- London, Edinburgh
7-Day London & Edinburgh – A Tale of Two Capitals
A classic 7-day journey visiting two iconic capital cities. Start off in London, the bustling heartbeat of England, taking its name from its title of Londinium during its Roman occupation. You’ll see London’s multicultural and diverse fabric first, with a Cultural Patchwork tour of the city streets. Next up, a classic sightseeing tour with a difference as you’re led around the city’s most iconic landmarks by bicycle. From London, you’ll head north along the East Coast Mainline – the railway connecting London to Edinburgh, enjoying the scenery as you cross from England into Scotland and arrive at Edinburgh’s iconic Waverley Station. Staying three nights in Edinburgh, you’ll enjoy two whisky experiences, a classic sightseeing tour from your very own British London taxi, and a ghoulish ghost walking tour to discover Edinburgh’s lesser-known history.
Highlight
- Discover London’s sights by bicycle
- Make your own Cocktails in London’s vibrant Stanford area
- Enjoy the sights from the train as you travel from England to Scotland
- Sample Whisky in the heart of Edinburgh
- See the Edinburgh sights from your private British black cab
Itinerary
Arrive in London and transfer to your hotel. This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner with your guide in a local restaurant.
🍴 Meals: Dinner
🏨 Accommodation: Montague at the Gardens
Today, on your Cultural Patchwork experience, you will enjoy a guided walking tour of London with a difference. You will explore cockney culture and hear tales of gangsters and Jack the Ripper, plus discover sites showing the many different ethnic groups that make London such an exciting and diverse city. Your starting point is the East London Blind Beggar Pub, made famous by the Kray twins as the scene of one of their murders. Then you walk to the Carpenters Arms, a pub that was frequented by Ronnie and Reggie Kray, followed by visits to Hanbury Street, Gunthorpe Street, and George Yard, all of which you will learn were sites of Jack the Ripper murders. Then you walk down Brick Lane for an insight into Jewish and Bangladeshi culture, followed by a visit to the Jewish Soup Kitchen for the poor and the Bevis Synagogue, the oldest in London. Continue onto the famous Petticoat Lane market for an insight into working-class Cockney culture. You will then take a ride on the tube from Liverpool Street to King’s Cross for a visit to Virginia Woolf’s houses, then stroll across to Soho for a visit to the iconic Admiral Duncan pub. Both these sites are instrumental in the LGBT history of London. You then stop for lunch in vibrant Chinatown while learning about London’s Chinese culture before travelling by tube to Brixton. Here you will enjoy an afternoon Caribbean tour, discovering key sights such as the Windrush Memorial, Electric Avenue, and Brixton Market.
🍴 Meals: Breakfast
🏨 Accommodation: Montague at the Gardens
Enjoy the premium guided cycle tour of London! Starting at Waterloo, you will be equipped with a bike and safety gear and be introduced to your guide. You will be led through backstreets and along cycle paths to some of London’s most iconic landmarks, including Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, St James’ Park, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden, St Paul’s Cathedral, Cleopatra’s Needle and the London Eye. Your guide will not only talk you through London’s amazing past but will also shed light on tips and tricks only locals know!
If you are very lucky, you may even see the Changing of the Guards outside Bucking Palace!
After your hard-working bike ride, enjoy a private cocktail taster session at the trendy venue of Milk Float, on the waters at Hackney Wick. Here you will be presented with a five-cocktail taster menu. Each cocktail will be 175ml in size, and you will be presented with what is in each cocktail during your tasting session. There is a standard version and a premium version of the cocktail menu available.
Example of standard menu: Espolon classic, Sorbet 75, Mescal picante, Bourbon Sour, Red berry margarita
Example of premium version: Hard iced tea, Mango mutiny, Frozen bourbon sour, Espresso martini, Sorbet ’75.
🍴 Meals: Breakfast
🏨 Accommodation: Montague at the Gardens
Today you will travel to majestic Edinburgh by train.
In the afternoon, if you love a good story and want to explore flavour in new ways, this is the tour for you. Join us on a journey through Johnnie Walker’s epic search for flavours that bring people together for enjoyment and move us forward. Discover how, rather than settling for the status quo, Johnnie Walker’s pioneering spirit, resiliency and bold aspirational creativity continue to set us apart as drivers of innovation, social connection, and downright delicious drinks. Your full-sensory adventure culminates in a flavour-filled celebration of the legendary Johnnie Walker taste and the special moments we create and share. (Includes 3 personalised drinks).
Train: LON – EDI
🍴 Meals: Breakfast
🏨 Accommodation: 100 Princes Street
Explore the magnificent highlights of central Edinburgh by Black Cab! Begin by seeing the Royal Mile, the main thoroughfare in Edinburgh’s Old Town, which stretches up to Edinburgh Castle, one of Scotland’s most iconic sights. See the 12th-century St Giles’ Cathedral before seeing the centre of Scottish government at the Scottish Parliament. Next, see Holyrood Palace, the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland. Next, see majestic Arthur’s Seat, an extinct volcano which towers over the city of Edinburgh. End with a visit to Calton Hill, home to the striking National Monument. End your tour in central Edinburgh.
🍴 Meals: Breakfast
🏨 Accommodation: 100 Princes Street
This afternoon, follow your cloaked storyteller through the shadowy closes of Edinburgh’s Old Town. These dark and dreary streets are untouched by daylight, filled with a strange silence – their damp walls carrying only the faintest echo of the crowds on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile.
With the scene set, you’ll descend into the depths of the city – and listen in horror to the dark and sinister events which took place over the years. Torture. Murder. Hangings. From body snatchers to real-life characters of the city, you’ll be gripped by the true tales that lie hidden beneath Edinburgh’s streets, in the underground vaults.
Perhaps you’ll experience a cold breath on the back of your neck, or a whisper, perhaps even a flicker – then silence. It’s all the more chilling for being absolutely real: there are no tricks or jump scares on our Edinburgh ghost tours.
Next, our inspirational guide will take you on a journey of discovery, transporting you across Scotland’s five whisky-producing regions. Learn how geography and weather combine to create unique regional characteristics, aromas and flavours. Delve into the history and alchemy of blending the perfect dram. Explore the glass vault of the World’s Largest Collection of Scotch Whisky, home to almost 4,000 bottles of the world’s rarest Scotch. Enjoy a dram of single malt or blended Scotch whisky – you choose! (soft drink option available). Take home a souvenir crystal tasting glass (adults and concessions only). Tutored nosing and tasting of 1 deluxe blended Scotch whisky and 4 specially selected contrasting regional single malts. Extended private viewing of the World’s Largest Collection of Scotch Whisky. Souvenir crystal whisky tasting glass. Complimentary gift. A traditional Scottish tasting menu in our award-winning Amber Restaurant (the equivalent of a 3-course dinner). A trio of starters and main courses, followed by dessert, matched with a dram of Scotch whisky. Tea/coffee.
🍴 Meals: Breakfast / Dinner
🏨 Accommodation: 100 Princes Street
Check out on your own accord and transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
🍴 Meals: Breakfast
ROUTE
London, Edinburgh
7 Days 6 Nights
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