Six of the best

Globe hopping 30 / Six of the best...

Touring in the UK

With prospects for international travel still uncertain, a UK holiday could be the only chance clients have to break away this summer. Here are six options to explore closer to home

Off-the-beaten track Scotland

One of Rabbie’s newest tours is a one-day adventure from Aberdeen which travels around a little-known section of Scotland’s rocky northeast coast. Guests will visit the coastal reserve of Spey Bay for the chance to spot dolphins; search for puffins at the Bullers of Buchan, a collapsed sea cave; wander the ruins of Slains Castle, which inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and explore the old harbour of Portsoy. rabbies.com

Wales by rail

Planned for October this year is the fiveday Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways – Behind the Scenes, an access all areas tour. It will explore over 40 miles of rail track from Caernarfon, through Snowdonia National Park to Blaenau Ffestiniog. Clients can step behind the scenes and visit sections of the line not normally seen by passengers It is hoped that the tours will help support heritage railways. ffestiniogtravel.com

Explore beyond the shore

Titan Travel’s Isle of White short break might allow clients to feel like they’re still going overseas by hopping on the ferry from Portsmouth to Fishbourne. The fiveday tour will sample the best of island life on this chalky rock just off the south coast, including its 25 miles of sweeping shoreline, traditional English villages and a host of coastal eateries specialising in fresh-fromthe-net seafood. Titantravel.co.uk

City and coast combined

Shearings’ four-day Northumbrian Coast and Durham tour explores quaint market towns like Alnwick and big cities such as Durham and Newcastle-upon-Tyne before a day on the Northumbrian Coast. Stops here include the fishing port of Craster. Weather permitting, guests will also visit Holy Island and Lindisfarne, famed as the birthplace of English Christianity. The tour is part of the ‘More Included’ collection. shearings.com

Real Downton Abbey

This five-day tour with Just Go! Holidays will delve into fascinating ‘society stories’ at some Britain’s most elegant manor houses and country estates – from Highclere Castle, the setting of the Downton Abbey TV series, to Hatchlands Park, a country house perched on the edge of the Surrey Hills. Each tour includes four nights at the Hampshire Court Hotel, with dinner and breakfast. justgoholidays.com

Cotswolds steam & cruise

National Holidays will combine road, river and steam train on this five-day Cotswolds Cruise & Severn Valley Steam tour. The itinerary includes a heritage train journey on the Severn Valley Railway and a trip to the historic market towns of Stratford-uponAvon and Broadway, with a cruise along the River Avon. The tour pases through Worcester and the cathedral city of Hereford. nationalholidays.com