Experience the UK like never before with our guest, Deborah Harson. Journey with us as Deborah recounts her and daughter Brittany's exploration of Cornwall's lush landscapes and stunning coastline - an adventure that will stir your wanderlust. The second part of our journey takes us to the bustling city of London. Here you'll get a taste of the exhilarating life in the city, as Deborah recounts their photo shoot, afternoon tea experiences and mouthwatering meals they relished at the Laughing Hal...
Sep 26, 2023•30 min•Ep. 65
In episode 64 of the UK Travel Planning Podcast Tracy is joined by guest Andy Ward, the founder of Expedition Yorkshire. Andy shares his background in various tour formats and the effects of the pandemic on his career. He explains his motivation for starting Expedition Yorkshire and the high-quality private tours they offer. Andy discusses their popular tours, including the Whitby Moor, Coast and Cliff Tour; the Yorkshire Dales Fell, Valley and Castle Tour; and the York to Edinburgh Transfer Tou...
Sep 19, 2023•20 min•Ep. 64
Ever dreamt of exploring the historic beauty of Edinburgh but worried about a time crunch? Our guest, Cheryl Ridpath Conway, proves it's possible as she shares her whirlwind 36-hour adventure through the city. Alongside her two eldest daughters, she adventured through Edinburgh Castle, Grey Friars Kirkyard, the Writers Museum, and even the University of Edinburgh. She divulges her secret travel weapon - the early bird strategy that's a queue game-changer. Cheryl's infectious enthusiasm for trave...
Sep 12, 2023•28 min•Ep. 63
Ready to explore a winter wonderland? This episode promises to transport you to the winter wonderland of the Cotswolds, guided by the charming Victoria of Cotswold Tea Cup Tours. Experience the cosy atmosphere of quaint pubs, explore hidden gems, and revel in the joy of twinkling Christmas decorations, all while enjoying the quieter pace of this enchanting region during winter. Victoria shares her top destinations and practical tips, from dressing for the weather to being mindful of the limited ...
Sep 05, 2023•16 min•Ep. 62
Have you ever dreamt of a vacation in the UK, steeped in literature, and history? Join us as we journey through the heart of England with Lisa Olney and her husband, Ken - an adventure that unravels the rich tapestry of Tudor history, iconic landmarks, and the hidden gems of British culture. In this enchanting narrative, Lisa shares her experiences from a two-week exploration of England, capturing the essence of destinations such as the Globe Theatre, Stratford upon Avon, and Hever Castle. Howev...
Aug 29, 2023•45 min•Ep. 61
Meet Oz, the man behind My Tailored Tours, a company that crafts bespoke UK vacation experiences. Despite the challenges of the COVID pandemic, Oz's innovative spirit has built a travel business that delivers unique and personalized tours. His story, full of resilience and ambition, is sure to inspire and entertain. Stepping into history, we follow Oz as he guides us through the iconic Stonehenge and Bath route. As he paints a vivid picture of Roman Baths, the Georgian city of Bath, and the scen...
Aug 22, 2023•30 min•Ep. 60
Join the conversation as we journey with Debra Blazer, an American mum of three, on an exhilarating 12-day road trip through the UK. Ever wondered how to squeeze a family of five and their luggage into a rental car? Debra effortlessly navigates the complexities of travelling with kids, sharing her wisdom on packing light and pre-planning logistics. From navigating bustling cities to exploring picturesque countryside towns, she offers a treasure trove of practical advice for those planning their ...
Aug 15, 2023•47 min•Ep. 59
In episode 58 of the UK Travel Planning Podcast Tracy and Doug discuss everything you need to know about visiting the beautiful city of Edinburgh. From recommended accommodations and transportation options to must-see attractions and tips for planning your itinerary we have you covered. So whether you're a first-time visitor or looking to revisit this enchanting city you will discover valuable insights to make your trip to Edinburgh unforgettable! Topics covered in this episode include: Highligh...
Aug 08, 2023•30 min•Ep. 58
Are you ready to embark on an exciting journey through the UK without breaking the bank? With us, your hosts Tracy and Doug, you'll uncover a treasure trove of insider tips and tricks to make your next trip to the UK both affordable and unforgettable. Fresh off our own travels around, we’ve noticed that things have become a bit pricier. Therefore, we’re fired up to share our best advice with you, from smart planning strategies to navigating public transportation and sightseeing passes efficientl...
Aug 01, 2023•20 min•Ep. 57
In this episode of the UK Travel Planning podcast, Kathryn Johnson recounts her family's first visit to the UK in May 2023. In this episode, you will discover An overview of Kathryn's itinerary Resources Kathryn used to plan her trip Favourite tours and experiences How they travelled around London and the UK (plus recommended apps) Kathryn's favourite accommodations in Edinburgh and London What Kathryn purchased during the trip (souvenirs) Cultural differences noted by Kathryn during the trip be...
Jul 25, 2023•42 min•Ep. 56
In this episode of UK Travel Planning, host Tracy Collins explores some of the cultural and practical differences between the United Kingdom and the United States. From driving on the left side of the road and navigating roundabouts to understanding the nuances of British English, Tracy shares valuable tips and insights for travellers. She advises listeners to bring personal washcloths, check for air conditioning in accommodations, and come prepared with their own shopping bags. Tracy also discu...
Jul 18, 2023•19 min•Ep. 55
In episode 54 of the UK Travel Planning Podcast, Tracy Collins shares her 10 favourite experiences in London. In this episode, you will learn: Tracy’s top 10 experiences in London Find out which tours Tracy highly recommends Learn where to find the best views in London Find out which is Tracy’s favourite museum in London And so much more! For further information and the full show notes for this episode visit UKTravelPlanning.com/episode-54 >> Visit our shop for guides and resources to help...
Jul 11, 2023•35 min•Ep. 54
In episode 53 of the UK Travel Planning Podcast, Tracy Collins chats with her husband Doug about his recent day trip to the Isle of Wight. In this episode, you will learn: How Doug planned his day trip to the Isle of Wight from London How to get to the Isle of Wight The route Doug decided to take and the three different types of transport involved in his trip What travelling on a hovercraft was like (especially for somebody who usually gets seasick!) What public transport was like on the island ...
Jul 04, 2023•25 min•Ep. 53
In episode 52 of the UK Travel Planning Podcast, Tracy Collins chats with her husband Doug about his recent trip to North Wales. In this episode, you will learn: How Doug planned his trip around North Wales The four Heritage railway lines Doug wanted to experience Castles worth visiting in North Wales How Doug found the experience of travelling only on public transport What Doug thought of the food in North Wales The highlights of Doug’s trip Doug’s tips for exploring North Wales, especially if ...
Jun 27, 2023•26 min•Ep. 52
In episode 51 of the UK Travel Planning Podcast, Tracy Collins chats with Robbie Wright about her trip around the UK with her husband. In this episode, you will learn: Why guided tours add so much value to your travel experiences What driving is like in the UK (and the benefits of Tripiamo) What Robbie’s favourite foods were on the trip How far in advance to book tours and attraction tickets What accommodation Robbie chose and why What was the experience of being in England during the coronation...
Jun 20, 2023•41 min•Ep. 51
In episode 50 of the UK Travel Planning Podcast , Tracy Collins chats with Marissa Barker and her mum, Cindy, all about their multi-generational trip around the UK. In this episode, you will learn: Where Marissa and her large family group travelled during their visit to the UK How Marissa organised the trip for a large family group of different ages Marissa’s experience of doing an itinerary consult with Tracy and Doug How Marissa compared costs for transport and tours Why using tour guides made...
Jun 13, 2023•51 min•Ep. 50
In episode 49 of the UK Travel Planning Podcast, Tracy chats with Karen from SmartStepstoAustralia.com all about flying long haul. Together they share their tips, advice and information about long-haul travel (including flying with kids). In this episode, you will learn What to pack, including hand luggage essentials Why packing cubes are so useful How to enjoy a comfortable flight How to avoid jet lag Apps you can use to relax How to be organised for your flight and trip, including paperwork an...
Jun 06, 2023•35 min•Ep. 49
In this week's episode of the UK Travel Planning Podcast, Tracy Collins shares her experience of visiting the UK during the summer along with packing tips, must-see events and activities to enjoy during the warmer months. In this episode, you will learn The advantages and disadvantages of visiting the UK in summer. What to pack for a summer trip. What things to see and do in summer. Major events taking place in summer. For further information and the full show notes for this episode visit UKTrav...
May 30, 2023•14 min•Ep. 48
In episode 47 of the UK Travel Planning Podcast , Tracy chats with Doug to answer your top 10 frequently asked questions about travelling in the UK. In this episode, you will learn : Where to get travel planning information and advice How to access Wifi in the UK What plug adapter you will need Is tipping expected and how much to tip What to pack for the seasons How to get from the airport to your hotel How far in advance to book things (and popular places that really need to be booked earlier) ...
May 23, 2023•25 min•Ep. 47
In episode 46 of the UK Travel Planning Podcast, Tracy chats with Karen from Smart Steps to Australia all about visiting Harry Potter Studios in 2022 to share tips, advice and information. In this episode, you will learn Getting to Harry Potter studios – taking the Golden Tours package versus making your own way there and booking tickets independently How far in advance to book tickets What to spend your money on beyond your entry ticket Where to get butterbeer and what does it taste like The hi...
May 16, 2023•33 min•Ep. 46
In this episode of the UK Travel Planning Podcast, the tables are turned! UK Travel Planning Founder Tracy is interviewed by her friend Karen to talk about her 2023 UK trip so far. In this episode, you will learn What Tracy has been up to over the last couple of weeks in the UK. How Tracy is getting around the UK. What types of accommodation Tracy has been staying in. Whether Tracy prefers using an Oyster Card or contactless. The highlights of Tracy’s trip so far. Tracy’s favourite UK foods. Wha...
May 09, 2023•48 min•Ep. 45
In episode 44 of the UK Travel Planning Podcast, Tracy and Doug Collins, Founders of UK Travel Planning, chat about their Cornwall itinerary from their trip in 2022. In this episode, you will learn: Which locations Tracy and Doug visited on their road and train travels in Cornwall How to get around Cornwall and what to expect from the narrow country roads and the busy car parks Why it’s important to book ahead, especially during the summer months Highlights not to be missed in Cornwall. For furt...
May 02, 2023•31 min•Ep. 44
In episode 43 of the UK Travel Planning Podcast, Tracy and Doug Collins, Founders of UK Travel Planning, cover the top 15 questions they get asked about travelling by train in the UK. I n this episode, you will learn How do I get from Heathrow airport by train to Kings Cross railway station? How much time do I need to allow from landing at Heathrow airport to booking a train from Kings Cross to Edinburgh? How soon in advance do I need to buy train tickets? What is the difference between the Adva...
Apr 25, 2023•19 min•Ep. 43
In episode 42 of the UK Travel Planning Podcast , we chat again with Sally-Ann who co-founded tour company North Coast Explorer Tours with her husband, Robert. We talk about their favourite places for scenery, history, food, wildlife and beaches in Far North Scotland. In this episode, you will learn: Sally-Ann and her husband Robert’s favourite places in Far North Scotland for scenery, history, food, wildlife and beaches. Hidden places you might miss if you didn’t know they were there Worthwhile...
Apr 18, 2023•54 min•Ep. 42
In episode 41 Tracy chats to John Coupland from John England Tours about his private medieval day tours in South East England. In this episode, you will learn Medieval day tours available in the South East of England Lesser known medieval attractions worth visiting Which historic sites you can combine in a day tour The benefits of taking a private day tour How day tours can be multigenerational and can suit all age groups For further information and the full show notes for this episode visit UKT...
Apr 11, 2023•37 min•Ep. 41
In episode 40 of the UK Travel Planning Podcast , UK Travel Planning founders Tracy and Doug Collins chat about catching the Eurostar train from London to Paris to prepare you for the experience. In this episode, you will learn: How long is the journey from London to Paris on the Eurostar train What ticket types are available How to check in for your journey What happens to your luggage on the train What are the seating configurations like How to travel onward to your hotel in Paris Is it possib...
Apr 04, 2023•27 min•Ep. 40
In episode 39 of the UK Travel Planning Podcast , we chat with Marc from Northumberland Tours about all of the things you can do on your visit to Northumberland. We cover historic sights, wildlife, weather and so much more. In this episode, you will learn: What you can expect to see at the Farne Islands The importance of checking tide times for visits to Holy Island/Lindisfarne Castle How many stunning castles there are to explore in Northumberland What weather to expect in Northumberland How No...
Mar 28, 2023•28 min•Ep. 39
In episode 38 of the UK Travel Planning Podcast, we have a chat with fellow expat Karen from SmartStepstoAustralia.com all about British foods. This includes everything from customs and language around food to types of places to eat out, how to save money on your food budget and we hopefully inspire you to add some new foods to your list of things to try. In this episode, you will learn about Sunday roasts and carveries Typical British hot puddings Fish and chips with scraps (bad for you but oh-...
Mar 21, 2023•42 min•Ep. 38
In episode 37 of the UK Travel Planning Podcast, we chat with Karen from SmartStepstoAustralia.com about her first trip back to the UK after living in Australia for over eight years. Karen travelled with her husband and three kids who were 10, 12 and 12 and toured the UK for six weeks visiting friends and family. In this episode, you will learn Tips for flying with kids and overcoming jet lag A breakdown of Karen’s itinerary which included Portsmouth, London, Cornwall, Sheffield and Lincoln Tran...
Mar 14, 2023•59 min•Ep. 37
In episode 36 of the UK Travel Planning Podcast, we chat with Sally-Ann, co-founder of private tour company North Coast Explorer Tours, to talk about visiting Far North Scotland. This is part two of a two-part podcast – if you haven’t listened to episode 35 yet, it’s a good idea to start with that one. In this episode, you will learn What to expect from a tour with North Coast Explorer Tours Why it's a good idea to book a tour to explore the Far North of Scotland Why it’s a great idea to have a ...
Mar 07, 2023•22 min•Ep. 36
