Family-Friendly Adventure in England & Scotland - 7 Days

Day 1: Arrive in London & Explore on Hop-on, Hop-off Bus

Welcome to London! After arriving and transferring to your hotel, you'll have the afternoon for sightseeing. Board the Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus to explore the city at your own pace. The circuits feature a series of stops around London's landmarks and key attractions. Highlights include Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, 10 Downing Street, Piccadilly Circus, the London Eye, Covent Garden, Tower Bridge, City Hall, Hyde Park Corner, Notting Hill, and many more. You'll have unlimited access to all routes for 24 hours.

Day 2: Enjoy a "Harry Potter" Walking Tour & Kensington Palace

Harry Potter fans, unite! Today you'll go on a walking tour around London with a specialized guide to see some of the series' key locations and sites that inspired J.K. Rowling, from Shakespeare's Globe to the alleys that inspired Knockturn Alley. Find out which Hogwarts House you belong in, then stroll down Diagon Alley, where Harry buys his first wand. Visit the Leaky Cauldron, the secret wizarding inn, and see iconic London sites like Borough Market and Trafalgar Square. Other highlights include Southwark Cathedral, Winchester Palace, the 900-year-old Clink Prison, Millennium Bridge, Sherlock Holmes' Pub, Gringotts Wizarding Bank, and the Palace Theatre. For part of the guided tour, you'll choose between a short boat trip down the River Thames or a ride on the world-famous London Underground. 

 

Kensington Palace is your next destination today. Once a suburban villa known as Nottingham House, the estate was chosen by new monarchs William III and Mary II in 1689 as a country retreat. Over the years, Stuart and Georgian monarchs transformed the palace into a fashionable home for Britain’s young royal families. Queen Victoria spent her childhood here, though she left to live in Buckingham Palace in 1837. Kensington later became home for minor royals, including her daughter, the talented sculptor Princess Louise.

More recently, the palace has been home to Diana, Princess of Wales, Princess Margaret, and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. It is also the London home of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children. An admission ticket includes access to all public areas of the palace and gardens and takes you on a tour through the palace to see the King’s Stairs, the King’s Gallery, and the Queen's State Apartments.

Day 3: Tour Windsor, Bath & Stonehenge

Today you'll visit England's largest and most historic royal residence, Windsor Castle, with a private guide. The castle dates back over 900 years! On a castle tour, you'll explore the magnificent State Apartments and St. George's Chapel, the burial place of former Kings and Queens of England. One highlight is Queen Mary's one-time dollhouse, furnished with tiny handmade beds, carpets, silver candlesticks, and chandeliers.

 

Next, you'll visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bath, the onetime home of one of England’s most famous writers, Jane Austen. Bath is also home to the Roman Baths, considered one of the finest historic sites in Northern Europe. Tour the Sacred Spring, the Roman Temple, the Roman Bath House, and the Grand Pump Room.

This last stop on your tour today will be to the 5,000-year-old Neolithic stones of Stonehenge. Set on Salisbury Plain, Stonehenge is one of the most mysterious places in the world. How did the stones get there? What do they represent? Who put them there? See if you can piece together the evidence at Stonehenge on a guided visit.

Day 4: Food Tour Around Edinburgh 

Take an overnight ride on the Caledonian Sleeper, a comfortable train that travels to and from Scotland. On arrival in Edinburgh, you'll embark on a guided food tour. The walk takes you through the up-and-coming area of Stockbridge, where you'll stop in at a select group of food shops and market stands.

 

Depending on the day of the week, you may visit Scotland’s oldest specialist deli and wine merchant to discuss the influence that Italian immigrants had (and still have) on Edinburgh's food scene. Or stop in the city's first independent coffee shop to learn about the cafe renaissance in the Scottish capital, then taste smoked salmon, haddock, and trout from an award-winning smokehouse. Along the way, you'll meet shop owners and discover some of the best-kept secrets of Scottish culinary traditions.

Day 5: Explore Cairngorms National Park on a Wildlife Tour 

Get ready for stunning scenery. Cairngorms National Park offers some of the best wildlife diversity in the United Kingdom—the pristine landscape is home to a quarter of the UK's threatened species. You'll get to see these landscapes up close on a wildlife safari with a private guide. Exploring the terrain in a 4x4 vehicle, you'll stop at lookout points and keep your eyes open for wildcats, deer, golden eagles, and a wide variety of birdlife.

Day 6: Ride the Jacobite Train & Cruise on the Caledonian Canal 

A memorable journey awaits today. The Jacobite Train is a steam locomotive-hauled tourist train service that operates over part of the West Highland Line in Scotland. The Jacobite runs between Fort William and Mallaig, passing through an area of great scenic beauty including alongside Loch Eil, Glenfinnan Viaduct, and Arisaig. Trains cross with regular service trains at Glenfinnan station. The route was made famous in the Harry Potter films—fans know it as the Hogwarts Express. 

You'll enjoy a ride that starts near the highest mountain in Britain, Ben Nevis and passes close by the deep freshwater loch known as Loch Morar. Roll past the shortest river in Britain, River Morar, before arriving at the deepest seawater loch in Europe, Loch Nevis. The end of the line, Mallaig, is a busy fishing port. Once you arrive, you'll have some time to enjoy a stroll around, stopping in some of the port's many shops, bars, and restaurants. This is a perfect time to break for a lunch of fish and chips!

The trip comes to its conclusion with a cruise on the Caledonian Canal. Board at Dochgarroch, enjoying castle views on an unforgettable journey that continues across the legendary waters of Loch Ness. Spend the night in Fort William. 

Day 7: Depart Edinburgh