Great Britain by train, through England and Scotland
ACCOMPANY (10 days, no night on board) Passing through London, Cambridge, York and Edinburgh, you'll travel through much of British history, from the Romans to the London Eye.
(ENGLAND) LONDON - CAMBRIDGE - YORK - CARLISLE - (SCOTLAND) GLASGOW - ISLAND OF SKYE - INVERNESS - EDINBURGH
Langue: English, French
Tour properties: Escorted
DAY 1 : ARRIVAL IN LONDON
You arrive in England's capital, London.
Transfer to your centrally-located hotel. After settling in, free time to explore the Kensington district with its Palace Gardens, a giant green space full of surprises, such as the Princess Diana memorial, the bronze statue dedicated to Peter Pan or the beautiful Orangery, a former greenhouse where you can enjoy a delicious English tea.
Meet the group in the early evening for a welcome dinner.
Overnight at the Millenium Copthorne Tara in London 4* or similar. (DI)
DAY 2 : LONDON
After breakfast at the hotel, you're off on a guided tour of London's must-see landmarks: the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and Parliament. This half-day tour also includes an aerial view of the city from the London Eye, London's famous Ferris wheel.
Afternoon at leisure to enjoy the beautiful city of London. Dinner on your own.
Overnight at the Millenium Copthorne Tara in London 4* or similar. (DDP).
DAY 3: THE UNIVERSITY CITY OF CAMBRIDGE
This morning, you board the first train of your journey.
En route, you'll have the opportunity to visit Cambridge, home to England's second oldest university. A local guide introduces you to the various colleges and their histories, dating back to 1284. After this short visit, the special bus takes you to Peterborough, from where you catch the train back to York.
Check-in and free time. Dinner on your own.
Overnight at the Moxy Hotel in York 4* or similar (DDP)
DAY 4 : YORK, THE CITY OF THE VIKINGS
Today is devoted to the historic city of York, in the north-east of England. The ramparts and narrow medieval streets of this ancient and beautiful city are part of your guided tour. You'll travel through 2,000 years of history, from Roman origins to the present day, including the Viking conquest, which still has a strong place in York's history.
Afternoon free to wander the city. Dinner at leisure.
Overnight at the Moxy Hotel in York 4* or similar (DDP)
DAY 5 : ACROSS THE MOORS
A journey aboard a historic steam train awaits you today on the North York Moors Railway. After a short bus interlude, you board a train that takes you over 22 viaducts and through 14 tunnels to Carlisle, one of England's most picturesque railroads and part of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Carlisle is 15km south of Scotland, and its history, by proximity, parallels that of Scotland.
Evening and dinner at leisure.
Overnight at Sure Collection by Best Western in Carlisle 3* or similar (DDP)
DAY 6 : ALONG THE SCOTTISH BORDER
Your guide has lots of stories and anecdotes to tell on your train journey today. Today, you cross the invisible border into Scotland via the port city of Glasgow. Victorian architecture and art nouveau are Glasgow's calling card.
Leave your luggage at the hotel and enjoy some free time in Europe's capital of culture. Dinner at leisure.
Overnight at Voco Grand Central, Glasgow 4* or similar (DDP).
DAY 7 : THE WEST HIGHLAND LINE
Time permitting, a short city tour of Glasgow, before setting off for the Scottish Highlands. Aboard the West Highland Line, you enter the wild beauty of Scotland. For many, this is the most beautiful railway line in the world.
You'll cross valleys and moors surrounded by majestic mountains and lakes. Your day ends in the heart of the Highlands, in Fort William, known as the gateway to Ben Nevis, the UK's highest peak, and the Glen Nevis valley, home to Steall Falls.
Dinner at the hotel restaurant.
Overnight at Ben Nevis Hotel Fort William 3* or similar (DDP, ID)
DAY 8 : CROSSING THE ISLAND OF SKYE TO INVERNESS
Today you'll take a variety of means of transport and discover Scotland's must-sees. In homage to Harry Potter, your day begins with a regular train ride over the famous Glenfinnan viaduct to Mallaig.
The ferry then takes you to the Isalnd of Skye, world-famous for its spectacular mountains. On the way you'll see the glowing Red Hills. You cross the whole island to its northernmost peninsula, Trotternish. From the Kilt Rock lookout point, you'll see a fascinating spectacle: the superb Mealt Falls tumbling over cliffs lost in the mist and plunging into the sea.
After crossing the island, you return to the mainland and the train to the city of Inverness awaits you for the last journey of the day, with its magnificently picturesque scenery.
Check-in and dinner at the hotel restaurant.
Overnight at Royal Highland Hotel Inverness 3* or similar (DDP, ID).
DAY 9 : EDINBURGH
Your last scheduled train journey through Scotland takes you today from Inverness to Edinburgh, following the coastline at a leisurely pace.
On arrival, your guide takes you on a tour of the city center, with the Royal Mile stretching from Holyrood Palace to Edinburgh Castle. After this exciting guided tour, you return to the hotel.
Farewell dinner at a local restaurant .
Overnight at Yotel Edinburgh 4* or similar (DDP, ID)
DAY 10 : RETURN TO FRANCE
After breakfast, free time to explore Edinburgh at your leisure before heading home (DDP).
GREAT BRITAIN BY TRAIN THROUGH SCOTLAND - TRANSPORT
This tour takes you on several trains:
- Regular train
London > Cambridge (1h15)
Peterborough > York (1h15)
- Travel by bus
Cambridge > Peterborough (30-45min)
- North York Moors Railway
Pickering > Carlisle (2h30)
30 minutes on the North Moors Railway + 2h on a regular and very scenic train to Carlisle
- Regular train
Carlisle > Glasgow (2h30)
- West Highland Line
Glasgow > Fort William (3h45)
- Regular Train
Inverness > Kyle of Lochalsh (2h30)
Inverness > Edinburgh (3h45)
The historic North York Moors RailWay opened in 1836 and to this day offers a 29-kilometer steam train ride winding through the North York Moors National Park,
The train makes several stops along the way, which lasts just 1 hour 50 minutes and offers spectacular views of the rugged moors... This is the most popular line in England.
Considered the most picturesque line in the world, the West Highland Line was inaugurated in 1894. It runs along the shores of Loch Linnhe from Glasgow to Fort William in Scotland.
Departure dates:
DEPARTURES 2024:LONDON - EDINBURGH
September 01 - September 10
PRICE 2024 - LONDON / EDINBURGH
Price in double/twin room : from €4,980 per person
Single room supplement : from €990 per person
- ETA required for Great Britain from September 2024.
Departure point: London (other cities on request)
End point: Edinburgh (other cities on request)
Additional travel to these cities will be offered in your quote.
PRICE INCLUDES
- Accommodation in a double or twin room
- Tourist taxes
- All train journeys as per itinerary
- Meals as per program (DDA = breakfast, ID = dinner)
- Sightseeing program with English-speaking guide
- Entrance fees as per program
- Visit to Edinburgh Castle
- Guided transfers to and from all airports and stations as per program
- French-speaking assistance from Discovery Trains teams at all times during the trip
- Electronic travel guide
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE
- International transport
- Single room supplement in hotels
- Meals not mentioned
- Insurance
- Tips
- Printed travel diary sent by post (+ €12)
