Top United Kingdom Culture - page 7

Scotland’s rugged landscapes and historic castles provide a spectacular backdrop to the hit TV series "Outlander," but you’ll need a guide if you want to follow in the footsteps of your favorite characters. This full-day, small-group tour from Edinburgh includes an air-conditioned vehicle and visits memorable filming locations such as Doune Castle, Culross, and Falkland. Make the most of your trip by upgrading to include admission to all of the historic attractions.

See castle ruins, rugged landscapes, and tranquil lakes during this full-day coach tour of the Western Highlands. Set off in the morning from Glasgow, and spot the picturesque Loch Lomond as you go. You’ll head to Inveraray, where you can explore its castle (own expense); Oban, where you can opt to taste fresh seafood; Glencoe, where you can take in the wild scenery; plus traditional pubs, viewing points, and more.

Start your day with a guided morning tour to Giant’s Causeway from Belfast. Perfect for those short on time, this efficient tour includes round-trip transfers in an air-conditioned vehicle and free time to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site at your own pace. Reaching the Causeway without a car can be tricky, but this tour handles the logistics for you. Plus, you'll also have a chance to enjoy the dramatic coastal views at Portaneevy.

Make your visit to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour seamless on a full-day tour that includes round-trip transportation from the coach station at King's Cross and St. Pancras. Skip the hassle of trying to find your own way there; instead, relax on the luxury coach during the journey to the studios in Watford. Your tickets to the experience are included in the tour cost, so you don't have to worry about any logistics.

Add an element of surprise to your day on this small-group Bath and Stonehenge day trip from London, which includes a visit to a secret attraction only revealed on the day. Join an optional walking tour of Bath or explore the UNESCO-listed city at your own pace. Along the way, stop at Stonehenge, where you can snap photos while learning all about the site’s mysterious origins.

Learn about recent history and political struggles in Belfast during a walking tour of the city center. Meet your guide and set out on a city stroll that includes top landmarks such as the Cathedral Quarter, City Hall, and Ann Street. Hear stories about important events during the period of history known as The Troubles and gain a fresh perspective on Belfast and Northern Ireland.

Visit some of the top attractions outside of London without the hassle of driving on this day trip to Windsor, Bath, and Stonehenge. Enjoy optional tours at both Windsor Castle, home to the British royal family, and Bath for even deeper explorations of key local attractions. Finishing with Stonehenge makes this experience ideal for history buffs.

Get up close to one of London's UNESCO World Heritage sites on a visit to Greenwich's Royal Observatory. Stand astride the Prime Meridian: The line that divides the eastern and western hemispheres and defines Greenwich Mean Time. With the help of an audio guide, learn about the work of British honorary astronomers and hear fun facts about space, time, and the stars.

Maximize time in Glasgow with a city center walking tour with a local guide. Each tour is unique depending on the guide, but potential stops include George Square, Glasgow Cathedral, and Glasgow Green. As well as well-known sights, the itinerary also includes off-the-beaten-path attractions and hidden treasures that you’d likely miss if exploring alone.

Combine the magic of Harry Potter with the history of the Scottish borders on this day trip from Edinburgh. Ideal for fans of the world’s favorite wizard, this tour takes care of transportation, leaving you free to admire Bamburgh Castle and Alnwick Castle, a filming location featured in both Harry Potter and Downton Abbey. You'll venture beyond the capital's crowds and visit parts of the country that many first-time visitors often overlook.

Delve into Scotland’s rich history and heritage on this tour from Edinburgh. Head from the Royal Mile over the UNESCO–listed Forth Bridge to Dunfermline with a guide, and explore the Abbey Kirk — burial place of Robert the Bruce. See where the Battle of Bannockburn raged and learn of Scotland’s struggle for independence. Take in top local attractions including Stirling Castle. Then, visit Rosslyn Chapel before returning to Edinburgh.

London spreads its landmarks across the city, and linking them on foot or by Tube eats up the better part of a day. A black cab covers far more in a few hours, with a driver-guide handling the route and the history between stops. The tour passes Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, Covent Garden, Shakespeare's Globe, and the London Eye, with photo stops and short walks along the way.

See the best of medieval Edinburgh—without the hassle of putting together your own sightseeing itinerary—on this walking tour, which includes skip-the-line access to Edinburgh Castle. As you walk, listen as your guide shares the history of this formidable city with ancient Roman roots and UNESCO-listed historical attractions. Explore atmospheric cobbled walkways along the Royal Mile, then breeze into Edinburgh Castle to witness royal opulence.

Explore St. Andrews and the pretty fishing villages of Fife, without the hassle of navigating, on this multi-stop day trip from Edinburgh. All in one day, discover pretty coastal villages before exploring historic St. Andrews. Enjoy free time to explore its castle and cathedral ruins, stroll along the harbor, or soak up the sunshine at your leisure. Afterward, travel through the pretty Lomond Hills en route back to Edinburgh.

Explore London’s medieval history with the help of a guide, from the Tower of London to London Bridge to Shakespeare’s Globe Theater and much more. Learn and sightsee at the same time as you walk along the River Thames and learn old secrets about the city spanning centuries. Hear about a side of London most locals won’t even know about.

Check off Stirling Castle, the Kelpies monument, and Loch Lomond on this day trip from Edinburgh. Have a photo stop at one of the largest equine sculptures in the world—The Kelpies, then travel through Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. Finally, visit Stirling Castle, one of Scotland's most important landmarks (upgrade to include admission).

Designed to provide a comprehensive introduction to the world of whisky, this guided tour of the Scotch Whisky Experience in Edinburgh is the ideal choice for travelers wanting to learn more about Scotland’s national drink. Learn about Scotland's whisky-producing regions and how the weather affects the flavor of your drink as well as the art of blending. View one of the world’s largest Scotch whisky collections and enjoy a guided tasting session.

Experience the chance to step inside a famous painting and more at Frameless London. And it won’t just be one painting or one painter—you’ll experience the sensation of being surrounded by more than 42 masterpieces by legendary artists such as Monet, Rembrandt, Van Gogh, and Dalí, reimagined through 360° visuals and dynamic soundscapes across four stunning immersive galleries.

Treat yourself to a day of whisky appreciation on a full-day tasting trip from Edinburgh. Wind through the Scottish Lowlands to a historic whisky-producing region, and visit Glengoyne Distillery and Deanston Distillery for informative tasting sessions and tours. Discover the centuries-old tradition of Scottish whisky production, view warehouses stocked with aged casks and marvel at the quiet beauty of Loch Lomond.

Trying to get from attraction to attraction in London can take hours and eat up valuable vacation time. Save your energy by traveling on board an air-conditioned coach, checking off top sights such as Big Ben, the Tower of London, and Westminster Abbey. Enjoy a guided tour of St. Paul's Cathedral, and see another angle of the city with an included ticket for a Thames sightseeing cruise.

Visit a bespoke whisky lounge right in the heart of Edinburgh for a journey through Scotland's past. Savor single malt whiskies from several esteemed distilleries to uncover the secrets of Scotch whisky-making, and experience the great Scottish tradition of storytelling on this tasting tour.

Experience some of the best of what Edinburgh, Scotland has to offer in one small group walking tour. Let your tour leader show you around Edinburgh Castle, The Georgian House, and the Scottish National Gallery. See Princes Street Gardens, Heart of Midlothian, Greyfriars Bobby, and more while you learn all about the city’s history, culture, and heritage from your guide.

The Blair Street Vaults shouldn’t be missed when visiting Edinburgh—especially for fans of the spooky and macabre. But independent visits aren’t allowed, so you’ll need to a guide to gain access to this restricted underground area. On this ghoulish walking tour, descend into the darkened depths of the vaults and hear vivid retellings of torture, murder, and body snatching from your guide.

Take a break from the city on a full-day trip through the Isle of Skye with convenient round-trip transport from central Inverness. In addition to navigating, your guide offers commentary about the area’s top landmarks, including Eilean Donan Castle, Portree, and the Old Man of Storr. Bring your camera: This trip offers endless panoramic views of Scotland’s natural landscape. Note that from late December to early February, the castle is closed to visitors but accessible for photos.