Sober Curious: Great Britain and Ireland

London to Bristol via Windsor and Bath

Good morning dear Londonites! Meet your new sober curious crew and hop onto our coach. It’s time to make some moves.  Hello Windsor, at the top of our agenda today is obviously, getting a magnificent view of the royal Windsor Castle! Afterwards, you’ve got some free time. So why not strut like a royal around this beautiful town studded with gardens and riverside views. And then it’s back on the coach to our next destination. Ready? We’re going back in time. Because you’ve got some free time to explore this historical town. Visit the Royal Crescent, Roman Baths, the Jane Austen museum or maybe do a canal cruise! (Go on, live your period drama dreams.) Welcome to the wonderful city of Bristol. Colourful buildings, charming streets, beautiful bridges - you’re in for a treat. Speaking of treats…dinner’s on us today! So, drop your bags off at our hotel and join us. What next? We’ve got one last trick up our sleeve. It’s time for a magic show!

Ibis Bristol Centre Hotel (or similar)

• London
• Windsor
• Bath
• Bristol

Bristol to Birmingham via Oxford and Stratford-upon-Avon

Time to wake up! We’ve got some more exploration to do. And you’ve got a delicious breakfast waiting for you. Today, you can choose to check out Bristol’s street art with a local guide before we make our way into Oxford! You’ve been dreaming about this. Haven’t you? We’re finally in THE Oxford - with its world-famous museums, libraries, churches and of course, University. You can even choose to roam around the river on a Punt.  There's so much to be discovered here. So, it's a good thing you've got some free time in this quaint little town (that's also the home of Shakespeare!). In the evening, we'll head to our stop for the night - Birmingham. Hungry? We’ll grab a quick bite in town. Then, it’s time to make our very own treat at a great British baking class! (You know, the iconic white tent and all.)

Ibis Birmingham New Street Station (or similar)

• Bristol
• Oxford
• Stratford-upon-Avon
• Birmingham

Birmingham to Manchester via Liverpool

Birmingham, you’ve been grand. But we’ve got places to be. Grab some breakfast before we hop onto our coach once more. Welcome to Liverpool. Chat all things Beatlemania & football in your best Scouse accent as we take a guided walking tour of the cities best hotspots. Tonight’s dinner is a 5-course local farm-to-fork meal, followed by a stroll around the farm to see where the food you just ate was grown. Hope you brought a big appetite!

ibis Manchester Centre Princess Street (or similar)

• Birmingham
• Liverpool
• Manchester

Manchester to York

You’ve got the morning to spend exploring the red-bricked streets of this city. Need a caffeine boost? The local coffee shops here have just what you need.  2,000 years of history will unfold upon us as we amble down narrow lanes of York, exploring the Minster, the Shambles and Clifford’s Tower. For fans of folklore, sign up to a night of ghostly horrors and dark alleyways & prepare to be spooked.

Holiday Inn Express Wakefield (or similar)

• Manchester
• York

York to Carlisle via Lake District

Even if the ghosts of York kept you awake all night, you're going to need to rise & shine and wave goodbye to the Harry Potter like setting of this ancient city. (Sorry).  Obstacles aren’t really our thing. But when they’re all natural? Like rocky chutes, clear pools of water and even the occasional mini waterfall - all in the oh-so-stunning Lake District? Who can say no? And today, you have the option to explore it all.  We’ll end the day in quaint and charming Carlisle, England's northern-most town (right on the border of England & Scotland)! Nothing like the northern air to cosy up and wake as fresh as a daisy the next morning for all our activities.

Ibis Carlisle City Centre Hotel (or similar)

• York
• Lake District National Park
• Carlisle

Carlisle to Edinburgh via Hadrian's Wall

Today we are in for some border hopping along the English/Scottish border to see the sights on our way to Edinburgh! We'll take a spectacular drive to the Roman Empire’s impressive Hadrian’s Wall as well as English country charm in abundance. Back in the 21st Century, we'll find ourselves in Edinburgh - all alive and buzzing during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. We'll stroll around the cobblestoned streets and then catch a comedy show to see what the world renowned festival is all about.

Ibis Edinburgh Centre South Bridge (or similar)

• Carlisle
• Hadrian's Wall
• Edinburgh

Edinburgh

Today is yours to roam free - but if you want to get the low down on the history of this city why not join our local guide for an optional tour of Edinburgh Castle (which is resting on an extinct volcano!). Or maybe you'll do a spot of tartan shopping on Princes Street. Up for a mini adventure? Then join us this afternoon for a hike to Arthur’s Seat - one of the city’s most famous spots.

Ibis Edinburgh Centre South Bridge (or similar)

• Edinburgh

Edinburgh to Scottish Highlands

It's time to blaze a trail out of Edinburgh & head for the Scottish Highlands. On the way to the main affair of the day we'll stop by St. Andrews, the birthplace of golf, would you believe? As well as Scotland’s oldest university town. Already blown away by the beauty of the rugged mountain scenery en route, we'll arrive in the Scottish Highlands amped up for mystical tales and a to compete in some optional traditional Highland games.

Loch Ness Lodge Hotel Drumnadrochit (or similar)

• Edinburgh
• St. Andrews
• Scottish Highlands

Scottish Highlands to Glasgow via Loch Ness and Dundreggan

We might be coming down from a high (geographically speaking) this morning, but as we seek out the stunning Loch Ness, the mood will only be rising. We'll stop to see lovely Loch Ness and hop on board for a cruise of the most voluminous lake in the UK - containing more water than all the lakes of England and Wales combined! It's also rumoured to contain something else, something far more legendary which you're sure to have heard of... Small pitstop! We'll check out the lush, hilly rewilding centre here to learn about how Scotland's native animal species are reintroduced in the wild. We'll arrive into Glasgow tonight, grab a bite to eat and then hit the hay ready for some more exploration in the am!

Ibis Budget Glasgow (or similar)

• Scottish Highlands
• Loch Ness
• Dundreggan
• Glasgow

Glasgow

Wakey wakey everyone. We're up bright and early today, and this city's all yours to explore. Plus, you've got the option to check out the nearby Stirling castle (and the town where William Wallace took on the English and yelled "Freeedom!"). And even learn & eat all about Scotland's national Dish - Haggis.

Ibis Budget Glasgow (or similar)

• Glasgow

Glasgow to Dublin via Larne

Scotland, you've been unreal. If Ireland puts on half the show you did, we have many happy days ahead of us. We arrive in the port town of Larne, your first steps on Northern Irish soil, but not for long... So much more than the capital city, Dublin is a place of heritage and character. Tonight, and your Trip Manager will take you on a stroll through town to tick off some of the most iconic locations in Irish history.

Travelodge Plus Dublin City Centre (or similar)

• Glasgow
• Larne
• Dublin

Dublin to Clonmel via County Wexford and Kilkenny

That's us done with Dublin…for now. But fear not Dub-lovers, we'll get another taste of this fine place before our trip comes to an end.  It’s been a few days of city hustle & bustle. But now it’s time to relax. Join us for a gentle yoga class before we grab lunch at a beautiful folklorish barn (with fairy lights and all…).  One bicycle ride in this city, and you’ll be wishing you had Irish blood! We’ll explore the castle, a cathedral and take in all of the medieval charm that Kilkenny has to offer before we hit the road again. Guess what? Dinner’s on us tonight. And later in the evening, we’ll head off into town together and explore the cute little town of Clonmel.

Talbot Hotel Clonmel (or similar)

• Dublin
• Wexford
• Kilkenny
• Clonmel

Clonmel to Galway via Blarney and Cliffs of Moher

Clonmel, it's been fun, but we have to leave you now. Tonight, we're off to an Irish city that was propelled into the pop culture stratosphere by none other than Ed Sheeran. Anyone wanna guess where? Irish folklore tells us there's a chunk of limestone built into a castle that grants its kissers the gift of the gab. Pucker up kids, we're paying her a visit! Whether heights are your cup of Irish Breakfast or not, these impressive cliff faces are not to be missed! From the moment we arrive in Galway, you'll understand why 2 nights were needed here. Everything you've dreamed Ireland to be is tucked into this small, atmospheric city. We'll wander through the streets of Galway, soaking up every bit of this magical city and even grab a bite to eat on the way.

Travelodge Galway City Hotel (or similar)

• Clonmel
• Blarney
• Cliffs of Moher
• Galway

Galway

Try your tongue at some Gaelic and carry on exploring gorgeous Galway. Or, if you hear the call of the wild, you can sign yourself up to a ferry ride to Aran Islands in summer where you can dance around with horses and take a bike ride around the picturesque farms, or head up to Dún Aonghasa (the ruins of a prehistoric fortress) - make sure you take photos, this area is not for the faint-hearted! Irish life, you so sweet.

Travelodge Galway City Hotel (or similar)

• Galway

Galway to Derry/Londonderry

Goodbye Galway, hello more Irish eye-candy. Here the 17th century walls stand at 8 metres high speaking of times gone by when this area was in battle. Times may have changed, but we're still keen to soak up the history and learn a thing or two from our wise Local Guide. What next? You can choose to meet a 4th generation shepherd at his farm for a rural Irish experience. Or even choose to head out for a Bogside walking tour. This day is as Irish as it gets!

Holiday Inn Express Derry (or similar)

• Galway
• Derry/Londonderry

Derry/Londonderry to Belfast

Today we've got a one way ticket to Belfast and a whole lot more exploration to do. UNESCO World Heritage site of the Giant’s Causeway - also known as those giant rock columns you've probably drooled over on Pinterest, needs to be seen to be believed. Get those hashtags ready, a snap with the group is essential on the mind-blowing natural formation. Next up - we'll arrive in Belfast. Concluding the day will be a driving tour and an optional trip to the Titanic museum where the world's most famous ship was built.

Ramada by Wyndham Belfast City Centre (or similar)

• Derry/Londonderry
• Giant's Causeway
• Belfast

Belfast to Dublin

With one night left in Ireland and on tour, we're on the fast track to Dublin where our Irish fairytale first began. A promise is a promise. Here we are back in the city that started our Ireland infatuations. You’ve got a free afternoon to explore every nook & cranny of this cosy, cosy city. And if you wanna finish off with a bang, there’s a traditional Irish dinner waiting just waiting to be devoured.

Travelodge Plus Dublin City Centre (or similar)

• Belfast
• Dublin

Dublin to London via Wales

We leave Ireland today with leprechauns in our hearts and memories in our souls. Enjoy the roll back to London town as it will be the last bout our crew has together. Before we wave goodbye to our friends in jolly Old London, why not test your Welsh on a visit to a town boasting the longest name in Europe... Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch! Now that's a mouthful! We've crossed the Irish Sea, motored through Wales, passed the town of try-to-say-it-out-loud Llanfairpwllgwyngyll, and now we are back in London. With our spirits all high & buzzing, we’ll wave goodbye to your mates. That's all (for now) folks! We’ll see you again, in another place at another time.

• Dublin
• Wales
• London