If you’ve booked or are thinking about booking a trip to The United Kingdom, this guide is for you. THIRDHOME‘s Travel Concierge, Liz Bates, has collected The U.K.’s best local experiences, and is now sharing her insider knowledge with you!
DON’T JUST BE A TOURIST. LIVE LIKE A LOCAL, IN LONDON, WALES AND SCOTLAND, BY ADDING-ON ONE OF THESE PRIVATE OR SMALL GROUP EXPERIENCES!
Discover a bustling metropolis of art, history and culture in London. With much more to see than can be fit into a week-long stay, consider adding on a Live Like a Local experience to cover the essentials.
Evening Thames River Dinner Cruise – $179 per person
Enjoy a sumptuous dinner cruising past Big Ben, the London Eye, and more.
Rail it to Liverpool & Beatles Magical Tour – $259 per person
Included roundtrip rail tickets, Beatles Magical Mystery Tour, and entry to The Beatles Story.
Buckingham Palace – $129 per person
A panoramic tour of royal sites in central London followed by an audio tour of the staterooms, ballroom, and throne room in Buckingham Palace.
Stunning coasts and castles await in ancient Wales. Uncover mythical landscapes, historic landmarks and seaside charm in the Celtic land of Wales.
Private Brecon Beacons & Historic Sites – $429 per person
Find otherworldly views from mountains that tower over tiny hamlets boasting historic churches.
Private Pembrokeshire Coast – $429 per person
Visit Dylan Thomas’ home, Laugharne Castle, beautiful beaches, and more in this stunning coastal area.
Visit Edinburgh, the capital and cultural center of Scotland. It’s medieval architecture, craggy coast and exciting nightlife will have you longing for more time in this vibrant city.
Old & New Town Tasting Walking Tour – $125 per person
Enjoy good food, drink and company while learning the rich history of Edinburgh. Old & New Town are both listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Entrance to Edinburgh Castle w/Afternoon Tea – $69 per person
Visit this hilltop fortress, home to the Scottish Crown Jewels. After a self-guided tour, enjoy traditional afternoon tea with scones and sandwiches at the castle’s elegant tea room.
Beyond the marvels of Edinburgh lies an entire country filled with historic and cultural gems. From Loch Ness to the Isle of Sky, there’s no shortage of bucket list sites to see in Scotland.
Eileen Donan Castle & Isle of Skye – $125 per person
Behold some of Scotland’s most iconic scenery- Loch Ness, Eilean Donan Castle, Isle of Skye, and Black Isle.
Discover Malt Whisky Highlands Tour – $69 per person
Experience single malt Scotch whisky at two fascinating distilleries on the edge of the Highlands on this full-day tour.
Melrose Abbey & Alnwick Castle – $75 per person
Rolling hills, beautiful ruins, and a fascinating castle used as filming locations for Harry Potter and Downtown Abbey.
NO Keys are required to book these excursions and guided activities, however, a Personal Concierge assistance fee of $200 will be required upfront and does not include the actual tours and experiences you opt to add-on. If you would like to include a local excursion, please contact THIRDHOME‘s Travel & Concierge, Liz Bates.
Click here to see the Live Like a Local directory.
Hey London…
I like you. I really do.
My London visit and all the things to do in London were an unexpected surprise. After all, I’ve been here before and thought I wouldn’t really be phased by you.
But during my week-long visit to London which led me to deeper corners of this city that I previously hadn’t seen, I discovered there’s more to London then just a big old city.
A visit to London will consist of exploring the breathtaking architecture and landmarks, shopping, great live entertainment and fine dining.
On every corner within the city, there was an opportunity to try succulent cuisines from around the world, and follow that up with an award-winning play at the local theatre. And luckily I had the chance to see one of the comedy shows which sent me into hysterics. This one was called ‘The Play that Goes Wrong,’ which I highly recommend.
There are major landmarks which you must explore, like Big Ben, The Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Palace of Westminster, the London Eye, Buckingham Palace, Tate Modern Museum, Hyde Park and Trafalgar Square.
Don’t get overwhelmed by this list. These points of interest are close together and seeing them isn’t going to take up your entire holiday.
I also loved wandering through the Borough Markets. A sea of fresh foods from around the world and locally prepared meals and brewed alcohol stalls which will do wonders to your palette.
Furthermore, London, I would like to pride you on your people. Well-mannered, well-versed and full of life. My kind of people.
When I travel, it’s mostly people that I love meeting. All the untold stories that I desperately want to hear.
And London, you delivered. I stumbled upon incredible people, from my kind Uber drivers, to the memorable mind-provoking conversations with strangers that are now friends.
If you would truly love to experience what London has on offer, you must include a London makeover in your visit. I had the pleasure of working with a local stylist and also getting a new hair-do from Kim Lomax at the ‘Best Voted in London’ award winning The Chapel Place in Islington.
It’s the perfect start to my Best Job On The Planet adventure. Looking fine and feeling fine.
I will miss you London. You left an impression on me.
So much so, that I wouldn’t be opposed to calling you home one day.
-Sorelle Amore
(PS. I’m slightly worried that every place I visit, I’ll want to call home.)
THIRDHOME members, ready to pack your bags and visit London? Click here to browse through properties in London.
Sorelle Amore won THIRDHOME‘s “Best Job On The Planet,” which garnered more than 17,000 applications from around the world. In her position as a Luxury Travel Connoisseur for THIRDHOME, she is traveling the world, staying in 12 luxury homes.
THIRDHOME is the exclusive luxury property and travel club that enables second home owners to exchange time in their home for stays in spectacular destinations around the world. Click here for more information on how to become a member.