The UK packs a lot in to a small group of islands, with four countries to visit, incredible scenery, ancient castles and some of the best beaches in the world.
(Photo: Trafalgar.com)
The United Kingdom packs a lot in to a fairly small group of islands. For starters the UK consists of four countries – England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland – all with a staunchly independent identities, with unique customs, history, cuisine and landscapes. Ancient towns and castles punctuate the landscape everywhere, with myths and legends intertwining with tales of heroes and heroines and unique traditions as commonplace as a good pint of room-temperature ale. To get the best out of a visit to Britain take a tried and tested tour, with excellent tour guides and business class coaches that can take you from point to point. Here are five unique tours of the UK from London.
Real Britain
This certainly is a whirlwind tour of Britain, taking in three countries in just six days, starting and finishing in London. That doesn’t mean you only get to see motorway lay-bys as you circle around the UK – the trip is packed will memorable destinations that gives you a really good feel of the diverse countryside on the island. Along the way there are stops in Bath, Cardiff, Liverpool and York, as well as seeing the Principality Stadium in Cardiff and the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. There is also a visit to Stonehenge, the Roman Baths in Bath, the Tudor town of Ludlow, and Shakespeare’s Birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon. As with all Trafalgar trips it’s all professionally organised, with the hotels cherry-picked for their quality. From €1,508.
Book at Trafalgar.com
Essential Britain & Ireland
(Photo: Tourradar.com)
This ten-day tour starts and finishes in London and manages to fit in most of the UK and Ireland too. The aim of the trip is to prove that it is possible to see the top sights all these countries have to offer in a week and a half – and it pulls it off too. In England you’ll see Stonhenge and York, sampling locally brewed ales as you go, before heading to Waterford, Kilkenny and Dublin for a taste of the Emerald Isle. Then it’s on to Northern Ireland’s capital Belfast, before crossing the water to see Edinburgh and its world-famous castle, passing through York on the way back to London. To keep the energy levels up with such a packed itinerary you’ll get a full English breakfast daily plus three three-course dinners included. From €2.756.
Book at Tourradar.com
Best of Britain
This nine-Day Guided Tour of England, Scotland and Wales dives into the UK’s ancient history, leaving no stone unturned. Sit on the Stone of Destiny at Edinburgh Castle, the sandstone seat where Scottish monarchs were crowned; feel like William Wordsworth looking out over the peaks and water expanses of the Lake District; look in awe at Stonehenge, the prehistoric megalithic structure on Salisbury Plain. Along with these grand landmarks, there are plenty of unique moments to treasure too on this trip, such as a relaxing cruise of Plymouth Harbour and a Farm-to-Table dining experience. These tours are always small groups and use Business Class-style coaches with fewer seats and more legroom, as well as five-star hotels in great locations. From €2,595.
Book at Insightvacations.com
Best of Devon and Cornwall
(Photo: Trafalgar.com)
With meandering green country lanes, lost-in-time villages, cream teas, swaying palm trees, and, whisper it, some of the best beaches in the world, Devon and Cornwall are arguably the prettiest counties in the UK. This six day tour heads to the UK’s southeast, stopping at Stonehenge on the way, and on to discover what makes Devon and neighbouring Cornwall so special. You’ll unearth the legend of King Arthur at Tintagel Castle and learn how the monks of Buckfast Abbey have lived for centuries, before indulging in a traditional cream tea or a Cornish pasty. Journey to Penzance for spectacular views of one of Cornwall’s iconic landmarks, St Michael’s Mount with its 17th-century castle, and get lost in the lanes of St. Ives, Cornwall’s premier artists’ retreat. On the way back you’ll get to visit Bath and Bristol too. From €1,616.
Book at Trafalgar.com
England and Scotland
This nine-day tour aims to dive into Britain’s culture old and new – and have plenty of fun doing it. You’ll be off to Penny Lane as part of a Beatles tour of Liverpool as well as monster-spotting while cruising across the waters of Loch Ness. There’s also a chilled cruise of Lake Windermere and a spot of whiskey tasting in Scotland. Contiki focuses on 18 to 35 year olds, so the itinerary is tailored to be both informative and have elements of all your best Friday nights combined. Bring plenty of energy and this will definitely be a blast. From €1,449.
Book at Contiki.com