Great Britain

Welcome to your tour of Great Britain! Today, you will fill your lungs with fresh, English countryside air, as you depart the city of London, and head to where the grass is greener. Arriving in Cambridge, your first adventure will have you punting along the river in traditional style, taking in the stunning scenery and epic, historical buildings in the most relaxing way. Simply wonderful! The afternoon sees you continuing your rural journey towards York, a mecca for history buffs and lovers of fine architecture and culture. Your walking tour offers fascinating insights, stories and history of the city. Tonight, you will enjoy dinner in a traditional English pub - plenty of choices on the menu, including English favourites such as fish and chips or bangers and mash (delicious sausages and creamy mashed potatoes).

Get ready to experience places of historical battles, religious significance, ancient architecture and royal ruins. Your first stop of the day is the iconic Hadrian’s Wall. Built by hand in 122 AD, its creation is extremely significant in the history of Great Britain, and it is one of the most visited cultural landmarks in the UK. Not too far away lies the border town of Jedburgh. Famed for its links to royalty and historical warfare, you will have an opportunity to explore the city and take in the amazing architecture, which speak for populations passed. The Jedburgh Abbey ruins are incredible, and a visit is highly recommended. As you journey through Scotland, relax and enjoy the beautiful landscape drifting past. The capital city is waiting, and your Expat Explore tour leader will introduce you to Edinburgh on an evening driving and orientation walking tour.

Today, you are free to explore the city as you wish, and there is so much to see and do. Known as the cultural capital of Scotland, Edinburgh is blessed with stunning grey stone buildings, along with architecture, art galleries, memorials and higher education faculties. Take a step back in time, and wander around the authentic, unchanged cobbled streets of the Royal Mile, and meander down to the Grass Market, to a row of pubs where public hangings used to ‘entertain’ the crowds. Edinburgh Castle is well worth the entry fee, and requires a few hours to explore and learn about Scottish history and royalty - there are wonderful views from the top! For those wishing to shop for souvenirs, Princes Street attracts shoppers from all over the world. The city comes alive at night, in the bars and pubs in the city centre, so why not enjoy a pint or a traditional whisky with the friendly locals?

Just over halfway through your Great Britain tour, you are now heading north to the Scottish Highlands, where we offer you an optional excursion that could change your life! Embark on a 1 hour cruise of Loch Ness, (home to ‘Nessie’ the Loch Ness Monster - see if you can spot her and take in the impressive ruins of Urquhart Castle as you drift past on your boat ride). Once back on the road, prepare for boldness and the symbol of the highlands. Rising out of the ground like a waking giant, behold the grandeur of Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain. Whilst in the region, you will visit Glencoe – a spectacular Glen (Scottish for a deep valley in the Highlands) where the massacre of Glencoe took place in 1692 - one of the most fascinating yet saddest stories encompassing Scotland’s history. Your day will wind down with a well-earned whisky tasting at one of Scotland’s oldest, licensed whisky distilleries in Fort William, before continuing on to your hotel in the Scottish Highlands. Enjoy your final evening in this amazing country.

As your heart sinks at the thought of leaving Scotland, be reassured that there are exciting adventures to be had today in England! Your Great Britain tour will take a twist into modern history, as you head across the border, bound for Liverpool - the home of The Beatles and two world-famous premier league football clubs! On the way, you can soak up the last of the Scottish landscape, before reaching the picturesque Lake District for a lunch stop – the views are simply stunning! We then arrive in Liverpool late afternoon, where you will have the evening free to explore. Upon checking in at the hotel, head to one of the many local pubs for dinner. For Beatles fans, there are a myriad of locations that were significant to developing the world-class pop act, which shaped modern music as we know it. Home to Paul, John, George and Ringo, Liverpool inspired such timeless classics including ‘Strawberry Fields’ and ‘Penny Lane’. The Beatles played hundreds of shows at the Cavern Club, the perfect place to enjoy your time in Liverpool.

This morning, we will take a driving tour of Liverpool, where you will be shown the sights, before we venture on to the birthplace of William Shakespeare - Stratford-upon-Avon. An orientation tour will allow you to explore the quaint, historical village, and then you will have some free time to explore on your own. There are numerous Shakespearean attractions and fascinating historical locations to visit. For those who wish to delve into the life of Shakespeare more intimately, we can arrange an optional excursion for you to visit the home where he grew up as a child, where he also lived with his wife when they were newlyweds. Sliding into south Wales, we take a photo stop at Caerphilly Castle, a medieval fortification built in the 13th Century, ranked the second largest castle in the UK. Surrounded by artificial lakes, not only is the architecture a sight to behold, but it was also a ground-breaking design back in its day. Heading onwards to the Welsh capital of Cardiff, you have an evening in which to enjoy the local nightlife on offer.

This is the last day of your British Tour, and there is no sign of slowing down! The road from Wales to London is littered with history, stunning scenery and architectural delights. First stop for the day is Bath – a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring some of the finest architecture in Europe. Join us on an orientation tour of the town, and learn about the historical significance of the region, including the natural hot springs that supply the Roman baths - visited by over 1 million international tourists every year! Continuing on the last legs of your journey, you have an optional excursion that could have you unravelling one of the worlds’ greatest mysteries. Stonehenge - need we say more? You have the opportunity to witness an ancient and awe-inspiring structure, which has baffled scientists, tourists and historians for centuries. As you board your Expat Explore coach for the last time on your Great Britain tour, take this chance to exchange contact details and share photos with new friends and fellow travellers, before you alight at your last stop in London.