12
Day
England,
Wales and Scotland - Summer Itinerary (April to
October)
Sherwood forest * Nottingham
* Yorkshire * Hadrian’s Wall * Edinburgh
* Stirling * Highlands * Isle of Skye * Loch
Ness * Edinburgh * Anglesey * Dublin * Blarney
stone * Cliffs of Moher * Snowdonia * Stratford
* Oxford
Day 1 Monday
Please be ready to depart at 7.30am from Earls
Court YHA, London
Heading North from Central London we travel
into Robin Hood's country. The 450-acre Sherwood
Forest is a dream to explore and with a picnic
lunch you will feel like one of the Merry Men!
Test your skills with our optional activity
of archery before we make our way to Viking
York! A chance to explore the awesome gothic
cathedral (England's largest), the medieval
city walls and the sights and sounds of the
lively city centre. After our authentic Viking
feast, experience a spine tingling ghost walk
followed by a rally of traditional pubs.
Day 2 Tuesday
Heading further North we stop in the cosmopolitan
city of Newcastle. Cross the River Tyne and
see the Angel of the North. From here we attack
Hadrian's Wall then a choice to cruise up the
Northumberland coastal road or through the Northumberland
National Park. It's goodbye to England and Scotland
ahoy! A pause at either Holy Island, with its
amazing history and ancient priory or Jedburgh,
a historical border town, once home to Mary
Queen of Scots before we get to Edinburgh. A
Full walking tour & a bit of whisky tasting
await. Explore the Royal Mile and Edinburgh
castle. The evening is spent enjoying a traditional
Scottish meal and a fantastic night out in Scotland's
capital.
Day 3 Wednesday
Leaving Edinburgh at 8.30 a.m. we head straight
for the Highlands. First stop is Stirling and
Braveheart Country (William Wallace, King Robert
the Bruce and Rob Roy) - you'll hear all the
history and legends, with plenty of walks and
time off the bus. Then we wind through some
of Scotland's finest glens (stunning mountain
valleys - if you didn't already know!), including
Glen Garry, Glen Nevis and breathtaking Glencoe
(hear about the massacre of Clan MacDonald).
Then it's onto the Isle of Skye, our home for
2 nights.
Day 4 Thursday
A full and active day round the Isle of Skye,
with lots of walks and time to take in the magic.
You'll see the Cuillin mountains, climb to the
Old Man of Storr (an incredible Jurassic pillar)
where you'll hear some amazing legends, visit
Lealt waterfalls and Kilt Rock, and take in
absolutely stunning panoramas in the Quirang.
There are stories of old to be heard around
every corner and you can't help but feel the
magic. Perfect preparation for a few wee drams
in the local pub, where we can reflect on a
day of tales and legends.
Day 5 Friday
Before making our way North we will have time
to go on a seal spotting trip with a local fisherman
and hopefully try some seafood fresh from the
water! Inchnadamph lodge (nr Ullapool) is our
destination but there is much to do on the way.
Take in the magnificent Corrieshalloch Gorge
and then wind around the West Coastline stopping
at waterfalls & golden beaches with views
of the Torridon mountain range. The beautiful
mountains of Assynt surround our hostel tonight.
DAY 6 Saturday
Today we wind our way along the far North Western
coast - a chance to explore the famous Smoo
caves and drive/wander through some of the most
remote and rugged landscape Europe has to offer.
Deserted beaches, towering mountains, sparkling
lochs and the wide open skies really set the
tone today before we take the evening ferry
to the awesome Orkney Islands.
Day 7 Sunday
From our base in the fishing village of St Margaret's
Hope we spend a full and energetic day today
exploring the islands - it will be packed with
Viking ancestry and world-renowned archaeological
treasures such as Skara Brae and the Ring of
Brogar. Plus a chance to gaze in wonder at the
islands Italian Chapel, search for the coastal
Puffins (May-July) and also walk to one of the
neighbouring islands. Loads of time will be
spent off the bus and much time spent walking
especially along some of the fantastic beaches
- a day to remember (another one!)
Day 8 Monday
Another morning on Orkney witnessing locals
making Orkney Cheese/Jewellery and going for
some lovely walks in the area (experience a
"Gloup"). This afternoon we return
to the mainland visiting John O'Groats before
heading south via Wick and the atmospheric ruins
of Castle Sinclair. Finally another castle,
Carbisdale our home for the night! A unique
experience, living it up in style, surrounded
by the priceless art collection.
Day 9 Tuesday
Then it is over the Moray Firth to Loch Ness
for a spot of monster hunting, before taking
an emotional visit to tragic Culloden battlefield
(Bonnie Prince Charlie's last stand). We recover
our spirits over lunch, then really get into
the spirits at Edradour Distillery, Scotland's
smallest whisky distillery. Our final stop is
a gentle walk through the beautiful Hermitage
Forest.
Day 10 Wednesday
Depart from Edinburgh to head back into England.
We have request stops for Hadrian's Wall and
if we have time a quick call in at Gretna Green
where the Ironmonger can perform a shotgun wedding!?
From here we head for the Lake District National
Park (the largest National Park in Great Britain)
and try out some of our great optional activities.
Have a chance to kayak, row or motorcruise the
lakes. Visit water falls, the highest pub in
the Lakes, Windermere and in the summer months,
the chance for a lakeside BBQ. Afterwards we
travel south for a rocking night in the city
of Liverpool . Get some Beatles Mania down at
the Cavern Club.
Day 11 Thursday
After breakfast, we cross the Mersey River &
down into Wales. We also offer a drop or pick
up in Bangor for the Ireland connection via
Holyhead. Visit Llanfairpwllgwngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch
(the longest place-name in the world) &
get your passport stamped! We continue south
to Caernarfon -a cool castle town on the coast
where you can experience some real Welsh culture
before heading into the stunning Snowdonia National
Park - (the second largest National Park in
Great Britain) dominated by the highest peak
in England and Wales - Mt Snowdon (3560 ft).
See the famous Welsh slate mines & go in
search of Gellert's Grave where we stop for
a nice picnic lunch. Then it's eastwards to
Shakespeare's Stratford-upon-Avon. An opportunity
to see a Shakespeare play at the Royal Shakespeare
Theatre (seasonal performances) or to spend
an evening in the famous medieval town.
Day 12 Friday
The morning is spent with an optional tour of
Shakespeare's houses or more time in the town
to see Shakespeare's home town and history.
Late morning we meander through the spectacular
Cotswold's - spend some quality time in a Cotswold's
village (perhaps sample a cream tea) before
arriving in the University City of Oxford. Get
a full walking tour of the city's famous University
colleges before heading back to London for late
afternoon.
What's
Included
Kitty can vary slightly seasonally. Please ask
for exact amount at time of booking.
The 'kitty' is a set fee taken on the morning
of departure which covers all breakfasts, evening
meals, accommodation, ferries, boat trip and
most entry fees. All of this money is spent
on you - saves you loads of time, money and
hassle. It must be paid in cash as detailed
below.
