask in Galway's lively streets – think street performers tossing fire and juggling balls, and the scent of fresh seafood mingling with artisan chocolate and craft stalls. Wander at your own pace, peek into quirky galleries or duck into a Galway pub where traditional Irish music fills the air – think fiddles, flutes, and bodhráns keeping the rhythm as the city comes alive. For a late-night treat, grab a spice bag or two (Galway's version of comfort food with a fiery kick) from a nearby takeaway. (B)

Dublin, discovered.

Dublin, your pace: this morning, roll into the heart of the Dublin where you'll join your Trip Leader for a walking tour through the city's historic lanes. Later, head to the Guinness Storehouse, where you'll learn the story behind Ireland's most famous stout and soak up the panoramic city views from the Gravity Bar.

Music in the air: if you're travelling between March and October, carry on the fun with an optional pub night with music at a quintessentially Dublin pub – pints, tunes and a proper Irish welcome guaranteed. Just a heads-up: it's popular one so book early! If not, wander into Temple Bar to stumble upon street performers or hunt down a cosy spot for dinner – think fresh Dublin Bay seafood, hearty Irish stew or a slice of sticky toffee pudding to finish. Stay: Clink Dublin (or similar) (B)

Make Dublin yours.

History or hurling: today's all yours to explore Ireland's capital. Fancy some iconic campus scenes? Head to Trinity College to marvel at the Book of Kells and wander through centuries-old halls. Or tap into your sporty side at the GAA Museum, where Gaelic football – Ireland's own fast-paced, high-flying game (think AFL with a Celtic twist) – comes alive.

Your Dublin, your pace: wander the cobbled streets, stumble across street performers or hunt down a cosy spot for dinner. Later, catch live music in a pub, try a comedy night or sip cocktails by the River Liffey – Dublin is at its spirited best after dark. Stay: Clink Dublin (or similar) (B)

From Guinness to Llan-fair… try not to trip over that name

A true tongue-twister: today, you'll head across the Irish Sea to Holyhead in North Wales. Snap a quirky photo at Llanfair­pwllgwyngyll­gogery­chwyrn­drobwll­llantysilio­gogogoch – the longest place name in the northern hemisphere – and see if anyone in your group can actually pronounce it.

Castle calls: next, wander the medieval streets of Conwy and explore its castle, with towering walls and battlements, before heading to your accommodation with time to explore your new surroundings. (B)

Slate, slopes and soaring thrills.

Welcome to Snowdonia: hop on the coach for a day exploring the rugged beauty of North Wales. First up, soak in the dramatic landscapes of Snowdonia – mountains, valleys and sweeping views that are perfect for a brisk hike (weather permitting). Next up, a visit to the National Slate Museum to uncover the region's slate-mining history and see how miners shaped these striking surroundings.

Thrills, your way: feeling adventurous? Take an optional trip to Zipworld and zip through an old underground slate mine – a heart-racing, totally unique view of Wales from below (and above!) the mountains. After a day of exploring, refuel with a delicious dinner included. Trade tales from the day – who nailed the fastest run on the zip line? Who spotted the wildest mountain views? – and get ready for tomorrow's escapades. (B/D)

Bridges, breezes and a splash of adventure: set off in the morning through the rolling Welsh countryside to the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, a 200-year-old engineering marvel that floats high above the valley.

Glide over a Welsh wonder: if you're travelling during summer and the weather Gods are playing nice, hop in your canoe and paddle over the aqueduct, racing your friends, dodging splashes and taking in the valley stretching out beneath you. Stay: Ibis Budget (or similar) (B)

Banksy and Bristol bites.

Street art and city beats: grab your Trip Leader and embark on a proper Bristol art hunt. Track down Banksy's sneakiest pieces, from the iconic Girl with Balloon to the cheeky Mild Mild West. Peek around corners for secret murals, dodge curious pigeons on Nelson Street rooftops and wander along the harbourside where street art pops up in the most unexpected places. Keep your eyes peeled – some works are masters of hide-and-seek!

Later, your way: after your urban art escapade, settle in for an included dinner. Compare your favourite murals, or head out to soak up Bristol's nightlife – from buzzing harbourside bars to live music spots, the city keeps the fun going well after dark. Stay: Ibis Budget (or similar) (B/D)

From bridges to the Big Smoke.

Homeward bound: after one last breakfast, you're heading back to London. Sit back, watch the countryside roll by and let the memories of castles, canals and city streets sink in – your UK adventure wraps here. (B)