Travel to Great Britain

From London to the lochs of the Highlands, from Cornwall’s cliffs to the stone circles of Orkney: Our tours of Great Britain take you there in two ways. By rail, you’ll travel through valleys, moors, and coastal landscapes; aboard small expedition ships, you’ll visit islands that can’t be reached by road.

At Sea: From the Coast of Cornwall to the Islands of Scotland

Our expedition cruises showcase the British Isles from the sea. The itineraries range from the Isles of Scilly and Cornwall through Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Isle of Man to the Hebrides, Orkney, and Shetland; some continue on to Norway, the Faroe Islands, or around Ireland.

Along the way, the itinerary also includes small, remote islands—such as Staffa. Hexagonal basalt columns rise from the Atlantic there, and the sound of the surf echoes through Fingal’s Cave. The island is uninhabited and accessible only by boat.

What to Expect on an Expedition Cruise:

• Small ships: Capacity for a few dozen to just over 150 guests. This makes it possible to visit even remote bays and coastlines without a harbor.
• Seabirds Up Close: In early summer, puffins, northern gannets, and common guillemots nest on islands such as Fair Isle. Depending on the itinerary and weather, you’ll observe the birds from shore or from a Zodiac. St. Kilda is home to Europe’s largest seabird colony and is a UNESCO World Natural and Cultural Heritage Site.
• 5,000 Years of History: You’ll peer inside the stone houses of the Stone Age village of Skara Brae, stand at the Ring of Brodgar, and follow the traces of settlement at Jarlshof all the way back to the Viking Age.
• Expedition Team On Board: Depending on the voyage, naturalists, ornithologists, or historians will accompany the shore excursions and give presentations explaining what you see along the way.

On the Rails: Britain by Train

You're sitting in the dining car, afternoon tea has been served, and outside the window, London's suburbs are gradually giving way to green hills. We offer two types of train trips through Great Britain:

Luxury train: You’ll stay in your own compartment, gourmet meals are served on board, and all drinks are included. The routes take you to Cornwall, the Lake District, or through the Scottish Highlands, with daytime excursions to gardens, distilleries, and castles. Along the way, you’ll travel on lines such as the Riviera Line along Devon’s coast, the Settle-Carlisle Line over the Ribblehead Viaduct, or the train to Kyle of Lochalsh across from the Isle of Skye.

Zug Round-Trip Tour: Travel by regular-service trains and historic museum railways from London through Wales and York to Edinburgh, with overnight stays in hotels and a German-speaking tour guide. A scenic highlight: the West Highland Line over the Glenfinnan Viaduct to the coast near Mallaig.

Which trip to the UK is right for you?

• Do you only have a few days? Then a luxury train is the right choice—for example, the luxury train trip from London to Cornwall. After four to five days, you’ll be back at your departure station.
• Are wildlife and nature at the top of your list? Take an expedition cruise to Scotland's islands in early summer, when the seabirds are nesting. Plan on spending ten days or more on this trip.
• Are you more interested in history than wildlife? Routes that connect royal castles, monastery islands, and Stone Age sites—for example, from Windsor Castle to the Highlands.
• Would you like to have a German-speaking guide? A train tour from London to Edinburgh with a German-speaking tour guide, or a cruise with German-speaking members of the expedition team.
• Do you enjoy being active? Expeditions featuring hikes along cliff trails, and on some trips, sea kayaking tours as well—such as on the superyacht expedition from the Hebrides to Norway.

Not sure which trip is right for you? Stephanie Gräf will advise you personally—by phone, video conference, or email. Upon request, we can also arrange flights, pre-trip stays, and post-trip extensions in London, Edinburgh, or the Highlands.