Another great VBT trip through the beautiful rolling countryside of Northumberland, Cumbria, and the Borderlands of Scotland. Although we have always used road bikes on prior VBT trips, we were very happy we chose e-bikes for this one, allowing us to enjoy the scenic vistas without struggling up the (many) hills. We enjoyed the historic sites like Hadrian's Wall and Vindolanda, the towns and little villages, our always friendly guides and companions, and of course the (many) sheep. The post trip in Edinburgh is a great contrast to the ride itself. As a new VBT trip, this one still needs a couple of little tweaks, but if the weather cooperates (which it did for us), you will have a wonderful experience. (Here's a tip. Don't try to climb Hadrian's Wall in bike shoes. (: )
England
Up and Down through the Borderlands
Jan W, RI
England & Scotland: Lake District to Edinburgh
Amazing English Lake District/Scottish Highlands
We had a marvelous time. The leaders (Mick and Hattie) were so knowledgeable about the area. The cycling here is tough but do-able.. we were very thankful to have e bikes. We loved seeing Hadrians wall and that was definitely a highlight. The people in this area are so friendly. The question of the day is when you have a scone would you rather have jelly first or clotted cream first? Everyone wanted to know how you felt about this.The pre-trip in Liverpool and the Post trip in Edinburgh were delightful. The food was great and all the towns we stopped and were so interesting.
Cathy Isaak, Ft Myers, Florida
England & Scotland: Lake District to Edinburgh
VBT, the best.
The reasons we choose VBT are several but VBT's attention to detail is superb. Our accommodations were the best not only in location and ambiance but the staffs were most friendly and welcoming. Our tour guides were exceptional and very attentive to our safety and local knowledge. There were no negatives on our trip. In choosing VBT you cannot go wrong.
Spen, VA
England: Bath & the Cotswolds
England: Cotswalds and Bath
Wonderful trip to the Cotswolds and Bath! Our guides were stellar-very helpful, funny and knowledgeable! Lodging was top-notch as was the cuisine!
Deanna T, Virginia
England: Bath & the Cotswolds
A Fantastic Trip
What a fantastic trip this was. This was my 6th time going to England, but my first for the Cotswold region and what an extraordinary time it was. The food was fantastic, everywhere you looked the views were spectacular. It was fantastic trip which I would do again in a heart beat.
Tasha, Vermont
England: Bath & the Cotswolds
Cream Tea, Charming Gardens, Lovely Walks
My husband and I did this self-guided tour in early September and absolutely loved it. Country Walkers did an impeccable job taking care of every detail--booking hotels, moving our suitcases between hotels, and, best of all, the "route notes" book was so detailed and had everything we needed from step-by-step directions and restaurant suggestions to history and ideas for things to do. It felt like a wonderful adventure following the famous paths through sheep pastures and little forest thickets, past gardens and ancient churches, and climbing over or around all the different gates. It was often overcast and misty in the mornings, but the mid-day sun burned it all away. Our highlights are choosing to stop for an hour to check out the Hailes Abbey Museum and rubbing elbows with some locals at the only pub in a tiny village. So many great memories! We liked the intimate experience of doing a self-guided trip and the independence (without the planning!) that it provided. We spent some extra days in London at the end of our trip...that was just icing on the cake.
Ashlea, South Burlington, VT
England: Bath & the Cotswolds