With escorted touring operators adding more UK product than ever before, Laura French rounds up some of the options for spring.
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1. Walk the Lake District
The mountains, meadows and shimmering waters of the Lake District have seduced poets and painters for centuries, and if clients are swayed by the idea of exploring it on foot in the company of other likeminded souls, suggest this new trip from Explore. Guests will strike out on guided walks over seven active days, taking in scenic valleys, historic towns and quaint villages – including Grasmere, home of Wordsworth – with the high point a seven-hour climb up Scafell Pike, England’s highest mountain.
“Guests will strike out on guided walks over seven active days, taking in scenic valleys, historic towns and quaint villages – including Grasmere, home of Wordsworth.”
Book it: From £1,160, including accommodation in the Borrowdale Valley, all meals and a tour leader, with departures from April to August.
explore.co.uk
2. Edinburgh, Loch Lomond and whisky trails
Combine the cobbled streets of Edinburgh with the rugged slopes of the Highlands on this new trip from Newmarket Holidays. Guests will venture into the Perthshire Hills in a 4×4 to explore rushing rivers, wild glens and scenic woodlands, visiting the postcard-pretty town of Pitlochry before getting their whisky fill at historic distilleries around Loch Lomond. Accommodation is at a four-star hotel in the capital’s Old Town.
“Guests will venture into the Perthshire Hills in a 4×4 to explore rushing rivers, wild glens and scenic woodlands, visiting the postcard-pretty town of Pitlochry.”
Book it: From £424, including three nights’ B&B, tour manager and flights from regional airports, with departures from March to September.
newmarketholidays.co.uk
3. Belfast, Giant’s Causeway and Mount Stewart
For scenic drives, whisky-tasting at legendary distilleries and historical attractions aplenty in Belfast, suggest Riviera Travel’s five-day adventure around Northern Ireland. It takes in the impressive Giant’s Causeway, Mount Stewart gardens and the acclaimed Titanic Experience, with groups capped at 25.
Book it: From £529 including B&B at Belfast’s Europa Hotel, tour manager and excursions, departing April to October.
rivieratravel.co.uk
4. Jersey discovery
If clients haven’t yet sampled the charms of the Channel Islands’ rugged cliffs, windswept beaches and fresh seafood, now’s the time to suggest them. Cosmos has added Jersey with a six-day trip based in St Helier, including a visit to the Jersey War Tunnels to learn more about life under German occupation, wine tasting at a vineyard and a scenic cruise. It’s one of the operator’s Small Group Discovery tours, meaning groups are capped at 24.
“If clients haven’t yet sampled the charms of the Channel Islands’ rugged cliffs, windswept beaches and fresh seafood, now’s the time to suggest them.”
Book it: From £679, including all meals, four-star accommodation and tour director, with departures from April to June (flights extra).
cosmos.co.uk
5. Cornwall retreat
No list would be complete without a nod to the southwest coast – specifically Cornwall, where Intrepid Travel launched one of its UK ‘retreats’ this year. Staying in lively surf hub Newquay, clients will venture out on daily walks to areas including Padstow, Trevose Head and the village of St Agnes, with morning yoga, Cornish pastysampling, coastal hikes and guided orientation walks among the inclusions on the four-day jaunt.
“Staying in lively surf hub Newquay, clients will venture out on daily walks to areas including Padstow, Trevose Head and the village of St Agnes.”
Book it: From £505 including breakfast, transport (taxi and buses), accommodation and activities, with departures from April to October.
intrepidtravel.com
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