Meal inclusion indications: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

Travelers will arrive into Manchester Airport and be transferred in a private vehicle to the historic city of York. This is an approximately 2 hour drive. 

York is a city with over 2000 years of history - with remarkably preserved medieval streets (The Shambles), Roman ruins, relics of Viking invasion, Georgian townhouses, a Victorian Train Station and a towering Gothic cathedral (York Minster) - all within its ancient city walls.  Enjoy a relaxed walking tour of the city and then return to your hotel to enjoy a 3-course welcome dinner before settling into your room for the night

Overnight: The Milner Hotel, York

The Milner is a grand 1878 Victorian railway hotel beside York Train Station (once the largest in the World) with a sweeping iron staircase and original oak-paneled rooms still intact from its North Eastern Railway heyday. Renamed in 2024 for William Milner, the station foreman who died saving lives in a WWII air raid, blending old-world grandeur with a quiet tribute to local heroism. This hotel is located next to the rail museum which is free to the public, should guests want to explore it in their free time.

The Milner Hotel, York, pictured below

A day showcasing the landscapes and cheesemaking traditions of the National Park Yorkshire Dales, an area of outstanding natural beauty of rolling green hills and stone built cottages.

Your first stop will be at the World famous and award winning Wensleydale Creamery in Hawes - custodians to a 1000 year heritage of cheese tradition - for a tour and tasting. Guests will walk through the creamery and see a demonstration from master cheesemakers to learn more about the process of making this iconic territorial cheese.

After Wensleydale Creamery, continue through the beautiful countryside to make your way to The Courtyard Dairy in Settle, a globally celebrated cheese shop dedicated to farmhouse cheese-makers from the UK. One of Britain's leading specialist cheese shops and affineurs, The Courtyard Dairy was recently awarded the prestigious Affineur of the Year Award in 2026 by the Academy of Cheese. Here, there is an emphasis on unpasteurized, raw milk cheese from single herds. These rare, hard-to-find cheeses are expertly aged on-site to add an extra depth of flavour - all unavailable in the US. Many of these cheeses are unique; all are made by hand.

After today’s activities, guests will come back to York in the late afternoon with free time in the evening. Explore the picturesque streets and find a pub for dinner! 

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Guests will be assisted with the checkout process and luggage will be loaded into the coach before heading north. 

First stop will be in Durham, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to tour the spectacular Durham Cathedral, one of Europe's finest Norman buildings, constructed in the 11th-Century (also used as filming location for Hogwarts for the first two Harry Potter movies).

After leaving Durham, continue north where you’ll stop to have a traditional Afternoon Tea at Jesmond Dene House, a historic 19th-century mansion in Newcastle upon Tyne. This beautiful property is now a boutique hotel, situated on the edge of Jesmond Dene, a picturesque public park and wooded valley filled with streams and waterfalls.

After tea, you’ll head to the 19th-century Granary housed, award winning Northumberland Cheese Company to learn how artisanal cheese is made first-hand and up-close, followed by a tasting of English cheeses in their beautiful Cheese Loft Café.

After the cheese experience, guests will arrive in the Northumberland seaside town of Seahouses. You’ll check into the Bamburgh Castle Inn perched right above the working harbor, just for this evening, where the group will enjoy dinner at the pub by the seaside.

The Jesmond Dene House, above.
Traditional English tea, below.

Northumberland Cheese

Barbara at Northumberland Cheese, below.

Bamburgh Castle Inn, your accommodations for 1 night.

Overnight: Bamburgh Castle Inn

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In the morning, guests will check out of the hotel and continue the journey. Explore more of historic Northumberland's most iconic landscapes and attractions, whose coastline is a designated Area of Natural Beauty.

After breakfast at your hotel, you’ll head to Alnwick Castle for a tour. Alnwick Castle is a an imposing medieval fortress in Northumberland dating back to the 11th century, and for centuries it's been the seat of the Percy family, Dukes of Northumberland, who still call it home today while also opening it to visitors. A filming location in Downton Abbey (Brancaster Castle), it was again used as a stand-in for Hogwarts in the first two Harry Potter films — the broomstick flying lessons scene was filmed right on its grounds.

After that, the group will return to Bamburgh village, a small Northumberland coastal village that grew up around the Norman castle. Today it's a postcard-pretty seaside spot dominated by the castle on its rocky outcrop, with golden-sand beaches. Here the group can enjoy a traditional fish and chips lunch.

After lunch, the group will take a tour and tasting in Ad Gefrin Distillery in the quaint, stone-built market town of Wooler. This experience includes an Anglo-Saxon museum, distillery, and bistro where visitors can tour the production process and taste the resulting whisky and gin — their flagship single malt is still aging in cask, expected to release in 2027. After the tour, the group will enjoy a 3-course lunch at their bistro.

In the evening guests will cross the border into the country of Scotland, arriving in its capital, the striking city of Edinburgh. UNESCO World Heritage listed for both its New Town (18th Century) and Old Town (15th Century) Edinburgh continues to be the political and cultural hub of the nation.

Guests will check into Apex City Center Hotel - a chic and modern hotel with excellent views located in the historically significant Grassmarket, located directly beneath the dramatic granite cliffs of Edinburgh Castle. Guests will have the rest of the night at leisure to dine and to explore both sides of the city on foot. Nearby find Edinburgh Castle, Palace of Holyroodhouse, The Royal Mile and plenty of ghost tours! 

Overnight: Apex City Center, Edinburgh

Overnight: Apex City Center, Edinburgh

After breakfast, depart on a full-day cheese journey to explore Errington Cheese, a Scottish family run, farmstead cheesemaker for a full tour and tasting of Scottish cheeses.

Errington specializes in raw ewe and goat dairy, crafting cheeses with a true sense of place - including the renowned Lanark Blue, Corra Linn, and Blackmount. These award-winning cheeses are deeply tied to the Upper Clyde Valley, reflecting the landscape, seasons, and careful craftsmanship behind every batch.

Afterwards, a Private Tasting with I.J. Mellis, one of Scotland's best-loved cheesemongers — sourcing farmhouse and artisan cheese from small producers across Scotland, England, Ireland and continental Europe, all matured by trained affineurs in Edinburgh's own maturing rooms.

In the evening, join your travel mates for a final farewell, 3-course dinner at a traditional Edinburgh pub.

Overnight: Apex City Centre, Edinburgh

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Guests can check out of their accommodations and head to the airport at their own pace. Return transfers are not included in the package as some travelers may wish to extend their stay in Edinburgh. Should a traveler wish for us to add-on an airport transfer for this day, we’re happy to do so on a case-by-case basis. 

If you'd like help with a trip extension to continue exploring Scotland and beyond, we're here to help! Please message your trip manager and they will assist with a personalized itinerary for you.
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TRIP EXTENSIONS AVAILABLE
If you'd like help with a trip extension to continue exploring Scotland and beyond, we're here to help! Please message your trip manager and they will assist with a personalized itinerary for you.

INCLUDED IN PRICE

• 5 nights' accommodation in carefully selected 3–4 star hotels.
• Breakfast daily (B)
• Lunches on Days 2, 4 and 5 (L)
• Dinners on Days 1, 3 and 5 (D)
• Afternoon Tea at Jesmond Dene House on Day 3
• Private transportation on Days 1-5 (excluding final day transfers to Edinburgh Airport)
• Services of a dedicated professional tour guide Day 1-5, excluding departure day
• York walking tour
• Durham Cathedral admission 
• Alnwick Castle admission
• Wensleydale Creamery admission and tasting
• The Courtyard Dairy experience
• Grate Newcastle cheese and wine tasting or Northumberland Cheese Company TBC
• Fish and chips dinner on the Northumberland coast
• Ad Gefrin Distillery tour and tasting
• Errington Cheese experience
• I.J. Mellis tasting experience (subject to availability)
• Behind-the-scenes access where possible
• Gratuities for coach driver, tour guide & meal options
• Full itinerary planning and implementation

NOT INCLUDED IN PRICE

• Travel insurance. Travelers must be covered to participate. If you don't already have coverage, you can get a quote in 3 minutes.
• Additional beverages and meals not described in the itinerary
• Flights

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Please note that all producer visits and specialist experiences remain indicative at this stage and are subject to final travel dates, producer availability, group size requirements and seasonal opening schedules. Where necessary, comparable experiences or accommodation of a similar standard may be substituted.

Travelers are responsible for booking their own flights, but our team is here to help. Guests must arrive in Manchester no later than 3PM local time for your included transfer to York. Travelers can depart from Edinburgh airport at their preferred time. Departure airport transfer is not included considering many travelers will opt to extend their stay in Edinburgh.

Travelers are required to hold their own travel insurance. If you need travel insurance coverage, our preferred supplier is excellent and it takes just 3 minutes to get a quote. Click here to get yours. 

GROUP SIZE AND MINIMUM REQUIREMENT
This trip is designed for a group of 12-24 travelers. The trip will proceed only if a minimum of 12 participants is reached. If the minimum number of travelers do not book and make a deposit, this trip will be cancelled or rescheduled.

HEALTH AND MOBILITY CONSIDERATIONS
Participants should be in good physical condition as some activities require moderate walking. If you have mobility restrictions or need special accommodations, please inform us in advance. If you have dietary restrictions, please inform us at the time of booking. We cannot guarantee accommodations but we will inform your on-the-ground guide so that they may make every effort to accommodate you.

WEATHER CONDITIONS
Weather may impact outdoor activities. In case of adverse weather, alternative arrangements will be made.

PAYMENT SCHEDULE AND CANCELLATION POLICIES

• $100 per person RSVP at signup to reserve your place.
• Approximately 30% deposit upon confirmation of the booking. Deposits are due no later than Nov 15, 2026.
• Remaining balance payment due no later than March 15, 2027.
  
  Cancellation Policy: All payments are non-refundable. If the minimum number of travelers is not met by November 15, this trip may be cancelled or rescheduled. In that case, deposits will not be collected and travelers may use the $100 RSVP charge towards any future travel experience with Vacationeeze.