Travel journal

Looking for summer holidays in the UK without the sweltering heat? Discover cooler coastal and island tours filled with wildlife, history and fresh sea air.

For travellers coming from London – or overseas visitors already exploring England, travelling to Ireland by rail and ferry is not only possible, it’s surprisingly straightforward. In many cases, taking a ferry to Ireland can be a far more enjoyable way to begin your trip.

Read on to explore a slower, more scenic way to reach Ireland by rail and ferry, and what to expect along the journey.

If you’re trying to decide on the best time to visit Orkney for weather and wildlife, the real question is this: do you want the fizz and bustle of summer, or the quieter pleasures of early autumn? Both seasons are rewarding, but they offer different moods, different light and a different cast of wild characters. 

People come from far and wide to see Orkney’s famous stone circles, chambered cairns and 5,000-year-old villages – but its wildlife is just as worth travelling for. We talked to Megan, a local Orcadian naturalist who guides our guests on the wildlife-rich islands on Westray and Shapinsay, about what you can expect from an Orkney wildlife trip. 

What is it about this island, one might ask, that has so inspired artists and icons from Alfred Lord Tennyson to Benedict Cumberbatch and, even more famously, Queen Victoria? The Isle of Wight, at first glance, might seem like simply another delightful Southern getaway for summer lovers. Its pseudonym as the ‘Dinosaur Isle’, has also attracted Jurassic bone hunters and geologists for hundreds of years. But, with new sites now looking to its future, old and new are now starting to change the tune.

Who better than Akshay Borges – a.k.a. the Shetland Chef – to tell us how food can be the most direct route to the soul of a place and its people? After all, he’s done exactly that, after moving to and falling in love with Shetland more than 15 years ago. 

Historic houses and stately homes are one of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland’s greatest hits. Our guide shows you how to plan ahead and finishes with GeoCultura’s pick of unmissable historic houses across the UK. 

Ancestral tourism is more than just a holiday. Done right, it can be one of the most rewarding ways to explore a place. It adds depth, curiosity and emotional connection to every step of the journey.  

It’s a proud moment for our small team to be recognised in The Times. To us, it’s a reminder that people are seeking something different from their holidays. Something deeper, more enriching – and something we’re uniquely placed to provide! 

Ireland’s landscapes are alive with stories that speak of everything from myth and geology to ancient kingdoms and Atlantic weather fronts, so when is the best time to visit Ireland? How you’ll experience Ireland very much depends on when you go. Each season shines with its own charms. Here’s what to expect, from January to December.