Highland castles and mysteries (including Loch Ness cruise)

DAY 1: LONDON - INVERNESS (Caledonian Sleeper Train)

Flight or train to London + transfer on request.
(By train: Paris > London = 2h20))

Individual arrival in London.

Your journey begins at Euston station in London : you take the night train, the Caledonian Sleeper (Double or Single Cabin): your train travel in Scotland begins.
The train picks up speed, leaving behind the Thames and the lights of the British capital.
Dinner on board the train. You can also sample Scottish specialties at the Club Car.
Overnight aboard the Caledonian Sleeper (D)

DAY 2: INVERNESS

Waking up early, you watch the splendid Highlands scenery go by outside your window.

Arrive in Inverness, Scotland's cultural capital, on the north-east coast of the Highlands, in the early morning. Here you'll find museums, cosy pubs and historic relics.... But above all, you'll be captivated by the wild beauty of its surroundings. Inverness is an ideal introduction to Scottish nature and traditions.

Settling into your hotel, you'll discover the old town, St. Andrew's Cathedral, the 18th-century Old High Church and the Victorian covered market. At the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery (free admission), you can learn more about the history, flora and fauna of the Scottish countryside.

The castle overlooking the town is not open to visitors. But a stroll along the opposite bank of the River Ness gives you a perfect view of its impressive silhouette.
Overnight in hotel. (B)

DAY 3: INVERNESS - ISLAND OF SKYE - INVERNESS

We're off for a great day of discovery.

An early start to your day trip (coach with audio guide) to the Isle of Skye begins. You'll stop off at the romantic island of Eilean Donan, linked to the mainland by a long stone bridge. Its castle, one of Scotland's landmarks, played an important role in Scottish history during the Viking Age, Robert the Bruce's conquest of the kingdom and the Jacobite Revolution.

You then continue to the Isle of Skye. On the way, you'll see the glowing Red Hills. You cross the entire island to its northernmost peninsula, Trotternish. From the Kilt Rock lookout point, you'll see a fascinating spectacle: the superb Mealt Falls cascading from clifftops lost in the mist and plunging into the sea. On the way back, free time in Portree, the island's largest town.
At the end of the day, after this tour of Scotland's iconic sites, you return to Inverness.
Overnight in hotel. (B)

DAY 4: INVERNESS - LOCH NESS - INVERNESS (Cruise on Loch Ness)

Morning departure by coach from Inverness city center for the famous Loch Ness, the largest lake in Great Britain. Take a 30 minute cruise to admire the Scottish scenery and peer into the depths of the lake, where you may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the famous "Nessie". Visit Urquhart Castle. Learn about the rich history of this monument, built in 1230 and partially destroyed in 1692 to prevent it falling into the hands of the Jacobites. Return to Inverness by coach. Length of visit: 3 hours.
Overnight at hotel. (B)

DAY 5: INVERNESS - EDIMBOURG (Train)

Your train leaves Inverness in the early morning. It winds its way through beautiful countryside and past Scottish villages.

Arrive in Edinburgh in the early afternoon. Check into your hotel in the city center, close to the train station. Stroll along the cobbled lanes of the old town and discover Canongate street. Stop off at St. Giles Cathedral, then continue to Edinburgh Castle, which dominates the city from its volcanic peak, or push on to Holyrood Park Hill to discover "Arthur's Seat", a hill less than half an hour's walk from the city center that plays an important role in Scottish legends.
Overnight at hotel. (B)

DAY 6: EDINBURGH

For this day at leisure, Edinburgh offers a wide range of things to discover. The National Museum of Scotland introduces you to the history of the region and its great men. The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art houses works from 1900 to the present day. A little out of the way, you can discover Dean Village, a peaceful little village founded in the 12th century by the friars of Holyrood Abbey. You can choose to take a nature walk along the Water of Leith or visit the Edinburgh Gin distillery.

A lunch at the Pitt Street street food market might tempt you: this cosmopolitan district of Edinburgh has a rich history thanks to its port location. Your immersion in the Scottish Highlands comes to an end.
(B)
Additional night, return flight or train from Edinburgh on request.

TRANSPORT - TRAIN / BUS CIRCUIT IN SCOTLAND

On this tour, you'll travel by train :

• Caledonian Sleeper (Night train)
  London > Inverness (11h30)

• Tour bus with audio-guide
  Inverness <> Isle of Sky (11h30)
  Inverness <> Loch Ness (3h)

• Regular Scottish train
  Inverness > Edinburgh (3h30)

PRICES - TRAIN/BUS TOUR OF SCOTLAND

In a 3* hotel

• Price in double/twin room : from €1,092 / person
  Single supplement : from €535 / person 

In a 4* hotel

• Price per double/twin room : from €1,228/person
• Single supplement : from €535 / person

Price guide, may vary according to season

PRICE INCLUDES

• Caledonian Sleeper overnight train London (England) - Inverness (Scotland) in Classic cabin
• Accommodation in a double or twin room, breakfast included (BD = breakfast, ID = dinner)
• Train ticket Inverness-Edinburgh 2nd class
• D3: an excursion to the Isle of Skye in an English-speaking group
• D4: excursion including Loch Ness Cruise in English-speaking group
• English-speaking assistance from Discovery Trains teams at all times during the trip
• Electronic version of travel guide

PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

• International transport
• Club Class supplement on the Caledonian Sleeper train
• Visit to Eilean Donan Castle: £7, payable on site
• Meals not mentioned
• Insurance
• Gratuities
• Tourist taxes in hotels
• Printed travel diary sent by post (+ €12)