Adventure Rating
How much Adventure do you want? This itinerary includes a few features to help gauge the following factors.
 Tour Pace: On a scale of 1 (slowest pace) to 5 (fastest pace), we’ve rated the following factors: number of 1-night hotels; driving miles per day; fullness of schedule; mid-tour airline flights; and average amount of walking per day.
 Walk Challenge: This number represents an average walk difficulty rating for the tour using a scale of 1 (easiest) to 5 (hardest) [same criteria used by American Volkssport
Great Britain has long been a favorite destination with Americans. Over the years, no other WAI Adventure has taken more travelers abroad than our trips to what Shakespeare referred to as “this scepter’d isle” (Richard II). Something about the bucolic panoramas, historic sites, traditional way of life, and familiar names seems to strike a nerve in the heart of the American traveler. So much of who we are as a nation is tied to Great Britain — we share a similar system of law and government, a common language (sort of), parallel cultures; in short, an inextricably linked heritage.
We invite you to join us in the summer of 2012 as we explore the countries that gave us Shakespeare and Robert Louis Stevenson, Henry VIII and Robert the Bruce, Peter Rabbit and Alice in Wonderland! Come walk with us over stone bridges and past thatch-roofed houses in the Cotswolds; through green, rolling hills and stone-fenced pastures of Beatrix Potter’s beloved Lake District; over heather-clad hills and across Scottish seas to the historic, windswept Isle of Iona; and along the streets of charming Edinburgh to witness the Adventure’s finale — the world-famous Edinburgh Military Tattoo!
How to Register
To save yourself a spot on this Adventure, contact us to register with a $500 payment as soon as possible! Reservations will be accepted on a first-come-first-serve basis! Click here for more registration details.
A Note on the Walks
Walks are rated on a scale of 1-5. A walk rated 1 is fairly level and easy and a walk rated 5 is hilly and considered a challenging hike - see below for more details. (1 kilometer = .62 miles)
Daily Itinerary 
Day 1: Arrive Manchester, England (D)
Medieval Chester Walk - 10 km, rated 1
We rendezvous in merry ole England today at the Manchester Airport. A WAI representative will meet you and arrange for transportation to the nearby Roman town of Chester, our destination for this evening. After checking into the hotel there, you have the opportunity to unwind after the long transatlantic flight on an easy walk that highlights the medieval and Roman heritage of this picturesque Cheshire town. We’ll gather again this evening to preview the Adventure that lies ahead at tonight’s “Get Acquainted” dinner!
Day 2: Chester - Stratford Upon Avon, England (BD)
Badby English Countryside Walk - 10 km, rated 2
We head south today toward the small, rural community of Badby. A lovely walk here through woods and across meadows takes us to a charming country chapel with connections to the George Washington family. After a stop at Fawsley Manor, venerable home of nobility in centuries past, we finish with a pint at the pub that serves as our finish point. Our home for the next two nights is nearby Stratford-Upon-Avon, home of the Bard, William Shakespeare. A Shakespearean play at one of the local theaters provides a tempting optional evening activity for either of our next two evenings.
Day 3: Activities from Stratford Upon Avon (B)
Cotswolds Walk – distance and rating to be announced
We spend the day in the Cotswolds, an area renowned for its honey-colored limestone buildings, thatch-roofed homes, and graceful stone bridges arching across lazy, wandering streams. Walking trails abound, and we are excited to present a new route not offered on previous walking adventures. Following our Cotswold walk, we visit delightful towns with names like Stow-on-the-Wold and Chipping Campden. The afternoon highlight is a proper clotted cream tea in Chipping Campden, a uniquely southern English delight that is not available as we move north.
Day 4: Stratford Upon Avon - Ambleside, England (BD)
Windermere Lakeside Stroll - 8 km, rated 1+ (unsanctioned)
We leave Stratford today and continue our Adventure in the beautiful Lake Country of northern England. The quaint town of Ambleside, on the northern shore of Lake Windermere, is our home for the next two nights. Lake Windermere is England’s largest lake. A pleasant walk along its idyllic shores, punctuated by three lake cruises, provides this afternoon’s introduction to the Lake Country.
Day 5: Activities from Ambleside (B)
Bowness & Beatrix Lake Country Walk - 11 km, rated 3
A brief morning ferry ride takes us back across Lake Windermere to start today’s trail. The route climbs from the lake along country lanes and through tiny communities to the village of Hill Top, home of beloved children’s author Beatrix Potter. From Hill Top, we return to Lake Windermere through more pastoral panoramas, winding past stone fences and among groups of contented-looking grazing sheep. We cross the lake again reluctantly, leaving with the sense that we’ve discovered a place where time stands still. Optional activity: A short self-guided tour (well-informed docents are on hand) through Beatrix Potter’s home and garden is available mid-walk. Estimated price: $15
Day 6: Ambleside - Kinloch Rannoch, Scotland (BD)
Ambleside Amble - 11 km, rated 3+/4 – OR – Lake Grasmere Walk - 5 km, rated 1 (unsanctioned)
Our second morning in the Lake Country offers two walk possibilities. The challenge walk is a difficult ascent from Ambleside into the surrounding hills for a rugged and invigorating exposure to the Lake Country, and some fantastic views. Those looking for a less rigorous walk will enjoy an excellent 5 kilometer walk through the village of Grasmere and around the lovely lake by the same name. Scotland is our final objective today; our hotel is a highland hideaway picturesquely perched above lovely Loch Rannoch.
Day 7: Kinloch Rannoch - Fort William, Scotland (BD)
Aviemore Highland Trail - 11 km, rated 3
Today’s Scottish trek near Aviemore takes us through woods and across heather-clad hills with enchanting highland panoramas. This afternoon we visit Glencoe, a place of stark highland beauty with a tale of poignant clan treachery and tragedy. A film in the visitor center provides insight into the 17th century “Murder under Trust” that was perpetrated here between the McDonalds and the Campbells.
Day 8: Fort William - Tobermory, Scotland (BD)
An excursion to the Hebrides Islands forms the centerpiece of today’s activities. We cross to the Isle of Mull by ferry, then motor through remote terrain in the shadow of the volcanic peak, Ben More. From the tiny hamlet of Fionnphort, a pedestrian ferry takes us to the historic, windswept Isle of Iona – 6th century birthplace of Christianity in Scotland. Often attacked by marauding Vikings attracted by the riches of the abbey, the isle offers present-day explorers the singular sensation of wandering a beautiful, isolated corner of the Hebrides.
Day 9: Tobermory - Edinburgh, Scotland (BD)
Our route turns east towards Edinburgh this morning, crossing by ferry to Oban then stopping en route at Bannockburn Battlefield to retrace the 14th century heroics of William Wallace and Robert the Bruce in this dramatic chapter of Scottish history. We arrive in Edinburgh for a 3-night stay and the culmination of our Adventure in one of our favorite cities!
Day 10: Activities in Edinburgh (B)
Historic Edinburgh Trail - 10 km, rated 2
Positioned on a strategic rock, Edinburgh Castle has been used as a fortress since the 7th century, bearing the brunt of this city’s turbulent history. Our all-day walk in delightful Edinburgh features the Castle; the Palace of Holyroodhouse; and the Royal Mile, including the John Knox House, Deacon Brodie’s Pub, Greyfriar’s Bobby, and a host of other only-in-Edinburgh attractions (admissions not included)! After dinner on your own this evening, we rendezvous to attend the world-famous Edinburgh Military Tattoo, an outstanding outdoor cornucopia of performing arts presented on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle.
Day 11: Activities in Edinburgh (BD)
This is a “bonus day” to explore Edinburgh. You’ll be provided with a 24-hour hop-on-hop-off bus pass to return to highlights you didn’t have time for yesterday or explore new corners of fascinating Edinburgh. Our visit occurs during the Arts Festival, so there’s always an abundance of attractions available simply by strolling the Royal Mile. Later this evening, we’ll compare notes, swap stories, and reminisce about the Adventure at our Farewell Dinner.
Day 12: Depart from Edinburgh (B)
Our travels together in Great Britain end today with a drive to the airport outside Edinburgh. We return home with new walking friends, fond memories of our adventures, and a greater appreciation of the history, culture, and scenery of the English Cotswolds, Lake District, and the Highlands of Scotland!
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What's Included
English Cotswolds, Lake District & the Highlands of Scotland 2012
July 28 - August 8, 2012 l 12 Days l $4575
Including:
- Airport to hotel group transfers on first and last day*
- All land travel as outlined in an air-conditioned coach
- Superior tourist-class (3 star) or better hotel accommodations
- Ferry roundtrip from Oban to Isle of Mull and Mull to Isle of Iona
- 19 meals: 11 breakfasts and 8 dinners as denoted (BD)
- 6 IVV walks as outlined plus 2 unsanctioned walks (sanctions not yet obtained)
- Fees for walking credit
- WAI guide service throughout
- Cultural & historic expertise of a local guide throughout
- All tipping for local guides and coach drivers
- A limited number of single supplements are available: $700
Entrance fees/admission to:
- Clotted cream tea – Chipping Campden, England
- Cruises on Lake Windermere – Lake District, England
- Glencoe Visitor Centre – Scotland
- Iona Abbey – Scotland
- Bannockburn Heritage Centre & Battlefield – Scotland
- Edinburgh Military Tattoo – Scotland
- 24-hour hop-on-hop-off bus pass – Edinburgh, Scotland
- More fun and interesting stops than we can list!
Optional Excursion:
- Beatrix Potter’s house in Hill Top – Lake District, England (DAY 5)
*Details of transfers provided are listed in Adventure Advice memo sent upon receipt of tour registration.
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Registration Details
To reserve your spot on this adventure, please mail the Registration Form along with a $500 per person deposit, or call in with your credit card. Make checks payable to Walking Adventures International. VISA, MasterCard, and Discover also accepted.
The General Tour Conditions contain important information you should read before you register.
Mail payments to:
Walking Adventures International
PO Box 871000
Vancouver WA 98687-1000
USA
Travel Insurance
Walking Adventures has negotiated with an insurance carrier to provide travel insurance in the form of a Preferred Benefits™ policy. We are pleased to make this package available and believe that it will provide travelers with an important element of security at a reasonable price.
Why We Walk
Why We Walk
Walking and travel are a natural combination! For over 20 years, our Walking Adventures International team has been offering walking programs around the world, and we’ve found that walking and motorcoach travel is the best way to tour. Our coach takes you efficiently from point to point with little wasted time, but walking lets you get off the bus, stretch your legs, and explore the "must see" highlights and off-the-beaten-track wonders. For more on Why We Walk, click here.
Walk Rating System
1. An easy walk on pavement or well-maintained trail with no significant hills.
2. A moderately easy walk, may be on pavement or on trails. No significant difficulty with hills.
3. A moderate walk in any setting with some difficult terrain, one or two substantial hills and/or steps.
4. A more difficult walk. Most likely in a natural setting with poorly maintained paths and steeper or hilly inclines.
5. A very difficult walk. All in rough fields or woods. Many steep hills or high altitude trails, or very rough uneven terrain, steep or unstable inclines.
Volkssport
Some travelers like to keep track of their walks with a system known as volkssport. Click here if you’d like to know more about volkssport.
General Questions
And follow this link for more details on topics like: WAI’s approach to airfare, the number of people accepted on a tour, and finding a roommate!
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