TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Arrival. Transfer to the hotel.

Reception. Transfer to hotel and free time. You will receive information about the start of the circuit during the afternoon, or you can check the informative panels in the hotel reception area.


IMPORTANT - IF YOU REQUESTED ADDITIONAL NIGHTS on arrival at the hotel you will have your booking made but the guide of your trip will normally not arrive until the start of the included activities. YOUR TIME BEFORE THIS MOMENT IS THEREFORE FREE. At your hotel they can help you with all the information you need.


NB: The schedules you will find in this itinerary are approximate. The guide, depending on the situation and in order to improve the development of the circuit, may adjust the schedules.

London.-

A comprehensive tour of London is included today. Our visit begins in the early morning. The contents vary, depending on local guides, traffic and the weather. We will visit Hyde Park, Oxford St, the City, St Paul’s Cathedral, Tower of London, the Thames, Piccadilly Circus, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace. During the visit we will stop at Buckingham Palace to see the changing of the guard (it is not always possible to see this ceremony). The visit ends in the central part of the city. Free afternoon. Our guide will offer you an optional outing to Windsor Castle.

18:00 h. In the evening, we will meet at a a meeting point in Piccadilly Circus where our guide will accompany you to Leicester Square, China Town and Soho with its amazing atmosphere, its theaters and bustle . Time for dinner in this area with numerous ethnic restaurants (Indian, Thai, Chinese, international, and so on).


20.30 h. return to the hotel from Piccadilly.
Note: In some cases, this evening event will be organised the previous day, when we arrive in London.

London- Cambridge- York- Durham.-

Total distance covered: 480 km.

Scenery: Picturesque countryside with hills and woods.


07:30 hrs - London –Departure-. We cross the city and travel towards the north of England. Attractive countryside in the English countryside.
10:00 hrs - Cambridge –Arrival-. We have time to admire the beautiful main colleges and have lunch.


12:30 hrs - Cambridge –Departure-. We continue our journey towards the north, with views over agricultural fields and Sherwood Forest, former home of the legendary Robin Hood.
15:30 hrs - York –Arrival-. Passing along the walls that date to Roman times, we walk towards the cathedral. Time to stroll around its lively shopping streets.


17:30 hrs - York -Departure- We continue our journey northwards.
19:30 hrs - Durham –Arrival-. Impressive medieval city. Time to stroll around its cobbled streets in the centre and to discover its cathedral and castle, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Accommodation.

Durham- Alnwick- Edinburgh.-

Total distance covered: 230 km.

Scenery: Cross into Scotland. Castles, views over the sea.


08:30 hrs - Durham –Departure-. We travel north through England, and pass by the edge of the city of Newcastle.
09:45 hrs - Alnwick.- Medieval town dominated by its large castle. Attractive gardens. This was one of the backdrops for the Harry Potter film. Time to visit the castle (admission not included) or to stroll around. Note: the castle will be shut during the winter months (01 October-31 March).


11:15 hrs - Alnwick –Departure-. Cross into Scotland.
13:15 hrs - Edinburgh –Arrival-. We are now in the capital of Scotland, in one of the liveliest cities in the north of Europe, whose spectacular centre has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The castle dominates the city centre, with its cobbled streets and parks. In the summer, the Edinburgh Festival is held, and the city brims with life and its many shows. Free time.
17:30 hrs -Scenic visit round the city with a local guide (occasionally, this could be earlier, being undertaken on our arrival in the city). Later on, we provide a transfer to return to the hotel.

 

Free day. You can enjoy the charm of this city. Free time to explore and discover memorable places.

Edinburgh- Stirling- Pitlochry- Blair Castle- Inverness.-

Total distance covered: 305 km

Scenery: Lush scenery throughout this region, especially in the afternoon, when we will pass through the Cairngorms mountains.
Note: Please, wear comfortable footwear and suitable clothing for our walk in the nature.


08.00hrs - Edinburgh –Departure-. We start the day by travelling to another historic city near Edinburgh.
09:15hrs- Stirling –Arrival-. Time for a stroll through its famous historic downtown area and castle, which sits atop the mighty Castle Hill, an extinct volcano.


10.15 hrs- We get back on the road and continue heading north.
11.15 hrs.- We will have a stop to visit The Hermitage protected forest area, located next to the small town of Dunkeld. This nature reserve was originally designed as a pleasure ground in the 18th century for the Dukes of Atholl. Here we will go on a nature walk on pleasant paths of low difficulty level (great for hikers of all fitness levels and ages) along the banks of the white waters of River Braan and next to a magical woodland of giant Douglas fir trees.

12.15 hrs- The Hermitage. Departure.
12:45 hrs - Pitlochry. - Upon arrival, we will visit a traditional whisky distillery (entrance included). Time to have lunch in this quaint little town.


15.00hrs - Pitlochry –Departure-.
15.15 hrs - Blair Castle. - Entrance included to this beautiful palace and impressive grounds. -


16.45 hrs - Blair –Departure-. We will continue due north across some truly beautiful mountain scenery.
18.45hrs - Inverness, arrival in this seaside town situated near the legendary Loch Ness. Accommodation.


Note: Hotel and room availability in northern Scotland are quite limited. For some departure dates (normally in the peak-season month of August), we may have to offer accommodation in towns around Inverness.


Note: due to capacity limitations in traditional distilleries, sometimes we can make this visit on Saturday in Edinburgh, on the "Whisky & Gin tour" where we visit the manufacturing processes, tasting included, of gin and whiskey.

Inverness- Eilean Castle- Fort Augustus- Loch Ness- Urquhart Castle- Inverness.-

Total distance covered: 250 km Scenery: Magnificent scenery, lakes, high mountains sometimes with snowy peaks.
Notes: We recommend having some warm clothes to hand, you may need them to enjoy the boat trip. The schedules of this day may change depending on the time assigned for crossing the Loch Ness.


08.00 hrs - Inverness –Departure-. We have a thrilling day ahead, amidst very beautiful scenery, forests, lakes, empty lands and fields in the North of Scotland.
10:30 hrs - EILEAN CASTLE, a very picturesque castle in the waters of the fiord. We will be reminded of the ghosts that fill the castles of Scotland. Tickets included.


11:30 hrs - Eilean Castle –Departure-. We can observe mountains and lakes in this route.
12:45 hrs - FORT AUGUSTUS where we will get to know the sluice system and have time to stroll and find a place for lunch.


14.00 hrs - Fort Augustus –Departure- . We go round LOCH NESS. We will see the medieval URQUHART Castle in ruins by the lake (tickets included).


At around 15:30 hrs we include a boat trip from Urquhart Castle in the dark waters of the lake, for around 60 minutes to Dochgarroch.
17.00 hrs - Inverness. Arrival in the capital of the Highlands and the only city of the region on the mouth of the river Ness. Accommodation in INVERNESS.

Inverness- Fort William- Inveraray- Loch Lomond- Glasgow.-

Total distance covered: 370 km

Countryside: Once more, beautiful lake and mountain scenery, huge open spaces, isolated areas and thick forests.


07:30hrs - Inverness –Departure-. We travel back to Aviemore through isolated regions, subarctic flora and mountains. On our way, we will make a brief stop at Spean Bridge, by the monument to the commandos who trained here for the Normandy invasion in the Second World War. We photograph Ben Nevis, the highest peak in the British Isles.
10.00 hrs - Fort William –Time for a coffee in this tourist city.


10:45 hrs - Fort William –Departure-. We follow some sections of coastline, fjords by the ocean. - On our way we will pass Kilchurn Castle. A castle in ruins that projects its image over a beautiful lake.


13:30 hrs - Inveraray –Arrival-. A historic, picturesque small town by a lake with a beautiful castle (tickets not included). Time to have a stroll and for lunch.


15:30 hrs - Inveraray –Departure-. Our road takes us round part of Loch Lomond with its beautiful scenery,
17:30 hrs - Glasgow –Arrival-, free time in which we suggest a stroll around the centre of this Victorian capital. -

Glasgow- Belfast- Dublin.-

Total distance covered: 295 km.

Scenery: Seaside, hills, woods.
Notes: Remember to keep your passport; it will be requested at the point of embarkation. It is helpful if you can travel with some Scottish bank notes. Scotland mint their own notes, as does the North of Ireland. These Scottish or Northern Irish bank notes can be used easily in Scotland and Ireland respectively, but they may not be accepted in England and they are not valid in international banks. That is, if you have any Scottish or Irish notes left over, you will not be able to exchange them outside the United Kingdom. We recommend that you make sure you don´t have any Scottish bank notes left over on leaving Scotland and especially after our crossing to Belfast.
The schedules for this whole stage may vary depending on the boat.


08.00 hrs -Glasgow- Brief tour on the coach while leaving the city and then we travel toward the east coast of Scotland.


In Cairnryan we board a modern ferry to Ireland. Normally the boat leaves at 11.30 hrs. Crossing. The boats are very modern; you can shop in its stores or have lunch in its bars.

13.45 hrs - We get off the boat in Belfast. Arrival in this city of Victorian architecture which reminds us of the difficult coexistence between Protestants and Catholics in this area.- After a look round the Catholic and Protestant neighbourhoods that remind us of their troubled past, we visit the famous murals. Free time in the city centre.


16:30 hrs - Belfast –Departure-. We continue to the Republic of Ireland (Eire).
18:30 hrs - Dublin –Arrival at hotel-.

Dublin.-

Dublin - Sightseeing tour of the city. A guide will tell us about the history of the city, its Georgian neighbourhoods, its bustling city centre streets and the University. Afternoon free in the Irish capital. You will be able to wonder round the lively banks of the River Liffey and visit its museums or the famous Guinness brewery (admission not included).
(Note: Occasionally, depending on our time of arrival in Dublin, the sightseeing tour of the city may be made on the previous afternoon).

Dublin- Caernarfon- Liverpool.-

Total distance covered: 200 Km.

Scenery: We pass through Wales: beautiful maritime landscapes along the Irish Sea. Remember to have your passport to hand; it may be required to enter the United Kingdom.


06.45 hrs Departure from the hotel to board the modern ferry that departs at 08.05 hrs. Crossing of approximately 3 1/2 hrs (occasionally, due to technical reasons or because of bad weather, we may take a different ferry).
11.30 hrs Disembark in Holyhead, a port situated on an island in north Wales.
12.15 hrs Caernarfon.- After crossing the Britannia bridge, we arrive at this town, which is a World Heritage Site situated on the seashore, with its spectacular castle that dominates the bay and its medieval streets. This is where those who are in line for the throne have been crowned since the Fourteenth Century ("the Prince of Wales"). Time to walk around and have lunch.


13:45 hrs Caernarfon –Departure-. We follow the coast towards England.
16:45 hrs Liverpool –Arrival at hotel.- We suggest a visit to the Beatles Museum (admission not included) so that you can discover this fascinating place and the Albert Dock.

Liverpool- Stratford- Oxford- London.-

Total distance covered: 400 km.

Scenery: Picturesque hilly countryside.


07:45 hrs- Liverpool –Departure-. Brief bus tour round this World Heritage Site, taking in some of the iconic sites in the city. Travel towards the heart of England.
11:00 hrs- Stratford Upon Avon.- The small town where Shakespeare was born, with its beautiful gardens and Tudor houses. Time, if you wish, to visit the house where Shakespeare was born (admission not included), to stroll around and have lunch.


13:00 hrs- Stratford –Departure-. We cross beautiful landscapes of the Cotswolds, with its hills and cottages with thatched roofs.
14:30 hrs- Oxford –Arrival-. Free time in this prestigious University city and to visit one of its spectacular main colleges. Time to stroll around.


16:30 hrs- Oxford –Departure-.
18:00 hrs - London –Arrival-.

 

End of our services. Please, check the time of your flight in case you might need an additional night.

Important note: In case you have to book an external service (plane/train...) on the day of the end of
your tour with activities included, please remember that the schedules of the detailed itineraries are the "planned" ones but may be affected by different circumstances (traffic density, customer delays, breakdowns...). Do not book a flight/train with a tight schedule without taking this into account.
Always leave a margin in the schedule for unforeseen events.