Great Britain Christmas
Great Britain Christmas
$1510
Great Britain Christmas
7 Days Starting and ending in Outside Novotel London Greenwich hotel
Visiting: England, Scotland, Wales, United Kingdom
Tour operator:
Tour code:
GBXMAS
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
10 - 51
Age range:
10-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Experience the magic of Christmas across England, Scotland, and Wales on this Great Britain Christmas tour! Marvel at breathtaking landscapes, delve into historical wonders, and get into the festive spirit! See Shakespeare's birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon and explore the vibrant city of Liverpool, the birthplace of The Beatles. Journey through the stunning Scottish Highlands, England's Lake District, and the legendary Loch Ness. Enjoy traditional pub fare and share a “dram” with locals. Spend Christmas Day in Edinburgh, immersing yourself in Scottish Yuletide celebrations. Make your festive season one to remember with this merry tour!
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: London - Cambridge - York
Meals Included: Dinner
Welcome to your Great Britain Christmas tour! Depart London for Cambridge and get ready to fill your lungs with fresh, English countryside air! Upon arrival in Cambridge, embark on a serene punting trip along the river. Admire stunning scenery and historic buildings as you experience this age-old tradition. Later, journey to York, renowned for its rich history and architectural beauty. Join a walking tour to uncover fascinating insights into the city's heritage. End the day with a traditional pub dinner in an authentic British pub!
Go punting down the River Cam in Cambridge
Stroll through the historic streets of York
Enjoy a group dinner in York
Day 2: York - Gretna Green - Glasgow - Highlands
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Brace yourself for a day filled with beautiful and historic sights! Depart York and capture the iconic Angel of the North. Then, journey to Hadrian's Wall, a defensive fortification constructed by Emperor Hadrian centuries ago! Next, visit the historic village of Gretna Green, famed for romantic weddings. Later, travel to the vibrant city of Glasgow and use the free time to explore the city's stunning Christmas markets. This evening, arrive at tonight's accommodation in Arrochar village, nestled on Loch Long in the Scottish Highlands, and enjoy a delicious included dinner.
Visit the Angel of the North statue
Photo stop at Hadrian’s Wall
Visit world famous wedding destination Gretna Green
Shop at Glasgow’s Christmas markets
Spend a night in the Scottish Highlands
Day 3: Glencoe - Loch Ness - Edinburgh (Christmas Eve)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Begin your day with a stop at Glencoe, one of Scotland’s most beautiful valleys. Soak in the breathtaking views and learn about the infamous Massacre of Glencoe. Next, journey to Spean Bridge, catching glimpses of Ben Nevis (the highest mountain in the British Isles) along the way. Arrive at the base of the famous Loch Ness in time for lunch. Join the optional cruise excursion and see if you can spot the mythical Loch Ness Monster, ‘Nessie’! Next, continue through the Scottish Highlands and along the edge of the picturesque Cairngorms National Park. Finally, cross the Queensferry Crossing on your way to Edinburgh. This evening, why not celebrate Christmas Eve with an optional festive dinner?
See Glencoe; 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
Day 4: Edinburgh (Christmas Day)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Merry Christmas! Experience the many highlights of Edinburgh with a full day in Scotland’s captivating capital. Visit the idyllic Dean Village and Calton Hill. Why not climb to the top and take in the breathtaking views of the city? Then, look forward to a walking tour along Edinburgh’s iconic Royal Mile. See Greyfriars Bobby, admire the Princes Street Garden and snap pictures of the impressive Edinburgh Castle. Return to the hotel for an included Christmas lunch before returning to Edinburgh city, where the evening is yours to enjoy as you wish.
Spend Christmas Day exploring Edinburgh
Enjoy an included Christmas lunch
Day 5: Edinburgh - Lake District - Liverpool
Meals Included: Breakfast
It’s time to say goodbye to Scotland and travel back across the border to England. Stop in Carlisle, a historic city known for its centuries-old castle. Continue to Bowness-on-Windermere in the picturesque Lake District and join the Winter at Windermere optional excursion for a scenic cruise and traditional fish and chips lunch. Later, arrive in Liverpool for a driving tour of the city. Tonight, enjoy free time to explore the home of The Beatles and a city that has two world-famous premier league football clubs! Immerse yourself in the spirit of football or visit the Cavern Club, where The Beatles have played hundreds of shows! The choice is yours.
Visit Carlisle, an important historic city
Experience the beauty of the English Lake District
Driving tour of Liverpool with your tour leader
Day 6: Liverpool - Stratford-Upon-Avon - Cardiff
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Embark on a "Magical Mystery" driving tour of Liverpool this morning, witnessing The Beatles' iconic sights. Then, journey to Stratford-Upon-Avon, known for being home to Shakespeare. Enjoy free time to explore the numerous Shakespearean attractions and intriguing historical locations. Or, join the optional excursion to see the house that Shakespeare was born in and delight in a delicious afternoon tea! Next, continue to the south of Wales for a glimpse of a medieval castle before continuing on to Cardiff for an orientation driving tour of the Welsh capital. Look forward to an included group dinner tonight.
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
Day 7: Cardiff - Bath - Stonehenge - London
Meals Included: Breakfast
On the final day of this British tour, the adventure continues with a visit to Bath, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its exquisite architecture. Join an optional excursion to discover insights into the town's history and the iconic Roman Baths. Next, is an optional excursion to unravel the mystery of Stonehenge; a structure that has puzzled scientists and historians for centuries. This evening, return to London as the tour comes to an end. After an unforgettable week of exploring Great Britain, Expat Explore wishes you well and safe travels onward!
Orientation walking tour of Bath
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 -
Tour Leader
Fully guided tour with experienced tour leader
Tour leader will accompany group throughout and manage all logistical details
What's Not Included
International flightsTravel to the start point and from the end point is not included. We recommend using Skyscanner to find the best deals on international flights.Travel insuranceFor a relatively small price, travel insurance provides you with 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.
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.
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
Photo stop 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 Glencoe; 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
Spend Christmas Day exploring Edinburgh
Enjoy an included Christmas lunch
Visit Carlisle, an important historic city
Experience the beauty of the English Lake District
Driving tour of Liverpool 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
Orientation walking tour of Bath
Check out our Q&As
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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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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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What currencies are required for this tour?
Euro
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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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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
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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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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
No, entrance fees are not included.
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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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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 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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Do you require a visa for this holiday?
Certain nationalities may require a visa(s) for this tour.
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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 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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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 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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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 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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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
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Sunday - Saturday
Dec 22, 2024 - Dec 28, 2024Monday - Sunday
Dec 22, 2025 - Dec 28, 2025Book 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 91 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 60 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 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 20% of booking price.
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.