Great Britain Christmas
7 Days Starting and ending in London
Visiting: London, Cambridge, York, Angel of the North, Hadrian's Wall, Gretna Green, Scottish Highlands, Glen Coe, Loch Ness, Edinburgh, Dundee, St Andrews, Lake District, Liverpool, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Wales, Bath, Stonehenge
Tour operator:
Tour code:
GBXMAS
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
10 - 51
Physical rating:
Low
Age range:
10-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Celebrating Christmas in England, Scotland and Wales is a magical thing! On this Great Britain Christmas group tour, enjoy awe-inspiring landscapes, must-see historical destinations and festive cheer. Visit York, Bath and Cardiff. See Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare’s birthplace, and Liverpool - home of The Beatles! Explore the beautiful Scottish Highlands, England’s Lake District and the famous Loch Ness. Tuck into traditional pub fare and drink a dram with the locals. Spend Christmas Day in Edinburgh and embrace the Scottish Yuletide festivities! Make your festive season one to remember with a fun-filled Christmas tour.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Start Of Tour In London - Cambridge - York
Location: London, Cambridge, York
Meals Included: Dinner
Welcome to your Christmas tour of Great Britain! Today, depart London and get ready to fill your lungs with fresh, English countryside air. Arrive in Cambridge, and embark on a punting trip along the river. The age-old tradition offers great views of the stunning scenery and epic, historical buildings as you float along the water. Travel towards York this afternoon. This city is a hotspot for history buffs and lovers of fine architecture and culture. Head out on a walking tour for fascinating insights into York’s history and stories. Tonight, enjoy a traditional pub dinner in an authentic British pub!
Cambridge punting trip: Take part in the age-old Cambridge tradition of punting down the river on a punt (a long flat-bottomed boat). Cruise down the River Cam and take in the sights and surroundings along the way.
Walking tour of York: Take a walking tour around this historic walled city with your Expat Explore tour leader.
Dinner in York: Tuck into a delicious dinner at a local restaurant in York. Toast to the first night of this tour of Great Britain and get to know your fellow travellers over dinner this evening.
Day 2: Angel Of The North - Hadrian's Wall - Gretna Green - Glasgow - Scottish Highlands
Location: Angel of the North, Hadrian's Wall, Gretna Green, Scottish Highlands
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Get ready for a jam-packed day full of beautiful and historic sights! Depart York and travel to the Angel of the North for a photo stop at this iconic sculpture in northern England. Then, travel to Hadrian’s Wall; a defensive fortification constructed by Emperor Hadrian centuries ago! Next, visit the historic village of Gretna Green. This romantic village is world-famous for weddings and once saw young lovers crossing the border to wed without their parents’ permission. Later, travel to the vibrant city of Glasgow and enjoy some free time to shop at the city’s charming Christmas markets! This evening, arrive at tonight’s accommodation in Arrochar which is a village located on Loch Long. Enjoy an included dinner tonight.
Photo stop at the Angel of the North: Enjoy a stopover at this famous contemporary sculpture in the north of England. Be sure to snap some photos!
Photo stop at Hadrian's Wall: Visit the Roman fortification on the border between England and Scotland, constructed under the orders of Emperor Hadrian across the final frontier of the Roman Empire in what was then the Roman province of Britannia.
Visit Gretna Green: Found on the Scottish side of the border between England and Scotland, Gretna Green is a beautiful historic village that is one of the world’s most popular wedding destinations! This town is where lovers used to get married without their parent’s permission, many years ago, giving it a lasting legacy as a great spot to tie the knot.
Shop at Glasgow’s Christmas markets: Enjoy some free time in the vibrant Scottish city of Glasgow and soak up the festive spirit with a spot of shopping at the enchanting Christmas markets.
Spend the night in the Scottish Highlands: Enjoy an overnight stay in the heart of the iconic Scottish Highlands. Look forward to enchanting scenery and warm hospitality!
Day 3: Glen Coe - Loch Ness - Edinburgh
Location: Glen Coe, Loch Ness, Edinburgh
Meals Included: Breakfast
Start today with a stop at Glen Coe. Admire the spectacular views and learn about the infamous Massacre of Glencoe. Then, head onwards to Spean Bridge and keep an eye out for Ben Nevis (the highest mountain in the British Isles) as you travel through the Highlands. At lunch time, arrive in Fort Augustus at the base of the famous Loch Ness. Join the optional cruise excursion and see if you can spot ‘Nessie’, the mythical Loch Ness Monster! Afterwards, the scenic drive continues through the Scottish Highlands and along the edge of the picturesque Cairngorms National Park. Then, it's onwards to Edinburgh, passing over the Queensferry Crossing while admiring the views before arriving in the city.
See Glen Coe: Make a photo stop at one of the most beautiful valleys in the Scottish Highlands (a glen is a deep valley in Scotland) which is infamous for the tragic events of the massacre that happened here in 1692.
Visit Loch Ness: Will you be the person to spot the Loch Ness monster, as we make a stop in what is said to be her home? You’ll have free time to explore or take an optional cruise to see if you can spot her in the loch’s water.
Drive along Cairngorms National Park and over the Queensferry Crossing: Sit back, relax and enjoy the picturesque views of the Scottish landscape.
Day 4: Dundee - St Andrews - Edinburgh (Christmas Day)
Location: Dundee, St Andrews, Edinburgh
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Merry Christmas! This morning, head to the coastal city of Dundee, Scotland’s cultural and commercial hub. On arrival, enjoy an orientation tour with your tour leader. Learn more about Dundee’s history and see some of its top attractions, including the only V&A Museum outside of London! The tour then makes its way to the stunning university town of St Andrews. Get to know this charming town on an orientation tour and admire the ruins of St Andrews Cathedral which was first built in 1158! Then, celebrate and soak up the Scottish festive spirit with an included Christmas lunch. Later, head back to Edinburgh where the rest of the evening is free to spend as you wish.
Festive lunch: Celebrate Christmas and enjoy great Scottish hospitality with a delicious festive lunch.
Day 5: Edinburgh - Carlisle - Lake District - Liverpool
Location: Lake District, Liverpool
Meals Included: Breakfast
Depart Scotland and travel back across the border to England. Stop in Carlisle, an important historic city known for its centuries-old castle. Next, head to Bowness-on-Windermere, a lovely town in the picturesque Lake District. Here, join the Winter at Windermere optional excursion to enjoy a scenic cruise and traditional fish and chips lunch! Later, arrive in Liverpool and enjoy a driving tour of the city. The evening is free to explore the city that is the home of The Beatles and two world-famous premier league football clubs! The Beatles played hundreds of shows at the Cavern Club - this is the perfect place for a fan to spend the evening!
Visit Carlisle: Enjoy a comfort stop and some free time in Carlisle, a cathedral city in Cumbria which holds great historical significance. Why not pay a visit to its castle, which was first built in 1092, or soak up some art, science and history at the Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery?
Experience the English Lake District: This is truly your chance to experience lunch with a view - enjoy the scenery of this beautiful part of England, and find a spot to enjoy lunch in Bowness-on-Windermere while surrounded by a scenic landscape. The beauty of the English Lake District inspired many renowned poets and writers such as William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter.
Driving tour of Liverpool: Enjoy seeing some of Liverpool’s top sights on a driving tour of the city. Highlights include Anfield football stadium, Liverpool Cathedral, and the Albert Docks.
Day 6: Liverpool - Stratford-Upon-Avon - Wales
Location: Liverpool, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Wales
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Enjoy a “Magical Mystery” driving tour of Liverpool this morning, and see the city’s top sights associated with The Beatles! Next up, venture on to the birthplace of William Shakespeare. The town of Stratford-Upon-Avon is home to numerous Shakespearean attractions and fascinating historical locations. Enjoy free time to wander the streets once home to the famous playwright. Next, travel to the south of Wales where you'll have the chance to see a medieval castle. After snapping great photos of the centuries-old building, head onwards to the Welsh capital of Cardiff and enjoy an orientation driving tour of the city.
Liverpool Beatles driving tour: Hop aboard the coach to see and learn about a variety of locations connected to The Beatles on an early morning Beatles Magical Mystery Tour!
Visit to Stratford-Upon-Avon: Make a stop in this quaint town, which is the birthplace of William Shakespeare. Wander the city during your free time, and view many of the Shakespearean attractions, including the 16th-century house where the famous writer grew up.
Castle photo stop: On the road to Cardiff, enjoy the chance for a short stop at the medieval Raglan Castle and capture some photos.
Orientation driving tour of Cardiff: Arrive in the Welsh capital, and go on a driving tour of the city. Your tour leader will show you all the best highlights before you head back to the hotel.
Day 7: Bath - Stonehenge - London
Location: Bath, Stonehenge, London
Meals Included: Breakfast
As the last day of this British tour arrives, there is no sign of slowing down! The first stop today is Bath – a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring some of the finest architecture in Europe. Enjoy an orientation tour of the town for insight into the town’s history and the famous Roman Baths. Next up is an optional excursion that could have you unravelling one of the worlds’ greatest mysteries! Visit Stonehenge to see the ancient and awe-inspiring structure, which has baffled scientists, tourists and historians for centuries. Arrive back in London to end your tour this evening after a fantastic week of exploring Great Britain!
Bath Orientation tour: Learn all about Bath’s fascinating history and its top attractions, including the famous Roman Baths, with your tour leader.
What's Included
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Accommodation
6 nights in 2, 3 & 4* hotel accommodation in twin rooms with private bathrooms
Single travellers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room (subject to availability) -
Transport
Modern air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and toilet onboard
Any public transport used as part of the tour (excludes free days) -
Meals
6 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 3 Dinners*Vegetarian options available for all meals on request
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Experiences
Go punting down the River Cam in Cambridge
Stroll through the historic streets of York
Enjoy a group dinner in York
Visit the Angel of the North statue
Take a photo at Hadrian’s Wall
Visit world famous wedding destination Gretna Green
Shop at Glasgow’s Christmas markets
Spend a night in the Scottish Highlands
See Glen Coe; one of Scotland’s most beautiful valleys
Search for the mythical monster at Loch Ness
Admire the views of Cairngorms National Park and the Queensferry Crossing
Enjoy Christmas Day lunch in Edinburgh
Visit Carlisle, an important historic city
Experience the beauty of the English Lake District
Embark on a Liverpool driving tour with your tour leader
See Liverpool spots connected to The Beatles
Explore Stratford-Upon-Avon; home of Shakespeare
Enjoy a photo stop at a medieval Welsh Castle
Experience Cardiff on a driving tour
Discover Bath on an orientation walking tour
What's Not Included
International flights
Travel to the start point and from the endpoint is not included. We recommend using Skyscanner to find the best deals on international flights.
Travel insurance
For a relatively small price, travel insurance provides you with the peace of mind so that you can enjoy your tour without any worries.
All passengers travelling on an Expat Explore tour are required to have valid travel insurance cover and you are responsible for arranging your own insurance. Click here for more information.
Mode of Transport
- Modern air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and toilet onboard
- Any public transport used as part of the tour (excludes free days)
Accommodation
- 6 nights in 2, 3 & 4* hotel accommodation in twin rooms with private bathrooms
- Single travellers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room (subject to availability)
Traveller Comfort - *COACH* tours
We welcome all travellers on our tours but we would like to ensure that you are as comfortable as possible. In light of this, please ensure that you are happy with the below information and level of fitness required.
Expat Explore tries to be as accommodating as possible, however, our tours are unfortunately not designed for people travelling with wheelchairs or severe mobility issues.
Our tours are fast paced because they are designed for you to see the most a destination has to offer. We also want to ensure that you explore as much as possible, which may require long periods without stops on the coach as we drive to a new destination.
We offer walking tours in most cities (up to 3 hours), and a wheelchair is not always a practical option as there are often cobbled streets and stairs on these tours.
For travellers in wheelchairs, you will only be able to store your wheelchair under the coach with the other luggage. Thus, on the long drives between cities you will not necessarily have access to your wheelchair if we make a quick bathroom stop along the way. Please note that travelling with a wheelchair could prove difficult as our coaches don't have wheelchair lifts, as such you will need to be able to board and alight the coach on your own.
With regards to our accommodation, not all hotels have lifts and this means potentially having to carry bags up and down stairs.
For more information regarding traveller fitness please see our Terms and Conditions.
Check out our Q&As
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Will passengers from another country be participating in the tour?
Our travelers come from all walks of life, with different backgrounds and interests.
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Our tours are not suitable for young children, so we set a minimum age limit of 10 years old.
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Are flights included in this tour?
No, you will need to make your own arrangements to get to the meeting destination for the first day of your tour. Make sure you keep departure times and possible delays in mind when booking flights.
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
No, visas are each traveler’s personal responsibility, and we recommend that plenty of time is allowed for visas to be applied for. When applying for your visa, please ensure that the proper research is carried out before you apply, and that you deal directly with the embassies or certified agents with regard to acquiring correct and timely information. We cannot take responsibility for customers
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
If you are travelling alone, there is no compulsory charge - you will share a twin room with another passenger of the same gender. There is an optional single supplement/private room upgrade available for single travelers who wish to have a private room. This can be added at the time of booking or by contacting our customer services team. Please note that the room provided may be a single room wi
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Do you require a visa for this holiday?
Certain nationalities may require a visa(s) for this tour.
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Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?
Due to weight and space limitations, you are allowed to bring one main piece of luggage weighing no more than 20kg, and one small soft bag (such as a small daypack or backpack) for hand luggage weighing a maximum of 7kg. On all tours, you will have to carry your own luggage (e.g. into hotels and up to your room if hotels don’t have elevators). Please bear this in mind when you are deciding what to
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Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
Our tour leaders come from all walks of life, with different backgrounds and interests. They are all confident and well-travelled with an in-depth knowledge of the destinations they are working in, and a passion for helping you make the most out of your Expat Explore tour.
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
No, entrance fees are not included.
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Is free Wi-Fi available in the accommodation used?
All of the hotels on this tour offer Wi-Fi, which is available free of charge as part of your Expat Explore tour.
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What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?
We have searched and invested in excellent accommodation options, either located in cities or well placed with public transport connections. Clean linen, towels is always included. Toiletries (shampoo, shower gel etc) and hair dryers are not always included, so you may wish to bring these with you. Accommodation is provided in twin share en-suite rooms. We use a mix of mostly 2, 3 & 4-star hotels.
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Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
On this tour, you will enjoy some free time to explore at your own pace. Free time gives you the opportunity to see more of a destination. This is a chance to embark on one of Expat Explore’s popular optional excursions or simply see aspects of a city, town or destination that interest you but are not included on the tour itinerary.
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What is the tipping policy?
Whilst we fully understand that some nationalities are not accustomed to tipping, this is a normal part of the culture in many of the countries we visit. Tipping has become an increasingly accepted practice in all areas of the service industry, but particularly in restaurants, bars and taxis worldwide.Expat Explore crew members
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What currencies are required for this tour?
Euro
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
All our tours are conducted in English.
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What is the maximum group size?
It depends on how many other people book! There could be up to 51 other passengers, so you will have the opportunity to make lots of friends!
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
All travellers are required to carry their own bags, get on and off the coach, and use public transport. Our city walking tours can last up to 3 hours and certain places involve walking up and down lots of steps. We want you to enjoy your tour, so read through the itinerary thoroughly and make your own conclusions as to whether you feel that you are fit and healthy enough.
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
We are committed to curating excellent travel experiences and to do so we need all of our travelers to feel safe.
In order to ensure the peace of mind and safety of our travelers and staff on board the coach, we are still requesting that all travellers, regardless of their vaccination status, produce a negative Covid test. This test can be a PCR test -
Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No, you will need to make your own arrangements to get to the meeting point for the first day of your tour. Please see the meeting point information for details on how to reach the meeting point.
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Is the tour coach air conditioned?
Yes, Full air-conditioning
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
If you are travelling alone there is no compulsory charge - you will share a twin room with another passenger of the same gender. There is an optional single supplement/private room upgrade available for single travellers who wish to have a private room. This can be added at the time of booking or by contacting our team.
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Children on tour?
Our tours are not suitable for young children which is why we have a minimum age limit of 10 years old. However, at the discretion of Expat Explore we may consider younger children on certain tours if they meet certain criteria and a request is received in writing via email. Minors (between 10 and 18 years of age) must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who accepts full responsibility for them. Unaccompanied minors will not be accepted on tour. Expat Explore reserves the right to decline any booking at our discretion. Any minor (between 10 and 18 years of age) is priced the same as an adult.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
The health and safety of our travellers and employees are our top priority. Which means, when you travel with us, our enhanced hygiene protocols will ensure you do so in a safe and responsible way - ask for details of current policies.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 2005
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
At Expat Explore we value responsible travel and are committed to exploring the world consciously and kindly. We are proud to make responsible travel possible with a number of our sustainable travel practices!
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
Relate is a South African based not-for-profit organisation that Expat Explore supports. The group aims to help those less fortunate create better lives for themselves through a variety of fundraising initiatives. On our South Africa tours, each passenger will receive an Expat Explore branded Relate bracelet. We donate the cost of these bracelets to our chosen Relate charity: the Nelson Mandela Sc
Reviews from Travellers on this Tour
Dates & Availability
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Sunday - Saturday
Dec 22, 2024 - Dec 28, 2024Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Expat Explore Travel allows you to make 5 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 76 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
Expat Explore Travel requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 45 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of expat explore travel charges.
Up to 45 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 44 days before tour starts: Forfeit 40% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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