Week 2

Without a doubt, the hardest part of traveling is not the money or time, it’s the planning. If you have the heart to do it, you will find a way for all aspects of the journey to fall into place. Excuses tend to be the most difficult to overcome, even if they’re to ourselves. This adventure guide is meant to lighten the load while providing motivation that you can do it.

This is a framework, of sorts, of a fully planned itinerary that only requires you booking accommodations of your own. If you’d like the absolute complete itinerary with an incredible amount of detail so you may copy and paste the entire journey, click HERE.

Holy path of castles, Batman

Depart Stockton-On-Tees, or nearby, and begin your adventure toward Scotland. This day is all about site seeing along the road. Since about York, you’ve been in what is referred to as Northumbria.

You will spend the morning in Alnwick Castle. Again, Harry Potter fans will love this. Much of the first few films were done here. It is not a busy place, and there are shops and small things to tour inside. Downton Abbey was also advertised here. If you’re really dedicated, you can catch the flying broom lessons in the courtyard.

Bamburgh Castle is next on the agenda. This castle will put you in awe when you approach it as it’s enormous. As you enter, you’ll have generous views of the beach. There are rooms to tour here, but nothing as grand as other castles on the trip. Sit on the throne, grab lunch at the cafe, snap some photos of the view, and move along to the final location.

Holy Island is a place that has a causeway that floods at certain times of day and year. You must adhere to the timetables or you’ll be stranded. The drive to it is actually really fun. Driving here later in the day also makes you feel like you own the island due to you being the only ones out and about. You must get to Lindisfarne Priory before closing, however, if you wish to see inside. Take the outer path to the coast for a rear view of the priory and breathtaking views of the ocean. If you manage to get here early, you can also visit the Lindisfarne Castle nearby.

Due to the timetable, you’ll depart the island in early evening. You’re now bound for Edinburgh. Once you arrive, go walk the Royal Mile. This is the well trafficked main street. Grab yourself a bite to eat, and if you’re up for it, drop by a few pubs before bed.

Let’s sleep in a castle

Day 12

Get in the car and drive to Loch Lomond. There are many lochs, but this is the best one at the closest distance. But, before you reach the destination, explore Stirling Castle on the way! Stirling Castle feels like it’s still in medieval times. There is less to see inside, but the outside is full of secret areas to find higher views. The views on a clear day are worth the visit.

Once you arrive at Loch Lomond, park near Balloch Castle. This is a small little piece of history. It consists of…. public restrooms. However, the exterior and adjacent gardens are nice to look at. Keep walking down the hill until you hit the lake. From here, you’re free to wander.

When you get hungry, The Oak Tree Inn is a great place to find food. There are limited options, but this one is a good one. You can also continue to drive to different points on the loch, but we chose to head to our castle.

Castle Levan (now closed down) is grander than the photos. I tried to find a genuine castle experience. This was small, but provided it all. There were 5 or 6 floors, so the top was actually very high from the ground. We could see the ocean as we sat on the edge. The funny part was the track housing surrounding this place. It was historical though, somewhere from the 15th century it still stood. The interior was spot on with the exterior, it was really fun, and it’s too bad it closed its doors.

Each day is a gift, and they were well spent

Day 14

This is the sad day that requires your flight home. The good news is that you at least gain the 8 hours back (if you live California, like me). So it will be the same day when you arrive this time. You can also cherish all the memories you just made. You now have experience gained. Your next adventure will improve upon the last, as each one does.

I hope you enjoyed this brief walkthrough of the two week road trip that entails a little bit of everything “Europe.” If you have questions, contact us. If you’d like the in-depth guide to save you all the time of planning it yourself, click HERE.

Thanks for stopping by

Happy Traveling!

-Colton James 😎