Inspiring Adventures in the Wild Places of the UK & Ireland SAMPLE ITINERARY MULTI COUNTRY- BESPOKE ENGLAND & SCOTLAND ADVENTURE The Wilderness Collective Tel: +44(0)1479 420 020 russell@thewildernesscollective.com
D1 ARRIVE INTO LONDON Meet your driver in arrivals and private transfer to the comfort of your 4-star boutique city centre hotel to relax and catch up on some sleep. Overnight: 4 Star Luxury Hotel D2 -INSIDERS LONDON Today is your chance to really discover London. Highlights here include Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye but also lesser known points of interest. Overnight: 4 Star Luxury Hotel D3- CITY ESCAPE TO BATH & BEYOND Escape the city today and catch the morning train across the rolling countryside of southwest England to the richly historic town of Bath, famous for its natural Roman hot springs and 18th Century Georgian architecture. Here you can enjoy a self guided exploration of this beautiful city now designated a UNESCO world heritage site. Overnight: 4 Star Boutique Hotel D4- QUINTESSENTIAL ENGLAND IN THE COTSWOLDS Defined by gently rolling hills, hidden river valleys, market towns and honey coloured villages, the Cotswolds are quintessentially English. Meet your private blue badge guide and driver this morning and journey north into the Cotswolds for a days exploration of this beautiful area. Lunch and tea & cake stops will be plentiful en route before returning to Bath this evening for your overnight stay. Overnight: 4 Star Boutique Hotel The Wilderness Collective 2!
D5 TRAVEL NORTH TO MANCHESTER Meet your driver this morning and transfer to Bristol rail station to make your way north to Manchester. After checking in to your stylish city centre hotel, the evening is then free to enjoy some time at one of the cities many vibrant restaurants. Alternatively simply relax in the comfort of your hotel which boasts an acclaimed brasserie. Overnight: 4-star Boutique City Hotel D6 - WELCOME TO THE LAKE DISTRICT Free morning to relax and perhaps explore a little more of Manchester. Then transfer to the rail station this afternoon and continue your journey north to Penrith station where you will be met by your outdoor guide before transferring to Ullswater in the heart of the enchanting Lake District National Park and a traditional lakeside retreat which will be your base for the next few nights. Overnight: Stylish 4 Star Traditional Lakeside Hotel D7- TRADITIONAL STEAM BOAT LAKE ADVENTURE Take to the water today in true style as you board a traditional lakes steam boat and travel north to various drop off points on lake Ullswater to enjoy some guided hiking (& wildlife spotting) in and around some of England s highest peaks. Alternatively, simply kick back and enjoy the regions natural beauty from the comfort of the water. Your guide is on hand and will tailor the experience accordingly. Overnight: Stylish 4 Star Traditional Lakeside Hotel The Wilderness Collective 3!
D8- BEATRIX POTTER & LAKE WINDERMERE Meet your guide and journey south this morning to arguably the most famous of the lake valleys, Windermere and the former home of the world famous children s writer, Beatrix Potter. Enjoy a visit to the writer s charming 17th century farmhouse on the west side of lake Windermere. In the afternoon, transfer to Grizedale Forest Park which offers a haven for adventure pursuits such as walking, climbing and mountain biking as well as an intriguing collection of ever changing interactive forest sculptures. Overnight: Stylish 4 Star Traditional Lakeside Hotel D9 - TRAVEL TO SCOTLAND Depart the lakes region today and journey north into Scotland and Highland Perthshire where a baronial style castle hotel awaits you as the ultimate base for your first few nights in Scotland. En route, we will stop in the historic city of Stirling to visit the famous Wallace monument before continuing on to the highland village of Pitlochry and your castle accommodation. Overnight: 5 Star Castle Hotel D10- EXPLORE HIGHLAND PERTHSHIRE Meet your outdoor guide in reception this morning to enjoy a festive low level guided hike this morning. In the afternoon, we will celebrate the day s hike with a trip to a local whisky distillery for a tour and tasting! Your guide will then transfer you back to the castle for your evening meal and overnight stay. Tonight you may wish to venture into the village of Pitlochry to enjoy some of the local highlights including perhaps some traditional live music. Overnight: 5 Star Castle Hotel The Wilderness Collective 4!
D11- HIGHLAND LAND ROVER 4X4 SAFARI Meet your Land Rover pick up outside the hotel this morning for an unforgettable, off road experience in the Pitlochry area: you can look forward here to exclusive hire of the Land Rover & Safari Ranger including morning tea and coffee with a warming dram of whisky for those of age! At around midday you will then be transferred back to the castle where you can enjoy a lite lunch before your four course dinner in the hotel Brasserie that evening. Overnight: 5 Star Castle Hotel D12 SCOTLANDS WEST COAST Meet your guide in reception this morning and head for Scotland s dramatic west coast. En route we will stop to enjoy a low level hike. We then journey towards Mallaig via the famous Glenfinnan viaduct at the head of Loch Shiel and transfer via ferry to the Isle of Skye and your overnight 4 star hotel accommodation in Portree. Overnight: Boutique 4-Star Hotel Skye D13- ISLE OF SKYE The dominant scenic feature of Skye is the Black Cuillin mountains. While the summits are the domain of mountaineers, we will hike to the foot of the mountains to a magical location known locally as the Fairy Pools. We hike alongside a crystal clear stream with lots of tumbling waterfalls before eventually reaching the pools, which boast an enchanting underwater arch, as well as spectacular mountain and sea views. After the hike and time permitting, we visit the famous Talisker distillery to sample Skye s only single malt whisky (entry fee payable locally). Return transfer to Portree this afternoon for dinner and overnight stay. Overnight: Boutique 4-Star Hotel Skye The Wilderness Collective 5!
D14 EXPLORING GLEN NEVIS We bid farewell to Skye today and journey back to the mainland towards Fort William via Eilean Donan Castle. Subject to winter weather conditions, this afternoon we will venture into Glen Nevis and enjoy one of the UK s most scenic hikes to Steall Falls featured in Mel Gibson s Brave Heart! In the evening we transfer to the historic village of Glencoe and check in to your luxury hotel accommodation on the shores of Loch Leven. Overnight: 4-Star Country House Hotel D15 TRANSFER TO SCOTLANDS ANCIENT CAPITAL This morning we will journey south via Glencoe to the city of Edinburgh for the world renowned Hogmanay celebrations. En route and time permitting, we will stop in the historic village of Balquhidder, once home to Scotland s famous outlaw Rob Roy MacGregor. After checking in to your hotel accommodation in Edinburgh, you will have the rest of the afternoon and evening free to explore. Overnight: 4 Star Boutique Hotel Edinburgh D16 EDINBURGH HOGMANAY CELEBRATIONS! Highlighted as one of the Top 100 things to do before you die and recently the only festival to appear in the Discovery Channel Top 25 World Travel Experiences, Edinburgh's Hogmanay Street Party is one of the world s greatest New Year celebrations! This morning is your chance to venture out to discover all the hidden secrets behind Edinburgh s tumultuous past including perhaps a tour of Edinburgh Castle (payable locally). This evening you will then have the opportunity to experience the Hogmanay celebrations that Edinburgh is world famous for including an impressive fireworks display beneath Edinburgh Castle, live music,! street fares and much more! Overnight: 4 Star Boutique Hotel Edinburgh The Wilderness Collective 6
DAY BY DAY ITINERARY D17 EXPLORE EDINBURGH After what is sure to be a late night (!), today you are free to enjoy Edinburgh at your leisure. Why not venture into Edinburgh s old town a UNESCO world heritage site or blow away the cobwebs with a short hike up Arthurs Seat, Edinburgh s ancient volcano. In the evening, Edinburgh offers a range of modern & traditional dining options which can be reserved upon request. Overnight: 4 Star Boutique Hotel Edinburgh D18 TRAVEL TO LONDON Private transfer today to the station for your return journey to London. You will then be met at the station in London and transferred to your hotel accommodation. Journey time is approx. 4.5hrs by train. The evening is yours to relax or venture out to enjoy the city sites. Overnight: 4 Star Luxury Hotel D19 DISCOVER LONDON Today you are free to discover London at your leisure. Why not enjoy some retail therapy on Oxford Street or escape the city centre and travel the short distance to the area known as little Venice to enjoy a traditional guided barge trip along the scenic canal to Camden. In the evening enjoy a show in London s famous west end (payable locally). Overnight: 4 Star Luxury Hotel D20 DEPART Private transfer this morning to the airport for your return connection. T h e Wi l d e r n e s s C o l l e c t i v e 7!
BOOKING INFORMATION All our hotels and guest houses are hand selected based on their quality, customer care and local character. We work closely with all our hotel partners to ensure our guests experience the very best during their stay with us in Scotland. The itinerary above is available all year round however accommodation and activities are however subject to availability at the time of booking. Please also note that June, July and August are busy periods and therefore early booking is essential to facilitate this itinerary. YOUR FINANCIAL PROTECTION You can book with us in complete confidence that all trip payments made to us are fully protected. Wilderness Scotland Ltd is a licensed and bonded tour operator holding an ATOL licence for trips which include air travel. For trips that do not include air travel, your financial security is guaranteed through our membership and bonding with ABTA. CONTACT ME: For any questions or support related to this trip don t hesitate to contact me directly as below: Russell Murray The Wilderness Collective, Inverdruie House, Inverdruie, Aviemore PH22 1QH E-Mail: russell@thewildernesscollective.co.uk Tel: +44(0)1479 420 020 Fax: +44(0)1479 420 030 The Wilderness Collective 8!