YOUR O.A.T. ADVENTURE TRAVEL PLANNING GUIDE® New! Idyllic Great Britain: England’s Lake District, the Scottish Highlands & Orkney Archipelago 2022 Small Groups: 8-16 travelers—guaranteed! (average of 13) Overseas Adventure Travel ® The Leader in Personalized Small Group Adventures on the Road Less Traveled 1 Dear Traveler, At last, the world is opening up again for curious travel lovers like you and me. And the O.A.T. New! Idyllic Great Britain: England’s Lake District, the Scottish Highlands & Orkney Archipelago itinerary you’ve expressed interest in will be a wonderful way to resume the discoveries that bring us so much joy. You might soon be enjoying standout moments like these: There’s nothing more idyllic than the English countryside. It’s like stepping into a panoramic postcard of shimmering lakes, craggy hilltops, and mountainous tarns. You’ll witness this ethereal beauty when you spend A Day in the Life of a Herdick Sheep farm in England’s Lake District. You’ll be greeted at the village hall by James, a local spokesperson for the Herdwick farming community, and other farmers within the community to learn about what life is like farming here in the Lake District. Then, you’ll get a hands-on experience at the farm, as you help feed and herd the sheep, before sitting down for a farm-fresh meal with James’ family. The lands of the United Kingdom are full of endless beauty but are also rife with a storied history that stretches back millenia. Though culturally unique from England in many ways, Wales has never truly been its own separate nation. Over the centuries, the relationship between these neighboring nations has been shaped by the political, economic, and cultural leanings of England. There has been growing support for Welsh independence with the percentage of people who would vote for separation from the UK at an all-time high. You’ll hear the arguments for and against this movement during a conversation with two locals—one Welsh and one English. The way we see it, you’ve come a long way to experience the true culture—not some fairytale version of it. So we keep our groups small, with only 8-16 travelers (average 13) to ensure that your encounters with local people are as intimate and authentic as possible. It’s also why your O.A.T. Trip Experience Leader will be a resident “insider” who can show you the culture as only a local can. To ensure that your adventure is truly unique, put your own personal stamp on it. You can arrive early and stay later, add a pre- or post-trip extension, spend time in a Stopover city, or combine two or more trips. Plus, your itinerary offers ample free time so you can pursue your own interests. So until the day comes when you are off to enjoy your New! Idyllic Great Britain: England’s Lake District, the Scottish Highlands & Orkney Archipelago adventure, I hope you will relish the fun and anticipation that this O.A.T. Adventure Travel Planning Guide® will inspire. Should you have further questions, feel free to call our Regional Adventure Counselors at 1-800-955-1925. Love and peace, Harriet R. Lewis Vice Chairman, Overseas Adventure Travel P.S. For further peace of mind, please know that we are EXTENDING our Risk-Free Booking Policy through 12/31/21. Learn more at www.oattravel.com/risk-free-booking. USA Today “Best Tours” 10Best Readers’ Presented by Choice Awards Solo Traveler 2 CONTENTS A Letter from Harriet Lewis ................................................................2 The O.A.T. Difference......................................................................4 The Freedom to Personalize Your Experience ................................................6 Grand Circle Foundation...................................................................8 The Leader in Solo Travel ..................................................................9 IDYLLIC GREAT BRITAIN: ENGLAND’S ABOUT YOUR DESTINATIONS: LAKE DISTRICT, THE SCOTTISH HIGH- CULTURE, ETIQUETTE & MORE LANDS & ORKNEY ARCHIPELAGO Culture of the British Isles ................ 71 Your Adventure at a Glance: Language in Scotland .................... 73 Where You’re Going, What it Costs, Language in Ireland ..................... 74 and What’s Included ..................... 10 Shopping: What to Buy, Customs, Your Detailed Day-To-Day Itinerary ........ 12 Shipping & More ........................ 77 Pre-Trip Extensions ...................... 29 Post-Trip Extensions ..................... 40 DEMOGRAPHICS & HISTORY Dates & Prices ........................... 49 United Kingdom in Brief.................. 80 Facts, Figures & National Holidays ........ 80 ESSENTIAL TRAVEL INFORMATION England ................................ 80 Travel Documents & Entry Requirements. 50 Facts, Figures & National Holidays ........ 80 No Visas Required ....................... 50 England: A Brief History .................. 81 Rigors, Vaccines & General Health ......... 52 Scotland................................ 82 Vaccines Required ....................... 53 Facts, Figures & National Holidays ........ 82 Money Matters: Local Currency & Tipping Scotland: A Brief History ................. 83 Guidelines .............................. 55 Northern Ireland ........................ 84 Tipping Guidelines....................... 58 Facts, Figures & National Holidays ........ 84 Air, Optional Tours & Staying in Touch ..... 59 Northern Ireland: A Brief History .......... 85 Optional Tours .......................... 59 Ireland ................................. 86 Communicating with Home from Abroad . 60 Facts, Figures & National Holidays ........ 86 Packing: What to Bring & Luggage Limits . 62 Ireland: A Brief History ................... 87 Suggested Packing Lists .................. 64 Electricity Abroad ....................... 66 RESOURCES Climate & Average Temperatures .......... 68 Suggested Reading ...................... 89 Suggested Film & Video .................. 91 O.A.T. Health & Safety Measures.......................................................... 95 Notes.................................................................................. 96 Map ................................................................................... 99 3 EXPERIENCE THE O.A.T. DIFFERENCE in the United Kingdom This adventure not only showcases iconic sights, but takes you beyond them to experience the culture through unique activities, engagement with the natural world, and authentic encounters with local people. Since our founding in 1978, O.A.T. has become America’s leader in personalized small group journeys on the road less traveled. SMALL GROUPS: 8-16 TRAVELERS LOCAL MODES OF TRANSPORTATION (AVERAGE OF 13)—GUARANTEED To see the world like the locals, you should The world feels more intimate and engaging travel like one. Our small group size allows when your experience of it is also personal us to take the roads and waterways that are and genuine. That’s why our groups never less traveled, and we often follow them using exceed 16 travelers. This gives you access to the same unique modes of transportation people and places larger groups simply can’t that the locals use—be it a canoe, a camel or a reach. More authentic interactions. Deeper vintage cab. bonds with your travel mates. Personal service from your Trip Experience Leader. Smoother UNIQUE LODGINGS transitions. And a far more satisfying Our lodgings reflect the local character, experience than any traditional tour offers. from smaller family-run hotels and historic manors to comfy inns. Occasionally, larger THE BEST TRIP EXPERIENCE LEADERS hotels closer to city centers are used. Wherever Your English-speaking, O.A.T. Trip Experience you stay, you’re assured fine comfort and Leader is a resident of the region you are visiting, hospitality. so you will get a true insider’s perspective that brings each place alive—the stories, food, OUR WORLDWIDE OFFICES customs, hidden treasures and more. With 36 regional offices around the world, we are perfectly poised to leverage our local AUTHENTIC CULTURAL CONNECTIONS relationships to deliver an excellent experience Engage with local people through visits to and value. During this trip, you’ll be supported farms, factories, markets, and artisans’ studios; by our team in London. school visits; Home-Hosted meals; and more. Stroll the cobbled streets of Stromness, Scotland Explore the grounds of Edinburgh Castle with fellow travelers 4 THE PILLARS OF DISCOVERY Enriching. Inspiring. Unforgettable. These features form the foundation of your Idyllic Great Britain adventure. GRAND CIRCLE FOUNDATION (GCF) VISIT and we’ll meet a local Tangier woman to GCF was established in 1992 to help change discuss women’s roles and the challenges they people’s lives in the world where we live, face in contemporary Moroccan society. work, and travel. To date, we have pledged or A DAY IN THE LIFE donated $200 million worldwide. Do you ever wonder, “What would it be like By investing in the places we explore— to live here?” when you visit new lands? Let’s including local schools, cooperatives, or arts find out during your O.A.T. A Day in the Life, an centers—we hope to give locals the skills and exclusive, immersive experience that places confidence they need to become leaders of you in the heart of a community where you’ll their generation and preserve their heritage meet various people where they live, work, for many years to come. We’re proud to play and play; visit the neighborhood school; lend a a part in preserving precious locales like the hand with daily chores; and break bread with Bryggen waterfront